C10 Arranged Marriage

I saw the woman’s side-eye peek; it looked like she saw me in her peripheral vision. I was about to come out when someone suddenly covered my eyes. It was too late for this person to do that because I could see their position in full.

Funny.

I was about to remove the hand that covering my eyes when the man behind me spoke to Randall and to the woman he’s with, “You can do that later. The event is about to begin. ”

My knee was only getting weaker. It was as if the dagger in my chest had become more embedded.

While his hand was still in my eyes, he turned me away from the two people I had seen kissing earlier. As I was walking away, someone grabbed my hand and just said, “Winter.”

I came to a halt and removed the hand from my eye, then the ones on my arm. I separated it and turned to face the one who owns it.

“The event is about to begin,” I said coldly, even though tears welled up in my eyes.

"You are the prime spot today," I looked at the woman behind her and continued, "so when it’s over, you can go back to what you were doing."

I walked out of the room. When we got away, my legs gave out; luckily, the man who had helped me earlier catch me. He has a military haircut and a thick beard, but he doesn’t appear filthy. He has lip piercing and brown eyes.

“Thanks for saving my face earlier,” I laughed as if something is funny," Perhaps if you weren’t there it would look like heaven and earth enclosed my face."

“Nothing to thank about. It is just a coincidence. I was going to Randall’s office to pick him up because the event was about to start. ”

I immediately turned my head to him. “What is your connection to Randall? You can’t be an employee here because of the way you look. ”

He chuckled, “Why? Why do I look?”

He obstructed my path and adjusted his red suit tuxedo and black tie as if he was waiting for my opinion. I slapped his arm and giggled.

I laughed for a few more seconds before stopping. I smiled at him because he took away the heaviness I was feeling.

We walked again, and when we got to the hall, I asked him. “How do I address you?”

“My name is Turstin Adams,” he says solemnly.

My eyes widened as I covered my mouth with my hands. “Does Randall have a brother?”

He laughed and pinched the bridge of my nose. “That’s ridiculous. He’s a cousin of mine. My father and his father are brothers.”

We were laughing and chatting happily when suddenly someone pulled me away from Turstin. I looked up and saw Randall’s jaw tightening.

I didn’t resist because I don’t want to have a scandal or tarnish Randall’s image. And one more thing, I still don’t know his side. The internet says, always listen to your partner’s point of view and don’t conclude right away.

Even though I didn’t want any trouble, I whispered to him, enough for just the two of us to hear. “Let go of me. I can walk. ”

“Please, listen to me first.” he stopped, so I stopped too. He looked at me with his deep eyes.

I stare at him the way he looked at me. “I will. When you let go of my hand. ”

He let go of my hand. I crossed my arms and waited for him to say something.

“You see. That woman is Char—” he couldn’t finish what he was going to say when suddenly someone spoke on the stage.

“Good afternoon to everyone. Today we will mark this date as an event for the new CEO. New CEO and many projects to come and further growth of the company. Anyway, before we proceed, I would like to introduce myself. I am James and I would like to present to you Bernard Adams, the man who ran the Metìer Group for many years. ” The emcee stepped aside and allowing the man with the white beard and hair to enter.

“You are all aware of what achievements the Metïer Group has achieved. I am happy that until now you are still here with the company and continue to help it grow,” he said and told many that it took 20 minutes until he reached the most important part. “And since it’s time for me to enjoy, I will give the company to my only child. I hope and trust that he will do what I have done or even go beyond. ”

Randall gave me a look before stepping onto the stage. I just tried not to look at him.

“I’d like to express my appreciation to everyone who came today. I swear I’ll go to any length for the sake of the company. We should celebrate more than just being the Chief Executive Officer today. We must also rejoice over the merger of the Phoenix Corporation and the Metîer Group.” Randall had already given the microphone to the emcee.

As more cameras flashed, the noise became more audible. I didn’t pay them much attention and waited for my name to be called, but...it perplexed me when the emcee mentioned someone else’s name.

“Let us applaud Archer Williams, who is currently running the Phoenix Group, and Helena Williams, who is assisting with non-management.”

I paused for a few seconds before placing the wineglass on the round table, which can only two people join, and was chest high.

I didn’t make a scene, just walked out of the hall to get some fresh air. When I was outside, I checked my phone, which had dozens of texts from Randall.

I started with Ava’s. “How are you?”

“Let’s go! Where are we going to meet?”

As I was about to leave, the hall door opened again, and mom Amelia was spat out with a hand fan. I clutched my bag tightly as she laughed like a demon.

“See? I told you, you didn’t belong anywhere. Even your marriage is a sham. It’s not entirely a hoax, because it’s real on paper. ”

She was wearing a simple noble sequins embroidery net yarn long-sleeve gown with red lipstick. She blew a fan in her face as if she was hot.

“I’m not sure what you’re saying. I also don’t understand why you’re venting your rage on me when the person you’re upset with is my mother. ”

“Is this what they mean when they say, ‘Ignorance is bliss.’?” she sneered.

“Well, I’ll tell you because I’m considerate.” She folded the fan and slapped it lightly on my left cheek.

“Did you know they arranged your marriage? ARRANGED MARRIAGE. Just for the sake of your business. But the company you’re supposed to protect is now being used by someone else?” She laughed so loudly that her laughter could be heard down the corridor.

“But Aunt Helena said—”

She interrupted me and raised her hand.

“I understand. I understand. You’ll say Randall loves you and that you’ve known each other for a long time because your aunt Helena said so. Am I right?”

“Isn’t it maddening to be ignorant? You do not know that everyone around you is playing games with you and taking advantage of your situation.”

I couldn’t say anything until a woman joined us. The woman in the same dress I was wearing earlier — the one Randall kissed...

“Mommy!” she exclaimed to Amelia.

“Sweetheart! What brings you here? Where has Randall gone? ”

“He’s still inside, and he’s now delivering the speech’s conclusion.” What a lovely lady. Because of her small nose and lips, she resembles a Barbie doll. The eyes are round and black.

They talked as if I don’t exist. They came to a halt and looked at me.

“Oh! I haven’t yet introduced you to each other. ”

The name mentioned by mommy Amelia shook the rest of my strength.

“By the way, Winter, you’ll be pleased when you learn who she is... This person is…

Charlotte .”

I was wide-eyed. She was Charlotte, the woman who Randall was supposed to marry.