Chapter 1 - Marry me

Zelina Gold 

POV 

It has been three years since, I have moved from New York to California, Los Angeles, I needed to get away from my horrible family drama and I had no choice but to flee. I could not stay there I was not safe in New York.

Today I am on a blind date set up by my best friend Zianna, funny thing is she is not even in the country, but she is forcing me to date. She does not want me to be alone and I have no way of saying no to her. 

This would be my Fourth blind date this month. One after each one after the other complete and total creeps.

I look up this extremely good-looking guy walks up to me. He is wearing a navy-blue tailor-made suit. You could see it was expensive just by looking at it.

"You must be Miss Gold?" he says in the most seductive yet not seductive tone I have ever heard. It was so deep and honestly it suited him completely.

"Yes. Yes, I am" I say hurriedly. I was surprised that I did not squeal in response. 

"Hey, I'm Niklaus Jacobs" he says sitting down. 

We were at a small cafe new my work. It was around lunch time. 

"Hi" I say softly. 

I looked up and stared at him in complete awe. His blue eyes staring right into my eyes. I felt butterflies in my stomach. 

He says something, which I only know because his lips were moving but beyond that I could not tell you what he said. 

"Welcome to cafe Rave, I'm Ava your waitress this evening. Do you know what you would like to order?" The waitress asks

The waitress says putting her boobs in Niklaus's face. he does not even respond to her. He seems a bit annoyed by her, I order a coffee, his eyes were on me the entire time. Orders something, I have never heard of...

"Miss Gold what do you do?" he says smoothly as soon as the waitress leaves

"Well, I'm a translator. At CoLab" I say confidently. I was proud of my job; I was a French translator. France is one of my favorite places I cannot say that I have been before, but I am in love with the culture and the language I studied language just because I love French

"I see...” he pauses as he smiles. “Une femme aux multiples talents..." he says in perfect French {A woman of many talents}

Oh God I think I just fell pregnant seeing him smile. Oh, crap what did he say again?

"I just love France and everything about it." I say shyly. I have never been shy before, but he is putting me off my game. Not that I had much game to begin with.

This guy was way out of my league. Where did Zia find this guy, he should be up in a museum somewhere. He is too good looking to be on a date with me. reminds me of those Greek God’s I read about in books. he should be on front cover of a magazine.

"Can you tell me more about yourself?" he asks 

"Well, I'm a French major and I'm busy finishing my masters in Language, my main aim is to be a good language translator I know more languages but I'm most efficient in French." I tell him a little about myself. nothing too personal of course. God he would need a therapist after I tell him about my life…

"I see. Have you been?" he asks curiously

"No. I can't say I have" I say swiftly 

"Okay... I see... If this date goes well, we might go one day" he says with a jaw dropping sexy smirk on his face. That should come with a warning, it is a choking hazard  

The waitress brings my coffee and gives him something called a Royal French mocha latte. Like I said never heard of it before. 

"Mr. Jacobs... What do you do?" I ask him realizing we have mostly been talking about me and not him.

"Well, it's a bit complicated I run a company and I mostly do investments" he says 

"Oh okay... So, you own an investment company?" I ask, confused as to why it is complicated

"I don't own it. It is my father's company.” he tells me

I nod, so he works for his father.

“This date has been going really while, if I do say so myself, which is why I was wondering if Miss Gold would object to being my wife?" he says so smoothly I almost think I imagined what he said.

"..." I stare at him mouth agap.

"Well, you see we seem to be getting along well and you see I need a wife and I feel that we don't clash in personalities. So, I was wondering if you would be interested in being my wife or at least consider it?" he adds when he saw I was not answering him

"I don't know. We just met" I say hesitantly

I could not believe I was even considering his offer. What the hell is wrong with me?

"I know. Do not reject now. Just think about it. Let us see today is Monday I will give until Wednesday." he says as if he knew I was going to say yes.

"Oh. urh okay. I will think about" I say softly looking down at my coffee

"Thank you, Miss Gold” he says, putting his hand on my own hand.

I looked up at him in surprise he quickly removed his hand. I felt as if I was missing something inside of me as soon as he removed his hand. What was that all about?

I smile politely "You can call me Lina" I say

He nods "Yes... Lina" he says smiling again…

"No one really calls me Zelina and calling me Miss Gold makes me feel old" I explain

"Then can I call you Zelina?" he asks 

"I don't object" I say nodding my head

"Well then I'll call you that" he says smiling. 

This man better stop smiling I might just agree to his crazy offer. 

After we finished our coffees finished, we parted ways he gave me his phone number. I needed to do a lot of thinking. I got to my apartment. I finished up my class online and finished my assignments and sent them to my professor.

I take a shower. Afterwards I start thinking about Niklaus Jacobs the man who asked me to marry him on the first date... The thing is he does not seem like a creeper, and I feel safe with him, he does not seem like a bad person... Then I think of the past and how badly they treated me. I am starting to want to agree with his request. Why the hell do I want to agree let us see. He is hot. Successful if his got his own business, well he runs his dad’s business, does not need my money, does not seem like a creep. I decide to phone him. 

"Niklaus Jacobs" he says in a deep and low voice 

Oh, my that sounds so sexy

"He-Hello thi-this is Zelina Gold, I don't know if you remember me, but we met for coffee?" I speak

"Yes of course I remember you Miss Gold" he says softly

"I thought about your offer, and I have many concerns." I say trying to sound as confident as possible could

"Okay? Tell me your concerns?" he says 

"One how would I know that's really your name?" I ask

"Hold on" he says I hear him shuffling in the background. 

"Uhm okay"

My phone dings... 

He sends me a picture of his ID card

"Satisfied?" he asks I could hear the smugness in his voice. 

"Urh with that one concern, yes" I say

"Okay what else?" he asks

"You don't have any bad intentions towards me?" I ask not knowing where I was going with this

"Nope." he says popping the p. 

"Why marry me and not another woman?" I ask

"Because it has to be you, Zelina Gold. It has always been you…" he says softly I almost did not catch the last part.

That caught me completely off guard. I had no answer to that, I did not know what to say. I was speechless.

"Zelina, you won't understand it right now, but I promise you, if you agree to marry me, you would be completely happy and protected always and Forever…" he promises

I have heard that before. I am fairly sure I've heard that from someone before. I just cannot remember where; someone has said that exact same words to me. (You would be completely happy and protected always and forever) I am quite sure someone with a soft and gently voice is all I could remember.

"Can we maybe get to know each other before we get married?" I say coming out of my thoughts 

"So, you agree to marry me?" he caught me completely off guard. 

"Yes... No... Urh, you see I am afraid you would trick me" I say honestly 

I have been tricked way too many times in the past to trust someone blindly. Honestly, the fact that I am about to leap into this blindly was scaring me and I had a feeling it had a lot to with the fact that it was Niklaus asking me to do it. 

"I see I assure you I will always be 100% honest with you Zelina…" he says softly

"Thank you." I say softly 

"No problem, so what is your answer?" he asks 

"Y-Y-Yes" I stutter out. Slapping my forehead for stuttering. 

"Okay meet me in front of city hall tomorrow morning" he says

"I don't even get a wedding?" I ask teasingly

"You want one?" he asks 

"Yes." I answer honestly, I did want a wedding, not a big one but I wedding…

"Okay let’s get the license first then the wedding at a later date" he says

That should have been sent me red flags. 

"Oh okay." I said feeling a little disappointed

"Meet in front of city hall in morning at 9." he says not picking up on my disappointment

"Oh okay" I say

"Goodnight sleep well I'll see you on tomorrow morning" he says 

"Urh good goodnight" I greet him

he hangs up as soon as I said goodnight. 

=====================

The next morning at exactly 9 a.m. I arrive at the court I did not see Niklaus. 

Just as I was about to lose hope of him showing up a man gets out a black Audi and opens the back door and Niklaus gets out, his wearing a royal blue suit like those tight fitted pants ones mesmerized at how good-looking this man is... He looks like he should be on one of those fashion magazines, he should not be marrying some woman off the street he should be marrying a darn super model.

"Are you done checking me out?" he asks as soon as he reaches me.

Bring me out of my trance and then I had to go and embarrass myself. 

"I can't help it you look good" I accidentally blurt out darn you Zee how could you? I quickly cover my mouth out of embarrassment.

He cracks a smile, honestly it should be against the law to look this good... “I’m glad to see some things never change…” he says softly

“Huh?” I ask him

He shakes his head and leads me inside.

An hour later we come out with our marriage license... And something that bonds us together for the rest of our lives only cost ten dollars... 

"Come with me..." he says suddenly

"I have to go to work where we are going?" I ask

"I'll have Greg drop you at work and fetch you from work and then we can meet at the villa after work…" he says

"Fine" I say knowing he was not giving me a choice. 

The entire day I kept thinking about my name change, I was no longer a Gold, but I was a married woman, and my surname was Jacobs now and I knew nothing about my husband. Except his name and that he works for his father. 

After work we arrive at this extremely huge villa and the property is even bigger

"This is yours?" I ask Niklaus as we pulled up.

"No, it was my great grandfather's he left it to my dad, but my dad didn't want it. We will live here temporarily... While our Villa is being built" he says. 

How much money did this man have? Why didn't he just buy a house?

"Why do you need to build a new one when this one is perfectly fine?" I ask it was more than enough it was huge, and it was crazy to leave it empty. And wasting money on a brand-new house did not sit well with me. 

"We can't stay here forever... My family uses this Villa for when we have family gatherings, and for visiting family to stay" he says

"You have a big family?" I ask curiously

"Let’s just say the men in my family love their wives" he stays. 

Not completely understanding what he means. "I see... Do they know?" I ask playing with the hem of my shirt. What if they did not like me or if they thought I was after his money?

"Know what?" he asks confused

"That you're married to me?" I ask again

He shakes his head… "Nope" he says casually 

Why hasn't he said anything to his family about us? Is he ashamed of me?

"Why not?" I asked

"It’s not what you’re thinking Zelina, my parents are in London on Holiday, they return in a few months, and I’ll introduce you to them when they return. And my sisters could not care about my personal life. " he says 

"You have sisters?" I ask curious about his family.

"Yes two" he says looking away. 

We were sitting on what looked like an awfully expensive sofa in the living room. I had no idea what to do. I was scared to touch anything. I could not afford to replace anything in this Villa if I break it.

"You don't sound close?" I comment

"Alexis and I are close, she's my twin and Zarah is 5 years younger than Lex and me. She is spoilt so we are not awfully close. She does what she wants and does not really get along with anyone" he says honestly looking at me he frowned slightly when he spoke about his younger sister. 

"I see" I say nodding 

I hated speaking about my family at this point I did not even have a family. 

"Do you have any siblings?" he asks

"I have a sister…" I say looking down clenched fists in my lap.

"You’re not close?" he asks

I shake my head. “She’s closer to my father and my father and I don’t get along…” I lie

"I see. I am sorry…" he says giving me a reassuring smile.

"Let me show you around." he says getting up and I follow his lead. 

he pauses for a second he looks at me

"You don't have to bring any clothes over I've arranged clothes for you. Oh, the maid comes in once a week to clean the villa, the personal shopper comes in once a month with clothing for your closet. Dina comes in everyday to make supper and breakfast..." he says

His cellphone rings 

"Raven?" he answers

............ 

"I'm not helping you..." 

........

"I don't care..."

.........

"Ha serves you right..."

...........

"What's her name this time?"

............... 

"Megan?" 

........... 

"Raven Tristan Jacobs please don't tell me Megan as in my assistant Megan?"

...........

"Dammit now I need a new assistant..." 

......... 

“New rule no dating my special assistants better yet no dating anyone from my company for that matter..."

......... 

"You haven't changed since you were 4 years old..." 

........ 

"Yes, you used to walk with a book full of girls numbers..." 

........ 

"Oh God you still have that book, don't you?" 

.......... 

“Raven, I got to go..."

......... 

"Promise me you'll stay in DC with your mom and dad..." 

.......... 

“Yeah, yeah bye" he says as he hangs up

He turns to look at me. something about this guy is giving me a mysterious vibe. This guy happens to be my husband...

"Sorry about that. That was my cousin and best friend" he apologizes

"He sounds interesting..." I say not knowing what to say I have only heard half of their conversation. 

"Oh, believe me he..." he says but gets cut off by His phone rings again he looks at the phone frowns then picks up

"What did she do now again?" 

....... 

"How the bloody hell it’s not even 6 p.m. yet?"

.......

"Where is she?”

... 

"I'll be right there..."

......

"Make sure she stays put..."

he hangs up. he seems really upset... 

"Why don’t you settle in, I’m sorry but I have to go..." he says 

"Do you want me to come with?" I ask 

"No. No, I need to deal with something, do not wait up. Our bedroom is on the third floor, it is the third door on the right." he says 

And he leaves. I am in this huge house all by myself... 

I do not know how long I stayed rooted to the same spot when a middle-aged woman walks in and looks at me strange

"Excuse me miss how did you get into the residential area let alone the house" she asks in a harsh tone, and she was watching me like a hawk

I see Klaus does not like telling people he is married. I say to myself sarcastically rolling my eyes internally. 

"Hello ma'am I'm Zelina Gold I'm Niklaus's wife..." I say politely 

She looks at me completely shocked and then she calms down and look at me again

"I'm sorry first Young Mistress I didn't know" she says

"It’s okay you can call me Lina... Why did you call me that just now?" I ask curios about the way she addressed me. 

"Because that's how we address the Jacobs family" she says

"Are they that capable?" I ask in shock

"You don't know?" She looks at me strangely again

"Know what?" I ask 

"Your husband is the 1 richest man in the world" she says

"What?" I exclaim looking at the woman as if she had grown two heads

"Lina, you didn't know?" she asks

"No, he told me he worked for his father" I say still recovering from my shock

"He owns more than a couple he's sister Alexis owns he's rival company she's just as capable on her own" she says

"So, the people in the Jacobs family doesn't play around?" I had no idea why I said that, but I regretted as soon as it came out. 

"Only the third miss she doesn't care about the businesses. She plays around all day" she says but not in a way as if she was judging her.

"Klaus mentioned that." I speak

"Why don't you go get freshened I'll make diner" she says smiling

"Thank you miss, I am sorry for troubling you." I speak 

"Call me Dina dear" she gives me a motherly smile. Honestly, I cannot help but think about my own mother and if she was okay. I have not seen my mother in years I have no idea if was alive or dead. Which worried me. 

"Dina thank you..." I say walking away 

My thoughts were about my mother and if she was okay. I could not help but let tears slip down my face, I do not even remember the color of my mother's eyes. I have not seen her in so long. I cannot barely remember what she looked like.

The night had gone fairly well I took a quick shower and got into a pair of pajamas that were sitting on the bed. Afterwards I went down for supper. Dina and I had a wonderful chat throughout dinner I insisted she eat with me. She explained to me that she had been working for the household since Niklaus was ten. She told me a few stories about Niklaus, and I told her a little about me and how I grew up. I explained a little about my mother and somehow her smile reminded me of my mother. She did not mind me saying that. Around 9p.m went home, she explained that she stayed in the servants’ quarters at the back of the property, I took a walk with her, when we reached her home, I was shocked, this house was twice the size of my old apartment.

I waved her good night and walked back home. My thoughts went to Niklaus and when he would return. I seriously needed to talk to him. 

I waited for him until 2 a.m. but he did not show so I went to sleep soon after. 

Klaus did not come home that night I assumed he was dealing with work...