3.

Lexi’s POV

“What?” My jaw dropped alongside the shoes I had with me. What does he mean I’m getting married and why am I just getting to know about it?

“I’m getting married?” I asked, wanting to be sure if I really heard what he said and it’s not just my ears playing tricks on me.

“Yes, you are getting married and it will happen in three days time, you will meet his family and you will be nice to all of them.” He answered, I knew that he’d already said the most that he’s going to say but there’s no way I’m going to agree to this.

My eyes were fixated on his face and for once I wanted him to tell me that it was a joke but It doesn’t seem like one because he looked dead serious.

“You don’t really have much of a choice,” he started as he turned to face me properly, “you’re already a disappointment to me, your father and I know that your mother also isn’t proud of you.” He finished.

He’s back to hurting me with his words, my chest hurt and it felt as though there was a dagger twisting inside me.

“You either marry him or you marry him, the choice is yours. You can choose to be useless or you can choose to save the family.” He finished and I just stood there motionless.

I wasn’t saving any family, he wanted me to save him. His job hasn’t been doing so well and selling me off to the Volkov’s family will be just the right way to get himself back in business.

They’re the biggest distillers in the entire world and not only that, they also own the biggest clothing company.

No one has ever really seen this Ivanović and I had no idea how he does it but even none of his pictures are on the internet, he seems like a mystery.

I can’t do this, I can’t get married to a man that not only I know nothing about, the entire country knows nothing about him too.

I’ve let Jack get me to do so many things but getting married to a man that I would probably hate is not going to be one of it so I made up my mind to speak up and show my disapproval.

“You know, I’ve had enough of you pushing me around like I’m a fucking child!” I spurted at him as he raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“I don’t care if your business is running under, I don’t care if you’re going bankrupt all I care is that I’m not going to get sold off to someone I don’t know like I’m some sort of slave! I’m moving out!” I yelled firmly as I stood my ground.

“You don’t want to dare me,” I heard his disdainful voice as I turned to rush to my room, causing me to stop in my tracks as I slowly turned to look at him and his eyes were blazing with anger.

“You will go upstairs,” he started as he walked closer and stopped in front of me, choking me and not caring if I’m unable to breathe.

“Get ready before they get here and you will meet your in-laws.” The words grounded against his teeth as they came out, causing my heart to beat loudly and fear took over me as he released me from his grip.

Without saying a word, I ran as fast as my legs could carry me to my room without minding the soreness between them.

Getting to my room, I slammed the door behind me and slid down the door as tears streamed down from my eyes. I saw the picture of my mom and dad from when they were still together.

The picture has always been by my bedside and I crawled to pick it up as I held it close to my chest, “I miss you.” I cried, holding the picture tightly.

The sudden ringing of my phone caused me to jump a little and I picked it up to see Camille’s name boldly written on the screen.

“Tell me everything, did you lose your virginity, is his dick massive and good?” Camille’s voice came from over the phone and I sniffled as I laughed.

“Hey, are you okay?” She asked me and that was the question that sent me over into a pool of tears. The tears rolled down freely as I explained everything my stepfather had said to me downstairs to my best friend.

Consoling me, Camille asked me to look on the bright side and I mentally slapped myself for not thinking of it like that.

“You’ve always done everything you could to leave the house, think of this as an opportunity to leave and then you get a divorce later.” She explained and for the first time since I got the news of my marriage I was happy.

Camille and I spoke for a while and when we were done talking I hung up to get ready to meet my future in-laws.

It was as though time was against me because it went by quicker than I expected it to. Looking out of my window, I saw fleets of cars packed and a man and woman in their mid fifties got out of one while men in black suits came out of the rest of them.

I tried to peer through the crowd to look for the son but none of them seemed like him. I wore my blue gown and applied a little bit of makeup and soon I was ready to meet them.

Walking down the stairs, I stood beside my stepfather who already has his best suit on as we both went out to welcome our guest in.

“Welcome,” he smiled and my stomach churned, for a moment I wished that the smile would disappear into something else.

“This is my daughter, Lexi.” He introduced as he held me and I smiled at the people in front of us while also hoping that my face didn’t display the swirl of anger I was feeling on the inside.

“She is so beautiful,” the woman spoke and I gently rolled my eyes as I thanked her, “you’re just perfect for Ivan.” She added as we ushered them in and to the dining table.

Pouring them glasses of wine, my stepfather signaled to me that I stay with the woman while he goes to have a conversation with the man.

“So, Lexi right?” She asked and I nodded affirmatively, “I’m Charlotte, how old are you?” She continued with her question.

How could they have planned a whole marriage and she has no idea how old I am? What if I’m a minor?

“I’m 25.” I responded and she asked me about my education and other things. It didn’t take long for me to like her because she was so simple and sweet from the way she spoke to me.

“Where is your son?!” I heard the angry voice of the man as he and my stepfather made their way to me, “why is he always running behind?” He added as he checked his wristwatch.

“Just give him time, he’ll be here soon.” Charlotte tried to calm her husband down and it also didn’t take long for me to conclude that I don’t like the man.

“Just get her to sign the papers and they’ll get to know each other when he gets here, we don’t have the whole day and we also don’t have to be here until he arrives.” He said huskily.

Charlotte brought the papers out from her bag and passed it to Jack who signed almost immediately before passing it to me.

Carefully, I read what it entailed and my eyes widened when I saw the clause that stated that I couldn’t get out of the marriage until my stepfather had paid up all his debt of four hundred million dollars.

My heart tore to shreds and I had no idea when I started perspiring as I stared at the paper in front of me. Here I was hoping it would be a marriage where I get to also have a say but I was wrong.

“We don’t have the whole day, Sign it.” My stepfather’s voice put a halt to my thoughts and I could feel the sting from the hot tears I was holding back as my vision blurred.

Gasping and trying to catch my breath, he patted my back gently as I signed and for once I wished that I could actually kill him and get away with it.

The parents had more conversations in secret and I set the table and served the food that my stepfather had taken the liberty to prepare while I wasn’t home.

I was unable to eat, all my appetite was gone as I fiddled with the pasta. How do I know he’s going to be able to pay off the debt?

Four hundred million dollars is a huge sum of money and even if his business skyrocketed today I know him well enough to know that he won’t pay to have me back.

I was still thinking to myself when we heard the doorbell ring, “I’ll get it.” I announced before standing to answer it.

Opening the door, shock gripped me when I saw the person that was standing on the other side. It was the stranger from last night!

“You!” I almost yelled, “what are you doing here?!” I enquired and I could see a slight smirk play on the side of his lips as he tried to peer inside the room but I stopped him.

“Oh, that’s my son, Ivanović Volkov, he’s the one you’re getting married to.” Charlotte’s voice caused a loud bell to ring in my head as her voice wouldn’t stop ringing in my head.

There’s no way the man I’d had sex with just last night is Ivanović Volkov and here I was thinking I’ll never have to see him again.

It’s bad enough that I had a one night stand with him, what’s worse was the fact that I am getting married to him.

I’m getting married to my one night stand!