Isabella POV
I quickly joined the stream of pedestrians, making my way across the street as I glanced up at the towering skyscraper, where my Dad works for Justin Martínez.The company was rightfully founded in Justin's authority after his Father's tragic death and my sister has been dreaming of becoming a model for the company, but unfortunately she never got accepted.My Father accidentally forgot his lunch at home, which he tends to do a lot, so I had to be the responsible daughter as usual and bring it over since Jean is currently out with her boyfriend.After everything that happened yesterday, I wanted to cry my heart out, completely not ready for marriage, but I couldn't find my tears.My Dad has been encouraging me not to think negatively, but all I know is that this offeror could be a criminal, a psychopath or even worse, Justin Martínez himself, which would be completely chaotic, but why would he marry me, right, though he's in charge of the wedding.I'm already stuck in this situation because of my Father and if I decide to go against it, my family would most likely lose everything which will escalate in becoming my fault. So, I might as well agree until the six months are over, after getting married on Sunday.I took a quick breath as I stepped into the building and pulled out my phone to notify Dad about my arrival. After a few rings, he answered my call, "Dad, I'm on the first floor with your lunch."I stood in the lobby, "Alright, honey, I'll be right down." He replied before hanging up.As I waited, I took a slow look around, taking in the surroundings before my gaze was suddenly caught by familiar faces in the lobby. Justin Martinez in the flesh and bones, was walking alongside Noah, his assistant who came by the house with the marriage contract.Justin's black silky-smooth hair was combed upward with a drop fade and his sterling dark brown eyes seemed gracious. His eyebrows were like a crescent of moon, thin and narrow while his angular cheekbones carved down towards a flinty jaw.He wore a black shirt underneath his formal suit without a tie and his jacket outlined his muscular arms, the upper buttons on his shirt were open.I let out a small groan as an emerging crowd appeared in the lobby, pushing and I found myself surrounded by reporters and camera crew.The security guards quickly gathered around Justin, guiding the individuals towards the exit as I tried to navigate my way out of the commotion, but I clumsily ended up colliding with a solid chest..."What the heck...?" I groaned from the sudden impact, but I quickly fell silent when I glanced up and saw none other than Justin Martinez standing before me.He seemed completely oblivious to my presence, just like everyone else in the lobby, as he focused his attention on escaping the crowd. I couldn't help but stare at his stellar outlook and notice how taller he seemed in close proximity.He suddenly gazed down at me as I stood still in his vivacious presence and his eyes glimmered mysteriously for a split moment."Are you blind?" He asked, his voice was pleasingly deep."I was just about to ask you the same question." I responded, stepping around him."Oh, you have a pretty smart mouth, don't you." His gaze followed me with a slight smirk playing on his lips as he turned to me."Are you stalking me?" I found myself smirking back at his black magic as we both locked eyes in the midst of the crowd."You're standing inside my property, darling." He spread his hands to the sides, looking around, "What do you expect?" The scent of his enticing cologne swirling around him.I rolled my eyes, about to respond, but one of the security guards suddenly grabbed me by the arm and I flinched at the grip, looking at the guard instead."Leave her be and let's get moving." Justin snapped his fingers, walking away in an athletic grace and the guard released my arm.As the reporters and camera crew dispersed, the lobby slowly became empty and in that moment, I spotted my Dad making his way towards me, a small smile on his face."Here you go, Dad." I said casually, ignoring whatever just happened.He reached out to take the lunch bag, "Thanks, honey and I'm really sorry for putting you through all these circumstances, but please try to understand."He tried comforting me, once again, but I didn't know what else to say to him, so I remained silent and he sighed, "I will be coming home a bit late today due to some extra work I've to conduct downtown, so hurry along now."I stared at him in confusion, wanting to question his statement about ‘downtown’, but I shrugged it off with a nod and he smiled as he went towards the nearest elevator.I left the building and strolled down the street towards the nearest bus stop. It was unoccupied at the moment, so I took my time, leisurely glancing around at the bustling streets.Minutes later, an anonymous guy on a motorcycle without a helmet, rode up before me at the bus stop, "Do you want a drive, beautiful?"I shook my head, "I think I will pass." I genuinely gave him a small smile and he shrugged. I looked the other way, trying to ignore him."Are you sure, there won't be any cab or bus coming through this route for now." He claimed, checking me out.I glanced at the busy road before shifting my focus back to him, "I think I will wait for a bit." I shrugged. He nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on me with evident interest, "Are you sure?"As I was about to respond, a third voice interrupted me, "Yes, she is, I can assure you."I glanced over and spotted Justin standing just a short distance from the bus stop, accompanied by three bodyguards. I raised an eyebrow in surprise."I thought he had already left..." I muttered to myself as the guy on the motorcycle pointed at Justin, asking, "You're Justin Martínez, right?""Depends on who's asking, but she's with me, so get your piece of junk moving." Justin stood beside me at the bus stop.I was confused; why is he even looking out for me and he doesn't even know me?"I'm so sorry, dude...I didn't know." The guy said, looking a bit surprised as he started his bike. He quickly rode away."So, you're actually stalking me, huh?" I turned my attention to Justin and he raised a brow at me, saying, "I will drop you home.""But, I never asked you to..." I recalled, completely confused by his actions, "And I never offered." He said, gently holding my arm and leading me towards a black limousine, parked nearby the sidewalk."How can I possibly trust you?" I scoffed at his audacity and he chuckled, bitterly as if he was offended by my curiosity.Just then, I spotted Noah smiling, looking amused by us, but he kept quiet as we stood by the limousine."Everyone knows me, darling." I shifted my gaze to Justin's arrogance and Noah opened the door for me to enter the limo.I looked between both bastards, before I finally decided to take the ride, thinking about getting some answers regarding the contract.I entered the limo and observed as Justin and Noah took their seats, accompanied by their three bodyguards, but I couldn't help myself from watching the doors close, sealing us inside.The limo began to move and I noticed curious glances from everyone inside while Justin seemed engrossed in his phone, clearly giving off the impression that he wasn't in the mood to interact with me again."Don't I deserve to know who the groom is rather than the offeror of the contract?" I questioned Noah, breaking the silence in the limo. He cleared his throat, awkwardly and Justin glanced at me, before silently returning his gaze to his phone."And why a marriage contract?" I continued, "Why should I get dragged into my Father's business and pay for his consequences?""It was the only way your Father could continue working with the company and discard his debts." Noah responded as if he was reading a script."If this is how your company operates, it is quite unethical for business." I informed Justin and he glanced at me with an unreadable expression."Excuse me, sir, but where exactly would you like me to take you?" The driver of the limo interrupted the conversation by knocking on the middle window.The middle window separating the driver's compartment from the passenger area in the limo rolled down, revealing the driver, "I'm not sure, ask the lady." Justin gestured a hand towards me."Actually, here is perfect." I replied, realizing that I was near my Mom's pastry shop.The driver nodded and pulled over to the side of the road, next to the sidewalk. After the driver came to open the door, I stepped out of the limo slowly, "Thank you." I said, regarding the Driver. He closed the door, nodding with a slight smile.I watched as the back window of the limo rolled down and Justin's dark brown eyes met mine as the driver returned to the vehicle, "I hope I won't be seeing you again, darling.""I hope so indeed." I agreed, knowing he was filled with arrogance from the depth of his eyes to the vivacious presence of his sturdy physique, but he appears in the form of an angel.He gave me a cheeky wink and I watched as the window closed and the limousine slowly drove away. I exhaled a deep breath as I turned around and made my way towards my Mom's pastry shop.As I entered, her warm presence greeted me at the counter and I smiled at her. "Oh, sweetie, you're here." She greeted me with a smile, stepping out from behind the counter, wearing her apron.She embraced me in a hug, "I thought you had gone back home." She said, still holding onto me."I decided to stop by and help out in the shop." I told her and she chuckled softly, breaking the hug.Returning her smile, I put on an apron and she returned to the counter, but my smile disappeared when I realized my pathetic wedding was tomorrow...Isabella POV Jean, my big sister, exhaled a breath as she curled my hair like an expert and I admired her through the vanity mirror. It was apparently the wedding day, the dress was beyond elegant and the ambiance of the wedding was perfectly arranged including my hairstyle. The food, the presence of the Priest, the cunning bridesmaids who were clearly hired for the day and the graceful music; absolutely dazzling. There's approximately five thousand people and counting inside the church's divine sanctuary while the paparazzi and reporters were casually strolling on the outside as if this wedding was breaking news for the media. As Jean finished curling my hair, I turned around in my chair, watching her silently apply a light coat of mascara to my face. Curiosity filled my gaze as I observed her and breaking the silence, I asked, "Do you think the guy will be a good husband for the next six months?" "Well, I heard he's rich and I think he's an employee of the Martínez company,
Isabella POV I woke up to the warm sunlight streaming through the window and as I tried to roll over, a slight groan escaped my lips. But then I realized I was nestled in a bed that felt incredibly cozy, with the scent of a charming cologne wafting from the soft sheets and plush pillows.As my vision sharpened, I noticed the presence of a woman standing in the room. Gradually, I sat up in bed and she greeted me with a gentle smile.I took in my surroundings, realizing I was sitting on a luxurious queen-sized bed in a beautifully furnished bedroom, adorned in a rich, dark royal brown color scheme. Confusion washed over me as I questioned whether I was still dreaming or..."Buenos días, Señora Martínez." The woman greeted me, capturing my attention. Clad in a formal black and white maid uniform with the subtle presence of a few gray strands amidst her black hair which was styled in a bun, she exuded an air of elegance. "English, please." I mustered the effort to speak, even though
Isabella POV Once the servants finished setting up, Justin dismissed them with a wave of his hand. They promptly left the room. "Take a seat, wife and let me explain what I need you to do for me." Justin gestured towards a chair at the table. I hesitantly lowered myself into the chair, which was positioned beside him at the dining table. My gaze shifted towards the mouthwatering breakfast spread that adorned the center of the table. "Can you stop calling me wife, it's quite annoying." I admitted; still trying to accept our marriage. He slightly chuckled, "Says the wife." I looked the other way, grumbling. I heard him exhaling a deep breath, saying, "However..." "We will be meeting my family this weekend and I need you to be prepared." He spoke with demand in his husky voice as he straightened his tie. I raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean by prepare?" "I need you to get this clear..." He narrowed his attention to me, declaring, "You're going to be my wife for six mont
Isabella POV I was quite thrilled to find clothes that I liked and luckily there was a helpful female sales assistant who assisted me. I tried on the clothes in the changing room while Justin and the two bodyguards waited outside with the sales assistant. Most of the clothes fit perfectly, but for the ones that didn't, I returned them to the assistant. I stepped out from behind the curtains in yet another dress which felt like the millionth time. The bodyguards glanced at me and the sales assistant nodded with a smile, probably understanding my frustration. Justin, of course, was too busy on his phone to even look up. I returned behind the curtains, removing the dress and adding it to the pile of others I had already tried on. I started trying on the undergarments, carefully examining myself in the mirror. After a few minutes, I finally tried on the last pair, a beautiful red lace bra and matching underwear. I smiled as I held up my wavy hair and admired myself in the mirro
Isabella POV "You look absolutely stunning, señora Martínez." Lora, the head maid, gushed. It was time to attend the celebration party at Justin's company though the wedding was orchestrated, but it had to appear authentic to the media. I was merely playing a role in Justin's crafted illusions. As I gazed at my reflection in the mirrors, I admired the way the light makeup enhanced my light brown eyes. My dress for the party accentuated my figure with a perfect fit; the fabric was incredibly soft and luxurious with a gold subtle shimmer. The dress had a flattering fit with a cinched waist, a flowing A-line skirt and the neckline was adorned with delicate lace detailing. My delicate earrings added a touch of sparkle, while the matching heels completed my dress and my hair was styled in soft, wavy locks. I asked, uncertainly, "You really think so?" "Of course, señora Martínez, I would never deceive you." She declared, giving me a firm nod. "Thanks for helping me get ready,
Isabella POV "Señor López and Señor Lucas, meet my lovely wife, Isabella." Justin introduced me, his hand gently resting on my lower back. They both appeared to be in their late thirties, exuding a vibrant Mexican aura. "I'm López." The first man spoke, bowing slightly and extending a hand. "It's an absolute pleasure to make your acquaintance, Señora Martínez." I placed my hand in his, feeling a gentle kiss on my knuckles. "The pleasure is mutual." I replied warmly. Señor Lucas stepped forward. "As the owner of the National Global Bank, I extend my congratulations on your wedding. It was a truly magnificent day." "Enjoy the party." Justin encouraged and they nodded in agreement. He then turned to me. "Darling, I need to have a word with you." We quietly moved aside, leaving my bodyguards with Noah. Justin took my hand and guided me to a balcony overlooking the penthouse. As we stood by the railing, I noticed we were alone. "What are we doing here?" I asked, noting his styl
Isabella POV I lazily stretching my limbs, feeling the remnants of last night's party. As I sat up in bed, my laptop and smartphone caught my eye. I quickly reached for both devices, entering my old password on my phone and revealing the familiar homepage. A smile spread across my face, noting everything was still intact. I decided to give my Mother a call, eager to share the news of my well-being and to hear her voice. Afterwards, she answered, "Hello, Bella?" "Yes, Mom. Are you alright?" I asked, hearing a sigh of relief on the other end. "Yes, I'm just glad to hear your voice. How are you holding up?" She inquired. "I'm doing fine, but how's everything back home?" I questioned, concerned. "Your father is doing well and the shop is running smoothly, but Jean hasn't been home lately." She informed me and I furrowed my eyebrows. "She only called a few times, but she hasn't mentioned anything about the interview." I could hear the worry in her voice as she continued. "I d
Isabella POV I walked alongside Justin, accompanied by my two personal bodyguards. The photography studio was located at a bustling Mall in the city. Looking around, I noticed the studio was humming with activity and workers were diligently focused on their tasks. We quietly reached a different section of the building within seconds. A guy opened a wooden door and we stepped into the room, revealing the main studio. The space was filled with an array of professional equipment, from cameras and lighting setups to a variety of backdrops. There, I spotted a man sitting on a stool, meticulously fixing a camera in his hands, positioned before a gallery wall. The guy greeted the man, "Mr. Paul, they have arrived." Mr. Paul, a man with an artistic style and shoulder-length blonde hair, caught my attention as he stood up and approached us with a smile. While Justin and the others gathered around him, engaging in a conversation, I remained rooted to the spot, taking in the aest
Justin POVWe sank into the cushions, my lips trailed along her jawline and left a trail of kisses down her neck, drawing a soft whisper of my name from her. "Justin..."Her fingers threaded through my hair, her soft, uneven breaths carrying my name like a whispered melody.My hand rested on the curve of her neck as I moved closer, my hips pressing forward between her legs. A sweet, breathless moan slipped from her lips, drawing me further into the moment.My other hand drifted upward, brushing against her breast. Her body responded, warm and inviting, even through the fabric beneath my touch. But, just as my thumb grazed over her perky nipple, a sudden bark rang out, shattering the moment entirely.Peach.The little menace leaped onto the sofa, tail wagging furiously and breaking the moment.Isabella pushed against my chest, her cheeks flushed as she quickly stood up. She scooped up the squirming furball, cradling the puppy in her arms. "Peach!"I sat back, running a hand through m
Justin POVThe sun dipped low on the horizon, a golden glow casting over the calm waters surrounding my yacht. I leaned against the balcony railing, a glass of wine in my hand. Isabella lay stretched out on the outdoor sofa, her legs curled slightly, her hair spilling over the cushions in soft waves. A book rested in her hands, its cover sporting the title The Glass Castle. Occasionally, she reached for the bowl of strawberries and grapes beside her. She smiled as she read, her fingers grazing the fruit before popping one into her mouth.I watched as Peach, the little furball, darted back and forth across the deck like she was on a sugar high.I sipped my wine, savoring the crisp tang of the liquid. Unable to resist Isabella's peaceful image any longer, I headed down. She didn’t look up when I approached, too engrossed in her book. I set my wine glass down on the table before settling into the space beside her. Her lips curved faintly as I gently lifted her legs and placed them
Justin POV"Yeah." I muttered into the phone, barely listening to Sonia’s endless rambling. "Everything’s fine here.""Bye." I said curtly, eager to end the conversation. I glanced over at Isabella, who was glaring at me like I’d just committed a crime. Before I could hang up, Isabella’s hand was suddenly cupping my jaw. She squeezed my cheeks together, forcing my mouth into some ridiculous face as her lips silently mouthed, "Say “Mom”." She tilted her head, batting those ridiculous puppy-dog eyes at me. I raised a brow at her.Did she really think that was going to work on me?…Apparently, I played along."Bye…Mom." I gritted out, each syllable more painful than the last.Isabella’s grin lit up her whole face, a little too smug for my liking, as I ended the call and tossed the phone aside."You’re relentless, wife." I muttered, running a hand over my face."And who’s a good boy?" She teased, tilting her head at me like she was addressing a misbehaving puppy.I smirked but kept my
Justin POVFrom the bedroom balcony, I leaned against the railing, shaking up my bottle of protein shake and watching her down by the shore. Isabella was barefoot, her light dress flowing in the breeze as she bent to pick up seashells, carefully placing them into a bucket. Peach darted around her, barking and chasing the waves.Isabella held her beach hat with one hand, trying to keep it from flying away in the breeze as the puppy circled her feet. What is she even doing? Collecting seashells like a kid.Shaking my head, I turned away, taking a swig of my shake. As I stepped back into the room, my phone started ringing from where I’d left it on the sofa.Sonia. Her name lit up the screen, but I didn’t bother answering. I set the phone down and walked to the floor mat in the corner, taking another sip before putting the shake on the nightstand. I wasn’t in the mood for her probing—questions about how the “honeymoon” was going, about Isabella or about when she could expect grandkids
Justin POVAs soon as I saw her wince, clutching her palm, I knew something was wrong. Without a word, I stepped to the refrigerator, grabbed a bag of frozen peas and returned to her. She stood there, biting her bottom lip as if trying to hide her discomfort."Here." I said, holding her hand gently and pressing the cold bag against her palm. Her skin was warm under my touch and the small furrow between her brows tugged at something inside me I couldn’t name.Before I could step back, she pulled me into a hug. The gesture caught me off guard, but I didn’t resist. Her head rested against my shoulder and I felt her relax against me, her frame soft yet grounding.I stood there, uncertain for a moment, before my arms slowly circled her. Hugging her back felt...natural, almost too natural. This wasn’t supposed to be part of the plan. She wasn’t supposed to get to me like this.But damn it, she was.Isabella was nothing like I expected. Sweet, soft and kind—yet surprisingly stubborn and re
Isabella POV When I wandered into the kitchen, Peach darted past me, her little tail wagging as she carried her bone-shaped chew toy toward the living room. I shook my head with a small smile, turning my attention to the fridge. Breakfast it is, I thought, pulling the door open to find the shelves fully stocked.I glanced around the kitchen, admiring the modern appliances and neatly arranged cupboards before tying my hair into a quick ponytail. Spotting an apron hanging near the counter, I slipped it on and started gathering what I needed.Reaching into the fridge, I pulled out a carton of eggs and a box of milk. My eyes caught sight of a container of fresh strawberries and I couldn’t resist popping one into my mouth as I set the rest in a bowl. Next, I retrieved flour, cinnamon, vanilla and baking powder from the cupboards, carefully lining everything up on the counter.As I washed my hands at the sink, I realized I’d forgotten the butter. Returning to the fridge, I rummaged a
Isabella POV I snuggled deeper beneath the sheets, a soft smile tugging at my lips as I hugged my pillow tightly. The warmth and comfort were perfect—until I noticed something solid under my cheek.Blinking groggily, I opened my eyes, only to realize I wasn’t holding a pillow at all. My breath hitched as I looked up, finding myself curled against Justin’s chest, his arm draped securely around my waist.The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Carefully, I raised my head from his chest, studying his face. He was fast asleep, his features completely relaxed. My gaze lingered on his strong jawline and those dark lashes that softened his otherwise sharp features.Unable to resist, I tentatively traced my index finger along his jaw, the stubble rough beneath my touch. A small smile tugged at my lips as I poked his perfectly sculpted nose. When a strand of his silky hair fell loose, I absentmindedly brushed it back, my fingers grazing h
Isabella POV Another sneeze betrayed me, louder this time. I sighed, burrowing deeper into the sheet in defeat. I tried to focus on the warmth of the fabric and ignore the discomfort, but exhaustion soon began to win out. Just as I was drifting off, I felt myself being lifted. My eyes flew open and I found Justin carrying me, the sheet still wrapped tightly around me."My stubborn little wife." He muttered, shaking his head as he walked toward the bed."I’m fine..." I started, but another sneeze cut me off."You’re fine, huh?" He said, smirking as he gently set me down on the bed. He tucked the sheet around me like I was some fragile thing, ignoring my glare.His hand pressed softly against my forehead, his eyes meeting mine. "No fever." He teased, leaning closer. "But those red cheeks? Hmm...interesting."I could feel my face heating even more. "I’m just cold." I mumbled, glaring at him half-h
Isabella POV As Justin and I strolled along the wooden porch, I noticed the two waiters ahead, carrying our suitcases toward the house. The faint sound of the ocean waves reached my ears, prompting me to glance back at the yacht anchored in the distance. The glow from the porch’s light posts brightened our path and a cool breeze swept through, brushing against my skin. I shivered involuntarily, drawing closer to Justin. Without a word, he slipped an arm around my shoulders, his hand gliding gently along my arm, warming me. I tilted my head to look at him, but his gaze remained fixed ahead. Following his line of sight, I noticed the grand silhouette of a beach house perched elegantly on the hill, its beauty enhanced by the moonlight. After a few more minutes of walking, we reached the house. I watched as the waiters placed our suitcases neatly by the doorway. Offering them a grateful smile, I thanked them warmly and they nodded in response. Justin handed them a tip, his