Chapter 2 Welcome to my world

Christopher's mood lost a bit of its cheer as his father's name appeared on his phone screen. He hesitated momentarily, staring at the screen as if it held the answer to an unasked question. Finally, he picked up, his voice tinged with tension.

"Dad, what is happening?" He said, his tone respectful but distant.

"Christopher," his father's voice came through the phone, commanding even from a distance. "I need you to come home."

Christopher furrowed his brow. He had been away from home for a while, focused on his business endeavors, and avoided family matters as much as possible. The thought of returning home was wearisome.

"What's this about, Dad?" he asked cautiously, wanting to decline.

His father hesitated, and for a tense moment, the line was filled with strained silence. Then, with a heavy, resigned sigh, he began to speak. "I want to talk to you about inheritance, our family's conglomerate, and the legacy your mother and you have built."

Christopher clenched his jaw, the news hitting him harder than expected. The Sterling Enterprises were his mother's legacy, and he couldn't bear the thought of it falling into just anyone's hands.

"I'll come home tomorrow, Dad," he replied, slightly resentful.

"I hope to see you then. Goodnight, son," his father urged.

Christopher knew what that meant. His father and his relationship had never recovered since that woman had entered their lives. But he couldn't give up everything for that woman's happiness at the cost of his mother's death.

"Goodnight, Dad. We'll talk tomorrow," he responded, his tone resolute.

As he ended the call, Christopher stared out the window, his mind in turmoil. He had spent years distancing himself from family matters, building his own empire, but now, he was being drawn into a complex world of family secrets. His once icy heart sometimes ached.

Natalia's face flickered in his mind. He had signed this marriage contract with her for a reason: to win this battle against his stepmother.

Christopher's phone rang again. This time, it was an unfamiliar number. Unlike usual, it had a magical power that made him pick up the phone. Christopher's heart skipped a beat when he heard Natalia's frightened voice.

"Can you come to my house? I'm in danger..."

Without thinking twice, he replied, "Stay where you are, Natalia. I'm on my way." His tone was firm and resolute.

He hung up, grabbed his coat, and rushed out of the office, leaving his glass of wine untouched. The bustling hallways of the skyscraper seemed to blur around him as he ran toward the exit. He got in the car and followed the address she had just sent.

When the car stopped on the dimly lit street where Natalia had called. He saw her standing alone under the flickering streetlight, looking so fragile in the harsh night of the city. He quickly got out of the car and ran to her side.

"Natalia, are you okay? Are they the police you called?" He asked genuine concern in his eyes.

She became weak in a sweater and short nightgown in the cold sky. She was surrounded by police officers searching around her house.

She looked at him, her doe eyes filled with fear and relief.

"Christopher, I'm so glad you're here. Someone just broke into my house. I didn't feel safe, so I called you. I really didn't know what to do. I'm sorry..."

Christopher smiled, took off his vest, and gave it to her. His voice had a rare gentleness in this moment.

"You did the right thing. You are now my fiancee. I will ensure your safety. Now get in the car."

Natalia hesitated for a moment, her uncertainty still evident in her eyes. But Christopher's reassuring tone had already made her feel safer than she had in a long time. She nodded and offered a small, grateful smile before getting into the car beside him.

Christopher opened the car door for her and swiftly took his place in the driver's seat. Natalia was still trying to process the whirlwind of events that had led her to this moment as she settled into the passenger seat of Christopher's sleek black car. The leather seats felt cool against her skin.

As the engine roared, he asked, "Do you know who might have broken into your house?"

Natalia's voice quivered slightly as she replied, "No, I don't know who it was. His face was covered, and he seemed more interested in going through my father's study than harming me. I've already informed the police."

Christopher gripped the steering wheel tightly, his gaze fixed on the unknown ahead, and he spoke with a steely resolve in his voice.

"Don't worry, Natalia. We'll figure this out together. Right now, let's get you to a safe place."

Still trying to make sense of the whirlwind of events, Natalia furrowed her brow in confusion. "You want to take me where?"

Christopher's smile remained enigmatic, causing her heart to flutter. He briefly checked her reaction in the rearview mirror before responding, his voice low and mysterious. "My home."

Natalia's eyes widened in surprise. His home? She hadn't expected that. Her mind raced with questions, but she held them back, waiting for him to provide more details.

Christopher continued, his gaze focused on the road ahead. " You are my fiancée now, and it would be safer for you to stay with me."

Natalia couldn't quite believe what she had just heard. She hesitated momentarily before finally asking, "You're joking, right?"

Christopher's gaze remained steady on the road, and there was a faint hint of amusement in his voice as he replied, "Natalia, I'm not joking. You will be safe for as long as it takes to achieve my goals. I won't let anything happen to you."

Natalia felt her heart race as she looked into his cold, enigmatic eyes. "Thank you, Christopher..." she whispered. She didn't know what lay ahead, but she was now willing to trust the mysterious man who had entered her life.

"I'll have someone help you move your things," Christopher Sterling assured her.

Christopher Sterling just chuckled with a cryptic smile on his face and continued driving them across the city. In the darkness of the night, they seemed like two strangers, but fate had intertwined their lives in a mysterious fake marriage.

They arrived at a grand mansion more reminiscent of a palace than a residence. The magnificence of the estate was genuinely breathtaking. The villa was nestled amidst lush gardens with perfectly manicured lawns and vibrant flower beds. It was a place that seemed to exist in its own world, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

As Christopher parked the car and they stepped out, Natalia couldn't help but feel like she had stepped into a fairy tale. The front of the mansion was adorned with intricate details, with soft, warm lights illuminating the outside, making it glow enchantingly at night.

Natalia couldn't conceal her astonishment as she gazed upon the opulent grandeur of the mansion. "This place is truly amazing," she whispered in awe.

Christopher smiled at her. "Welcome to my world, Natalia."