"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.

*********

Kassady was almost done with her food when Davies walked in.

"Good day!." she greeted him while stuffing her mouth.

"Woman if you keep eating like that you'll choke to death!." Davies warned her.

Kassady felt a little embarrassed she gulped down the food in her mouth as she drank water to digest it.

"Am Kassady." Kassady said.

"Okay." Davies replied nonchalantly while taking off his shirt.

A Gentleman would have introduced himself. But this arrogant man was not that type of a gentleman.

Kassady's eyes caught hold of Davies broad Chest.

Her eyes widened, his chest was broad firm and spotless.

Her hands were inching to touch every part of the chest.

"What is wrong with me!."Kassady questioned her self mentally as she couldn't take her eyes off his chest.

"Are you done!?." Davies questioned her with a mischievous smirk.

"Huh!?." Kassady asked confused, his words has brought her back to reality.

"Are you done staring!?." Davies asked again his grin not leaving his chin.

"Well I,...I, I was looking at windows." Kassady lied, feeling a little embarrassed that she got caught.

"You can touch it if you want to!." Davies said with a dirty wink.

"Hell no!." Kassady said as she gulped down her glass of orange juice.

He's no gentleman at all, what type of a gentleman flirt with his bride to be on her first day. Kassady mentally thought as she kept her gaze far from him.

Davies chuckled as he watch her reaction to his dirty plays.

She's indeed different, every other girl will not miss the opportunity of feeling his chest and getting pound hard by him. Maybe with time she'll come around. Davies thought.

"You didn't tell me your name." Kassady said to Davies as she dropped down the glass of juice on the tray.

"Is she being serious right now? Davies mentally questioned his self.

Who doesn't know him, everyone knows about him in the whole of America not to talk of California where he reside, how could she not know him?

He kept questioning his self mentally, but could not get an answer.

"I asked a question!." Kassady said jolting him back to reality.

**************

**************

Kassady was stupefied to do or say anything, she finally got to her senses and she hugged him back.

Davies quietly whispered in her ears.

"Don't fall in love just yet, do not be easily swayed." He said and that was when she came back to reality.

"In your dreams." She said and she gently pushed him away, not to create suspicion.

Davies took the microphone from her and he smiled at the crowd.

"Hi everyone, sorry I came late, I was a little bit caught up with work, but I knew I couldn't just leave my main priority hanging." He said and everyone wondered what he meant, including Kassady.

"My wife is my main priority." He said and Kassady couldn't help but blush even if she knew this was just pure acting.

She felt important and loved.

"Wow!." Someone said from the crowd and a loud murmur followed and it died down after some minutes.

"For those of you who doesn't know her yet, she's Kassady Marks, the lady that melted my once cold and icy heart." Davies said already addressing her as his wife, he even gave her his surname.

"This is too good to be real." Mrs Maras mumbled.

Mr Henry smiled, loving what he's seeing.

Mr Palo who was once hiding because he couldn't face his daughter slowly came out of his hidden place because he now felt he did the right thing, Davies was treating her right afterall.

Nina wiped her face with the back of her palm, wondering if she's dreaming.

"Did Davies just said this to that lady?." She asked no one in particular.

Kassady knew this is all acting but she felt a tangling feeling and she couldn't help but to smile widely.

But this time around, she smiled genuinely.

"She brought lighs into my dark night, though I haven't gotten to know her for long but I wished to cherish the moment I have with her."

"That's why I want us to get married as soon as possible darling, will you honour my request my lady?." Davies asked and he went on his knees, surprising everyone.

Mrs Maras couldn't hide her happiness and she yelled out in excitedly, she was really expecting this.

Kassady suddenly felt tears gathering in her eyes, she tried to remind herself that this isn't real, but her fragile heart just couldn't process it.

"Will you marry me my lady?." Davies asked again and tears dropped from her eyes.

She turned to the guests and she spotted her Dad nodding his head for her to say yes.

"Y yes, yes I'll marry you." She asked and Davies immediately wore the ring on her fingers, he stood up and he hugged her tightly and she smiled widely.

"I did great right?." He whispered in her ears and her smile slowly faded away.

He pulled away from the embrace and he kissed her cheek.

"Woah!!." Mrs Maras yelled and everyone started clapping for them.

*****

Two hours later....

By now the party was already over, the guests has already left to their various houses.

Davies and Kassady both sat in the living room together with their parents, Nina has already gone to bed.

"Kassady you'll have to move in with Davies." Mrs Maras said and she nods, she already saw it coming.

"Please Davies take good care of my child." Mr Palo said.

"I'll sir." Davies replied impatiently.

Kassady has noticed for a while now that he seemed to be in a hurry, he constantly checked his phone, both his wristwatch.

"We need to leave mum, it's getting late already." Davies said and she knew she isn't wrong about the fact that he's in a hurry.

"Okay son, you can go." Mrs Maras said and they all stood up.

Mrs Maras hugged Kassady and she pecked her, she also did same to Davies.

Davies and Kassady both left and they got out of the mansion.

Davies walked to the car and she trailed behind him.

"Hop in." Davies said and he opened the car door for her, she entered and he got in, then he drove off.

While he was driving, he didn't say a word to her, neither did she.

Kassady knew she had a lot to say to him, but she just couldn't start a conversation with him.

His phone suddenly rang and he picked the call.

"Wait for me Ava, I'd be there any minute from now." He said and he ended the call.

"Darn it!, I'm late." She heard him muttered under his breathe.

"Ava? who's Ava?." She wanted to ask but she gives the thought of her mind, she didn't wanna act like an overprotective wife.

Davies increased his pace, he didn't wanna miss whatever Ava had in stock for him.

*******

They finally got to his penthouse, he actually brought her hear because he hasn't sorted out some things in his mansion, they'll move in tomorrow afternoon everything has been fixed.

Kassady sighed staring around, she's really tired and she needed to rest.

"Sort yourself out, the place isn't really that big so you can find your way around." Davies said and she wondered where he's actually going to.

"Where are you going to?." She found herself asking.

"It's none of your business, just sort yourself out, remember you don't have the right to question me." He said seriously.

And she stared at him, if he's still the gentleman she was with earlier.

"Don't give me that look like am about to leave you or something, you should know everything I did back there was all fake, don't get to attached." Davies stated.

"Who the hell does he think he is?." She mentally yelled.

"You don't have to explain things to me, everything I did back there was all fake too, so we're good." She said, which is partially the truth.

"How can I find my way around?." She asked.

"They're about ten rooms here, pick your choice." Davies said and he left.

Kassady sighed and she sat on the couch to get some rest.

Few minutes later, she stood up to look for any room just like he said.

But the next thing she heard was sounds of moans, coming from the direction Davies took.

"What the heck!." She grossed.