Chapter 2 A Marriage Without Love

Chapter 01: A Marriage Without Love

Janice's POV

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"Where the hell did those two go?" I muttered under my breath, clearly annoyed as I looked around for Luigi and Chelsey, who had conveniently disappeared. "Did they already forget we're still in their house?"

Travis chuckled dryly and slung an arm around my shoulder like he owned the place. "Let them be. You know this is probably the only time they'll get to be alone without any interruptions," he said with a grin before pinching little Stefan's nose, who was comfortably sitting in his arms.

I scowled. "Get your damn arm off me."

He raised an eyebrow. "Why are you so grumpy today? Is it your red days or something?"

"Shut up," I snapped, turning away and refocusing on Braun and Briella, who were busy doting over their baby. I smirked. "Time flies, huh? Who would've thought you two would settle down first?"

"So... does that mean someone else here is next to get married?" Leon chimed in, brows raised.

Travis cleared his throat dramatically. "Well, I would like to be, but Kimineah and I aren't ready yet," he said with his usual smug grin. "So yeah, it's a no from me for now."

"Wait-who caught the bouquet at Chelsey's wedding again?" Jeydon asked, bouncing little Ivan in his arms.

I let out a laugh. "Seriously? You forgot? That was you."

Jeydon's brows furrowed like he was trying to remember. "No way. I'm not getting married anytime soon," he said, shaking his head. Then he looked straight at me. "What about you?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Nami stiffen. Her smile faltered, and I felt sorry for her for a second. But only for a second.

I sighed quietly and looked at Briella and Braun, then turned back to Jeydon with the sweetest smile I could muster.

"What about me?" I said innocently. Then I tilted my head toward Nami. "Why don't we ask Nami instead?"

Her face drained of color like someone had just thrown vinegar on her. I almost smirked.

"Are you getting married, Nami?" Braun asked, frowning at his sister.

"W-What? N-No, of course not. I don't even have a boyfriend. How can I get married?" she stammered, clearly flustered.

"But what if someone proposes out of the blue?" I teased, not even trying to hide who I was referring to. I glanced at Jeydon again, but the guy was as oblivious as a rock as usual.

Nami shook her head quickly. "I don't have a boyfriend, so that's impossible."

"Stop teasing my sister, Ortega," Braun warned, giving me a disapproving look.

I just glared at him. He wasn't my brother. He had no business telling me what to do.

"Aunt Janice, can I play with Baby Stefan?" little Kisha asked sweetly, her tiny hands reaching out.

I smiled and gently set Stefan down on the carpeted floor. Excited, he immediately started crawling toward his 'elder sister' Kisha.

A few minutes later, the missing couple finally reappeared. They didn't have to say a word-everyone already knew what they'd been up to.

"Finally done?" Travis teased Luigi with a wicked grin.

Luigi just glared at him, and I stood up, brushing imaginary lint off my pants.

"I'm heading out. I have an early meeting tomorrow with a VVIP. I can't afford to mess up-it's a multi-million-dollar deal, and he's putting serious money into the company," I said as I walked toward Chelsey to say goodbye.

"Thanks for coming," Chelsey said as she hugged me. "Take care on your way home."

I chuckled at her motherly tone but didn't say anything. I just nodded and gave her a quick squeeze. Then, I waved goodbye to the rest of the group.

Then I heard Travis behind me. "Want me to come with you?"

"Fck off. I can get home just fine on my own," I snapped without even turning to look at him. I was in no mood for his antics tonight.

I walked straight out of my brother's house and headed to my car, grateful I'd left my phone inside. That dinner had already been chaotic enough, and I didn't want any distractions. Tonight was supposed to be peaceful-a rare night when all of us were together with no emergencies, no drama... just good company.

But peace never seemed to last long in my world.

As soon as I settled into the driver's seat, I picked up my phone and powered it on. Notifications started popping in, but none of them mattered.

My fingers tightened around the phone as the memories came rushing back-Jared. It had been a year since that bastard got caught. And I had been the one to punish him. If Aleck hadn't pulled me off him, I might've actually killed the guy. The rage... God, it had consumed me.

He didn't just embezzle millions from my father's company. No, he went deeper than that. He dug into my family's scars-dug until it bled. I found out afterward that my mother had sold her shares to one of the most conniving stockholders we had... and as if that wasn't enough, she slept with him for the payout.

That broke me.

All the hope I'd carried since childhood-of my parents ever getting back together-shattered in one blow. I had held on for so long, thinking maybe, just maybe, we could still be whole again.

But fate has a cruel way of reminding you that hope is a luxury.

***

When I finally arrived at my penthouse, its weight crashed down on me. I stripped off my clothes, grabbed a bottle of red wine, and sank into the steaming bathtub. The water curled around my body like a warm embrace, but couldn't wash away the ache.

I leaned back, letting the water lap at my shoulders. Soft, mellow music played from the Bluetooth speaker. I needed this silence-this moment-before the chaos resumed tomorrow.

Because tomorrow... I'd be seeing him again.

Matteo.

The very thought of his name gave me a headache.

He always found a way to get under my skin, showing up with that infuriating smirk, teasing, provoking, taunting me like I was some game he intended to win. I couldn't understand why he kept pursuing me when I knew, without a doubt, there were women literally throwing themselves at him.

And yet... Is that okay with you?

I jolted at the voice that echoed in my head. What the hell? Was I seriously losing it now?

I shook the thought away. I had rules. No dating anyone who worked under me. No emotional attachments. No exceptions. No fcking strings attached. It wasn't just policy, it was survival.

Then my phone rang.

I stared at the screen and nearly dropped the glass in my hand.

Speaking of the devil. Matteo.

Of all people... right now?

What, did he have a sixth sense that alerted him every time I thought about him?

I sighed and answered. "Hello?" My voice was calm and steady, like I hadn't just been caught off guard.

"Are you at home?" he asked, voice low. Too low. Like a goddamn temptation.

"Why?" I asked, already suspicious.

"I'm standing in front of your door."

My grip tightened around the phone. "What?" I stood up from the tub so fast I nearly slipped. "What the hell do you want, Matteo?"

"It's been a month, Janice. I want your answer."

My jaw dropped. He remembered?

A whole month had passed since that night. Since he made that stupid bet-the one I never even agreed to. I thought he had dropped it. He hadn't contacted me after that night. I figured it was over. Forgotten.

But Matteo Cordova never forgets.

And suddenly, I wasn't so sure if I wanted to answer... or open the door.

Occasionally, Matteo would still find ways to pester me, inviting me out or offering to drive me home. I turned him down every time. Not because I didn't want to say yes-God, a part of me wanted to-but because I knew better. I had to.

I had stood before cameras, the press, and shareholders, sworn to uphold my principles. I would not mix business with personal affairs, and I would make no exceptions, especially not with anyone working under me.

So why was my hand trembling now, clutching the phone so tightly it might shatter?

"W-What the hell are you talking about?" I snapped, voice sharper than I intended. My brows furrowed, my pulse pounding in my ears. "I already told you the answer, Matteo. I don't-"

"Open the door and say it to my face." His voice cut clean through my words-calm, unwavering, maddeningly sure of himself.

I bit my lower lip hard. My heart stuttered.

I couldn't open that door. If I saw him, if he got too close, I knew my body would betray me just like it did that night. That stupid night I haven't been able to forget.

I took a shaky breath. "I'm not at home right now."

"Where are you?"

"I can't tell you. I'm sorry," I murmured, my voice faltering. "Matteo, what do you want... It's not possible. You're one of my models. You know I can't. I made a promise. I built this company on that line."

There was a pause, followed by a low, heated growl. "To hell with that damn promise, Janice. I don't fcking care about that. What matters is the deal we made. You lost. And that means..." He paused, then, slow and deliberate, "...you'll be my wife."

I squeezed my eyes shut, as if I could block his words from hitting me.

Just a few hours ago, my friends were teasing each other about who would be the next to get married. It was all fun and games until now.

'What a fcking joke. Am I really the next bride?'

"Matteo, please. Stop this," I said, breath shaky, words choked with anger. "I won't marry you. Choosing someone to marry isn't a game!"

"Open the door." He said it again, like I hadn't just begged him to let this go. Like he hadn't just set fire to the wall I was trying to build between us.

I felt heat rising in my chest-not just from the bathwater but from everything he was making me feel.

"I'm not home and not coming home tonight."

"I'll wait here until you do."

Click. He hung up.

I stared at the screen, stunned. He wasn't bluffing. That bastard was waiting outside my door.

I groaned and slammed back the rest of my wine. In all my life, I had never been pursued like this. And now, of all people, Matteo Cordova had decided he was going to marry me?

Was he out of his fcking mind?

"What does he think marriage is, a prize you win in a bet? Fck him!" I shouted, slamming the wine glass down on the tub's edge. Water sloshed over the side.

I leaned back, chest heaving, eyes closed. I needed this night to end.

But I couldn't relax.

The second my lids fluttered shut, my mind raced again-images of him outside my door, waiting, unwavering.

What if he really meant it?

What if he stayed there... all night?

My heart ached in a place I didn't even know existed.

"Damn it, Matteo... why are you making this so hard for me?" I whispered. "I don't want a marriage without love..."

And I was terrified I might start loving him.