Knoxville POV
I gazed blankly at the stack of papers on my desk, my mind a million miles away. I just couldn't concentrate. Jasmine's audacity still lingered in my mind, infuriating me. How dare she take my car without my permission? Everyone knew I was possessive about my belongings, and that car was my pride and joy. The thought of her driving it around, touching the steering wheel, and sitting in the driver's seat made my blood boil. I was Knoxville, the one who always got what I wanted, when I wanted it. And what I wanted right now was my car back.
She's taken the car, and that means one thing: it's off-limits to me now. And I'll be damned if I let her continue to use it. You can call me petty, selfish, or whatever else you want, but I don't f*****g care. That car is mine, and I won't let anyone - especially Jasmine - take it away from me.
My mind was still seething with anger and frustration when my PA, Sam, walked into the room. "You have a lot of work to do today, sir," he said, his voice crisp and professional.
I glared at him, my eyes narrowing. "I'm aware of that, Sam," I snapped, my tone sharper than I intended. Sam's eyes flickered with surprise, but he didn't flinch.
"Very well, sir," he said, his voice still neutral. "Shall I bring in the first meeting?"
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I couldn't let my personal issues affect my work. Not today, of all days. I nodded curtly at Sam. "Yes, bring them in."
"I don't know why I just can't concentrate on work today," I said, frustration etched in my voice. "All I can think about is finding a way to make that woman pay for taking my car without permission." I slammed my fist on the desk, feeling a surge of anger.
Sam, my PA, burst into laughter, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Oh, sir, you're so predictable," he chuckled, shaking his head. "You need to start getting used to it, you're a married man now... well, sort of." He grinned mischievously. "Which means your space, your time, and your precious car won't be the same anymore."
I glared at him, feeling a twinge of irritation. "This has nothing to do with being married, Sam," I growled. "It's about respect for other people's property. And besides, Jasmine and I aren't even... " I trailed off, realizing that I wasn't even sure what Jasmine and I were.
Sam's laughter died down, and he regarded me with a serious expression. "Sir, you need to take a step back and reassess your priorities. You can't keep letting your emotions get the better of you. Not now, when you have so much at stake."
"I never asked to be a married man," I said, my voice laced with bitterness and resentment. "It was all her idea, and my parents', who just couldn't wait to invade my privacy and dictate my life choices, all in the name of marriage." I scoffed, feeling a surge of anger and frustration. "I hate all of this. I hate the fact that I'm stuck in this loveless arrangement, with a woman who doesn't even respect my boundaries. I hate the fact that my parents are more concerned with appearances and social status than with my actual happiness. And I hate the fact that I'm losing myself in all of this, bit by bit."
"Come to think of it, this marriage might actually be fun, if you put your mind to it," Sam said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Your wife is a funny one, and with her by your side, you'll never be bored." He chuckled, clearly amused by the prospect.
I slammed my hand on the table, making Sam jump in surprise. "Fun?" I repeated, my voice incredulous. "You think this marriage is going to be fun? Are you kidding me? I've been railroaded into this arrangement, and now you're telling me to just relax and enjoy the ride?" I shook my head, feeling a surge of anger and frustration. "You don't get it, Sam. This isn't some game or joke. This is my life, and I'm stuck in this loveless marriage with a woman I barely know."
I picked up my phone and dialed the number of the luxury car dealership that had delivered my prized vehicle to me. I needed to get a new car, the same model and color, and I needed it now.
"Hello, this is Knoxville," I said, my voice firm and commanding. "I need to order a new car, identical to the one I purchased from you last month. I want it delivered to me as soon as possible."
The sales representative on the other end of the line hesitated for a moment before responding. "Ah, Mr. Knoxville, I think we can arrange that for you. However, I have to inform you that it may take a few days to deliver the car."
"A few days?" I repeated, my tone growing impatient. "I don't have a few days. I need that car now. Can you make it happen?"
There was a pause on the other end of the line before the sales representative responded. "Yes, Mr. Knoxville. We'll do our best to deliver the car to you by the end of the day."
I nodded, satisfied with the response. "Good. I'll be waiting for the delivery. And one more thing - I want the car to be identical to my previous one, down to the last detail."
The sales representative assured me that they would take care of it, and I ended the call. I couldn't wait to get my new car and confront Jasmine about taking my previous one without permission. I was going to collect that car from her, and then I was going to get rid of it, once and for all.
Sam raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "You're really petty, sir," he said, his voice laced with a mixture of surprise and admiration. "Don't tell me you're actually going to get another car, just to prove a point?"
I scoffed loudly, feeling a surge of indignation. "What does it look like?" I repeated, my tone incredulous. "Does it look like I'm going to drive the car she took from me again? Does it look like I'm going to let her get away with this?" I shook my head, my jaw clenched in determination. "No way. I'm going to get another car, and I'm going to make sure she knows that she can't just take things from me without consequences."
Sam chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "You know, sir, sometimes I think you're more trouble than you're worth." He grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "But hey, at least life with you is never boring."