"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.
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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?
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
Life was perfect until she met her boyfriend's big brother. There was a forbidden law in the Night Shade Pack that if the head Alpha rejected his mate, he would be stripped of his position. Sophia's life would get connected with the law. She was an Omega who was dating the head Alpha's younger brother. Bryan Morrison, the head Alpha, was not only a cold-blooded man but also a charming business tycoon. His name was enough to cause other packs to tremble. He was known as a ruthless man. What if, by some twist of destiny, Sophia's path were to intertwine with his?
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."