Marissa: I didn't understand who this strange man was, or why he thought he could just ask me to marry him? "Who are you?" I asked, my voice trembling. He glanced at me."The question is if you'd marry me or not-which I know you will" The arrogance in his tone made my skin crawl, I wanted to just get out of the car. I yanked the car door open, desperate to get out. I felt a strong grip on my hands. "Sit down" His voice was low, calm but commanding, it made heat flow through me- anger, shock and something else I couldn't quite understand. But I sat with no fight -I just sat. He released me,took out a sheet of paper and started scribbling. "My number is on it, for when you change your mind. Which I know you will." My jaw clenched. I wanted to slap his face badly. I just took the sheet of paper and stepped out of the car. I could feel his eyes on me while walking away. I didn't look back. I refused to. I stood at the door, hesitant to knock... I couldn't face my sister -she had always warned me about Justin, I always had my defense card on whenever she tried to say anything about him. I knocked. immediately I saw Camille , I fell into her arms,she didn't ask any questions all she did was embrace me. It felt like she sensed my pain before I even said anything. "Are you okay" she asked softly. I didn't know what to say- I knew I wasn't okay I just nodded and decided to retire to my room. I sat on my bed hands over my mouth, I didn't want my sister to hear my muffled crying...I don't know if I can ever heal from this. I looked in the mirror, wiped off my makeup which had already smeared down my face from all tears. I peeled off my dress and shoes then I dragged myself to the bathroom. I didn't realize when tears filled up my eyes, my body felt empty, it felt like I lost my soul... " I hate my life" I whispered I let the shower run through my body and I got out. When I stepped out,I heard my Camille call my name. I sighed. I didn't feel like talking but knowing Camille she wouldn't let me be sad all by myself. I changed into something comfortable and I went down to meet her. "Hungry?" she asked while searching my eyes. "I'm not hungry" I said avoiding her eyes. "You are going to eat, she said firmly. I spent hours cooking, so you will eat" She damn well meant every word. I was hesitant I didn't know if I wanted to tell her everything that had occurred today, but I decided to... If something terrible happens to me, I wanted my sister to know. "Justin cheated on me with Peyton" I said it straight away, I didn't want to have to think about it too much. "What???" She snapped " I saw them at the party" I didn't realize when tears started to stream down my cheeks. " I'm so sorry Marissa, that jerk and that bitch never really deserved you." I tried to see if there would be any I told you so moment, but she did none of that. That gave me a bit of a relief. " That's not the only strange thing that happened today." I said and I could see my sister's curious eyes waiting for me to tell her what I meant by that statement. "What other atrocious thing happened Marissa?" " A strange man asked me to marry him" " What ??" She said but this time she wasn't fuming. It sounded more like excitement, "He gave me his number and said to reach out when I am ready." "Soo have you reached out to him?" " Camille please, I'm still nurturing my pain, why would I reach out to a man I don't even know" " Well the man you know, cheated on you so you might as well try." Camille paused. " I didn't mean it like that" I stormed out of the kitchen, by the time I got to my room, my thoughts had betrayed me- drifting me back to the strange man from earlier. He was undeniably handsome, but something about him intrigued me

Marissa: It was Saturday and I woke up feeling -not so good, but a bit better. My job as a makeup artist is quite tasking. People need to get glammed up, bills need to be paid, and I couldn't be caught slacking. Clients don't care if your world is crumbling; their appointments are important. I showered and got out swiftly. I was late. I slipped into a blue jean and a white T-shirt, took my bag, and wore my sandals and dashed out of the house . Mrs Shauna, one of my best clients, had booked me for today, and I'd be damned if I missed that appointment. On my way to my little studio, I stopped to get coffee at my favourite coffee shop. "What would you like, ma?" "Iced latte, please." I sat for a bit to wait for my order. Thankfully, Mrs Shauna had called to say she'd be an hour late, and I was thankful for the lateness. The little bell at the front of the café rang, and that meant someone was coming in. I wasn't paying attention- until I was. The scent hit me first: sandalwood. Sandalwood. My chest tightened before my brain could catch up. I already knew who it was. Justin. Holding hands with Peyton. He dared to bring her to our favourite café. "Bastard," I muttered. My heart splitting like I had just been torn apart. They couldn't even have the decency to hide. I quickly made my way out of there. My hurt turned to something else, something hotter, sharper. My anger felt like it was easier to carry than a heartbreak. I took one last glance at them from the transparent door and made my way to my studio. I didn't even bother about my coffee. I got a call from Mrs Shauna when I was out of the café, and I quickly made my way to my studio. At the studio, I prepped everything I would need to beat her face to perfection ... I was angry, not hurt ...it was anger I felt. That didn't stop me from doing my job right. "Hello, dear," she said with the brightest smile that got to her eyes. Beautiful blue eyes, hair that flows to her back. She is so beautiful. " Good afternoon, Mrs Shauna. You may have your sit." I got started off on the makeup, and in two hours, I was done, and I was happy with the glint of satisfaction in her eyes. "This is so beautiful, Marissa." Her eyes sparkling with joy, and that alone brought a smile to my lips. She tipped me and made her way out. Thankfully, my other two clients called and cancelled. I sat in my studio chair; the earlier day's occurrence sufficed. Anger took over me once more. Hands trembling, legs tapping lightly on the ground, I was furious. I decided I was going to call that strange man. *** Got home, and I dashed to my room, took the paper from my drawer where I had stashed it. I stared at the note in my hand and my cellphone in the other. "Is this a great idea?" I debated. "Why am I even bothered about anything?" I Dialed the number, and a voice came in. His voice was calm in a way that felt deliberate. "Hello, Marissa." I hated the warmth his voice stirred in me. This man has some sort of effect on me that I didn't like. I had thought about his proposal all day after seeing Peyton and Justin together. I couldn't believe the word I was about to say... I was going to marry a stranger, but the thought of the marriage, for some reason, didn't scare me. "I will marry you." It fell from my mouth, and I knew I couldn't take it back. "Meet me at Casa dien. I'd send you the code to get in," he didn't even seem surprised. It felt like he knew I was going to call back, and he was right. Am I really going to marry a strange?, the question didn't linger too much before I gave myself an answer. I definitely will if it's going to destroy those two.

Marissa: I rolled on my bed, my heart skipping without permission. I stood up and I caught my reflection in the mirror. The quiet smile appeared on my lips. "Why do I seem...excited?" I whispered. I was going to meet a strange man. I shouldn't be this happy. This brought out a loud laugh from me. One would think I was going on some date. I got into the shower, humming and dancing... I like the idea of whatever is going to take place in my life. I got out. I was going to make sure I put effort into my appearance. I yanked the door of my wardrobe, scanning through it. Then I stopped and there it was: a silk blue dress. Soft, smooth. I knew that was the right option. The dress whispered confidence and sexiness, and I knew it was one that would blow Mr stranger mind away. "Why do I care to impress him?" Whatever, I'm only trying to redeem myself from my last shame. I held it up to my body in the mirror, and it brought some sort of sparkles to my eyes. I slipped it on, got my makeup done... picked out the most expensive perfume I had. I wanted to be great,and I damn well look too good. I heard my phone ring, and it was a strange number. I didn't want to pick it up, but I decided to. Then came a voice: "Good day ma, ma'am. I was sent by Mr. Denver to come pick you." So...his name is Denver. "I'm okay finding my way there." "He insisted that I bring you here myself. It's best for security reasons ma, ma'am. Mr. Denver is a very private man and wouldn't want the press to get anything on him." "Fine!! I'd text you my address." "Thank you ma, ma'am." I hung up the call. We are going to get married. What does it matter if the press sees me? I let out a loud hiss and quickly texted my address. In 30 minutes, a car pulled up to my house. It had black-tinted glasses and wheels so high. It looked like one of those cars you see in movies-silent, unreal, and owned by someone you don't question. I peeked from my window and screamed Camille's name so she could come see. "Can I come with you? I don't know if I'd ever get to sit in such a car...even Desmond doesn't pick me up in such cars." Desmond was ...to put it in a simple way, my sister's sugar daddy. That's why the thought of Denver's proposal didn't scare her. She likes dangerous things. I threw her a sharp stare. "Fine, you'd be marrying him anyway...I'm sure I'd enter such a car too". I didn't even bother to reply to her. There was a knock on the door and I stood at the door for two minutes, but knowing Camille, she didn't even allow me to question my decision; she just opened the door. " Camille!!" I rolled my eyes at her and I saw a smile appear on her lips with an evil glint in her eyes. A man with a black suit and a bald head, his suit ironed to perfection, his face straight with no emotions, stood firmly at the door. "Good evening, ma'am. I would be your driver today. Please get into the car, ma." He ran to the car before I could walk there and opened the back seat for me. Camille followed me and I sat inside the car. One would think she was the one getting into this marriage. I shot her a terrible glance before I closed the car door. " I love you, sister. Make sure you tell me everything once you get back." I could hear her from behind. I just told the driver to start driving. I love my sister, but she can be very annoying. The ride to Casa dien was a 30-minute drive. I had adjusted my clothes seven times. It seems like all my confidence flew out the window immediately I got into the car. We arrived and the driver opened up the door for me again and directed me to the door. He left. I knocked and a bodyguard opened the door for me. "Come in, ma'am." My heart beating, my palms sweating. "What was I thinking coming here?" It wasn't possible to turn back. "Fuck it." I whispered. I entered through the door that was opened for me. My heart was still racing, but I had to hide any form of fear that was growing in me. I stepped in and a loud gasp left my mouth. "This can't be real." This place was very gorgeous. I had never been to such a place in my life. The stairs were made out of gold, with lights coming up at every step. The interior looked like those unrealistic houses you see online-the kind that don't feel real until you're standing inside them. Casa Dien wasn't a place for people. It felt too quiet, too perfect, like it existed only for one person. Denver. I was told to sit and wait. "Mr Denver would join you soon." A woman with a smile that got to her eyes spoke to me. She looked like a housekeeper. The housekeeper wore a simple dark uniform with a neatly tied apron, her clothes clean and modest. There was something soft about her presence, like the house felt less cold when she moved through it. I felt less uncomfortable with her. "Would you like anything to drink?" She spoke to me with such softness and it calmed my nerves a bit. "Water is fine." I think it's the only thing that would not choke me in this state. "I will be back with your water." I sat in the chair, my legs trembling, my hand unusually sweaty. I was hot even with ac that made everywhere extremely cold. "Should I just leave?" But his smell stopped my thoughts before his sight. "Hello, wife." I looked up and there he was. Denver. I thought he was gorgeous before, but seeing him without any tears blurring my eyes, goshhh, he is a beautiful man. "Wife??,no solid answer has been given, so I don't think you should call me your wife." I said while trying to hide my trembling hands. "You are my wife and that is final," he said that with such a commanding tone and I surprisingly liked it.