Chapter 1
Austen Ashworth

"What!" I abruptly stood up my seat and glared at my uncle Parker. I can't believe what I was hearing!

He just looked at me with sympathy.

"I am sorry Austen, but you have to marry him. It is the only way to strengthen the company. Didn't you say that its stocks are running low? And besides, his father is your old man's best friend. He was really close with your father. I'm sure he would be so proud of you if you abide his wishes." He explained.

I looked at him with widened eyes.

I felt my heart shatter when he mentioned my father. Many years had passed already, yet I still miss him and my mother so much. They died in a plane crash when they were away for a business trip. Suddenly, I felt tears pricking my eyes. I miss the love of my parents.

"Uncle Parker, I am a billionaire already! I am successful! What 'strengthen' do you mean? We have lost a few stocks but it is nothing that I can't handle!" I exclaimed.

"I do not want to marry him! I- I can't." I let the tears fall freely. Anyone but him. I felt arms wrapped around me.

I was in an awful mood since early this morning. One, because I lost a few stocks in my business, and two, my uncle announced that I'll be marrying a pompous brute. The person that tormented me in my younger years.

Carson Mallory.

Out of all the guys in the world, why did it have to be him? Why couldn't it be Channing Tatum? Even if it has been so many years already, I couldn't forget what he had done to me. I still hear of him sometimes. I've heard that he has been popular with the ladies lately. He is said to be a complete womanizer. Also, I have heard that he was now a successful business man.

I don't even know why but he had always treated me unjustly. Maybe it's because I wasn't as pretty as before. I wasn't like the beautiful socialites that crowded him. To be honest, I really had a strong infatuation towards him before. Turns out he was an arse. Though, I knew he would never go for a girl like me. Not like I care today.

When I was in high school, I had big glasses (I still have them now but I don't wear it as often as before), I had braces, and my hair was always messy. Like I messed up jungle, I swear.

That was when I was fifteen.

We used to be neighbours and we would always play with each other when we were younger.

He started to make my life like hell when I turned thirteen. It's a good thing that I left immediately after the death of my parents. It helped me clear my thoughts and avoid the bullying from Carson's little cronies.

Ah, I was so young and naive back then. I still remember it like it was yesterday.

I also remember when my parents were invited to this social gathering of some famous politician...

F L A S H B A C K

I was just in the corner reading a new book. I looked up and saw that my parents were talking to a group of powerful people. They were probably some rich snob. Rolling my eyes, I continued my reading. At least here, I find peace.

Half through the story, Carson and his group of friends appeared and did the most unreasonable thing. He grabbed the book that I was reading and threw insults at me. Apparently they were invited here too since they're family is part of this social status. The rich. The elite.

"Look what we have here, is the nerd reading her little book again?" Carson said with a smirk. And then he continued "Oh, I know what to do!"

He then threw my book away.

"Oops!" Carson mocked.

Me being the stupid person I am, leaped up and tried to catch the book but unfortunately, I managed to bump into the waiter.

As a result, the drinks fell on me and I slipped. It couldn't get worse than this since I was drenched with liquids.

But I was wrong.

I looked up to see and hear people laughing. They practically made their amusement really obvious. I guess the misery of others was funny to them.

"See? You look like a dirt rag with that dress!" I heard Carson's voice. I looked up and saw people making fun of me, pointing, and just smirking. I felt humiliated.

Tears pricked my eyes but I couldn't cry. Well, not in front of him at least. I just don't want to be made a weakling in front of him.

I tried searching for Carson. And when my eyes met his, I gave him the meanest glare that I could muster.

Unexpectedly, He gazed back at me with blank eyes. I was shocked when he gave me a sympathetic glance but then the look immediately faded and was replaced with determination. Something his eyes always does when he wants to do something.

He just glared back, holding my stare. I then looked away, knowing I might just breakdown in front of him.

You see, I'm not that strong of a person. I'm not a rock. I have feelings too, and frankly, I'm hurt.

Carson then smirked, and walked away.

I could not believe he even had the nerve to humiliate me in a party! He just crossed the line.

It felt as if our friendship never mattered to him. Shaking my head, I abruptly stood up, fixed my dress, and held my head up high.

I went to the garden and read there. What pissed me off more was the fact that my book got wet too. Now, it is ruined.

Whatever. I sighed and placed my book away.

I couldn't help but feel distracted and lonely. I miss my old friend. I miss Carson. I am so angry at him! How could he? Inside my heart, all I felt was animosity for him that moment. Everything that happened between us died when he became like that. And to a lonely person like me, it was too much to bear.

- E N D -

I snapped out of my thoughts when my uncle called my attention.

"Yes?" I called out.

He then pulled out something. I looked at him confused. My uncle then slid the piece of paper to me and it showed a recent picture of my enemy.

I froze looking at it.

Bloody hell! He was more handsome than ever!

I blushed. These thoughts will be the death of me. It's such a shame though, for he has an ugly personality.

I crumpled the photo immediately because I got irritated with his handsomely good looks. Truth be told, he always was good looking. I have heard all about his escapades with women from around the world. No doubt they fell for his devilishly good features and charm. I am pretty sure they are all heartbroken right now.

He is a rake. That is what he'll always be.

"Sorry." I flushed once more and gave Uncle Parker the crumpled picture of Carson. He just chuckled at me.

"Okay, fine. I will marry him." I calmly said but inside, my anger was skyrocketing.

"It's for the benefit of the company." I quickly added. My uncle gave me a huge grin.

The only reason why I agreed to marry that obnoxious man was because of my father's dying wish for me to be wed to him. Out of all the people in the world, why did my father have to choose him? Plus, I will plan something big. Some type of revenge plan.

"Your father would have been so proud. Anyway, you both could get divorced after a year or two. I wish you the best of luck for tomorrow; he will be here to see you." He explained.

Wait- what! I never thought I'll have to plan for a divorce. I had always wanted to marry a man that I truly loved. Like my parents, who were so in love that time, where they don't even believe in divorce.

Ugh. Hell, even my uncle was pro to this union. Why would they even want two powerful companies in support together? Then the answer hit me. So it would make a multibillion dollar company that would bring down a lot of my competitors.

I then focused on what he said. Wait a minute, that soon? I am going to see his face the following day?

Well, you can't hide from him forever, Austen. You are after all, betrothed to him as of this moment. My thoughts say. Oh.

I will have to marry him but I will never fall in love with him. My feelings shall forever be forgotten. I sighed.

I do hope things go according to plan.

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Carson Mallory

How dare he?

How dare my father betroth me to Austen Ashworth! I haven't agreed to any of this!

I do remember the fifteen year old nerd with braces. I mean, I used to like her, well kind of. She was always different from girls who crowded me. She wasn't really that pretty yet she was smart and classy.

Who wouldn't want a woman who was intelligent and elegant?

Though, I treated her badly, she still, and always will use her witty tongue to challenge me; to always use those mocking comebacks against me.

I remember clearly, when we used to spend time with each other and just play games back at my place years ago. Though she moved away to live with her uncle when her parents passed away. I really felt bad for her.

I did like her, which is why I had treated her awfully. I know. It does not make sense. It's because I don't know how to act around her before. Being an obnoxious person around her was the only way I got her full attention. I just annoy her so that I could get a rise out of her. She's very amusing.

Another reason was that we weren't in the same social status. I was quite popular back then and she was not. Seeing her with me would have damaged my reputation. Like I said, I was young back then and my reputation mattered a lot. Now, I hardly care for it.

My father said that if I do not marry Austen, then he would take down my position as CEO and give it to my distant, male cousin. I do remember the snooty, arrogant man. He is not even fit for the lowest position in the company. I couldn't believe my father would go through great lengths and would even threaten to remove my place just for me to marry that dreadful woman.

Austen Ashworth was the sole heiress to her father's successful hotel empire. She was so fortunate to have it. Though, I've heard that it was almost bankrupt till she took things on hand.

I was impressed when I read it in the newspaper. She was really liable in handling companies. I never thought she'd even have the guts and the brain to take things into matter like the hotel empire.

Though she's good, I really do not want to be married at this moment. These years are supposed to be filled with women, drinks, and parties! I do not wish to be tied down with her or anyone for that matter!

I don't even believe in love.

Well not yet at least.

I still need to find the one. But how could I when I'm betrothed to another woman I don't even want to marry. Yes, I do not want to give up chasing women for just one immature girl. It wasn't supposed to end like this. I just want my perfect, bachelor life.

Why her?

Damn you, Ashworth!

I thought I removed you from my life but now, I guess I was wrong.

You're back and now I feel trapped into matrimony.

I could tie the knot Austen, but I will never love her like she deserves to be. She is just too good for me. Austen was always too upright, too pampered, too proper. She was basically, too much. You know what they say, too much of anything is too much; it is bad.

We would never match.

I should plan on how to get out of this sham of a marriage. Why? Because I know that love will never be present in our arrangement. After all, this was just purely business. That's what it is and all it will ever be.

It was only just business.

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A U T H O R' S N O T E

Hey guys! How was that for a first chapter? Thank you all for viewing this story. It really means the world to me! I hope you will continue to support this book. I swear it gets better. Let me know what you think okay? I'm here patiently waiting for your reviews so don't be shy to comment and vote. Love you all my readers and don't forget to check out my other works!

xoxo
-Hannah

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