Xeria’s P.O.V

Whenever I look at my parents, I only feel one thing: when I get married, my married life should be like theirs.

They are a perfect couple; though they have their own ups and downs, they have always overcome everything together.

But now that I think my plans are at risk, I have to do everything I can to get out of this mayhem.

I have my own plans, and Khaos doesn't fit anywhere in them, so bye-bye, Khaos; you can't just walk in and ruin them.

1 year ago

"Xeria, hurry up; you don't want to show up late at the meeting." Moira says with an annoyed look.

Ok, what else do you expect me to do? I just received the text in the morning, and I have to rush all the way here.

"You know right that people in that room aren't up for any excuses," he adds, fixing his glasses.

"You go ahead; I left my bag in the car; I will get it and rush back; don't worry." Rushing away, I exclaim.

Stuffing the documents in my office bag, I make my way towards the conference room.

Completing final exams and showing up for meetings—it can't get any more hectic, can it?

As I stride through the corridor, I come into contact with a rock wall, and bam, the next moment I'm on the floor with all the documents flying in the air and some on the floor accompanying me.

"Woah!" 

"That was some impact," I say, caressing my back.

And then I look up at the rock wall—I mean, the culprit—the man because of whom I'm here on the floor.

He just looked down at me with his gray eyes. What's wrong with him?

No, the meeting and the thought of Moira again scolding me come rushing back, and I begin to pick up the scattered documents.

"You should watch where you are going," the man says, sliding one hand in his pocket and, with the other, fixing his tie.

"Or you can just be careful and not bump into other people."

"Just because you're so tall doesn't mean that people shorter than you don't exist." The words slip out of my mouth.

Xeria, what non-sense are you talking about? But he deserves it, and now I'm even more late because of him.

After listening to my trashy comeback, he just quirks his eyebrow.

"Are you an intern, but you hardly look like one; you look like a high school student?"

"Just go back; this place isn't for you," he says, glancing at his wrist watch.

What did he say? Sure, I look young for my age, but who is he to make fun of me?

Can't he see I'm in a hurry and he is just looking down on me?

Picking up all the scattered documents and my bag, I stand up and look at the tall and mighty man.

"For starters, I'm neither an intern nor a high school student, and second, you should get your eyes checked, old man—"Xeria, hurry up." Moira shouts, and giving a final mean look, I walk away from that man.

And when I glance back, I see him looking at me. Wait, why is he staring at me.

Weirdo?

Present

After that, of course, I was scolded by Moira, and then he told me about the identity of the man I had bumped into.

"Khaos"

Ok, I might have exaggerated when I called him the devil, but I just don't like him.

I'm, argh, even thinking about that incident makes me angry.

Even though I'm getting ready for the meeting. Mom bought a dress especially for the meeting.

It is a satin dress, and it's revealing—not that revealing, but it is, and thank God, it doesn't have any slits.

It's a lilac maxi dress. I do like the color, though. Making a twisted hair-bun, I look at myself in the mirror.

"Potato, just cheer for me, ok?"

"If things don't go the way I want, then we might end up living in a very shady penthouse in the future, and you wouldn't like it; no garden, no place to run." I say, bending to pat his head.

As if he gets what I'm saying, he nods his head and wags his furry tail.

Finally, after putting on the bracelet and ring, I step out of the room and descend the stairs.

My parents give me that all-aww look. It's okay because it won't get any further from here.

"You look gorgeous, honey," mom says, taking my hand in hers and giving it a little squeeze.

"Just go and enjoy yourselves, okay?" "Whatever decision you make, we will support you," dad says, wrapping an arm around mom's waist.

"Khaos's secretary is waiting for you in the driveway; hurry up," he adds, smiling.

"Good evening, ma'am," the man I assume is Khaos's secretary says, opening the car's door for me.

"Thank you," I smile, stepping in.

After waving Potato goodbye, I begin my journey. Half an hour later, I arrive at my destination; fortunately, there was no traffic.

Ok, it's not one of my family's hotels. Evander, Khaos's secretary, guides me along the way, and after a good 10 minutes, I find myself at the top floor of the hotel.

Is he going to murder me here, or is he going to push me down from here?

The place is beautiful; it's all decorated for a date. At the center was the table, and the surroundings were decorated with flowers and lights.

It is very classic, with no special thoughts, as expected.

But Khaos is nowhere to be seen; where is he?

"Looking for someone?" Suddenly someone sneaks behind me, and obviously it's him.

Turning around to face him, I look at him; he is dressed as elegantly as ever.

Dressed in a perfect suit that matches the color of his eyes; his light skin, glowing under the lights, looked similar to mine.

"Yes, I'm looking for a witness who can at least make sure that I'm not pushed down from here." twisting the loose curls down my chin with my fingers, I answer him.

"I will wait for that." Extending his hand out for me, he gives me the most charming smile.

I don't want to accept the gesture, but what if he gets irritated and pushes me down?

No, no, no, this much ego is also not nice. Sliding my hand into his, he walks me towards the table.

When we get to the table, he first pulls the chair out for me. How gentlemanly when he didn't even budge a bit after making me fall on the floor, huh? and then he sits across the table from me.

"What's your game?" Not wasting a moment, I ask him.

"Well, I'm of the age where I can consider getting married, so I'm looking for a potential partner," he answers, taking out a velvet box.

What?

"But I'm not at the age where I want to consider getting married, and I'm not looking for a potential partner, so goodbye." Getting up from the chair, I say, why even bother wasting my time? I'm out of here.

"You might as well want to hear the next thing I'm about to say," he says, grabbing my attention.

Stopping halfway through, I sit back. Let's hear it all. What's the loss in that?

"I'm not the one who sent this proposal to you; it was an agreement between our families."

"My parents invested a huge amount when your parents started their business, and I'm now a major investor in your business."

"If you don't accept the proposal, the agreement will be null and void, and I will pull out all the investment and shares, so now what is your choice?" He finishes, and I want to smack him in the face.

I didn't exaggerate when I called him the devil.

"So now you have retorted to manipulate someone into marrying you, wasn't there a nice way to do things?" I sneer, and he laughs.

"This way things get done easily; I can't waste my time pursuing someone; I get what I want," he smirks.

"Why do you want to get married in the first place?" I ask him, Seriously, what does he even want?

"I'm tired of living alone," he replies.

"Then get a pet, a girlfriend, or a butler," I tell him, putting a stop to his musings.

"Too much of a hassle; I want to get things done once and permanently." Sipping on his wine, he responds.

"And you think that marriage is easy?"

"I have thought it through, Xeria; now accept this ring," he says, pushing the velvet box forward.

"That's it; take this ring and go back home, and what does this make us?" I snapped, pushing the box back at him.

"Well, do you want me to go on one knee and propose to you?"

"That's not happening, and it makes us an engaged couple," he answers like it's nothing.

I still haven't taken over my parents' position in business, so I don't have much insight into whether what he's saying is the truth or if he's lying.

As if hearing my thoughts, he picks up a file from the other table and hands it over to me. Opening the file, I go through it, and that's it. Whatever he said was legitimate.

This is a nightmare. I look at him, drinking his wine leisurely, while I'm hanging by a straw.

One incorrect decision, and it all goes to waste. What if I say no? My parents won't mind, but whatever they have worked so hard to build for all these years will come crumpling down.

But who does he think he is?

He thinks he can get whatever he wants. Oh, he is mistaken; if he's a devil then I'm a she-devil.

What a touché thing to even think about! Game on, Mr. Devil; let's see who will be the one to back out first.

"Ok then, the next time you can just mail me; there was no need for you to do all this and waste your time as well as mine."

“Goodbye.”

Picking up the box, I walk out of there without waiting for his response.