The Tycoon Secret Bride

Episode3

External pov

"And you're sure he's Italian?" Lucas asked Samantha as he passed the washed dish over to her to rinse and dry. "Definitely, there was an accent," Samantha confirmed. "Sam, when we met, you thought I was Portuguese! I don't think you have the talent to detect accents," Lucas joked, and Samantha playfully hit him on the arm. "Don't be mean! The point is, he's probably some fancy businessman here to do business. He was just being nice." Samantha smiled as she placed the dry dish on the plate rack. "Oh honey. Don't feel bad. I'm sure out there is a handsome Italian who can't wait to sweep you off your feet'' Lucas assured, and Samantha stared at him, "Really!?" And they burst into laughter.

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"Mr Montgomery. Daphne Evans is here," John, Montgomery's Butler, said as Daphne walked in wearing a pretty skirt and blouse.

"Henry, it's good to see you again." Daphne smiled. "I'm sure. How've you been? Please sit; the maid will serve you some refreshments," Henry said, giving her the nicest smile he could muster as he sat down beside her on the sofa, making sure to maintain his distance.

"So... we can't just be staring at each other; we have to get to know one another if we are to be married soon. So tell me about yourself." Henry started trying to be nice. "Well, my father died when I was very young, so there's that. Thank goodness he left us a fortune." Daphne chuckled dryly. "I'm sure. Your mother seemed to have done a fine job raising her children," Henry smiled. "She did. Well, I like to think she did. You don't like me very much, so I suppose I'm not up to standard." Daphne smiled sadly, pouting. Henry internally groaned at how internally guilty she already made him feel. He didn't mean to make her feel bad. "It's not you. You seem like a smart, beautiful woman, I'm sure, but..." He sighed. "I understand I've been forced on you. It's not like you wanted to be married to me." Daphne said, smiling comfortingly. Maybe she's not as dumb as he thought she was. She is pretty and apparently a bit smarter than he thought. Maybe she won't be such a bad wife. If not lovers, at least they could be friends. "Listen, Daphne, I'm not looking for love from you. I doubt I'd ever find it, and I don't believe in it. You shouldn't expect it from me either. If that's what you want, I can't give it to you." He confessed, staring at her tactically. Daphne stared long and hard for a moment, then sighed.

"I understand. I don't expect love from you. I don't need love; it's unnecessary. I will do my duties as a wife accurately. I will assist you in your business, support you in social functions, and deal with the minor levels of businesses that do not necessarily concern you. In return, all I require is stability. I want a man who can offer me protection and safety. I want someone who respects me and values my opinion. I will give you an heir if you so wish. That is why I want to marry you, Mr. Henry Montgomery." Daphne finally spoke, breathing hard from her lack of breath.

"You're not as simple as I had thought, Ms. Evans." Henry smirked. "I must take my leave now. I have business to attend to." Henry smiled respectfully as they both stood. "I must leave as well." Daphne smiled. "I'm glad we've both come to an understanding, Daphne." Henry smiled as he walked away. Maybe she won't be so bad after all.

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"And you're sure he's Italian?" Charlotte Pemberton, Samantha's other best friend, asked as she sipped the hot cocoa, sat on the sofa, and put her legs up on the dining table.

"¡¡Ay!! Lola!! Saca tus pies sucios de la mesa de mi mamá."

(Ayy!! Lola!!! Get your dirty feet off my mama's table, Lucas screamed, swatting Lola's leg off the dining room. "Oh, please, these are Louboutins; they can buy your mama's table." Lola laughed as she put her legs down. "As I was saying!!!" Samantha coughed, bringing attention back to her. "He looks like someone we went to school with. Remember when I still went to RHEA?" Samantha said. "Before you dropped out and went to the community school like us other humans," Lucas teased, and Lola frowned at him as Samantha went quiet in pain. "s**t! I'm sorry, Sam. Lo siento mucho, no te enojes cariño." (I'm sorry, don't be sad, sweetheart.) Lucas apologized. "I'm fine, guys; it's nothing. So did you bring the yearbook, Lola?" Samantha smiled. "Oh, Sammie Caro (Sammie dear), you know I'd do anything for you." Lola cooed as she brought out the big yearbook and slammed it in the dining room. "Hey!!! Careful! Some of us don't have money to buy new tables, yunno!!" Lucas whined. Samantha grabbed the book and opened it from the first page. "This is two years before our year?" Samantha asked. "Yup. I know the whereabouts of everyone from our year and the previous year. And no one is in Ridgewood, trust me." Lola assured. Samantha nodded and opened the 2012 RIDGEWOOD HEIGHTS ELITE ACADEMY (RHEA) yearbook. She scrolled through the faces. "Do you see him?" Lola and Lucas asked in unison. "Not yet," Samantha murmured as she kept searching. "Now?" Lucas asked, peeking into the book. "¡Ay caramba! Lucas siéntate... ¡Mierda! ¡¡Lo encontré!!" (Oh no! Lucas, sit down. s**t!! I found him! "I found him!" Samantha laughed. "Lemme see!" Lola snatched the nook out of Lucas's hands as he frowned. "Henry Montgomery? You're joking," Lola said flatly. "No. I did see him. I'm serious, lols," Samantha confirmed. "The Montgomery's haven't set foot in Ridgewood Heights since 2015, after Henry's mother died." Lola said it as a matter of fact. "But he was." Samantha pressed. "I'm not saying he's not. I'm just curious as to what could've brought Henry back here. I know his father retired back here last year after handing over MII to Henry." Lola said. "Maybe he came to see his father," Lucas suggested, and Lola laughed dryly. "Henry and his father hate each other. He would never willingly come to see his father, even if the old man was dying," Lola said. "Well, then it's obviously fate!" Lucas said. "Our Sam is obviously destined to be with this Montgomery billionaire guy." Lucas shrugged and smirked.

Fate? Does fate really exist? Samantha thought quietly.