They finally arrived at their destination, the driver looked for a good spot and he parked the car properly.

"We're here!." The driver informed her.

He got down from his seat and he walked over to her side.

"Here you go Miss." The driver said as he opened the door for her

"Thank you!." Kassady smiled and she walked out of the car, she didn't quite understood the kind of treatment she's receiving.

"Wow!." She exclaimed, as she looked around the environment.

There's a fountain water fall decorated with light strings by her right.

By her left was an artificial blue lake with light strings of different colors around it giving it the perfect look.

She was memerized by the beauty of the place which look like a large garden.

The light shines on the green plants and on the flowers reflecting to the protective glass making it beautiful, it's indeed a beautiful sight to behold.

She couldn't wait to send her bestfriend a picture of how beautiful the place looks.

She took out her phone from her purse and was about taking pictures of the environment.

All of a sudden someone bumped into her. and her phone fell down.

She didn't even get to see the person that bumped in on her, because they were so many people going in and out of the place.

She picked up her phone and simply walked into the guest lounge, she still wondered why the driver stoped her here instead of the other side of the building where she could hear the sounds of music.

She made to cross to the other end when she spotted her dad, together with some elders, they were actually sitting at a table beside her.

"Dad!." She called and she rushed to him.

"Thank goodness you're finally here." Mr Palo said.

"I'm sorry I came late." She apologized.

"Good evening ma'am."

"Good evening sir." She greeted both Mr Henry and Mrs Maras.

Mrs Maras smiled at her and Henry did same.

Mr Palo stood up to introduce his daughter to the Mark's.

"She's my daughter Kassady, the one I've always been telling you about." Mr Palo introduced.

"Kass, this is Mr and Mrs Henry." Mr Palo added and he sat down.

"Nice to meet you both." Kassady smiled, she's actually waiting for them to bring up the reason as to why she's here.

"Your daughter is indeed beautiful, she'll be a perfect match for my son." Mrs Maras said with a broad smile.

"Match!?." Kassady mentally questioned her.

She knew she couldn't speak up because her dad is beside her, and because she doesn't wanna loose a life time opportunity.

"Kass dear, do you know the main reason you're here?." Mr Palo asked.

She'd actually thought she knew, but it seems things are going differently.

"Of course I do!." She wanted to say sarcastically, but she didn't, this isn't the time to be rude, she wanted to know what's going on.

"What's actually going on?." She thought.

"Kassady dear." Mrs Mara's began to gain the attention of the young lady, who's obviously lost in thoughts.

Kassady heard her name and she sighed paying attention to whatever Mrs Maras is gonna say.

She thought maybe it's time to talk about business, which is the main reason why she came.

"You're to get married to my son." Mrs Maras stated.

"What!!, what do you mean by getting married?!!." Kassady half yelled.

She's literally tried to process what's going on, but it seems her brains left her.

"Yes to you're getting married." Mrs Maras simply replied.

"Am sorry ma'am, that's not the reason why I'm here, I mean I can't just marry your son." Kassady said.

"State your reason." Mr Henry stated.

"Ma'am, I thought this is actually about the document I signed for the collaboration of both companies.

"You're right dear, you can go through the document you sighed."

"Read carefully and then tell me what you see in there." Mrs Maras said with a broad smile, while handing over the file to Kassady.

All these while Mr Palo just kept his head down, pretending like he doesn't know what's going on.

Kassady, not wanting to believe what she heard, been really curious, she opened the file and her eyes immediately widened the minute she saw what she'd signed.

It now dawned on her that she agreed to get married to their son by signing the documents her Dad gave her yesterday at the office.

She regretted signing the document nonchalantly without reading it.

The file stated that after getting married to their som, in return they'll help her grow her Dad's company by boosting the company to the top 10 richest company in the whole of California.

"Dad... w what's this?." She stammered and she suddenly broke down. Mr Palo looked away, not wanting to see her teary face.

How'd she be getting married to a total stranger, someone she knows nothing about.

"I can't do it, I can't get married to a total stranger, someone I don't love!." Kassady said, trying to make them see reasons with her.

"It's for your own good baby girl. Mrs Maras stated.

"Who forces someone into getting married in this modern world." She thought and she scoffed.

"I don't want to get married to your son ma'am." Kassady said and she angrily stood up to leave.

"You're legally married to him already, we just need a wedding and your marriage is complete." Mr Henry stated after been quiet for a while.

"I said no!, I'm not going to marry your son, and that's final." Kassady stated with grits teeth's.

Mr Palo knew he did the wrong thing, but it's for her own good as well, so they won't loose their company.

"Just accept it please.." Mr Palo pleaded.

"No Dad, no!!." Kassady yelled.

"You can't do anything about it, you've already signed the contract." Mrs Maras said.

"Read the last paragraph." Mrs Maras said.

"I Kassady Luxander agrees to take Davies Mark as my lovely weeded husband." She reads and she screamed.

"No!!."

"Please!, I don't want to get married, not yet and not to a stranger." Kassady pleaded.

"It's for your own good child." Mr Palo said.

"This is a life time decision Dad, you can't just force me into it, please rethink this over again, it's not right." Kassady pleaded.

But their minds were already made up, she'd already signed the contract, and she's getting married to him wether she likes it or not.

"Your wedding is around the corner." Mr Henry said, he wasn't even listening to what kassady was saying.

"We need to be fast about all these, so we won't delay the wedding." Mrs Maras said.

"Yes!, we have to be fast with the marriage preparation, besides they are already legally married, we just need to make it known to the public." Mr Henry added.

"That's absolutely right, how about Kassady move in with Davies?." Mr Henry suggested.

"Hell no!." Kassady found herself yelling, this is absolutely not right.

They all stared at her and they decided to ignore her.

"That's much better, they'll get to know each other before the wedding." Mrs Maras said.

"What do you think Mr Palo?." Mr Henry asked.

"Umm, that's okay, I mean they are already legally married." Mr Palo said after glancing Kassady who's obviously angry.

He knew forcing her against her will is wrong, but it's just for the best.

"Can you please hear me out? I don't want to get married." She kept on refusing.

Just as Mrs Maras was about to say something, Davies walked in.

"Davies!." Mrs Maras called the minute she saw him.

"Mum!." Davies called and he sat down on an empty sit beside Kassady.

He was actually with them waiting for Kassady earlier, but he left to make an important phone call.

His eyes ran into Kassady's and he stared at her, he could tell she's a very beautiful lady, too bad he isn't interested in her.

Kassady moved her gaze away from him, she didn't like the way he's staring at her.

"Kassady dear listen to me." Mrs Maras said.

"I don't want to!." Kassady stated stubbornly.

"Honey, I think we should give the both of them some privacy to sort things out themselves." Mr Henry said to Mrs Maras and she nodded her in agreement.

"I'll take my leave now.* Mr Palo said.

" Dad!." Kassady called, but he didn't bother to reply her, he just stood up and he left.

"Son the both of you can sort this out yourselves." Mr Henry said and he left together with his wife

Davies cleared his throat and he said to her.

"I don't want to get married to you also, but what can I do?." Davies asked.

"Huh?." Kassady said, she thought he agreed to get married to her together with his parents.

"I don't want you also." She scoffed.

"Don't you dare talk back at me asshole!." Davies said angrily.

"Did he just call me an asshole?." She mentally thought.

"I can't believe you just called me an asshole, for crying out loud, am I suppose to get married to a good for nothing man like you?." She retorted.

She found it so rude and inappropriate for a guy to address a lady he knew nothing about as an asshole.

"And you think I'd want to get married to you ?." Davies angrily blurted out.

"What do you mean?." Kassady asked.

She's kind of confused, does it mean this whole marriage stuff was forced on him also?.

"Can you just shut up and sign these papers." Davies said and he placed the paper on the table.

"What's this for?." She asked because she didn't wanna sign anything that'll complicate things for her.

"Since you don't wanna get married to me and we don't have a say in the whole marriage stuff, I thought of something." Davies explained.

"And what did you came up with?." She asked

Davies was really surprised because this is actually the first time a lady had ever rejected him, every lady wanted him for his looks, or either his money, but she's literally different.

"A contract marriage, get married to me and we'll divorce after a year." He said and her eyes widened.

"You want us to divorce after a year?." Kassady hurriedly asked.

"Yes, you said it yourself, you don't wanna get married to me." Davies said.

"What if they finds out about this?." She asked.

"They won't, it's just something between us." Davies explained and she nods.

"I will only sign after reading the document." She stated, because she didn't wanna make the same mistake she made the last time.

"Of course you can go through it." Davies retorted and he shoved the document to her side.

"Sturbborn brat!." He cursed under his breath but she didn't hear him.

Kassady picked the document and carefully read through.

"Thank goodness." She said happily.

She knew this is actually wrong, but it's the perfect thing to do at the moment, a contract marriage.

The document states that they'll get a divorce after one year of their marriage and by then they must have gotten what they wanted.

Davies saw the happiness in her face and he scoffed, she made his feel less valued and important.

"How would she refused to marry someone like me?." He mentally thought.

Her once angry face finally had a glint of smile on it.

She immediately signed the contract and she gave it back to him.

"This is just between us, no one should know about this." Davies said seriously, because he knew he had a lot to loose If something goes wrong.

"I won't, same goes to you." She said and he nods.

"Since we now have an understanding, I'll take my leave then." Davies said and he stood up.

"Same here." She replied and she stood up also.

"Thanks for your time." He smiled at her and he left.

Kassady shook her head and she sighed, a gentle man would have insisted to take her home, but he didn't.

"God help me!." She mumbled and she left.

NEXT MORNING

Kassady's apartment:

The first ray of sunlight lightened up Kassady's room brightening the whole environment, as the sun beamed through her window curtains.

Kassady's eyes slowly opened and she yawned tiredly, then she stretched her body, she was really exhausted after yesterday's meeting.

She got up from the bed and she walked into the bathroom to wash her face, then brush her teeth.

She came out of the bathroom and she lazily went into the kitchen to get her breakfast.

She walked into kitchen, then she opened her mini refrigerator and she brought out bagels with cream cheese.

She took it to her dining table and she digged in, she's really tired and couldn't make breakfast, the bagels and cream cheese would do for now.

She's almost done with breakfast when her phone suddenly beeped.

She took her phone and she checked who texted her.

She saw it's her Dad and she sighed.

"The Mark's sent a driver to pick you up, he'll be there any minute from now, please don't keep him waiting." The message reads.

"Hmm." She heaved and she immediately rushed the remaint of the food.

"I need to hurry up before the driver gets here." She thought.

She stood up quickly and ran to the bathroom to take a quick shower.

Few minutes later, she came out of the bathroom, she hurriedly creamed her body and she wore a black jeans with a crop top.

She heard the door bell and she immediately rushed to get the door.

immediately she opened the door, it was the same driver who came to pick her up last night.

"Good day Miss." He greeted and she smiled.

"Good day." She simply stated.

"We need to get going now." The driver said.

"Okay let me just get my bags!." Kassady said and she made to leave but his words stopped her.

"Am sorry Miss, you don't have to worry about that, just come with us." The driver said.

"Fine!." Kassady said walked to the car, he opened the door and he drove off.

One thing the noticed is that, the car isn't the same car he used last night.

She guessed he'd have changed the car to a more expensive one since she couldn't tell the name of the car.

*****

"We're here!." The driver finally announced after hours of driving.

"Just one year." She mumbled under her breathe, recalling the contract she made with Davies.

The driver came down and he opened the car door for here with his head down.

As Kassady stepped out of the car her eyes wandered around the beautiful mansion.

This place was different from where she went to last night.

The mansion had a large water fountain at the center and beautiful flowers at each sides which were all neatly trimmed.

The fresh scent from the flowers filled the air giving the atmosphere a spectacular scent.

At the other side of the mansion were beautiful decorations of old architect.

Her eyes caught the garage and she opened her mouth in awe.

"This is paradise." She mumbled to herself.

Kassady found herself walking to the entrance of the mansion.

"Welcome Miss." Lucas the butler greeted.

Kassady gave him a broad smile and she suddenly spotted Mrs Maras beside the doorway.

"Kass dear, come over here." Mrs Maras called out.

She walked to Mrs Maras with a broad smile, she needed to act like everything is fine.

"Good day Mrs Maras." Kassady greeted.

"Oh child, just call me mum." Mrs Maras smiled.

"Mum?." Kassady thought, but she had to do it anyway, so they won't find anything suspicious.

"M mum." She said anxiously.

"Much better!, c'mon everyone is waiting to see you."

"We need to specifically welcome you to the family." Mrs Maras said.

"Is there any need for it?." Kassady asked.

Mrs Maras smiled and nodded her head.

Kassady wondered if her cheek dosen't hurt from too much smiling.

"My goodness you need to get ready for your welcoming party." Mrs Maras explained.

"Welcoming party?." Kassady asked.

"Yes kassady, we'll be introducing you to our business associate as my son's bride." Mrs Maras explained.

Kassady sighed, she knew she had a lot of faking to do, this is really stressful than she expected.

"Lisa!." Mrs Maras called.

"Yes ma'am." Lisa replied and she ran to Mrs Maras.

"Take Kassady to her room, make sure she has enough rest, give her a good massage, and get her ready for her party by 8pm." Mrs Maras ordered.

From the look of things, Lisa is actually a maid.

"Yes ma'am." Lisa immediately replied.

"Kass dear!, Lisa is your personal maid from now on, you can tell her if you need something." Mrs Maras said.

"You can go in now, she'll show you the way around." Mrs Maras said to Lisa.

"Let's go Miss." Lisa said and Kassady trailed after her.

While walking, Kassady couldn't help but stare around, the house is actually the best she'd since.

"We're here Miss!." Lisa informed and she opened the door, then they walked in.

"Wow!!." Kassady exclaimed.

The room was ten times bigger than her own apartment, a king size bed was kept at the side of the room.

"Agreeing to this marriage isn't actually a bad idea." she mentally thought.

Lisa clapped her hands and the door opened and two maids rushed in.

One was holding a tray of different delicacy, while the other one held a bottle of wine.

They placed it on the table which was close to the bed and they left.

"You can enjoy yourself Miss, I'll come back later in the evening, to dress you up for the party." Lisa said.

"Thanks." Kassady simply replied, she's already salivating just by mainly staring at the dishes.

She couldn't wait to dig in, this is actually the kind of life she wanted, too bad she'd to pay a price for it.

"I'll take my leave now." Lisa bowed and she left.

She smiled and she uncovered the dish and she digged in.