Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Vanessa POV

hey already ten minutes past † pm and Tin still all alone in

arious suite where I’m supposed to meet Dominic Richards,

my future husband. Apart from all the facts I’ve read about him in news articles, he’s still a stranger to me.

We’ve only spoken twice and both times, in the presence of our parents. The first time was during our introductions at a corporate event and the second time was at my father’s birthday party organized by Mr Richards, Dominic’s father,

Other than that, we didn’t speak at all. I did try to talk to him thay, but he seemed to avoid me and until this day, I wonder why

This is the first time we’ve having a one on one conversation and he’s the one who texted me so we could meet up here.

Despite urging me to be early, he’s quite lahe and I’m starting to wonder if he’ll actually show up.

As I sit and wait, I can’t stop looking around at all the luxury he and his family live in. Even this grand hotel belongs to his Lamily. He’s a business tycoon and billionaire.

No matter hose I look at it, I’m only doing this for my father because this is about to work in his favor,

While I think about all the good things for my family that will come from this marriage, the door finally creaks open and Dominic walks in. He slows down for a moment as he looks dos at his phone while texting, then puts it in the pocket of his pants. He’s in a black tailored suit.

He then continues to approach the round table without even looking at me, taking up so much space by swinging his armis arrogantly

Despite the arroganer from his body language, I still can’t stop staring at him because he’s so handsome. We might not know each other personally, but I can’t deny how attractive he is.

When he gets to the round table, he casually pulls out a chair on the other side and sits down as he runs his hand through his silky hair.

I expect him to speak first but when he takes too long, I feel awkward so I say something instead.

“Good evening I give him a smile, trying my best to make secin genuine.

“Took you long enough he replies arrogantly, his facial expression matching his attitude.

*Excuse me?” I furrow my eyebrows, not expecting him to be so up front with his arrogance.

He leans back in his seat, tilts his head and says. “You should’ve greeted me the moment I walked in.”

Is he being serious right now? How condescending of him to treat me this way.

All my life, I’ve never been one to back down and I definitely don’t plan on starting now. Which is why I attempt to say something and speak out against this unbelievable disrespect he’s portraying towards me.

“Why would you expect me to greet-”

“Enough, let’s get straight to the point, he cuts me off as he takes out his phone..

Tlean back in my seat with a scoff of pure disbelief. No matter how hard I try, I can’t hide my disappointment.

However, I remind myself what’s at stake, so I give him a light no.

11:30 TNI JU14

Chipert

said”

se let’s get to the point as you have and

a few weeks, which you already know and one that happens, you’ll adhere to my schedule at all. imex” he states firmly, box gaar boring unto mine as he leans forhand across the table. “You will attend any events I deem necessary, whether you ble it or not”

Not only is his tone extremely condescending, it’s also authoritative, but this is the time for me to seem intimidated. because the truth is that he not, which is why I squase no shoulders and meet his gare head on

“Understood,” I reply, my voice steady and showing no obvious signs of unwavering. This is our first private conversation and I refuse to let him see any sign of weakness in

“And I expect you to maintain a certain image in public no matter where we go he continues, his tone still condescending. “As my wife, you’re about to be a reflection of me and I won’t stand for any type of behavior that could tarnish my excellent reputation

I take a deep breath, clenching my fists under the table as I urge myself to stay composed. But sleep down. I just want to lash out at him. However, I can’t. So much depends on this.

“As you wish. I’ll do whatever’s necessary to uphold your image reply, my tone once again firm.

Despite the fueling rage inside of me, I know that I have to hold my tongue for the sake of my father’s company. I already know that should I show any resistance to whatever he says, their’s absolutely no doubt in the world that it’ll only complicate things further.

Though I’m agreeing to a marriage of convenience, I refuse to let his arrogance and condescending attitude break me. play my part in this charade, all in the name of saving what matters the most to me.

ווין

Marrying him is the only way to secure the financial stability my family desperately needs. I try to push aside my feelings

I and focus on the bigger picture.

Before meeting him here, assumed that we were coming to know each other, but now I know that’s all meaningless to hint I already see our interactions void of any real emotion or connection.

As I watch him speak further while he keeps typing on his phone, his words cut through me like a knife. I can’t ignore the sinking feeling in my gut. He’s such an asshole.

“I already mentioned how you’ll attend any events t deem fecessary and maintain a certain public image, While that’s been discussed, there’s something important I separately want to talk about. Do you know about the orphanage and children’s hospital I established years ago?”

“Tex

“Those children are precious to me so even if you don’t care, act like you do when the cameras are rolling.”

His tone is actually threatening and I wonder how an arrogant asshole like him cares so deeply about children in need. That’s the only thing I can appreciate about him right now.

He then grabs my attention again when he changes the topic..

“Just so you know, you weren’t my first choice. I’m doing this because of my father. He won’t let me take over the company as long as I’m not married and it has to be you.

I press my teeth against my tongue to stay calm. Right now, I wonder how I’m going to spend the rest of my life with Dominic, who sees me as nothing more than a pawn in his game of power and control.

No matter how I feel right now, I once again remind myself that this is for the greater good and I’ll do whatever it takes to save my father’s company, even if it means that I have to sacrifice my own happiness in the process.

11 30 Thu Julie

Chapter 1

€90%8

This isn’t the love story 4 want. In a perfect set–up, it should be amarriage filled with love and happiness, not just a cold

contract

But no matter how much I already don’t like him, I’ll tolerate his arogance and coldness. I’ll become the perfect wife, even if it means giving up my own dreams

One bright side to all this is that his entire family loves me

“You better take note of everytlung 1 just said to you,” he says to me, finally leaning back in his seat

DIRE

He immediately looks down at his phone to type something oner again. The least he can do is put his phone aside for now until we’re done here, but this just goes to show how he doesn’t value my presence.

Despite how I feel, I respond firmly and say, “I’ve taken note of everything”

“Good. Any questions?”

I already feel like leaving this suite because of how sad I am, but I have to stay and at least pretend that I want to be here.

This is the part where I should be asking questions, but I have alisolutely nothing to ask an asshole like him.

“I don’t have anything to ask. I shake my head.

“I do have something to ask. Are you a virgin?”

His question catches me off guard and my eyes widen a little. He doesn’t break eye contact and that arrogance never fades.

I quickly compose myself to respond. “Yes, I am.”

As soon as I give him my response, he raises his eyebrows.

“And you’ll stay a virgin. I don’t ever plan on touching you,” he says to me.

“Fine by me.”

“But just look at you. He strokes his chin as he looks at me from across the table, then composes himself at the sound of the door opening. “Time for you to meet Carmella*

“Who’s Carmella? I’m completely last.

“Her.” He gestures to the door behind him and I still don’t understand.

Once the door opens, in walks a tall girl with a perfect figure, her long and wavy blonde hair only adding to her glamorous body hugging dress and high heels.

Though I’m mostly focused on her, I glance at him a few times and he keeps staring at me intently. What’s going on in his head?

I look away

and focus on Carmella again. I still don’t know who she is and I’m hoping he makes things clear for me soon.

When she’s close enough to the table, I’m in for a shock when he grabs her by the waist, leans forward so she can arch her back, and then they break into a steamy kiss right in my presence