Forced to Marry The Arrogant Billionaire Heir

"Director Jones, I hope you're aware that if we invest in this project, we're trusting you to handle whatever risk that comes with it. This matter is taking too long to deliberate on, and I think given your previous records, you are more than trustworthy enough to sign this deal with."

"Trust me ladies and gentlemen, you won't regret this investment. It's going to be revolutionary, not just for the company, but for every investor and stock holder that chooses to trust us," I say calmly with a hint of authority and lean forward, steepling my hands, smiling to pass a message that I am clearly in control of this situation.

The room fell into a pindrop silence before slow mutterings and head nods of approval passed between the long table of investors before me. I felt a sense of pride wash over me as I stood up to make my way out - shoulders raised with mindblowing achievement.

It took weeks to convince these people to invest generously into a project that was sure to earn me extra points with father.

I think to myself as I walk down the hall into my office with my secretary right behind me. I plopped down on the couch in my office like a bag of potatoes and sigh in relief and exhaustion.

"Long week huh?" Freya, my secretary who has also been my best friend since elementary school says. "But don't you think a director should be more hmm, i don't know, maybe poised? I know you're tired but you could've waited till i closed the door first before landing your ass on the couch like you just got shot. Remember, people are watching and your image is too important to slack off even the slightest publicly and you-"

"I know, I know Fre. It won't happen again so pleasee save me some slacks, I have a fucking splitting headache right now." I know she's just looking out for me and honestly, Freya is the only soul that truly cares about me and my wellbeing and I really love and cherish her the way she does for me, if not more.

"Alright babes, I think you should head home and rest for the day. You've got loads of paperwork but you can continue them tomorrow." Before I could protest that I just needed some Aspirin and a 10 minute break, she had already left the room. Probably to get my car.

"Oh well," I breathe out while gathering my things and heading out to go bedrot at home.

Walking out of the elevator, chin up and back straight, I tuck in the loose strands of my long straightened hair and nod in acknowledgements to the employees who greet me. They all smile and refer to me as Miss Hazel. As much as my position demands respect, I've made sure to keep it that way – respect and not fear.

Walking out the huge doors of our enterprise, I'm greeted by the bright sunny weather reminding me that what I'm doing is so out of character, to be leaving the office by this time of the day instead of past closing hours.

"Now Hazel Marie Jones, here are your keys, head home straight and don't stop by a coffee shop. You've damn right had enough caffeine for the week."

"Okay okay mom, stop eyeing me like I'm some problem child." I tell my best friend who's still looking at me suspiciously. If she didn't have her fair share of workload, I'm very sure she would have chauffeured me herself. I chuckle slightly at the thought "bye girl! See ya tomorrow." I tell her and drive off in my sweet silver panamera.

¤¤¤¤¤

Okay so like in my defense I didn't stop at a coffee shop.

I eye the cup of creamy coffee goodness in my left hand as I walk down the bookstore aisle. How was I supposed to know that the new bookstore across my street would be selling coffee too? It's a temptation that I couldn't just ignore.

I bought a medium size to make myself feel less guilty but...argh...whatever.

My work shirt had been folded to my elbow and my blazer discarded somewhere at the backseat of my car. I also had a claw clip holding my messy bun in place as loose strands of hair fall at the sides of my face and neck, so now I look like a normal random person and not the director of some bigshot company.

The new volume of the manga I'm reading is out and I cannot wait another day longer to get it. I hope they still have at least a copy left, pleasee God, I mutter a short prayer under my breath as I swiftly make my way to the children's section of the bookstore.

Yep, I hope no one I know or knows me sees me here. I turn the corner and there it is, my baby, staring at me and waiting to be picked up from that lonely shelf. As I reach out to grab the last copy of Aku no Hana – another large hand grabs it before I do. My fingers only grazed the cover before it was suddenly swept away before my eyes.

I turn my head to confront the rude stranger only to be taken aback by how close I was to probably the most gorgeous looking man I've ever seen.

I didn't know someone could be both beautiful and handsome at the goddamn same time but this man was drop dead ethereal. I almost forgot how to use my speech organs before I snapped back into reality by a thud somewhere in the store.

"Excuse me, but I had that book before you did, so can I please have it back? I waited days to get that, and if you wanted to give your kid that volume, you can get it elsewhere, but I have to get that copy now," I say in one breath and I can feel my ears heat up in embarrassment and... shyness? Oh my days please just comply with me, dear handsome stranger.

"I'm not getting it for any child. And I grabbed it before you did, so I don't see why I have to give it to you. If you'll excuse me," he says in a deadly deep voice that made my knees buckle and was equally as dismissive.

He left immediately after he said what he had to and I was just there, rendered speechless by how rude and sexy this strange man-child was.

Cause WHY THE HELL was he reading a teen book!! Of all people to snatch my beloved from me, it was a grown ass man, now I have to look for another store cause I'm unfortunately a huge manga collector, NOT an e-reader fan.

Damn. Goodbye to the plan of relaxing with a new book in my hand. I guess I'll just watch some TV then. I enter my car and drive off home to actually have that rest Fre told me to.

"Hmm," I let out a deep groan from deep within my soul. I was so beat last night that I forgot to draw my curtains close, now the bright morning sun wakes me from my peaceful slumber harshly. I planned to sleep in since it's a weekend and I have no pending papers from this week to cover up. I get to have the day to myself, on my bed. At least that's what I thought.

I sluggishly get out of bed to complete my morning routine and probably read a book afterwards since I have nothing else to do.

I brush my teeth and shower. You know, the normal routine of a hygienic person.

Making my way down the stairs of my beautifully wood constructed and spacious loft apartment. I've never been a fan of minimalistic decor, no hate, but that's just not my style. I love my space and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I have a floral chandelier hanging down the high ceiling. A record player at the corner of the living room and a handcrafted ponyo mat underneath my little glass center table. I love the smell of plants and fresh flowers, so my home is filled with jars of fresh flowers and plants. The calming scent comforts me in a way no one else has been able to. Not even the medications prescribed by my therapist.

"Shit, I really need to stop skipping breakfast." I mutter as my stomach grumbles in protest of my bad habit.

Settling myself on my comfy couch, with a strawberry smoothie in one hand, I prepare myself for the ultimate Netflix binge. Can't remember when I last did this.

Immediately I pressed the play button, the sound of my phone ringing disrupted my alone time. I picked it up to see the name of my darling secretary pop up on the screen. "This can't be good. I thought to myself, knowing that Freya only calls with the official line when it's something super urgent.

"Hello Fre, what's going on? Hope everything's okay." I respond, mentally preparing myself for anything.

"Your father's assistant called..." There was a slight pause as if she was hesitating to speak." Your father has arranged a family meeting, and he demands that you must be present tonight by 7 pm, no matter what."

None of us spoke for a while. Fre understood what that news she dropped just did to me. I quickly composed myself and responded. "Alright, thank you for informing me, I'd be there on time, so you don't need to come over this time."

"Are you sure? You know I can come over right now, I have nothing I'm doing anyway, and-"

"No Freya, there's no need at all, I promise I'll be fine on my own. Also, don't you have your baking class today? I know you hate missing classes. Just make sure to bring me whatever goodies you make like always."

"You definitely are always more excited for my class than I am, you big glutton. Finee, but remember, I'm just a phone call away if anything happens." She sighs in defeat and the line goes dead.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

My nerves are taking over. Consuming me whole. There's nothing more I want to do than turn this car around and hide.

I thought I was ready to face him. I've prepared several months to do this, confidently, passively.

I thought the effect he had on me had been watered down after months of no physical contact. Boy, was I wrong.

I can't believe I'm feeling this way. Pathetic. Ridiculous!

I let out a short angry laugh. The tears brimming at the edge of my eyes, threatening to spill, but I cannot in hell let that happen. I have to appear perfect – be perfect.

Months of rebuilding my image for father cannot be flawed even the slightest tonight. I will not let my hard work go to waste.

My fingers tremble against the steering wheel of my car as I round the curve and appear right in front of my father's mansion. The same mansion I grew up in.

My own hell.

"Good evening, Miss Hazel, your father and the rest of the family are waiting patiently for your arrival." The mansion's oldest doorman addresses me.

"Thank you, Arlo, I'm sure I can find my way to the dining room." I say as I respectfully decline his offer to escort me. I need a moment to myself to gather my nerves while maneuvering the familiar halls of the house I was raised in.

Shivers ran down my spine from the draught memories that came rushing back. I breathed in and out, and walked into the dining room confidently.

"Ah, look who decided to grace us with her presence five minutes late." My father, Mr Dominic Jones. CEO of the Jones enterprise. The perfect man with affluence and a 'healthy loving family'.

The media loves him and he loves the attention, so he keeps feeding them shit and they keep eating it up.

"There was a slight delay on the road, I apologize for the inconvenience." Inconvenience my ass, arrogant motherfucker.

"Have your seat now, let's get right to it."

"The round family dining table was occupied by my father, stepmother; Veronica Adams, my step-siblings; Lexi and James Jones, and I; Hazel Jones."

The atmosphere was so tense you could cut it with a knife. Jealousy, bitterness and bloodlust could be perceived with just a sniff. I can't wait for this to be over.

Twenty.

Thirty.

Forty minutes have passed, I've lost my appetite long ago, and the irking voices of my stepmother and her kids are pushing me over the edge.

"Marie, the last project I gave you to work on - I heard it was a success. I mean that's the least you could offer since you know how high my expectations are for you." My father says, dropping his cutlery, staring at me intensely with the same amber eyes as mine, but more sinister.

"And since you know that already, there is something you must do to acquire the position of CEO. Failure to comply means the position automatically goes to James."

Those words made my heart drop. Not only did his first sentence destroy my esteem as always, but now he's making me crazy, wondering what he wants from me again with that dramatic pause.

"Okay Dad, what is this thing you want our dearest Hazel to do for you?"

James asked, while staring me down with so much disdain in his eyes.

"You must get married to the De Luca heir".

"I cannot believe this! It's insane Hazel. Do arranged marriages still even happen?"

Well, my father is a psychotic sadist, so yes, anything is possible with him as long as it benefits or entertains him. Even if it means sacrificing his child's life. I can never put it past him to do.

"What are you going to do now Hae..."

"Will you put the damn bread down and listen. Oh my goodness, am I the only one panicking?

I think I'm the only one panicking," I look at my best friend anxiously pacing round the room.

I let out a heavy sigh and dropped the flour goodness Freya excitedly brought me this morning before I broke the news to her. Now she's sitting on my couch with her head between her palms, waiting for a response from me.

"I lose everything..."

"I lose my current position, everything I've worked hard for over the years will be gone, taken from me. I can't handle that Fre, I-I just can't," I felt my voice break at the end. I tried to play it off cool, but damn this is just bullcrap.

"Now I have to marry a man I've never met in my life just to fuel my father's greed."

"The De Luca heir right?" Freya starts to pace, looking even more of a nerve wreck than I. "No one has ever seen him before, so we don't even have a clue on what we're getting ourselves into."

"This is a big mess."

And I couldn't agree more with her. It indeed is a horrible situation to be in. God, I hate this so much.

I take a seat on the wingback chair right next to my couch and reflect back to last night.

```

"You must get married to the De Luca heir. Don't even dare try object to this. I have made the arrangements, the deal is finalized and preparations are ongoing."

I just sit there like a statue.

Unmoving.

Numb.

My heart broke into a million pieces, then the fear came, and a wave of nausea hit me. This feels like a movie. The biggest stunt my father has ever pulled on me. Who knows what else he's capable of?

Well, I do. I know he can do much worse and there'll be nothing I can do about it.

"That's lovely! She gets to marry into a rich family and inherit the position of CEO as well!"

I could hear the masked envy and hate dripping from each word my stepmother spoke. If looks could kill, the death stare she and her son gave me would bury me six feet under, that moment..

"You're so lucky, you really don't deserve what Dad's doing for you. I mean, this literally is the biggest hookup ever, and you just got it on a platter. Urgh, I even heard he was hot, too bad not many people have seen him." The overenunciated and slurred words of my step sister just added to the irritation building up in me.

"Your marriage will ensure the merging of both companies as business partners. This is an opportunity I won't be missing out on, Marie. And if you choose to jeopardize this arrangement, say goodbye to your position as director and any other special privileges given to you," My father spoke in such an eerie, calm demeanor that demanded complete silence and subservience.

He said the last part, like I didn't do so much to earn where I am and what I have today.

I hate this man. I hate him.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Today is the day I formally meet the De Luca family to fulfill all acts of courtesy and shit.

I'm dressed in a beautiful nude-coloured mesh sleeveless dress paired with the Chanel pumps I got earlier this year.

I let my hair down because father says it's uncultured of me to have my hair up in public, talk less of having dinner with the most important clients or business partners that are soon to be our in-laws.

My father, who wants to keep up appearances, decided to have a 'casual' dinner at one of the most popular five-star restaurants. A VIP area was booked for maximum privacy, considering the status of both families.

"Of all the dresses you could have selected, you chose to wear this tacky outfit on such an important occasion. I wonder if you did this to deliberately embarrass us," My stepmother said, eyeing me up and down while clutching my father's arm like a leech.

Two reasons for her statement.

One, to spite me.

Two, to get my father's reaction. And she always gets what she wants. She managed to irritate me and get my father to really scrutinize my looks again.

"They will be here shortly. Why do you always manage to disappoint me, Marie? "

"You could have done better with your choice of clothing, but apparently you get that from your mother too." The devil himself has the audacity to look disappointed.

Fuck them both.

Before I could respond and probably start a family drama, our guests walk in and I immediately compose myself.

I only see two older people who I assume to be Mr Arthur De Luca: the chairman of the De Luca Refinaries and his wife, Mrs Rosemary De Luca: CEO of Marrs Stitches, a popular worldwide fashion design brand.

The main person I have been anxiously waiting to meet is absent.

"Ah, it's a pleasure to have you meet us tonight. This is my wife, Veronica, and my first daughter, Hazel," My father introduced us to both couples, and I must admit, they look absolutely stunning for their age.

Arthur's poised and straight form only gave him more aura. He had strikingly attractive features that no pictures could do justice to. His wife was equally just as gorgeous. Her demeanor exuded grace and softness even when she spoke. She was radiant.

"Lovely to see you too. My goodness, your daughter looks even more beautiful in person," Mrs Rose complimented, turning to me with a hug that caught me off guard. I did not expect her to be so warm. I could tell how genuine she was.

Before anyone could ask where their son, Alexander was, a figure walked into the room and once our eyes locked, it took a second for both of us to realize we've met before...

It was the bloody hot man-child stranger who stole my manga from me!

Goddamn...