Marissa: I couldn't believe this man, and worst of all, I hated that a part of me-a tiny part-was affected by him. He descended the stairs, his movement casual, unhurried, like he owned the place. His gaze instantly locked on mine-sharp, piercing. I swallowed, hoping he didn't notice my growing nerves. "So, Marissa, what made you change your mind concerning my proposal?" he questioned, his expression straight, devoid of emotion. His question felt intentional, like he was asking to torment me because he knew I was going to accept. "I-I don't..." I stuttered, unable to find the words; I felt so embarrassed. His lips curved into a slow, knowing smirk. I felt a mixture of both rage and shame, wishing the ground would open up and swallow me. "You don't have to feel embarrassed." Did he hear my thoughts? "We'll move on to the reason why you are here," he continued. "The marriage I proposed. But before then, I think I need to introduce myself a bit." What introduction is he talking about? I resisted the urge to tap my feet impatiently. Can we just get this over with so I can be gone? "I'll try not to waste your time. I don't like to waste my time either." Rude bastard. I could swear he was hearing my thoughts. "My name is Denver Holloway. I am the first child of the Holloways and also Justin's senior brother." I froze. Sooo, he is Justin's brother??!! I knew Justin had a brother, but I never actually met him. I'd hoped to meet him at the party last night, but I hadn't gotten the chance. Or so I thought. Here he was, sitting opposite me with a look that pierced right through my soul. "Why are you trying to marry your brother's ex-girlfriend?" "Finally," he drawled. "You can speak." "Yes, I can." I hissed in irritation. "So why are you trying to marry your brother's ex? He is your blood brother. Wouldn't that be uncomfortable for you?" He smirked. I wanted to slap that smirk off his face... this guy was beginning to piss me off. Gosh. "That's for me to worry about. Your only worry should be marrying me... simple." A sudden rage spread through me. I bit my lip, fighting the urge to hit him. I glared at him in annoyance. I wanted to walk out of that place immediately, to go home and forget this entire thing. But I didn't, because a part of me-despite his arrogance and rudeness-was excited by the thought of marrying this man. I didn't know why, didn't know if it was the idea of getting revenge on Justin, or if it was the way Denver looked at me. "The wedding will take place as soon as possible. I want us to get married next week. I've already started the wedding preparations." I blinked at him, surprised. "You started planning without getting an answer from me yet?" "I knew you were going to accept, so why waste time? If you have anyone you'd like to add to the guest list, you can send it to the number I gave you." I tilted my head, studying him curiously. What kind of man is this? I'd never imagined someone like this existed, but I wouldn't back down now. I needed to see this through. "I'll send you a couple of people that I'd like to add to the guest list." "Also, this wedding will be all over the press, and I hope you are ready to be in the spotlight, sunshine." Sunshine?? I rolled my eyes at the pet name. "I'm fine with that, as long as Justin and Peyton see it... that's all I want." "Moving forward, we'll move closer to my parents, and I'm sure they'll be thrilled that I'm getting married." "Umm... okay." At this point, I didn't even know what to say. This was really happening. I was getting married to a man I barely knew. "Do you have any questions?" he asked sharply. "I do, actually." Do I? "Go on and ask your question, Marissa." My heart skipped a beat at the sound of my name. It rolled off his tongue so easily. "On second thought, I have no questions." Because honestly, I didn't have anything to say. "Moving on then, we'll go wedding dress shopping." He scrutinised me like he was trying to say something. "What's your shoe size?" It felt like he was just trying to move on with the plans quickly. It was starting to feel weird, but I brushed it off. "I wear a size 37. I have quite a small leg." I smiled at him, but he didn't return my smile. He just... nodded. "Okay," he said curtly. I wasn't sure why I was feeling hurt about the shoe-size conversation, but he could have at least returned the smile. It looked like this man hated me, so why exactly was he trying to marry me? "What's the catch?" I questioned. "What's in it for you?" "You said you didn't have any questions, so I'm not answering any questions." This man is so arrogant. Urrghhh. I was so furious. I needed us to be done here so I could just go home. "Umm-I only asked a simple question." "You had your chance, and you didn't use it. I don't like it when people don't use what is within their grasp." I rolled my eyes and didn't want to continue the conversation. "You are very arrogant. Are you always like this?" He ignored me, leaning back in his seat. Is this really who I'd be married to? Did I really want to be ignored in this marriage? "Before I forget, there will be a contract. I don't need you getting funny, and that contract will entail rules that you'll need to follow." I scoffed. "A contract with rules? You really are a strange one. First, you want to marry me, and now I'm getting a contract with rules. What next will you surprise me with?" I was so over this man and his stupid antics. He didn't respond, just stood up and made his way to where I was sitting. "W-wha-" I tried to back away, but his hands stopped me, wrapping around my waist and holding me in place. My breath hitched. His scent, wrapped around me-sandalwood and pine, and something dark, dangerous. It overwhelmed my senses. My body reacted, in a way I didn't understand. I leaned into him slightly, heart pounding. He leaned closer, close enough I could feel the warmth of his breath against my neck. It sent a shiver down my spine. "You have no idea what you have agreed to," he whispered lowly, his lips brushing my ear lightly. He let go of my waist abruptly, stood up, and walked out, like nothing had just happened. I sat there in stunned silence, my cheeks flaming, my heart racing. What did I just get myself into?I'm

Marissa: I sat there for another ten minutes, out of breath... why did he have this much effect on me? I needed to leave, and I needed to leave right now. I made my way to the door on trembling limbs, my body still in shock. The car sat waiting for me outside. I didn't bother waiting for the driver; I stormed in and shut the door behind me. I was quiet the whole ride, my mind reeling from everything that had happened. "That man would be my husband," I whispered. "Are you talking to me, ma'am?" the driver asked. I didn't bother to reply; I just stayed quiet. Justin was the love of my life, but he never made me feel these kinds of emotions that Denver made me feel. When I got home, Camille was sat waiting like I was a delivery package she was eager to unbox. "Soooo... tell me everything." She didn't even let me breathe; she just wanted to get into everything. "Can we do this tomorrow? I'm quite tired." I wasn't tired - I was stirring with different emotions. I couldn't even tell my sister anything. "No, no, no... tell me everything now." This girl and her controlling tone. No wonder she never really got along with younger men. "Fine, gosh, I hate you." I was a bit better. I wasn't in shock anymore... I just couldn't get him off my mind. "Okay, go on. Spill. Did you guys kiss?" I shot her a glare. "Kiss? Camille, I barely know this man," I scolded. But a part of me wished we had kissed. "I got there," I continued. "I met him, and he is a very handsome man... but he is so arrogant, the kind of arrogance that drives me crazy, Camille." "Drives you crazy... like you want to...?" she said with a mischievous grin. I rolled my eyes, already knowing what she was thinking. "Hell no. No one is doing anything here." Maybe not now, at least. A little smile threatened to form, but I fought it so my sister wouldn't see. "He also said something about a contract. Who gives a contract for a marriage? And those contracts would have rules included in them." "Rulesssss!" she screeched. "Is it a joke?" Her voice was dark, her eyes narrowed. She was angry. "He said there'd be rules in this marriage that I'd have to follow. I genuinely couldn't wrap my head around his personality." But I liked the dominance in his tone whenever he spoke. "I don't think you can marry him. What's with all the rules and regulations when it's not some sort of constitutional dictatorship?" I laughed. Seeing my sister get a bit annoyed was funny - she was the one advocating for this marriage. "Well, I already sort of agreed to the marriage by going to see him. It's already too late to turn him down now." "Is it too late, or do you actually like him and that's why you want to marry him?" "Pfftt - like whooo??? I don't even know the man." Do I like him? "Then if you don't like him, call him right now and tell him you are not interested anymore. I wouldn't want you to get into this marriage and regret it." "Camille - I need to go rest." A knock sounded at the door. We both froze. I wasn't expecting anyone, and neither was Camille. "Expecting someone?" my sister asked with a raised eyebrow. "No, I'm not expecting anyone." I frowned curiously, getting up to see who it was. I opened the door, and he stood there, right in front of me. Denver - what was he doing here? "I thought it was right to at least ask your parents if it would be okay to marry their daughter." I couldn't believe he drove all the way here to get consent. "May I come in?" I just moved out of the way, and he entered, still beaming with that confidence that hovers around him. "Who are you?" Camille asked the moment she spotted him confidently making his way in. "My name is Denver, and I am getting married to your sister next week. I would like to see your parents." My sister and I shot each other a glance. Even Camille was shocked at the audacity of this man.