Never Having To Say I Do

To be honest, I never once thought that something like this would happen to me. I've always been adamant about what I wanted to do with my life- what I would become. Every time someone had something to say, my family especially, about the inevitable future that awaited me if I didn't change my ways, I'd laugh in their faces. Expectations didn't have to be met. Inevitable future? Give me a break. I wouldn't be like the rest of the idiots in my family. No sir, not me.I'd rise above and conquer the curse every single one of the women in my family seemed to be plagued by. Mom, on the other hand, had other thoughts."Mark my words Cash, one day you're gonna have to bite your tongue and remember what I'm telling you now. There's no way around it, life happens and when it does it'll be when you least expect it. It'll come at you with such force you won't even realize it until it's right there in your face."How could I not roll my eyes at that? How could I not snort in derision at the ab

"I just don't see why I have to dress up. It's your job-interview-meeting thing!" I spat angrily.If there were two things that fucked me up, it was dressing up and getting up early.And here I was doing both.Mom burst into my room at the crack of dawn like a hurricane with make-up and dresses and shit and once she was satisfied off we went to... wherever here was.And from what I could see of this mystery place, we sure weren't in Kansas anymore.Big. Immaculate. And screaming MONEY were all the buildings and homes we passed with cars that cost more than a house in every driveway and parking lot.I'd never felt so uncomfortable in my life. And I was in a dress. And heels. Wearing make-up!I clucked my tongue again, crossing my arms tight over my chest. This was a load of BS."This is the first time, I've ever heard of a job interview allowing "moral support" inside." I huffed. "What kind of job is this any- oh, shit!"I stumbled as the heel of the pump I'd been forced to wear lodged

"You know, just because I'm forced to be here doesn't mean I have to listen to you. I can scowl all I want, I can frown all I want and I can sure as hell curse all I fucking want."I was pissed off and not just because mom had been smiling and giggling like Glinda the Good Witch the entire ride here but because the place we now sat in was a hundred- no, a thousand times worse than the first one.The walls glittered with gleaming shades of gold, the sparkling chandeliers hanging above our heads were far more ornate than the last ones, and the damn plates and silverware staring at me in the face were a shimmering shade of 24K gold!Did the owner of this damn hell-hole have any idea how many people he could feed by selling just one measly butter knife?!The more I looked around, the worse my mood became. I could feel the levels of irritation rise steadily with every chair, every intricately designed flower arrangement, every breathtaking painting, and glint of gold that caught my eye. Th

Rio Asheton sighed, propping his chin on his hand as he looked over the piles of important documents that required his attention. As his gaze scanned the countless forms and contracts splayed over his desk, he felt his mind drift and wander elsewhere.Over the past month, he'd buried himself in any work that came his way, including projects that didn't necessarily need his attention. It was all done with the sole purpose of staying busy so he wouldn't give in and reach out to her.She'd called him a pervert, a jerk, and a few other words he didn't really care to remember, so he'd vowed to himself that he'd change her perception of him. Staying away might not have been the best tactic but it was the only thing he could think of given the way they'd last left things. She'd been so... upset by his actions and with good reason too.He never should've kissed her...Tightening the grip on the pen in his hand, Rio sighed once more. He had to make things right- had to do whatever it took t

"Oh my God, Rio! Why'd you keep it a secret?!"Mom's voice was grating. Dad's smile was blinding. The stupid guy beside me was a dazzling masterpiece full of smiles and fluttering lashes.And I was pissed."We're not dating!" I growled, my voice echoing in the jail booking center.At this, Asheton, whose arm was suddenly around my waist the minute my legs gave out, keeping me from crashing to the ground, chuckled. When I looked at him, his cheeks were flushed and there was this bashful smile on his lips that nearly made sick. And he seemed to notice my discomfort as he offered me a comforting smile, his long thick lashes fluttering softly against his cheeks as he leaned down.I didn't know what the hell he was thinking but I turned away before his face could get any closer, my lips curled in disgust."Actually, it happened earlier today." He chuckled, unbothered by my rebuff. "Cash came into my office to, uh... thank me for the gifts I sent, and things just kind of took off from there