Pearl's POV:

I am Pearl Bennett and currently at the age of 24. I completed my graduation from New York University in fashion designing, and that was last year. My mother was keen about me joining the family business alongside with my brothers, but I wanted to open a boutique on my own and my father supported me on this, you can go like a typical human and call me daddy's princess, I do not really mind as that is the truth. With the status of my family, I could have opted out to not work at all but I wanted to make an identity of my own. Despite of voicing out their opinions against it, my family was very supportive as they never stopped me and extended their helping hand whenever I needed.

Like even though I was the one who invested the principal amount for the boutique I'm running now, when I told my family that I need inspiration for my designs, they helped me to travel various countries like France, Germany, China, India and many more. Because I can only know their culture by observing them while being in there personally and adapting the way of their fashion to bring diversity to my designs and make them different from the pattern the American were used to.

My walk in closet is full of various types of clothes, shoes, ornaments and countless other accessories because I have an obsession to always look pretty for my own self. But other than these, I'm not very fond of wealth as I don't keep more than one car for my personal chores and I just own that one vacation house near the sea which was a gift from my father. But to meet up to my every demand, my family made sure that efficient people worked for me.

I was named Pearl by my granny because in her prospect I am very precious. By the love my family showered me with, I always felt myself precious indeed. Just like my name.

My father is managing his family business and owns many malls, hotels and so on and my mother is from one of the richest families of America who is currently managing a trust fund named after her father. My elder brother Christen is helping papa in business and my evil twin brother Armin is trying to start his own hotel business.

I think I was made by God on a Sunday, because in my 5 feet 6 glory I am drop dead gorgeous. Conceited? I know. The girls around me usually hate me and nothing stops them from bitching about me behind my back. As if I care! It is not my fault that I am perfect in all perspective. But they are the same people who try to always please me and almost beg to be my friend cause that's where all the attentions are.

I was always treated like a princess as I am the only daughter of the family. I can have all of the luxuries I want and support from my family. But they want only one thing in return and that is to marry Ryan Anderson who is the only son of Robin Anderson, one of the closest friends of my father.

Ryan Anderson has the looks of Hugo Boss's model and is the most eligible bachelor of America. He can be the hero of any CEO employee love story but he is yet to be the CEO of his father's company. Only if he was having a relation with one of his employees! I know too cliche to handle, right?

He is now 26 years old and soon won't be a bachelor anymore, since we'll be married. I am actually happy that I will marry him. It is not like that Nathaniel Morrow will be interested in me anyways, so why not a Hugo Boss model!

Thinking who is Nathan, right? He is my neighbor and a long time crush. He is a doctor and in France for a seminar right now. I hoped all my life I will have a love life with the guy next door. But he does not even take another look at me while the other boys are dying to be my boyfriend even though they were aware of my engagement with Ryan.

I did not try to attract him though as I was not desperate. But if he had liked me back I would have pursued my family to let me marry him. But he did not.

The only other boy who did not look at me was Ryan himself. He was always typing on his phone whenever he visited us along with his father. I knew he was a businessman and he tends to be busy. But still I was a little bit curious what he did on that all the time. His lack of interest to get along with me was probably the reason why I got attracted to Nathan as I often found myself wondering if marrying Ryan will do me good or not.

I always wanted a fairytale where the princess marry the prince and lives happily ever after.

But I could have my happily ever after even with him, right?

Ryan's POV:

Ryan Anderson. That's me. I was nominated as the most eligible bachelor last month by a famous magazine. I got my graduation degree in business administration from Columbia.

All girls wanted to be my wife even if it lasted one day. Their desperation led me to sleep with many women until I met Natalie Hemming. She was my Personal assistant as well as my girlfriend. She was not like all the women who spends hours in order to keep themselves beautiful and slim. Instead, she was very simple and caring. After meeting her I did not even feel to go on a date with anyone else. At first, she did not trust me enough to be my girlfriend when she already knew I had a fiancee but I am an Anderson and an Anderson always got what they want. So, I made her believe in me and that I would not ever think about anyone in my life except her. She believed me but she always felt insecure as she saw the way people pined over Pearl. She had the right reasons for that because in every functions where media is involved I had to take Pearl with me. That hurt her and I could understand her fear of losing me. It broke my heart to see her in pain. But I did not have any other option open.

Pearl. This girl got on my nerves. There was nothing special about her. She was like every other girls whose family had billions of money. She had a curvy figure and men on her feet. It irritated me cause she was always acting like she was very sweet. I mean who was she kidding! Anyone with eyes could have seen that she was a vixen. But for some unknown reason, I could not deny the attraction I felt towards her even after so many years of being engaged to her which made me guilty because I felt like I was cheating on Natalie. Okay, I know what is going on your mind. I already knew I was actually cheating on Pearl but it was not like she was any better than me.

If you are thinking then why I was engaged to her then let me tell you, it was because my father wanted me to marry her because she was his closest friend's daughter and like a daughter to him as well. In the beginning, I did not have any problem with that. In fact, I was really excited to have her as my fiancee. But as the time passed, I came to know the real her. So now, if I could I would have broke the engagement with Pearl and proposed Natalie. But this will anger my father and I could not afford that not until I got what I wanted.

So, I had only one prayer and that was to be saved from marrying her by the grace of God almighty.

Pearl's POV:

"Pearl dear, are you ready for tonight's party?" My mother asked me entering my room. That night night papa and uncle Rob was going to announce their new project, a shipping business actually, in which they were both equal shareholders. Uncle Rob had called me the day before and said that there would be two surprises for me, which I was really excited for.

I was wearing a silk violet gown with sweetheart neckline which matched my eyes and I tied my hair in an elegant bun. There was a diamond bracelet gracing my wrist and I completed the look with a pair of black 6 inch stilettos. As usual, Ryan is my date tonight and the stilettos would give me the heights that I  desired. Because I loved to be in the same height as him.

My mom was also wearing a gown which was in a very beautiful shade of crème and she was carrying a shawl with it. I often wondered how did she manage to look still so elegant and lovely, especially at the age of late forty.

"Mamma I am ready." I twirled around to show myself properly, a little bit childish thing to do, but I always tried to give my parents a impression that I was still there little girl as parents usually hated to see their children all grown up.

"Oh my... My daughter is looking stunning." My mother's eyes beamed with happiness.

"Are you sure? All the boys will have a mild heart attack?" I questioned her in a serious tone.

"Obviously they won't even move their eyes off from you. Ryan will think himself so lucky."

"Well. He doesn't even look at me. He is always on his phone. If I had been born as an iPhone he would have probably looked at me." I mumbled as my heart became heavy with the thought of his indifference.

"He may be looks at you stealthily, you never know?" Mamma said with hopeful eyes. But it was clear in her voice that she knew how Ryan behaved around me.

"Or may be his eyes hurt while looking at me. Because I am so hot for him to handle." I laughed as my mother smacked on my arm playfully.

"Enough of joking. Let us go downstairs or your father will think that you have gone missing. He is sometime so intemperate." She muttered annoyingly.

"Papa loves me more than all of you. So, don't be jealous of your own daughter." I winked turning to leave the room.

"Incredible father and daughter." She sighed following me.

***

"Ladies and gentleman may I have your attention please?" Uncle Rob spoke through the microphone. All of the guests turned to him. "Thanks, as you all know we are here for a important announcement and I would like to announce that now. The thing here is, my longtime friend Mr. Altos Bennett and I are going to open a shipping business together. It will start from tomorrow."

All clapped on that excitedly as I was holding Ryan by the arm and we both were listening to uncle Rob.

"My son, Ryan Anderson worked really hard on this project and he proved himself that he is worthy to be called an Anderson. I'm proud of you son." Uncle raised his glass of Martini at Ryan's direction and Ryan nodded at him with a small smile. "I have another another important thing to announce. In this function a very close person of mine is present. She is the beautiful Pearl Bennett." He gestured his hand towards me. "Altos and I both decided to name this company on her name as she is not only like a daughter to me but also the future wife of my son." He gave an award winning smile to all.

I felt Ryan's body hardened beside me. What happened to him now?

"Thanks uncle but it was not necessary." I gave him a humble smile.

"It was dear." He smiled at me and turn his attention to the guests again. "You all know Ryan and Pearl's marriage is fixed from a long time. I want you all to know that they will be married on the first Sunday of next month."

The guests started clapping vigorously.

Ryan removed my hand from his arm and went towards his father. Well, I didn't expect that. I know it was announced all of a sudden but he knew that we will be married one day. Right?

From the position I was standing, I saw him telling his father something. But the question is what could be that?

"I have to talk to my son about the planning of the marriage. Excuse me, please." He turned and went inside with Ryan.

What the hell was that?

Ryan's POV:

I just can't believe this my father named the company on Pearl's name for which I worked from dawn to dusk. On top of that he just announced my marriage without even talking to me. I can't handle it anymore. I have to talk to him now, at this moment. So, I walked to him removing Pearl's hand from my arm. She was clutching my arm all the time. It irritated the hell out of me.

"Dad, I have to talk to you now." I said through gritted teeth careful enough so nobody hears.

He nodded at me and excused himself from the guests.

We went to one of the spare bedrooms of Bennett house as the party was held here.

"Why did you act like that in front of so many peoples. There were press people. If they don't take it well then rumors will be spread like wildfire." He snapped at me.

"Why didn't you tell me that you are announcing my marriage and why did you name shipping line on Pearl's name?" I snapped back at him.

"You are going out of control day by day. You have to marry her one day. I just fixed the date and it is on your future wife name. I don't think that is a problem." He said in a cold and firm voice.

"I am not a child dad that you can control. I won't marry her because I love Natalie." I rubbed my forehead.

"I know you like that gold digger. But I won't ever allow her to be my daughter in law." He glared at me, his lips thinned with irritation.

"She isn't a gold digger dad. She is just not like that porcelain doll." I stood straight and faced him.

"Think before what you say and she is the daughter I never had." He stated.

"I won't marry her. You can't make me marry her." I said confidently.

"Are you sure young man? If you embarrass me you won't get even one percent share from my business and I will make sure that you and your Natalie don't get any job anywhere." He smirked at me.

He was not serious, was he?

"You don't have any other child. Who will be the owner than?" I groaned with disappointment.

"I will transfer all my property on Pearl's name." He said calmly.

"You will transfer it on Pearl's name." I whispered in disbelief. What exactly she did to get my father on her side like that?

"Yes, I sure will. Note my words and think about what you will do. You will marry her. Am I correct?"

I just nodded my head, feeling helpless.

"Good. I knew you're smart." He said giving me a evil smile before he walked out.

What would I say to Natalie? Where I got myself stuck in?

Pearl's POV:

Uncle Rob came out from inside with a full moon smile on his face followed by Ryan who was in a stony mood.

'Why is there a big difference between their mood?' I asked myself.

Don't think of these things Pearl. That is not your place. They can do whatever they want.

The inner bitch of me snapped at me.

"Ms. Bennett congratulations. You will be married soon. How are you feeling?" A middle length man asked bringing me out from my thought land, he was holding a notepad in his hand which assured that he was some sort of reporter.

"I am really happy. What can a girl want anything more when she is going to be an Anderson?" I replied giving him the best ravishing smile I could muster.

"I bet you are. So why your fiancée went rapidly to his father as soon as the date was announced. Does he not want to marry you?" He questioned in whole seriousness that caught me off guard.

"He.."

"Because I wanted to marry her before that day as I can't wait to marry her any longer. I want to make her mine as soon as possible. So I went my father to talk about it. But he said it takes time to arrange a marriage. Bad luck." Ryan interrupted me, wrapping his hand around my waist.

Oh his words flattered me. Not.

"Yeah.. We wanted to marry next week but uncle Rob's wish is our wish." Well two can play this game, right?

"Well, thanks and enjoy your night." The reporter smiled at us and went to another person.

"Um.. Thanks for answering on my behalf but where did you go like that with uncle?" I asked shifting my eyes on him.

"That is none of your business." He muttered.

"That is. People will be asking me why did you do that. What will I answer them?"

"The same thing that I said to the reporter."

"Are you for real? I, myself isn't convinced with your answer then why will be other people?"

"Why are you not convinced?"

"You are asking me? Did you ever looked at me properly?" I narrowed my eyes.

"Then why don't you-"

One of my close friends, Ashley cut him off. "Pearl, Mrs. Franz wants to talk to you about your boutique."

She pulled me to meet her, not giving me a chance to say something.

That made me slightly irritated because I really wanted to know what he was going to say.

Ryan's POV:

I wanted to tell her to cancel the marriage. I couldn't do that but she could. But her stupid friend had to come at that time.

One minute, she said something about a boutique. Pearl owns a boutique? I didn't know that. So what? She must be just wasting her father's money. No design can come out from that stupid brain and I am sure about that.

I had to leave the party and talk to Natalie. She might've saw the news about my marriage on TV. What will she think about me? I have to make her understand that I love her only.

My phone vibrated. It's a message from Natalie.

You're marrying her? Were you playing with me all these time?

My baby is hurt. This is Pearl's fault. I hate her.

Baby, you know I love you. Please try to understand I had no other way. I will talk to her about cancelling this marriage. I am coming in your place. I will tell you everything.

She replied in a minute.

You better do that Mr. Anderson. I am waiting.

Mr. Anderson? My baby is really angry at me. I had to go to her as soon as possible. I had to get out of there.

***

I got myself out of that place with great efforts. Let's skip how I did that. I am now in front of Natalie's apartment and I knocked the door.

"Come." Nate opened the door after three knocks.

"Baby I am so sorry for that. I didn't know dad planned anything like this." I said hugging her.

"Why didn't you tell your father that you won't marry her?" She snapped. BTW she looks hot when she is angry.

"I told him. He threatened me to deprive from all his property if I don't marry her. But if you don't want me to marry her I won't." I told her firmly.

"I don't wanna be the reason of that. But I can't see you with anyone else. So, I will leave the city tomorrow." She choked as I hold her tightly in my arm.

"No, baby. I won't be with her. If I have to marry her then I will give her divorce as soon as my father makes me the CEO." I assured her.

"So, it will be a contact marriage?" She pushed me a little to look at me.

"I can't do that. She is Pearl Bennett. She has no reason to do that. But I won't love her ever because you are the only one for me." I trailed off.

"It's not enough for me. What if you became attracted to her?" She muttered sadly.

"I don't like her and won't even touch her. Believe me baby." I said tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"You aren't lying. Are you?"

"No, I aren't." I told her pressing my lips on her forehead.

"OK then. I trust you. You can marry her as long as you are still mine." She smiled.

"Oh, Nate you are so understanding." I heaved a sigh.

"I ought to be." She said hugging me.

God what have I done to get this woman's love? I am so perfectly happy to be with her. But I have to be with Pearl again. So disgusting.

Now when I think about that I can't tell her to not marry me. She is a daddy's daughter. She will definitely say him that I told her to cancel the marriage and that will cause ruckus. Even if she doesn't tell him my dad will get suspicious and the reaction won't be good for me. Moreover, if she wants to marry me badly then she will, no matter what I think of her. So, I have to go along with it. I have to marry her Highness.

But what happens when I tell that I can't love her after the wedding? I have to make sure that it remains a secret until I divorce her.