Author's POV
The Next Day.
An old lady, seated on the fluffy couch, grinned mischievously as she looked through the photos on the tablet. A man dressed in black, stood professionally opposite to her as he bowed slightly, patiently waiting for the old lady to check through the photos he had snapped.
"Hmm, he even held her wrist," she commented, her face lit up with an ecstatic smile, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Did he notice you when you took this photo?" She asked in a stern tone. Despite her age, she held an aura of submission and elegance that made one bow at the sight of her.
"I think he does, Madam," the man responded with his head still bowed.
"Okay, but that means you will have to start working for me. Lucas would never trust you anymore," she explained and the man nodded.
He was pained to hear the bitter truth, but the old Madam deserve his loyalty more.
"Her details," she ordered as she stretched her hand. The man passed her a folder, and she collected it.
She waved her hand in the air, "You may leave," she said dismissively.
He nodded and bowed deeply before he turned on his heels and left the living room.
The old lady opened the folder, and her eyes scrutinized at the contents, "Hmm, not bad," she stated with amusement.
"Carter," she placed her finger on her temple, "That rings a bell," she said with a knowing gaze.
Her face lit up immediately she remembered, "What a coincidence! So, she is from the Carter family," she said to herself.
She further went through the contents, "Alyssa Carter, 21-year-old, the only child of her parents…" she continues to read them out and her smile widened when she got to her relationship status.
"Single. Just perfect," she read out.
She reached out for her phone on the table, and dialed a number, she patiently waited for the person to pick up as her eyes lingered on the photos.
"Hello, Mother," the voice said over the phone.
"I have a bride for Lucas," she informed.
The other person chuckled, before he said, "Mother, you know my son. He wouldn't agree to it," Lucas' father, Luke, said over the phone.
"We had a deal, son," the old lady said to him and she continued.
"He promised to quit clubbing, so he could have the CEO's position. I have an evidence that he had gone against my rules and it's consequence will be for him to get married," she asserted.
"Hmm, what am I supposed to do then?" Luke asked her with a sigh.
"I want you to award the France contract to Carter industries, while at it, include a marriage proposal as well," she proclaimed.
"All right, mother,"
"Your wife mustn't be aware of this until the Carter accepts the proposal, is that clear?" she asked in a stern voice.
"I understand," she felt satisfied with the answer and hung up afterwards.
She dialed another number and placed the phone on her ear, "Lucas, meet me at the mansion before 7PM," she hung up after she got her response.
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At Luke's Company.
After the business meeting, Luke shook hands with the attendees and they discussed on what they had talked about during the meeting.
He sighted Mr. Carter talking with one of their business partners, not too far from him.
"Please, excuse me," he muttered and the persons he was talking to doesn't seem offended. He left them and walked closer to the other side.
"Mr. Carter," he called when he got close enough.
Mr. Carter turned and smiled when he saw him and they shook hands. He walked away from those that he was talking to after excusing himself.
“Mr. Morgan," he called respectfully.
"I see, you are busy. Please, see me before you leave," Luke informed with a smile.
"All right, no problem," Mr. Carter responded, and Luke strolled to my office.
He sat on his swivel chair, giving the proposal another look to see if the advantages really stand out.
Soon, he heard a knock on the door, "Come in," he permitted.
Mr. Carter walked in, and they exchanged pleasantries before going on to the real deal. He scrutinized at the documents Luke provided to him.
"You can take your time, sir," Luke said, and he nodded at him, his gaze still on the document.
Mr. Carter began asking some questions to which Luke answered honestly and then, he flashed him a welcoming smile.
He returned the smile and they shook hands. It looks like they have a deal already.
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At The Mansion. 7 PM.
"My sexiest girlfriend in town," Lucas gushed with excitement as he strode towards his grandma and pecked both of her cheeks before settling across her.
"How are you, my dear?" She asked endearingly.
He gawked at her, shocked to hear her tender tone. He doesn't have a smooth relationship with his grandmother.
He only called her his girlfriend because she had just appointed him as the CEO, just a way of sugarcoating her.
He shifted uncontrollably on the couch, looking down at his shoes.
'I hope I haven't done anything wrong,’ he hoped and did a short prayer before answering her question.
"I'm perfectly fine, granny," he responded warily.
"I don't think so," she said and he glanced up immediately.
She continued, "Because if you were, you wouldn't have gone against my rules," she said in a stern voice and passed him the tablet he saw on her lap when he entered.
He collected it from her, but what he saw made it fell from his grip. His eyes widened in shock. One thing was certainly sure as it danced on his mind.
'She had kept a spy on me,’ he confirmed and scrunched his face up.
"For breaking my tablet," she rose up from the couch and pointed her index finger at him.
“You are hereby suspended for two months," she declared.
"What?!" He shrieked and shot up from seat, swiftly rushing to her.
'That bast@rd! I remembered him clearly, he must have been the one that took those photos,’ he thought, remembering the guy he saw with a phone at the restroom.
"Granny! It was all a misunderstanding, I was…" his voice trailed off when she raised her hand to silence him.
"Before you became the CEO, what was our deal?" She asked coldly.
He looked down in embarrassment, 'Why can't she treat me like an adult?' he groaned inwardly.
"Answer me!" He subconsciously flinched at the intensity of her tone.
"If I ever have an entanglement with any lady, s-s-she w-ill be…" he couldn't complete his statement.
'But not that shortie,’ he whined in his head.
"Cat got your tongue," she said snarkily, snapping him out of my thoughts.
"Granny, I promise you.."
She interrupted him, "You are getting a bride," she declared.
" What?!" He widened his eyes in shock.
Alyssa's POV "What?!" I screamed as the spoon fell on the saucer, further creating some noise in the dining room."But, Dad, you can't be serious, right?" I asked as I glanced at my Mum for some help.She looked hesitant, "Uhm.. honey, don't you think it's a bit too early?" She asked my Dad, who casually took a bite from his meal."The offer was tempting, so I couldn't refuse it. Plus, an arranged marriage isn't as bad as I had said it. I got into an arranged marriage with your mother, and we are good. So, go dress up and meet with him. I specifically asked for this date, so that you guys won't be strangers to each other at the wedding," he explained in a relaxed tone."Wedding, Dad? You didn't even ask for my permission before you accepted that offer. Is it your company you cared about or your only daughter?! I demanded as I banged the table.His face changed to fury but I cared less, "This is my future that you are toying with!" I yelled as I could feel my tears.When he talks in a
Alyssa's POV I walked down the aisle with my father, the guests rose to their feet as their gaze fixed on me. I looked down immediately, the scene was overwhelming."Raise your head," my father said beside me but I didn't answer him. I felt like hissing loudly."Alyssa, raise your head," he said through his gritted teeth but I still refused to obey him. He stylishly used his index finger to raise my head, to which I turned away from.His grip around my wrist tightened, "I promise to scream, if you don't loosen up your grip, Dad," I threatened as I raised my head a little."Look at your groom," he said beside me as his grip loosened a bit. It just crossed my mind to look at that rascal.I can't believe he could even flirt with me openly even with the predicament we were in. He seems to know I was the one coming because he wasn't as shocked as I was the other day. It made me wonder if he approached me intentionally or not. But, I will go with the latter, the way he spoke shows he was
Alyssa's POVWe are currently in the car, I threw my head backward in exhaustion. I can't wait to get out of this car, this douchebag was making me feel suffocated.“I guess I have to talk about it now, there will be no more interruption. What was that stunt you pulled out there?” I heard Lucas asking beside me.He was referring to why I pushed him when he was about to kiss me at the altar. Just like I told myself earlier, ignore him.I did just that. I was missing my Mum already and this marriage thing is still a shock to me. Any unnecessary things that could worsen my mood further, I just have to avoid it.“I am talking to you,” he said but I didn't act as if I heard him. My eyes were closed but he knew I wasn't sleeping. It was late in the evening already and I wonder why we haven't arrived at the house his Granny gave to us.“Don't you dare act dumb in front of me shorty,” he gritted his teeth and I felt him yank my wrists, forcing me to open my eyes.“Answer my question ASAP! Do
Lucas’ POVShe looks so cute when she is angry. I couldn't help but shake my head, I saw her pointing her index finger at me but my mind was far away from her.All my thoughts were clouded around having her tonight. After all, she is my wife even if I am a bit disappointed at her small stature.Her small pouty lips that were painted with a red lipstick were opening and closing slowly, they looked so inviting.“If you ever try to…..” I don't know what got over me but I knew I wanted it, so I went for it. There is no one that will be stopping me from having her tonight.She began to struggle but I held her tighter. Her lips were so soft and warm, suddenly… “Ahh!” I instantly pulled away from her when she suddenly bit me hard.“What the fvck….” I was silenced as her palm made contact with my cheeks.My lips twisted into a sly smile, I looked down at her and saw how red her face was. She looked so mad.“I will never forgive you for this, fvcker!” She screamed at me loudly, nearly crying
Lucas’ POVThe Next Morning.I woke up but couldn't open my eyes. I felt as if someone was gazing at me, it was an instinct.I groggily opened my eyes and saw the lady I played with last night, ogling at me with a bright smile on her face.'Nope, this isn't bright. That's a sly smile,’ my subconscious said and I opened my eyes fully.She looked to be in a daze as she stroked my face. I cleared my throat and she was finally snapped out of whatever that she was thinking.“Good morning, handsome. How was your night?” She greeted me, I stood up and sat on the bed.My heart was throbbing badly, I didn't respond to her but searched for my phone.“Are you looking for this?” I looked over to her side and saw my phone with her.“And tell me the reason why you are with it?” I asked in a slightly raised voice, my voice sounded hoarse and husky.Instead of feeling intimidated, she said with a blush crept on her cheeks.“I didn't want you to be disturbed by phone calls, so I switched it off,” she
Alyssa's POVYesterday's event took a toll on my body. All my body felt numb and stiff. I was mad at myself for giving that rascal another chance for kissing me for the second time without my consent.I slept off while crying last night, I knew that I would have to bear with his attitude. We will be living together afterwards.It was my Mum's call that woke me up this morning, followed by Ivy. I did all my morning routines and decided to leave the room. I was still on a phone call with Ivy when that rascal entered.“Yeah, he just got back,” I was explaining what he did to Ivy and informed her that he had just arrived.His hair was disheveled, there was red lipstick all over his face. His eyes widened when he saw me.I could only shake my head and walked to the kitchen when he suddenly yelled behind me.“Hey! That is totally a lie. I only went out for some work,” I was startled when I heard his loud voice.“Is he high?” I muttered under my breath, I noticed that he was walking closer t
Alyssa's POVI didn't mean to be aggressive, the fact that he cheated on me without even hiding it was making me madder at him. He walked closer to Granny and I, trying to sit next to me but one glare from me, he settled on the couch across the table. Each of us was seated on different couches, but I was closer to Granny than he was.“I hope you are good?” Granny asked, the question was directed to me and I smiled.But before I could respond to her, Lucas beat me to it.“Oh my sweet grandmother. After you have disciplined me, you still showed your concern to me,” he touched his heart with a dramatic expression on his face.“I will forever love you Granny,” he cooed, I was biting my lips in order not to laugh.'Doesn’t he know what he looks like?’ I couldn't help but chuckle silently.His shirt was wrinkled and his smile looked forced. He leaned into the couch and sighed soundly.“To answer your question, Granny, I am hanging in there, but not without a symphony of aches and pains. Th
Alyssa's POV"What audacity do you think you have... to call another man right in front of your husband?!” Lucas snapped, feigning anger and I couldn't help but scoff.He might think I was on the phone call with another guy, but I was amused that he was being jealous.“Just keep shut!” I snapped at him with a glare. He looked taken back and I crossed my arms.“At times, you yell unnecessarily. Don't you get tired? At 24, you should be this childish,” I rubbed my forehead tiredly.I have a lot to think about, rather than having a banter with him.“You called another guy ‘babe’ right in front of me. Don't you have shame, and you expected me to keep mute about it,” he said and I rolled my eyes.“This shouldn't be coming from you, mister. Someone who is shameless is talking about shame. Just take a good look at yourself,” I hissed at him.He is so dirty. It's been more than thirty minutes since he arrived, he hasn't taken the initiative to bathe yet.“I know I am good-looking no doubt. Ma