CHAPTER THREE: Ruined

“Maybe it’s because of the recent events at my wedding,” I guess because I don't even know why the reporters are here.

“At least, I am able to escape from them, that's good enough,” I let out a small sigh of relief and then make my way to Emelia's house, bursting through the door.

“You guys won't believe…..” I pause when I notice the somber expressions on their faces.

Sensing something amiss, I ask, only to have Katherine wordlessly hand me a laptop. My heart sinks as I stare at the screen, and I can't believe what I'm seeing right now. There, plastered across the internet, is a photo of me with a damning caption:

"The Mayfair's Heir's Dirty Secret."

"I understand now why the reporters are here, so he is a rich guy?" I share with them, but they continue to give me puzzled looks.

"Please, don't act strange. I'm already facing a new problem without resolving the old one," I explain to them, recounting how the reporters unexpectedly intruded on my privacy and then threatened to sue them although I know that will definitely be hard because I'm broke to even hire a lawyer for that.

"Do you remember nothing at all?" Emelia inquires, furrowing her brow.

"My mind's completely blank right now, and there’s nothing upstairs. Trust me, I really wish I remembered every single thing that happened right now, but it’s all blank," I reply, feeling hurt for not remembering what transpired between me and the Greek god because I'm darn sure we really had great sex with a lot of different styles and….

“So how's it,” Caroline asks me again with a weird grin, and I can't believe she is already imagining things right now, just like I am.

“Like seriously, I really remember nothing. How many times do you want me to say it?” I answer her, and they all laugh at me.

Yeah, I know I've got  crazy friends, but they’re still manageable. Katherine later proposes to address the current issue and locate the man involved first, while Emelia suggests visiting my family before taking any further steps. I agree to follow Emelia's suggestion because they must have seen the news also, and we all head to my house. On the way, I can't help but wonder what awaits me at home.

But upon arriving home, I am met with a shocking scene.

"Please go. Ariel, please leave and never return," Mom says firmly.

"Mom," I whisper, attempting to approach her, but she takes a step back.

"Stay back. I want you to leave right now and never return to this house," Her voice quavers with emotion.

"We are still grappling with your sister's issues, and now you've brought even more shame upon this family. Ariel, you, of all people, should understand our struggles, yet you chose to betray us. Not only did you flee from the wedding, but you were also discovered with another man at the hotel that same night. Our family name is being dragged through the mud on social media, and we are enduring endless insults because of your actions. The disgrace you've brought upon us surpasses even what your sister inflicted. Please, for the sake of this family's dignity, take one last step and leave immediately," she implores, tears streaming down her face, and Dad moves closer to her, comforting and giving her support.

"About the wedding, it's..." Katherine begins, attempting to explain, but I cut her off with a stern look.

Without saying anything, I simply go inside and return moments later with my luggage. I glare at the woman I refer to as a sister, and I'm seething with anger right now. Not even a trace of guilt or remorse is visible on her face; it's almost as if she is reveling in the chaos she has caused. Emelia steps in to assist me with my boxes.

"Thank you for everything, and I'm truly sorry for causing such hardship for the family,” I apologize before leaving with Emelia, and we head back to her house.

Emelia offers me a place to stay for as long as I need, considering we both work at the same place. However, as they are comforting me, I receive a message from work.

"It's from the office. I've been fired," I announce, breaking into a strange, almost hysterical laughter, then burst into tears.

I'm even scared of myself right now because I'm about to run mad. Trying to console me, they all gather around me, offering hugs and support, but that doesn't soothe anything because I’m totally ruined.

THE MAYFAIR MANSION

ALEXANDRA'S POV

"What were you thinking? Even if you had to take those actions, couldn't you have done it discreetly without attracting public attention?" Grandfather reprimands in frustration as he throws a remote control at me, which of course I dodge.

"Why are you shouting at him? It's not his fault that the reporters revealed his location,” Mom defends. “But isn't it suspicious that reporters were able to pinpoint his whereabouts despite all the security measures?" I'm sure she is trying to insinuate that William may have leaked my location to the media.

"Marry her immediately," Grandfather suddenly declares, leaving me incredulous at his suggestion, knowing full well that I am not ready for such a commitment. I only break out into laughter as his command seems very funny and absurd.

Marry who? That lowlife? He must be joking with me.

"Why would you propose that he marry someone of such a low class? She is not on our level and is not suitable for our family," Mom quickly defends.

"I have no intention of marrying anyone, and it will be best if you refrain from discussing this matter with me again," I assert firmly.

"Really? Then present a solution to rectify the mess you've caused. Surely, you must have a grand plan in place to address the situation you've found yourself in," Grandfather challenges.

Crossing my leg, I suggest advancing the release date of our new product to resolve the issue at hand, but instead of accepting my suggestion, I can see his anger growing.

"Julius, assemble the legal team and sue every reporter, company, or individual who invaded my grandson's privacy by going to the hotel, distributing, or posting pictures of him. Release a statement claiming that the woman in the photo is his wife-to-be and announce that those who entered their hotel room will face consequences," Grandfather orders Julius, dismissing my suggestion, much to my dismay.

"I will not agree to this marriage," I retort angrily.

“You will, and you have no other options,” he threatens, and I scoff then stand up, ready to take my leave.

"If you are not committed to it, then submit your resignation letter immediately," Grandmother's sudden voice interrupts from behind.

I’m taken aback by her unexpected presence; we had not received any updates about her arrival. I hurry to greet her, embracing her tightly. I had missed her so bad; she had gone for medical treatment, and it seemed like she was doing much better.

"That girl is not suitable for our family, but we need to address the current issue promptly. Just marry her temporarily, and we can discuss your divorce later," Grandmother suggests as I wheel her away from the meeting table, and I let out a small sigh.

Moving to her front and bending down, she cups my face into her hand, and I glance at her, feeling torn as I don't want to defy her authority.

"Please," she adds softly, and after some consideration, I reluctantly agree.

“But I would like to add a clause to the agreement documents,” I add, and she agrees.

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

ARIEL'S POV 

I'm engross in watching television when a news report suddenly claiming, "I am Alexander Mayfair's fiancée, and we are getting married soon." Startle, I exclaim, "What in the world is this? Who’s the monkey spreading such bizarre rumors? Are they crazy?"

Emilia, hearing my outburst from the kitchen, hurries into the living room, inquiring about what happened, and I point at the television. As we listen, there's a knock on the door. Fearing it might be reporters, I quickly dash inside the room and lock the door. However, Emilia's voice calls out to me to come back, indicating it was someone else. I return downstairs to find an elderly man in a black suit standing there, introduced as Julius on behalf of the Mayfair family. Offering him a seat, he begins to narrate the history of the Mayfair family, which brings me nothing but boredom.

It is quite well-known that they are the wealthiest family in the whole world, so I wonder why this introduction is necessary again. But I am taken aback when I hear him suggest, "Marry Alexander Mayfair for just a year." Without hesitation, I interrupt him.

“Wait…what…what did you just say? Why do I have to do that? Do you even know what I’ve been through because of him? I lost everything because of him, and now you want me to marry him again?" I thunder in a loud voice, and I can even see the man flinching in fear.

"I’m very sorry for what happened to you, but I believe this is the best option for you to recover your damaged image. It's just a fake marriage; you don't have anything to lose and might gain something out of it. According to my findings, I heard your family has sent you away because of the issue at hand, and you've even lost your job. Please, think about it and make a wise decision because you can recover everything back with this marriage,” he says and drops a card on the table. I pick it up only to see the invite to my wedding.

“The wedding is in two days," Julius adds, catching me off guard with the news that the wedding date has already been set without my knowledge.

I glance at Emily, who whispers to me that the decision’s mine to make, and I should choose what feels right for me. After much contemplation, I realize that I’ve lost so much, and perhaps going along with this plan could help me reclaim what I have lost. It’s not as if I have any other options. So, I agree to the deal. Julius then produces a document for me to sign, which includes clauses about confidentiality and an agreement to divorce Alex immediately after one year. I sign it, despite noticing some small print at the end of the document. It is difficult to read, but I trust it won't be anything negative, so I scrub it off.

After outlining the wedding plans, Julius eventually departs.

"I can't believe you're marrying that handsome guy! Congratulations, darling," Emilia exclaims, enveloping me in a tight hug.

“Can you just stop this, that guy is definitely bad news. There’s nothing good about him,” I say, releasing a soft sigh, hoping that everything will turn out for the best.