Chapter One

Pearl's POV:

"Pearl dear, are you ready for tonight's party?" My mother asked me entering my room.

Tonight papa and uncle Rob will announce their new project, a shipping business actually, in which they are both equal shareholders. Uncle Rob called me yesterday and said that there will be two surprises for me. I am really excited for that.

I was wearing a violet gown with sweetheart neckline which matches my eyes and I tied my hair in an elegant bun. There was a diamond bracelet gracing my wrist and I completed the look with a pair of black 6 inch stilettos. As usual, Ryan is my date tonight and the stilettos would give me the heights. Because I love to be in the same height as him.

My mom was also wearing a gown which was in a very beautiful shade of crème and she was carrying a shawl with it. I often wonder how does she manage to look still so elegant and lovely, especially at the age of late forty.

"Mumma I am ready." I twirled around to show myself properly.

"Oh my... My daughter is looking stunning." My mother's eyes beamed with happiness.

"Are you sure? All the boys will have a mild heart attack?" I questioned her in a serious tone.

"Obviously they won't even move their eyes off from you. Ryan will think himself so lucky."

"Well. He doesn't even look at me. He is always on his phone. If I had been born as an iPhone he would have probably looked at me." I mumbled as my heart became heavy with the thought of his indifference.

"He may be looks at you stealthily." Mamma said with hopeful eyes. But it was clear in her voice that she knew how Ryan behaved around me.

"Or may be his eyes hurt while looking at me. Because I am so hot for him to handle." I laughed as my mother smacked on my arm playfully.

"Enough of joking. Let us go downstairs or your father will think that you got missing. He is sometime so intemperate." She muttered annoyingly.

"Papa loves me more than all of you. So, don't be jealous of your own daughter." I winked turning to leave the room.

"Incredible father and daughter." She sighed following me.

***

"Ladies and gentleman may I have your attention please?" Uncle Rob spoke through the microphone. All of the guests turned to him. "Thanks, as you all know we are here for a important announcement and I would like to announce that now. The thing here is, my longtime friend Mr. Altos Bennett and I are going to open a shipping business together. It will start from tomorrow."

All clapped on that excitedly as I was holding Ryan by the arm and we both were listening to uncle Rob.

"My son, Ryan Anderson worked really hard on this project and he proved himself that he is worthy to be called an Anderson. I'm proud of you son." Uncle raised his glass of Martini at Ryan's direction and Ryan nodded at him with a small smile. "I have another another important thing to announce. In this function a very close person of mine is present. She is the beautiful Pearl Bennett." He gestured his hand towards me. "Altos and I both decided to name this company on her name as she is not only like a daughter to me but also the future wife of my son." He gave an award winning smile to all.

I felt Ryan's body hardened beside me. What happened to him now?

"Thanks uncle but it was not necessary." I gave him a humble smile.

"It was dear." He smiled at me and turn his attention to the guests again. "You all know Ryan and Pearl's marriage is fixed from a long time. I want you all to know that they will be married on the first Sunday of next month."

The guests started clapping vigorously.

Ryan removed my hand from his arm and went towards his father. Well, I didn't expect that. I know it was announced all of a sudden but he knew that we will be married one day. Right?

From the position I was standing, I saw him telling his father something. But the question is what could be that?

"I have to talk to my son about the planning of the marriage. Excuse me, please." He turned and went inside with Ryan.

What the hell was that?

Ryan's POV:

I just can't believe this my father named the company on Pearl's name for which I worked from dawn to dusk. On top of that he just announced my marriage without even talking to me. I can't handle it anymore. I have to talk to him now, at this moment. So, I walked to him removing Pearl's hand from my arm. She was clutching my arm all the time. It irritates the hell out of me.

"Dad, I have to talk to you now." I said through gritted teeth careful enough so nobody hears.

He nodded at me and excused himself from the guests.

We went to one of the spare bedrooms of Bennett house as the party was held here.

"Why did you act like that in front of so many peoples. There were press people. If they don't take it well then rumors will be spread like wildfire." He snapped at me.

"Why didn't you tell me that you are announcing my marriage and why did you name shipping line on Pearl's name?" I snapped back at him.

"You are going out of control day by day. You have to marry her one day. I just fixed the date and it is on your future wife name. I don't think that is a problem." He said in a cold and firm voice.

"I am not a child dad that you can control. I won't marry her because I love Natalie." I rubbed my forehead.

"I know you like that gold digger. But I won't ever allow her to be my daughter in law." He glared at me, his lips thinned with irritation.

"She isn't a gold digger dad. She is just not like that porcelain doll." I stood straight and faced him.

"Think before what you say and she is the daughter I never had." He stated.

"I won't marry her. You can't make me marry her." I said confidently.

"Are you sure young man? If you embarrass me you won't get even one percent share from my business and I will make sure that you and your Natalie don't get any job anywhere." He smirked at me.

He isn't serious. Is he?

"You don't have any other child. Who will be the owner than?" I groaned with disappointment.

"I will transfer all my property on Pearl's name." He said calmly.

"You will transfer it on Pearl's name." I whispered in disbelief. What exactly she did to get my father on her side like that.

"Yes, I sure will. Note my words and think about what you will do. You will marry her. Am I correct?"

I just nodded my head feeling helpless.

"Good. I knew you're smart." He said giving me a evil smile before he walked out.

What will I say to Natalie? Where I got myself?