Chapter 1: Jaxon Azrael

Stella

"I DON'T WANT to get married, Stella," Ariela said softly as I fixed her wedding gown. I stopped what I was doing and sighed loudly. When I looked at her, her eyes were full of regret; the pain was visible in her eyes. It was as if she was saying to me that she wanted to run away on this important day. 

"But, we need a big share of the company now. We're about to sink into debt. Why are you backing down now?" I asked, confused, but instead of answering me, I was surprised at what she did next. Suddenly, she grabbed her stomach and started to cry. 

"Ariela," I called because I was already worried about her behavior. "Does your stomach hurt?" I asked again, but she shook her head and lifted her face, causing our eyes to meet. 

"Stella, I'm pregnant." She confessed, and just like a bomb that exploded in my ear on what she said. I just shook my head and laughed softly. Why does it need to happen right now? 

"Why did you just say that now? What are we going to do?" I was confused and lost because I could already hear the voices of our parents entering the room. 

So what Ariela did was she took off her wedding veil and put it on me. And because of what she did, I got scared and shocked because I knew what she was implying. 

"Stella, I'm begging. You're my only hope. Even now, please…" She begged and knelt in front of me, and at that point, the door of the room opened, and we were caught in such a situation by our parents. 

"Ariela! What is happening? Why are you crying with your sister?" Mama's voice was full of concern and anxiety at what she saw. While my father just looks serious and waits for the next thing to happen. 

Because of what she said, I forcibly took off my hands that she was touching and shook violently. I closed my eyes tight, trying to catch my breath because of what was happening right now. 

"I don't want to! I won't do what you want! I don't want to; I don't want to take your place." I broke my agreement and sat up in bed. Tears started to fill my eyes. I'm scared. 

Because of what I said, Dad was shocked and violently grabbed my arm to stand up and explain. 

"What are you saying, Stella? What are you going to replace?" Dad's voice was irritated by what he heard. 

I stared at him and estimated how he would react when he heard Ariela's secret. We all looked at my sister, who was now crying even louder, so Mama calmed her down. 

"I'm pregnant," she confessed, and I could see the anger on Papa's face, and he accidentally slapped my sister with force. We all shouted, and I grabbed my father's arm because he was going to slap Ariela again. 

"What a shame you did to our family, Ariela! You are the eldest, but why did you do this ?!" My father angrily said, holding his forehead. 

"Well, I don't want to do what you ask me to do! Stella is there to take my place; I don't want to get married!" When she answered, I was taken aback and couldn't say any words. 

"Stella... The wedding is about to begin. Please do this for our family and our company. You don't want to lose your career suddenly, do you?" Dad smiled but asked forcefully at the end, so I couldn't help but cry. 

Even my Mom is crying because of the chaos that is happening now. I knew I was against it, but Dad threatened me, so I could do nothing to stop it. I don't know, but I felt resentment because I was the one who would always sacrifice for my family. 

Oh my God. What the hell am I going to do now? And I'm going to sacrifice my happiness and myself again? 

I wanted to ask them if they had made me sacrifice and not do what I wanted to do in life. But I don't like it because I am their only child, and they are still my parents. 

I need a lot of patience to understand them more. 

I hate them. I hate you all. 

"Okay," I said, but coldness was evident in my voice. I want to break down, but I can't; my career, which I have been dreaming of for a long time, will be ruined just because of this marriage. 

When they heard my answer, they quickly changed Ariela's clothes while I kept myself from crying out of resentment. If it just doesn't ruin my career, I won't allow it. 

"Thank you, Stella. You will only endure one year, one year in this marriage. After that, you will be free," Mom said, hugging me tightly. 

Because she did that, I couldn't stop myself from crying. Mom stroked my hair and tried to comfort me because my make-up would be ruined. 

"Mom, I'm scared. What if we don't get along with that man? What if he's abusive?" I was nervous when I asked, so Mom smiled and stroked my cheek to calm me down. 

"Cassiopeia, I know the son of the Buenaventura couple. I won't leave you alone, especially since the wedding will take place today," she replied, confusing me. 

"What do you mean, Ma? Is the wedding going to be private? It's like an arranged marriage?" I made sure my Mom nodded softly, and I was distraught by what I heard. 

It was a good idea they came up with, but on the other hand, we are having a hard time because we will be hiding from the media. I am known as a famous model in the country, but the man I will be with is another billionaire who has a lot of privacy in life.

So many want to know what life he enjoys. 

But all my worries disappeared when I heard the faint knock of someone. When I waited to see who it was, it was just another wedding organizer who was now smiling at us. 

"Ma'am, I'm waiting for the bride downstairs. The Buenaventura family is getting bored," he said, so I tightened my grip on my Mom's hands and looked at her again. 

"Ma." When I called, she smiled and accompanied me out of the room. 

As we descended, I felt very nervous. When I looked at the design of the wedding, I smiled sparingly. 

A garden wedding was the theme, and I was happy because it was my dream wedding ceremony. But my tears welled up again because I was not going to marry the man I loved. 

What will happen to me when I marry this man? Will I be free? Will I be happy? Will he protect me once this marriage suddenly shows up to everyone? 

Arrange marriage for this reason just to save our company. I secretly inhaled air to reduce the weight I was feeling. One year, I will only endure one year. Your life will return to normal, Stella. 

I hope so. I hope that this man will be nice to me. He will help me to hide our relationship for the sake of our career and life. I hope so. 

"Stella, we are in front of your future husband," Mama whispered so I was shocked and couldn't help but stare at the person in front of me now. 

I couldn't help but admire him when I saw his face. Those dark eyes that you want to stare at forever, his perfect lips, everything about him is perfect. What you see in magazines and on television is the same as when you meet him in real life. 

So, he is Jaxon Azrael Buenaventura? The handsome billionaire.