The Mate I Never Knew: Tied By Fate And Fur

Chapter 8

Jeremy's POV

I had just stepped out of the shower when I heard a knock on the door . The sound made me feel uneasy. Recently nothing good came out of late night visits.

I quickly slipped on a pair of grey sweatpants and a white T-shirt and headed towards the door placing my hand on the door handle. I paused for a while taking a deep breath before opening the door.

Outside the door were three men in black suit, one of them who I recognized as my father's personal assistant and I'm guessing by their stance and build that the other two were bodyguards.

I raised my brows in confusion wondering why they were here and what my father needed from me.

"Why are you here?" I asked

"Mr. Blackwell requires your presence at the estate," the assistant said stiffly, his voice was without any emotion.

I felt a rising sense of unease. "At this hour?"

He didn't answer. The look in his eyes told me that arguing wasn't an option, but I refused to give in easily.

"Well, I'm not going anywhere. I'm tired and I need some sleep so maybe you can come back tomorrow." I said and turned around hoping they will just leave but I was wrong.

"Young master, Mr. Blackwell instructed that we are permitted to use force if you are unwilling to come with us."

Hearing those words made my blood boil with anger "what does he mean by that?" I yelled "he has already ruined my life, I have agreed to the marriage so what more does he want from me."

The assistant didn't flinch. His face remained without expression, and he looked almost bored, as if my outrage was nothing new to him.

"Mr. Blackwell has gathered the family and several business associates at the estate," he said. "He intends to make an announcement tonight."

"An announcement?" I repeated, my tone filled with suspicion.

"Yes," he said. "The engagement between you and Mr. Damien Anderson will be made public before the board and our business partners."

For a moment, I just stood there, unable to breathe. "What? Wasn't Mr Anderson supposed to pick me up himself in two days time?"

He looked uncomfortable now, glancing at the two bodyguards. "Mr. Blackwell said it would… strengthen the family's standing. You're expected to arrive immediately."

A bitter laugh slipped out of me. "Strengthen the family's standing," I repeated quietly. "Right. Because my life is just another one of his business deals."

No one replied.

The air felt heavier as I stepped back, running a hand through my damp hair. The thought of standing in front of those people, strangers, investors, sycophants, while my father announced my forced marriage like it was a damn acquisition, made me feel bitter.

"I'm not going," I said finally. "Tell him to make his announcement without me."

The assistant shifted, clearly uncomfortable. "Young master, if I return without you, it won't end well for either of us."

The quiet threat in his tone wasn't directed at me, but I knew what it meant. My father's cruelty never stopped at one person, he punished everyone involved.

My shoulders sagged. "Fine", I muttered. "Let me get dressed."

"There would be no need for that young master, Mr Blackwell has already prepared an outfit for you".

I stood there for a long moment, staring at the assistant for finally nodding in agreement. "Alright, I'll come with you" I said in defeat.

The ride back to the estate was silent. The two bodyguards sat stiffly on either side of me in the back seat, their eyes fixed forward. Outside, the city lights bled past the tinted windows, streaks of gold and white that blurred into nothing. I could almost imagine I was heading somewhere else, somewhere I chose be.

But I wasn't that lucky, it was after all just an imagination. A dream that would never come true.

When we reached the estate, the first thing I noticed was how bright it was. The house, no, the mansion was glowing with lights. Dozens of cars lined the driveway, the kind that only the rich and powerful owned. The knot in my stomach became tighter.

The assistant opened the door for me. "Mr. Blackwell instructed that you should be taken to the east wing. Your clothes are ready."

Of course they were. He always planned everything down to the last detail.

The moment I stepped out of the car, the cold of the night air hit me. I drew in a deep breath and forced myself forward.

I followed him inside, my bare feet silent on the marble floors. The corridors smelled faintly of cologne and polished wood. When we reached my old room, I hesitated at the door. I hadn't slept here in months, not since I was kicked out for liking guys.

The assistant flicked on the light. A neatly pressed suit hung over the armchair. It was a perfectly tailored black jacket, a crisp white shirt, and a dark tie. My father’s taste, not mine. On the dresser, a silver watch glinted under the light, the kind that screams expensive.

"Mr. Blackwell requested that you wear this," the assistant said.

"Of course he did," I muttered.

He gave a small bow and left, closing the door behind him.

For a moment, I just stood there, staring at the suit. It was elegant, expensive… and suffocating. It was something I wasn't used to not even when I lived with them.

I ran a hand over the fabric, exhaling shakily. "Guess I'm just another deal for him to close," I whispered to no one.

By the time I put it on, it felt like I was a different person. The man in the mirror wasn't me, he was a puppet to be controlled and a tool to be used.

A knock came again. "Young master, everyone's gathered. Mr. Blackwell is ready to begin."

I adjusted the tie, which made me feel like an invisible force was strangling me. "Let's get this over with."

They led me through the halls toward the main ballroom, where the sound of laughter and clinking glasses grew louder with every step. When I stepped inside, every head turned toward me with gazes filled with curiosity and murmuring began.

And at the center of it all stood my father, smiling like a king surveying his empire.

"Ah, there he is," he said, his voice carrying across the room. "My son, Jeremy Blackwell."

I froze, every muscle stiff, as his gaze locked onto mine—a silent command to play my part.

He lifted a glass of champagne. "Tonight marks a new beginning for our family. I'm proud to announce an alliance with the Anderson that will not only strengthen our business but secure our legacy."

He gestured toward the entrance. "And to celebrate this, my son Jeremy will soon be engaged to Damien Anderson."

A wave of whispers rippled through the crowd. Cameras flashed blinding me but I just stood still frozen.

Everywhere became quiet the moment the moment the hall doors were pushed open and then a mysterious figure with an aura strong enough to make anyone his gaze landed on to freeze walked in but his face was covered with a mask.

Then the whispers began

'who is he?'

'what is he doing here?'

'what family is he from?'

'why is he wearing a mask?'