Shocking news

Chapter 1

Alexis

Partying all night and drinking with my friends together with my ever-loving boyfriend; this is how life is.

And hell! I'm enjoying it. But never did I think that my life would change in just one blink of an eye!

"It's final," my dad said firmly. "You will marry Zac Rogen Walker.

"Like seriously?" I shot back. "Dad, are you insane? I'm not marrying him! I don't even know that old billionaire."

I said with disdain in my voice.

That's disgusting! I can only imagine what he looks like - probably some old, balding guy with wrinkles all over his face.

No way!

I'm not going to marry him. He must be kidding if he thinks I'd even consider it.

"Watch your tone! Zac is only 38 years old. He's younger than me," my dad snapped, his face reddening with anger.

Well, that's his problem!

"I said no! I already have Rond, who's younger and more handsome. Why would I marry him?'" I exclaimed, throwing a tantrum like the spoiled brat that I am.

I make my parents worried. But that's me, and they love me anyway.

"Alexis, he has a name. You haven't even seen him, dear. Don't judge him so hastily." My mom's voice remained soft and gentle, despite her obvious annoyance.

I love my mom!

"Mom, have you seen him? No, right? Uncle Zac is being super mysterious - nobody's even seen his face. I might just collapse when I see him."

My mom gave me a sour look, playing along with my joke.

"Enough! Whether you like it or not! You will marry Zac Rogen Walker. And that's final!"

My dad was fuming with anger. But wait, is our company going bankrupt?

"Why, Dad, are we bankrupt? Do I need to marry him? My answer is final too: I will NOT marry that old Zac!" I'm stubborn, I admit.

I always get what I want, but I have to admit, this one is going to be tough.

I can see that my dad's hand is trembling with anger. It seems like he wants to slap me. But he loves me, so he won't do that.

My mom is always there to calm him down.

"Honey, that's enough. Your heart..." she said, gently stroking Daddy's back.

Wow, they're so sweet, and yet they're willing to let their only daughter marry an old stranger!

Don't I have the right to fall in love? But do I already love Ron?

Ugh, I don't know!

I left the two of them being lovey-dovey and rushed upstairs to my room.

Life can be so unfair sometimes.

Time to call my partner in crime, Debbie!

"Hey Girl! What's up, where are we headed tonight?" I asked.

I desperately needed to party, or else I'd lose my mind.

"Alexis?" she asked in response.

I think this woman's still drunk.

"Hey, who else is here, girl? We're lost, aren't we? Don't tell me you're still hungover?" I said jokingly.

She burst out laughing!

"I knew that, I was just confirming. Your voice sounds different - is everything okay?" she asked seriously.

She's indeed my best friend - crazy, but always there when I need her.

"Yes, it's huge!" I replied. "My parents dropped some shocking news on me today, and I'm freaked out, girl!"

With a dramatic eye-roll, of course! Even though Debbie can't see me, she's all too familiar with my gestures and mannerisms.

"What's this? Spill the beans, girl, now!" She sounded excited, but I was about to drop a bombshell.

"My parents have arranged a marriage for me with Zac Rogen Walker." I blurted out the news without beating around the bush.

I was deafened by my friend's loud scream.

She was still thrilled! That girl is crazy!

"My God! I'm so excited, girl! Is this the Mysterious Billionaire who always keeps his face hidden, even in TV or radio interviews?" she asked excitedly.

"Yes, who else? You're still thrilled? If only we knew how ugly that old man is! And of all people, he chose me to marry!" I exclaimed dramatically.

For goodness' sake! I'd rather die than marry that man!

"Ugh, he's ugly or ridiculously handsome!" she screamed at the top of her lungs.

This woman just shattered my eardrums!

"Stop it! You're getting paranoid from reading too many novels, girl. This is for real. I have a bad feeling he's ugly."

Eww, I really don't like him!

"Girl, you might end up eating your words!" she warned.

"That will never happen! Pick me up tonight. Let's drink to forget this ridiculous marriage arrangement." I'm going to get drunk tonight!

Debbie just laughed and then hung up without saying goodbye.

She's my only true friend. The others just pretend to be friends for popularity and social status.

We think alike, which is why we clicked as best friends in high school and remained close through college.

It's all so stressful. This problem is giving me a total headache.

I don't know what to do!

My dad is ten times more stubborn than I am. He'll push for this marriage no matter what.

**************************

At the Club

It's a bit boring here at the club.

I don't see anyone handsome.

My boyfriend, Rond, is busy handling his family's business.

His dad wants him to focus on the company's future as its successor, which is his responsibility anyway.

Mine is to marry that old Zac!

Just thinking about it gives me the worst vibes.

My best friend Debbie is dancing on the dance floor, looking like she's lost her mind.

She's crazy!

"Girl, come on! Let's dance!" she shouted.

She's already drunk, and it didn't take her long at all.

This woman is crazy!

She downed the entire bottle of wine in just one shot – it's empty now!

"Already drunk, girl, hahaha!" I joined in too.

Dancing here, dancing there - to the left, to the right.

We owned the entire dance floor with our awesomeness. The crowd gave way, of course.

We were dancing to Black Pink's hit song, "DDU-DU DDU-DU."

For your information, girls, Debbie and I are great dancers, even if we're a bit crazy.

Our two other friends are still on vacation in Europe. They're also excellent dancers.

For now, it's just Debbie and me; our girl group isn't complete yet.

I was feeling the music and beat when I suddenly slipped and fell!

Oh my God, my face!

I immediately closed my eyes, unable to bear the sight of my embarrassing fall onto the hard cement.

But wait...

It's been 10 seconds, but I still haven't hit the cement!

I opened my eyes, and there he was. Those beautiful gray eyes greeted me, and I felt like I was drowning in his gaze.

He's gorgeous!

My knight in shining armor...

He was simply holding my waist, catching me as I swooned under his captivating gaze.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

Wow, his voice was masculine. And I loved it!

Those dreamy eyes and tantalizing, kissable lips seemed to be beckoning me to kiss him...

I'm enjoying being in his arms.

Hey! Alexis, what are you doing?

Wake up, girl!

You're embarrassing yourself. Snap out of it!

"Yes, I'm okay, thank you," I replied.

I need to maintain some formality, or else he might think I'm too straight forward.

He suddenly dropped me! What a jerk! Luckily, I managed to balance myself.

"Then that's good, you're blocking the way."

And with that, he turned around and walked away, leaving me without even a second glance.

What arrogance!

So what if you have gray eyes?

Hmmph. I have brown eyes, too!

"Are you okay, girl?" Debbie asked.

I just rolled my eyes at her.

"What do you think?" I replied, knowing she was aware of the obvious answer.

"Of course not, haha!" she said with a laugh. "But to be fair, he's handsome, girl!" she teased.

This woman is going to shatter my eardrums!

"Yeah, but he's so arrogant and rude!" I replied irritably.

"Hey, don't be bitter, let's keep dancing, girl. Let's celebrate your upcoming marriage," she said with a laugh.

"Are you crazy? That awful marriage is only making me even more bitter," I retorted.

My night had turned into a complete disaster!

But he's handsome, though.

I know he's mature, but his age doesn't show it.

Whatever! He's just incredibly rude.

*****************

When I got home, I was shocked to see a swarm of men in black scattered everywhere.

What the hell was going on?

I saw Mommy in the living room and asked her what was happening.

"Mom, what's going on?" I asked, feeling confused.

"Oh, you're here," she said. "They're Zac's bodyguards."

"What? What does that mean?" I asked, sensing that I wouldn't like the answer.

"He wants you to stop partying at night because it's bad for your health," she said.

"What? Bad for my health? Is he insane?" I exclaimed. "We're not even married yet and he's already controlling me."

That annoying old man!

Well, let's see if you can stop me. Go get married by yourself.

"He's not wrong, he's right," Daddy chimed in. "All you do is get drunk every night."

"Who told him I'd marry him? No way!" I exclaimed.

With that, I stormed out.

He can't tame me or make me obey his wishes.

Just watch. I'll never let you win, Zac Rogen Walker!