The more Sebastian looked at Kourtney, the more he believed he was doing the right thing. It had been a chance encounter, but something about her captured his attention.
He didn't know her that much, but he was willing to take the risk because, for the first time in years, he felt truly alive. He felt things he hadn't felt for so long, making them seem so new and foreign. And all he could think of was taking the bull by the horn.
He had been working damn hard for the past few years and had single-handedly transformed his family's company into a global powerhouse. The weight of his responsibilities as the CEO of Woods Corporations bore down on him. The never-ending streams of meetings, negotiations, and strategic decisions consumed his time and energy.
He knew he certainly wouldn't have time for dating her even if he wanted to.
And also, memories of the mounting pressure from his family flooded his mind. The Woods family elders, with their annoying traditional values and deep-rooted expectations, had been nagging him incessantly to settle down and marry.
As the eldest young master of the household, they saw his approaching thirties as a ticking clock, not minding his unusual allergy to the opposite gender. They pestered him to find a way to get cured, which he had been trying his best.
In recent months, the pressure had intensified, reaching an almost unbearable level, but he stood his ground. He had lost all hope all these years in regards to ever getting married and raising a family of his own as he couldn't help but get irritated by females. It wasnât something he could control!
But now, he met this woman who didnât seem to trigger his allergy for some reason. It was a baffling mystery that intrigued him. And, in a moment of desperation, Sebastian had made the impulsive decision to marry Kourtney on the spot. And there was no going back now...
**********
One hour later, two marriage certificates were handed to Kourtney and Sebastian, respectively. Kourtney sniffed in frustration as she held hers, not bothering to spare a glance at it.
This wasn't the kind of wedding Kourtney envisioned for herself. She had always wanted a grand ceremony where she would exchange vows with her prince charming in a magnificent cathedral with the most elaborate architecture.
A fairytale-like wedding, where sheâd be floating down the aisle like a pageant queen, wearing a graceful white ball-like gown.
The decorations would be lavish, with cascading flowers and sparkling chandeliers. The guests would be seated in elegant chairs, witnessing their love story unfold. The music would play softly, creating a romantic atmosphere.
She dreamed of a reception in a lavish ballroom with sparkling chandeliers and a live orchestra playing her favorite melodies. The tables would be decorated with classy floral centerpieces and the guests would enjoy delectable cuisine. The celebration would climax in a breathtaking fireworks display, illuminating the night sky with gushes of vibrant colors.
It was this type of wedding she'd been planning with her now ex-fiancé, Brandon during the past few months.
As an event planner herself, Kourtney was very keen on every fancy detail being perfect, from the placement of the name cards to the arrangement of the dessert table. She had spent countless hours selecting the best color palette, from the bridesmaids' dresses to the linens and decorations.
She had hoped for a wedding that would awe and inspire everyone in attendance, creating an enchanting atmosphere that would linger in their memories for years to come. It has always been one of her deepest fantasies, but surely now, it wasn't likely to happen anymore.
Presently, she was getting married at the empty city hall, wearing a green-colored knee-length cocktail dress that hugged her figure perfectly. The dress was stunning, no doubt, but it couldn't compare to the elegance and grandeur of a traditional wedding gown. It looked nothing like what she imagined wearing on her D-day.
âThis is surely not what I thought it would be,â she thought.
What's worse? Not a single member of her family nor friends was even here, only strangers! How would she even explain to them that she got married to some guy theyâd never met before?
She glared at the man who stood beside her, the arrogant and egotistic man who now held the title of her âhusband.â His eyes, a piercing shade of blue, carried a coldness that sent shivers down her spine.
Kourtney couldn't help but wonder what she had done to deserve such a cruel fate. She had been hoping for love, companionship, and a partner who would cherish her. Instead, she found herself bound to a man she barely knew as a means to pay for his expensive custom-made car.
She was so full of hope and excitement for her upcoming grand wedding and her beautiful future with Brandon just this morning. However, not only does she end up being betrayed by her fiancé, her sister, and her parents, but she also gets into a loveless and clueless marriage with a total jerk on the same day!
Kourtney still couldnât believe she was thrust into this union against her will. It felt like a cruel twist of fate. How could her almost perfect life have taken such a drastic turn?
Meanwhile, the big office room was filled with an uncomfortable silence, broken only by the murmurs of the officials present. Kourtney noticed that even they seemed to be under duress, forced to come back and work after their working hours were over. No wonder! They performed their duties mechanically, lacking any warmth and sincerity.
She glanced down at her empty fingers, the absence of a wedding ring a constant reminder of the absurdity and hollowness of the situation. In her mind, a wedding ring symbolized love, commitment, and a lifelong bond. Its absence only brought out the lack of emotional connection she shared with her new so-called husband.
There were also no vows exchanged and promises made between them, just the cold ink of their signatures on the marriage documents. Without the proper exchange of vows or a wedding ring, the ceremony felt devoid of any meaning or significance to Kourtney.
âThere was literally no point in this.â A new wave of frustration welled up within her, threatening to spill over. She took a deep breath, gathering the courage to express her thoughts to the aloof man standing beside her.
"This isn't what I wanted," she said softly, her voice quivering with disappointment.
Sebastian turned to face her, his icy gaze locking with hers. His voice was laced with a hint of annoyance as he responded with one word.
âSo?â he scoffed.
Kourtney's heart sank even more as the manâs dismissive remark worsened her already wounded emotions. She had hoped for a glimmer of understanding or even a shred of empathy from him, but all she received was his heartlessness and arrogant attitude. This man was simply ruthless.
âWhy would you force me into a marriage that means nothing to both of us? It's not fair."
Sebastianâs lips twisted into a smirk as he eyed his adorable new wife. "Fair? Life isn't fair, my dear. Count yourself lucky that your debt has been settled. Not everyone gets a second chance from me. Better still, you should feel honored that I chose you as my wife.â
âYou really are a sick person. A sicko, that's what you are!â Kourtney exclaimed as she felt her anger reaching new heights.
âWhat an arrogant jerk,â she thought. âI should feel honored. Really?â
Sebastian's eyes narrowed, his voice growing colder. "It seems like you don't know âthe proper wayâ to talk to your HUSBAND!â
A cruel smirk crept back onto his lips as he stepped closer to her invading her personal space. He leaned in, his hot breath fanning against her ear and cheek, his voice seething with dominance and superiority.
âYouâre my wife now, so you belong to me, Kourtney Allen! And I suggest you learn your place before you start regretting the consequences of your defiance."
Kourtney clenched her fists and stared blankly at the man for a moment. She couldnât believe he was threatening her. Refusing to back down or be intimidated by his words, she straightened her posture and looked Sebastian square in the eyes.
"I may not have control over the circumstances that led us here, but I refuse to be a prisoner to your twisted games. You may think you hold power over me, but mark my words: I will NEVER belong to you. I will find a way to break free."
Sebastian's expression darkened even more as he heard her, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "We shall see, Wife. But know this: resistance will only bring you pain. You're no match for me, so choose your battles wisely."
Kourtney mocked, âHa ha! If you think I'll ever consider you as my husband, dream on!!! This doesn't even feel like a real marriage. No exchange of vows or even wedding rings, just some âBOOORRINNG...â paper works. So, for starters, I will never accept you as my real husband.â
Sebastian raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flickering across his attractive face and good-looking features. His piercing blue eyes studied her intently for a moment, considering her words. Finally, he nodded, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes while his lips raised in a cool smirk.
"Hmmmm. Very well, then," he replied with a hint of intrigue. "Since you said it's boring. Why don't we make this more interesting?â
Hi Bestie, I hope you're enjoying reading this story just as much as I enjoyed writing it. I just want to welcome you to the love journey of Kourtney and Sebastian. We're in for a thrilling ride with them and I can't wait for you to read more of their romance. Please don't forget to Vote with your lovely Gems, it would mean a lot to me. Also, add the book to your library and follow my author profile to get steady updates. Love ya!!! đđđ
âW...What do you mean?ââI mean... We're going to have a ârealâ wedding. Right here!â Sebastian replied with a wide grin plastered on his face.âNo! I don't want it. Just ignore what I said,â Kourtney said with a death stare. âWhat is this man up to again? I've already had enough!âI wasn't asking if you wanted it or not. We're going to recite the wedding vows and wear our rings.âKourtney's eyes widened in alarm. "But... But I didn't mean it like that! I just meant-"Sebastian held up a hand to silence her protests. His gesture was so noble and refined as if she was his mere subject. Kourtney didn't know when she obliged to shut up. She stared blankly at him as he turned towards the officials, his voice filled with authority."Call a priest," he commanded. âMy wife here says she wants this to be a real wedding. So weâll take our vows.ââThatâs not true. That's not what I meant,â Kourtney started to panic."Find a reputable priest who can officiate our ceremony. I want this done prope
The priest's words hung in the air, emphasizing the significance of the kiss that would seal their vows. The tension in the room became heightened as the few guests consisting of only the city hall staff as well as Sebastian's driver, assistants, and bodyguards, awaited the final moment of the ceremony.Kourtney felt her heart skip a beat as the word âkissâ, kept echoing in her ears. It didn't matter if this man was now her legal husband or whatever. She would never let him claim her lips. Not now, not ever! Or so she thought...Summoning all the strength she had left, Kourtney turned her face towards Sebastian in a carefully calculated move. He stood tall at over 6ft4, so she had to tiptoe as high as possible to give him a peck on his right cheek. It was a swift gesture meant to divert him from kissing her directly on the lips.She didn't want to give him that satisfaction, not after everything he'd put her through. She knew that a peck on the cheek was a traditional gesture and coul
Kourtney's face flushed crimson red, and she looked away, feeling a mixture of embarrassment, confusion, frustration, and attraction. She hadn't expected such a bold suggestion from him after she questioned his sexual orientation, and the thought of their wedding night made her heart race.His response caught her off guard, and she struggled to find the right words. "I... I don't want it. Forget what I said,â she stammered."It's... Itâs just that I thought... maybe the rumors were true. Some say you prefer men, so you avoid women like the plague. Others say you're impotent thatâs why you've been awfully single. And it made me wonder why you pursued marriage with me,â she added carefully."Rumors are just ârumors. But it's amusing to see you so curious about my personal life, my dear Wife.â"Well, forgive me for wanting to understand the man I just married.âSebastian's gaze locked onto hers, his demeanor softening just a fraction. "You're right," he admitted, surprising her with his
Kourtney turned around and caught sight of Kathlyn, the home-wrecker, approaching her from the living room. She noticed a hint of surprise flash on her little sisterâs face. However, it quickly disappeared as her expression turned into a menacing smirk.âKourtney, I didn't expect to see you here.â She heard the annoyingly coquettish voice of Kathlyn once again. Anger and irritation started brewing within her.âI live here, so where else should I be?â She replied with a sneer.Kathlyn was taken aback for a moment and seemed disturbed. She has known Kourtney since birth, and she understood her all too well.She knew that Kourtney was the type of person who would move out and probably cut ties with their family after what had happened today. After all, she had snatched her fiancĂ©, Brandon, and their parents had supported the affair, even giving their blessings for Kathlyn to marry him in Kourtneyâs place.It seems she had underestimated Kourtney's resilience and determination. Deep down,
Despite her raging thoughts filled with doubt and questions, Kathlyn managed to retort, trying to maintain her cool façade."You're lying, Kourtney! You can't just switch off your feelings like that. Brandon used to be your whole world, but now, he's with me. You're merely trying to convince yourself that you're over him, but deep down, you know you still love and want him!"âAnd stop feeling so fly! Brandon was the best thing that ever happened to you. He was way too good for you, and that's the reason you were too invested in him. Too bad he loves me, not you. We all know you can never get another man as good as him.â Kathlyn continued to bark, her frustration getting the better of her.She couldn't bear the idea that Kourtney was genuinely happy without Brandon. That thought shattered her illusion of victory and made her feel insignificant. So, Kathlyn decided to up the ante, hoping to push Kourtney's buttons further and make her break down.âAh ah ah!â Kourtney let out a humorous
On the uppermost floor of a grand mansion located in the heart of the city, Sebastian Woods sat regally on a plush chair. With legs crossed and donning a luxurious black robe, he exuded an air of elegance and sophistication. Part of his broad chest was exposed, revealing a toned physique that made him look like a living Adonis. The dim light from the lamp beside him added to the allure, casting mysterious shadows across his chiseled features. In one hand, he held a fat cigar, its fragrant smoke curling around him like a cloud, and in the other, a glass of whiskey glistened under the moonlight. Despite the casual setting, his posture and aura were undeniably great, like a man entirely in control of the world. A small, contented smile played on Sebastianâs lips as his mind wandered to thoughts of Kourtney, his new wife. He found himself thinking about her nonstop since he came back. He wished she had agreed to go home with him tonight, even though they had barely known each other. Ta
As the day went on, the gossip intensified, with everyone eager to find out about this mysterious woman who had captured the heart of their handsome big boss. But then they knew the Woods family had always been mysterious in their ways, and Sebastian was no exception.Rumors and wild theories spread like wildfire, adding an air of excitement to the usually serious and dull workplace environment of Woods Corporation. They were all eager to see their boss in love, hoping it would bring a positive change to the company.Back in his office on the 80th floor of the building, Sebastian couldn't help but smile as he overheard bits of the gossip floating in from every corner. His employees, of over eight thousand people, worked tirelessly to meet his high standards, knowing that failure was not an option.He expected nothing short of excellence and rewarded those who delivered results. Competence was valued above all else, and those who fell short, faced the consequences.So, on a typical day
A few moments later, the stunning redheaded and curvy beauty, nicknamed Woods Corporation's most gorgeous and sexy staff, Rachael Lind, walked into the CEO's office. Dressed in a tailored custom-made business suit that hugged her curves in all the right places, Rachael effortlessly combined professionalism with a touch of undeniable sensuality. Beyond her stunning appearance, the 26-year-old's reputation in the company was one of unwavering dedication and exceptional competence. She was known for her sharp intellect, problem-solving skills, and ability to handle high-pressure situations with composure. Her colleagues admired her not only for her beauty but also for her exceptional work ethic and leadership qualities. Everyone, including Sebastian, agreed that she was a significant asset to Woods Corporation. As she walked into Sebastian's office, her beauty and radiance were hard to ignore, yet the stoic man behind the desk did not even bother to cast a glance at her. Instead, his a