CHAPTER 2

Rosalind Chris★

I snuggled up to the person beside me and inhaled the amazing scent. I felt myself being pushed away gently and heard someone sigh beside me. I sluggishly stood up from the bed and gazed at the figure standing in front of me. I rubbed my bleary eyes and focused my attention back on the figure. I lifted the bedsheet and gasped in surprise. I slowly remembered what had happened the night before and realized I had mistaken the man for Mark, my boyfriend.

"What are you doing in my room"I asked,shocked.

"If I am correct, this is room 201." He raised the card in the middle of his two fingers. I slowly remembered the receptionist giving me a card for room 210.

"Shit, what have I done?" In a swift motion, I rose from the bed and hurriedly came down. "What have I done?" I kept repeating the question while running my hands through my hair. In haste, I threw my clothes on and arranged my hair. A card was tossed in my direction, prompting me to gaze at the man in confusion before inspecting the card's contents.

"You're quite the actress. Take the card and leave." He remarked and made a move towards the bathroom. I flung the card back at him and scoffed.

I can't believe this man thinks I came into his room just for money.

"Are you insinuating that I'm a prostitute? Fine, I entered the wrong room and I sincerely apologize... but what about the card?" I scoffed and exited the room. In my rage, I forgot my car keys. I went back and searched for them.

"So,are you here to retract your previous statement and reclaim the card?"I ignored him and scanned the room before retrieving my key and brought it to his face before intending to leave. Suddenly,he swiftly pulled me back towards him, compelling me to turn to him.

 I stared at his ocean blue eyes and fell for it,it was attractive and beautiful at the same time. He placed his face towards my ear and said;

"You appeared to have misplaced some of your manners, tesoro"He softly said, sending shivers into my spine as his breath burned my cheek.

"Manners, you say?" I shook my hands off and left the room. I entered my car and exhaled the breath I never knew I was holding.

How could I have made such a terrible mistake of going into someone's room? Deep down, I hoped we  never cross paths again.

My phone was filled with missed calls from my parents, customers, and personal assistant, as I managed my bustling fashion house where even outside visitors came to admire the luxurious designs.

As I chatted briefly with Lauren,my personal assistant at work,I felt uneasy as my mind kept reminding me of what had happened last night and the scenario of this morning,my mother's urgent call interrupted me. Before I could explain, she abruptly commanded, "Come home now," and ended the call.

Upon arriving home, I found my parents in a state of panic. They embraced me tightly, their worried expressions evident. 

"What is going on? Besides the events of last night, which I prefer not to dwell on at the moment, I haven't done anything wrong."

"What's going on, Mom? I have to return to work," I stated, attempting to move past them. However, my father gently guided me to sit down and held my hands.

I said, "Is this about Mark? I am good,dad, I will get over him, I promise," as I remembered catching Mark yesterday, which led to my mistake last night.

Mum said, "You're getting married!" as I turned to her and chuckled. "I just told you  Mark and I broke up, didn't I?" I questioned. Dad then brought up the memory of the family who saved my life during my childhood surgery when we were struggling financially. Feeling anxious, I replied, "Yes, Dad, we promised to repay their kindness when we see them again. We owe them so much."

Dad said, "They want us to return the favor; they want you to get married to their son," and I blinked twice before bursting into laughter.

"You think this is a joke," Mum snapped, her eyes flashing with fury. In that moment, a memory of the visitor Mum was speaking to after I returned home heartbroken flooded back to me.

Stuttering, I stood up and questioned, "M... Mum... what's this about? This isn't a joke." Turning to Dad, I asked, "Is this true?" Dad responded, "We were trying to explain, but you didn't give us time." Expressing disbelief, I exclaimed, "This is ridiculous... getting married to someone I've never met?"

Tears streaming down my face, I asked, "Do you really hate me so much for you both to sell me off? Do they want money, I'll give them," I added, desperation creeping into my voice. Mum responded, "You think we haven't tried our best?"

"Get your loads ready, they will be here this evening," and then she left for the room. Staggering, I fell back into the chair, my head spinning. As tears welled up, I remembered Mark's betrayal and the one-night stand with a stranger. The thought of marrying someone I had never met was overwhelming. Dad tried to comfort me, but I jerked his hands and retreated to my room upstairs, consumed by sorrow.

At the age of eight, I endured a horrific accident, and my parents, unable to afford the necessary surgery, were saved by a kind family they met at the hospital. Grateful for their generosity that saved my life, I never anticipated that they would want their son to become my future spouse so unexpectedly.

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As the sound of a car pulling over echoed through the house, I mustered the strength to stand and peeped outside my window. Two sleek black Range Rovers flanked by imposing bodyguards caught my eye. A knock on my door from Mum prompted me to open it, and I descended the stairs, having in mind to engage in conversation with the mysterious visitor. His back was turned to me as he conversed with Dad, and the name he uttered sent a shiver down my spine.

"Jeremy Lightwood," his voice rang out.

Why did he seem so familiar? And could it truly be Jeremy Lightwood, the enigmatic CEO of Lightwood Enterprises, standing in my living room?He removed his sunglasses and turned to me. My eyes widened in shock as I instantly recognized him - the man from that unforgettable one-night stand.