CHAPTER ONE

Helena's Pov

Wait!

What?

"No way. that's not gonna happen". 

I snapped.

"You can't possibly shove that man into my face like I'm still that three years old. I am an adult now and I can choose whoever I want to marry, not him".

 Jeez-

I spoke angrily as I paced the large living room back and forth and when I got in touch with the little pillow that had fallen off one of the sofas I kicked it off causing it to land heavily on the flow behind the door. I have a mind of my own and don't like being coerced into doing something that's not going to deprive me of my happiness. 

I am the only daughter of a well known gardener in town. My father was a man in his middle age who had worked as a gardener for twelve years in the Stone's mansion. We have always lived the quiet life we wanted and had not many privileges at our disposal but my father's decision to introduce me to an arrogant man as a wife was something I considered to be disruptive to my personal life. 

My father Nicholas Cole obviously didn't care if I was going to be happy in the marriage or not after all, it would last for just two years and when the contract is over we would go back to our normal lives. But to what end?

"This is a joke-"

I paced the room, taking in short heavy breaths as I imagined my life outside my father's little house on this farm.

"Look, Helena, this is not going to take so much from you, all you need to do is agree to marry him, that's all".

"Really-dad? That's all that matters to you right? The money you could get from it? What about my happiness? Have you thought about that?" I inquired.

"Baby you know I have your happiness as priority but this is going to help our family for generations to come even after i am long gone".

"It's a two year deal, no strings attached." he said casually.

He continued.

"You agree, we fix a date for the wedding and that's it."

"Yeah! it's so simple for you to say because you're not the one being signed out to be with a man you do not love". I replied frantically.

"Watch your tone young woman", he barked at me.

"Of course". I responded coldly.

"Well, I am not going to marry him". She made it crystal clear to her dad that she was never going to get married to an arrogant, self-centered, ruthless, chauvinistic and philanderer like Alexander Stone. Everyone in town knows him for his numerous escapades with women he barely knew.

"Why Helena? Why can't you do this little favour for Daddy, we might lose everything if you don't marry him".

"I turned to face my father in shock.

What did you say?

"You heard me the first time Helena, we'll lose everything I have ever suffered for. And you know this land is all we've got."

"So this is what all this is about right?" I queried as tears began to form in my eyes.

"It's about the money and the land, you don't care about my happiness ".

"But I thought you had a crush on him before now". Her father asked.

"Yes, and that was a long time ago even before I found out he's an arrogant beast". 

I had always had a crush on him when we were much younger. I usually followed my dad to their mansion to trim the flowers and mow the lawns until he traveled to England for studies and got back a few years later with a nasty attitude and personality. He used to be all nice and fine but that has changed. Still fine maybe but he is definitely far from being nice to anyone around him. 

He's the only son to the wealthiest man and now he's the sole heir to the fortune his father has for him. He is the wealthiest man yet so bossy. His title has taken a toll on him; he would walk on the world ;like he made everything that ever existed on the surface. The most annoying part of it is that useless title he adds to his name each time he introduces himself in a social gathering title. She could get freaking mad when people refer to him as a "Tiger ''.

When he finally returned after finishing his studies, he certainly wasn't the same man she had crushed on some years back. He has become so cold and stone-hearted that he is not even concerned about anyone's feelings. He is only concerned about himself, his money and his family name. That's all that matters. Once I was among the team hired to serve the guests at a business conference organized yearly by top wealthy men. I had gone early with her colleagues to the meeting and just after Alexander had finished his self appraised speech. 

I walked over to the other end of the room to greet an old high school friend of hers who had just come into town with her father for the same conference. I was walking towards my friend's table with the few glasses of wine I was to serve them since it was time for the meet and greet. I knew absolutely no one in the meeting except for Alexander's family and my old time friend and I couldn't possibly start introducing herself to the men in the room because I wasn't being paid for that.

 Soon I collided with Alexander and the wine spilled over my white T-shirt, he stood right in front of me and flashed a smirk, then looked at me as though it was my fault he didn't watch where he was going. He then checked his expensive suit for stains of wine then walked away without apologizing or even trying to check if I was hurt. He acted like I didn't even exist. 

I used her side eye to survey the few guests around me to see if they noticed what had just happened and I caught a handful of them gazing at me directly. I walked away in shame and went back to my seat at the back of the hall.

He's so cold and mean for a man his age. I despised him from that day so much that when I hear someone mention his name it makes me want to go mad. The thought of him creeps my heart, blood rushes to my brain and I instantly forget everything.

"Helena....Helena...are you even paying attention to what i am saying?"

My train of thought was broken when my dad held my arms.

"Oh! i'm so sorry dad i was a bit carried away by my thoughts"

"What's your take on it? Look, I know very well that you two are totally opposite, but remember that the opposite attracts but you two can pretend to be married for just two years till we get what we want. I'm not asking you to fall in love with him, in fact it's going to be against the contract, you go into the family for two years, we get what we want and you're out.

"No dad i can't".

"What's the big deal Helena? not every marriage is about love and you know these things".

I gave my father a stern look, clearly he isn't even ready to understand my point, all that matters to him is money, his land and his so-called family inheritance.

"My marriage to your mom was arranged even though it wasn't because her family wanted to gain anything from it but love blossomed and we had you. The only precious thing she loved until her demise". God bless her soul, he said after a long pause.

"You see", i cut in

"Well, in this case I'm not asking you to fall in love with Alexander, just marry him for two years,when he gets his title as the top lead you can opt out. That way we could get a little money from them to pay our debts and also keep the land, that's all I ask. Please.

"Look dad, I can't, I'm sorry".

"I'm dying, Helena and I only have a few more years to live". He told me.

I froze, not sure if I heard my Dad correctly.

Die?

No! 

No one is dying again.

"I have first stage Leukemia", he informed me without looking at my direction.

Not again! 

I began to sob.