Chapter 3

ACEIA'S POV

I disliked riding a public airplane; my dad didn't let me use my private jet, and I don't know why, so I don't have a choice but to book a flight on our airline. My dad wants me to be in New York in no time since my soon-to-be husband is coming.

After the talk between me and my parents about my arranged marriage, I asked my parents to let me have my freedom for just a month, and then I'd do what they wanted.

I heard from my mom that they have already set the date for the wedding and that it will happen a week from now. They also discussed where they wanted to hold the wedding and who would be invited.

I called my mother last night to ask if I could choose my wedding dress since I am the one to get married. It slips into my mind that this kind of occasion just happens once, so I wouldn't just wear any kind of cheap wedding gown. It's not that I want this wedding, but I should look extravagantly beautiful, even though this marriage is for convenience and also to clean my name.

My mom was happy after she heard my request. She also suggested that I pick my wedding dress together with my groom. How annoying is that? But as usual, my mom didn't let me say no, so I just said yes at the end.

Everything that was happening did not go according to the plan I had built in my mind. Because of my father, I was forced to marry Vasco's firstborn. I didn't even know his name or his personal information, and I don't have any plans to get to know him. But sometimes I can't help but ask myself, What will my life be like when I get married to a stranger?

Would it be heaven or hell?

Well, I will know the answer to my question. Soon.

——— 

I slowly opened my eyes and looked around. The plane had already landed, so I got up and put on sunglasses after getting my purse before walking towards the exit of the plane. The moment I stepped out of the airline, I already saw the limousine waiting for me, and I'm sure that it was my father's men who were standing beside the limousine and looked like they were here to fetch and guard me. I just shook my head, thinking that my dad thought that I might run away as if I could.

I was walking towards the limousine when a man came towards me. "Mr. Christenson wants me to fetch you."

I furrowed, looking at the man in front of me. "Who are you?" I knew he was one of my dad's men, but I had never seen him before.

The man in front of me chuckled, like there was something funny in my question. Is he crazy?

The man in front of me was stunningly handsome. He should be in prison to have that kind of handsome face. He is tall, with a body that every man dreams of having. By just looking, I could tell that he is always going to the gym. And I'm sure that all the features that he has would make every woman fall on their feet just to have a glimpse of him.

"I'm Blake, Mr. Christenson's personal butler." The man bowed and smiled at me before opening the car door for me. "Mademoiselle, hop in."

I just rolled my eyes, knowing that he is my dad's butler, so it means dad's old butler has already resigned? Well, I don't have time to think that I just wanted to rest before facing my soon-to-be husband. I don't want to face him with an ugly face. I needed him to see that he is lucky that I am going to be his wife. It's not that I'm showing off, but that bastard should know that marrying me is like winning the best prize in the world.

My dad's butler maneuvered the car as soon as I comfortably sat in my seat, and in no time we reached our destination. The moment the limousine stopped in front of the mansion, my heart was clutching. I'm really getting married next week, and somehow I felt nervous. I was already twenty-eight, but I didn't know a thing or two about married life. I hope, however, that I'm marrying will not be a pain in my ass, because when that asshole does something that I don't like, he'll see how brat I am.

"Mademoiselle, we're here," the butler said after opening the door for me. I just nodded and put my sunglasses on.

I walked towards the living room, knowing that my parents were waiting for me, as were my soon-to-be husband and his parents. Before I entered the living room, I took my sunglasses off before starting to walk elegantly. Looking at people who were waiting for me made me want to roll my eyes.

When my mother saw me, she immediately walked towards me and hugged me as well as my father. On the other hand, the groom's parents just smiled, but my brow furrowed when I didn't see my soon-to-be husband. Just the thought that he didn't come due to the fact that he doesn't want to marry me makes my blood boil.

I didn't control myself anymore but to roll my eyes, really? It makes him an asshole to have the urge to act like that, when the fact is that in this marriage I have the most to lose, just like my freedom.

"I would like to introduce my daughter, Aceia Christenson, soon to be a Vasco," my dad said, chuckling afterwards.

"That fits perfectly in her name, Aceia Louise Vasco," Mr. Vasco said while there was a small smile on his lips.

I wanted to cut off their happiness, but Ms. Vasco talked and looked towards the entrance of the living room.

"Here he is, my son," Ms. Vasco said, then walked towards the entrance, maybe to welcome his freaking son. "This is Hudson Blake Vasco, the firstborn of the Vasco Household," the lady said.

I calm myself first before facing the man that Ms. Vasco is referring to. I want to welcome him with my bratty attitude, but I can't do it in front of our parents, so I might as well do it later. I put a fake smile on my face before turning my back to face him.

The moment I turn to face the man, my eyes widen, and I gasp in shock. But it couldn't be because my dad said he wouldn't let me marry off to just someone, and it is impossible that this man can help me clean my name; it might even cause more trouble for our family's name.

The younger man smiled when my father approached him and tapped his shoulder. Then my father became serious while talking to the handsome man who was now looking at me.

My eyes got a closer look at the man beside my father when the two walked towards me. In a split second, my jaw dropped when I realized it was really him. My dad's…

The man's lips were also slightly open as he looked at me. You can also see the shock in his eyes, but he is also slowly relaxing. His lips slowly pursed with a small smirk as he held out his hand.

"Aceia, this is Hudson Blake Vasco, your soon-to-be husband," my dad said, still unable to believe him.

How is this possible?

"But he's a butler," I said without thinking straight. I just couldn't believe that my father would choose this man.

The asshole only looked at me with his smug look, greed and arrogance reeking in his expression. "Oh, you really take that introduction of mine seriously?" The man chuckled, then bowed a little, which made me annoyed. "Well, let me introduce myself again. I am Hudson Blake Vasco, the firstborn of Hendrico Christenson, the successor of Rixco wine enterprises and Vasco chains of hotels. Nice to meet you, Miss Christenson."

I blinked, still in disbelief. I feel betrayed and played! Is this serious? I can't believe that I really did think of him as a butler when it is obvious from his looks that he is not. Damn! 

"Be polite," Mom's voice echoed as a whisper.

I cannot accept the man's hand. My face is heated, and my heart feels like running a marathon.

The man in front of me is Hudson Blake Vasco, who played the role of a butler earlier!

I silently reached for the man's outstretched hand, not wanting myself to feel embarrassed. Hudson looked at me with a smug look on his face.

"Let's have a seat," my mother said, and she guided me to the seat facing the man before she sat beside me.

I'm quiet, but my heart is racing. I am so confused! I want to protest again to my parents about what they want to happen, but I can't because I'm still too shocked that this is the man I am going to marry!

My father cleared his throat. The adults finally talk about the wedding. I and Hudson just silently listened to their plans. And they started talking about me and Hudson having a child that, in the first place, I didn't even know was included in the agreement. I am waiting for Hudson to butt in and talk about our parents' agreement. We were in the same situation, but he didn't do anything!

I don't care now if all of them think badly of me. I will assert what's on my mind.

This shouldnt be happening, no!

"No, dad! It's not included in the agreement. You just said that I was going to marry him to clear my name, and that's it. I'm not going to have a child with him!"

My father just sighed and looked at me. "Aceia, this is for your own good, and you don't have a choice but to agree." After the conversation, my dad didn't even let me talk again; instead, they left us in the living room to give us time to talk.

It made me scoff, and tears started to form in the corner of my eyes.

I closed my eyes when they left; annoyance is now visible in my face. I just took a deep breath before deciding to speak. When I saw Hudson looking at me, I glared at him, ready to attack the man. The smug look was gone.

"So you really planned all of this! Was it you who told them that we should have a child?" I spat.

He sighed and shook his head. "No, I didn't."

"Liar! I know you agreed to this marriage so that you can have your way with me!"

"My parents just told me now about that, so it really means that it was your suggestion"!

He chuckled without humor. "No."

"Shut up!" I said frustratingly. "You asshole, why, out of all the men in the world, did my parents choose you to marry me? Oh, maybe you planned this because you like me!"

Hudson just remained serious as he looked at me. His jaw moved a bit, probably struggling to control his own feelings. Because of frustration, I continue to spit some shit.

"You want to marry me so that you can have me!

"And on top of that, you want to marry me so that your name will look good in the way you can gain power and connections.

I could feel now that I was heating up with so much furiousness. I want to get the vase in front of me and throw it to Hudson!

"He chuckled a bit and closed his eyes before cutting me off. "Isn't that the other way around? You're marrying me to clean your very stained name?"

I was catching my breath, causing me not to answer.

"And now that we're in this conversation, maybe we should make things clear for the both of us, shall we?"

Irritated by his arrogance and everything that was happening to me, I fixed my gaze on him.

"My father wants to pay his debt to your father. He asked for a favor in return for giving us the power and connections. And that agreement of having a child with you is not my plan; it was your father's plan. He wanted me to marry and have a family with you to save your name. I don't want to do it, but I agreed."

"You agreed because you are greedy for wealth!"

His lips rose a little bit. "Don't be so full of yourself; I don't like you! In fact, the more we progress in this conversation, the more you annoy me. Obviously, you're a kid, and judging you right now, you're really as immature as you look."

I gasped at the painful words I heard from him. He smirked. 

"You act as if this burden is only to you, Miss Christenson. Shouldn't you also think that I'm marrying a woman like..." he shrugged, like I am such a disappointment.

"Then don't fucking marry me!"

"I said I was not going to take back my word from your father. Besides, it's not like we can't get a divorce. When your name got clean and out of your scandals—"

"You fucking asshole! I am not that kind of a woman!" I fired at him.

He pursed his lips. "Well then, after a grand wedding and giving our parents a grandchild, we'll file our divorce papers. That's it."

I couldn't speak, not knowing whether to believe him. I know I won't be able to get away, especially when my father mentions disinheriting my inheritance if I don't obey. I also know that no matter what I beg, the conversation and argument will only last longer because it's obvious that they are sure about their decisions.

"And my father really thinks you're honorable when it's clear how bullshit that is?"

He glared at me and didn't say a word.

What did I expect from him, anyway? If a man agreed to marry a stranger just to get what he wanted, did I expect him to be as honorable as what my father believed him to be? Did my father not even see that? Obviously, this guy is using our wealth and power!

"You're unbelievable! You agreed to marry me because of your greed for power! Disgusting! And it's clear that you want to have a child just to give satisfaction to your parents!"

He closed his eyes tightly and felt the sensation for a moment before finally facing me. "Whatever you want to believe, then. I fucking promise you our divorce, when all of this is fucking done."

I want to punch this man for acting like he didn't want what was happening when it's obvious he likes it. "How can I believe you when all your honor is nothing but bullshit?"

He smiled without humor, watching me intently. "You really think I would want to be trapped in a miserable marriage with you?"

That leaves me stunned and silent.