I wake up to the screeching sound of my alarm.
Squinting my eyes, I turn off my alarm before stretching on the couch.
Yep, I had no option but to sleep on the couch and I see myself sleeping on this couch until next year.
Yawning, I sit up and find myself cozied up in a warm blanket.
Must've been Lorenzo.
Sometimes he's so cold but then again, he also shows that he is a human being with a beating heart.
I can never understand him.
Since Lorenzo is nowhere to be seen, I take a quick shower before changing into a nice outfit for work.
While brushing my hair, Lorenzo walks in with a towel loosely hanging from his waist and I feel myself blush a deep red.
Quickly getting my bag, I rush out to the bedroom where I had been working last night and put in my notepad and my laptop in the bag.
I slowly walk down the stairs and head for the dining room to find Lorenzo's parents and siblings having breakfast.
"Nat
"Hayley, what're you doing here?" Mom said as she walked into the kitchen."Mommy and Daddy needs to fly somewhere else so I'm staying with Uncle Enzo and Aunt Nat" She answered her Grandma."Nat, do you want me to take care of her? I'm sure you have work" Mom offered."It's okay, Mom" I smiled back."Hayley, wanna go unpack while dinner is served? You still need to settle down right?" I asked and Hayley have me a heart melting eye smile.While we pack, we get along as I asked her about her hobbies, her interests and her dream."Mrs. Natalie, dinner has been served" The maid informs us and I lead Hayley to the dining room.Mrs. Natalie. So weird to hear.Lorenzo was already seated, engrossed in his phone."Uncle Enzo, you're back!" Hayley squealed."Why did your Mom drop you off?" Lorenzo groaned."Mommy and Daddy had to fly somewhere else. I'm staying with you and Aunt Natalie" Hayley said excitedly.
"Just because we're married, doesn't make us a real couple. Take it as a contract" He said in a business tone before leaving."Like I want to be with you" I muttered under my breath as my tears threatened to spill.Natalie learns that she has been promised to the eldest son of the mighty and powerful Maxfields.She has no choice but to accept reality and decides to proceed with the arranged marriage her parents and grandparents had fixed, long ago.Little did she know that she would be treated as a contract wife.--------------------------------------------------------------"You force your children to get married. Force them to fall in love as if they were key operated toys and now that they've fallen in love, you want to separate them?" Natalie questions, tears threatening to fall, her voice almost on the verge of break
Natalie's POV"Natalie. At least eat your breakfast properly" Mom scolded as I stuffed a slice of bread with blueberry jam before running out of the front door.I woke up late and since I have to take a 20 minutes drive to my workplace, I couldn't waste time.I quickly call up one of my friend's cafe which is located on my way to the University that I work in to order my berry smoothie and a soft glazed donut.Yep, you heard me right. I work in a University as an Economics Professor.I was supposed to inherit Dad's company but then, I suddenly lost interest and earned my degree in Economics and went on to teach.Now, my younger twin brothers, Jared and Aaron are studying business to earn ownership.To start off with, I'm a happy go lucky girl. I'm the second eldest daughter of the whole Salvatore family. By second eldest, I mean my cousin is the eldest daughter.But I do take up more responsibilities than she does. Sh
I wake up with something I really hate.Swollen eyes.After taking a warm bath, I change into my outfit for the day.After a silent breakfast, I leave for the University.I'm sure Mom and Dad wanted to comfort me but they did not say a single thing neither did I."Good Morning, Miss" my students wished me in the hallway but I didn't wish back, instead I just nodded with a smile while putting my head down though I wore sunglasses.I did not want to look pathetic, at least not like this and not for a stupid reason.I make my way to my office room and sit down since I still have an hour before attending my first class.The Managing Director, Dr. Collins rushes into my room."Is there anything I can help you with, Sir?" I asked because he looked like he had seen a ghost."Yes, you need to help me with the refr
"Okay, Natalie. Go and start getting ready for tonight" Aunt Christina sent me off."It's just 1 in the afternoon. We're leaving in what? 5 hours. Don't worry. I won't take so much time in getting dressed" I assure her."Karina. We all want you to look your best" Aunt Veronica said after analyzing the situation."Natalie! We're getting late" Natasha came and pulled me away.We finally reach my room where Juli, Vinnie and Mary were already waiting for me."Now, go and take a shower" Natasha pushed me into the bathroom.I forcefully take a shower and return to find them all geared up.Juli applies a hint of nude eyeshadow, nude lipstick and mascara while I kept complaining about how much I hate makeup the whole time.Vinnie ties my hair in a sleek ponytail while Natasha and Mary helped me get into the dress, despite telling them that I could
"You?""What're you doing here?" He growled.Seeing the rage in his cold eyes, I trembled with fear. He had such a scary look."Wait, you guys know each other?" Natasha and Karen asked at the same time.By now, everyone went quiet and the atmosphere felt quite tensed up."Well, we did meet. He came to our University for a board meeting. I was with the Managing Director so he must've seen me" I quickly speak up."She was-" He spoke again.I didn't even know his full name."I'm Natalie Karina Salvatore" I extend my hand."Lorenzo James Maxfield" He shook my hand while giving me a suspicious face.Oh right. Mom texted me his name. I just remembered."Okay, you guys can have your space" Chris said, sounding more suspicious."
Lorenzo's POV"Lorenzo James Maxfield! How dare you raise your voice?" Dad's voice thundered making my younger siblings flinch while they ate their breakfast."Are you serious? How can you decide my marriage without my opinion?" I belted."Enzo, we're doing this for your good only. And it wasn't us who decided it either. Your marriage was fixed the moment you were born. Your grandparents took the decision and we couldn't go against their will. Can you?" Mom reasoned."You should've told me, at the least. It's not that I don't listen to you. But I can't marry at this age. People get drunk at this age and pass out at parties. Don't you think I deserve to enjoy a bit?" I said, and I sounded really pathetic when I did so."Then is there anybody who you have in mind? Anyone who can replace the girl you are promised to so that you can get out of this marriage?" Mom asked me.I had no answer. At all. I did have a lot of one night stands but I didn't
"You?""What're you doing here?"For a moment, I thought I got the wrong person."Wait, you guys know each other?" Karen and another girl asked at the same time.By now, everyone went quiet and the atmosphere felt quite tensed up."Well, we did meet. He came to our University for a board meeting. I was with the Managing Director so he must've seen me" The lady who was rude to me quickly speak up."She was-" I spoke up to tell everyone how I was treated."I'm Natalie Karina Salvatore" She extends my hand."Lorenzo James Maxfield" I shook her hand while giving her a suspicious look."Okay, you guys can have your space" another man in his early thirties said, sounding more suspicious."Don't worry, we won't disturb you. Anyway, a different room with se