Chapter 9 (Kylan)
783 Words
The steam from my shower still lingered in the bathroom as I towel-dried my hair, staring at the row of suits in my walk-in closet. Today's board meeting required sharp dressing - nothing less than perfection for the future CEO of Jones Enterprises.
Knock knock knock. Before I could answer, my bedroom door swung open. "Hey dude, what's up?" Grayson's familiar voice called out as he made himself at home on my king-sized bed, the mattress dipping under his weight. "Hey," I responded curtly, running my fingers along the fabric of a charcoal gray Tom Ford suit.
Grayson flopped onto his back, hands behind his head. "So... ran into Cassandra at the Luxe Mall yesterday. She seemed pretty convinced you two are still an item." I rolled my eyes so hard I saw my brain. "We're together in the sense that she warms my bed occasionally. Don't read more into it."
"Why can't you just commit to a real relationship already?" Grayson prodded, tossing one of my decorative pillows in the air. I shot him a look through the mirror. "Says the man who changes women more often than he changes his socks. When was the last time you dated someone longer than a week?" "Touché," he laughed, not offended in the least. "But at least I'm honest about being a player. You? You're pretending to be something you're not."
I ignored his jab and pulled out the gray suit. "Might be getting married soon." Grayson sat up so fast he nearly fell off the bed. "To Cassandra?!" "God no," I scoffed, laying the suit on the bed. "Some girl Dad bought." His jaw actually dropped. "Wait wait wait - you mean purchased? Like, with actual money? Human trafficking style?"
I nodded grimly as I selected a black turtleneck. "Apparently her stepmother sold her to Dad. Old-fashioned arranged marriage bullshit." "Damn..." Grayson whistled low. "Have you at least seen her? Is she hot?" "Not yet," I admitted, heading into the closet to change.
Grayson's voice followed me. "Bro, what if she's like sixty years old? Or has three kids already? Or worse - what if she's one of those gold-digging socialites who'll bleed you dry?" I slammed the closet door shut. "I've got a meeting in an hour, Gray. Get out." Through the door, I heard his muffled laughter. "Text me when you see her! I want details!"
Once dressed in the tailored gray suit and black turtleneck, I checked my reflection. The outfit screamed power and control - exactly the image I needed to project today. As I fastened my Rolex, an idea struck me. Pulling out my phone, I shot off a text to Lia: Hey little sissy, send me a picture of Bella. Now.
While waiting for a response, I adjusted my cufflinks, my mind racing. Grayson's stupid comments had gotten under my skin. What if she was some desperate opportunist? Or worse - what if she was as reluctant about this arrangement as I was?
My phone buzzed with Lia's reply: Heh heh heh... someone's curious about his future wife~ Don't worry big bro, she's GORGEOUS. Way out of your league. Attached was a photo that made my breath catch. The woman in the picture had luminous brown skin that seemed to glow from within, her curly hair cascading around her shoulders like a halo. But it was her eyes that held me captive - large, expressive, and filled with a quiet intelligence that no camera could fully capture.
She was laughing in the photo, one hand half-covering her mouth as if embarrassed by whatever joke Lia had told. "f**k," I muttered under my breath. She was stunning. That wasn't the problem. The problem was the sudden, unwelcome image that flashed in my mind - this beautiful stranger standing beside me at the altar, her soft hand in mine, those hypnotic eyes looking up at me with...
I shook my head violently. No. Absolutely not. I might have to go through with this farce for the company's sake, but I'd be damned if I let myself feel anything for some poor girl my father had purchased like livestock.
My phone buzzed again with another message from Lia: So? What do you think? I typed back quickly: She'll do. Not that it matters. Lia's response was immediate: LIAR. You totally think she's pretty!
Ignoring my sister's teasing, I pocketed my phone and headed for the door. Whatever happened, one thing was certain - I wouldn't let this "Bella" get under my skin. Business arrangement. Nothing more. But as I stepped into the elevator, I couldn't stop thinking about those eyes... and the mysterious woman who might soon become my wife
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