His Forbidden Possession

"Serenity, hon? Where are you?"

I heard my mom calling me downstairs, but I'm still inside the bedroom, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

I don't want it. I don't want to be married, nor entertain the mere thought of it.

"Serenity?" my mom called again, the impatience evident in her tone. "Are you still inside your room? I told you to move quickly. The Continental family was waiting for us."

My stomach churned upon hearing those words. It only made me freeze in my spot, wanting to run away as fast as I could. But if I do that, my parents would surely be disappointed at me.

After I work hard to please them, I can't let everything go in vain just because of this marriage.

"I'm coming!" I replied, forcing a smile as I opened the door. "Sorry if I took longer to fix myself than expected. I-I'm nervous, maybe because it's Hans."

It's true. I'm nervous, but not because of Hans. I'm nervous that I might mess with that date they had set up for us. I don't like him as a person, what more as his wife?

"Silly. Why would you be nervous? You look great. Vien successfully enhanced your features with the make up," my mom replied, encouraging me with her words. "I'm sure that if he sees you in the restaurant later, he'll want to marry you."

My God. One more thing I hear about that, I'll vomit.

"Well... That's a good thing, right?" I asked, forcing a laugh. "I heard the Miller and Continental Group were forming an alliance to compete with the other high-ranking companies. Is that... the reason for this marriage?"

Please, say no. Please tell me that this marriage was for my sake, and because you love me and you wanted to protect me.

Maybe if I hear those words, it would help me to endure this arranged marriage longer.

"Of course." Mom grinned from ear to ear. "You know that the easiest way to form an alliance is through an arranged marriage, right? Your dad and I were lucky to have a daughter. What could have happened if we didn't have you?"

Hearing those words shattered my heart into pieces.

For them, I was just a puppet. A robot they could use whatever they please, and dispose of me when I'm not useful anymore.

I knew that even before, but I still tried to gain their approval. I always try to make them happy even if it means losing mine.

How could they do this to me? How... could they endure seeing me suffering for the sake of their greed?

"Serenity..." I heard my mom call in a sweet, gentle tone. "You're thinking this is unfair, aren't you? Because we're choosing the man you're going to marry?"

"I-It's not like that, Mom." I sighed, my gaze fixated on the floor. "I just thought... I could decide when it comes to this aspect."

It was them who chose everything for me. My clothes, my friends, my college course, and even how I should eat and sit in front of friends... They all taught it to me.

At this point, I don't even know my likes and dislikes.

And now, I don't even have the chance to choose the man I'll spend the rest of my life with?

My mom's brows furrowed, looking at me with confusion. "Who told you that?"

"Who told me what?"

"That you have a say in anything when it comes to your life?"

Her tone suddenly grew cold and intimidating. It sent shivers down my spine.

Every time my mom or dad gets mad, I'm the one they use to release stress with. Although it only happened back when I was a child, I can't help but tremble as those horrible memories resurface.

"Serenity, I'm the one who gave birth to you and raised you. And your father is the one who paid for the food you eat, the dress you wear, and even with your studies and other hobbies. So... What made you think that you can decide on your own?"

I swallowed hard, the pain of her words cutting deeply into my heart.

I know that this is what they had thought about me... yet why am I still hurting?

"Don't ask about nonsense things and just fix yourself. Make yourself presentable, and seduce him to your best ability. Do you understand?" Mom said and glared at me. "Once he calls off the wedding, I don't know what we might do to you."

Suddenly, her phone rang. Her lips curved into a smile, seeing who the caller was.

"Hello, Mr. Continental?" Mom greeted, her tone ingratiating. "Ah, is that so?"

I frowned, looking at how her smile faded, yet she maintained her composure.

"No, we're not ready yet... My daughter was just about to fix herself," she added to say, glaring at me. "It's fine. Maybe this isn't the right moment for them to meet yet. I'm sure there will be a next time... Yeah. Right, have a good day."

I looked at her in curiosity. "Mom, what was that?"

"Our appointment with the Continental family was cancelled," mom said, suppressing her rage as she massaged her temples. "This isn't the first time they did it to us. Who the fuck do they think they are?!"

It was bad news for her and dad, but I can't help but smile. She's right. This isn't the first time it happened.

It only means that Hans could not also be interested in me, or in this marriage.

That's great!

"Hey, where are you going?" Mom asked as she saw me going downstairs. "You don't have any appointments with your instructors today, nor with your friends."

I reached for my phone and showed Mia's message to me. "Now I have one."

***

Thankfully, Mia invited me to drink at a bar with her. Her family was filthy rich, almost the same as the Continental family, and we're also in alliance with them.

That is the only reason why my parents are letting me hang out with her, knowing how alcoholic and rebellious she was.

"Serenity! Heyyy!" Mia called me, her tone already tipsy. "Where have you been? I've been waiting for you!"

"I just went to my dad's company." I sighed and sat beside her. "If I don't tell him my whereabouts, they scold me, or worse, lock me up in my room."

"God. Lock you up?" Mia asked, looking at me in disbelief. "What are you, a child? Goodness gracious, you're already twenty three years old!"

I sighed again, feeling all the weight on my shoulders. They won't let me decide on my own, yet they're willing to marry me to someone I barely met.

What's wrong with them?

"Give me that," I told Mia as I took the glass she was holding. I drank the beer until the last sip. "W-What the hell? Is this what beer tastes like?"

"Yes, Missy." Mia took the glass away from me. "Damn, girl. We've been going to a bar together for a long time now, yet this is the first time you drank beer. You're dealing with a very, very bad problem, aren't you?"

I didn't answer her question. No, I couldn't. My stomach churned as I couldn't digest the beer properly. Shit, I think I'm going to vomit. I want to release everything.

The expectations, the pain, and the fact that I can't fight against my parents although I wanted to.

"I don't want to be married..." I said as tears cascaded down my eyes.

"Then don't!" Mia responded, her tone laced with worry. "What's with the random topic? Are your parents trying to force you to marry anyone or something?"

I remained silent, letting the alcohol consume my body. I only drank a little, yet my head is starting to spin.

So much for all the make-up and the beautiful black dress I have for today.

"They did?!" Mia asked, her eyes widening in disbelief. "What the! We're still in college! How could they do that to you?!"

"I-I'm leaving," I said as I stood up. I need to breathe.

"Let me accompany you-"

"No. No, please... I want to be alone for now," I told her, my tone low.

Mia doesn't want to let me go, but upon seeing the sadness in my eyes, she loosened her grip on my arm.

"Call me if something happens, okay?" she said, showing a genuine smile. "Don't think about them for now, and let yourself breathe."

Mia caressed my hair gently instead, comforting me. "I'll cover up for you this time. Don't worry about anything."

"Thank you, Mia." I smiled before going outside.

I saw a bench nearby, so I sat there for a while. I was planning to have a good rest here, but to my shock, a man sat beside me.

"Marriage, huh?" a man in his black and white suit said, his tone intimidating and alluring at the same time. "Why don't you want to be married, princess?"

I raised my head to look at him.

My jaw dropped, seeing how handsome he was. Thick black brows, pointed nose, chiseled jaw, and his lips... It was red. I want to taste it.

Goodness. What did I just say?

"Hey, you okay?" he asked, snapping me back to my senses.

"Not only did you eavesdrop on our conversation earlier, but you sat beside me without my consent?" I asked, tilting my head and raising an eyebrow.

Right. I should repel him while it's still early. I don't want Mom and Dad to do something embarrassing again.

Pushing away all the guys who will be near me, thinking they're my suitors-for example.

"Consent?" he asked, the disbelief evident in his voice. "Do I need one?"

I blinked twice in shock. "Wait... Don't you know who I am?"

"You?" He looked at me from head to toe. "You're a woman who doesn't want to be married to someone she barely knew."

"Tch." I scoffed, my gaze moving to the floor.

Right. That's why he had the nerve to speak to me casually. He didn't know my identity as the Miller family's heiress.

Somehow, I felt relieved when he talked to me like this. Aside from Mia, no one dared talk to me casually as they found me intimidating.

In fact, this is the first time someone approached me.

I suddenly felt... normal. And free.

"If you still love your life, then leave," I told him, my voice firm and authoritative. "My parents might misunderstand this conversation. They might think you're my-"

I stopped speaking when he suddenly leaned his face toward mine, narrowing our distance.

"Lover?" he asked, his lips curving into a smirk.

I gasped. His breath is intoxicating. His eyes... showed so many emotions that I lost count.

My stomach churned, feeling the butterflies in it. I tried to look him in the eyes for longer but failed. I was the one who looked away.

"Y-Yeah," I answered, and I couldn't help but stammer. "L-Lover."

Hell. Why am I stammering? It's just... a man.

But he's no ordinary man. His presence was already enough to melt me.

"Well, would it be more beneficial to you?" he asked in a low tone as he looked at me intently. "Once your parents know you have a lover, won't they stop bothering you about the marriage, then?"

"No." I shook my head. "They would rather kill you than let me call off that marriage."

"Oh, they're that ruthless and persistent?" the man asked with a smirk. "That reminds me of someone I know."

Whoever the person that reminds him of my parents, I don't rare.

But what the hell, why does his smirk look so hot? Damn, Serenity. What are you thinking right now?

I almost forgot that he was a stranger, and I should be careful around him.

Our family has too many competitors, after all. And that is one of the reasons why my parents wanted to marry me to the continental family.

To gain more power by using me.

"Still, I heard you're of legal age," the man said in a low tone, snapping me back to my senses. "Isn't that more than enough for a reason to do everything you wanted?"

I shook my head, the sadness evident in my eyes.

"Can't happen. They said I'm alive and experiencing a lavish lifestyle because of them. Which means... My life is also theirs."

He didn't answer, making me think that he agreed with that statement. Everyone, except Mia, shared the same sentiment.

But to my shock, he clenched his fists hard and chuckled darkly.

"That was the most bullshit thing I've ever heard."

I blinked in surprise. "W-What?"

"Why would your parents take something you never wished to have in the first place?" he asked. "Being in this world isn't someone in our control, isn't it? So why are they talking about it like it's our privilege?"

Not knowing what to say, I looked away. His questions hit right through my heart.

It's as if he was reading my mind, saying all the things I wanted to say for a long time.

"And a lavish lifestyle? You can't even have your freedom," he added, his tone casual yet it stormed me away.

Everything he just said was right.

This isn't a privilege, but a fucking prison. I would rather be poor yet I can do whatever I want, than to be a princess caged in a prison.

I clenched my hands resting on my lap, and I saw his gaze move at it.

"Right. That's the situation I'm in..." I told him despite the difficulty. "So, what can I do about it?"

"Simple."

He smiled and held my chin, making me look into his eyes.

"Now that you know the rules, you must break them."

I frowned, not understanding his statement. "And how could I do that?"

"Hmm..." He acted like he was thinking as he leaned closer, his lips almost touching mine. "Why don't you take the first step by coming with me?"

No. Don't come! You could be in danger!

That's what my brain tells me.

However, upon hearing those words, I couldn't help but be intrigued. And where does my curiosity take me?

To him-a man whose name I didn't even know.

"Alright," I said, not even knowing I was digging my own grave. "I'm in."

"Good girl..." he trailed off, looking at me with curiosity evident in his eyes. "What's your name, by the way?"

"Serenity," I introduced myself. I didn't know why, but even though his presence screams danger, I'm oddly comfortable with him. "And you are?"

He leaned forward, letting me feel his breath on my skin.

"I'm River, and that name is what you're going to scream for tonight."

***

"River-Ahhh, River! Shit!" I screamed heartily as I held onto his hair, my whole body trembling because of fear and anticipation.

At first, to be honest, I was afraid of where he would take me, especially after that bold statement that sent heat and shivers onto my body.

But now that I'm in this situation with him, I suddenly understand why he said those things.

He was right. I'll really scream his name for tonight.

"Fuck you, River! I told you I'm not into these things! I might vomit-"

My sentence halted as the rollercoaster took a turn as the operator accelerated the speed, making me feel things I've never felt before.

And no, not in a good way.

"Ahh, shit! Shit! Stop this fucking ride at once!" I screamed.

River chuckled. "Is pulling my hair while cursing me repeatedly still not enough to lessen your fear, princess?"

"This is kidnapping!"

"It's not," River defended himself. "You're not a kid, and you came with me, remember?"

"Ugh! But I didn't expect you to take me here and force me to ride a rollercoaster!" I grunted.

He raised a brow, looking me in the eye. "Where do you expect me to take you, then?"

My cheeks flushed as I looked away. He's right? What am I thinking? Why do I expect River to do such bad deeds to me when I wasn't even raised this way?

And wait, did I just admit to myself that I'm thinking about doing hot, steamy things with him?

"Answer me, princess," River demanded, his hand taking mine from his hair as he held it gently. "What do you want me to do?"

I didn't know how to answer that question. And thankfully, I was saved by the bell. Literally.

The rollercoaster ride came to an end, and the operator rang the bell to inform us about it.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and stood up, wanting to leave this place immediately. However, since it was my first time riding a rollercoaster, and hell, it wasn't a good experience, I almost kissed the ground as I stumbled.

Luckily, River immediately held onto my waist to prevent me from falling.

"Careful, princess," he said, his hands caressing my waist gently. "Are you okay?"

"Do I look like I'm okay to you?" I gave him a deadly glare. He was the reason why I was here, suffering.

"Well, yes. You look more okay to me now than earlier."

And that's when it hit me. The screams I had. Pulling his hair like it's the last string of my sanity, and me cursing him as if it will make all the fear I'm feeling fade away.

I released the pent-up emotions inside my heart... all because of it.

"It feels good, right?" he asked and showed a genuine smile. "You're not even thinking about your parents, those rules you obey, and even that marriage."

My eyes widened. He's right. For a moment, I forgot about it all... And I can't deny that my heart feels lighter now that I don't have any negative emotions.

I released it. All thanks to him.

"I guess you're feeling that good, huh? You didn't even notice your phone ringing."

"Huh?" I looked at my phone and realized he was right. "Shit. It's Dad."

Crap. Did he already know I'm not with Mia right now? But how?

I slapped my forehead, realizing that Dad has many eyes around me.

How could I think about staying away from them when they could bring me back home in a snap?

"Shit," I cursed again, staring at the phone. I don't even want to answer it.

And the phone died, revealing the wallpaper I had. It's our family picture.

River looked at it, and his expression darkened. It didn't even change, as my Dad called me again for the nth time.

I didn't even notice it earlier-I was too busy cursing River while the rollercoaster took different turns.

Shit. What should I do now? I know I should answer the phone and beg for his forgiveness.

But my hands aren't moving. I couldn't even muster the courage to answer the call.

River noticed it, so he extended his hand with his palm open, looking at me. "Give me the phone. I'll talk to him."

"Are you crazy?" I exclaimed, my eyes widening, and my voice louder than usual. "You'll talk to my Dad? You don't even know who he is-"

Before I could finish my sentence, River pulled the phone from my hand and answered the call.

"Hello?" he said, his tone low and somehow intimidating. "It's me, River Sage Palmer. Don't you recognize me by my voice?"

My brows furrowed. River Sage Palmer? It doesn't ring a bell.

I also don't know any members of the Palmer family here in our country, as their main place is in Italy. This is just a coincidence, right?

But why would he ask my Dad if he didn't recognize him? Do they know each other?

"Oh, her?" he looked at me, his lips curving into a smirk. "I just saw her somewhere, so I took her to the amusement park to let her frustrations out. You can ask your people to fetch him here."

River listened to what my father was saying on the other line. He even pulled the phone away a little bit from his ear.

It only meant one thing. Dad is scolding him.

"Come on, Rico. She's a grown-up woman. Why are you monitoring her as if she was a child who isn't capable of living on her own-" River grimaced and pulled the phone further this time. "Fine. Just go here."

River ended the call before giving it to me. "Here."

"Do you know my Dad?" I asked, confused.

"No."

"Then why are you talking to him like you two are close?" I asked, confused. "You don't even know who you're talking to-"

"Ricardo Miller," he said, interrupting my sentence. "I recognized him in the picture." He pointed at my phone.

"So you know him." I scoffed. "Yet why are you acting like that toward him-"

Again, I couldn't finish my sentence when a white car stopped in front of us. I immediately recognized it. It was from one of my butlers working under Dad's authority.

And yes, Mom and Dad have security teams on their own. If there's only one thing they have in common, that is they follow me wherever I go.

"Here's your chauffeur," said River as he leaned toward me, breathing in my ear. "A più tardi, principessa."

Before I could ask what that meant, River kissed me on the cheek before leaving.

I gasped as I held my right cheek-the part where he kissed me. What was that? And why do I feel my cheeks heating up?

But the important thing is, what did he just say to me? Did he just curse me or something?

***

After thirty minutes, my butler safely drove me back to the Miller Mansion.

He opened the door for me, and I immediately went out. My hands and feet were trembling as I knew what was waiting for me inside the house.

They would scold me, or worse, have me grounded again. I can't even blame Mia for this mess. After all, I shouldn't be receiving this kind of punishment at this age.

However, my parents scolding me isn't even bothering me that much now. It was the statement River let out before he left me in the amusement park.

A più tardi, principessa.

"See you later, Princess?" I muttered, the confusion evident in my tone. "Why would he even say that?"

"Young mistress?" Rojan, my butler, called as he snapped me to my senses. "Master Ricardo and Madame Eleanor were waiting for you in the living room."

I shivered. I knew it. Mom and Dad won't let this slide-especially now they know that I left Mia in the bar to be with a guy. They won't like it.

But I didn't notice that I had already stopped walking as I pondered about my thoughts, leaving Rojan no choice but to talk to me.

"Alright... Thanks."

I sighed and walked toward the living room.

"Mom, Dad, I-"

"Serenity, we've been waiting for you since earlier," Mom said, interrupting my sentence. "We have a visitor, and I can't wait to introduce him. Would you mind changing to nice and comfortable clothes and going to the dining room?"

"Huh?" I blinked my eyes twice in surprise. Isn't she going to scold me?

"You heard every word I said, right? I don't need to repeat it," Mom told me, and I could hear the irritation in her voice now.

Still, she managed to hide it with her fake smile.

"Go. Quick," she said and slightly pushed me to go upstairs.

So I did.

I was still confused, but I managed to change into nice and comfortable clothing-just like Mom instructed. I wore a purple casual dress-something that complimented my features a lot.

"This couldn't be another blind date, isn't it?" I asked myself as I stared in the mirror, biting my lower lip. "I'm already engaged to Hans Continental. Knowing how influential the Continental family was, they couldn't easily retract it."

There were so many questions forming in my mind, yet I mustered all the courage I had to go into the dining room. I should just be glad whoever the visitor I have that my parents' scolding at me was postponed.

"Good evening, Mom, and Dad." I bowed to my parents as soon as I went to the dining area. Then, I looked at the man across from them. "Good evening, Sir-"

My words halted, and my eyes widened upon seeing who the mysterious visitor was. "River?"

River smirked, looking at me from head to toe. "Why are you so shocked, princess? I told you earlier that I'd see you later, right?"

"I know... But what are you doing here?"

"Serenity," my mom suddenly called, her tone laced with warning. "It's rude to ask our visitor that question. You didn't even greet him properly."

Hearing the annoyance in my mom's voice, my body and lips trembled in fear. I don't know why, but every time I'm near my parents, I always feel like everything I do will be wrong.

Like I can't do anything right. That I will always need their guidance to survive this life.

"Sorry, Mom," I muttered and bowed to River this time. "Good evening, Sir River."

River didn't answer. Instead, he only stared at me-as if he was studying me. The confusion was evident in his face, and I know why.

I wasn't this shy while I was with him earlier.

"Take a seat, Serenity," Dad commanded, and I obliged immediately.

I sat beside River, who looked dashing in his three-piece suit. This jerk. He said he didn't know about my father earlier, yet look where he was. At our house!

"River, this is Seraphina Serenity Miller, our only daughter," Dad introduced me, his tone holding confidence and authority.

"Nice to meet you, Princess," River said as he took my hand and kissed the back of my palm.

I was shocked, and I would almost pull my hand from him if I hadn't just controlled myself.

"This is a tradition in my family every time we greet someone from the Royal family," River explained, seeing the confusion in my face. "I hope you won't mind."

Instead of getting an answer, I only raised a brow as his statement confused me more.

"But I'm not a royal..."

"Of course, you're not." He smirked, his piercing gaze locking with mine. "But only a fool wouldn't recognize a princess when he sees one."