Chapter 4 Who is James

We were both sitting there in silence and he kept his gaze on me as if there was something interesting and i felt like a prey under his scrutinizing gaze till i couldn't take it anymore. " did you order. Something??" I ask trying to divert his attention, as if the waiter was waiting for my question she immediately pushed a serving cart toward us and she started to serve us.

At first i thought it was just a coincidence but all the dishes that they were serving were my favorites and he gave me a meaningful glance ,that's when I realized that he must have either done a background check on me or one of my family members is helping him whereas i don't even know his name "....".

I must say that i don't really feel comfortable with a stranger who may possibly know everything about me even though he may be my future husband. Throughout the whole meal i was listening to him boast about his achievements and how he has already planned out his future and the funny thing is i never heard him mentioning me in his future plans and that's when i realized that if ever i decided to marry this men i would be giving away my happiness marrying him would only result in me being in a trophy wife.

I tried being polite and finished two dishes but i didn't have much of an appetite and i really didn't feel comfortable with him and i don't know why but he was giving off some weird vibes like a controlling freak and i know i have always been good at seeing though people's facades and at that very moment i decided that no matter how much my father tries to threaten me with the inheritance i would never be involved with this man even if it means i get to be disowned, i refuse to be a stepping stone for someone who is only looking after his interests. "I must leave right not it's already late and thank you for the dinner" i tried being polite . " Ohh i can drop you off, I'm heading in the same direction" he suggested and i was really not in the mood to listen to more of his bragging so i politely declined using the excuse that my driver has already arrived. As soon as i got in the car i let out a long sigh of relief, glad that i finally got through that dinner. The car suddenly stopped at a red light, i leaned against the window and looked outside, even though it was already past ten the streets were as busy as ever and my eyes suddenly stopped at a young couple eating ice cream while laughing their hearts out regardless of the slight cold breeze and deep down i knew that i really envied them, their freedom to choose whoever they want as their life partner irregardless of one's family background and their freedom to do whatever they wish to do without worrying about paparazzi or appearing in tomorrow's headlines "gosh how i wish i could control my own life even if it was for a day but i know the reality is cruel and we cannot choose our families". I said blinking back the tears that were threatening to leave my eyes.

Third's person Pov

Little did Victoria know that at that moment there was a pair eyes in the black Maybach next to her car staring at her attentively through the window just like how a wolf would stare at its prey. The man lowered his window and looked at the sad expression of the women leaning against the window and wished that he could hold her in his arms and assure her that everything will be fine and at the same time punish those who dares to make her sad. Although he only saw her for a few minutes he was determined to make her his.

Inside the black Maybach..

" i want you to find out everything about her and have the information on my desk by tomorrow morning " a deep husky voice broke the silence in the car

"Yes Mr Brooke" assistant mike replied as he followed his boss's gaze and it landed on the girl leaning against the car's window. He couldn't afford to be too slow while working with Aaron otherwise he would die a terrible death.

Aaron Brooke was the CEO of the Brooke empire,despite his age he has led the Brooke family to greater hights after taking over at the age of 19 after his patients passed away in a car accident. Aaron did not have the normal upbringing like other kids which led to him being indifferent and cold

I don't know how i fell asleep but i was awaken by gentle taps on my shoulder, opening my eyes i realized that it was the driver telling me that we have arrived and i knew i must have fallen asleep as soon as i started thinking about my life.

Getting off the car and walking into the house i realized that most of the lights in the house were still on and i knew they must be waiting for me to tell them how the date went and i would love to see the disappointment on their faces when i tell them that I'm not getting married to that guy. I opened the door and as i anticipated, my parents were all eager to hear the feedback especially my father. " how did it go?, when is the wedding?, did he agree to merger the two cocompanies?" My father asked as soon as i entered "..." not once did i hear him asking if the guy was a gentleman or did i like him, all i was to him was just a pawn.

"I will not marry him."i said and sure enough my father's face turned pale before he expoded with anger, i was not in the mood to explain everything to them and decided to excuse myself but this did not stop my father from cursing me over and over again, i could hear him from my room fortunately i was too exhausted to care about his ranting and went straight to bed.

..............

The usual sound of the alarm woke me up and i was not really looking forward to this day as i know that my father will not let me off the hook so easily but i couldn't hide forever so i groaned as i pushed myself out of the bed and got straight in to the shower. I decided to wear a long white bodycon dress to bring out my tender temperament which fitted me perfectly and applied a light makeup, after going through my morning routine i went downstairs.

The tension at the dining table was so thick that you could cut through it and i knew it was my fault. I sat down and acted as if nothing happened while my brothers looked at me and i heard Alexander whispering " you are a dead man walking " i took a glance at him and decided to ignore him

My father must have been tired of bottling his insults since last night a suddenly he slammed the table and i looked at me and i noticed the dark circles under his eyes which confirmed my speculation that when it comes to this arranged marriage there is more than meets the eye.

I remained indifferent and that is when he suddenly dropped his imposing words on me" you are going to marry James and that is final" i was confused so i immediately asked " who is james?"

Everyone "..."

My father immediately roared" Victoria what's the meaning of this? You mean to tell me that you don't even know his name?"

" how was i supposed to know? You didn't bother to tell me ".."

Dad"..". " that doesn't matter but you have to marry him otherwise our Smith family will be doomed"

" so you mean i have to be a scapegoat for something that I don't even know, i would rather cut off our relationship" i resorted angrily without thinking. "As you wish" my father said ,everyone "..." and it dawned on me that my father just gave me an ultimatum, even though my mother tried to reason with him he wouldn't budge ," i always knew you didn't think highly of me since I'm a girl but i never thought there would be a day when you place business and interests before family from now on you no longer have a daughter and i no longer have a father " i concluded and ran upstairs while pushing back the tears that were threatening to leave my eyes.

I don't care if they think I'm selfish for not agreeing to the alliance but i will not sacrifice my youth and happiness this time, i have always tried to understand my father even though he thought women amount to nothing but this is the last straw i don't need a man to be successful and i will prove that to him.