Chapter 6

(Darlington's POV)

I woke up in my bedroom to the fresh start of a brand new day. A New Year's Day. I was so excited, because I wanted to go downstairs to officially inform my parents that I had made up my mind to get married this year—and to settle down with Jenna Colton.

Jenna has been my love for five years now. I met her through her elder brother, Bruce, who was my best friend in school. We studied the same business course, and we live in Country Z, in the heart of the city. The Colton family is also wealthy and well-known here.

Jenna has a successful career as an actress and a model. She has been featured as the face of many brands. I knew that she had gone under the knife and undergone several surgeries to enhance her beauty, but I still love her nonetheless. I love Jenna very much, and I didn't regret my decision to propose to her last weekend.

But my father didn't react to my post about the engagement. To make matters worse, I can no longer find him online after the news went viral. He purposely blocked me so he wouldn't see me posting about Jenna again.

My dad had warned me to stay away from Jenna and to stop posting about her. But Jenna is the woman after my heart. How could I not post about the love of my life? That would feel like I was cheating on her. I love her like the air I breathe—I cannot live without her. This is what I tell her every time.

I know Jenna was hesitant about accepting my engagement ring. But she also knew that I had always wanted us to settle down. I assured her not to worry about my father, that I would speak to him and get him to accept our marriage.

Jenna told me she wasn't ready for marriage now, that she had a lot of modeling work to do, and asked if I could wait. But I assured her that I wouldn't stop her from fulfilling her dreams just because she's my wife. I supported her when we started dating, and I am still supporting her now.

I got out of bed and prepared to go downstairs to inform my father about my decision. My father detested Jenna and had warned me to stay away from her—more specifically, to tell her not to visit my office again. But I cannot do that. I love Jenna, and I mean every word I've said to her.

I walked into my bathroom. My room is vast and enough to contain more than three luxury beds, with space left over. I finished bathing and saw that it was past 9 a.m. I had woken up late because we had a crossover night celebration at home on New Year's Eve.

I was with my family, waiting to witness the fireworks and the crossing over to a brand new year. I cannot wait to become a father soon. I know Jenna is scared of getting pregnant by me, but I want to marry her and assure her that I will always be there.

I entered my closet and took a purple shirt and black trousers, and put them on. I combed my short black hair—I like to keep it smooth, so I let it grow slightly.

After combing, I applied my masculine perfume to smell fresh, like the New Year's Day itself. Then I wore my black slippers and exited my bedroom on the top floor of my father's enormous mansion.

We live in a standard duplex home consisting of eight rooms and a living room downstairs, with a kitchen and three guest rooms. My father's mansion is massive because he built it himself and gave the constructors specific instructions on how it should be built.

Jenna told me she doesn't like visiting me here, knowing my father disapproves of her. I plan to buy a new house and move out, just like Bruce did. But when I told my mother about it, she frowned and said it was too early for me to live alone unless I wanted to live a wayward life.

Mom said that when my father married her, they lived in my grandpa's house in the countryside, before my father had money and moved to the city to get his own house.

According to my mother, I shouldn't move out until I have a child or two. Then I can leave. This didn't sit well with Jenna, but I promised her that I would get a house for her once we were married.

I walked downstairs into the living room, and my father was alone. He sat on the black couch, wearing a white garment as if he hadn't bathed yet. He was going through a file in his hands. I walked over to greet him.

"Good morning, Father," I said.

My dad paused what he was reading and looked at me. He took off his glasses, which were perfectly seated on the bridge of his nose, and kept them inside their case. A warm smile crept onto his face.

"Morning, Darlington. Happy New Year," he replied.

"Happy New Year, Dad. Where is Mom?" I inquired.

"She's upstairs, still in her room, sleeping. You know we slept late last night," he said.

"I know, Dad," I replied, sitting across from him.

"Yes, Darlington. That reminds me. I wanted to tell you this yesterday night, but I decided not to be in a hurry about it," my dad said.

"What is it, Dad?" I asked, looking at his face.

He sighed and replied, "Your wife, Amara Nicholas, is coming to the city today. To start living with us."

"What!" I exclaimed in utmost disbelief.