NOT HIS SLAVE! HIS WIFE

Prolog Merline was a beautiful girl with long, curly hair and bright blue eyes. She lived in a small village in France, surrounded by lush green fields and rolling hills. Her parents, who were both artists, had always told her that beauty could be found in the simplest of places, and Merline had grown up appreciating the small wonders of her village. But when she was just ten years old, tragedy struck. Her parents were involved in a fatal car accident, leaving Merline orphaned and alone. Her world shattered in an instant, and she found herself lost and heartbroken. With no other family to turn to, Merline was taken in by her aunt, who lived in the neighboring village. Her aunt, who had never married and had no children of her own, welcomed Merline with open arms and a warm heart. She became Merline's rock, her confidant, and her source of unconditional love. Merline's aunt lived in a small cottage on the outskirts of the village, surrounded by a beautiful garden where she grew her own vegetables and herbs. Merline found solace in the peacefulness of her aunt's home, and she spent hours wandering through the garden, admiring the vibrant colors and delicate scents. Despite the tragic loss of her parents, Merline's aunt made sure that she had a happy and fulfilling childhood. She enrolled her in school, where Merline's creative talents flourished. She would often spend her free time painting and drawing, just like her parents had taught her. Merline had always been a creative and ambitious young woman. Growing up in a small town, she had big dreams of making a name for herself in the fashion industry. She was always designing and creating unique dresses, and her best friend Elise was her biggest supporter. Elise was the only one who truly understood Merline's passion and encouraged her to pursue it. After the passing of her beloved aunt, who had raised her since she was a child, Merline decided to leave her small town and move to the city. She wanted to start a new chapter in her life and make her aunt proud. With her savings and determination, she opened a small shop where she sold her own designs. It was a risk, but Merline was determined to make it work. Merline lived in a small apartment near the town, which she could afford with the income from her shop. She worked tirelessly to create new designs and manage her business, but she was happy and fulfilled. However, fate had something else in store for her. Chapter 1 Its been 1 month Merline moved to Trelec City , the city which always busy , everyone work like carzy running here and there. Most of people are here rich , mafia and some times this city be like so scary. Merline POV Merline's perspective: "Oh, Elise, please shut off your alarm, I really need some extra sleep today," Merline groaned, feeling irked by Elise's habit. It was a daily routine: Elise, a dedicated nurse, never woke up to her alarm, and it was always up to Merline to rouse her. Even at 5 a.m., when Elise needed to be at the hospital for her shift, Merline found herself playing the role of the human alarm clock. Finally, after several attempts, Elise stirred awake, yawning and smiling apologetically at Merline. "Sorry, dear, I'm just so tired, and my body refuses to wake up," Elise said, stretching before heading to the washroom. Elise then prepared a quick breakfast for both of them: toast, bacon and egg scramble, and orange juice. Seeing Merline fast asleep, snoring softly, Elise chuckled to herself. "No one would believe such a beautiful girl could sleep like this," she mused, shaking her head with a smile before leaving for her hospital duty. Merline woke up around 8 a.m. and noticed a message from Elise on her phone. "Don't forget to eat your breakfast, and don't wait up for me tonight; I have a date," the message read. Merline's eyes widened in surprise at the mention of a date. She quickly called Elise, bombarding her with questions. "Hey, Elise, are you serious about going on a date? With whom? Where? How long have you known him? Why didn't you tell me?" Elise, laughing at the barrage of questions, explained, "Hey, calm down, girl. I just met him last week when he came to the hospital with his boss. He's a handsome black guy, about 6 feet tall, dark-skinned, with a masculine build. He looks so... yummy. He gave me his number, and we've been talking for three days. He asked me out yesterday, and I said yes." Merline, concerned, fired back, "You said yes? Elise, what if he's a serial killer? Or just playing with you? After your ex-boyfriend used and abused you, I don't want you to go through something like that again." Elise, touched by Merline's concern, reassured her. "I know, and I love you too. But about Jack, I think he's a good guy. He works as a personal security guard for Mr. Arthur Lucas, the owner of LC Beauty Skin and Fashion Design, a big corporation here in France. He seems genuine." Merline convinced with Elise explanation about Jack she hope good for her friend Elise. Elise is her only one friend and family. Elise is always with her since her age 10 they played together , went school together , share strong bond, after merline aunt passed away Merline rent a apartment , she and elise moved together. Arthur POV : In the bustling office of EMX, a high-end fashion brand, tension was palpable. Arthur, the demanding CEO, was visibly frustrated with the advertising designs for the brand's new dress line. His voice echoed with irritation across the room, "Why aren't the ads for our new dress design impressive? This is the fifth time I've rejected them. Why can't they get the design right? Call the designer now!" His personal assistant, Erica, was visibly shaken by his outburst. The intensity in Arthur's voice, which she likened to a 'scary death sound', left her trembling. She didn't dare meet his gaze, knowing full well the gravity of the situation. The frustration stemmed from a recurring issue: the designer's inability to grasp what Arthur found lacking in the previous five design iterations. Arthur's expectations were high, and his dissatisfaction was clear. The ads didn't meet his vision for the brand, and he couldn't fathom why the designer was struggling to align with his concept. Erica, caught in the middle, knew she had to act quickly to address her boss's concerns and bridge the gap between his expectations and the designer's output. The pressure to resolve this issue was immense, as the success of the new dress line hinged on the appeal of its advertising campaign. Arthur stands at an imposing 6 feet 2 inches tall, with a masculine and well-built body. His face is sharp and chiseled, giving him a commanding presence wherever he goes. He has dark brown eyes that seem to pierce through people's souls, making them feel intimidated and scared in his presence. Arthur was born into a wealthy family in France. His parents were successful business owners, and from a young age, they instilled in him the importance of hard work and discipline. Arthur excelled in his studies and took over the family business when he was in his early twenties. Under his leadership, the company grew into one of the most successful and influential multinational corporations in France, making Arthur a multibillionaire in his own right. As a result of his success and wealth, people often saw Arthur as unapproachable and scary. He was used to people treating him with fear and respect, and he never bothered to correct their perceptions. However, deep down, Arthur longed for genuine connections and friendships, but his busy and guarded lifestyle made it challenging for him to let anyone in. In the tension-filled office, Alex, a seasoned but currently uneasy fashion designer, found himself in a challenging situation. Despite his expertise and commitment, he couldn't seem to meet Arthur's precise requirements for the project. Each design he presented, crafted with care and skill, was met with rejection. This cycle of unmet expectations had left him both frustrated and disheartened. "Mr. Arthur, I don't understand why my designs aren't meeting your requirements. I've followed your instructions, but you still reject them. I'm investing a lot of time in this project," Alex said, his voice tinged with irritation and annoyance. He felt overwhelmed by Arthur's demanding and seemingly unattainable standards, which required revisions time and again. Arthur, already agitated, grew even more furious upon hearing Alex's words, which he perceived as disrespectful. Rising from his desk, he approached Alex with a sharp, intimidating gaze. Alex couldn't help but feel unnerved under Arthur's piercing stare, which seemed almost predatory. Arthur, asserting his authority, addressed Alex sternly, "You know that I'm paying for this project; it's not a free endeavor. Be aware that no project under LC Corporate has ever failed, and I intend to maintain that record. You are a designer whose job is to create designs, and you're being paid for it. Don't ever raise your voice at me, or you'll witness a side of me that's far worse." As Alex prepared to leave the room, still processing the intense exchange, Arthur delivered a final ultimatum that heightened the pressure. "Alex, I'm giving you one more week to come up with a new design for the launch. This is your last chance. If you fail to deliver what I'm looking for, consider your contract with us terminated." This directive from Arthur underscored the critical nature of the task at hand. It was not just another design project; it was a definitive moment that could significantly impact Alex's career and his professional relationship with LC Corporate. The one-week deadline was both a challenge and an opportunity for Alex to prove his worth and align his creative vision with Arthur's expectations. Arthur's words left no doubt about the consequences of failure. The termination of the contract would not only be a professional setback for Alex but could also affect his reputation in the competitive world of fashion design. This added layer of urgency meant that Alex had to approach the task with renewed focus and creativity, understanding the high stakes involved in this final opportunity to meet Arthur's stringent demands. Merline POV As Merline opened her boutique that morning, she was focused on her to-do list. One of her tasks was to deliver a set of uniforms ordered by a small corporate company – a modest but important job for her business. She had spent the last three days meticulously crafting these uniforms, and now they were ready to be ironed, folded, and packed for delivery. After ensuring each uniform was perfectly prepared, Merline set off to deliver them. She completed the delivery efficiently and checked the time; it was already noon. Realizing she hadn't eaten yet, her stomach reminded her it was time for lunch. As she walked toward a nearby restaurant, she sent a message to Alice, inquiring about her date and what dress she planned to wear. However, Alice didn't respond, likely busy with her work. As Merline was engrossed in her thoughts, she accidentally bumped into someone. The sudden impact caused her a bit of pain, and she rubbed her head, looking up to apologize. What she saw left her momentarily spellbound – a man with captivating brown eyes, a sharp nose, and a strikingly long face. For a moment, she was lost in admiration, thinking to herself, "Wow, he has beautiful eyes. Is he a creation of the gods? How can someone be so handsome?" She felt something stir within her, a feeling she hadn't experienced in a long time. However, her reverie was interrupted as the man's gaze turned sharp. Snapping back to reality, Merline quickly apologized again and hurried away from the spot, her heart still fluttering from the unexpected encounter. This brief interaction left an impression on her, a mix of awe and a newfound curiosity about the mysterious stranger.