"Aren't you a little dressed up for a family dinner?"
George said to her as she took her seat next to him.
"You should focus on your son, tell him to change his wardrobe, all I see is suits, suits, suits"
She replied. With the way she replied, my guess, she's the third wife, she looks so young, did she marry him because of his money or are they really in love?
"Whatever"
She ended her argument with George and faced Carlton who was seated with me on the other side of the table.
"Carlton, don't you want to say hi? You are making look like an evil stepmother"
He smiled, fake smile, it didn't reach his eyes, his body language was tense.
"Samantha, meet Laura Williams, my father's wife, Laura, meet my fiancée, Samantha Jones"
I smiled at her, waiting for her to say something.
"When is the food going to get here? George, you need to replace them, they are always slow"
She didn't look at me and ignored the introduction making it look like I was completely invisible. That went well
"Uncle!"
A little kid ran over to Carlton and hugged him while he was still seated.
"How is my favourite niece doing?"
He stood up to hug her.
"Daddy! Uncle is here"
My head turned to the direction the adorable girl faced.
A man and a woman entered. The man was wearing a pair of dark jeans, which were slightly ripped at the knees. His white t-shirt was tight against his muscular frame, and I could see the outlines of his abs through the fabric. On his feet, he wore a pair of black sneakers, which were scuffed and well-worn. His casual clothes were in sharp contrast to his wife's dress, which was long and flowing, made of a light, gauzy fabric. Her hair was done up in an elegant bun, and she wore minimal makeup. She looked radiant. My guess, Alexander Williams and his family.
"I guess we are late again"
He said as Elizabeth, his wife took her seat next to me and signalled her daughter to come and seat next to her. She looked at me and smiled.
"You look stunning" she whispered.
"Thank you, you look stunning too" I whispered too.
"Look who we have here"
He went ahead to put his hands on Carlton's shoulders.
"Been a while, brother"
He smiled, still not reaching his eyes.
"Yes, how is the business doing?"
Alex left Carlton to seat next to Laura.
"Business is going great, I'm guessing it's your fiancée seating next to you, if you are not going to introduce me, I will do the honours. I'm Alexander Williams, his older brother"
He smiled at me, at the point I was already tired of talking, I simply nodded.
"It's so nice to see all the family together after such a long time"
George added.
After what felt like an eternity, the food arrived. I felt relief wash over me as the waiters began to deliver the plates, one by one. Everyone around the table began to dig in. As I looked down at my plate, I saw a dish that looked like it had come from another planet. It was some kind of seafood casserole, with vegetables and spices that I'd never seen before. I picked up my fork and took a tentative bite. It tasted okay, but it wasn't the kind of food I was used to. I'd grown up in Miami, where we ate street food - hot dogs, burgers, Cuban sandwiches. This food was fancy and foreign to me, but I forced myself to eat it anyway. I could feel the eyes of the other guests on me. Such a drag
"So, Samantha, how did you meet Carlton? I know he's not the kind of person to interact with ladies"
Laura stopped eating and paid her attention to me.
"Um... We met through a friend"
Beth once told me if I was asked, I should just tell them that. Phew
"A friend, Huh? Is that right, Carlton?"
"Yes"
He replied, holding my hands, smiling with so much love in his eyes. He should be given best actor award
As I sat at the dinner table, I could feel the tension building. Laura and George kept asking me questions about myself and my relationship with Carlton, my family, my school, I tried to answer as best I could, I answered the way Beth told me to answer the questions, Carlton answered the ones I couldn't. Meanwhile, Alexander was staring daggers at him from across the table. I could tell that there was some bad blood between them, but I didn't know the details, Beth didn't tell me there was something between the brothers.
I could feel the pressure mounting, and I just wanted to get out of there. But I had to keep a polite facade. Dinner ended.
"Carlton, see me in my study room"
He kissed my forehead and left with his father. Alexander followed almost immediately. Laura left and Lord knows where the fuck she went, I'm starting to dislike her, I felt attacks in the questions she asked me. Olivia was sound asleep on her mum's arms.
"I'm sorry I can't get to know you, maybe another time"
Elizabeth politely said. Elizabeth and George are the only ones I like.
"No problem"
"Good night"
"Night"
She carried Olivia and they left.
I decided to go for a stroll while waiting for my husband.
As I walked down the long, winding hallways of the mansion, I realized I was completely turned around. I tried to retrace my steps, but everything looked the same. The walls were adorned with paintings and sculptures, and the floors were covered in plush carpets. I must have looked like a tourist, wandering aimlessly around the house.
I felt a firm hand on my shoulder, spinning me around to face its owner. I found myself mere inches from Carlton's face, his blue eyes boring into mine. I could feel the heat radiating off his body, and my heart was pounding in my chest. I was confused by his actions - why was he still trying to put on an act when there was nobody around?
"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He leaned in close, his breath warm on my face. "I'm just making sure you don't disappear on me again," he said.
My mind was reeling, trying to process what was happening. I was frozen in place, unable to move or speak. I felt Carlton's hand on my waist, his grip firm but not forceful. His other hand cupped my face, his thumb caressing my cheek. My heart was racing, my skin tingling with anticipation. And then his lips were on mine.
I was stunned at first, but then I found myself responding to his kiss. His lips were soft and warm, and I could feel my heart beating fast. I tried to protest, his arms encircling my waist. The kiss was getting more passionate, more insistent. I could feel my body responding, even as my mind was screaming at me to stop. I was trembling, unable to control my reactions. I was in uncharted territory, and I didn't know what to do.
One second, he's cold, another, he's friendly. I can't just read him. Who is this man?
CARLTON"Carlton, come to my study," Father called out as he left the room. I followed him, closing the door softly behind me."Have a seat," he said, motioning to the chair beside him."I'm fine, Dad. My fiancée is waiting, and you know how your wife can get," I replied calmly."It won't take long," he insisted, already settled in his seat. I took a deep breath and sat down."After you're officially married, you'll have your right to become my heir. I don't need to know why you changed your mind or what happened between you and your brother. Just remember, our company was built on peace and trust, not on blood. If I pass it on to either of you, I don't want any blood stains on it." He adjusted his glasses, eyeing me with a hint of concern. I clasped my hands together, "You have my word," I promised, eager to move past the conversation about Alexander.As he dismissed me with a wave of his hand, I rose from my seat and made my way out of the room. But just as I stepped into the hall
SAMANTHAAs we entered the car, I could feel the tension between us. I was still reeling from what had happened, and I didn't know how to act around him. I wanted to ask him what was going on, but I didn't know how to start the conversation. And then, of course, Laura walked in at the worst possible moment. It was like she had a radar for these things, always showing up at the most inopportune times.The whole ride home, I was consumed by a mix of emotions. I was angry at Carlton for kissing me and then acting like it was nothing. As I sat there, trying to process my thoughts and feelings, my mind kept replaying the kiss over and over again. I could still feel his lips on mine, the way he had pulled me close to him, the way my body had responded. I felt ashamed of myself. I felt like I was just a pawn in some game, that I was just a bride for hire. I felt like I had no control over my own life, and I hated that feeling. I was trapped. The car halted in front of the cabin, I alighted.
"What?! No way in hell am I letting my sister go to school in another country, no way!" I exploded, shooting up from my seat in frustration."Please, have a seat, Ms. Jones," Carlton said calmly, gesturing for me to sit back down. Reluctantly, I complied, though my defiance still lingered in the air. "That wasn't part of our deal," I argued, crossing my arms in frustration. "I never agreed to that.""It was indeed part of our agreement," Carlton countered evenly. "And I've thought long and hard about it. I don't want her here, and I'm willing to continue sponsoring her education even after our contract ends. The school I've chosen is top-notch.""But she knows no one in New York," I protested weakly."I need your answer now so arrangements can be made," Carlton pressed, his tone firm.Sighing heavily, I sank back into the chair, torn between my protective instincts and the generous opportunity he was offering. It was a lot to process, and I couldn't deny the weight of the decision res
The big day is finally here, and a famous makeup artist named Lily Parker did my makeup, making me look stunning. Jasmine styled my hair into an elegant updo and kept hyping me, wishing she was as lucky as me. Little did she know, marrying someone who was always busy and distant wasn't easy. I know it's a contract marriage, but at least we should communicate better. He barely talked to me unless it was necessary. The last time I saw him was when we picked out my wedding dress. We are going to appear as a beautiful couple today, ugh.Slipping into my wedding dress, I couldn't help but admire myself in the mirror. Jasmine, my hairstylist, kept hyping me up, commenting on how breathtaking I looked. As I fastened the dress, I noticed the heels that matched perfectly, undoubtedly chosen by Carlton while I was in the dressing room. They felt different from the ones I wore at the sultry siren; they were sleek, with delicate straps and a shimmering finish, adding an extra touch of elegance to
CARLTON I couldn't wait for the evening to be over. Laura, my father's wife, suggested throwing a party for our partners at the penthouse, and of course, Father agreed. Before the festivities began, I gave a brief speech to thank our partners for attending the wedding. Then, I started greeting everyone personally. "Mr. Williams, congratulations," Micheal Larsen, one of the company's shareholders, called out to me. "Thank you," I replied, shaking his outstretched hand with a forced smile. "I must say, your wife is very beautiful. You have a great taste. I guess I'm the only bachelor left in the city," he remarked with a smirk. "I doubt that. Thank you for coming," I responded politely, eager to end the conversation and escape the night's discomfort. Suddenly, I felt someone take my hand. I turned to see my supposed bride. Her dress, a stunning shade of blue, reminded me of the first dress I bought for Laura, the one she wore on our first date, it looked exactly the same. Anger
I blinked my eyes open, gazing up at the ceiling of the cabin's room. We had left the penthouse early at George's insistence, who wanted to give "the newlyweds some privacy". Carlton and I drove back to the cabin, and why was I expecting him to explain why I had to change that beautiful dress? Perhaps he still had feelings for Laura. Ugh, I felt like a third wheel. Surprisingly, Carlton stayed the night at the cabin for the first time, though we slept in separate rooms, of course. If he hadn't stayed, I was certain there would have been headlines speculating about our relationship. I stretched my body and sat up in bed, feeling exhausted. Just then, Beth entered the room, as if she always knew when I was awake. "Good morning, Ms. Williams," Beth greeted me cheerfully. I will never get used to that name. I groaned in response. "You are leaving for your honeymoon in 90 minutes." Her announcement hung in the air like a heavy fog, enveloping me in a mixture of apprehension and uncertain
We finally stepped off the private jet, greeted by a warm breeze that gently brushed against my skin. Inhaling deeply, I filled my lungs with the scent of the ocean mingled with the fragrance of exotic flowers. I closed my eyes, admiring the surroundings. Carlton gently put his arm on my waist as we approached a procession of twelve attendants, clad in crisp white linen shirts and tailored pants, with the sun gleaming off their straw hats and leather boat shoes. The men formed a welcoming line, smiles gracing their faces. Glancing at Carlton, I couldn't help but notice his stoic expression. He stood beside me, a silent presence amidst the flurry of activity as attendants bustled around us. Despite being so close, there was an unspoken distance between us, a reminder of the contract that bound us together. Kill the sexual fantasies, Samantha. As we approached, one of the attendants stepped forward, offering a polite greeting. "Welcome, Mr. and Ms. Williams. The yacht is ready," he ann
CARLTONI hurried into my father's hospital room, my heart racing with apprehension. Seeing him lying there, unconscious, Laura and Alex by his side, sent a chill down my spine."What happened?" I asked, my voice strained with worry."He collapsed this morning," Laura explained, her tone matter-of-fact, while Alex sat silently beside Father.My frustration grew. "What did Adam say?" I inquired, referring to our family doctor."I haven't seen him yet," Laura replied.Before I could respond, Alex stood up, facing Laura. "I will see the doctor. You should wait here," he said. "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere," I instructed Samantha, gently holding her shoulders as she nodded in understanding.We had to leave Crystal Cove abruptly upon receiving the distressing news of Father's hospitalization."Good morning," Adam greeted us, rising from his seat to offer us the file. "From what we've found in our testing, it seems that the symptoms are due to stress. I suggest he take some time of