Arranged marriage : Married to an unknown man

Ariana

The following day, I woke up with a smile on my face. I remembered last night’s events. Last night Xavier kissed my forehead for the second time and I couldn’t take that out of my head. The first touch of his lips on my forehead was not even out of my mind and last night he gave me the second one.

Last night …last night was full of…fun. Last night I came to know three of them a little more. No one could say that the most powerful, feared, dominant, authoritative businessmen who rule the business world act completely childish when they are together.

They make fun of each other, tease each other, talk insanely, argue for nothing, behave childishly, and fight for food while eating. I was watching them with amusement when they were doing all of that. I think apart from their parents I was the only one who came to know about this funny side of them. And that side was the opposite of what the world sees. And I absolutely like this funny, full-of-life side of them.

I dressed up for work and then went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. I woke up a little early so that I could prepare breakfast before Xavier leaves. I remember how yesterday he was whining to eat proper food so I made scrambled eggs, pancakes, toast, and black coffee without whiskey for Xavier.

“I think I should go and call him for breakfast,” I mumbled.

“What are you doing?” I was startled by the voice. I looked up to find him staring at me. He looked really handsome in the grey suit he wore. His hair was combed back. He looked fresh, no sign of weakness could be seen on his face. The way I want to see him. Yep! That’s right, I don’t want to see him weak and fragile. I always want him to be like this, the way he is standing in front of me right now, fresh and full of energy.

“I asked you something.” Oh no! Blush instantly crept on my face when I realized that I was gawking at him. Why Ari, why?

“Um, Yeah, I.. I…well, I cooked breakfast for you.” I stuttered, looking down, and started plating the breakfast. I hope he didn’t see my flushed face.

“You shouldn’t have cooked for me. I would have eaten out.”

My hands instantly stopped plating the food. His words dropped my mood. I was excited to cook for him but he didn’t want to eat food cooked by me. Did he not like the food? I woke up early to cook for him. Now, he was saying he wanted to eat out.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t know that you wanted to eat out. It’s just that…Mrs. Molly told me you prefer eating homemade food that’s why I cooked for you.” I replied softly, looking down.

“No. I didn’t mean that. It’s just that you cooked for me yesterday. And besides, you have to go to work too, you’ll get… tired.”

He was concerned about me? It means he just wanted me to have rest? And here I thought he didn’t want to eat the food cooked by me.

“No, I never get tired of cooking, I like to cook. And I have had enough rest for the last two days. Umm, Would you eat?” I asked nervously, fidgeting my fingers.

“Yeah, of course.”

His reply brought warmness to my body and a smile on my face. But I hid my smile. Obviously, I didn’t want to make a fool of myself in front of him.

He sat at the dining table and I served him breakfast and his coffee before sitting opposite him. I started eating my breakfast and had my head lowered but I kept watching him through my eyelashes, waiting for his reaction about the coffee.

When he held the coffee cup, I bit the corner of my lower lip. He’ll definitely notice the change this time.

He took a sip of coffee and looked at me but I acted as if I didn’t see him, I just focused on my breakfast. My heart started beating fast. He’ll definitely complain about it now.

I waited for him to say something but he didn’t say a single word. I craned my neck a little to look at him and saw him eating his breakfast silently but I saw a smile on his lips.

Goodness, had I been hallucinating? Why was he smiling? Whatever the reason was, he has a beautiful smile, a very mesmerizing smile making me want to keep looking at him.

“Why are you not eating your breakfast? Any problem?”

Then I realized I had stopped eating and was gawking at his smile.

“Uh, Nothing.” I blushed and again diverted my attention back to my breakfast. I propped my one elbow on the table and rested my palm on my cheek to hide my red face from him.

After we were done eating, I was about to stand up to clean the table when he spoke.

“From today onwards Finn will bring you to work.”

My eyes instantly shot up and found him studying my face.

Huh? Finn? His driver? Why?

“No.. there is no need, I can go on my own,” I replied.

“It’s for your safety.” His soft reply shut my mouth.

But why now? Why he had a sudden urge to keep me safe? I felt like he was going this to return the favor of taking care of him.

“If you are doing it to return the favor for taking care of you then there’s no need.” I dared to talk back.

He abruptly stood up from his chair making me flinch. I looked at him.

“I am not doing this to return any favor. And I really appreciate what you did for me yesterday. I am not a heartless person.” He said sternly, still, I could disbelief on his face.

“And about Finn bringing you to work… I won’t change that decision. You will go with him and come back with him. Do you get that?” He asked firmly. I meekly nodded my head. Then he left, not before putting his plate in the dishwasher.

Why did I even say that? He was just caring for my safety. I had been noticing his changed behavior towards me for the past few days. I should have known that he was just concerned. I never judge people, never. But I judged him and that too wrongly.

Days went by and now it had been two weeks, two weeks since I had been coming to work with Finn and also going back with him too. He drops me in the private parking area and also picks me up from there.

In the past two weeks, Xavier’s and my relationship did improve but only as boss and employee. He started discussing many business-related topics with me and also back at home we began to have dinner together, in silence, of course. All of it improved things between us.

Home. Yes, now I had started calling his penthouse…home. Because in a home you are considered a member of the family. You live there, enjoy there, make memories and most importantly you feel free there. I was experiencing all those things there that’s why I started calling that place home.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

When I used to live with Smiths, I wasn’t free to do anything. I wasn’t even allowed to roam freely in that mansion. I was never considered as their family member.

But here, though Xavier doesn’t talk to me much, still, he never stopped me from using anything in his penthouse. I could do anything freely here.

Coming to Sean and Daniel, I had now started to consider them as my family. In the past two weeks, our relationship has also improved. Now they more often come home and ask me to cook dinner for them. And I happily oblige to their request. And now it’s both of their common habits to give a kiss on my forehead.

I was pulled out of my reverie by the beep sound of the intercom. I picked it up.

“Come to my office.”

I stood up from my chair and made my way towards Xavier’s office.

“Come with me, we have to go to the conference room on Sean’s floor. We have some good news to share.” He said while getting up from his chair. He sounded happy. And the good news? I wondered what the news was that made him so happy.

We reached Sean’s floor and entered the conference room. Daniel, Sean, Lauren, and Scott were already there. Daniel, Sean, and Xavier gave each other a brotherly hug.

I was confused and glanced at Lauren and Scott only to see them standing there with confused expressions. I walked and stood beside Lauren.

“Any idea what the good news is?” I whispered in her ears.

“I don’t have any idea about it. I was asked to join them here. But looking at the way they are behaving I think it’s something big.” She whispered back. I nodded my head.

“I also wonder what it is,” Scott whispered too.

“Okay listen,” Sean said and the three of us looked at them.

“So, it’s time to share the best news of the year,” Daniel said happily.

“So, the thing is, our company XDS AUTOTECH is announced as the highest-grossing company of the year second time in a row.”

Before I could even blink I was engulfed into a tight hug from the side and a loud squealing sound reached my ears.

“Oh my goodness.” It was Lauren, she was squealing happily almost jumping and shaking me in the process.

“Miss Hart?” Sean called her and only then she removed her hands from me.

“Oh, sorry. I am just happy. Couldn’t control the excitement. And Congratulations, sir.” She said happily and walked forward to shake his hand. She shook their hands and Scott also did the same.

I was also happy, they deserve it. They had worked hard to bring the company to the top. They worked day and night without caring about time, sleep, and hunger. I was the eyewitness. And I was extremely proud of them.

I stepped forward to congratulate them. I first shook Daniel’s hand.

“Congratulations sir.” I smiled, Lauren and Scott were there so I avoided calling him by his name.

“Thank you, princess. I would have hugged you but we have an audience here.” Daniel whispered. I beamed at him and shook my head. He’ll never change.

Then I shook Sean’s hand.

“Congratulations sir. I am truly happy for you.” He shook my hand with a broad smile on his face and said thanked me. And without thinking twice I put my hand forward in front of Xavier.

He looked at me, into my eyes. Then I realized what I had done. I was about to bring my hand back when he clasped my hand and started shaking it.

I stiffen when I felt a jolt of electricity that ran through my body. I gazed into his eyes. His dark brown eyes were gazing directly into my eyes. His eyes were showing happiness and some emotions which I couldn’t comprehend. He didn’t let go of my hand but tighten his around it, I could feel a burning sensation spreading in my body. His touch on my skin always did that to me.

I winced when I heard the sound of the clearing of the throat. I looked in the direction of the sound to see that it was Daniel who had a mischievous smirk on his face. I immediately let go of Xavier’s hand and blushed. I was again gawking at him. What’s happening with me these days?

“Umm… Cong… Congratulations sir.” I stuttered and averted my eyes.

“Thank you.” He said after clearing his throat. Then I saw him glare at Daniel who was now grinning ear to ear. What’s with Daniel now?

I turned around to go back and stand with Lauren but when I saw her looking at me with raised eyebrows I wanted to abort that mission but my feet were already taking me there. I stood beside her, not looking at her. I was praying to Almighty up there to not let Lauren ask any question. But before my request could reach up there, Lauren poked me in my arm. I am doomed.

“What was that?” She whispered in my ear. I was avoiding her gaze. She again poked me in my arm with her finger.

“What was what?” I asked her back.

“Really?” Goodness, why isn’t she letting it go?

“Okay, now sit. We need to discuss something,” Sean said bringing our attention towards him. I sighed in relief, I was saved.

“Let’s go and sit. And you, my friend, we have some important matter to discuss.” Lauren said with a mischievous smirk on her lips. I think I am not saved.

We sat on the chair at the conference table. I sat between Lauren and Scott. And to our opposite side, three of our bosses were sitting.

“First of all, thank you for making this possible. You three and all the employees worked really hard that’s why this became possible.” Xavier said.

“So, as a token of thanks, all the employees of XDS AUTOTECH will be getting a bonus this month,” Sean said happily.

“Are you serious? Thank you, thank you, sir.” Lauren said, clapping her hands excitedly.

I couldn’t blame her, who wouldn’t be happy after listening to the news of the bonus?

“And the next thing is, we have to throw a party. A grand party to celebrate the company’s success.” Daniel grabbed our attention by saying that.

“We want to throw the party this weekend,” Sean said.

“Three of you supervise the preparation. Venue, Theme, invitations, catering, whatever it is, you’ll do it.” Xavier said.

“We want to have a grand celebration. We’ll invite every business partner, client, and even our business rivals. So make sure no mistake should happen.” Sean stated firmly.

“We know time is less so you can also ask the help of any other employee. Choose whoever you want.” Xavier said.

“We trust you on this,” Daniel said.

“Don’t worry sir, your trust in us will not be broken.” Three of us assured them. We can’t let them down on this. This is important for them. Their reputation is at stake.

“And also, you will be very busy this week as you have official work to do as well. Your presence here in the building is also necessary, so, make sure three of you manage your time with office work and party preparations.” Sean said.

“Yes, of course, sir. We know it, we will work it out.” Lauren assured them.

We discussed some more important matters regarding the party and then we all left for our work.

From the next day, we all were going to be busy for the whole week. We would be running here and there preparing for the party and doing office work. My concern was not that. My main concern was the party, the crowd. How will I cope up with that? I had never been to such kind of parties or any party ever before.