Beneath the billionaire’s mask

Chapter three

Maya went home feeling down and weak. This was not what she wanted. Why did life find it hard to treat her this way? How can she leave her fiancé she is madly in love with to marry someone who she doesn't even know? She was still thinking till sleep came crawling in.

….

“Dad, why do I have to marry this girl? I don’t like her! She’s not even my type! I don’t want to know anything about her; she is not someone I want to spend the rest of my life with!” Ruby’s voice rose with frustration, echoing off the polished marble walls of his father’s office.

His father, Richard, leaned back in his leather chair, fingers steepled under his chin. The weight of expectation hung heavily in the air. “Ruby, you need to understand that this is not just about you. You’re twenty-eight years old, and it’s time to settle down. I’ve supported you all these years—can’t I just have a grandchild?”

Ruby ran a hand through his tousled hair, pacing the room as he tried to process his father’s insistence. “But Dad, I don’t even know her! You can’t just throw me into a marriage like this. It’s not fair!”

Richard sighed, his expression softening slightly. “I know it seems sudden, but this is about more than just your feelings. The business needs stability, and a marriage will solidify our family’s position in the community. You know how important this is.”

Ruby stopped pacing and faced his father, frustration boiling over. “You’re talking about my life like it’s some business deal! I’m not a pawn in your game, Dad. I want to choose who I marry, not have it dictated to me.”

Richard stood up, his voice firm. “This isn’t just about you, Ruby. It’s about the legacy of our family. Your mother and I sacrificed so much for you to have this life. You owe it to us—and to yourself—to take this step.”

Ruby clenched his fists, feeling trapped. He had always respected his father’s opinions, but this felt like a betrayal of everything he believed in. “And what if I don’t want to marry someone I don’t love? What if I can’t even stand her?”

Richard’s expression hardened. “Love will come with time. You’re being naive. This is how the world works. You can’t always have what you want. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the greater good.”

…..

The D-day finally arrived, the wedding reception was a garden party,and boarchitectuquets from different florists filled the garden. A large,red, love shaped bouquet was just at the center of the reception.

Guests were greeted with refreshing cocktails and a selection of gourmet hors d’oeuvres, expertly crafted by a renowned catering team. The air was filled with laughter, but not for Maya, that was the worst day of her life she could recall she promised to walk through this hallway with the love of her life

Maya stood in the lavishly decorated hall, her heart pounding in her chest as she faced Ruby, the man she had been forced to marry. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and the weight of the moment pressed down on her shoulders. She looked at him with a mixture of disgust and hatred, her mind racing with thoughts of how she had ended up in this situation. It felt surreal to be standing there, dressed in a beautiful gown that felt more like a prison than a celebration.

“Look at your husband,” the officiant instructed, his voice echoing in the grand space. Maya’s stomach churned at the command, but she forced herself to meet Ruby’s gaze.

Ruby stood before her, a handsome man with striking features and an air of confidence that belied the uncertainty brewing within him. He wore a tailored suit that accentuated his broad shoulders, but Maya couldn’t see past the circumstances that had brought them together. She had agreed to this marriage out of obligation, a desperate attempt to appease her family and escape the chaos of her life.

As their eyes locked, Ruby felt a flicker of something he hadn’t expected—a slight feeling of sympathy for her. He could see the forced smile on her face, the way her eyes betrayed her true emotions. It was a mask, and for a moment, he wondered what lay beneath it. Despite the resentment that brewed between them, he couldn’t help but acknowledge how beautiful she truly was, even in her discomfort.

Maya’s heart raced as she held his gaze, feeling an unexpected mix of emotions. She had always seen Ruby as the enemy, the man who had taken her freedom away. But in that moment, she noticed the way his brow furrowed slightly, as if he were genuinely trying to understand her. It was a strange sensation, this vulnerability she sensed in him, and it made her heart ache.

“What can I do?” she thought bitterly. “I’ve already said yes to this marriage.”

The officiant continued with the ceremony, but Maya’s mind was elsewhere. She was trapped in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. On one hand, she felt anger and resentment toward Ruby for being part of this forced arrangement. On the other hand, there was an undeniable connection forming between them, however tenuous it might be.

As the ceremony progressed, Ruby couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Maya than met the eye. He noticed the way her hands trembled slightly, the way her lips pressed together as if she were holding back tears. He felt a pang of guilt for the situation they were both in. It wasn’t just him who was being thrust into this marriage against his will; Maya was, too.

“Maybe we can make this work,” he thought, though uncertainty gnawed at him. “If we can find a way to understand each other, perhaps this won’t be as unbearable as I fear.”

As they exchanged vows, Maya’s voice wavered, and Ruby felt a tug at his heart. He wanted to reach out, to comfort her, but the weight of their circumstances held him back. Instead, he focused on the words being spoken, mentally preparing himself for the life they would now share.

When the officiant finally pronounced them husband and wife, a strange mix of relief and dread washed over Ruby. He had fulfilled his duty, but the reality of what lay ahead loomed large.

As they turned to face their guests, Ruby caught Maya’s eye once more. This time, he saw a flicker of vulnerability in her expression, a hint of fear that mirrored his own. “Maybe we can find common ground,” he thought, feeling a sense of determination. “Maybe we can be more than just strangers forced into a marriage.”

After the ceremony, guests began to mingle, and the atmosphere shifted from solemnity to celebration. Ruby and Maya were swept into the crowd, forced to smile and engage with family and friends. But beneath the surface, the tension between them remained palpable.

“Congratulations!” a family member exclaimed, pulling them into a tight embrace. Ruby felt Maya stiffen beside him, and he glanced at her, noting the strain in her expression.

“Are you okay?” he whispered, leaning closer so only she could hear.

Maya shot him a sharp look, her eyes flashing with anger. “Do I look okay?” she snapped, though the fire in her voice was laced with a hint of vulnerability.

Ruby held up his hands in mock surrender, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Just checking. We’re in this together, remember?”

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a small chuckle. The tension between them eased slightly, and for the first time, she felt a flicker of hope.

As the evening wore on, they navigated the crowd together, exchanging polite pleasantries with family and friends. Ruby found himself stealing glances at Maya, observing her interactions and the way her laughter, although forced, lit up her face. He couldn’t help but admire her strength, even in the face of adversity.

Eventually, they found a quiet corner away from the bustling crowd. Maya leaned against the wall, her expression weary. “I can’t believe this is my life now,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ruby stepped closer, his heart softening at her vulnerability. “Neither can I. But maybe we can make the best of it,” he suggested, his tone earnest. “I know this isn’t what either of us wanted, but we can at least try to understand each other.”

Maya met his gaze, surprised by the sincerity in his eyes. “You really think we can make this work?” she asked, her voice tinged with skepticism.

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “But I’m willing to try if you are. We’re stuck with each other for better or worse, so why not see where this leads?”

Maya sighed, the weight of her circumstances still heavy on her shoulders, “I just need to do this for my mum” but there was a flicker of curiosity in her heart. “Okay,” she said slowly. “Let’s try to get to know each other. But don’t expect me to pretend I’m happy about this.”

Ruby chuckled softly, relief washing over him. “Fair enough. Honesty is a good start.”