Chapter 4 THE FIRST ENCOUNTER

ARIEL POV

I watched as the doctor examined me. She took my pulses and also checked my breathing. I could not help but pray silently that I would finally get discharged.

It had been two days since I had been in the hospital, and the thought of leaving soon always crept to my mind. I tried not to think of my response to Mrs. Selina proposal, which I gladly said yes to.

A lot of What's and Why had been on my mind lately especially at my rushed decision. What was I thinking about to the extent of agreeing to a marriage proposal,especially to someone I had never seen in my life. I had always wanted to marry the one I love, not a marriage of inconvenience.

I groaned inwardly at my thought.

But I still couldn't help but nudge a grudge at my family,the thought of revenge slowly creeping into my mind. I doubt if I will let them go scot free, especially my stepmom. Every time I thought about it, I felt overwhelmed with emotion. It was the greatest betrayal I had ever received in my life. It was like a slap to my face.

"Miss Ariel, you will be discharged today," My face tilted to face the doctor, as a smile crept to my lips.

If I wasn't on the hospital bed,I would probably be doing a happy dance now. She adjusted her stethoscope as she looked at me.

"Your bills have been paid. Please do well to take care. Avoid any stressful job for now, and also take a lot of rest."

"Thank you ma. I will do everything you ask me to do, as long as I can get out of here today. I need fresh air," I groaned, as she chuckled.

"Alright. Take care. Bye for now," She exited the room as I leaped up with joy.

I walked to and fro before settling on the bed. My smile widened, as I felt happy and grateful to Mrs. Selina for taking good care of me and even paying off my hospital bills. It really touched my heart.

I glanced towards the right side, as I saw the file she left while she visited last night. It contained some information about her son, which no doubt confirmed that she really meant business when she said she wanted me to get married to her son.

I peeked at the file, as I scanned through his profile.

"Ryan Ackers, CEO of AK Corporation." I read out as my eyes suddenly got glued to the picture attached to the file.

There was no doubt that he looked dazzling, especially in those black suits on him.

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door, as the person I assumed to be the driver walked in.I had often seen him with Mrs. Selina.

"Hi Miss Ariel, young master requested I bring you to his office today," My eyes widened, trying to take in his words.

It felt as if cold air passed through me. Today?' I asked myself, as I had forgotten all about it. I was asked by Mrs. Selina to meet him after getting discharged.

"Um, okay. I will be out in the next five minutes," I said to the man, as he nodded and left.

I picked up some of my belongings as I arranged them properly in a bag. There were few, as I quickly left for outside. Each step I took reminded me how I was free from the pungent smell of the hospital.

I said a silent prayer, as I passed through the lobby before I was directed to a car by the driver. I got inside the Black Mercedes-Benz as I inhaled the beautiful scent that accompanied it, as if it was brand new. Furthermore, I placed my stuff beside me, battling with different thoughts, as soon as the car started moving.

It felt as if my life had suddenly changed overnight. More like a Cinderella story. But all I could pray for is a happily ever after. I tried to block the possibilities of rejection from the person I would be meeting: Ryan Ackers, one of the top Billionaires in the USA CORPORATION COMPANIES LIST.

Marriage will be lovely,' I thought. It doesn't matter whether he likes me or not. I just wanted to live another life, opposite what I wanted for myself. From a simple and reserved lifestyle, to a rich and classy lifestyle.

The car stopped at the front of an immense building as I stepped out. I was putting on a floral design pink gown that reached my knee and a pink and black sandal, which was quite decent. All this, gotten by Mrs. Selina. My heart suddenly leaped with gratitude for all she had done for me.

I was awed at the exteriors of the skyscraper, but the moment I stepped in only left me speechless. The interior look took my breath away.

I glanced around at the busy lobby, quite amazed at how everywhere was. The way the sun shone through the glass walls gave the whole place some sort of light and elegance.

I was soon led by the driver to what I assumed to be a private elevator, as I noticed that we passed by the crowded ones. We both stepped in, as the elevator closed.

"What's your name, sir?" I asked as he smiled at me.

"Walter," I nodded and returned his smile, finally glad I knew someone close enough to the Ackers family.

The elevator dings open, as I move out. Mr. Walter waved at me after pointing to the office in front of me to be that of Ryan. My heart leaped, as the elevator closed, as I turned to face the door. I moved gently towards the office, breathing in and out and finally developed the courage to knock on the door.

"Come in,"

I stepped in, closing the door gently behind, as the office looked more beautiful, with gold and black imprints as interiors.

My eyes came in contact, landing on the most beautiful pair of blue eyes I had ever seen.

"Hello, Ariel." His voice came out slow and calm.

I froze in place as I met his gaze. He even looked better in person than in the pictures I saw earlier.

He looked breathtaking dressed in a black suit. His blonde hair combed smoothly in place, as his long dark lashes framed his eyes. He looked like a wonderful Adonis drawn out from the pages of one of the Historical Romance books I read.

"Ahem," he faked a cough, jolting me out of my reverie.

"You should really stop staring and take your seat," he offered, as my face flushed.

I need to work on my subtle ogling. I was not good at it. I gently found my seat in one of the chairs in front of him, as I looked sideways.

"Ariel. Why do you want to marry me?" His question came out of the blues, shocking me.

I looked up at him, as his eyes bore into mine, and for some seconds, I confessed inwardly that I was beginning to get attracted to this man.

Noticing my lack of response, he further urged:"Are you after my money?"

My face turned grim. Just great! Just when I thought he wasn't like those typical cold Billionaires I always read about, he proved me wrong. His question was like a dagger.

"Definitely not. I am not a lover of money. I only want to get married." He chuckled at my statement, creeping me out the most.

"You can't fool me, Ariel, even if you had managed to make my mum fall for you. Listen." He folded his hands, resting on the table, as he moved closer to me.

"I will pay you any amount. Just mention it, and it will be yours. Tell my mum you are no longer interested. You can possibly leave this country or start a new life somewhere," He proposed, as I felt my hand itching to hit him in his face.

It was his sheer audacity for me. Does he think every girl can be bought with money?

"I think you got the wrong idea, Mr. Ryan Ackers. I accepted the marriage proposal, not because of any material benefits. I only wanted to get married. But if you do not accept this, I will gladly inform Mrs. Selina about it."

I brought out my phone, pretending to put a call through, but his next action caught me off, as he took away the phone.

"You are not calling anyone. I just need to ask you more questions."

He looked intently at me, making me feel a little flustered. I really wanted to leave here soon. At least for now. His gaze were not helping, I thought.

The knock on the door made him look up, as he requested for the person outside to enter.

A short petite lady with short blonde hair entered, as she looked shocked slightly as she glared briefly at me, before turning to I'm not sure we had met.

"Sir, your meeting with Mrs Samantha Delerosa is in five minutes, as she is available now. She is the owner of Sam and Lucille Corporation,"The lady states, as I felt my body tensed.

"I will be there,"Ryan stood up, as he looked at me one more time, handing back my phone to me.

"I will be right back, Ariel Peterson,"He mumbled, as they left, leaving me with my thoughts.

I bit down on the inside of my cheek, trying to calm the nerves twisting inside of me.

'They can't possibly be the one,'I thought.

My heart had started to warble inside my chest. My breaths suddenly quickened. My nerves kicked up into high gear again.

"It can't be possible. She can't be here," I mused

I shook my head, closing my eyes, as I kept quiet for a short moment, during which a deluge of apprehension fought for dominance in my forebrain.

The shadows of that night clouded my mind again.