CHAPTER 1

Have you ever slipped on a wet floor in a mall because you didn't notice the warning sign?

If not, please don't wish it upon yourself, lest you end up like me.

I actually slipped on a wet floor in the mall, and to make it more pleasant, and rather cliché, a quite handsome gentleman caught me and supported me with his gallant gestures.

The situation is getting even more mundane. Let me paint him for you on why he caught my eye: he's fair-skinned, tall, with a fit physique—statueeque-like. His eyes are slightly almond-shaped, his nose is pointed, and he has an appealing, sharp jawline. His eyebrows are well-groomed—not too thick, not too thin. He was wearing formal attire, and he smelled incredibly captivating. In short, he fits the bill for an ideal billionaire CEO—the kind that makes your heart skip a beat...

And I felt like I was about to swoon...

"Hey, are you okay?"

My eyes go directly to his lips as he speaks. His lips had a subtle rosy hue, making me think they'd be delightful to kiss, as they looked soft as well. He exudes an aura that suggests he could shower me with kisses all over, leaving me utterly captivated...

To add to the masterpiece, his dark hair is neatly styled, further enhancing his striking appearance that I almost wanted to touch...

"Hey, Miss? I'm asking you... Are you okay?"

And above all, it felt like we were the only two people in the world. No one was witnessing this incredibly captivating scene between us—just him, me, and of course the wet floor...

"Tsk." I snapped back to reality at the sudden sound.

"Ouch! What's your problem?!" I raised an eyebrow, affronted as he abruptly let go of me.

"You've been staring at me since. You seemed quite comfortable with me holding your waist. What were you thinking? Do you think you're in a fairytale?" I snapped as he brushed off his clothes. I was taken aback by his reaction.

"Am I a virus for you to brush off your clothes like that?!” I asked, my tone tinged with irritation.

"You look like one." He said, emotionless with a flat tone.

"Excuse me?! What did you say!?" Why, out of all the handsome, wealthy, almost-perfect men in the world, did it have to be this obnoxious one who caught me?!

Lord, are there no other options? Does it really have to be him?

Could you switch modes, please?!

As frustrated as I already am, I turned to him upon hearing him clear his throat, "Are you trying to get my attention? You’re still blocking the way. Move aside, woman."

He's really getting under my skin! My face almost crumbled into a scowl at his words.

"Oh, one more thing," Was he not done insulting me yet? "I dislike anyone who pretends to stumble just to have an excuse to touch me."

W-what the freaking hell?!

"Get lost, Pervert."

Did he just insult me!? Really!? He insulted the most beautiful woman in the world!? Ha! The nerve! And what!?

He called me a pervert!?

"Hey! Don't you know who I am!? I'm the famous painter, Felicity Rose Lee! The most beautiful-----" My exasperated shout was cut short by his abrupt question.

"Where?"

My brow furrowed in confusion.

"W-what do you mean where!?"

"Where's the beauty?" He said expressionlessly, then walked away from me.

I was left speechless with my mouth slightly open. He just walked out on me? Seriously?!

"HEY! GET BACK HERE! WE ARE NOT DONE TALKING!" I shouted after him, fury rising. He didn’t even look back, which only annoyed me more.

"YOU’LL PAY FOR BEING SO RUDRACK, FREAKING JERK!" I yelled in his direction, as if he could still hear me from afar.

And guess what?

I look down at my outfit to see if there are any creases. After checking, I fixed my stance, and even if I shouted many times, scandalous as I may seem, I'm still pretty. I brush my hair and flip it as I give one final look to that wonderful wet warning sign.

I arrived at the restaurant where I was headed. My parents had called me, saying they needed to meet me because they had something important to discuss. They also told me to dress properly as they would be bringing a business partner. Being an obedient child, I did as they said, without even asking what this was actually about.

"Eli is here already, glad that you made it," Mom greeted me as I arrived.

"I'm sorry, am I late? I was finishing up some work at the office, and there was a bit of a problem." I glanced briefly at my parents' companions, "Sorry for keeping you all waiting. I'm Felicity Rose Lee. It's nice to meet you all."

"Felicity, you're the famous painter, right?" Of course, hearing that from another woman made me smile immediately. "It's an honor to meet you in person." I shook hands with the two people accompanying my parents.

"The pleasure is mine," I replied with a smile, watching the two of them for a moment, and it dawned on me that they are a couple. I smiled more discreetly, confirming my observation.

A moment later, the two of them glanced toward the entrance, as if they were waiting for someone. At first, I didn't see who they were calling, but when a familiar face walked in, I was slightly taken aback. The insufferable man who bumped into me. Wait a minute? What is he doing here? Don't tell me...

I winced as he stopped right by our table. He bowed slightly and introduced himself, "I'm sorry for arriving late," he looked at my parents and spoke, "I'm Calix." He glanced at me briefly, his brow furrowing slightly.

"It's okay, son, take a seat," the man said, which made my grimace deepen. What? Are his parents business partners with mine? Wow, not amusing.

"Anyway, since both of our children are here, we might as well get straight to the news," I glanced at Mom when I heard her say that, growing even more puzzled as the woman across from me laughed, seemingly thrilled by the situation.

"What news?" I asked curiously.

“Dear, I forgot to introduce myself to you. I'm Elena," the woman introduced herself, looking at me directly.

"And I'm Victor," the man beside her added. "And we're the parents of the man who's going to marry you." He smiled. Wait... Marry me?!

"What!?" The man and I almost spoke in unison, our eyes locking for a moment before we quickly looked away, and we both rolled our eyes at each other. Will he be my husband? Who said I’m going to marry him? Tsk! The nerve!

And I’m far too young to get married! I’ve just graduated, and I’m building my own name in the business society... and this? A husband? Why me? Why not Mom? —Wait, what? I shook my head at the rapid-fire questions swirling in my mind.

"Whose plan is this, Mom?" I looked up toward the man, who also like me, seemed confused and opposed to what he’d learned. His face was reddening, clearly furious with his parents. "You didn’t even tell me."

"But isn’t this—" Victor cut himself off abruptly as his son stood up, adjusting his coat.

"I won’t be staying, I don’t want to marry someone—" He paused for a moment, as if searching for the right words. With a sigh, he turned away, "I’m leaving, excuse me."

"Wait a moment, son!" His father’s words came out in a rush, turning to my parents, who looked just as unsure of what to do. I cleared my throat, stood up, and drew their attention to myself.

I smiled, "I appreciate your effort in planning our future, but I’m sorry, we’re both too young to get married, and it doesn’t seem like we’d make it work if we don’t want it ourselves." I bowed slightly in farewell. "Thank you for the invitation, but I think I’ll take my leave. My apologies."

I heard my parents calling after me, but I didn’t look back. I just kept walking straight until I finally exited the restaurant. I stopped short when I suddenly heard someone clear his throat—that jerk. "Did you agree to their decision?" He said it like he was blaming me for us being forced into this marriage.

"Why would I agree? If I actually liked you, maybe I’d be the one asking you to marry me." I rolled my eyes and kept walking away.

"I don’t like you either," I heard him say. I stopped in my tracks and turned to face him again.

"Oh? Good. The feeling is mutual." I snapped, walking away again. Frustration with that insufferable guy was clear, but a thought nagged me…

Why on earth would my parents suddenly want to marry me off to someone I don’t even know?

Is our family in some kind of trouble?