Chapter 040

40.

That evening, Samantha returned home and was shocked the minute her father relayed the news to her. Samantha couldn't believe it.

Her gaze flickered between her father and her mother. She was speechless at first, and when she finally found her words, she began. "Why the sudden announcement, huh? I don't think it's necessary for us to get married now, Dad."

"Why not? You two are adults. There is nothing wrong with the two of you getting married now. Besides, he has been patient enough. You were supposed to get married to him immediately after the handover ceremony, but he personally told me to hold on so you could get used to running the company first. You're already making progress. Also, it's just for sometime, so what is there to complain about?"

Samantha couldn't wrap her head around it all. Why was Aiden suddenly doing this? She felt it was too soon. She had just managed to survive the heartbreak from Nathan, and now she was getting married off to Aiden?

She wondered if he was annoyed because she turned down his dinner invitation and wanted to use this to get back at her.

Still, she wanted to talk her father out of it. "Dad, I can't get married to him now. You all know what I have been through."

"Samantha, we had an agreement. You were to take over the company and get married to Aiden. We've already wasted so much time, and the worst thing you can attract is his anger. Trust me, you do not want to know what he can do if we just back out of this agreement." Ray warned and Samantha sighed.

She knew she had no choice in this one. Her father was right. They had an agreement and she wasn't someone to go back on her words. She looked at her mum, who smiled and gave her a reassuring nod.

"Fine then, but I need to talk to him first." she said and grabbed her car keys as she walked out of the house, heading for Aiden's house immediately.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, honey?" Jessica asked and Ray nodded.

"I know Aiden is the best for her, dear. It might take a while, but one day, I am certain she will come to realize that he is harmless and just wants to be with her. This arranged marriage might just be what she needs to find true love and happiness." he said with a smile and Jessica nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.

She had been worried about how Samantha was going to take the news, and knowing Samantha's temper sometimes, she might end up doing something they would regret, but now she felt assured that her daughter would finally be in good hands.

****

AIDEN'S MANSION

Aiden had already set the dining table with exotic food and drinks, and would glance at his wrist watch often, wondering if Samantha would really come.

Even though he meant what he said about pushing their wedding forward, it was a trap to bring Samantha to him. He knew after her father told her everything, she would either come to question him, scold him or yell at him, and he had made dinner in preparation for that.

Mia watched him setting everything up from up the stairs and wondered if he was having an important guest over. With a smile, she got down from the stairs and rushed to him.

"Are you having someone over?" she asked, her eyes scanning the food. "These look delicious. You make the best meals."

Aiden smiled and patted her head. "I prepared them for a very special and important guest tonight."

Mia chuckled. "This guest must really be important then, seeing that you made the dinner yourself instead of the maids and cooks."

"Of course. I feel she needs to eat quality food, and what's good food if not prepared by me?" he winked at her.

Mia raised an eyebrow. "Your special guest is a 'she'?" Mia asked, her mind raising with possibilities as she thought about who it could be.

"Of course." Aiden answered.

"Could it be that bitch Samantha?" she muttered under her breath. She looked at Aiden and was about to ask if Samantha was the one when the doorbell rang.

Aiden beamed. "She's here!" he smirked and removed the apron from his waist, adjusted his clothes and cleared his throat as he walked to the living room with Mia beside him.

The security men at the door opened it and Samantha walked in, that annoyed expression still on her face. First, she was greeted with the aroma that filled the room, and her stomach growled slowly. She brushed it off, her mind focused on what she came to do.

She walked into the living room and Aiden smiled at her. "Welcome, Love."

She answered with a frown and walked to stand in front of him. "Why did you do what you did?" she asked, her fist clenched at her sides.

Mia looked at her through the corner of her eyes, her fists tightened. She couldn't believe Aiden made all these for Samantha, and what's worse, the lady is here and is scolding him.

"It's for the best. Besides, I and your father had an agreement. After you take over as the CEO, we get married." he answered and Mia gasped.

"Huh? Married?" Mia muttered, her eyes widening in shock.

"You should have told me first before telling my father about it!" she snapped.

"If I had told you, you wouldn't have agreed to it. Besides, it's about time you're off the market, don't you think?" he asked but Samantha was not finding it funny.

"This isn't cool, and you know it. You can't just make our relationship public just like that, you know!" she ruffled her hair.

"I told you before that if I want something, I'll do all I can to get it. After all, it's just an arranged marriage. What are you so afraid of?" he snickered and Mia sighed in relief. If it was an arranged marriage, she still had a chance.

"The world knowing about it is what I don't want." Samantha folded her arms.

"The world must know to keep those men away from you," he answered.

"It's just an arranged marriage, why are you being overly possessive?" she scoffed.

Aiden smirked. "Because during that time, I'm going to make you mine truly," he said and Samantha went mute. "If you don't want people knowing, we could make it an engagement for the public eye. It's an engagement on the outside, but an arrangement on the inside. I feel it's better that way, right?" he asked and Samantha saw a bit of sense in what he said.

She looked at him and he smiled at her, causing her anger to dissipate immediately.

"Fine then, but you can only announce that after we return from Detroit."

Aiden nodded. "That's okay by me," he said and Samantha sighed. "I made dinner just for you."

Samantha shook her head. "You can keep it, I'm not hungry." she replied but her stomach instantly betrayed her as it growled, causing her to shut her eyes tight in embarrassment.

Aiden chuckled. "Your stomach is saying otherwise." he held her hand.

"No, it's fine. I'm actually-"

"Shhhh," he placed his index finger on her lips. "Shut up and come eat." he muttered slowly and she found herself lost for words as he led her to the dining room.

Mia couldn't believe she had just been treated like a ghost. First off, Samantha didn't glance her way for once, Secondly, they talked like she wasn't even in the room, and now, they are going to have dinner without even calling her.

"Mia, aren't you coming?" Aiden called, snapping her out of her reverie.

She sighed. "Coming!" she headed for the dining room, trying her best to maintain her best smile and attitude so Aiden wouldn't detect her hatred for Samantha. "Sister in law, I couldn't greet you earlier because you looked mad. Hope you're okay now," she said and Samantha nodded curtly. "Good to have you here. Aiden really worked hard to prepare this meal, I hope you like it."

Samantha didn't say anything. She just stared at Aiden, who served the food for them before taking a seat after serving himself. "Dig in." he gestured and Samantha nodded.

She looked at the delicacy before her, wondering if Aiden was really the one who prepared this. The rice was cooked to perfection, and the chicken was grilled just right. She took a bite, and the flavors exploded in her mouth. She couldn't help but let out a small moan of pleasure.

Aiden smiled, pleased that she was enjoying his cooking. "I'm glad you like it," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

Samantha realized what she did and just nodded. She had to admit, this was amazing; even better than her cooking but heck was she going to let him know that. She wondered how on earth he got the chance to learn how to cook this well.

Aiden would add more in her plate and even pour her a glass of wine, causing Mia to fum inwardly. Her face was all smiles, but she was burning inside.

Samantha couldn't recall the last time someone served her food like this. The feeling that came with this particular one was different from anything else. She dismissed the thoughts and just decided to enjoy the food.

Aiden watched her as she ate, finding her cuter by the second. Mia saw him and rolled her eyes, feeling a pang of jealousy. She couldn't believe that Aiden was this into Samantha.

She had to find a way to ruin this night without them getting a lead on her.

"Sister in law, I know that you and my cousin have been together for a while, so tell me, what have you noticed about him, and what do you like?" she asked.

Samantha looked up from her food, wondering what Mia was up to this time. "I like his courage and persistence." she answered truthfully because that was what she saw in him. Despite the fact that she was always mean to him and did all she could to chase him away, he still found a way of coming back to her. She always put up a confident and unapproachable front, but Aiden was not moved by that. He always pushed through her walls.

The days she wanted to look tough were days he met her and would do things that would move her. She found his kind rare and interesting.

Mia wasn't done yet. "What do you mean by his courage and persistence? Are you trying to say that you're unapproachable and scary?" she asked, her voice laced with a bit of mockery.

"Yes." Samantha answered plainly, much to Mia's dissatisfaction. Aiden just smiled and ate.

"Okay, next question. Since you know Aiden too well, do you think he would go for someone who is divorced if he knew?" she asked and Samantha dropped her cutlery on the plate.

Aiden raised an eyebrow, finding what Mia said offensive.

"And what do you mean by that?" Samantha asked.

Mia snickered. "Oh no, don't get me wrong, sister in law. I'm just curious, you know. You know him well since you two have been together, so I wanted to know if he would accept a divorcee as his fiancèe, because you're literally one so.. "

"Mia, enough!" Aiden snapped at her, seeing that Samantha's facial expression had changed.

"I mean no harm, Aiden. Don't tell me you didn't know she was divorced by her husband. Not just that, she was thrown out by his mistress. I guess you don't know, that's why you're still with her." she replied and Aiden frowned.

"I will not tolerate you talking about her in that manner, Mia. Do not make me send you back to the states because of this single action. How dare you judge her like that?" he snapped at Mia, who couldn't believe he was taking Samantha's side right now.

"I said I mean no harm. I just wanted to know if you were aware-"

"Yes," Aiden cut her off. "I'm aware of it and I still chose her. Do you have a problem with that?" he asked and Mia's eyes widened.

Samantha stood to her feet. "I'll leave now." she wanted to walk away.

"Wait, Sam," Aiden called and her heart skipped a beat. She stopped in her tracks and he stood to his feet as he walked up to her. He held her hand and faced Mia.

"Apologize to her." he ordered and Mia gasped.

"What? Why should I?" Mia asked, standing to her feet too.

"Apologize to her now, Mia. I will not say it again!”