Arrange Marriage To A Billionaire

A new character

A/N A big thank you Emily Knell who commented on this story. You are the first person to comment on my story. Thank you for taking your time to give me a beautiful feedback and actually encouraged me to update today. I would really appreciate it if you guys give me feedback on my story. It really matters to me and encourages to write more.

Evelyn's P .O .V

"Nice to see you again, Evelyn." I turned around to find Ian, one of my best friends in university. He was smiling his heart -warming smile. I felt myself relax when I saw him. Probably because I already know him and I was much comfortable with him compared to the devil sitting inside the palace.

"Hello handsome." I replied, turning my back to him again. I hid a smile as he waded his way beside me, hands tucked inside the pockets of his pants.

A cold breeze blew quickly past us and I shivered almost instantly. I didn't know why but whenever it was winter or little cold, I was always feeling colder than the other persons present in the same space as me. Perhaps I have a low resistance to cold. I wrapped my arms around myself to keep me from shivering even though I knew that it would pass only after a good ten or fifteen minutes. Ian noticed me. He pressed his body against my back and his big hands were rubbing both my arms and hands to generate more heat. I was surprised that he remembered how we used to deal when I was feeling cold. He'd always rub my hands and arms like that. Actually, not just him. I was always up for cuddling with my besties during cold days.

"Today is a very hectic and work loaded day for me. I was feeling like my stamina was draining out in gallons. But when I saw you getting out of the palace, it was like my stamina is rising again rapidly. I felt so much energetic that I think I can even run a marathon now. " If Ian could not talk straightway, he always went for the second option. That is flirting in an almost poetic way.

"Hmmm. Really ? " I smiled at him innocently. "I'm glad I could be that helpful to you. "

Ian was also a businessman like everyone here. I didn't think that he would also be here and he didn't even inform me but then, why would he ? None of us knew we would even meet. We got separated when I had completed my course at the university. His courses took him a bit longer. Back then, Ian was one of my best friends. We were pretty close and there was nothing more than pure friendship and a lot of understanding between us. After I left university, we started to communicate less and less till we completely lost contact because Ian had to prepare for his exams. He was a dedicated student. I didn't get too much information about him even after his exams. He must have been really busy, I thought. He never contacted me and neither did I. All I knew was that Ian took control over his father's company, also known as The Grahams Construction after he graduated because his father's health was deteriorating and really needed to retire from work. His father had brain tumor and also had a minor heart attack. Ian has been very successful in this small lapse of time. He never wasted time, always did his work very neat and perfect. I was very happy to see him become so successful and he truly deserved every of his achievements.

But being successful also means attracting enemies and rivals. Ian surely was Landon's and every other businessmen's rival. They must be all fighting for this breathtaking palace. After all, this palace is worth fighting for.

"I'm sorry for not contacting you after I left university. Whenever I felt that I should call you and apologize, another thought of mine suggested that you deserve more than a just simple phone call. That I should at least fix lunch or dinner for us... for you... for me to make it up to you. But then, a problem would always come out of the blue and would keep me so damn busy. I'm sorry if you thought I didn't care enough about you to contact you again. But if you give me another chance, I promise I'll make it up to you. I know I probably don't deserve another chance but if you give me this one chance, I guarantee that you won't regret it." He spoke with his arms wrapped around me from behind.

" Will you give me this chance Evelyn ?" He asked sincerely. I could believe every single word he said, not only because he was so sweet and knew exactly how to convince me but because he was a very honest person and always stick to the truth no matter what. Ian had such a pure and golden heart. It made me remember Landon. I wondered what would have happened if Landon also had a heart just like Ian's ? Would our relationship have been better ? Would I have fallen for him ?

What the hell !!

Why would I fall for a person like Landon ? He was absolutely not the one with whom I thought of spending the rest of my life. He was completely different. He was bad, ruthless and arrogant.

And yet so beautiful, so charming and so attractive.

He was really having an effect on me. A strong effect...maybe even an attraction.

Huh... Opposites does attract, right ?

Just when I was going to agree of giving Ian a second chance, Landon's husky voice interrupted me. For a second I thought that I was having an illusion but when I made a full 360 degrees turn to find Landon standing, his eyes full of different emotions, I knew I wasn't. It was the first time I saw emotions apart from pure anger and hatred in his eyes "Certainly one man is not enough to satisfy all your needs and wants, right ? You always have to look for replacements in case you're ditched one day. And that is what you're doing, securing your future with another wealthy man. A woman like you can stoop at any level." Landon spat. I quickly removed Ian's arms around me. Don't ask me why because even I don't know why I did that. I was going to defend myself when I saw Landon staring at Ian and Ian reciprocating the look. Both of them looked ready to strike blows on each other.

"You lied to me to come over here, didn't you ? To your new admirer or should I say lover ? Really Evelyn, at some point today I thought that I should not have such bad impressions about you but it seems that I was wrong." Landon accused me with a hint of disappointment. Why did he have to always misinterpret me in every situation ? Why did he judge me so much ? I preferred to curb my anger and befitting answers to the new set of allegations that Landon had just barked so as to create no scandal here or give them an opportunity to fight.

"Mr Mckendrick. We are going inside now, please." I cut off an approaching heated and violent argument but I knew better that this was not the end of it.

Landon turned back on his heels after sending a last glare in our direction and jogged his way up the stairs to the castle. Ian looked questionably at me." How do you know Landon Mckendrick ? " Ian's features became strict and dark.

"Can we talk about this later ?" I asked him.

He took a pause before sighing. "Okay. I'll meet you after the auction." He alsowent back to the palace without waiting for me.

Oh god. Please help me.

_________________

Landon's P.O.V

What was taking Evelyn so much time ? She should have been already here. I took a glance at the door for any sign of her but in vain. How much more air did she need ? Hadn't she had enough ?

I glanced at my watch. The auction must be starting any time soon. Where the hell was she ? What the f**k was taking her so much time ?

Was she up to something ? I had been having doubts since I picked her up from her photoshoot. I hoped she wasn't planning to escape from here. If she was, then she may start praying to god 'cause the consequences won't be very good. The journalists were fortunately away in another room for refreshments.

Someone lightly touched my shoulder. It was Mr Wilkinson, the auctioneer. "Good morning Mr Mckendrick." I raised my eyebrows at him. "According to the rules sir, you are suppose to hand me over all the documents regarding the auction." He stated strictly. I handed him the files without giving him a second thought and look.

Evelyn was still not back yet. I decided to go and find her. I got up and sprint towards the door. Once outside, I surveyed the surrounding for Evelyn. My eyes stopped on a girl standing in the garden. That was her. But she was not standing alone. Who was he ? And why was he holding her like that ? I clenched my fists. Pure anger, hatred and jealousy are b mixing and boiling inside my head into a dangerous combination. But why jealousy ? The way they were standing restricted me from seeing his face.

My heart was racing, pumping more and more adrenaline in my blood, through my veins. I walked briskly towards them ready to pull that jerk away from her but as soon I hear the jerk voice, I stopped dead in my tracks. "....I know I probably don't deserve another chance but if you give me this one chance, I guarantee that you won't regret it." That was Ian Graham. I became furious than ever. What was this one chance he is talking about ? Are they lovers ? Were they having an affair ? Or was there something else ?

"Will you give me this chance Evelyn ?" Ian continued to plead, still having his damn f*****g arms around my Evelyn.

My Evelyn ?

Why was I feeling such possessiveness toward her ? Why was I having this strong urge to drag that jerk and beat the s**t out him ? For what reason was my temper rising so much ? What was I ? A hormone crazed teenager who was not being able to control his anger and other emotions ?

Evelyn was quiet, she must be thinking what to tell the jerk. But what was there to think ? The answer was a straight no.

I won't wait for Evelyn to answer Ian's stupid question because the auction was much more important to me than their baseless conversation.

As if you were not curious about this baseless conversation.

"Certainly one man is not enough to satisfy all your needs and wants, right ? You always have to look replacements in case you're ditched one day. And that is what you're doing, securing your future with another wealthy man. A woman like you can stoop at any level." I stared at them, restricting myself from throwing punches at that jerk. Evelyn untangled herself from the arms of Ian immediately. I had to find a way to vent out the anger which is boiling inside me but I couldn't.

I turned to Evelyn. "You lied to me to come over here. To your new admirer or should I say lover ? Really Evelyn, at some point today I thought that I should not have such bad impressions about but it seems that I was wrong." I was feeling more at angry at myself for letting my guard down. I should have been more careful with Evelyn. I knew that her mind wasn't here, but somewhere else. Well, if Ian was planning on taking revenge on me because of what happened years ago, he won't be able to do anything. I was too powerful and strong for him. He'd have to real hard time to beat me. I stared at him with almost all the hatred I could gather and he reciprocated with as much intensity.

The only real business he could have was the auction. He most certainly couldn't be any competition to me. It was a pity that he thought he could win this auction and make this palace his. The papers that I had submitted to Mr Wilkinson contained the price that I was willing to pay for this magnificent castle. I was pretty damn sure Ian didn't put even half of the price that I've already put. He was too poor for that.

I glared at them one last time and without uttering a word, I returned inside the castle. I thought about Evelyn, about the shocked expression on her face, her green eyes going halfway black and then returning back to its original color. It had been three days only since I met her and I wanted her to be both part of my life and to not be also. She was bad news to me and I couldn't let go of her so easily until I find out the real reason I find so fascinating and different.

I ignored all the people trying to get my attention on my path to my seat. Most of the businessmen here did no even have a single penny but were here for their reputation.

I sat in my seat again. The businessmen were still discussing something while their wives are took glances of me. Ian entered the castle and then followed Evelyn behind him. She quietly sat beside me while Ian submitted his documents.

Then the auctioneer, Mr Wilkinson came in front of the room along with owner or will be ex-owner. "Dear ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today for the auction of the Burgundy Palace. In this envelope that I am holding contains the name of the highest bidder and the most trustworthy and deserving businessman's name. And I would like to announce the new owner of the Burgundy Palace is ..."

I waited with bated breath to hear my name when I heard the name : " Mr Ian Graham ! " A great round of applause exploded in the room. I clenched my fists very hard as I glared daggers at Ian, who was smirking at the other end of the room as if to taunt me.