MARRIED TO THE BILLIONAIRE

I cannot marry him father!” Arianne’s high pitched voice slitters through the room. She loathed the idea of being married off like some baggage . But her father wouldn’t have any of her tantrums. “It is final! You will do as you a told.” He demands. Slamming his fist against the table. “You must marry Lucian Sinclair… our family’s finances depends on this.” His voice grows hoarse as he rubs his temples. “ I made a deal with him in exchange for saving our family from bankruptcy. He wants a wife from our family as collateral.” Arianne’s eyes pop in surprise.”But..why me? Why not Isabella?” “Your step mother wouldn’t agree. Especially because of the rumors surrounding him. You know...” Mr Gerald pauses halfway through his words. It was a known truth that Lucian Sinclair was a billionaire but rumors that he was a vicious young man , who would do anything to get what he wanted spread across the entire city like wildfire. “So I’m just only valuable for this.” A stream of hot tears trickle down Arianne’s eyes. She grips the edge of her dress. “See it as a sacrifice on behalf of our family. Arianne. “ he murmurs. “The wedding is in two weeks. He wants a small intimate gathering.” He clears his throat and leaves her to her thoughts. The door slams shut behind. Arianne still couldn’t believe her ears. Walking back to her room felt like a hard task. Her legs drag against the floor as her father’s words echo in her ears. Being the daughter born out of wedlock, no one had ever given her a sign if attention. Her mother died during labor and she was left to the hard hands of her step mother. While she tries to accept her fate, her step-sister, Isabella storms in. “Aren’t you a lucky one ..you should be grateful for this opportunity.” Isabella taunts. But Arianne stays quiet. “You can act all innocent all you want. But you don’t fool me” she continues. “So what if he’s a little vicious. At least you’ll be living in a mansion .” Arianne sits at the edge of her bed, absentminded.” I never asked for it.” “But you should be happy! Because you don’t deserve anything..” She laughs and heads towards the door. “You little bastard.” Arianne feels a sting in her chest as the words lay heavy in the room. Isabella was right. She was just a child born out of wedlock but growing up, she somehow wished for a loving home. Now, the dream is all a façade because she’s getting married to a ruthless man. “What if he thinks I’m not good enough?” “What if he tries to kill me??” Wild thoughts spurn around Arianne’s mind but all in the conclusion that there was no one coming to save her. And she was to forever be doomed in this arrangement. ******** “By the power vested in me..you may now kiss your bride”. The bishop faces Lucian and Arianne. She stays still. Her heart pounding hard against her chest as Lucian leans forward to plant a kiss on her lips. His broad frame overshadows hers while his hand grips her waist. He was so much taller than she expected, with broad shoulders and piercing blue eyes. “He could have anyone ..why me?” Her words silence as quickly as they pop in her mind when his lips land on hers. It’s a brief touch yet enough to have a knot curl in her stomach. The reception party hold in a simple fashion , with few guests hanging around. A champagne glass in one hand. “You’ve saved our family Arianne...” Her father grabs her hands in his with a smile. “Father i..” Arianne tries to tell her father she doesn’t know if she can continue with this anymore. She scans the room as if trying to escape but she’s met with Lucian staring fiercely at her. “What is it ? “ Mr Gerald frowns . As she tries to speak Lucian is already steps behind her. “We’ll be leaving in 30 minutes.” He offers a tight smile to Arianne’s father and watches him nod and take his leave. While the party draws to end, in the late hours of the evening. Arianne is ushered into the black SUV amongst the long line of entourage outside. With Lucian following behind. The drive to his mansion is quiet until Lucian breaks the silence. “I had your things moved over earlier this morning. You should find your room to your liking.” “My room?” Arianne whispers.. Confused at he thought but not appalled by it. “Yes. “ He answers, his eyes fixed on his phone. The car drives into the large estate and the mansion looms ahead. As they get down, Arianne waits until he walks further before she follows behind. “Your room is down the hallway.. The last room on the left. “ he gestures and makes his way to his room. “But..” Arianne tries to speak but the door slams shut behind .She makes her way to her room and finds the décor soothing with a king sized bed to her disposal. She had dreaded the wedding night but there was a satisfaction knowing that nothing was happening tonight. “I guess its going to be me all by myself “she sighs and makes her way to the wardrobe which had piles of night wears for her. After picking one out ,she grabs her phone to check for any text messages. One particular message stands out. From Isabella. “Congratulations on your big day…we’ll see how long this lasts you thieving wench.” Arianne exhales heavily. Despite leaving the house, the hatred never stops. She grabs a quick shower and has barley dried her hair when a knock jolts her. “Mr Lucian expects you at the dinning in a few minutes.” the maid beckons as she press the door slightly open. “Can’t I just have dinner here?” Arianne pleads, pointing towards her bed but the lady smiles faintly. “ I’m afraid there would be consequences for me ma’am.” Without wasting more time, Arianne dresses quickly and heads downstairs. Her footsteps carefully measures mimicking a tiptoe. She arrives at the dinner table and slides into the seat farthest from him. “If that’s your attempt to stay away from me..i can assure you, I’ll be doing the same.” Lucian deep voice fills the room . “But during every meal. You sit close.” He points to the sit beside his. “You’re my wife. Act like it!” His words incites a shiver down Arianne’s shoulders but she tries to maintain her composer and slides onto the sit he picked. He continues his dinner but she doesn’t touch hers. “In my house you don’t play with your food. If you’ve got something to say... Speak.” He grins, already irritated by her calmness. “it’s just… You didn’t have to marry me..” Arianne stutters. “I saved your family from bankruptcy..” He counters. “Yes. But didn’t need to buy yourself a wife...”Arianne whispers. Unable to let the words out but Lucian hears. “Yes your father sold you. I’m just collecting what’s mine”. He deadpans. Arianne’s face turns slightly pink as she fumes inside but her lips are unable to utter a word. Lucian’s lips curls to a smirk. “At least you’ve got some fight in you.” The rest of the dinner continues in silence and afterwards Arianne crawls up in her bed in the room, fighting the tears that threaten to run down her cheeks. Been unable to sleep till the early hours of the morning, she decides to get a glass of water downstairs. Halfway through the stairs she hears a loud thud in one of the rooms. “who is there??“she calls out but no response. The sound grows closer as she approaches the living room . Her heart beat had started thrumming in her chest loudly. Alongside the loud thunderclap in the sky. As she peaks, the broad image of a man dressed in all black turns towards her. “Who are you?” he growls. “OH MY GOD!! Who are you??” Arianne screams. Her hand crosses against her chest in shock. ************