An arranged marriage. A dangerous attraction. A love triangle with secrets that could burn everything down. Lorraine Withmore and Dexter Grayson have been rivals since highschool, a clash of ambition, pride and unspoken tension. When their families arrange a marriage to merge their corporate empires, it turns into the perfect recipe for disaster and chaos but business is business and none of them have a choice, they agree to the loveless union but behind closed doors their hate for one another intensifies. However things begin to change when Mateo, cousin to Dexter and soft spoken to the core, continues falling in love with Lorraine and the jealousy he wasn't aware of awakens something fierce, possessive and obsessive. He might have never wanted a wife, she didn't want to fall in love but both of them would do anything to keep whatever they cherished even if it meant crossing unimaginable lines to get it. In love someone always loses, but what if it's your mind, your freedom or worst of all…your heart?.
Lihat lebih banyakLORRAINE'S POV:
“Marriage?, of all things to bind the companies with? marriage, mum c'mon, I sigh with annoyance, “there's no way I'm getting married to that son of a bitch”.
“Do you have a better idea?”, she takes off her glasses and places it on the table waiting for an answer, “that's what I thought. This is the only way to merge the companies, we'll be a strong empire, stronger than anyone here in Manhattan and the whole of DC”.
She was right, for years we've been trying to build up our company so it gets to the top, although it's a slow process everyday we are getting there but my mother's selfish and greedy ambition would never allow her see the bigger picture.
“There has to be another way. This…this can't be the only way out. Mum, I'm not ready for marriage, hell I don't even want to get married.We don't even love each other ,I….”
“Enough!!” she slams the table and I pause, You are a Withmore, we don't marry for love but empires, I also had to sacrifice my happiness for this company. How do you plan on being CEO if you don't want to make hard decisions huh? Enough nagging and complaining, I'm sick and tired of it. 3pm today we're going to sign that contract at the Grayson’s company, be prepared
Now, leave my office”
I didn't need anyone to tell me mymother's various unsaid sacrifices for this company or that if I did say another word she'll have my very head on her table, so I stand up and leave with my eyes on the brink of tears.
********
In as much as my very soul was crushed with the news I had received earlier, I still had to continue with work and try my absolute best to fill up my mind with something other than it. One would think that because my mother is the CEO of this company i would have it easy, wrong I didn't, instead I worked more than anyone, did everyone's job and still had to find time to be pretty in front of cameras, it was mentally draining.
Everyday is the same, wake up at 4am, go for jog, return home, eat, head directly to work and not see the city until it's after dark, head home around 9 and the cycle continues, but I wasn't complaining I will continue doing all of it till my mother saw my importance.
“Remind me again why HR hasn't reached out to the Simpson’s family to give them their daughter's pay?” I ask Stella as she looks confused.
Regal Simpson died of cancer a few months ago and despite promising the family a little package as a thank you, the company hasn't done anything.
“Your mother said it was a waste of funds, that the family didn't need our money”
“It's our duty whether they need it or not” I say with anger at the tip of my tongue, “and Regal was my employee my mother doesn't have a say in it, head to HR to issue that cheque now” I order.
“Yes ma'am” Stella runs away.
I wasn't a harsh person and raising my voice at my employees was never an option but with the news that I heard this morning it has really messed up with me.
I take another deep breath and drink my coffee when I hear a knock on my door,
“Stella, if you're here to complain about anything I don't have the patience” I say, dropping my coffee and not looking up.
“Stella? Your hot secretary? Where is she”,I hear the familiar voice that has always annoyed the hell out of me, Dexter Grayson.
Dexter Grayson aka my enemy aka my nemesis aka the most infuriating , self absorbed son of a bitch, aka my future.. husband.
“What do you want, Dexter?” I angrily say.
“That is no way to greet your future husband now, is it lovely wife?” He smiles and tries to peck me but I shift away with disgust, “rude” he scoffs.
“So you've heard then? Great. Get out” I give him a stern look.
“Still fiesty, still annoying but sexy as ever, “he takes in a deep breath and looks at me from my head to down like as if he was planning to kidnap me or something, “Tell me how did you react when you found out that the man you hate with everything in you is going to be your husband” he says with an annoying smile on his face that even increases my annoyance.
“And how did you react when you found out that the woman you also hate with everything is going to be your dear wife” I mock him, “remember when you said you'd never be with a woman like me? How's that working out for ya? I smiled slightly even though I was boiling with anger.
“Believe it or not I was thrilled, I mean you always acted like they'll never be anything between us but look at us now, face to face and getting married in three weeks” he laughs and claps his hand.
I'm sorry, what? Three weeks?? The blood on my face drains and my spine stiffens.
“With that look on your face I'm guessing you didn't know. Wow your mum really does suck”
“she does but that's not your place to say you fucking idiot” I take a deep breath in while clutching the arm of my chair turning my knuckles white.
“Three weeks Lorraine, we're going to be legally tied in front of millions of people showcasing our love, how exciting” he sips my coffee and smiles evily.
“Look Dexter I don't have time nor do I have the patience to entertain your rubbish today, you either leave or I will throw you out” I cross my hand across my chest, “pick one or I will and you wouldn't like what I'd pick” I sit back holding my anger before I explode.
“Fine fine,” he puts his hand up in surrender, “I would leave but don't forget we are going to be married,” he says in a more serious tone, “gotta start giving me some love and respect, I'm not going to tolerate your bullshit in our marriage. Start acting right wifey” he says in a mocking tone and leaves.
It's official I hate my mother
DEXTER: “You look like a mess” the bright light blinded me and I groan. I turn and fall on the floor, my back stinging with pain, I look up and see Matteo all dressed up with a hint of disgust on his face. “Why are you here?” I fall back into my bed. “Your dad said to pick you up, you haven't been answering your phone all week,” he looks around, “your house is in an absolute mess” “Jes…can't I have peace to myself anymore? I'm on a break my father knows this” I groan and cover myself with my comforter, “tell him that when you see him” “Yea I'm not about to get in trouble with my Uncle because of you, get your ass up Dex. You have ten minutes or I'm dragging your ass to the office myself” “Wait…office?” “I don't know Dexter, he said something about a juice line invest….” “Fuck!” I grab my phone, scrolling past all the missed calls and messages, most from Lorriane, I go to my calendar, “shit shit shit!” I rush up. “Ten minutes” he scoffs and leaves my room.************I hav
MATTEO: I stare at my screen, Lorraine’s name bodily written, my heart beating really fast. I groan and switch off my phone, I wasn't going to fall back into her arms…I couldn't. I turn and see my unfinished painting, I stare at it, my mind flickers to the day I first met her. *FLASHBACK*“Give that back to me Dex..” I hear a female voice outside my door, I stand up and peek through the key hole, I see a shadow pass. I open my door slightly and like a rush of wind, Dexter and the girl run past me down the stairs, slowly I follow them behind captivated by her. “You act like a boy..” Dexter holds up the toy car, “..this is a boy's toy” “At least I act like a boy, you on the other hand would never know what that feels like…chicken!” he gasps and she lunges at him, both of them falling to the ground.I rush to their side but my uncle beats me to it, “would you two please act your age? You're no longer kids…” “Technically they are..” my aunt says smiling, “let them settle their dif
(SPECIAL POV)AVA: He looked peaceful, too peaceful when he sleeps. His breathing was calmer, eyes were shut tight, his hands wrapped tightly round my waist…a smile creeps onto my face. I lay on his chest, sucking in the moment, tracing invisible circles on his torso, his tatoo…I never want this moment to end. “I can literally feel you smiling Ava..” I hear his deep sleepy voice.I giggle, “what? I'm not allowed to smile?” I sit up and look at him, “good morning..”He removes my hair from my face, “morning” he smirks, “how long have you been up?” “Just a while, I didn't want to wake you” He sits up and kisses me, deep, slow, “you should have. Come on, I'll cook” he stands up and puts on his clothes. “I'm right behind you” I smile and blow a kiss, he catches it, laughs and leaves and I fall on my bed…giggling and laughing to myself, my phone rings and I see Lorriane's name on the screen, my smile disappears.I clear my throat, “heyy”She sniffles, “Ava…”I sit up hurriedly, “are
LORRAINE: I drive with my eyes full of tears,my hands trembling against the wheels, trying to catch my breath and beat the traffic…it wasn't working. “.....lie to me if you have to..” Dexter's voice echoed in my head again, I could see the pain on his face, the face of hurt and betrayal, I could still hear the door being slammed shut in my head, I feel horrible.I park in Ava's driveway and run to her door, it might be eleven in the night but she was my best friend…she'll understand. I hear ruffling around before the door opens hurriedly. “Lorraine…what, what happened?” she drags me in and hugs me, she was breathing a little fast like she was just running around. “I…I messed up” I cry, “I messed up Ava” I clung to her like she's my life, tears flowing from my eyes freely, my knees weak with guilt and my heart aching, “I messed up” “It's okay, it's..it's okay” she leads me to the chair and I coil in her lap, “what happened?” her voice, low.I sniffle, the memory of me jumping up f
DEXTER: “Fifty percent profit will be made on every sale if we start this new venture, and…” I change the page on the projector, “plus the merger, bringing in new clients and all by August sales would have skyrocketed” I turn to my father, “questions?”He clears his throat, “that doesn't answer the question of how this new venture of selling fruit drinks would improve the company's profit. We are known for liquor, don't you think it'll give… I don't know some…identity crisis in the company?” “Well, as a matter of fact, this fruit line has been working in the Withmore's company and so far so good , they've been able to gather up profit that boosts up their sales by thirty percent six months after” “So Lorriane's feeding you this idea?”I groan, “believe it or not, I can think of myself and make decisions. She doesn't have to be behind anything.. we're going to be one company it's good we start introducing this line if not most of the profit made wouldn't really reflect on our book
MATTEO: I stare at her door, gripping the bouquet tightly, trying to calm myself down and breathe. What was I thinking coming here in the first place? That's right I wasn't. I take in another deep breath and knock on her door, hoping she wouldn't open the door but still secretly hoping she would. I knock again and no response still, I sigh my shoulders dropping sadly, I stare at the flowers and take a deep breath, accepting my fate but then I hear her laughter, subtly coming up the stairs…my heart brightens a little. I walk slowly to the stairs, waiting for her, holding the flowers to my chest and grinning ear to ear, but then I also hear a male laugh…Dexter? I step back, my heart dimming and disbelief across my face. “Matteo?” I hear Lorriane say, her eyes stared back into mine. Her laugh dimmed, her eyes also in disbelief, I looked between her and Dexter, she was wearing his shirt…I threw up in my mouth. “Hey Lorraine…” I clear my throat, “cousin” I give him a curt nod. “I'll
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