Winter’s POV
“What?! Your grandfather is asking you to marry a stranger?!”
“And he is not just a stranger, he is a penniless man! Why would I even marry a man who wouldn’t be able to provide me the things that I want?!”
Haley nodded her head. “You are right. That man might be planning something, and that is why he wants to marry you. Perhaps he even knows you are a popular superstar.”
“Exactly. And who wouldn’t even know me? There are so many people nowadays who do that kind of scheme. They’ll ask you to marry them, then once he finally gets all of your money, he will leave you crying and hide forever.” Olivia added.
“There is no way I’m going to marry that man!”
“But what if your grandpa insists you do so?”
I shook my head. “No way! Even if he tells me he’ll disown me as his granddaughter!”
***
“You’re going to marry Matthew, or I will disown you as my granddaughter?”My eyes immediately widened when grandpa told me that. He really visited me at my house just to ask me about the marriage shit once again.
“Grandpa, why are you doing this to me? Is that how much you want me to marry that poor man?!”
“As what I keep on telling you, he is a good man. Just give him a chance and you will surely like him, too.”
“If you want me to give him a chance, then why do I even have to marry him?!”
“Because we need him too, Winter. We need someone like him who can run our company. I have told you about that already, right?”
I heaved a deep sigh. “Grandpa, I don’t need a man right now. I don’t want to be in any relationship with anyone and, most of all, I don’t want to get married to anyone.”
“I know how much you’ve suffered just by being a part of our family, Winter. I know how much you do your very best just to prove yourself to your parents. I know how much you want your parents to notice the hard works that you did. That is why I want you to find a man who will help you, a man that will surely take care of you no matter what happens.”
“And you think that beggar could take care of me?”
Grandpa nodded his head with a smile on his face. “Yes.”
“Grandpa---
“You don’t have to force yourself to love him immediately, Winter. You need to, of course, know him first. If a year passes and you still don’t want him to be your husband, then you can divorce him. I just want you to try him.”
I looked at grandpa with furrowed brows. “Grandpa, marrying isn’t a trial and error.”
“I know that, honey. I am now old enough to know about the secrets that our world hides. And trust me, once you learn how to take risks, that’s when you’ll be able to unfold what’s beneath the surface.”
“Grandpa---
“I’m going to die soon, Winter. And I want to see you with someone I know I can trust. Just do this favor for me, please?”
Themis’ POV
If his granddaughter doesn’t agree about marrying me, then I’ll have to think of another way again. It would be hard for me to find criminals if I don’t get help from a person who’s powerful enough to help me penetrate the business world. Because influence and wealth pushed those criminals to kill our family.
“Matthew, I have good news for you.”
“What is it?” I said as I sipped some of my coffee.
I rented a place where I could stay for a while. It was a cheap apartment near Mr. Wesley’s mansion. He was also the one who asked me to live near their house.
“Winter already agreed.”
“W-What?”
“Winter already agreed about marrying you.”
I blinked a few times before realizing what he just said. “Are you sure about that, Mr. Wesley? How did you do that?”
“Can you visit me here in my office? I will tell you the details and let’s discuss your marriage.”
I stood up and wore my coat as I stepped out of my house, going to Mr. Wesley’s mansion.
“How did you do that? I mean, how did you convince her to marry me?” I asked as soon as I saw Mr. Wesley.
“Well, I just acted out a bit and I told her we need someone who can run the company responsibly.”
“Thank you so much for what you did, Mr. Wesley.”
“You are more than welcome, Matthew. This is just nothing compared to how much I owe your family.”
I shook my head. “Don’t worry, I will do what I can do for your company as long as I’m married to your granddaughter.”
“Thank you so much. By the way, can I have another favor from you?”
“Sure, what is it?”
Mr. Wesley looked straight into my eyes as he spoke. “Please, take care of Winter. I know, taking care of her isn’t your responsibility and I don’t have the right to ask you this, but Winter has been living quite a lonely life. I just want to make sure she’s always safe. She is a sweet child, and a loving daughter to her parents.”
“I understand you, Mr. Wesley. I will take care of your granddaughter no matter what happens.”
"Thank you."
I know it would be so much hassle to marry that woman based on how I met her, but no matter how hard it would be, I will do anything just to find the people who killed my family.
Winter’s POV“What?! Winter is going to marry that man?!” mommy said while we were having dinner together with the asshole that grandpa wants me to marry. “I am so sorry I wasn’t able to introduce myself Immediately. My name’s Matthew Hughes.”I rolled my eyes. Acting like a good guy in front of everyone, huh?I don’t even know how he got the trust of my grandpa.“What’s your job?” dad asked him.“I-I am currently trying to find a job. I just quit my job as an office clerk last month, so---“An office clerk?” mom joined in again.The man nodded his head. “Yes, Ma’am.”“I think that’s a good job. At least you have experience when it comes to clerical work which has something to do with running our company.” Summer commented with a smile on her face.Why doesn’t she just marry that bastard instead?“There’s no way a mere office clerk like him can run our company. Dad, what are you even thinking? Winter should at least marry someone who is rich and capable enough since she herself cann
Winter’s POV“Winter, why are you frowning like that? It’s your wedding day today, you need to be the happiest woman in the world. I know you've been dreaming of getting married to someone.” Summer asked me.The day has finally come. The day that I hate the most. I never really imagined this would come. I thought grandpa will always be there for me, but he forced me to marry someone I don't even know.I glared at her. “Really? You’re asking me that?”“Why? I think your groom looks like a good man. I think he will take care of you. That's what's important, right? To have someone to take care of you and understand you for the rest of your life.”“I don’t need someone to take care of me.” I cut her off.This woman really has the habit of playing the main character. She always acts as if she is always saying the right thing when she doesn't even know anything.“Winter---“Can you just stop acting as if you’re sympathizing with me? For sure, you’re celebrating now because you won’t be able
Winter's POV"This will be our house now?" Matthew asked while roaming his eyes around the mansion that grandpa gave us as a gift for our wedding.I rolled my eyes and looked at him. "What else do you think? Why? This is the very first time you've seen such an enormous house like this, right?""You're right. And I just also think that it might be a little exaggerated for the two of us to live in a mansion like this.""Well, sorry because we were not born poor like you. If you don't want to live here, then you're free to leave anytime. That would even make me happy." I said, then I finally walked upstairs straight to my room.Why does he keep on acting as if it does not thrill him about living in a mansion? For sure, he hasn't even seen such a huge house like this. And for sure, he is so excited to finally steal anything in here.But I won't let him do that. If he thinks he can use his tricks on me, then he is wrong. I will surely reveal his real identity to my grandpa and when that ti
Winter's POV"So, what happened last night?" Haley asked me teasingly while we were inside my dressing room, preparing for the conference that we are going to have with the agency about the new project that I want to do.I glared at her. "I killed him. Are you happy now?""What?! Wait, did you really do that?!"I just rolled my eyes.I just hate every single thing about that stupid man. Knowing that he's living under the same roof with me pissess me so much. I badly want to kick him out of our family immediately. And now, he's going to be appointed as the new president of our company. For sure, he is now celebrating."These are the projects that are being offered to you, Winter. Have you checked them already?" "I didn't. I was too tired to check them. Just tell me the roles I will be playing and I'll decide."They all heaved a sigh. They can't do anything, anyway. I am their biggest celebrity and half of the profit they earn comes from me. "As for the drama with 20 episodes, the rol
Winter's POV"Winter, I want you to meet Ian Lewis. Ian Lewis, this is Winter Wesley. The two of you will be playing the lead roles in the drama, My Pretty Mermaid." said the producer.I just glanced at Ian then I averted my gaze again while drinking my iced coffee. "Umm, okay.""Is that how you really greet your leading man?""Well, yeah. Any problem with that?" I said, without looking at him.He laughed sarcastically. "Your management must spoil you too much. Because you're the highest-paid celebrity in the country, you're already treating other people like they owe you something."That made me glare at him. "What did you say?""Er... Winter and Ian, please don't fight here. You are going to work with each other for a few months, so please get along well."I rolled my eyes and stood up. "Whatever. I will never o to any shooting if that moron doesn't behave well.""W-What did you just call me?!" "E-Enough now. Okay, let's just meet again tomorrow for the photoshoot. You may all leav
Matthew's POV"Thank you so much for driving me home, Jack," I said as stepped out of the car that Mr. Wesley let me borrow. Jack bowed his head and smiled. "You're welcome, sir."After that, I finally headed inside our house. 'Welcome back, Sir Matthew.' said the maids to me."Thank you. By the way, is Winter home already?""Miss Winter hasn't arrived yet, sir. But Mr. and Mrs. Wesley is in the dining room with Summer.""Oh, I see. I'll go there now."I went straight to the dining hall, and I immediately saw Winter's family sitting at the long table."Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley. To you too, Summer." I greeted them with a smile on my face."Good evening, Matthew!" Summer greeted me back.I was about to give Mrs. Wesley a kiss on the cheek, but then she turned her face away from me. "Where is Winter?""She hasn't arrived yet. Maybe she's still discussing with her management about her new drama project.""That kid really never changed. Even if she's already married, she still
Winter's POVAs soon as I stepped inside the house, I saw Matthew wiping his suit with a handkerchief. "What are you doing?" I asked him."O-Oh, you're already here. Welcome home, Winter. By the way, your parents and sister are---"A married woman like you shouldn't take this long outside."I suddenly saw mom and dad, together with their favorite child. "What are you doing here?" I asked."We just wanted to know how you are doing." mom said.I rolled my eyes. "Too bad I'm still alive.""Winter, you shouldn't talk like that to mom." Summer said to me."Whatever. Can you leave now? I'm already tired. I'm heading to my room now."I was about to continue walking when I suddenly felt something hard hit my back. As I turned around, I saw the Chanel bag of my mom lying on the floor."How can you talk to me like that?! You never really changed, Winter! You are still an ill-mannered spoiled brat who doesn't know how to respect her parents!""I know that already. Yes, I am the spoiled brat yo
Themis' POV"I think Winter and her parents haven't accepted me as a part of the family, yet. But I do understand them. I know it's not that easy to trust someone so easily, especially because they never met me before.""I apologize if ever Winter's parents say anything bad to you. As you can see, they want the company for themselves. That is why it really hurts their ego to see a stranger. I know it sounds weird, but I don't even trust my son. That is because I know if he ever takes over the company, he would only use it to fulfill his selfish desires together with his wife." Mr. Wesley said to me while we were talking inside the office.I nodded my head. "I see. But you only have him, right? Who else would you take over the company to if not him?""To Winter's husband. That is why I let you take over the role of the president. Winter isn't really interested in my company, but I know she will find a good man who can do it for her. She has a good heart, and so does her husband.""I do