Chapter 2 Wedding

The wedding takes place in a picturesque setting, a charming outdoor garden in the Eden crest. Soft sunlight filters through the trees, casting a warm, golden glow over the scene. The air is filled with the scents of blooming flowers, their vibrancy against the lush greenery.

Rows of white chairs adorned with delicate ribbons are lined up neatly, leading to the elegant archway dropped in cascading white roses and greenery.

The guests, dressed in their finest attire, are seated quietly as they anticipate the ceremony.

The aisle is covered in gold petals, creating a part that seems to glow under the soft light .

The groom stands at the altar looking dashing in a tailored suit, his express difficult to read. His friend Evans stood beside him looking sophisticated. He looked more excited about the wedding than the groom because he knew they were in fortune.

The bridesmaids dressed in coordinated dresses that compliment the wedding color scheme, holding bouquets, their faces glowing with happiness.

Catherine stood among the crowds and clenched her fist tightly. She snatched Arabella's boyfriend, Enzo Ferrari. Enzo Ferrari is a rich city Y guy who made it big in city Z without his family influence and that made him the most sorted bachelor.

Catherine thought with Enzo by her side, Arabella would be down and be single. And their grandpa will sign for the company.

Then the moment arrives. The music shifts to the bridal march, and all eyes turn as the bride appears. She is breathtaking in her wedding gown, a vision of elegance and grace.

A soft veil behind her, adding a touch of ethereal beauty to her entrance. Her bouquet is a stunning arrangement of her favorite flowers, tied together with a ribbon that matches the wedding theme.

As she walked down the aisle, armed with her grandpa, who was full of smiles, the guests turned to watch her. The bride's eyes are locked on the groom, who seems speechless and shocked.

Arabella is known to be a business person. Jake wasn't a news person, so he only heard about her once or twice and all her pictures he had seen, she was in professional outfits.

Seeing her dress so beautiful and feminine, he was amazed and shocked, but he was not here to admire her, he needed to get Emily back.

When they finally stand together, the officiator begins the ceremony speaking words that carry the weight of tradition, love and commitment. The vows were exchanged and personal heartfelt promises that brought tears to the eyes of the guests. But who would have thought those promises were all lies and were built on the foundation of deception?

As the ring slipped into the fingers, a sense of joy and anticipation filled the air. The officiant pronounced them married, and they shared their first kiss as husband and wife.

A moment of pure love and joy that is met with applause and cheers from the guests.

It is the tradition of Sinclair that the son-in-law must share a dinner with the family at Eden crest before the wedding consummation.

Arabella sighed loudly in the car, James and Kelly glanced at her through the rare mirror. She's married but she doesn't seem happy. It shouldn't be done this way. They both felt pity for her.

Jake had a different thoughts running through his head. The Sinclair family is popular and the news of the popular Arabella Sinclair getting married to him would have gotten to Emily. What are her thoughts about the wedding? Is she angry? Will she accept him back?

Those were the thoughts running through his head. He ignored the little and fragile girl beside him, trying to gain his attention by sighing occasionally.

Jake and Arabella entered Eden Crest and were welcomed by the mansion workers. Jake wondered how rich Sinclair was.

Would Google have lied about their net worth? He thought as he entered the large sitting room.

He controlled his urge to look around and scream. He can't believe he's in the Eden Crest.

He entered the large dining room, enough to entertain fifty people, probably his imagination, but that should not be an exaggeration.

They sat down and were served by the popular chef, Mara. Jake eats slowly, he drinks when everyone drinks, and he stops when everyone stops. That is why he still feels Emily was right about leaving him.

" I thought the great Arabella would end up with someone great, but turns out he's just sn unknown actor" Catherine said, chewing her beef slowly.

" What? I thought he was so important", Enzo mocked. He felt so relieved, at least he was better than Arabella's husband .

" At least he's a responsible young man and not a cheat, unlike someone" Arabella mocked Enzo.

" What do you mean? I fell out of love " Enzo laughed.

Grandpa Sinclair sighed softly and stopped eating. " Enough you all" he declared.

" But, grandpa, you are not saying anything about Arabella, what would the shareholders say" Catherine tried to trigger grandpa Sinclair.

" Catherine, mind your words", Arabella cautioned her. She sighed inwardly.

Jake continued eating without saying a thing. He's not ready for a family tussle. He thought the great Sinclair family would be living in harmony. Who would have thought?

Jake stopped eating when he felt all eyes were on him. He sighed softly " just a day here, and I'm going to die", he thought inwardly.

" See me in my study" grandpa Sinclair said to Jake and left the dining, with his butler.

Jake got up and followed grandpa Sinclair to his study. He was almost spitting out blood, but it's all to get Emily back, he was ready to do that.

Arabella waited for Jake inside the car patiently. " What do you think grandpa is telling him" Arabella was worried .

" Anything good" Kelly replied without looking at Arabella. They met barely a month ago and she's this way. I just hope she's not in love with him. Kelly was worried.

" Ohhh... He's here, come in", one of Eden crest maids opened the car door and Jake entered.

" You're back. Did grandpa make it difficult for you" Arabella asked sincerely.

" No he didn't. Can we just leave here already" Jake asked, looking out through the window. Everything grandpa Sinclair said was still going through his mind.

" Okay" Arabella sighed in defeat and rested her head to sleep. " I told a maid to prepare our matrimonial room" she smiled sweetly.

" I said I didn't want to share a room", Jake replied sharply.

" We should consummate the wedding or what do you think we're married " Arabella asked this time she was facing him directly.

" When is survival starting" he asked. Arabella sighed, he still thought of his ex. Is he not tired of her?

" You're going to the location tomorrow and start shooting since you've done the cast shoot, and it will be revealed soon." Arabella replied and closed her eyes.

When she first saw him, she fell in love with him. She was interested in a man like him who was delicate and dutiful. But were are thoughts wrong? She could not help but rethink.

Jake smiled and felt happy inwardly. He's going to see her again and make her rethink her decision.

" I'll send guards with you to protect you". Arabella said.

" Don't worry, I can protect myself " Jake replied.

The two of them entered opals garden and went to their bedroom.

Jake mocked the arrangements he met the room. " Did she think I'm interested in her" he left for the bathroom to have his bath.

The rug was filled with red petals. The light in the bedroom was dimmed. A bottle of red wine and two red wine glass could be seen on the table.

The duvet was covered in scented petals that would make any romantic couple get into action immediately.

But the situation with Jake and Arabella is different. There's no romantic feeling between them. It's just a trial marriage for Isabella and a contract marriage for Jake.

Jake walked to the sofa and lay down. He won't defile himself but keep himself for Emily. They'll be back soon .

Mark walked out of the bathroom and saw Emily holding her tab.

" What's going on? Why are you so serious about checking the news" mark questioned.

He sat down close to Emily and took the tab from her and saw the news. He looked at Emily, his heart ached. Is she still thinking about him?

" I was shocked that's all" Emily pretended not to care about Jake. But deep down she felt sad and jealous.

Mark wasn't stupid. He saw through her lies, he clenched his fist and got up angrily.

" Are you crazy? Do you think I'm Jake who's ready to be with you after everything" he yelled angrily.

" What do you mean mark ? Enough, I'm not ready for this." Emily tried to walk away from Mark, but he pulled her back and slapped her hard on the face.

" You dare hit me" Emily yelled. Jake never lay his hand on her, but she was too blinded by game and money to not see the beast in Mark.

" I hate you" she yelled. She was emotional. She can't control Mark like she did to Jake and it's painful.

" What happened", little snow her assistant asked her.

" Mark slapped me" she screamed angrily. Little snow paused and looked at her face again." Have you seen the news", Little snow wanted to confirm.

" Jake is finally gone snow. I thought I'll go back to him after survival " she said in tears.

" I never thought he'll move on so quickly...maybe he never loved you" little snow sighed .

" Do you think he still loves me" Emily questioned, " is he trying to make me jealous, " she asked Little Snow.

" I don't know, I can't say till we meet him", little snow looked at Emily helplessly.

" Then set a meeting for both of us" Emily said and smiled.

Arabella entered the room and saw Jake on the sofa. She took a blanket from her walk-in closet and covered him. She looked at his attractive and distinctive features.

Kelly entered after getting her permission. " I brought the information you need, ma'am", she bowed slightly.

Arabella got up from the floor and followed Kelly to her study. She needs to find a way to deal with those old ugly men in the meeting they called for tomorrow "

Arabella stayed in the study just to clean up after Jake. She stayed till day break.

Grang... Grang ... Grang ... Her alarm woke her up. She checked the time 7am, she got up quickly and ran downstairs to prepare breakfast for Jake.

She prepared pasta and chili, sour cream soup, grilled mackerel fish and pancakes with chocolate and strawberries.

She waited for Jake to come downstairs. She waited for forty-five minutes, and finally he came dressed in a casual white shirt and ripped jeans with white sneakers. He look casual yet classy .

Arabella admired him for few minutes before looking away.

" I prepared breakfast" Arabella was happy to share the news about preparing breakfast herself.

" I'm almost late. Evans will be here soon" Jake checked his wristwatch.

" He won't be here early, you should quickly have breakfast " Arabella tried to hold him, but he moved away, leaving her hand hanging in the air.

" I can pack it for you " Arabella suggested. Jake walked out elegantly, leaving her alone in the house .

" I'll prepare a bath for you ma'am", Kelly walked away, leaving Arabella standing awkwardly.

Jake entered his new van Arabella bought for him, Evans was seared at the driver's seat.

" You must be so happy. I'm so proud of you. You deserve Arabella more than anyone" Evans praised Jake.

" I'm doing all this for Emily. She must be worried after seeing the news", Jake sighed sadly.

" What? You mean you still want to go back to Emily". Evans finds it funny and unbelievable. " You must definitely be out of your mind" he mutteres thinking he heard wrong.

They drove to the shooting location. It took them two hours. Jake seemed exhausted and tired.

Arabella got to the office " ma'am the shareholders are planning to hold a meeting to remove you from the position of the CEO" one of the workers said.

Catherine smiled dangerously after being able to sway the shareholders. It wasn't easy for her to sway them to go against Arabella. While Arabella was busy trying to satisfy Jake, Catherine was busy trying to sway the shareholders.

" How dare Arabella? She's the CEO. What will happen to us"

" Our sales will decline and everything will go down in drain"

" We must vote her out today."

The shareholders hold different grudges against Arabella, but it was all baseless. As a shareholder you only care about profits, but it seems these greedy old men have forgotten who Arabella is.

The door burst open and Arabella entered looking sophisticated like a real businesswoman.

Her hair is impeccably styled in a sleek bun, and her make-up is refined, enhancing her natural features.

She carries herself with grace, her movements deliberate and purposeful. Beyond her appearance, she radiates a quiet confidence .

She is knowledgeable and prepared and always a step ahead. Her professionalism is matched by her empathy and emotional intelligence.

Catherine felt her blood boiling. Arabella's entry alone is enough to make these ole men shiver in fear, but she's determined to make things difficult for Arabella.

" Sister, you're here, the shareholders seem displeased because of your husband. What will you do" she questioned.

On the surface, she's concerned, but to Arabella, who knows her tricks, she tells her there's no way she will get out of this mess.

Arabella smirked and sat in her position quietly observing all the shareholders.

" Miss Sinclair, your husband won't contribute to the company and that will make our sales decline", one of the shareholders spoke first.

At least someone will have to say something first. They can't sit and shiver in fear together. Someone has to be bold enough to say something.

" You lead others to follow" Arabella laughed in ridicule.

" Arabella, you have to respect the shareholders " Catherine tried to speak in favor of the shareholders to gain their support and trust.

Arabella raised her index finger, gesturing at Catherine to be quiet. She faced the shareholder that talked first, "Mr Davies is a hundred million dollars, not too much for shareholders with just two percent of the company's share". Arabella questioned Mr Davies.

"What do you mean" Mr Davies asked trying to hide his nervousness.

"Any shareholder that holds below ten percent of the company's shares will not attend any shareholders' meeting and won't receive a yearly favor", Arabella declared decisively.

" What do you mean," Mr Rolm, who lost two percent of his ten percent shares to Mr Davies in a bet, was worried.

" You won't have a say in the company anymore, what do you think? " She mocked

" You can't treat them this way, they're important to company you know " Catherine was shocked at Arabella's decisiveness.

" Ohh... I almost forgot" Arabella laughed " I'll spare you all on one condition, who gathered you all here" she asked no one in particular.

The Sinclair family own 75 percent of the company's share and the other 25 percent is shared between the shareholders.

Only Mr Rolm that owned ten percent lost two to Mr Davies that means they'll all be neglected.

" Are you threatening them?" Catherine tried to act like a big sister.

Arabella looked lost. " I'm I? I can't remember," she mocked. If she loses her position today, then she won't be the Arabella that took over the company at such a young age.

" Will you spare me If I rat the person out" they asked timidly.

" Catherine" they mentioned at once.

Arabella looked at Catherine mocking her for the disloyal people around her.

One will surely win, and the other will lose, but the real winner is yet to be determined because Catherine has a bigger plan to execute.