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Prologue
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2022-03-12 20:25:18“Meeting someone and marrying them are two vastly different things,” I said to him quietly, crossing my arms, “What exactly is your plan?”
“I’m planning to get married. To you!” He said, looking straight into my eyes.
“That was selective hearing on your part, sir.” I said, “I won’t marry you.”
His jaw gritted so hard I thought his teeth might shatter. His voice came out in a growl. “Why are you trying so hard not to like me? It’s a pretty good deal.”
“It’s a crappy deal wrapped up in stupidity. I would rather have all my teeth pulled out using pliers without anesthesia than marry a stranger,” I replied.
“There is no going back, Ms. Lewis. The sooner you accept, it’s better for everyone,” He snapped back, his voice cutting.
“What part of ‘no’ don’t you understand? The ‘n’ or the ‘o’? I don’t want to marry you,” I shouted.
“You will accept. You will say ‘Yes’ to this marriage.” He enunciated each word slowly as if he was biting them off with his teeth.
Who is this stranger who wants to marry Anita? Will she say yes or no? Or will she finally take control of her life, or is there something much larger at play here? So many questions jam together in her brain; Anita didn’t know which to ask first. But she had to make a decision, quick.
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Marry Me, Ms. Stranger 1. Never Say Never
"What?" I whisper in shock-relief rolled into one. My mother was weeping, and my father looked at me with a deer-in-the-headlights expression. "I don't understand? You argued that he is dying to marry me? Should I assume he is dead?" I angled my voice to make it look like it was trembling to shake, and I was trying hard to find my voice. But on the inside, I'm dancing, celebrating, happy isn't the word, Delirious. I'm the happiest woman in the world. Though my sister, Lee, was consoling my mother, she narrowed her eyes at me, and the meaning was clear. Suspicion, doubt, and cynical written on it. She was trying to figure out if I had a hand in this drama. "We don't know..." my father dragged his words, not sure what to say. "You don't know? That's comforting, Dad. What should I do? Stay in the church forever or wait for him to return from the Mountains or rise from the dead?" I tilted my head to look at my weeping mother. "What do you think I should do, Ma? Do you have an a
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I walked toward my parents. “Tell me he is joking!” My mother looked away. “We have no other choice,” said my father. I gasped in disbelief. “No choice? What am I? A product you bought on A****n that you must return in thirty days?” I bristled. “No. No. Mr. King said you both know each other.” My father’s gaze flickered between the stranger in panic and me. “What? I saw him in my office when he walked past me. We didn’t even look at each other. I have no clue how he even knows me or my wedding. Is that what you call ‘know each other’?” I threw my hands up in the air in derision. “I’ll give you some privacy to talk,” said the man as he walked past us with his friend on his tail. “Have you said yes to this marriage?” I asked, pointing my fingers in a warning. “We have no other choice,” repeated my father. “What choice, Dad? Don’t be ridiculous. It’s my wedding. I’m the one who has to say yes,” I yelled. “You need to think from our shoes,” whispered my mother. “Your shoe
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"Yet you want me to marry him?" She covered her mouth, her eyes wide with disbelief. Her parents nodded their heads proudly.Anita tried her best to put on her brave face, trying to hide the pain that her marriage was being auctioned to the highest bidder by her parents, and as a matter of fact, they are proud of it. I don't want them to know that I am breaking inside. People wouldn't understand what I was going through, especially not those who gave birth to her. I swallowed the lump in my throat, "Is society so important to you than your daughter's happiness?""You will have a fortunate life," said my mother."Fortunate? How? I don't even know this man. Didn't you say the same words about Ken? An hour ago, my happiness was with Ken, and now my happiness is with the Stranger? Marriage for marriage's sake doesn't make any sense to me. Mom, you both need to stop this vicious circle of emotional blackmail. Every time you exploit my love, vulnerability, and fear to get your way. How long
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"I'm planning to get married. To you!" He said, looking straight into my eyes.She stepped toward him, standing very close to him and looking straight into his eyes. When someone tells you a lie, they will often find it difficult to look straight into my eyes, but he isn't. His eyes never left hers. Why? "Sir, there is beauty in truth, even if it's painful. Those who lie twist life to look tasty to the lazy, brilliant to the ignorant, and powerful to the weak. But lies only strengthen our defects. They don't teach anything, help, fix, or cure anything. I'm not sure your reason for marrying me, but my life is at stake. We can try and find good alternatives for you?"The Stranger raised a brow at her, clearly not getting what she meant by that."You say that we are getting married? I don't know you. One should be personally acquainted, be friends, date, visit the other person's family, and truly get to know one another before marriage. Why don't we start with dating?""No" She exaspera
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"Alex, be honest, we have known each other all our lives, and you have neither forced a girl nor fell in love; then what has gotten into you to force this girl to marry you? Do you even know what you are doing?" Alex's strange behavior perplexed him greatly."Yes,"Alex is a strange man who likes to see people in their element before putting on their masks and hiding their true selves. He had learned early not to accept people at face value and trust in their unguarded responses. Alex does not deal with business proposals for profit and is a man like a devil himself; he always knows when the truth is not forthcoming. He has a reputation for always knowing. Yet, how he knew Anita and why he chose to marry Anita will remain a mystery forever. Michael feared for Anita; she had let the lion called Alexander King close; now, he must guard her and not allow too much room for to Alex twist her into knots. God knows the reason behind the marriage. "God!! How will you answer your family? If y
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I sat in front of the mirror, looking at my reflection. Wedding! Every woman's dream. A wedding symbolizes a fresh beginning and a transition in a woman's life. Every girl has so many dreams about her marriage. About the man, she will share her life with forever.I learned from my mother that marriage is all about convenience, compromise, ignorance, and patience to tolerate each other.I blame Disney for their happily ever after crap. Now, every woman thinks they deserve happily ever after and ride off into the sunset with her prince charming in a pumpkin carriage with their better half. But after every sunset, there comes a sunrise. What happens at the dawn when the hangover of marriage gets over? I'll tell you what happens; she realizes she didn't marry the love of her life, but a man who married her to satisfy his carnal desires, a maid to cook, clean the house, take care of his old parents, and a healthy uterus with wide hips to give birth to his heir. Once the hangover of love cur
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I couldn't help but smile at my little sister's innocence. "Why do you want to help me?"She held her in with one arm, sniffled again, and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. "I don't want you to marry the Stranger, but no one listens to me. But you promised you would never talk to us if you got married. I can't lose you, Anita. I have a few friends, and we can hide you in their homes." I smile in relief for the first time. I haven't lost everyone. At least I have my sister on my side. "That's sweet, Lee. He is inimitable and powerful. And the cherry on the top, he is the richest man in New York. Going against him will be as stupid as an adult who doesn't know the answer to 1+1.""Did he find a minister to officiate the wedding?" "I don't know, but something tells me that this wedding will happen today come high or hell water.""Why is he so desperate to marry you? You gave him millions of options to get out of this." "There is nothing more dangerous than a desperate man. He h
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Breathe in. Breathe out. As my Gramps always said, if deceit and greed are center stages at the wedding, the marriage is on stormy seas from the get-go. Minutes that seemed like hours passed before Anita composed herself took a deep breath, straightened to her full five-foot-eight height, and determined to face her fate. Before she could leave, she heard a knock. It was her instant noodles fiancee’s friend. What was his name? Gosh, she forgot his name. “Anita, you look beautiful.” He walked in with a large floral box, opened it, and handed me the most beautiful traditional round wedding bouquet I have ever seen. “Traditionally, the groom buys the bride’s bouquet, right? And you look exquisite.” I blew air out of my mouth. “Why do I have to carry flowers?” I know I’m whining like a child at my wedding, but she is in the tornado’s eye right now, and she can’t see anything but her life swirling around her.He smiled charmingly, ignoring her rudeness, “I know you would ask this questi
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Marry Me, Ms. Stranger 29. Scream Or Enjoy the Ride
Anita woke up with a start. The clock on the bedside table showed it was fifteen past nine. She never over-slept. Why didn’t her mother wake her up? Her body was sour and in pain. Anita looked around the room in panic as she slowly remembered her so-called wedding. She cried herself to sleep last night. She looked around and found the couch was empty. Anita took a quick shower and got ready. She wore jeans and a simple T-shirt, wore a ponytail, and her face was makeup-free. Anita did not glow nor dress like a newlywed. She asked for directions to the living room with the working maids.When she walked to the living room, she saw Alex’s Grandma, Grandpa, Michael, Alex’s father, and stepmother having a beverage. “I’m sorry, I woke up late.” Grandma smiled and waved her hand, gesturing for her to take a seat.“There is no need to apologize, Sweetheart. You were pretty tired. I’ll ask them to bring your coffee,”“No problem, I can make mine,”“You can, but you still look tired. Sit,” Sh
Marry Me, Ms. Stranger 28. Life flashing Before her Eyes
Anita helped clean up, and when she walked into the living room, she saw her husband speaking to his grandfather and Michael while his father was sitting on the couch silently. Everyone asked us both to go to bed, saying she was tired.When they entered the room, Anita folded her arms and stood before Alex, “I know how to defend myself. I don’t need your help,”“Is this your way of saying thank you?”It was, but she couldn’t admit that to him. She still has her pride.“No,”“You are a terrible liar,”“I mean it. I could have handled it,”“I didn’t defend you.” He walked away, leaving Anita flabbergasted by his cryptic answer.Then it clicked her. Alex didn’t defend Anita, but he defended his decision to marry her in a roundabout way; he defended himself. “Here is your schedule for this week” Before Anita could react, Alex, thrust a paper in her hands.“Schedule? What Schedule?” She read through the paper, and her blood boiled, “What the hell is this?” Her voice was chilly enough to f
Marry Me, Ms. Stranger 26. The Royal Dining
Damn! She needs to learn a few curse words to survive Mr. King. She dragged her feet to get ready, determined not to give Alex another chance to mock her.As they walked toward the dining hall. She saw the whole family sitting at the table. A young girl about her age was also seated at the table with a broad smile. “Look who is here? It’s Alex and Mrs. Alex,” Teased his friend Michael.She made a fool of herself in front of the entire family. She almost stumbled but composed herself.“Come on, darling; you haven’t eaten all day.” Alex’s grandmother held her hand and took her to the lavish dining room she had only seen in the movies. The dining room was no less than a royal dining room. The room can seat about 30 guests. The room was painted in rich colors. The furniture, chandeliers, and beautiful painting adored the room. Being the show-off gentleman, her new husband pulled a chair next to him, and she sat on it, refusing to make another spectacle in front of the entire family.Eve
Marry Me, Ms. Stranger 26. Pulling Teeth
“I’m not going anywhere neither are you,”“Either that, or we’ll end up killing each other. Hopefully, the strongest will survive.” Anita raised her imaginary collar. “That would be me.” The corner of his mouth quirked into a small smile. When you can’t change things, so why wallow in regret? Game on, Mr. Rich-shiny-stranger.“Here is what will happen, you will get over yourself, accept our marriage and start acting like my wife,”“Define act like my wife,”“Oh, wouldn’t you know as you were ‘Prepared’ to get married to Ken?” His voice was like the clap of thunder. He stumped her as she did not see that one coming.“I know what you are doing. You keep saying the same thing repeatedly, and subconsciously you expect me to accept it. That’s called hypnotism, and I’m not falling for it.” Alex rolled his eyes. “Grandma asked me to bring you for dinner but don’t worry; I will inform her you are on indefinite hunger strike,”“Who is on hunger strike?”“You,”“When did I say that I’m on hun
Marry Me, Ms. Stranger 25. Kiss Me
Out of nowhere, he pulled Anita into his arms. She drew a deep, shaky breath as she tried to push him, but he tightened his hold. What is it with this guy that makes her feel like she has been electrocuted? There was an odd sensation in places she never knew existed in her body. She had never felt this way. What is this feeling? He stared at her with matching intensity, his gaze roving over her lips.Alex leaned forward, our breaths kissing each other. Oh god! He was going to kiss her. But he didn’t. His lips seductively touched her ears, and his voice came out strained.” You know real chemistry when you see it. Sometimes it looks like a burning hatred, but trust me, that’s chemistry.”It took a full minute for her to understand the meaning of his words to register. She mustered all her strength and pushed him away.“If you think your words will charm me, and I’ll tag along behind you like a dog, then you have the other thing coming” Her voice came out as a strangled whisper. Her bo
Marry Me, Ms. Stranger 24. Is it a Happy Ending?
Anita’s tears wouldn’t stop. Grandma came up to check on her twice and to leave food, but all she felt was nauseous. She had no clue what she should take next. Run away or stay back? Accept this forced marriage or fight Alex? Live or kill herself? Will she ever be able to accept Alex as her husband?How can she even face his family after the scene she made in the morning? She knew she acted like a child who wanted a doll in a mall but was helpless. In her defense, Alex threw her headfirst into this marriage. Alex, his family, his family complications, the drama, their family stature, his humungous house, his room, and even the damn bathroom are intimidating and overwhelming. She has no clue how to act or behave.The real question that kept nagging her was, what would she have done if she married Ken instead of the Stranger? If they had married, would she be acting like Ken’s wife? The mere thought of being Ken’s wife made her feel like throwing up. What did she think when she accepted
Marry Me, Ms. Stranger 23. Got the Horse to the Pond
There is an invisible blanket between the world and him. Alex finds it hard to take what anyone says. Or, hard to want to take it in. His soul is impatient with itself, as with a bothersome child; its restlessness keeps growing and growing.Every time he closed his eyes, Anita’s eyes haunted him. The fire in her eyes doesn’t hesitate to show how much she hates him. Ironic; any woman in her place would have worshipped the ground he walked on, but his wife, on the other hand, is an alien. Her eyes remind him of the ocean: Raging. Fearless. Restless.He heard someone knocking on the door. He didn’t bother to answer, as only a handful of people had access to his floor. And considering his waspish mood, no one would dare to stay on my floor, let alone step in his cabin.“Are you planning to hole up in your office the whole day or planning to go home?” Asked Daniel.Home… the word gave him chills.“Alex, Anita hasn’t left her room all day.” As expected. “Your Grandmother has been calling me
Marry Me, Ms. Stranger 22. The Floodgates Open
She held his Grandmother’s hands. “For every good reason, there is to lie, but there is a better reason to tell the truth. Please, I want to know the truth. I want to know why he married me. I don’t have time to play sherlock. Ask him to tell me the truth.”Everyone looked at Alex but remained silent, and his gaze didn’t waver from Anita. “Worse than telling a lie is spending your whole life staying true to a lie. Tell us the truth, Alex.” Demanded his grandfather. “Why?” Questioned Alex as he crossed his arms. “What do you mean why? She deserves to know the truth.” “Then you agree it’s between my wife and me. You and grandma were behind my life to get married, and when I get married, you want drama. I’m sorry, I won’t make a scene with my wife as the center of your drama.” “Tell me the truth” Anita stepped forward. “The truth is none of us are easy to be with. We all suffer from something. So when you meet someone willing to stay committed to understanding you and wanting to gr
Marry Me, Ms. Stranger 21. The Truth
His Grandmother stepped forward in a panic. "Are you threatening her?" "Just stating the facts." "What about keeping your wedding a secret for a year?" Her Grandmother demanded. "Mom, like Alex, mentioned, introducing her to our social circle will overwhelm Anita. Let us give her a chance to get to know us without pressure. Then we will jump to the next step by introducing her to everyone. Let's give her some space to breathe." My father-in-law defended, and Anita can't thank him enough for his compassion and thoughtfulness. "I'm sorry, Sir. But I don't want to stay here, and I'm not the right person to be called your daughter-in-law." "Anita, why do you hate my grandson so much? He is not that bad." "With all due respect, mam, may I ask you a
