FORCED TO BE WITH MR RIGHT

CHAPTER 5 : Collision At College

The next morning, I trudged into college, my mind still reeling from last night’s disaster. Forced engagement. Reign. My parents’ audacity. Every step felt heavier than the last.

I barely made it to the main courtyard when I froze.

There he was. Standing near the fountain, casually leaning against the railing, sunglasses on, hands in his pockets. Calm. Confident. Infuriatingly composed. The same smug smirk.

My stomach twisted.

Then… I heard it.

A strangled squeal behind me.

I turned just in time to see Nancy clutching her chest, nearly collapsing. “Oh my God… is that....?”

I groaned. “Stay back, Nancy.”

Too late. Her eyes were glued to him, sparkling with fangirl awe, as if she’d just spotted a mythical creature.

Reign’s gaze met mine immediately. A wave of heat and irritation surged through me.

“Good morning, Daisy,” he said, smooth and deliberately casual.

I crossed my arms. “Urgh… arrogant Greek god. Didn’t expect to see you here. Or at least… didn’t expect to have to interact with you today.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You’re still mad, huh?”

“Mad?” I snapped. “I’m beyond mad! Furious! You, me, this engagement… all of it! Do you have any idea how ridiculous it is for my parents to decide I’m marrying a stranger? And you—by all definitions—you are the most arrogant stranger I’ve ever met!”

He tilted his head, smirk growing. “So the engagement is the problem, not me?”

I let out a bitter laugh. “The problem is everything! My life, my plans, my degree, my freedom - and yes, you being forced into it like some… trophy!”

His eyes darkened slightly, amusement mingling with annoyance. “And yet here we are, face to face. Isn’t it ironic?”

“Not ironic,” I said, stepping closer. “Horrible. Humiliating. Completely unfair. I don’t know how your parents think this is a good idea!”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea either,” he admitted softly, leaning closer so only I could hear. “But guess what? Your parents - my parents - they don’t care what we think.”

I gaped at him. “You think that’s acceptable? We’re supposed to just… obey?”

He shrugged, faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Seems like it.”

I spun around, glaring at him, hands shaking. “Well, you can count me out. I don’t care if they own half the world or if you’re some famous… whatever you do. I will not marry you. Not now. Not ever!”

His smirk faltered, replaced by a flicker of something darker. “You’re stubborn… I’ll give you that.”

“You think that’s funny?” I snapped. “You think this is a joke? My life is being hijacked and you’re.....”

“You’re exactly like me,” he cut in, voice calm, dangerous. “You fight. You argue. You don’t back down. I love that about you… and hate it at the same time.”

I froze, face burning with anger and embarrassment. “Love it? Hate it? Are you insane? This isn’t… it’s not about us! It’s about parents meddling in our lives!”

Nancy, still frozen a few steps behind me, finally squeaked, “Daisy… he… he’s Reign Devan. The one… the famous Reign Devan!”

I groaned, wishing the ground would swallow me.

“See?” he said, voice low, teasing. “Even your friends are impressed.”

"What friends?” I hissed. “Nancy is just amazed” I stopped, realizing half the campus was watching, whispering, staring. Great. Humiliated in front of everyone.

Before I could continue, Reign straightened, giving me one last infuriating smirk.

“We’ll continue this… later.”

And with that, he walked away, leaving me seething, humiliated, and completely unsettled.

Nancy blinked rapidly. “Daisy… why… why were you so rude to him? He’s… he’s famous!”

I exhaled slowly, massaging my temples. “Nancy… listen carefully. He’s the same man from the restaurant yesterday. The one my parents decided I’m.....engaged to. I didn’t choose this. And yes… I was rude because he… deserves it.”

Nancy’s jaw dropped. “Engaged?! To him?! But… how...?”

“Don’t ask me. I just know this - my life just got a lot more complicated.” I clenched my fists. “And I have no idea how I’m supposed to survive it.”

Nancy’s eyes widened. “Oh my God… Daisy… what if… what if he actually likes you?”

I whirled, glaring. “Nancy! Don’t even joke about that. I don’t care if he’s handsome, rich, famous… I hate him right now. Understand?”

Before Nancy could answer, my phone buzzed. A notification from the college events page flashed:

“Reign Devan – Charity Performance Tonight. All students invited.”

I froze, staring at the screen.

Nancy gasped. “Daisy… he’s coming here tonight?”

I clenched my teeth, sinking feeling in my stomach. “Apparently… yes. And somehow, I just know… this is going to get worse. A lot worse.”

Because deep down, I realized one thing:

This wasn’t just an inconvenient engagement. This was about to become a public battlefield.

And somehow… Reign Devan was already winning the first round.