Chapter 7: I have a bride

[X-World Entertainment]

"Our last movie hit the records with a hundred percent increase in views and ticket sales than we expected, Mr Singh, making it the top searched entertainment topic," the man at the front in a business suit presented. And there were sighs and nods of approval.

In the spacious board room, Xavier sat at the head of the table, his grey eyes bored, he's on a shining blue tux, with his navy blue shirt buttons undone. His dark hair is styled to the side, he has his back on the exclusive chair, exuding an aura of authority.

The long conference table filled up with his workers, then the director, Mr Martinez stood up, adjusted his suit and faced him.

"Mr Singh, the new movie project and modelling sector are progressing well. Following our last success, new investors have showed their interest in collaborating with us, and we're using the same female lead, Harper Herna..."

"Replace the female lead," Xavier cut him off, his voice commanding. Eyes turned to Xavier, but they bowed immediately, not daring to look into his cold eyes.

"What?" Mr Martinez tone laced with surprise.

"Did I stutter?" Xavier asked coldly, glaring dangerously, and Mr Martinez gulped, fear evident in his eyes.

"No sir, we'll find her replacement immediately."

Xavier rose up, shooting Mr Martinez a glare, before striding out of the room, with Silas and his bodyguards trudging behind him.

"Make sure Harper has no acting role. I'll think of what to do with her," Xavier instructed.

"Yes, sir," Silas' voice was crisp, then Xavier's powerful steps halted abruptly, "And find out what my fiancee is up to."

"Yes, sir." Silas nodded, pulling out a tablet with an earpud hooked on his ears, "You have a board meeting with the shareholders in an hour, sir."

Xavier ignored his personal assistant, pushing a button and getting into his private elevator, and his thoughts raced to Mia.

"How dare you bump into me too?" Even when she had been the one who intruded in his privacy, he had been quite surprised at her boldness, her small fists, which felt like a feather stroke almost made Xavier's lips curl up, but his expression turned frosty when his phone vibrated.

"Father," his voice came deep and husky.

"When are you bringing your fiancee to the mansion?" Mateo Singh asked on the other end of the line.

"Do not expect to see her in that place," Xavier's voice held no emotion and there was silence for a moment before Mateo spoke finally.

"Bring her to the engagement party I've prepared for you."

The exclusive door slides open and the exquisite soles of Xavier's French made shoes echoed in the glassy floor as he walked into his office to see Jayden sitting on a sofa with a pack of cookies in his hand.

Jayden held his phone on another hand, and he's on a designer shirt, and denim jacket. His auburn hair is combed to the back, and he had an earring pierced on his ear. He really is a hot model.

Jayden is the youngest son of the Ruiz family, the second largest in California after the Singhs, and he had been Xavier's best friend since college.

While Xavier is regarded as California's hearthrob, Jayden is California's playboy. They are perfect pairs.

Jayden lifted his blue eyes to meet Xavier's piercing ones and a frown plastered on Xavier's striking features.

"Hey, man." Jayden smiled.

"Why are you here?"

"Seriously? You don't care if I'm mad at you?" Jayden glowered while Xavier walked steadily to the floor-to- ceiling window, his gaze fixed outside the city.

"Is that all?" he questioned and Jayden rolled his eyes.

"Your wedding hasn't been cancelled."

"I have a bride," Xavier slid his hands into his pockets, his arrogant demeanor filling the room, Jayden lifted his eyes, the corners of his lips quirking up.

"Who's she?"

✿

The hot sun burned Mia's light flawless skin, her hair is packed in a messy bun as she made her way into MacPherson Pizza.

She knocked gently on the door of her boss, Mr Patrick's office.

"Come in," his gruff voice sounded, Mia took her full red lips in her mouth, her forehead crinkled as she pushed the knob with sweaty hands.

"Mia," Mr Patrick's voice turned pleasant as a fake smile graced his lanky face.

"Good day, Mr Patrick," Mia gulped, taking a few steps and standing in front of his desk with her hazel eyes lowered.

"After failing to deliver a box of pizza, you skipped coming to work, Mia," he pinched the bridge of his nose, his smiling face turning sour and Mia tried desperately to form a lie.

"I'm sorry, my mother had an..."

But he cut in, "I got informed about the damages you caused, but it has been sorted out."

"What?" Mia gasped, confused. Is it what she's thinking?

"Someone paid for the damages, Mia. However, you've never been competent, you're fired."

Mia knew better than to argue, even when she badly want to cause a fuss.

She walked out of the pizza shop, dragging her feet along the busy street, she is in a crop top and baggy jeans that always hide her perfect figure.

Mia suddenly groan when she saw a billboard that caught her eyes. Xavier's sudden engagement was still trending, netizens' curiosity was piqued, all wondering who the mysterious bride of the billionare was.

The ladies were all heartbroken on social media, each wishing they were his anonymous fiancee.

Mia fixed her gaze on the picture of Xavier that appeared on the large billboard, Xavier's grey eyes and captivating smile seem to be directed to her and she clenched her fists, wishing she could punch his perfect face.

"Fake!" she scoffed loudly, "Deceiving everyone behind those perfect smiles, you're just an arrogant jackass! If you hadn't kept your car in the middle of the road, I won't have lost my job. You had better keep to your part of the contract and stay away from me. You jerk!" Mia was mumbling hotly, her face filled with fury, her knuckles white from clenching tightly as she was oblivious of the stares from passerbys.

"Hey pretty, are you okay?" a handsome dude flashed her a charming smile, Mia snapped out of her reverie and shot him a glare, scaring him away.

✿

After a few minutes, Mia entered into an art studio, "BELLE'S ART". The small studio was filled with art exhibitions, fascinating frames and intriguing paintings that can bring light to a dark soul.

She walked further into a small room. There Isabella sat in a stool in front of an easel, holding a brush as she applied paint on a canvas.

Yeah, Isabella is a small time artist, and her love for art is out of the world.

Her black straight hair is in a ponytail and her face is smeared in colored paints as she turned her big doll brown eyes toward Mia.

"Hey belle," Mia let out a sigh, plopping down beside her and Isabella chuckled.

"You look like you've seen a ghost, girl."

"I got fired," Mia rolled her eyes and Isabella's mouth opened.

"How did you escape arrest?"

Mia shot her a glare and she giggled, "I'm sorry okay? Not like you told us how you got into that accident. How's Aunt?"

"Mom hasn't had another failure yet," Mia said, then she bit her lips.

Xavier has stated the contract remained confidential, but it won't hurt telling her best friend right?