Brielle POV
I looked out from the car while Mr. Brook, our family's chauffeur, was driving the car, taking me to my parents' mansion.
I've just returned from San Francisco. From my university,
I looked around the stunning skyscrapers. I really missed being here.
"How're you, cool dude?" I smiled at Mr. Brooke. He is a middle-aged, very kind man. He's like a father figure to me.
I remember in my childhood, whenever mom refrained me from eating and buying chocolates, he always brought them to me, hidden from everyone.
He's like my best dude since that day, and
I called him "cool dude." It's our thing.
"Amazing, and happier since my best buddy arrived," he laughed with me.
Finally, we've reached the mansion.
I was not excited at all about reaching there, because no one was there to welcome me there, no family.
My parents died when I was ten, and since that day I've taken care of myself. A week ago, I got a call from Mr. Wilson, our family lawyer, that, now as I'm 18, I have to come back to New York to take over my Dad's Company. My Dad owned his business of herbal skincare products, which
can cure any complex skin disease, as these are made by mountainous medicinal plants and natural foods without any externally added chemicals.
I love my parents so much. Why does God have to do this with me? And this makes me scared. Scared of losing whom I love from the deepest of my heart.
Since that day, I've had to build a wall around my heart. I never let anyone come near to my heart. I always refrain myself from being too attached to someone.
I directly come to my room, in a mansion. I don't want to look around. It will remind me of my childhood memories with my parents, which I hate to remember because it always brings tears to my eyes.
I quickly took out my phone from my purse, and kept it in silent mode, and laid on my bed. I closed my eyes, refraining from any unwanted memories of my childhood.
I stirred and shifted on my bed. When I felt the sunlight directly falling on my face,
I sighed and sat on the bed. Everything is so silent and boring. I don't even have any friends, because I always refrain myself from making new friends because I know they'll leave me, as everyone did to me,
"Good morning Bri," Mrs. Brook's wife, smiled at me. She worked in the mansion as the cook, and she was also my caretaker after my parents left me.
"Morning," she smiled and quickly wore my slippers and made my way towards the bathroom.
I stared at the sandwich with the glass of milk. I'm not in the mood to eat anything. I just hate everything around me. I hate it all.
But, I know if I didn't finish my food, then Aancy would definitely scold me. Not to find it. She and Mr. Brooke took care of me since childhood, and I'm so glad for it.
I chewed it slowly, and finally, after I was done,
I sat in my car, as I was going towards Mr. Wilson's office to discuss and sign the formalities, as today, I'll take over my dad's company.
"Good morning, Mr. Wilson," I wrapped my arms around him.
"I can't believe that when little Brille just grew up," he laughed, and I took a seat across from him.
I still remember, when I was a child, he used to play with me whenever he came into our mansion.
"Here are the papers, sign them," he instructed me, and I did as he said.
"Finally," I smiled when I finished signing them all. Now I will run my dad's company and take it to its heights.
A tear fell from my eyes as I remembered the times I spent with them. "I'm sure he and your mom will be so proud of you," he said as he placed his hand on my head, sensing my anguish.
"Don't cry Bri, it's time to make them proud," a newly formed confidence aroused within my heart, like now, I can win the world. "I'm sure they are," I smiled and exited his office.
Now, it's time to make everything alright.
As I entered that multi-story building, employees were buried deep in their laptops.
In the lab, the experts are testing the products that have just launched on the market, our food products, and skincare items.
I smiled when I saw him, that boy who's been my partner in crime since childhood, but my smile faded when I realised I'd purposefully cut myself off from him, and I closed my eyes after my parents left. "I'm so sorry, Ivaan, in this war of emotions, I forgot our bond," I began at his back as he was helping the employee, while they were both working on the laptop.
Ivaan is my cousin's brother, the son of my maternal uncle. He and I are like best friends forever. No wonder we're siblings but we were more friends.
"Hey, Big Bro," I said, and he froze at his spot and slowly turned towards me, his eyes widening as he looked at me.
I shrugged, smiling, and I knew the next moment, he jumped on me.
"Bri," he quickly wrapped his arms around me.
"You're back, finally," he exclaimed cheekily, and I nodded.
"Are you okay?" he asked, and I shake my head. I've missed them so much. "They're always with you Bri, in your heart," he wrapped his arms around me, and I buried my face in his chest. "And guess what, today I take over my company too," I said, looking around. "What, really," he asked, and I nodded and showed him the papers, which screamed that today I took over my Dad's company."
Finally, I came towards the office and clutched the knob of the door, looking around.
Examining the office, a large comfortable chair across the big glass table, and I can see the view of the city from the opened windows.
It seemed so peaceful. Well, that's good.
I really like my privacy. I don't like being with anyone.
I came to a halt in the middle of my walk and looked out the large glass window.
I'm no longer that nerdy Brielle, who hides behind her books, her days spent in the library, and my coffee mug collection. Ugh, that introverted me.
I shook my head, don't think about it,
I have to accept it as soon as possible. Now I have to be responsible. My dad started this company for me. He wants to see me as a successful businesswoman and I will become it for him. But again, what will happen to that introverted me? But now I have to attend meetings with different people, have to go to business charity events, Oh God,
I dragged myself to the large chair and closed my eyes.
"I know, you hate meeting new people," Ivaan said, looking at me.
I opened my eyes and shook my head.
"I will get used to it, don't worry," I smiled and looked at the wall. The certificates and trophies that my dad won in the business field are placed neatly in the rack.
One day, this rack will sing the grace of my achievements.
Brielle POVI took the glass of water and gulped it whole in one."Today is my first meeting with businessmen, who will sign a deal with us, which can be very profitable for both of us."It's very strange, the Richardson's Empires, the skincare products are only a chain of their vast company. I'm surprised that Mr. Jared Richardson, himself, is coming to the meeting, instead of their representatives," Ivaan said while taking a seat across from me, taking hold of the file placed on the table about the deal.I looked at him and narrowed my eyes at the wall beside him. He's right, why is Mr.Jared Richardson himself coming? This deal is like a small thing for their billion dollar multinational company.I was startled by a knock on my office door. Lucas, my assistant, comes in.He's the same age as mine and a university graduate like me. He was doing his internship in business management, which is why he's here as my assistant. He wants to learn and experience how companies are run by work
"Here, the presentation with the raw goods deal with Skincare Gentle Limited," Lucas said as he inserted the pendrive into the laptop, and I stared at the screen, making a mental map of stocks and sales."Excellent, Lucas. I must say you are very intelligent. Just do one thing: change that previous date into the most recent one. "I just saw yesterday that new data from the stock market was released," I nodded while taking notes from the presentation. "Hehe, the first compliment from you means a lot to me," he said charmingly.I looked at him. He is about the same age as me and has brown hair with misty eyes. He even has a handsome face.Well, "he kept his hand over mine, and I jumped back." Relax, "he laughed, and I sighed."I was just wondering," he scratched his neck, "will you come with me for coffee?"There's a café near the office. ""Um, sure, but not today." Maybe I nodded, looking around. It's the first time I'll ever go on a coffee date with a guy.Like I said, I didn't do mu
I glanced at him. I found this weird. You know, he wants me to spend money. It's not like I'm having any problem spending my money, but he's the one who invited me here, so isn't it his responsibility to already buy those vouchers instead of waiting for me to buy them just because I'm a millionaire? I shook my head. Maybe I'm just overthinking this all. It's not a big deal.Sure, I'll transfer the money to your account. "Bring two passes from there," I said, shaking my head to block out any other unwanted thoughts.I gestured to him, and he looked up, smiling, and went there.We entered the club. The loud music directly came into contact with my ears, making me startled.Almost all the couples were dancing so intimately, crushing their alcoholic bodies. Lucas turned toward me as he was walking forward to lead me. I pointed to the bar, where I saw long chairs facing the counter, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't impressed. Those bartenders who're serving the drinks are very handsome
"First and foremost, I'm not an ugly duck," I said calmly, yet dangerously, making her gulp. "And the second thing is, I'm minding my own business, so you better judge me, and you better not show your face to me again,"I snarled at her and turned around to walk away, holding my head high.Who the hell these people are. They think they can insult me like I'm trash and I will do nothing. Then they're wrong, very very wrong. No one can insult me without my permission.I can feel his eyes on me the entire time, giving goosebumps to my skin. That man whose voice makes **********I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "Calm down, Bri, calm." I tried to calm myself."So, like this, you will do it, so your body and tense muscles get more relaxed." That physical trainer said, and I looked at the screen of my laptop and did as he instructed in the video. Finally, after my morning exercise, I took my energy drink bottle and set it aside, and made my way to my bedroom. Suddenly, my phone
Zuriel pov"Do you really think I'm going to let you ruin your own life by playing with different girls and bringing scandals every second day?" He raised his eyebrows, and I sighed."Those are just my one-night stands. I already told them clearly, no strings attached, they're just gold diggers, nothing more than that, and they're lying," I huffed while running my hand through my hair."Your dad is right, Zuriel. You have to get settled, either sooner or later." I want to see you happy," she smiled while placing her hand over my shoulder. "No, I'm not going to marry her and that's final." I frowned at them. At least meet her once. I invited her and her family to our upcoming charity event. "Trust me, you will like her, and you will remember the condition right," he said, and I turned around and sighed.My dad put a condition before me that if I didn't marry within this month, he would transfer his entire company to an orphanage.I have no other option but to get married, but a serious
Brielle POVIssac said hurriedly, "Are you sure you're going to do this," while Zach pouted alongside my bed. I know they both vehemently oppose this plan of mine.I nibbled on the inside of my lips. I know Luke betrayed me recently, but I won't let that stop me from seizing the possibilities that will come my way.Finally, I put on mascara to prepare for my said date with that man, whom I was going to wed shortly, my alleged future husband.**********Five days beforeBack there when Brielle and her family when to a charity event organized by Mr. Richardson "Aww, you're looking so beautiful, sweetie," Mrs. Richardson said, with a beautiful smile reaching to her eyes."Thank you so much," I raised her back, and my muscles tangled with the positive energy I was shaving from her.Indeed, she's a very amazing woman. She just felt like a family to me, even though it's not even hardly a minute passed since I met her.Next, Mr. Ricardson pulled me into a warm hug.She and Mrs. Richardon ar
I kept standing at my location, not wanting to turn back because I knew if I did, I would lose my cool."What did you say?" I whispered."Look at my eyes," he ordered, and I turned around and looked into his eyes. My family is my biggest weakness.Tears welled in my eyes. I bit my lip."Now, when my dad wanted me to marry you, we will get married because he doesn't leave any other option for me either, but don't worry, get ready to face hell now. Now you will realise what a devil of a husband you have," he said.A lack of energy makes my skin feel like someone is piercing it with a knife.Flashback over.************"Please Bri, no," Ivaan said while following me as I was heading down the stairs."Please Ivaan, it's already very difficult for me. I'm very nervous about it being my first official date with him. Please just cheer me up instead of discouraging me," I said while smiling forcefully, "I seriously don't want Ivaan to know what happened with me and Zuriel that night. I just
My hands grabbed the papers I was reading, but I barely looked at them because my mind was preoccupied with the message I saw on his phone.It was from a girl, who was saying how amazing he was last night, and she really loves the branded expensive lingerie set he gifted her this morning. He spent the night with one of his nightstandsI can't even believe I'm going to marry someone like him. He is a manwhore for real.I hate you!I kept my hand over my head, breathing heavily. I quickly took the water bottle placed in front of me and gulped it down.Suddenly, a sharp pressure formed inside of me, and I coughed hard.Tears started coming out of my eyes.There is no way I will marry him, not in this fucking life.Never!It's final. I will say a big no to him.I just can't do this. As for Ivaan, he is mature enough to solve his own life problems. I just can't marry that man. He practically forced Ivaan to marry him with the threat of ruining Ivaan's life, but now I don't care. Ivaan is n