"Mom, I don't get what's happening? Wedding?" "But darling, you already accepted the St Daniels' offer," Melissa said sweetly to her daughter. "I didn't know what I was accepting," Mari protested. "She pleaded with me to help her son Raymond." "Of course, honey, you're helping Raymond by marrying him," Melissa said. Her tone is filled with sweetness, trying to damp her daughter's fury. "And besides, this arrangement is crucial to your father. Tell her, Cullman, she needs to know." Mari's gaze shifted to her father, her eyes narrowing. "Catherine, my businesses are crashing and I'm on the brink of bankruptcy," her father admitted. "I couldn't bear the thought of my competitors gloating over my downfall. I had to strike a deal with the St Daniels. They were looking for a suitable bride for their eldest son, and...I'm afraid you're the price I had to pay, Catherine." Mari sighed, her mind still reeling in confusion. "But Raymond St Daniels is still in a coma, how is it possible for me to marry him?" Both parents exchanged a secret glance. Her mother was the one that spoke up. "Raymond St Daniels has awaken from his coma. But the doctors said he'll be crippled for the rest of his life."
Lihat lebih banyakPhilia nudged Mari Catherine Kings playfully.
"Raymond St Daniels is staring at you," she whispered, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Mari's cheeks flushed. She felt a shiver run down her spine. Her spoon froze midway as she was about to sip her soup. She choked on her breath and Philia rushed to hand her a bottle of water. The school cafeteria hummed with excitement as students chattered with their friends. But one group commanded everyone's attention__ the St Daniels brothers. They're heirs to the biggest conglomerates and a worthy catch. It was no surprise that the cheerleading squad flocked around them, giggling and vying for their attention. The St Daniels brothers' table was always mostly crowded. They're always surrounded with admirers. So it was unthinkable that Raymond would notice her amidst the chaos, especially with Sara, his stunning girlfriend, by his side. "Come on, Mari, just look," Philia urged excitedly. "He's been staring at you for like five minutes now." Mari shot her best friend a skeptical glance. Her nerves betrayed her, fluttering wildly in her chest. Her breath caught in her throat at the mere possibility that Ray might actually be looking at her. Mari harbored a hopeless love for Raymond St Daniels, the first son of the esteemed St Daniels dynasty. And they were also close family friends of her own family, the Kings. As members of the same elite social circle, Mari and Raymond frequently crossed paths at high society events, accompanied by their parents and siblings. Mari's family, the Kings, had long struggled to maintain a comparable level of wealth and status. But it was a futile attempt. The St Daniels were the epitome of old money, with a legacy that spanned three generations of past presidents. Their wealth was like a bottomless well that showed no signs of drying up. They drove the latest luxury cars and resided in breathtaking penthouses and Manors. They have an impressive portfolio of businesses, including fleets of airlines and shipyards. Which solidified their position as one of the most influential and affluent families in the country. With only two sons, Raymond and Grayson. The St Daniels' legacy rested squarely on the shoulders of these two eligible bachelors, making them the ultimate catch. Mari's older sister, Charlotte Kings, was incredibly close to Grayson. But Raymond barely even spare Mari a glance all the years she had known him. Mari took a deep breath and turned to look at Raymond, but her hopes were immediately dashed. He wasn't looking at her, his gaze was fixed intently on Sara, his jaw clenched in a tense line. Mari felt a familiar pang of disappointment and shot Philia a wry glance. "See, I told you. He's not even looking at me. He's too busy staring at Sara." Philia shrugged, her expression stubborn. "I could've sworn he was looking at you," she whispered. As if on cue, Raymond's gaze suddenly shifted. His emerald eyes locking intensely onto Mari's. She felt a jolt of electricity run through her veins as their eyes met. Mari's face burst into flames as she hastily looked away, her heart racing with shyness. Raymond's presence had always have an utterly embarrassing effect on Mari, leaving her a nervous wreck each time. A single glance from him was enough to unleash a swarm of butterflies in her stomach. She stared blankly at her tray of food, her appetite suddenly vanishing. With a sense of desperation, Mari pushed back her chair, grabbed her backpack, and prepared to make a hasty exit. "But we only just got here," Philia grumbled, her face crunched up in a frown. She looked at her plate that is still filled with food. "You can stay and finish up, as for me, I'm already filled up." Philia face lit up, even being called chubby, couldn't diminish her appetite. She was used to people's scornful remarks about her appearance, but Mari's acceptance and kindness always made her feel seen, valued, and beautiful just the way she was. "Okay, where can I find you when I'm through?" "The library," Mari replied. "I need to study for my upcoming physiotherapy exams." "I'm sure you'll ace it with distinction," Philia said, her mouth full of food. Mari nodded at the boost of moral Philia gave her, but her stomach crunched with anxiety. She wasn't so sure. She heard the last exams are always so hard. That's why she must study hard. Her education was her ticket out of the Kings family. Mari's mind often envisioned her future self abroad, working for a top tier sports company, living in her own terms. Mari sighed, she could barely wait to taste such freedom. Her eyes drifted back to Raymond's table, only to find that he'd left with his Sara. She felt the unmistakable pang of jealousy course through her heart. Maybe when she finally leave, her stupid crush for Raymond St Daniels would stop with time. She hoped so. Mari spent over two hours intensely studying her books, her mind racing with the complex concepts of physiotherapy. As the study session wore on, her head began to spin and her throat grew parched. Finally, she closed her books and packed them away in her backpack. She stood up. Mari felt a sudden pressure in her bladder. She hurried to the bathroom, urgently needing to relieve herself. Rushing into an empty stall, she let out a sigh of relief as she finally eased herself. A soft, feminine giggle and a low moan suddenly pierced the silence. Mari's ears perk up. A masculine growl followed. A chill skittered down her spine. Mari froze, her heart skipping a beat. What was going on? The moans and groans grew louder and more urgent, accompanied by frantic breathing and the unmistakable sounds of sex. Mari's face burned with embarrassment as she realized she had stumbled upon a intimate moment. Mari's eyes widened in shock. She had heard rumors of students getting intimate in bathroom stalls, but she never thought she'd witness it firsthand. A wave of disgust washed over her. Who does that in a female toilet? It wasn't like they didn't have better options. The dormitories were always a possibility, even if the girls' and boys' dorms were separate. Everyone knew that lovers often found ways to sneak around their supervisors' watchful eyes. "Yes, Raymond, fuck me harder. I'm growing so crazy for you." The female cried out loudly."Grayson St Daniel's is going to be his brother's best man, and now Charlotte's backing out as my bridesmaid. This is crazy, Mom."Mari plodded into the chair in the fitting room. The various designs for her supposed wedding dress all clipped out into a magazine. She couldn't even make a choice out of the exquisite gowns on the book and now Charlotte's bowing out.Fuck, she cursed, she thought Charlotte was over him already.Melissa Kings was not one for big talks. She smiled at her daughter and waved the store attendant away."I think your sister is just being selfish," Melissa clipped, sipping her morning tea. "She could certainly endure seeing thirty minutes of Grayson's face until after the vows are done.""What am I going to do, Mom?" Mari fretted. She heaved a sigh, and grip her tea cup tightly before taking a small sip to calm her nerves. Who knew planning a wedding could be so chaotic? Raymond was not responding to her texts...she hadn't heard from him since the night in his
"Raymond." She hurriedly went after him. In a split second, Mari thought she can't let him think that she was just doing it for the money. She wanted him to know... even if he doesn't believe her. "Raymond, I didn't agree to marry you because of the money your family offered ...but..." She sighed, trembling slightly. "I accepted to marry you because I have feelings for you... I've been in love with you for a very long time."Raymond stilled at her words. He wheeled himself to face her. "Stop lying Catherine, it's no use trying to make me feel better," he bursted out angrily. "You have the ring now. We'll get married, your parents gets their monetary favour from my family. And my mother is happy... that's what matters right now."His words...a stab to her heart. He didn't believe her.Mari wanted him to believe her."But it's true, Raymond." Her voice came out husky, breathless. Raymond gaze landed on her teary face, her full lips and the soulful expression in her eyes, his dick
The St Daniels penthouse was more enormous than ever. It seemed the misfortune five years ago didn't dampened their spirit. They'd renovated the entire place and Mari felt like it was surreal as their driver pulled up into the driveway."Make sure you act sophisticated and proper, I don't want the St Daniels thinking they're the ones doing us a favor while infact we're the important ones here," Melissa whispered with a smile wide spread. "Keep your shoulders high and act like the queen you are."Mari's skirt poured on the floor like a bridal train. Her mother had specifically ordered the dress to be tailored made for this occasion. Mari kept her head high, her shoulder square high, hips swaying and her steps elegant. She moved with purpose, smiling and greeting everyone that comes her way, her eyes dancing with excitement... searching for that face that always made her body shivered. As expected, the engagement party held fewer guest like planned. She counted twelve altogether. But
"You're out of your damn minds, Mari," Charlotte's voice was high pitched as she snapped at her. "Don't tell me that you're seriously going to marry Raymond St Daniels?"Mari chuckled. Her eyes fixed on her reflection as she primed herself for tonight's. Her hair was elegantly pinned up in a bun, eye lashes long and seductive. All perfect. She's going to see Raymond tonight, and Raymond St Daniels was going to offer her his ring and officially ask her to be his wife. Her nerves are all jittering, her stomach crunched in knots. She can't fucking wait."I don't know why you're being so grumpy, Charlotte," Mari cooed. "I'm the one marrying him and not you." Her voice sounded cozily as a soft smile played on her lips. She was slowly loosing it. Her mind was playing different scenarios about Raymond and everyone of them brought her to a splittering orgasm. So much chemistry in her body, she felt completely like a sixteen years old with an impulsive hormones and not a twenty two years o
Cullman Kings patted his youngest daughter affectionately. Once they were seated, the maid burst in to announce the arrival of their guests. Mr. Kings nodded, and she hurried off to escort them in.Mari's eyes widened in surprise as Mr. and Mrs. St. Daniels entered the room. The two families exchanged respectful greetings.Her father cleared his throat.All eyes turned to Mari. She felt a suffocating sense of unease. Her lungs tightened, restricting airflow."Catherine, Mr and Mrs St Daniels, have come to finalize a contract with us," Cullman Kings announced, his eyes on Mari's. "It's all about you, my dear daughter. And it's of grave importance that you accept their offer."Confusion marred Mari's face. The words "contract" and "it's all about you" seemed to mock her.Mari's palms grew damp with sweat, and she swallowed hard, her throat constricting. But nothing could have prepared her for the shocking sight of Mrs Danielle St Daniels falling to her knees before her, tears strea
...Five Years Later...Mari stood on the sidelines of the soccer field. Her eyes fixed intently on the player she was working with, midfielder Jack. He was doing agility drills. Rapidly changing direction and speed as he ran through cones. "Jack, keep your knees bent, and push off hard when you turn." Mari shouted, her voice rising over the field.Jack nodded and kept going, his eyes focused. Beads of sweet dripped down from his face.Mari continued to watch him closely to see if he was getting or failing it.Her blue hawk eyes, quietly analyzing his movement patterns. She identified the areas he needed to improve.On her note she scribbled down her observation.After the drill, Jack jogged over to Mari, sweat drenched and breathing heavily. "How did I do?" he asked, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand.Mari face flamed, as she rolled her eyes at him."Good, but I want to see you move faster and stronger. Remember to use your hips and legs for power."She handed him a bo
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