The Billionaire’s Unchosen Bride

The night was still serene at Antonio's mansion in the heart of Los Angeles, California, USA. Rojas and his girlfriend, Chloe, were making out in the room when he heard a scream that emanated from the living room. “What's that sound? I want to go check it out,” Rojas discontinued as Chloe clutched his shirt to stop him. ”What the heck are you doing? It might be a set-up. I can't believe you want to ruin this perfect moment! Gosh! I should have known you never loved me.” "Ruin? Damn! You're so preposterous. I am going out there to see who's at the door, and don't you dare stop me,” Rojas shoved Chloe to the bed and scampered to the living room. He is the managing director of his father's company, Glazo Group, and heir apparent to a billionaire empire. Despite being the eldest son, his father had always loved Romeo, his second son, more due to Rojas's incompetence, mischievousness, and wayward lifestyle. Antonio often ponders if Rojas is his biological son. His behavior is quite distinct from everyone else’s. "Hey, who are you and what do you want?” Rojas questioned as he grabbed a bottle of wine and yearned to defend himself from an impending danger. "It's me, Alejandro. The company's chief security guard. I must see him immediately.” Alejandro shouted from the outside, panting heavily as if he had run into a ghost. Rojas was apprehensive as he imagined what Alejandro was doing outside at that odd hour. The last time he checked, he was presumed to be at the company's premises, securing it from hoodlums. It took him a few minutes before deciding to let Alejandro in. "Where's your father? I wish to see him,” he gagged for fresh breath and plunged to the ground pathetically. Despite the air conditioner being on, sweat poured off his body, soaking through his clothes. It was obvious he had been running for over thirty minutes. "Take a chill pill, Old Man. You can still talk to me about it, right?” Rojas demanded, but Alejandro forbade. “No. I need to see your father instead. Please go inside and get him. It’s very urgent.” He requested. He doesn't think Rojas is spirited enough to handle the situation on the ground. After the prolonged silence, Rojas finally relented and rushed inside to fetch his father. “Dad, Alejandro is here to see you,” Rojas said as he rushed into his father’s room, having found the door open. “You know how much I hate being disturbed from my sleep. What’s so important that it couldn’t wait until tomorrow?” Antonio fumed. "I don't know what he wants. Maybe you should come check him out yourself," Rojas said. "This shouldn't happen next time. I won't accept it," Antonio hissed. He was already boiling in rage as he put on his pajamas and stepped into the living room, only to find Alejandro seated on the ground wailing like a pathetic widow. The moment he saw Antonio, he hurried toward him and clutched his shirt. “Please… forgive me. I’ve wronged you, and now my whole world is falling apart.” Antonio was lost. He glanced at his son, Rojas, silently demanding an explanation for the drama unfolding before him. “I know that look, Dad. I know nothing about this! He's refusing to speak until he sees you,” Rojas vindicated himself and tucked his arms. "Now you're going to speak up before I have you thrown out of this house this very minute. Did you realize you just disturbed my endearing slumber? Now spill whatever gibberish you've got before I lose my temper,” he got infuriated and frightened Alejandro. He hasn't disclosed anything yet, but Antonio already wants his heart ripped off. "There was a robbery at the company an hour ago. I just can't elucidate what occurred,” finally, Alejandro uttered and faced the ground in guilt. Rojas and his father were stunned, unable to believe what they had just heard. For a moment, it felt like a dream or a wild hallucination, but it wasn’t. It was the harsh reality staring them in the face. "Can you be more specific? I lost a few brain cells trying to understand you. I can't seem to wrap my head around it. You need to start talking at this moment,” Antonio interrogated Alejandro with a baritone voice and pushed him to the ground. He felt like sniffing the life out of Alejandro and dumping his body in the Ocean. It was tricky for him to accept. Where will he start? One minute, his company was on the verge of becoming the largest cosmetic company in Los Angeles, California, and the next minute, he was on the verge of losing millions of dollars. The family might as well go bankrupt if drastic action isn't taken. "I wasn't so sure how it happened. This evening I arrived at work, then suddenly I fell asleep. The next minute, I woke up among armed men who had their faces all covered in masks. They pointed a gun at my head and threatened me to drop the keys to the warehouse. I got so terrified and obeyed. Right in my presence, they emptied the warehouse and carted away with all the raw materials and equipment meant for production,” he explained with both knees on the ground. He's so embarrassed to even stare at Antonio in the eyes, not after what he has done. "You know apologies won't restore my losses, right? Now tell me, how would you like your jail term? 10 years, life imprisonment, or death by hanging? Because when I'm done, you would look good in a prison uniform,” Antonio threatened and instructed Antonio to call the cops and get Alejandro arrested. “Please, sir. Consider Matilda, my only daughter. She might kill herself if she ever finds out about this,” Alejandro pleaded and scrubbed the ground with his body and wept bitterly. Even after all the harm Alejandro had brought upon the company, Antonio still held a tiny shred of pity for him. “Rojas, hold on a second. I've got a plan,” he halted his son, who was on the verge of calling the cops. "I still don't get it, Dad. Let's get this man locked up in jail immediately. Why the sudden empathy?” Rojas was furious at his Dad for the halt. He just can't wait to see Alejandro rot in jail. Antonio headed for the bar, poured a slight portion of tequila into his glass, and returned to Alejandro, saying, “I want my son to get married to Matilda, your daughter. That's the only way out of this mess. Now listen well. I'm not seeking your permission; it's an order, and you're not allowed to go home and think about it, too. But trust me, if your daughter forbids, she might as well start getting your funeral ready because she'll never see your filthy ass again,” He threatened. "But why my daughter? What has she done? She's innocent. Please don't make her pay for my crime,” Alejandro pleaded, but it fell on deaf ears. “My decision is final, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Now leave.” Alejandro was chased out like a housefly. Rojas stood and watched while all of this happened. He thought it was his kid brother, Romeo, getting married to Matilda until something prompted him to make clear, “Dad, are you sure Romeo would like her? I mean, they stink with poverty!” "Son, it's not him, it's you. You don't even have anyone in your life right now, do you? And I hope you do not consider Chloe a wife material?” Antonio reaffirmed and left Rojas in shambles. Everything seemed like a movie to him. He lacked the right words to portray how he felt right now. "But....but I'm not inclined to marry. Besides, I don't even love this so-called Matilda. Dad, for goodness’ sake, we are not in the 90s. How do I even explain this to Chloe?” Rojas yelled at his Dad as the two almost came to blows. "You've got a few days to walk down the aisle with Matilda or consider yourself excluded from the family's inheritance. I'll allot all your inheritance to your younger brother, Romeo. You'd stop being the managing director of Glazo Group if you chose to disobey my orders. Just look at you. You're nothing but a complete disappointment to the family. At age 28, you still dwell under my roof while your brother has already gotten himself an apartment. I just wish your mom was…" "Oh, don't you dare speak ill of my mom? Take her name out of your mouth,” Rojas fumed at his Dad and was rewarded with a thunderous slap. He caressed his cheeks in anger and returned to his room only to find Chloe packing her stuff and set to leave the house. "What are you doing?” he asked her. "I presume you're not blind, are you? I overheard everything. I'd rather sleep in my apartment tonight. I can't stand the heat,” she wailed as she attempted to exit the room with her luggage. "Wait, it's not safe out there. It's almost 11 pm. You might get hurt or something. Please stay for the night. We can still discuss this, right?” he pleaded and grabbed her box. "There's nothing to discuss. Didn't you hear the conditions? You'd be stripped of your inheritance. You're not that stupid to choose me over fortune, right? What I don't understand is why your Dad keeps controlling you as though you were a kid. I can't take this. I'd be back when the drama ends. But right now, I'm out of this place,” she wept like a child and departed. All efforts to make her stay proved abortive.