"Sign!" He demanded. A signature. Just a signature's going to change both our lives. My decision might make OR ruin both our lives.... *** Nicholas Perkins, the most wealthiest and ruthless businessman, and the city's No.1 Playboy who wants nothing more than his selfish needs to be fulfilled at any cost. But there is one condition that is required to be satisfied. Evelyn Katherine Linard, just a simple girl enjoying her father's money under his care. All she finally wants is to be free like a bird and live her life. Though enjoying all the luxuries of life, both have had a past which presents itself in front of them playing with their minds. They have no choice but to stick together. What could be their final decision? The playboy is finally in search of his bride. But is this arrangement going to work out? Is the Bride ready to be tied down? Read to find out!
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this story's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.
Do not copy paste my story or publish on your own. This is my book and before you ask let me tell you I don't allow any translations.
People might not like my characters, some weak, some arrogant but whatever. That is how I have created the character to make my story. If you do not like weak characters or mature scenes, then I might have to warn you this is not the book for you. I encourage all kinds of comments, whether it be good or bad. I believe criticism helps in getting better.
There might be many grammatical errors, but I will be editing the book after I complete it. If you do not mind the slight errors, then you may continue. Thank you! :-)
Before 5 years
EVELYN KATHERINE LINARD'S POV
"Mom, will you just stop this? I've had enough! All you want is your son, other than that you don't find happiness in anything. I'm just so done with you."
"Why? Why should I? All you do is sit at home and enjoy your father's money. You just want to go to some university in NYC, against all our wishes for what? Just to sit at home like this or to live with your Dad's money like always?" My said bitterly, like always. Why does she hate me so much? Am I her daughter or...?
"Why is it bothering you so much that all I do is sit at home or waste your husband's money? Because if I remember correctly, it was him, your husband who doesn't want me to study any further because I'm a girl and I need to get married soon!" I said mockingly with clenched teeth.
Yes, you're right. I'm sure you would have guessed by now. I'm eighteen. I want to go to New York to visit my old friend Caroline. University? Well yeah.... That's just a reason. I just want to go as far as possible from this woman. And her husband. And her daughter. And her son! Argh! Why can she not get her eldest daughter married first? Why me? So yeah.... Caroline has been my best friend since ever. My only best friend. My only friend. But we moved out here to Greece because my Dad suddenly decided to move his business here. Strange! But we kept in touch. The thing is I can NOT tolerate these people anymore. I want to live my life on my own terms. So I'm going to New York, may be there's no relative I have there. Nor do I have many friends. But I'm sure I can create a life for myself there. Because once I'm settled, I won't come back here. I won't even show my face to these people. You might be thinking why I hate my family so much? Wait and watch you'll get to know yourself.
"I don't know anything. That's between your Father and you. But we both have promised this one friend of ours that we'll get you married to their son. Be ready by... 7? Anyways you only take 5 minutes to get ready but please make yourself look presentable." She said ending with a sigh.
"OK. I will be ready. But why not Rosie? Why me? She's the eldest" I argued.
"That is mysterious to me as well. They didn't want anyone else but you. I just don't understand why. Their son is so handsome, rich, who deserves so much better. Don't mind me darling, but you are in need of a serious make over. But they want you just like you are, they say they love you just like you are" She closed her eyes as though it burnt her saying that. She thankfully left.
Marriage? It doesn't sound so bad. You know why? I always had such big dreams about marriage and my husband. I felt like he was the one who could get me out of this hell. The one who will love me. Me ONLY! If I can't escape to New York, then this marriage proposal is really my final escape. And if that person says that he likes me the way I am then I'm sure this is one true love. Cause believe me there's not one guy who has taken a like towards. Guys! All they do is throw nasty looks at me. I'm sure I'm not that bad looking right?
OK. I need to get ready quickly. I should wear a simple skirt, right? Gown would be too much. And just as Mom said I don't take too much time.
I went with a Blue skirt, a brightly dark red lipstick with too much of gloss. Thank god! My braces are gone, just not my glasses. I chose lenses today though they cause slight irritation in my eyes. But I want to look pretty for my to-be husband. I'm not looking fat, am I? A bit plump? Oh God I hope I'm looking pretty! By the time it was 7 I was ready and waiting for them to arrive.
I heard some shuffling downstairs followed by my Mom's voice "Evelyn! Come down! They're here" She said in a fake cheerful voice.
I quickly trailed down the stairs but slipped on the floor, I tried to hold on to the person in front of me, but he moved away and yes, I fell I on my butt. Shit! I quickly scrambled to my feet and came in contact with a pair of beautiful deep blue eyes who didn't catch me! I couldn't even take my eyes off him.... So handsome and so tall.. Is he going to be my husband? But then the softness they held suddenly vanished. All he had in his eyes was anger and betrayal. I couldn't take it that his narrowed eyes were pointed at me, so I quickly looked down.
"Oh my God. She's all grown up and so very pretty" Aunt Nina hugged me tightly choking me to death.
"Oh dear. You're suffocating the poor girl. Let her go...." I heard a man's voice that's Uncle Nathaniel. And the women let me go immediately. Both of them smiled at me and then looked at son. Look? Nooo.... Glare is the right word. And all this arrogant hunk in front of me did was to smirk at them. Hmm.... He knows how to rile his parents.. I should learn too..
My mom as usual trying to change the topic said that dinner is ready. I didn't even look up from my plate because that man sitting opposite me didn't take his eyes off me. I just knew it; I could feel his eyes on me the entire time. When they were finally leaving both my parents ordered me to just go in since they wanted to have some private talk. I went inside my room which upstairs at a corner, but the good thing was that I could see anyone coming in or going out. It felt like the son was having some argument with his parents so I opened my window so I could hear them. But I shouldn't have done that..
***
"Have you even seen that girl properly? She's just not my type. I don't know what you even saw in her, she's just so boring. All I saw her doing the entire time was eat! That clumsy.... uneducated, illiterate girl is never going to be my wife. And I told you I can't get married, at least not now, not in this age. You called me back here urgently from different country only so that I could meet this girl?! I'm already against this marriage and this girl was a bonus... I definitely am not agreeing to this shitty proposal." he screamed.
"Nick!" his mother yelled at his name.
"You do remember that I said we'll disown you, remember? You will lose your inheritance!" His father reminded him cruelly. Nick stood there for a minute thinking about I don't know what and then he went around the car to sit in and slammed the door hardly.
I didn't know I was crying until I felt something warm drop on my hand and I closed my window. I thought when Mom said that they like me the way I am, it meant that he liked me. But he is blackmailed to marry me. He or me can never survive this marriage. It's going to keep both of us unhappy. But there's no choice now, he definitely will say yes because he needs his inheritance and me? Well my parents will force me to and they will never allow me to go to New York now. Only choice that's left is to run away.
NICHOLAS PERKINS'S POV
The car was facing away from their house and I could see her face in the rear-view mirror. I said all kinds of hurtful things purposely so that she'd listen and reject my parent's proposal. But I thought why would she do that? I mean she's behind me money as well. I didn't need my father's inheritance, I could build a company on my own, a successful one! But I feel so guilty now.
I would never treat a girl like that..... and I never thought that she'd take such a drastic step. Sure, I'm a playboy like everyone says but I know I really hurt the girl. The first time she saw me, she looked into my eyes, I saw trust and hope in her eyes. And now Mom gets a call by Uncle Gregorios and Aunt Elena, her parents saying that she left.. she just left with a note saying 'Don't try to find me'. I broke her trust and hope. I need to find her!
***
It's been a month and there's still no news about that girl. I don't even know her name. When I asked Dad, he said he and Uncle Gregorios will take care of it. I don't think Uncle Gregorios even worries about her, he spoke so carelessly. I just don't understand what to do. I feel like I'm the reason. Of course, I'm the reason why all this happened. I need to return to New York next week....... But will she be found? Will I ever see her again?
"Why? I know it's not that you actually care about me. Then why? Tell me." I demanded looking down. "Be MINE, Caroline" he said. I always loved the way my name rolled on his tongue. I saw him coming towards me as I took small steps backwards until my back hit the wall. I could see his face getting closer to mine to reach my lips. Caroline Brook is the daughter of a wealthy business man. She has it all, looks, beauty, intelligence, money-of course! She's a true believer of LOVE. She lived a carefree life until a tragedy strikes hard. Daniel Rochester is one of the richest business man in New York City. He's the perfect definition for a Casanova. He never was a relationship kind of guy. And he rather chose to believe in one night stands. What happens when circumstances make these completely opposite people meet? Is there going to be an explosion of volcano of hatred or rain of love? Are they gonna make it together till the end?
Rose looked at the reports in her hand and was in shock... The reports said that she was one month pregnant, however, how can she get pregnant when she didn't have any man in her life... "Was it because of that dream? Could I get pregnant because I have sex in my dream?" She thought... She didn't have any mental problems, however, except for this she can't able to think about anything... However, she still didn't get out of her surprise when she met the man in her dream... Kevin Davis looked at the reports in her hand and asked, "Is this child mine?" However, Rose didn't answer but asked... "Was that night not a dream?" Kevin was angry because it was his first time and she thinks it was a dream... Kevin forced her to marry him however, Rose didn't want it... She wanted to abort the child but he didn't let her... In the end... Rose agreed to marry him... She looked at Kevin's blue eyes and said, "I will marry you, however, I had two conditions..." "First, after marriage, you can't control my freedom, I still had the right to do whatever I want. Don't worry I won't harm the child." "Second, if I ever found out that you had cheated behind my back then I will leave with my child and you can't stop me..." Both of them got married... However, after she falls in love with him... She found there are hidden secrets in his past...
Anabel found out she was pregnant and dialed her husband's number to share the good news to him. They have been married for two years without a child. Desmond's mother had been accusing her of being barren and unproductive. When the call was picked, she was flabbergasted and broken. She was hearing a loud moan of feminine voice. "Ohh! Yeah! Don't stop fucking me! Fuck me harder baby!" accompanied with sound of skins slapping against the other. She went home to confront her husband and end up receiving a divorce paper. Desmond divorced him for a lady his mother was rooting. Few months later when he found out that his ex-wife is a billionaire heiress and she is pregnant with twins, he went crazy!
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"
"I want a divorce!" Ryan demanded, despite the fact that he had cheated on her with his ex. ~ Serena is no longer the quiet, romantic lady Ryan Winters married and divorced five years ago. Now the CEO of Rocky's Designs, she is bright, unwavering, and unapologetic about her independence-a far cry from the woman Ryan remembers. When fate brings them back into one another's lives, Ryan is forced to confront the truth about their past, their newfound hot chemistry, and a surprising revelation; Serena has a daughter who may be his. But Ryan's girlfriend, Kate, isn't prepared to lose him again. She will do whatever it takes to keep Ryan in her grasp-even if it means destroying Serena's life and the corporate empire she has built. What happens when Serena's now peaceful life is being disrupted? Will Serena lose once again or will she seize this billionaire's heart?
In the previous life, Maggie Johnson was so cowardly, gullible and stupid that she was coaxed by her fiance and stepsister and then broke her legs and lost everything including her fortune, love and even life. However, she was so lucky that she was reborn in the year before everything happened. Since her life restarted, how could she repeat a previous tragedy? Therefore, in this life, she took the opportunity to improve herself and take revenge on the ones who had ever insulted her. Facing the people who had humiliated her previously, she became smart and experienced to break their frames and tricks that had caused her to hurt in the previous life. Finally, no one could stop her pace to amaze the world any more.
For two years, Ashton had poured his heart into his marriage, yet Emalee's heart remained cold. Despite his dedication, Emalee presented him with divorce papers. She bluntly stated she could not remain married to a man whose net worth was less than a million dollars. Ashton signed the papers, closing one chapter of his life and stepping into a new beginning. Then, Ashton revealed his secret identities: a music mogul, a medical expert, and a martial arts master—each persona impressive enough to stun the world. As Ashton’s true capabilities came to light, Emalee was overwhelmed with deep regret.