003: she left?

Japheth POV

I stretched out my hand to feel the soft, buttery body beside me.

“What the heck?” I muttered when I could not find her besIde me.

RubbIng my eyes, I opened them and realized she was gone. I sat up and looked around; my clothes were scattered on the front seat, but hers were gone.

“How could she leave like that?” I snapped, suddenly angry.

“Holy fuck!” I growled as realization hIt.

“It was my first time wIth her, and we didn’t use a condom. The crazIest part? It happened in the car. How could that be possible? How could a girl make me lose control like that?” I roared In frustration, runnIng my hands furIously through my hair.

I couldn’t understand what was wrong with me. I who had never been In any kInd of relationship, had slept naked besIde a woman last night.

I hated women’s love because it felt fake. They could do anything for money and fame. Their affection felt staged, a script to manipulate men.

Women could never be trusted—except the girl from last nIght. She was different. She didn’t ask me for anything and left without causing any drama.

“Who exactly was she? Doesn’t she know I’m rich? If she’d asked for anythIng, I would’ve given it to her to avoid future headaches! Or maybe she really thought I was a cab driver, but who uses a GWM Truck 700 as a cab?”

I scratched my head and began getting dressed. The moment I picked up my shirt, I found red, lacy lingerie.

I recognized it, it was hers from last night.

“But what is it doing here? Did she forget it?” I asked myself.

Curious, I smelled it. “God, she smells like lavender,” I murmured. I felt an erection pressing against my trousers.

“This is crazy. What In the world did she do to me?” I cursed again in frustration.

Since last night 1 could not stop thinking about her, she attracted me like a bee to honey. Her dreamy grey eyes, her long silky golden hair, and that refreshIng lavender scent drove me wild.

I moved to the front seat to drIve home but still couldn’t focus.

For the first time In my life, I wanted to go wild and let myself be devoured by her. She had been so sincere with her movements; I could still feel her.

Just then there was a knock on the passenger-side wIndow. It was my assIstant and right-hand man, Alex. I stuffed her lingerie into my pocket before winding down the window.

“Why are you here so early?” I asked, keeping my voice cold. I didn’t ask how he’d found me—the car had a tracker.

Alex frowned. “It’s 11:00 a.m., my lord. Do you still think it’s early?”

“Oh. I see,” I sighed.

Alex opened the door and climbed in beside me. He sniffed, arched an eyebrow, and asked, “Did you sleep with a woman?”

I’d expected the question. Seeing his shocked expression, I could tell he was more surprised than I was.

“Yes, I did. Any problem?”

“Oh my God, why the long face? Didn’t she satisfy you? Was your first time that bad?” he teased.

I glared at him dangerously. I was already a mess because of that girl, and now Alex was trying to fuel it. How dare he!

Alex raised his hands in the air in surrender. “Sorry. When I came back to the villa yesterday after a meeting with your dad, you weren’t there. The bodyguard said you’d gone clubbing, so I didn’t follow.” He paused, then added, “But I came by today because I have important news.”

“What is it?” I asked, serious.

“You’re getting married.”

“What?” I snapped.

“Yes. You’re marrying Chairman Mark Chris’s daughter today.”

“And what if I don’t want to get married?”

“It’s the Godfather’s order—you can’t disobey. Chairman Mark Chris’s support is crucial for our group. Our company in France needs his funding,” Alex said with a cruel smile.

He was definitely enjoying my situation.

“Okay then. I will get married, and after Chairman Mark funds our company, I will get divorced from his daughter,” I laughed, but my laughter died when Alex opened his mouth. “It’s a contract marriage. You can’t divorce your wife for three years.”

I felt like I’d been slapped. I could not believe Dad had such a cruel plan for my life.

“These are the papers. Have a look and sign,” Alex said, handing me a black file.

I looked at the file, and my blood pressure spiked. I wanted to destroy everything in my way. I forced myself to calm down and told Alex to add a few details.

“I need a few terms added to the contract. First: never initiate a physical relationship with me. Second: never interfere in my personal affairs.”

Alex gave me an unpleasant look. “Are you trying to break off this marriage with your ridiculous terms?”

“No. If Dad wants me to get married, he will have to accept my terms.”

Alex wrote them down and handed the papers back. I snatched them and signed.

I knew this day would come. My dad and Chairman Mark Chris were best friends; they both knew their children were stubborn. So they planned this—to force their children into a contract marriage under the guise of business policy. It’s not like I didn’t know about Anethsai Mark. Alex had told me Chairman Mark Chris’s daughter was a notorious playgirl and bully. Bella had many ex-lovers too. Damn it—he wants me to marry such a playgirl!? I wanted to scream and curse at my dad.

Why me? I’m his elder son—otherwise Erick could have married her. Damn. He saved himself because he’s the younger brother, I cursed inwardly, clenching my teeth.

“Are you coming with me to Chairman Mark Chris’s mansion to see your fiancée?” Alex asked.

“No,” I said.

“Then you should fly back to the USA. John Williams isn’t willing to sign with us—Godfather wants you to get his signature.”

“Ah. That sounds interesting. Finally I can get in the right mood,” I replied and started pouring a drink. “Do you want one, Alex?”

“No.” He refused hastily. “I must leave—I have to deliver these papers to the Godfather. I’ll meet you at New York Airport.”

I nodded, and he left hurriedly.

I laughed because I knew he was cursIng me Inside for drinking early without breakfast. Thanks to hIm, my mother would nag when she found out I was drinking on an empty stomach.

I dialed my bodyguard and told hIm to arrive at the hotel. I would soon return to the USA.

After the call ended, I pulled her lacy lingerie from my pocket and stared at it for a long time. I could not get her out of my head.

“I will find you, Miss Unknown,” I murmured, then the next second the call distracted me. Time to focus on work.

I shoved the lingerie back Into my pocket and drove out of the car park, and there they were: black Rolls-Royce cars lined up outside, men in black waiting. TheIr boss, Japhet Lukers—the money-laundering kingpin.

A god of the American underworld. I’m the symbol of danger, blood, and death. No sane person crossed me. I was ruthless; mercy wasn’t in my nature.

People called me a psychopath, a killer—some even called me a heartless beast. They weren’t wrong.

But what’s ridiculous is how women wanted me, their attention, their time, their bodies. Fuck. They thought they could get me with shameless flirting. Baby, reality is far crueler than your fantasies, I’m nothing like they imagined.

Being in the mafia business was my family’s legacy. We didn’t just run underground operations; we owned several companies in the USA and Europe. Our group was Darkz Corporation Ltd., and we developed defense equipment—fighter jets, tanks, missiles. We operated legitimately and were recognized by the government.

But due to a controversy in France, my dad agreed to Chairman Mark Chris’s terms and conditions. And one of those damn terms was: “Marry his daughter, Anethsai Mark.” I’d never met her—only heard of her.

I clenched my fist in frustration and sat back in the car. “John Williams—pray for mercy. I’m in a very bad mood.”