Chapter 8 Pretend

Janiya felt a little bitter. She moved her lips, but no words came out.

Seeing that Janiya was silent, Weston continued, "Miss Hamilton, I don't know why you saw it fit to choose Aden, but let me tell you that everything will be different if you choose me. After all, I am the elder son of the Morrison family, and in future this family will be mine. Teaming up with me will do you no harm whatsoever. Please think it over."

Hearing Weston's suggestion, Janiya felt disgust and tried not to shudder. What kind of a family was this? The father kidnapped his own son's girlfriend for his benefits, the elder brother was alienating her from his younger brother for his interest... Didn't they care about each other? Had they no affection for each other?

At that moment, Janiya felt lucky and happy to be blessed with such a happy and loving family.

No matter how disgusted Janiya felt, she had to hide it from Weston. "Sorry Mr. Morrison, I don't understand what you are talking about. Your father and Aden must have finished discussing business and must be looking for me. I have to head back." Janiya didn't want to listen to Weston anymore, so she made up an excuse and turned to leave.

But Weston was reluctant to let her go. He didn't expect that Janiya wouldn't change her mind, after the advice he gave her. He got a bit angry and spoke with emphasis, "Miss Hamilton, I don't know what benefits Aden has given you. Just say the price. I can match whatever Aden has promised, and even more."

A slight frown marred Janiya's forehead. She thought Weston was being ridiculous. Before she could refuse, a voice came from behind her, "What gift are you going to give Niya, my dear brother? I would like to thank you on her behalf. Well, stop standing and talking here. Let's go for dinner. Father is waiting for us."

Aden walked over to Janiya, wrapped his arm around her shoulder and hugged her close to his side. He made it look so natural, as if they were a real couple.

Janiya didn't expect that Aden would make such a move. Subconsciously, she wanted to push him away, but Aden held her shoulder tighter, as if he had known she would try to move away.

Dinner was boring. The men at the table almost didn't talk to each other. Only Mason occasionally asked Janiya to help herself to more food. At times, Aden acted like the caring boyfriend and served her some more food. She ate some when she wanted, otherwise she just pushed it aside.

Janiya realized that the two men, Aden's father and brother, had known that Aden and she were only pretending to be a couple, although no one said anything about it. In that case, she didn't have to stoop low and pretend to be affectionate with Aden.

After dinner, she told Aden that it was getting late and she wanted to go home. Aden nodded. They said their good-byes and moved towards the door.

The car was parked outside Janiya's home. She got straight to the point. "Mr. Morrison, I've already signed the marriage contract as you wished. Please let my mother go. Besides, I don't want my family to know what happened between us. During this year, let's pretend to be boyfriend and girlfriend in public. A year later, our engagement will automatically get canceled, and we will have nothing to do with each other."

Aden smirked at Janiya's words. "Miss Hamilton, do you think my father is that stupid? Do you think he will give up so easily without seeing the end results and reaping his benefits?"

"What do you mean?" Janiya was a little confused. Now that she had agreed to be Aden's nominal wife, was Mason still worried? What did he want?

"What do I mean? I mean..." Aden wanted to say something, but he caught a glimpse of a figure, not too far away. He suddenly leaned over Janiya. Since she was already looking towards him, Aden's movement erased the distance all the more between them. They were only a whisper away.

Janiya froze. She looked in disbelief at Aden's face in front of her. Her brain went numb, when Aden closed the gap and kissed her lips.

Aden didn't expect Janiya's lips to be soft and sweet. The memory of that night came gushing back to him in an instant. He pulled her all the more closer and kissed her thoroughly.

It was not until that she felt Aden's tongue try to enter, past the barrier of her teeth, that she came to her senses. She pushed Aden away and covered her mouth in shock. They were both breathing heavily. She wiped her lips and ran out of the car.

Aden looked at Janiya's back and was lost in thought. He didn't know what came over him. He just wanted to pretend that they were in love in front of others. However, when he looked at her beautiful red lips, all thoughts flew from his mind and he kissed her.

The reporter looked at the photos in his camera and smiled triumphantly. He had to send it immediately to his editor. It could very well be the headlines tomorrow.

"Janiya, you are back. Did someone drop you off? Was that your admirer?" Noticing that Janiya was not responding and was in a trance like state, Jayla winked and gave her a mysterious and quizzical look.

Janiya forced a smile and said bitterly, "Jayla, that issue has created quite a controversy. Who do you think will admire a woman, who has lost her virginity and her reputation?"

Janiya was a very principled woman. She had cherished her virginity and had decided from a very young age, to only give it to the person she would love and marry. Even though she had been abroad, Janiya was conservative to the bone.

Jayla's eyes shone with evil laughter, as she looked at Janiya enter her room. That was exactly what she wanted.

Janiya did not tell her family about the marriage contract between her and Aden. She did not want to explain the reason to her dad. However, the next day, the headlines screamed at her. "Wedding bells in the near future for Glory Group and Hamilton Group."

Janiya was shocked to read it. The reporter had also posted pictures of the marriage contract and of Aden kissing her last night in the car. As for the contract, the readers could only see its title and signatures, the rest of the content was blurred.

Janiya was furious, but helpless. This news could only have been released by Aden. How else could the reporter get a copy of the marriage contract? But what could she do? Her hands were tied.

As expected, Jedidiah called Janiya to his study. He looked at her in disbelief and asked, "Niya, what's going on?"

Janiya didn't know how to explain it to him. But no matter what, her father couldn't know the content of the marriage contract and how she was forced to sign it. Since, he loved her so much, he would definitely get justice for her at all costs and then her mother's life would be in danger.

Janiya bowed her head and remained silent, but Jedidiah asked patiently, "Niya, do you have your reasons? Don't be afraid. Tell me and I'll help you."

Janiya looked at the concern on her father's face and thought of her sick mother. She mustered her courage and said, "Dad, I like Aden, so I signed the marriage contract."

Jedidiah didn't believe this explanation that Janiya gave him. "Niya, a few days ago you told me that, you don't like him. What changed your mind? Did Aden force you?"

"Dad, love has always been like this, it happens at the most weird times and with the people you least expect. Even I didn't expect to fall in love with him, but that's the truth. I fell in love with him because of a misunderstanding. I realized that he is a wonderful person. Responsible, caring, handsome and loyal. Moreover, he likes me too. So, we..."

"Ridiculous!" Jedidiah exclaimed in anger. He didn't expect Janiya, the child that he had taken such good care of, since she was a baby, would marry a man she had only known for a few days. He was furious. "Even if you like each other as you said, you must wait until the elders of both the families meet and discuss it. You've only known each other for a couple of days. This is too ridiculous," Jedidiah said vehemently.