Chapter 1

Golden blinding lights. Music in her ear. Waves of laughter echoed. People dancing. Everywhere she looked there were happy faces. Even though this is not the event she wanted. Wearing a white suffocating gown selected by a famous designer, she looks at the smiles everywhere. Outside the hall, reporters are gathered just to get a picture of her dress. The guest list is full of famous businessmen and politicians. There were even some prime ministers and presidents sitting here. After all, who wouldn't come to the biggest wedding of the year? The sole heirs of Abbott Corporation and Duncan Corporation are getting married. Just a few months ago, both companies were at war with each other, competing for the top place. But here they are now.

She, Aylin Abbott, is getting married to Axel Duncan. Holding Axel's hand, she softly smiles at him as he smiles back. Even if this is the wedding she never wanted, at least she got to choose her husband.

Less than an hour ago, she had said 'I do' to this guy and she couldn't be much more relieved than right now. As soon as they were announced husband and wife, it felt like a huge burden was off her shoulders. Finally, she escaped. After so many years, she was finally....free.

This wouldn't have been possible had Axel not approached her first that day. No. Now that she thought about it, it all started that Christmas eve. It was the first time she saw Axel. And her life changed because of that one meeting.

Despite being the only daughter of Brendon Abbott, who is an influential famous businessman, Aylin liked to keep her life private from the media and even people. She didn't attend many social events and rarely went to annual dinners. At the parties that she used to go to, she would make sure to stay far away as much as she can from her father and all the people related to his business and social circle. She didn't want anything to do with them.

Therefore, that day, just like any other day, she refused to attend the annual Christmas party held by Zen Company. A common but major supplier of many companies. But unfortunately, her mother had come down with a cold. Therefore, she had no choice but to attend the dinner in her place. Being an introvert, she was dreadful and nervous as hell. People often mistook her silence as being shy. Even though it was not because she was shy, but because she didn't know how to talk to strangers that she kept quiet.

However, from an early age, she had to learn to greet people and be welcoming towards them because her father cares a lot about hosting and their reputation.

After wearing a red short dress that fitted just perfectly with her body, she wore silver heels and long earrings. Her brown hair was in loose curls and her makeup was done by her makeup artist. She looked like a doll. Her light brown doe round eyes accentuated her overall look. She wore red lipstick that completed her overall look.

Aylin personally has a very elegant classy style which is why her father lets her choose her clothes herself. But when they are the ones hosting a party, she doesn't even have the freedom to choose her clothes.

Aside from this, her makeup, hair, jewelry, and even her nails should be according to the trend to maintain her reputation.

To be honest, she liked dressing up for herself rather than for others. So she never understood this urge to follow the trend. Rather than that, on many occasions, she asked her father why do we have to follow the trends. Just because people are jumping into the well, doesn't mean we have to jump as well. But her father always clapped back with his saying that look for the reason. Perhaps the reason why people are jumping into the well is that there is a hidden treasure inside. She would try to argue back but as usual, she would get shut down.

Well, right now it's not the time to be thinking about the past. She sighed.

Currently, she was sitting in her limousine, tightening her fist, calming herself down.

'It's okay. I am confident. I am a confident and talkative girl. Just smile and talk. Now.'

"Miss, we are ready for you."

"Okay."

The person from her protocol team opened her door, as she went outside.

Paparazzi from business magazines and news flashed their cameras at her. For the first few seconds, people were surprised as to who she was. But when recognition dawned on their face, they all rushed to get her picture and interview her.

Aylin took a deep breath, smiled, and then waved politely at everyone.

"Miss Aylin, please look here!"

"Over here!"

"Can you please answer a few questions?"

"Miss Aylin!"

Cheers roared everywhere for her. Mainly because she was making an appearance after a long time. Even though she avoided the public eye, her father everywhere he went flaunted and proudly talked about his only daughter. This made people curious as to how the heir of a multibillion business was like. More and more people wanted to talk to her. Get to know her. However, she refused every single one of them. And just like that, right now she wondered how long she had to stand here. It's exhausting.

When she got the go to move, she started moving inside. However, soon she heard girls shrieking. Just before she could step inside, she took a peek to see who had come.

A guy wearing a black suit came out of a limousine. His black hair was slicked back with a few strands peeking out. He seemed quite popular and also used to the cameras. The whole crowd's attention was now on him and her as they both glanced at each other and then averted their eyes.

The first thought that came into Aylin's mind was,

'Who is that? He looks like a playboy.'

She scrunched her nose oblivious to the fact that the guy was looking at her. Ignoring the crowd, she quickly heads inside and starts greeting people. Her father was going to come later on, which is why she was alone. This made her much more uncomfortable.

If she had any single one of her friends with her right now then she can stick close to them like glue and doesn't have to meet anyone. Sadly for her, none of her friends could come today since this was a very private club-type party. Great. This is even worse for her as she doesn't know how to dance.

After saying her greetings to the host, she sits in one of the booths. Bored. She was also worried about anyone asking her to dance.

Luckily, because of her bodyguards and her status, no one had enough courage to sit even next to her. Although it was good for her, she did feel a little lonely.

'If only Ellen had come.'

Ellen was her best friend. Because both of them belonged to the elite society, they connected much more than others. However, even Ellen's status did not allow her to get an invitation to this place.

Sighing she drinks the drink that was offered to her. She forgot to ask about the name of the drink and she's glad she didn't. It tasted horrible. Yuck. She made a disgusted face and immediately put the glass back on the table and folded her legs. Right then she feels someone stare at her and chuckle.

Looking at the source of the stare, her eyes meet with that guy from before, who smiles and averts his gaze. He was standing while surrounded by a bunch of people. They were happily conversing with each other.

'Was he just looking at me? Did he just laugh at me?..... Creepy...'

Slightly shivering, she started scrolling on Instagram on her phone.

'When is dad gonna be here? But more importantly, when will I get to leave?'

She then again heard loud voices and noticed that guy from before.

'He seems to be pretty popular. Have I seen him before?'

Having got nothing else to do, she started observing him subconsciously. Soon her father came. She had to get up and greet him. After which she again came back to her spot.

Once again she unlocked her phone to use it, however suddenly on the sofa next to her that guy from before comes and sits.

She didn't notice it until a deep voice called her out,

"Hi!"

He smiled.

"....hi."

Surprised, she hesitantly replied.

"You look bored. Aren't you going to talk to anyone?"

"...."

"Maybe you feel uncomfortable. I feel that way too sometimes."

"But you looked like you were having fun."

"Oh! So you did notice me? I feel honored."

Feeling embarrassed, Aylin looked down at her phone.

"But you know, just because I look like I'm having fun, doesn't mean it's true. It's just how it is for people like us. Faking smiles. Socializing. Honestly, it becomes exhausting. Why can't they talk about normal things?"

"Normal things?"

"Yeah like simple things such as your hobbies."

"I think everyone talks about that."

"Maybe but with me, everyone only shows off themselves."

"Must be hard to find a person who is true to themselves."

He becomes slightly surprised by her statement. Because normally people would respond to his statement saying how nice it is to have people thrown at you. But her response was quite different. It felt like she was speaking from experience.

"...that is true."

After a few seconds of silence, he asks,

"So what are your hobbies?"

"I like to read and paint."

"That's good. I like to read as well. Although are you good at it?"

"At reading?"

"No. Painting."

Puzzled, Aylin mumbled,

"No one's ever asked me that before."

Even though it was a small whisper-like mumble, he still managed to catch that and retorted,

"Well, there's a first time for everything."

"True. To answer your question, I am not sure. I try my best but I don't think I am good at it."

"Don't underestimate yourself too much. I am sure you are great at it."

"You will change your mind after you see my paintings."

"Hmm, I really would like to see them."

"Would you like to see them?"

His eyes slightly lit up,

"How?"

She quickly opened the pictures she had saved of her paintings on her phone and showed the first painting.

"Oh...this is not too bad. These are sunflowers. The flowers actually look so good. You have done the right amount of shading. However, what's this? What kind of flower is this?"

"....that's a honeybee."

She replied, embarrassed.

Surprised, he said,

"What?"

Then seeing her face, he immediately corrected himself,

"Oh yes. Now that I think about it, it does look like a honeybee. How cute. These are its eyes right?"

"No...those are its wings."

An awkward silence spread in the air. He hands her phone back to her saying,

"I'm sorry."

She laughs it off after seeing his reaction,

"It's fine. Besides, I wasn't underestimating myself. I am good at painting landscapes but not animals or humans."

"Yes, I agree. Because that did not look like a honeybee at all."

"You're being blunt now."

He shrugs and chuckles,

"It's the truth and you know it."

"Oh come on, it wasn't that bad was it?"

"No."

He beamed,

"It was much worse."

This made her giggle as he smiled. She was having fun talking to this guy.

They conversed for another hour or so and Aylin had completely lost track of time. When was the last time she had this much fun talking to a stranger? Maybe never because she never talked this long with strangers before. But he was different. He was fun, outgoing, and easy to talk to. And they had a lot in common so they had a lot of topics they could discuss.

"Ah right, we talked a lot but we forgot to introduce ourselves. I feel like I have seen you before but I don't know where or when. Have we met?"

She shook her head and answered,

"I get this deja vu as well as if we have met. But that can not be possible. Because I don't make that many appearances in public. Even today I had to come because my mother wasn't able to."

"Maybe that's why you feel familiar yet unfamiliar. Oh, by the way, my name is Axel Duncan. What's yours?"

"Oh."

Her eyes go round upon hearing his name. Who wouldn't recognize the name of her father's enemy?

~~~~~~~

Hey guys! I'm back with another exciting book for you all! I really love this book and had a lot of fun writing this.
BY THE WAY....does "Zen Company" ring any bells? If you've read AFTER THE LIE, you may know what I'm talking about. But I'll keep the link between the two stories a secret for now. Because I have a question to ask...How is this book's cover? If you want me to change it then please do let me know. Your feedback really helps a lot and I really appreciate it! 🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️
Also, If you like this book and want me to continue, please do comment to let me know. I really hope you enjoy reading! If so do comment and vote to let me know! ❤️
🙏🏻 And please do keep on reading, because there's a lot more in store for you regarding this story which will be revealed in further chapters. Thanks for reading! ^^