STRIKE FOR THE TYCOON

Chapter 1 - Deal

The room was filled with bright lights. If this is just a normal situation, I’d be flaunting in here. My mom would be so glad if I do because it can make her popular too.

But now, I don’t enjoy it very much. My mom insisted that I come despite telling her I don’t want to. Even Kara warned it might cause bad publicity.

But bad publicity is still a publicity according to my very great mother so even though I kept on posing on the red carpet, the people looked at me as if they already knew your secrets.

Fuck those judgmental people!

She said this one was important, that it could help me recover from the scandal. I wasn’t sure how, but I nodded along anyway.

My popularity is her heaven that now I have an issue, she insists me to fix it by agreeing to get married to that guy and agree to whatever she wanted us to do.

I thought I’d be able to escape him through hiding in the corner but I saw Royce Yvan Adler, standing across the room, talking to a group of investors. His suit fit him perfectly, his hair slicked back the way I remembered from the audition years ago. My stomach tightened as soon as I saw him.

He’s actually handsome and a lot of my co-model knew him. Like him even! Aside from his famous skincare company, he has a chain of hotels in the country and abroad. So who wouldn’t? Well me.

If he didn’t insult me that day and just declined my talent in a proper way, I might not feel this…hatred… towards him. He’s obnoxious and I don’t know, pessimist type of a person.

It’s too late for me to look away because he caught me staring at him.

Shit! I immediately looked at another area. Wait, what’s this? A glass?

He didn’t look surprised to see me, though. Of course, he wouldn’t. Royce Adler never looked surprised.

I tried to ignore him and focus on the event, but my mother had other plans. She came up behind me, her heels clicking against the marble floor.

“Why are you here?! You should go there and socialize!”

I shook my head. No way! And what? So they can accuse me right on my face?! No, thank you!

“Azia, go speak with Royce,” she said. Her tone was firm but not harsh. More like she expected obedience.

“Can I atleast have a peace of mind for now, mother?” I said.

“He is your future husband,” she said, her eyes scanning the room as if to make sure no one overheard. “It would be helpful if you greeted him. Royce’s mother is my best friend. This arrangement will help you both. Your cooperation could save a lot.”

I wanted to laugh. Future husband? Are she serious? I took a deep breath and followed her instructions.

When I approached, Royce turned his gaze toward me. His eyes were sharp, appraising.

“Well,” he said, his voice calm but with a hint of sarcasm, “if it isn’t Azia Blaise Velez. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Likewise,” I replied, trying to sound polite but my sarcasm really seeped through.

My mind was already working on the words I wanted to throw at him. Does he think this is going to be easy for me? He has no idea!

He raised an eyebrow.

“I assume you remember me,” he said. “From years ago?”

I did. I remembered the audition like it was yesterday. He had looked at my portfolio and said my face was too mature, not fresh enough for the campaign, in front of the executives and other models!

I had left that room humiliated, but I never forgot him. Now, standing here in front of him, I felt a surge of something…maybe hatred!

“Of course I remember,” I said slowly. I added a small smile. “How could I forget the man who decided my face wasn’t good enough?”

He smirked, the kind of smirk that made me want to roll my eyes.

“I hope you’re not planning to hold a grudge,” he said lightly. “It’s a constructive criticism—”

I tilted my head. “I’m not. I just like reminding people of their mistakes. It’s a hobby.”

His smirk widened slightly, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “We’ll see how long that hobby lasts once we’re married,” he said.

I blinked. Married. Just hearing the word made my stomach drop. I wanted to puke!

“Married?” I laughed annoyingly. “I thought this was just some arrangement your family proposed for convenience.”

“Convenience is exactly what it is,” he said smoothly. “But if we’re talking about actual marriage, don’t expect me to be serious. I have no plans to waste my time if this is only temporary—”

“Oh, don’t worry,” I said cooly. “I wouldn’t expect you to take it seriously. Men your type are never serious and plus, excuse me. I have a boyfriend. You’re not my type.”

He studied me for a moment. Then, he moved closer to me that I made my move back.

“Yeah,” he said finally. “Your type is that ma, right? Newbie actor who’s also a drug addict –”

“He’s just accused and it’s not proven yet!” I gritted my teeth.

I turned slightly, letting my gaze sweep over the room. I cleared my throat and faced him again.

“So, my mother said your mom suggested this set up so you could get your inheritance.” I sighed. “I will agree to this so I could clean my name and my boyfriend’s—”

“Tss…” he hissed.

I glared at him.

“Don’t think for a second that I’m easy to manipulate.”

He tilted his head. “As if I want to,” he said.

Ugh! I really hate him! His guts! His voice! His face! Everything!

“We’ll have a contract—”

“You’ve thought about this a lot!” he said, that infuriating grin stretching across his face like he knew exactly how much it annoyed me.

I crossed my arms, scowling. “We need a contract to keep your grounds. I don’t wanna do marital things with you. Excuse me!”

“Ah, yes,” he drawled, leaning just a little closer. “So decent. And yet…” He tilted his head, eyes glinting. “…you already sound like you’re plotting ways to break it.”

I grit my teeth, taking a small step back. “I’m not plotting anything!”

“Sure,” he said, voice smooth, teasing. “Just saying what everyone’s thinking. You say that, huh? Don’t promise it.”

Well, I wanted to puke!

As I walked away, my thoughts wandered. My life had changed so much in just a few days. The scandal with Jax had ruined everything I had worked for. My career, my reputation, my freedom—I had thought I was careful enough to protect myself.

But one photo, one moment outside his apartment, and suddenly the world believed lies about me.

And now I’m being forced into a marriage with the man who humiliated me years ago.

I forced myself to straighten my shoulders. I would not give him the satisfaction of seeing me panic. I would play along, and I would survive. I always did.

Jax said he didn’t do it. I believed him. Now, he’s in a custody for investigation. I don’t know why it took so long but as much as I want to talk to him again, the public eye is still on me. I can’t do wrong again.

This is just the beginning, Azia. One year. One year of pretending, one year of surviving, one year of him being Royce Adler. And after that, we walk away. I will be back to have Jax again. That’s it.