Chapter 3

Carson Mallory
Mirabella

             It's been twenty minutes and I was already getting impatient with Austen. I thought that she was always well disciplined, proper, and on time. But now, she's not here. Where the devil is that woman now? Wasn't she the one that suggested we go through this marriage?

I thought that she wanted to tie the knot with me badly. I was pretty sure that, that wicked woman wanted to trap me into this marriage as a revenge plan of hers. I will see to it that it will end ahead of the expected term of our arrangement. I don't think I can stay with her for a day. Much less a year.

It was pretty peaceful and calm here in Mirabella. Everyone who eats here are socialites and men who have high status. They were probably rich braggarts.

Is Austen a spoiled brat? Damn, I do not have time for that insolence if I ever marry her. I can't stand those types of nosy brats.

Glancing at my watch for the third time, I blew out a breath. Where is she? I am here waiting for her, looking like a fool.

Suddenly, I hear people whispering, pointing at someone. What the hell are they talking about?

Then, a woman dressed in a violet dress emerged from my sight.

Holy mother of god!

She is unquestionably gorgeous.

The mysterious lady looks like she fell from heaven because of her angelic looks. She was too striking to be true! No flaws or whatsoever.

Then it starts...

The other women present here in the restaurant were throwing her dirty looks while men looked at her with hunger and lust. Though, she still looked like she gave no fucks at all.

Whoever her date was, surely was a lucky fellow. I watch as she slowly but confidently strides to her table. Should I try and catch her attention? That sounds so pleasing. But no. I needed to wait for my fiancé.

Speaking of Austen, where is the girl with big glasses and metal braces? I haven't seen her in a while. Plus, she's quite late.

Anyway, I was surprised when the attractive woman in the amethyst dress, stood in front of me. Our eyes met and she took Austen's seat.

"Hello." She said awkwardly. What the hell is she doing here? In front of me exactly.

"Hello, uh I am sorry, but you can't sit there. I am waiting for my fiancé. She must be near already." I stated.

Looking at my watch, she still isn't here. If Austen was here right now and saw a woman with me, then she'll report it back to my father; thus no more position for me in the company.

She just laughed at me like I have said a funny joke. Is she trying to provoke and mock me?

"Are you for real, Carson? You don't remember me at all?" She says with an amused, sly smile.

Who is she and how does she know my name? Did I sleep with her before? Well If I slept with a woman that looked like her before, then I am pretty sure I wouldn't be able to forget her. Not with curves like that anyway. How come I don't remember her?

"I apologize but I'm afraid I do not know you at all. Have we met before? Perhaps I met you in a club? Surely I would not be able to disremember a face as beautiful as Aphrodite." I spoke, turning my charm on. The ladies adore it when I flirt with them anyway.

Well, what could I say? There was a beautiful woman in front of me and I was not going to let that pass while Austen is still not here. She's taking too long anyway, I might as well enjoy the time I have with this striking woman. Who knows, I might just score a date in the bedroom.

"Are you saying that I am vain? Why would you even compare me to Aphrodite? She is so haughty."

I stared at her in disbelief. Is this woman really getting mad at me for comparing her to the goddess of love and beauty? Who does she think she is?

"Fine, I'm gonna cut the bull crap." She gave me a pointed look.

"You really don't remember me do you?" The mysterious woman asked, fetching for an answer. Really, I don't know what's she's talking about. I've never met her, until today that is. I stayed silent, lowkey staring at her physical form. And with that, she took my silence as confirmation.

Well, I don't care even if I don't remember her. She even has beautiful eyes and hair. She's just undeniably stunning.

I must've been staring too long since she snapped a finger in front of my face. Rolling her eyes, she spoke in an annoyed tone.

"It's me, Austen. Austen Ashworth. Brace face. Book nerd. Four eyes. Does that sound familiar to you now?"

As soon as she said that, my eyes widened.

Wait a minute- She is what?

I sat there, gawking.

My mouth was probably agape and hanging loosely when she announced that she was my wife to be. Austen Ashworth.

I cannot believe this! This woman in from of me certainly can't be Austen. It's impossible! She can't be!

"You can't be Austen. You look so different from her!" I bellowed, still shocked. Her physical form was definitely not Austen's. She looked so much different than before.

"What? Don't believe me? Is it really hard to believe that I have somewhat lost my weight, glasses, and braces?"

Yes! My mind shouted. I mean not really but for she was just... Wow. I didn't expect her to turn up like this. My mind is still processing the situation right now.

Austen looks completely changed and different now. Though, she looks good today.

She really had a very lovely transformation. The gods were kind and did her well.

I just stayed silent and gazed at her. Observing her, I can't believe that she used to hide her body in those baggy clothing. Her features have been well defined and she looks effortlessly attractive.

She was like a small, dull caterpillar that morphed into a beautiful, soaring butterfly.

Austen looks great to be honest. The years have done her very well. Unlike the last time I saw her in middle school.

The naive fifteen year old girl is long gone and was now replaced by a twenty-three year old seductress. I still couldn't believe my eyes. It's like I was seeing an apparition. She had changed now. Maybe her attitude has improved as well?

I got so lost in my thoughts that I don't wouldn't have focused on things until Austen she called my attention.

"Hello? Carson? Are you listening?" Austen waved her hand in front of my face, trying to get me to focus.

"Yes?" What now? Can't she see that I am analyzing everything right now? Her voice seemed to be a little mature too. God, I needed a drink to calm me. I poured some red wine on my glass and drank.

"I have to be honest with you. I do not wish to marry you." She whispered harshly.

I immediately looked at her. Good thing I did not get a whiplash. It was so fast but that's not important. I was greatly dumbfounded though.

How could a woman refuse to marry me? Wait- I thought she was the one who wanted to walk down the aisle with me in the first place? Truth be told, Austen was the first person to ever resist me. The ladies that I have been with, throw themselves at my feet — even during middle school — and they would always demand marriage after a few months of dating. They think ahead, I know.

She sure is one of a kind. Resisting my advances is something that was greatly unexpected during my youth years — since basically, I was a ladies man back then.

"Why is that, sweetheart?" I said with a sneer. Why doesn't she want to get hitched with me? I thought this was her notion. I'm pretty sure of it. Or maybe my pride wouldn't just let me back out.

"Because you are an obnoxious, arrogant bastard, that does not deserve a single ounce of respect from me." She glared.

What the hell? Where was the meek, timid woman I used to know? I thought little miss perfect, Austen Ashworth, was a goody two shoes. Now I'm starting to rethink that. She was definitely gone now and was replaced with a woman of fiery personality.

She then continued, "Besides, I want to be wed to the man I love and not because of some stupid agreement of uniting our companies."

What? She should think that this agreement was not only for the benefit of our companies, but it was also for her protection. Having a powerful husband would have a lot of connections to keep unpleasant men away.

Well to think of it, Austen does not need a powerful husband to protect her because she was also indeed a powerful person herself. She could do anything she wants and could hire an army of bodyguards if she wanted to.

Anyway, I don't really care what she does.  Austen was just a woman who will help my company become even more powerful. Joining her in matrimony was the only option that I had to do so I do not lose my position. It's my scheming, blackmailing father who made all these possible.

"I do not wish to marry you Carson and I know you feel the same. So please, can't we just break the deal?" She asked seriously.

I guess she really took this sombrely. I used to make fun of her seriousness back then for she reminds me of an uptight, strict old lady. Maybe she was just trying to act mature. But I can definitely say that she doesn't act immature now.

Back to business, "The feeling is mutual sweetheart. I don't care what you say; I will have to go through this wedding since I do not wish for my father to get upset it. I'm not going to let my parents down. Unlike you.." I trailed off the last part, immediately regretting what I have said when her eyes flashed with fury.

"What are you implying? Are you saying that I am selfish?" She cried out as her eyes were filling with rage.

"Your words, not mine, sweetheart." I said with a shrug. I was convinced that she didn't want to marry me, ever, given that I brought her parents to the topic of our argument. She must loath me a lot.

Austen will never agree with me.

"Okay, fine! I will marry you but our arrangement is only business."

I was stunned with her answer. It was good that I somewhat persuaded her. My father would have been so proud that I got the ice queen to agree to marry me. I did not even touch her so she could agree with me.

But then she continued, "Though, I have a few conditions. First, is that you do not get to whore around when we are together. Second, you do not get to boss me around. Third, when we break this stupid arrangement off, we take back our own companies, meaning my father's company is mine. And your father's company is yours. Okay?" Wow. I was speechless with her proposal. Did she just call me a manwhore? I love sex but I am not a manwhore.

"Okay. I agree to your conditions. Just so you know, I am faithful to the woman I intend to marry." I said through clenched teeth.

She thinks so lowly of me. I do not appreciate being thought of like that, I have dignity and my standards are quite high. I don't sleep with women from the streets. I certainly do not cheat on women because not only will it tarnish my reputation but I do have some self-respect and pride.

"Now that is settled, our wedding is in a few weeks by the way. Goodnight, Mr. Mallory." She stood up and walked away from me. I was left staring at her back. What the devil did I just encounter?

She has got a fine, round derrière though.

Oops.

Too soon? She is hotly attractive but so damn cold as well. I knew that she hated my guts for what I have done to her but I could not change the past and we certainly aren't kids anymore. We are now adults who work for a living.

Here I thought she was a goody-goody. Now I can't believe she strolled out on me. Isn't that my job though? Walking out of women's lives was like a normal thing to do before I met her.

Let's go back to the topic. It's confirmed that not only her appearance changed but also her attitude as well. Did I really think that she was too good for me? That she was an angel? Screw that. I was dealing with the devil itself.

I just hope I could handle being wedded to her, the ice queen. The woman that I thought I knew — who is now filled with such passion, such hatred for me and has a heart so cold, that it could freeze the world.

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

Hello mates! How are you people doing? Anyway, I hope you like this chapter. There will be a lot more though. I am positive of that because I'm already working on the next chapters. Plus, it's because I am currently thinking of the ship names.
It can either be
CAUSTEN or CARSTEN.

Or if you have other suggestions, please comment.
Thank I've again you for giving this story a chance. Please comment down here so I can connect with you, my readers.

P.S. Check out my other wattpad stories of you have time.

xoxo
-Hannah 💞
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