Chapter 4

Ethan's POV

I was pissed off, and the visitor in front of me was not helping my temper at all. I just found out that a fraud was working in my office, and a lot of money had gone down the drain. Instead of getting the cops involved with the case, I only fired her; she should be gone. That would serve as a lesson to others. The next person I catch in such an act will be sued. And this was not the time to be caught in such a lawsuit, with Ken sniffing around and my grandmother’s hawk eyes on all I do.

She has been looking for a way to get Ken married, and Ken has been sidestepping all her efforts. Soon enough, she would focus her attention on me, and before she chooses who I should marry, I would pick out a suitable bride for myself, even if it has to be by contract or arranged marriage. No strings attached, just the way I want it. I have no time to deal with love-related issues.

“What about in two weeks' time?” I suggested, my attention on Mr. Simon, who looked tensed. I hope he was not about to change his mind on the offer.

“Perfect,” Mr. Simon said, smiling.

“Dad!” the silent lady finally said, raising her head for the first time since she stepped into my office. Her red head was a perfect cover for her small face.

“You would be ready by that time, won’t you, Anastasia?” Mr. Simon asked, pinning her with a look.

Anastasia looked down again. “Yes, father,” she said.

“I will leave the two of you to talk then,” Mr. Simon said, getting on her feet. “Behave,” he told his daughter before leaving my office. Silence once again reigned in my office.

“We don’t have anything to talk about,” I told the lady. She raised her head to look at me, and I must admit she was beautiful, but I have no interest in her whatsoever. “Do not forget, this is purely business. I don’t expect anything from you. When we are in public, we put on a facade.”

I brought out my card and placed it in front of her. “Get whatever you will be needing for the wedding, and we shall see in a week's time. You are dismissed,” I told her.

I watched as her jaw dropped. She must be shocked at how rude I was, but I don’t care. She was nothing, a nobody, someone who was willing to marry a stranger for money.

Without a word, she stood up. “I don’t need your money to get myself a dress,” she said.

“Your father won’t say the same thing,” I said and watched as her fist clenched. She picked up the card, turned on her heel, and walked away. She stopped at the door and gave me one last look before stepping out of my office.

I breathed out. This was settled then. I only have to invite my family to the wedding. My office door opened, and my best friend Lucas entered my office.

“Has she packed her things?” I asked, referring to the fraud I had fired earlier. I removed my tie from my neck and relaxed in my swivel chair. I had no more appointments for the day.

Lucas had his seat across from me. “Yes, I saw Mr. Simon leaving,” he commented.

“Yes, go get yourself a tuxedo. You will be my best man,” I told him.

“What? You are really getting married?” Lucas asked in surprise.

“Yes, it is better I make the first move this time around,” I said, standing up to look out the transparent glass of my office window. In two weeks' time, I will be getting married.

★The Wedding Day★

I stood at the altar waiting for my bride. I had an argument with Ken earlier about my sudden wedding, but he was not someone who will understand. He has been a thorn at my side, and he loves it. The whole family will be meeting my bride for the first time today, just the way I planned it. It will be my second time meeting her as well.

I thought she hated the idea of spending my money. I should have known with the way I was debited from the card I gave her. She had a lot to buy, and since it was free money, she went the extra mile with her spending. My mind went back to what happened 16 days ago. I still can’t believe I had sex with a stranger when I was about to be married to someone else.

★Flashback★

I was invited to the dinner party at our Mansion to close a business with one of our prospective clients. After mingling with the right crowd, I was about to leave when Ken stopped me.

He stopped me at the entrance with a hand on my shoulders. “You should be in there. There are still important clients here,” he said.

All he cares about is the company’s image, which I had to maintain. He does not care what his actions will cost the company, and I have to clean up his mess each time.

“You look like you disagree,” Ken said.

I removed his hand that was on my shoulders. “I will wait, Ken. You already look wasted. You should probably leave,” I told him. I pulled out my phone and called his driver. “Your car is waiting outside.”

“Thanks, but I'll be at one of the rooms,” he told me, gave me a puppy pat on my shoulder, and left. I sighed deeply and was offered a drink. After emptying my glass, I almost lost myself. I felt so strange and my eyes were feeling blurry. Someone took my hand, leading me away. The hand was not too hard nor soft, but I could tell it was not one I was familiar with.

I was led into a room, and on the bed was a figure with a seductive cloth that accentuated her curves. I rested my back on the soft bed, and I couldn’t stomach the self-control I've always had with women. It felt like I was under a spell, and in a split second, we did not waste time stripping each other. Even though I couldn't properly see her face, the butterfly tattoo on her right thigh and that oud romantic scent of her body instigated my thought of getting her naked and burying myself deep within her, and that was what I did without a second thought.