"Hmm," I let out a deep groan from deep within my soul. I was so beat last night that I forgot to draw my curtains close, now the bright morning sun wakes me from my peaceful slumber harshly. I planned to sleep in since it's a weekend and I have no pending papers from this week to cover up. I get to have the day to myself, on my bed. At least that's what I thought. 

I sluggishly get out of bed to complete my morning routine and probably read a book afterwards since I have nothing else to do.

I brush my teeth and shower. You know, the normal routine of a hygienic person. 

Making my way down the stairs of my beautifully wood constructed and spacious loft apartment. I've never been a fan of minimalistic decor, no hate, but that's just not my style. I love my space and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

 I have a floral chandelier hanging down the high ceiling. A record player at the corner of the living room and a handcrafted ponyo mat underneath my little glass center table. I love the smell of plants and fresh flowers, so my home is filled with jars of fresh flowers and plants. The calming scent comforts me in a way no one else has been able to. Not even the medications prescribed by my therapist. 

"Shit, I really need to stop skipping breakfast." I mutter as my stomach grumbles in protest of my bad habit.

Settling myself on my comfy couch, with a strawberry smoothie in one hand, I prepare myself for the ultimate Netflix binge. Can't remember when I last did this. 

Immediately I pressed the play button, the sound of my phone ringing disrupted my alone time. I picked it up to see the name of my darling secretary pop up on the screen. "This can't be good. I thought to myself, knowing that Freya only calls with the official line when it's something super urgent.

"Hello Fre, what's going on? Hope everything's okay." I respond, mentally preparing myself for anything.

"Your father's assistant called..." There was a slight pause as if she was hesitating to speak." Your father has arranged a family meeting, and he demands that you must be present tonight by 7 pm, no matter what."

None of us spoke for a while. Fre understood what that news she dropped just did to me. I quickly composed myself and responded. "Alright, thank you for informing me, I'd be there on time, so you don't need to come over this time."

"Are you sure? You know I can come over right now, I have nothing I'm doing anyway, and-"

"No Freya, there's no need at all, I promise I'll be fine on my own. Also, don't you have your baking class today? I know you hate missing classes. Just make sure to bring me whatever goodies you make like always."

"You definitely are always more excited for my class than I am, you big glutton. Finee, but remember, I'm just a phone call away if anything happens." She sighs in defeat and the line goes dead.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

My nerves are taking over. Consuming me whole. There's nothing more I want to do than turn this car around and hide.

I thought I was ready to face him. I've prepared several months to do this, confidently, passively.

I thought the effect he had on me had been watered down after months of no physical contact. Boy, was I wrong.

I can't believe I'm feeling this way. Pathetic. Ridiculous!

I let out a short angry laugh. The tears brimming at the edge of my eyes, threatening to spill, but I cannot in hell let that happen. I have to appear perfect – be perfect.

Months of rebuilding my image for father cannot be flawed even the slightest tonight. I will not let my hard work go to waste.

My fingers tremble against the steering wheel of my car as I round the curve and appear right in front of my father's mansion. The same mansion I grew up in.

My own hell.

"Good evening, Miss Hazel, your father and the rest of the family are waiting patiently for your arrival." The mansion's oldest doorman addresses me.

"Thank you, Arlo, I'm sure I can find my way to the dining room." I say as I respectfully decline his offer to escort me. I need a moment to myself to gather my nerves while maneuvering the familiar halls of the house I was raised in. 

Shivers ran down my spine from the draught memories that came rushing back. I breathed in and out,  and walked into the dining room confidently.

"Ah, look who decided to grace us with her presence five minutes late." My father, Mr Dominic Jones. CEO of the Jones enterprise. The perfect man with affluence and a 'healthy loving family'.

The media loves him and he loves the attention, so he keeps feeding them shit and they keep eating it up.

"There was a slight delay on the road, I apologize for the inconvenience." Inconvenience my ass, arrogant motherfucker.

"Have your seat now, let's get right to it."

"The round family dining table was occupied by my father, stepmother; Veronica Adams, my step-siblings; Lexi and James  Jones, and I; Hazel Jones."

The atmosphere was so tense you could cut it with a knife. Jealousy, bitterness and bloodlust could be perceived with just a sniff. I can't wait for this to be over.

Twenty.

Thirty.

Forty minutes have passed, I've lost my appetite long ago, and the irking voices of my stepmother and her kids are pushing me over the edge.

"Marie, the last project I gave you to work on - I heard it was a success. I mean that's the least you could offer since you know how high my expectations are for you."  My father says, dropping his cutlery, staring at me intensely with the same amber eyes as mine, but more sinister.

"And since you know that already, there is something you must do to acquire the position of CEO. Failure to comply means the position automatically goes to James."

Those words made my heart drop. Not only did his first sentence destroy my esteem as always, but now he's making me crazy, wondering what he wants from me again with that dramatic pause.

"Okay Dad, what is this thing you want our dearest Hazel to do for you?" 

James asked, while staring me down with so much disdain in his eyes.

"You must get married to the De Luca heir".

"I cannot believe this! It's insane Hazel. Do arranged marriages still even happen?"

Well, my father is a psychotic sadist, so yes, anything is possible with him as long as it benefits or entertains him. Even if it means sacrificing his child's life. I can never put it past him to do.

"What are you going to do now Hae..."

"Will you put the damn bread down and listen. Oh my goodness, am I the only one panicking?

I think I'm the only one panicking," I look at my best friend anxiously pacing round the room.

I let out a heavy sigh and dropped the flour goodness Freya excitedly brought me this morning before I broke the news to her. Now she's sitting on my couch with her head between her palms, waiting for a response from me.

"I lose everything..."

"I lose my current position, everything I've worked hard for over the years will be gone, taken from me. I can't handle that Fre, I-I just can't," I felt my voice break at the end. I tried to play it off cool, but damn this is just bullcrap.

"Now I have to marry a man I've never met in my life just to fuel my father's greed."

"The De Luca heir right?" Freya starts to pace, looking even more of a nerve wreck than I. "No one has ever seen him before, so we don't even have a clue on what we're getting ourselves into."

"This is a big mess."

And I couldn't agree more with her. It indeed is a horrible situation to be in. God, I hate this so much.

I take a seat on the wingback chair right next to my couch and reflect back to last night.

```

"You must get married to the De Luca heir. Don't even dare try object to this. I have made the arrangements, the deal is finalized and preparations are ongoing."

I just sit there like a statue.

Unmoving.

Numb.

My heart broke into a million pieces, then the fear came, and a wave of nausea hit me. This feels like a movie. The biggest stunt my father has ever pulled on me. Who knows what else he's capable of?

Well, I do. I know he can do much worse and there'll be nothing I can do about it.

"That's lovely! She gets to marry into a rich family and inherit the position of CEO as well!"

I could hear the masked envy and hate dripping from each word my stepmother spoke. If looks could kill, the death stare she and her son gave me would bury me six feet under, that moment..

"You're so lucky, you really don't deserve what Dad's doing for you. I mean, this literally is the biggest hookup ever, and you just got it on a platter. Urgh, I even heard he was hot, too bad not many people have seen him." The overenunciated and slurred words of my step sister just added to the irritation building up in me.

"Your marriage will ensure the merging of both companies as business partners. This is an opportunity I won't be missing out on, Marie. And if you choose to jeopardize this arrangement, say goodbye to your position as director and any other special privileges given to you," My father spoke in such an eerie, calm demeanor that demanded complete silence and subservience.

He said the last part, like I didn't do so much to earn where I am and what I have today.

I hate this man. I hate him.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Today is the day I formally meet the De Luca family to fulfill all acts of courtesy and shit.

I'm dressed in a beautiful nude-coloured mesh sleeveless dress paired with the Chanel pumps I got earlier this year.

I let my hair down because father says it's uncultured of me to have my hair up in public, talk less of having dinner with the most important clients or business partners that are soon to be our in-laws.

My father, who wants to keep up appearances, decided to have a 'casual' dinner at one of the most popular five-star restaurants. A VIP area was booked for maximum privacy, considering the status of both families.

"Of all the dresses you could have selected, you chose to wear this tacky outfit on such an important occasion. I wonder if you did this to deliberately embarrass us," My stepmother said, eyeing me up and down while clutching my father's arm like a leech.

Two reasons for her statement.

One, to spite me.

Two, to get my father's reaction. And she always gets what she wants. She managed to irritate me and get my father to really scrutinize my looks again.

"They will be here shortly. Why do you always manage to disappoint me, Marie? "

"You could have done better with your choice of clothing, but apparently you get that from your mother too." The devil himself has the audacity to look disappointed. 

Fuck them both.

Before I could respond and probably start a family drama, our guests walk in and I immediately compose myself.

I only see two older people who I assume to be Mr Arthur De Luca: the chairman of the De Luca Refinaries and his wife, Mrs Rosemary De Luca: CEO of Marrs Stitches, a popular worldwide fashion design brand. 

The main person I have been anxiously waiting to meet is absent.

"Ah, it's a pleasure to have you meet us tonight. This is my wife, Veronica, and my first daughter,  Hazel," My father introduced us to both couples, and I must admit, they look absolutely stunning for their age. 

Arthur's poised and straight form only gave him more aura. He had strikingly attractive features that no pictures could do justice to. His wife was equally just as gorgeous. Her demeanor exuded grace and softness even when she spoke. She was radiant.

"Lovely to see you too. My goodness, your daughter looks even more beautiful in person," Mrs Rose complimented, turning to me with a hug that caught me off guard. I did not expect her to be so warm. I could tell how genuine she was.

Before anyone could ask where their son, Alexander was, a figure walked into the room and once our eyes locked, it took a second for both of us to realize we've met before...

It was the bloody hot man-child stranger who stole my manga from me!

Goddamn...

The table's full of adults chatting away casually like they aren't about to sell their children off.

The urge to slouch down on my chair was insane, but I could feel the intense stare of the tall figure opposite me. Quite uncomfortable if you ask me.

My life was definitely taking a dramatic turn and I do not think I'm ready for it. The plate of half eaten pasta in front of me had gone cold from my lack of appetite.

I looked up to catch a glimpse of the guy I'm about to be married off to, only to see him looking straight at me. My breath seized at once and I got drawn to those magnetic brown eyes.

Suddenly, the voices around us ceased and I could only see him. The same intensity I felt earlier wasn't just my intuition - now I could see it. I stared back at him, and this man didn't look away for a split second.

Alexander De Luca really is as handsome as the rumors say but he's known to be ruthless and feared.

My heart drops to my stomach as thoughts of what life after being married to him would be like flashed through my mind.

Would it be like the life my mother had to endure with my father...?

No no no, please no. I start to shiver uncontrollably and horrible memories start flashing back. The look that man's giving me isn't helping much either.

"Excuse me please, I'd like to quickly use the restroom," I think I stood up too suddenly. My legs buckled a bit and almost made me lose balance.

I quickly dashed out of the room before anyone could sense my hyperventilation. But before leaving, I caught a glimpse of Alex and saw something like a worried look on his face.

"Yeah, that's not possible. My mind was probably playing tricks on me again," I said under my breath once I reached the restroom.

I look at my reflection in the mirror, taking deep, steady breaths to calm my racing heart. I left my pills at home, now I have to wing the night. I fixed my hair and wiped the tear drop at the corner of my eyes.

I was hardly paying attention walking out when I crashed into something hard, or rather, someone. 

Geez, I really am getting more clumsy these days. I need to start paying more attention to my surroundings.

"I am really sorry, I...' 

My words got stuck in my throat once I looked up and found my victim. Oh shit.

"Uhm... err... hello" what on earth am I even mumbling. 

"I didn't see you there, I wasn't paying attention." I hope he isn't the kind to get petty about little incidents like this. I looked up again and found out that he's awfully quiet and staring at me - Again! All this man does is stare. If we didn't meet at the bookstore, I'd have thought he was mute.

Before I could think of ways to escape this awkward situation, he spoke.

"This is a public area, we can't be seen together alone like this," Before I could respond, he walked away.

How rude but convenient. 

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Alex's POV

"Alex, please when we get there, try to be as polite as possible," My mom said while holding my hand to emphasize her message. She knows I'm still pissed.

"Might be too hard for him to do tonight, don't you think darling?" The old man seated on the passenger's seat snickered, trying to tease and get a reaction from me.

"But still," My mother draws out "Give this a chance, will you."

"I don't think I have much of a choice anymore, do I?"

"Damn right you don't. This meeting is just formalities and a chance for you to meet your fiancé before the wedding," my dad adds again.

These people, I swear. They really have a way of getting under my skin when they want. They finally succeeded in having their way this time.

We reach our destination and pass a separate entrance to avoid public attention. 

We were halfway in when I remembered I left my phone in the car.

"Go on without me, I'll meet up with you guys," Both my parents gave a soft sigh, almost comical, but I was not in the mood today.

I grabbed my phone and headed back inside, but I didn't expect to see who I saw and it was clearly the same for her.

No way the person I was set up to marry was her. God, she looks just as beautiful as she did that day, if not more.

Her outfit was pretty basic, nothing too much but it hugged her curvy body just right. Her dark hair was left down today and had a better view of just how long it was. Stopped right at the curve of her bottom back, where my hand would fit perfectly.

Her figure is amazing, no doubt about that, and that dress she wore was doing something to me. The material looked soft like her skin and the mixed cool colours made her complexion more radiant. I couldn't take my eyes off her the entire night.

The colour of her eyes has to be the most captivating thing about her. So wide and bold, yet unsettled. Eyes like that, she's either going to wreck me or save me.

She appeared so composed, yet disturbed. I wonder what's going through her mind...

Shit shit shit. I'm in deep trouble. It's been a very long time since I had a woman consume my thoughts this much. This was not the plan.

But the truth is that ever since that day, thoughts of her skin grazing mine, the smell of her perfume and how fiercely she looked at me when I took the book from her haunted my mind. I buried myself with work to get my mind off her... only to meet her again today.

What was her name again..?

Ah, yes. Hazel... beautiful name for a beautiful lady.

Hazel excused herself from the table looking dazed, and my suspicion was confirmed when she lost her balance while trying to stand!

What the hell was going on with her? 

It has been ten minutes since she left this room, and I was beginning to get worried. My feelings shocked me. I didn't even know this chick yet and I'm already deeply infatuated by just the thought of her.

I left the room without caring enough to inform anyone, just to see if she was alright.

As I rounded the corner that leads to the female and male restrooms, someone bumped into me and that familiar scent filled my senses. Gosh, she smells so damn good!

She realised I was the one she bumped into and quickly moved away like my presence burned her. I felt a scowl immediately etched on my face at the thought of her being like that towards me, but I don't blame her though, I haven't been exactly 'welcoming'.

Hazel mumbled something under her breath, which I think was an apology.

Remembering she was an Important public figure, I didn't want someone to catch her here in a secluded area with me and in a restaurant. The whole point of getting a private room was not to get caught.

"This is a public area, we can't be seen together alone like this," I say in my usual curt tone and walk away.

Fuck! I just realized how bad I must've looked. She probably thinks I'm an asshole. Great, just great.

The night dragged on for a short while and we bid the Jones family goodnight, promising to seal the deal as soon as possible.

This might not be such a bad idea after all.