Pov: Zara
I reach back home and see the housekeeper announcing my presence. “Sir, Miss Zara is back.” she looks at me and says, “Sir and Madam are waiting for you inside. Miss Linda is discussing her engagement today, so your brother-in-law is here too.”
I look at the housekeeper in astonishment. “Noah is here?”
“Yes, he went in right before you.”
I ran inside, quite pleasantly surprised only to stop right at that moment. Inside the hallway, I see Linda and Noah standing quite close to each other.
Their lips were almost touching. It was a bad time to greet him. I stand rooted, my legs numb and my eyes red.
When I finally managed to turn around, a slap came on my face which nearly sent me to the ground. As my cheek burned, Hana, my stepmother grabbed and pulled me into a room.
After shutting the door, Hana turned around to glare at me. She pointed her accusing finger at me and said, “You shameless whore. Don’t think I didn’t see what you were up to. That is your brother-in-law. How shameless can you be to dare attempt at seducing him?”
Holding my burning cheek I smirk at her, “If I really wanted to seduce him, I wouldn’t be just standing there and watching.”
“You…” Hana looked like she would explode which gave me immense satisfaction.
As I was about to leave, she yanks me back and pushes me directly onto the floor. “Do you have no shame? We have been looking after you for so long. How dare you talk back to me? We saved you from dying on the streets with your crazy mother. So what if I hit you a little?”
However, her reaction took a ninety-degree turn as if she made a big discovery. She looked at my neck where the marks were obvious and I completely forgot about it. “Well, well… I knew you had bad intentions. You’re just like your mother, only knowing how to go around seducing people. Go somewhere else to seduce people, not here. Do you think someone like Noah would spare a glance at a whore like you?”
Hana’s slap didn’t make me sad at all because I was used to it. But a simple sentence like this was enough to cut through my heart.
But I don’t want to give them the satisfaction of winning over me. I start laughing as I pull my clothes to cover my shoulders and look at her nonchalantly. “If you think I’m not good enough for him, so much so that he won’t even look at me, why are you so anxious?”
Some noises were heard from outside. It seemed like Noah and Linda were chatting. Afraid of being discovered, Hana spoke in a hushed tone as she moves closer to me. “Don’t play any tricks. Some guests of the Cheng Family are coming for lunch later with their son Titan. Don’t say that I don’t care about you. I’ll let you meet him later. They have a good background, if you marry him, you’ll have endless fortunes.”
What the… Of course, I knew the Chengs and their son Titan. “You want me to marry a retard?”
“What, you don’t want to?”
“Marry him yourself if you want to. I’m not a puppet that you can manipulate!” I quickly yanked open the door.
Hana tried to stop me but I pushed all the concerns outside the window and push her aside.
She lost her balance and fell down. “Zara if you dare to leave, I will make sure your father throws you out of the house forever.”
I heard her but I’m not going to be a material of marriage for them. I ran a few before I hear several cars in the driveway noisily.
Hana followed behind saying, “Come on. I’m doing this for your own good. So you’d better be grateful and dress up nicely. Stop trying to run away.”
Hana moved her hand signaling some guards to keep watch and I knew it would be futile to struggle.
I was pushed into a room by Hana to get ready but I could hear the Chengs talking. “We all know that Zara is an illegitimate daughter. She’s not really worthy of our son, but she does look quite good in photographs. As long as she helps continue the bloodline, she will benefit greatly in the future.”
I sneer at the thought. Am I being treated as a tool for procreation?
I peek through the doors at this so-called precious son of the Chengs. He was of small stature, convulsing, shaking his head constantly as he looked around. Like a sloppy child, he was chewing on his fingers.
No, no, no…. I can’t do this. I have to escape. I look around and saw one window open. I push my head out to look if anyone is there. When I saw the coast is clear and jump out and tiptoed toward the exit.
Suddenly, I hear my name being yelled at and a number of people chasing after me. I run for dear life. I’ll die before I get married to that maniac.
Without looking back, I pick up speed and run as fast as I could. Miraculously, I escaped. When I was sure I’m finally alone, I stopped to take a breather.
Right at that moment, a black car came to a halt in front of me. The window rolled down and a more than familiar face appeared. “We need to talk.”
I raise my head hesitantly and asked. “How did you find me?”
Without saying a word, he opened the door for me. I contemplated a little before getting in.
After getting in I look at his perfect profile. He really was attractive. It’s almost a pity that his personality does not match his good looks.
Without giving me a look he asked, “How much money do I have to give you in order for you to marry me?”
“Excuse me?” Did I hear correctly?
He sighs. “Since we can’t undo what we did, I have to fulfill my responsibility by marrying you.”
“Umm… I don’t think that’s necessary.” Is he kidding me?
As if he knew what I was thinking, he says, “I’m not joking. I need to marry you. If you agree, we can sign the marriage document now. I advise you to seize this rare opportunity.”
The first thing that hit me was a wave of hysteria and I start laughing. This man is talking as if marrying him was the world’s best thing. But he’s nothing like Kai. If she could marry Kai wouldn’t that be so good!
“What benefits will I get out of marrying you?” I ask out of curiosity.
“If you’re my wife, I’ll pay for all of your expenses. I can also provide you with accommodations. If you have a boyfriend or someone you like, I’ll give you the money you deserve when we divorce so that no man will be able to look down on you. I can get rid of any obstacle in your way. Trust me; this marriage will only do you good. You won’t regret it.”
Okay, I feel like the joke is getting out of hand. But honestly speaking I was a little tempted after hearing the conditions he offered. If I were to go back to the Wilsons I’ll have to marry that Cheng boy.
But the question is … Can he really help me? Can I trust him? “So… we’ll get divorced eventually, right?”
He nodded. “Yes. When I decide to divorce you, you must cooperate with me. I will find a reasonable excuse and I will make sure not to hurt our reputation. But I must remind you that we will sign a prenuptial agreement. You can’t covet any other benefits.”
“Hey, you’re really rude. I don’t want any other benefits from you.” I feel like I’m reaching my limit of patience.
“We don’t need to be polite with each other. It’s not like we’ll grow old together.”
“But are you absolutely sure that we’re really getting married? You know that I just met you. We don’t understand each other at all.”
He smirks with evil eyes. “What else do we need to know? I understand every part of your body.”
I blush furiously as flashes of last night flood my mind. “That wasn’t my fault alone. I’ve already explained it to you!” I glare at him but his face remains impassive. I feel like my head is boiling.
He looks back at me and says, “Fine, I won’t bring this up again. Also, I know that marriage is a serious step to take. As my wife, I promise to respect you and to make our lives as comfortable as possible. I’m not trying to scam you into marriage; since I’ve decided to do it, I will treat it seriously.”
Hearing this, I silently nod. His aura is actually pleasing. Maybe marrying him wouldn’t be so bad. “Just one more thing… What’s your name?”
He looks at me as if I swallowed a squirrel and then sighs. “I’m Kayden Marshall, the second son of the Marshalls.”
“I’m Zara Wilson. I’m…” Well, I can’t say I’m an illegitimate daughter of the Wilsons so I left the sentence hanging. I appreciate it when he doesn’t comment anything on it.
“So… Zara… Shall we go get married?”
I gulp and nod stiffly.
He lets out a breath of relief and asks the driver to start the car.
The driver pulls up at the City Hall. He opens my door for me. “Madam, please.”Okay… this would need time to get used to.We enter the building and about half an hour later we come out as a married couple. Wow! Can one get married this fast? I had no idea!Without any expression, Kayden walks back to the car. There’s no doubt that my new husband is so handsome that he could incur the indignation of all gods and men. That face with its tall nose, and deep, calm eyes could infatuate anyone. Under his lush hair, his face was pale and clear but devoid of femininity. His lean figure carried an irresistible allure with it.He turns around and monotonously says, “I’ve already informed my family that there won’t be a wedding.”“That would be best. It’s supposed to be a secret marriage. I don’t want things to blow up either,” I said.He scoffed. “After all, if someone were to find out, the method you used, you would only be more embarrassed.”“Hey… I told you it was an accident and you said y
Pov: KaydenEven though I did nothing productive for the whole day except for getting married, I feel exhausted. I decide to take a quick shower before going to the study to resume work. Work seems never-ending.The water running over my body makes me relax a little. I wrap a towel around my waist and come out.Suddenly, the door of my bedroom opened and Zara was standing there unwelcomed. She looks at me with wide eyes and turns beet red before closing the door.I frown. For a moment, I regretted agreeing to my family’s demands so easily. I liked women who are elegant, poised, and dignified with proper manners and etiquette. Just like Monica. But now, I’m married to someone who doesn’t even knock on the door before entering all because of a ridiculous reason.I’m not compatible with her, but this woman is now my lawful wife.I put on some clothes and opened the door, still a little cool about the situation earlier. She was standing outside. “Do you still want to come in?”She froze i
Pov: ZaraI opened my eyes to the unfamiliar surroundings. It took a few minutes to remember that I am married now. I look around.Where is my husband?I jump out of the bed. Everything on the couch is neatly kept as if there was no one who slept there last night. But he is nowhere to be found.I leave the room and go to the dining room. The maid bowed her head from the side. Wow, they should really stop doing this. Feels like I’m in a 90s Asian drama.“Madam, I’ll lead you to where sir is having breakfast.”As I arrive, I saw Kayden bathed in sunlight. I walk over with light footsteps. His emotionless expression immediately lowered the temperature by a few degrees.His well-defined body appeared even more upright in a suit. He looks leaner with clothes on and muscular with clothes off.What the hell is wrong with you Zara? Stop it!“Hi. Good morning.” I walk over to greet him.He, however, simply raised his eyebrows and looked at me once, and lowered his head again to read his newspa
Soon, the car stopped in front of a luxury store. The moment we stepped in, Kayden swept his gaze all over the store while a saleswoman was following him looking all smitten as if she’ll melt soon. “Give me all the clothes in her size.” The saleswoman got flustered and her eyes lit up at what he said. Then she looks at me, bows her head, and follows the orders given as she quickly ushers me inside. I was a little dumbstruck. Is this how the rich shop? The saleswoman wrapped me into a beautiful skirt, while I tried each piece one by one. She assisted me enthusiastically. Kayden was sitting on the sofa on the side, elegantly sipping his coffee and reading a business magazine. Although I politely declined, this was a scene I’d never seen before. So I silently and shamelessly went around the store to look at everything. I’m pretty sure my eyes were as big as Harry Potter’s glasses. After looking at this I think what I used to have, were not really clothes. But suddenly when I rais
Pov: KaydenI never did anything on a whim, ever. But listening to Zara talk about how she never had nice clothes somehow bothered me more than it should.I don’t know what designer shop my driver took us to but all are trained specifically to make my family’s life easy. So I’m sure his judgment couldn’t be wrong.I told the saleswoman who was staring at me more than she should pack all the clothes they had of Zara’s size. She took Zara inside the changing room while I sat on the sofa reading about a recent technology released by Volkens.However, Zara came out wrapped in a jade-green skirt looking all sensual and beautiful with a hint of cuteness. Her long and slender legs were on display.The saleswoman was showering her with praise while I couldn’t take my eyes off her. It was undeniable that she looked good in the dress.Although she usually looked sloppy and uncultured, right now she appeared graceful and full of feminine charm.I could not help but steal two more glances. When I
Pov: ZaraAll hot and bothered, I get out of the car and run for my life from this brute. Seriously, it’s dangerous to be good-looking.I had merely taken a few steps when I saw an unfamiliar woman standing by the door. She was an elegant beauty and instantly brought the words ‘well-bred’ to mind.I freeze when I hear Kayden’s voice from behind calling her, “Monica…”I understood that she was Kayden’s girlfriend. So this is the kind of woman he likes!Her long hair was swaying in the wind, her beautiful face brightened when she saw Kayden. She was clothed in a white, suited jacket with a gray dress underneath. She looks bright, intelligent, graceful, and generous.I halt for a moment, unsure about what to do. I obviously look silly standing there. Kayden came beside her. They both look like a perfect match. She’s obviously stylish unlike me.The woman Monica turns around to see me and lifts her delicate chin in arrogance before turning her attention to Kayden.The situation was kinda
The next day, I went to the company, when Yvette called me. She told me that I was selected for the audition as a third female lead. I was so elated.“I really thank the company for giving me this opportunity.”Yvette smiles. “This is the result of your hard work. Enjoy it and make it worthwhile. I hope you do your best. It’s one of the most important roles.”I nod my head in understanding. Although I feel happy, I also don’t know how they gave me the opportunity to audition for such an important role.Yvette gave me a meaningful look. “To be honest I didn’t have high hopes for you, but since you have the opportunity let’s do our best.”I am already accustomed to these kinds of auditions. I specifically put on a short blue dress and primp myself. Feeling the adrenaline rush, I was waiting at the venue.“Next, Zara Wilson.”I step forward and stand on the stage. The director and staff were going through what seems my portfolio. He looks up and stares at me for a good minute before look
Pov: KaydenI leave Zara standing there and return to the guest room. Putting down my folder I hold onto the table in an attempt to calm myself down.However, what happened earlier just kept playing in my mind and it made me feel… irritated.As I breathe deeply to calm myself down, I hear my phone ringing. The caller Id showed it is Monica.“Hello? Monica?”“Hey, Kay. Can you come over to my house for a bit? I’m alone. I have something to talk to you about.”“Why? What happened?”“Just come over. I want to talk to you in person.”“Okay.” I hang up and move out.I could not guess what is it that she wants to tell me. I know she’s a little petty and moody, she’s always been. I’ve always given in to her.I arrive at her place in no time. She lived alone and her place always made me feel comfortable.When I enter, I see Monica seated in her living room. She is clearly engulfed in melancholy, looking a little lonely.I sigh and walk to her. “Monica, why did you call me here?”She raises he