CHAPTER 3

Marie Sue's POV

I rose to my feet, not believing my eyes. “You?”

“You two know each other?” Lara asked.

“Yes.”

“No.”

I said no because I didn't want any trouble.

Lara grinned. “I’m glad you two already know each other. Jordan, this is Marie, your future wife. Marie, this is Jordan, your future husband.”

“My what?” Jordan and I asked at the same time.

“Jordan, I found a wife for you. Isn't she delightful?” Lara beamed.

Ma'am, I'm a fat restaurant food server wearing an apron and hair net over my head. I look nowhere delightful. Not by a stretch of imagination.

“She isn't.” Jordan shot me a glare.

“He's right.” I chuckled nervously as I walked out of the booth.

“Nonsense,” Lara scolded her son. “This woman saved my life.”

Jordan's eyes widened. “She did?”

“Yes,” Lara said, narrating how she nearly choked on a meatball and how I saved her life.

Jordan looked at me. “You saved my mother's life.”

“It's just a little…”

“Thank you.” He bowed his head.

Oh my God.

“You don't have to…” I said nervously.

“You will be compensated.” He said.

Okay. What's with these people and compensation?

“No need for that, son.” Lara added. “She will be joining our family as your wife.”

This again?

“But mother —”

“She is Henry Sue's daughter.”

Jordan blinked. “She is?”

“Yes,” Lara smiled and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “She is the woman you've been looking for.”

It was my turn to blink. “Jordan's looking for me?”

“Yes!”

“No!”

He and Lara announced simultaneously.

Lara ignored him and continued. “Jordan is the CEO of Kensington Foods and needs your help coming up with a brand of new pastas.”

I smiled. “Really?”

“No, I do not,” Jordan pinched the bridge of his nose. “Mother, please.”

“Hush now, Jordan,” Lara turned to me. “It turns out there was contamination of some of the company's lasagna and pasta products and when stocks didn't improve, Jordan had to pull them off the shelves.”

I winced. Pulling every product in the line was a drastic move that'll lead to financial loss but it was a good call. The company's reputation would suffer a subtle blow compared to the ones they'll face if they keep those products on the shelves.

I gave Jordan a thumbs up. “That's a smart move, Jordan.”

He snorted. “It's Mr. Kensington to you and of course, it was a good call. I make the best decision there ever is. Kensington Foods is all about consumer health and trust. Not money.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

Asshole.

“Even though that situation has blown over, the people still talk about it,” Lara squeezed my hands. “If only we had a cuisine genius who will whip up something that'll take the people's minds off that dreadful event.”

“I can,” I offered politely.

“No, you will not!” Jordan snorted.

“Wonderful,” Lara linked her arm around mine. “Do we think we should start by buying this restaurant back? Imagine the headlines it would make.”

I chuckled nervously and looked back at Jordan. He was glaring at me.

Lara rambled on. “Perhaps, you could let us in on some of your father's secret recipes.”

I paused. “Um… I'm sorry I can't give away my father's recipes. He wouldn't want that.”

Lara's face fell. “Oh, I see.”

Jordan reached us. “Now, that is over. Shall we go, mother. I'll be late for a meeting.”

“Perhaps, we can reach an arrangement, Miss Sue,” Lara smiled. “Marry my son.”

Jordan scoffed. “Mother, please…”

“Quiet. You've scared off nearly all the women in New York. I'm doing you a favour.” She hissed at him. Then turned to me. “Henry once told me any of his children who marry will have to pass their tradition down to their spouse. Plus, it wouldn't be his wish again, dear. It's what he'd wanted. I even have a picture of his signature on my phone.”

Oh. For a moment, I thought she was joking until she whipped out a photo from her file manager. She even pulled up the details of the photo to support his explanation and the time on it was May 15, 2021.

“Oh.” I said, too stunned for words.

Lara smiled. “So… will you consider my son's offer?”

Jordan's face turned red. “It's not my …”

“Will you?” Lara smiled. “I've always wanted a daughter-in-law.”

Jordan rolled his eyes. “You have one already.”

“Oh please, I don't like Kylie,” She snorted, then pulled me close. “I like Mariam.”

“Marie,” I corrected.”

“Even better.” Lara smiled, pulling me out of the restaurant.

“Lara, my job…” I panicked.

“You don't work there anymore and don't worry, Jenna already knows,” she put her forefingers together in a tiny clap. “We're buying it back.”

My jaws dropped to the floor. “What?”

“Now, don't just stand there like a log of wood, Jordan,” Lara scoffed. “Help your fiance into the car.”

Jordan shoved both his hands in his pocket. “She is perfectly capable of entering the car herself.”

Lara swatted his shoulder with her purse. “Didn’t I teach you any manners? Help her now!”

Jordan swallowed grunt before he stepped forward and held my hand. “Get your ass in the car.”

I fought a chuckle before entering the backseat. Lara joined me and then he closed the door, rounding the car to enter the driver's seat.

“Where to, mother?” Jordan asked, starting the car.

Lara smiled. “To the family estate.”

Jordan and I asked in shock. “What?”

Lara ignored us. “Yes. Marie is going to meet the family. Oh, they'd be delighted to see her.”

Jordan met my gaze in the rearview mirror. And dear God, if looks could kill, I'd be a goner right now.

I wanted to scream at him to stop the car. To tell him that this is too sudden but… I have a tonne of student loans to pay off, my rent is due and my salary can barely afford it. Marrying into a wealthy family could turn my life around.

I settled in the backseat and wiped my hands on my apron. Perhaps, it wouldn't be so bad.