Stranded Love

Standing before me was the man of my dreams-no, he's the man who made all of my dreams into reality. Jenn Rowell's hazel brown orbs dilated when they dropped on my jade green ones, although they went back to their normal sizes as he recovered from the shock. On his side was a woman, and the towel around her waist barely held on to her chest and armpits. I stood frozen at the scenario in front of me, as if my feet had grown claws and ice on the marble floor.

"J-Jenn," I uttered the name of my boyfriend in a vulnerable tone, despite the woman's presence in front of my eyes. "W-What's the meaning of this?" I hate to admit it, but my voice quivered along with the tears under my eyes' hidden depths. On prompt, I look up to the ceiling to make my tears go back down before returning my gaze to the two inhumane people.

It has always been like this, and yes, I have stooped so low for my goals and acting career. What can I possibly do? Jenn is a billionaire and was predicted to be the next chairman of the Roswell Group, thus, I have to suck this all up once again to dig some gold on this man. Even if it seemed so pathetic, people sometimes have to run deep in order to float back; proud, high, and wealthy.

People assume that being an actor or actress is a piece of cake and pretty much well-off, without actually knowing to what extent we do to stay untouched in this industry.

As soon as my eyes darted to my boyfriend, who's currently shirtless, he moved to me near his bedroom door and trapped me in the corner using both of his arms. Jenn's lips parted, and in his deep monotone voice, he mumbled, "Do you have an issue with what you just witnessed, Matilda?"

"Yes," I urged to speak and yet, no words have ever escaped my mouth. Instead, a response on the contrary succeeded thereafter. "N-No. I have nothing to say. It's not a problem... at all." It sounded out truly pitiful, ear-splitting even. After a few seconds of total silence, Jenn nodded his head before he sauntered back to his bed, to where his new mistress-toy girlfriend-was lying on without any guilt on her expression.

Unbelievable! Despicable humans!

"What are you standing there for? Are you waiting for winter to come or something?" Jenn questioned, and indifference lies within his deep baritone. "Why don't you take a short walk, Matilda. You looked dazed despite you knowing that this is what I usually do." However, I didn't provide an answer to his utterance, even though I've actually wished to scream my frustrations in front of him and punch that arrogant face of his. Asshole!

"How far will you go, Matilda?" I mentally asked for myself.

How far will I sink deep just to aim high?

I swallowed the lump of my throat, and with no second thoughts, I turned my back at both of them. My feet ambled from the mansion's halls to the verandas, but it hasn't even dwindled the chaos of my thoughts a bit. Thus, I marched to the huge door and approached the gate with giant strides. My step quickened more when the image from earlier came across my mind, and I didn't mind as to where my feet would even take me.

However, the only thing I'm able to do was overthink everything. I don't have the courage to go against the Roswell Group's youngest heir, who's most likely to take the chairman's position soon in the near future. Mauro Vann Roswell, the Roswell Group's current chairman, had two sons, namely Alistair Roswell as eldest; and Jenn Roswell as the youngest. Since the eldest heir seemed to have no interest in taking charge of the family's business line, rumors said that the youngest will lead instead. A different story also circulated in town, saying that the oldest was perhaps either a leader of some kind of gang or gay, but none were proven.

Besides, I couldn't judge Alistair because he will be my brother-in-law when the perfect time comes. Even though we're barely acquaintances, calling him names also means judging myself like what others do.

My thoughts halted when I saw the bridge nearby the far-end road intersection, and on the spur of the moment, I sprinted all the way to the bridge, losing myself and sanity in each step that I took. Until I finally stepped on the bridge's deck, the brisk wind slapped my face with serenity and calmness, as though it attempted to erase the scene earlier. "Mom!" I shouted to no one in particular but mere air. Not long after, the tears that I've always been resisting since the last minutes have thrived to flow like rivers on my cheeks.

It may sound taboo to the others, but my mother died because of suicide, jumping off the bridge which is similar to where I am at this moment. It left me nothing since I never had seen my father, then the event made me fall to the children's orphanage's care. None other than the nuns dared to approach me long ago, until I summoned all of my courage to audition in an agency for potential actors and actresses.

"Mother, Jenn has done it again. You can see it from there, right? Well, he cheated on me... again... what should I do? I'm tired of all of this, aside from my career, Mom. It's hopeless," a growling sob escaped my mouth, but I continued to let out my frustrations since it's the only thing I could do. "It will cost everything that I have if ever I'll make a wrong decision," I added in a whisper-like manner, and my voice then cracked, despite pulling off a firm expression.

Endless cries left me. "I missed you, Mom. I really do. I wished you had taken me with you before."

Another stream of tears burst out from my eyes as they trickled down, tracing my facial features, from the nose then to the jaw, before the tears lastly kissed the ground. After minutes of stillness, a low baritone reached straight into my ears out of the blue, which then triggered me to steal a quick glimpse of the person from behind.

"Who are you talking to?"

As soon as I saw Alistair's perplexed guise, the eldest son of the Roswell's Group, two eyes of mine went back to the ocean's blue water underneath the bridge. "How did he know that I'm here? Perhaps, did he follow me?" Several queries crossed my thoughts, however, all I've done was to wipe off the stain of tears on my face before glancing over to him. On the other hand, Alistair's confused look altered into a serious one, and after a short while, his chestnut brown eyes with dark gray tints around its edge locked gaze with mine.

"Are you planning to jump off?" he asked me in the darkest tone of which his lips could ever pull.

"Pardon me, Mr. Roswell, but this doesn't have anything to do with you," I countered back with a soft voice, but soon added, "You know nothing about this, Sire. Just leave me be and pretend like you haven't seen me here. Please. It's not as if you've ever cared about what I did or do."

Before I could turn back my attention to the cold, serene, and turquoise waters, Alistair held my face in between his palms to remain my eyes on his own ones. Afterwards, he whispered, and his minty breath brushed off my face. "Why can't you look at me in the eyes for at least thirty seconds, woman? Are you being like this because of my younger brother once again? No matter how often Jenn cheats on you with any random chicks, why wouldn't you do anything to keep your pride and dignity?!"

Both of my eyes broadened at Alistair's sudden outburst, "What are you talking about, Sir? How did you know that my boyfriend was cheating on me? Also, what does it have to do with you?" I maintained myself calm in spite of his prior statement that had struck deep into my heart. "Jenn loves me," I murmured with my voice trembling.

No lies. It was love, at first.

"You call that love?!" Alistair gasped in utmost disbelief, "Have you lost your mind?! My brother shamelessly cheated in front of you earlier, and what? You'll call it love and jump off the bridge if you don't feel like living, is that it?" After he rambled those words out of his lips, his chest violently moved up and down as he intended to catch up with his breath. Nonetheless, he said further, "How could you be so pathetic?"

"Now, you've crossed the line, Sir," I started, and it felt like my nose was flaring at the tension between us like a red bull. Not to mention the fact that we're on the bridge! I could just push him off to make him leave me alone. Yet, I kept talking, "How dare you insult me when you don't know what I've been through? If I had felt the pain of betrayal, what could you possibly do, then? Besides, we weren't that close enough to make you spit all of those cruel words to me. You have no right to yell at me, too!"

Literally, he blurted out of the blue. "I love you! Yes, I have no right to tell you this, but at least have respect for yourself. I don't want to see the woman I like crying for my own brother's actions." As if time had stopped, and the world became silent, I stood like an old statue in front of him. Alistair breathed a sharp exhale before he murmured, "I took care of my brother's scandals before they'd get complicated, also. However, like what goes around in magazines and tabloids, I had no intention of taking the position after the chairman, thus I will secure my brother's image instead. So, you should think about it before the both of you will cause a great scandal which may be the end of your career as well."

"Unbelievable," I hissed, "Are you low-key telling me to break up with your brother?"

"If that's how it sounds like, then let it be that way," he answered in a determined voice.

"Thank you," I trailed off, "But I also have to keep my profile as an actress, Sir. It would be a shame if I'd quit right now that I've come too far. It may sound like a good digger, or rather as an opportunist bitch, but it was all that I wanted and dreamt of. I would go to great lengths just to reach the top. Also, a good connection is of great impact in this industry that I have been working on, so don't bother."

I paused for a while before lifting my head up, staring straight towards the man in front of both of my jade eyes. Not long after, a blunt lie left my lips, "I love what I'm doing–" However, even before I could finish a sentence, the oldest heir of Roswell's Group, Alistair, cut me off without any hesitation.

"You may be idolized by the public and entitled as the best actress in the field of media, but your own lies won't be concealed further as easily as you wished, lady."

In an instant, I lifted a single brow in his direction despite him being a superior when it comes to hierarchy. "I am sorry, Sir. I may be easily broken, but the pieces are bound to break together in one piece, still. As for the lies, I didn't intend to hide them."

Once again, I attempted to leave, but Alistair's grip on my wrist tightened. "Cut off your ties with my brother. Break up with him and start anew. It may have looked like the end, but endings are the starting points of others. Surely, there's someone who's more than willing to stay with you through thick and thin. Consider me."

"Don't tell me those wise words, Sir. It wouldn't change my mind," I spat.

"I'll do whatever you'd like me to," he insisted, and Alistair's orbs raised to stare at me. "I love you, Matilda, and there's nothing wrong with keeping the woman that I love away from all of those heartaches, isn't there? My eyes were on you since the day you first dated my brother and yet, you haven't bestowed a single glance at me until this moment."

Alistair? Alistair, the eldest heir of Roswell Group, is deeply in love with me?

"I see, so you're head over heels for me, Sire." I plastered one playful smirk on the side of my lips; unlike the miserable guise which I have sported the earlier minutes. "However, the price is not as easy as you imagined."

He instantly retorted, "Name it. Anything that will please you."

"Well, then..." I trailed off, "Why don't you consider getting the sole successor title for the Roswell's Group. Do you still want to do it? After all of what you've done to keep your brother's image clean?"

Alistair acted as if he was taken aback, as what I have predicted. I'm then about to scoff at his reaction, although his sudden response snapped me out of the hook. He parted his lips as he spoke, "Watch me. If that's your wish, then your wish is my command."

Three weeks had passed, prolonged, and ever since that bridge incident, Alistair began to get close to me by consoling me whenever Jenn Roswell had a new girl toy. It wasn't a great idea for two barely acquainted people-man and woman, to comfort each other, but as everything went rough between Jenn and me, Alistair was the only one whom I could turn to. So, Alistair and I became closer without my boyfriend's knowledge. Jenn, like the usual, didn't seem to have an interest in my actions either.

Jenn Roswell must be busy with his own sexual escapades.

"Hmm, that's too bad since I've kept my virginity for the man whom I'll be facing before the altar and share marriage vows with," I thought to myself. "Who will that man be?"

I paused on my thoughts when Alistair suddenly queried, "Hey, are you listening?"

"Huh? I'm sorry, what did you say?"

Alistair breathed out a deep sigh before he faced me. Both of us were in their mansion's living room, sitting with ease on the couch while watching some movies together since the cat was out-Jenn was off to work. Don't get me wrong, Alistair and I were not in a relationship as of now. We are more than friends but less than lovers, and no, we hadn't done anything sexual. We're watching movies like the couple Jenn and I had never been to. It's the weekend, and the talent agency personally gave me a five-day leave to enjoy and rewind before my fifth project for this year starts.

Again, he asked further questions, "Matilda, are you alright? Are you feeling a bit under the weather?" I only shook my head in response, however, he still insisted on placing his hand on my forehead to feel my body temperature or whatnot. "Well, you don't have a fever, although you don't seem to be in a good state. Are you feeling unwell?"

I shook my head at him once more, and a smile crept up to my lips. In stark contrast to Jenn, Alistair is thoughtful and much enjoyable to be with, which does not seem like it at first glance. Jenn's supposed to look more of a considerate person and not the other way around. Alistair has a stubble on his chin, which made him look more manly, while Jenn has always had a clean-shaven face.

On the other hand, both of them had identical shades of eyes, but Alistair had a gray tint around their realms, in which it somehow added a mystifying vibe to him. Nevertheless, the two have the same shape of cupid bow lips, almond-shaped eyes, tall nose, and an apparent jawline that added manliness to the both of them, and which appeared to be inherited from their father. Speaking of their parents though, the acting chairwoman of the Roswell Group is not their mother.

Furthermore, rumors being rumors, there were stories about Jenn being an illegitimate son, so they pressured Alistair to take over the responsibility when the time comes. At some point, Alistair didn't have the urge to do so, and it seemed as though he's hiding a deeper reason as to why he hesitated to take the chairman position.

"Oh, don't mind me. Nothing is wrong," I retorted before shifting to my sitting position.

"You know how much I worry when you say nothing's wrong, Matilda," he softly spoke, "Is it about my brother again? Jenn?"

I didn't give a response to his question; thus, it urged him to talk.

However, as Alistair opened his mouth to speak, a voice from behind us boomed all of a sudden, causing me to straighten up on my pose for a second. Jenn exclaimed, "Both of you!" he paused while pointing a finger at us, and he even raised one brow at Alistair and me before continuing, "What are you doing?" Suspicion hugged Jenn's tone in an obvious attitude.

"Watching?" Alistair bluntly blurted as if he's pointing out how dumb his brother could be, though, he added so that Jenn would not misunderstand or think of some irrational ideas between the two of us since there's actually none, too. Alistair and I were friends; friends with personal benefits, I suppose. Of course, Alistair's comfort benefited me in some ways that Jenn hadn't done to me before. "Matilda and I were simply watching a movie, my brother. Don't stress yourself for nothing."

"Is that so?" Jenn speculated in utmost doubt, "How did you two become close to each other, then? Don't even try to spit lies on me, Matilda."

I lifted my chin to stare at my skeptical boyfriend before responding to his queries with a calm and controlled expression, "I'm sorry. Your brother and I have talked sometimes whenever you brought your girls in here." My voice trembled, and by instinct, I glanced at Alistair and saw him nod like he's silently cheering me to speak out all of my grudges right at the moment. So, I sharply inhaled before finally continuing, "I'm done with those instances where you're trying to slap such a hard reality onto my face, Jenn. I know you're flinging with all those women to show that I'm only an option, and that there has never been a chance for me to be your first choice."

Instantly, Jenn clenched his jaw, making his jawline look even more prominent. Still, I dared to let it all out as I opened my mouth for the third time. "I know I'm not going to reach my title in the industry without your help, but Jenn, please let me breathe. It does not mean that you're allowed to step on my pride after helping me reach my dreams."

"I thought you're here for money," Jenn harshly spat. "You came after me to fulfill your goals and nothing else, Matilda–"

"It was love," I cut him off beforehand, "I loved you once, but this is too much. Do you really think that I could suck it all up merely for money?" Now, this is not an appropriate approach to the situation, but I'm not too low to kiss their feet and act as if I'm too easy to quench this time. I depend on their social status, yes, but I have not been entitled the queen of all actresses for nothing. I've also invested time, effort, sweat, and tears for it. Jenn was only a bonus.

Jenn's face instantly turned into a sour expression, while Alistair showed off a thumbs up in secret. Although, dejection flashed across the depths of his eyes, and that's when the realization struck me that I had confessed my feelings for Jenn in front of Alistair, who also professed his love for me before. Silence then enveloped the whole living room, aside from the television's noise since we picked an action-thriller film on Netflix. After a short while, Jenn gritted his teeth before he calmed down and said, "Okay, then. Pack all of your things in your condominium and move them here. Besides, the mansion has a lot of rooms to sleep in."

Confused, my brows met below the center of my forehead, and later creased into a wrinkled line of perplexity. "What do you mean, Jenn? I have my own place, so why do I have to move in here? Look, we're a couple, yes, but we're not live-in partners or such. It's not necessary, trust me. Reporters will flood over the mansion if that happens," I insolently muttered in response with a hint of panic.

It then earned a deep sigh from Jenn, but his next statements made my jaw drop toward the floor. Just kidding, that's exaggerated, but hey, it has totally blown off my mind. As soon as I finished my previous sentences, Jenn declared, "You and I were going to be engaged, and that's not a question for you to say yes or no. My father told me to get a wife before this year ends if I want to secure my place as the successor."

"What?!" I blurted out in a vulgar manner, which has then prompted Jenn to squint his eyes before he attempted to cover his ears. However, I stopped him before he could as I raised my palms as a gesture to make him pause. "Are you telling me that we're about to get married after this year ends? I mean, for real? Jeez, what a romantic proposal! I bet the other girls will swoon over for the title of Roswell Group chairwoman."

"Are you insulting me?" Jenn groused, though he lowered his hand. Perhaps, he finally realized that he needed me after all. Of course, he does, he couldn't take the chairman position without a woman-a wife, and that's none other than me. Moments later, Jenn spoke once more, "Let's get moving, and make sure that my dad will believe this stunt of ours. Act as if we're in love with each other and serious about getting married. After all, you're an actress, and that's why I chose you."

Flabbergasted, I couldn't speak.

"How would she know that you're not going to leave her after you get the title and all?" Alistair queried which also has a point. On prompt, his question brought Jenn's brows to a knot. Jenn was about to answer when Alistair added afterward, "How would Matilda know that you're not going to abuse her until then? I bet you're going to keep all of the benefits of the marriage to yourself, brother."

"Don't call me brother," Jenn hissed at him, "Also, what does it have to do with you? I am the one who'll get married and take over the entire Roswell Group. And, what's with the sudden interest in it, Alistair? It's not like you are going to compete with me for the chairman title, are you?"

Alistair snorted, "I have always cleaned your reputation in all ways possible, yet you've never thanked me once. So, what if I will? What are you going to do, then?"

The muscle of Jenn's jaw ticked, and that's when I got between them before a fight will be made. "Stop it, you two. Remember that you two are brothers. One can manage the medicine and pharmaceuticals and one for the industrial or whatsoever. You can share, why is it so hard for the both of you?"

"Who are you to step into our conversation, Matilda?" Jenn retorted back which made the whole living room into a living hell as of the moment. His hazel brown eyes looked as if they're spitting fire on me, and his nose was flaming red, as well as his whole face. On the other side, Alistair maintained his impassive expression. However, his knuckles were cracking up as if he's resisting himself to throw a punch at Jenn.

So did I. How dare this jerk still treat me like shit after everything that I've told him!

"Oh, really? Who am I, you're asking?" After telling so, I scoffed, in spite of the attempt of slapping his nose off his face. "Don't worry. I'm just a nobody; the nobody that you'll be needing to get to the chairman's table, don't you think?" Again, Jenn clenched his jaw for what I have said, but I never had the intention to take it back. I may need tons of money to fulfill my wishes, however, this is beyond limits!

Out of the blue, Alistair interrupted, "If that's the case, then let's see as to whom will father give the title of chairman to either of us. Didn't you say that you will have to meet him?" Several seconds of silence have passed, prolonged, until I finally spoke up before them who're too focused on each other.

"Let me meet the chairman today." I summoned all of my courage to say such a phrase and statement. "Let me meet Mauro Vann Roswell. After all, I didn't say yes to the offer, even though it's a great catch."

"What are you pertaining to, exactly?" Jenn questioned, somewhat dumbfounded.

In an instant, I raised from the long sofa bench before I strode with tiny steps towards him. My legs crisscrossed as I went close to him even further and then, as soon as I reached Jenn's position. I shot my head up to face him with a lifted eyebrow, then a slight smirk crept to the side of my lip. "What if I will marry Alistair instead of you? Besides, he's the best choice for the chairman."

Jenn's facial expression tightened, and when he tried to speak, I quickly added another statement before he could even utter a word. "What do you think? Should I marry your brother instead? It will be one sweet revenge, and the first time for you to get dumped."

Employees were rambling back and forth all over the building like busy bees. However, they seemed to stop when they saw the two Roswell brothers, including me in between the two bad-tempered men. After a second, even before we could reach the reception table, a receptionist instantly came over to us and bowed his head slightly to recognize their future boss in the near future.

"Chairman Roswell informed us that you'll pay a short visit this afternoon. Follow me, Sir," the male worker then diverted his gaze on me before he continued, "And Ma'am." He flashed a wide grin on his lips in excitement, perhaps, and the young man's metallic gray orbs then glimmered as he gawked at my face for quite a while.

"Aww, he must be a fan," I thought to myself. Thus, I returned his smile, which caused him to blush. However, not long enough, Jenn instantly interrupted between the male's cute reactions to my simple smile. Well, ain't I amazing though?

"Where's the chairman?" Alistair queried in a domineering tone towards the employee, to which has directly been responded.

The man bowed once more before gesturing his hand to the hallways that were straight from where we were at the moment. While doing so, he finally opened his mouth to tell us to follow him. "My apologies, Sir. Now, let's proceed." Jeff Kohli, the male employee, as shown on his name tag pinned on the left of his chest, guided us to the elevator. He let me get in first before the two Roswell's as if I'm the owner of these fine things rather than the real owners. Although, by thinking about it, it's quite intriguing!

Even the mere thought of it sent both tingles and goosebumps!

As soon as we stepped out of the elevator, a more immense setting welcomed my eyes. All of it, from the paintings, then the furniture and portraits. A minute later of sauntering through the long hallways towards the far-end room, we finally reached the chairman's office. Oh, boy, I'm speechless even just for the freaking door. Note that I'm not exaggerating at this moment! The door has a golden doorknob, for Pete's sake! However, I couldn't further scrutinize the details any longer because the male employee, Jeff Kohli, instantly opened it using the right knob since it's a double door.

But what I do know for a fact is that this building alone may have cost a fortune! All the artifacts were taken care of, despite some of the modern twists of architecture. After a minute from opening up the chairman's office door, an older man, perhaps in his early forties or mid-fifties, was then exposed with a focused face before tons of paper works in his desk. His glasses were positioned on top of his tall nose while he squinted both of his eyes to read the written documents.

When he finally noticed us by the door, he took off his spectacles and then placed them on his table. The Roswell's chairman, the great Mauro Vann Roswell, was finally sitting in front of us, and his head was leaning on the dark maroon swivel chair's headrest. After a while, the chairman spoke, "Finally! My two sons have now visited me. Oh, and could you leave us for a moment, Mr. Kohli?"

"Yes, Sir," Jeff promptly replied, "I shall go back to the reception, Mr. Chairman. Have a great time with your sons, and call me if you need something else."

"I'd sure will," Chairman Roswell said in such a pompous manner. "Now, have a seat, Alistair. Sit here on my other side, Jenn." However, as soon as his eyes darted on mine, a confused expression wrapped onto his face. "Oh, and you are?"

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Mauro Vann Roswell. I am Matilda Hauxley," I humbly introduced to the old man. Well, it's better to knock off a good impression on the first meeting. The chairman was not as stiff as I expected him to be, though. He seemed to be a jovial type of person and father, despite the absence of her wife.

Chairman Roswell's face crumpled after my introduction, and God forbid, I had thought that I may have said something wrong. Until Alistair then spoke to break the probable silence around the old chairman's office. "She's a celebrity, father. You must've heard, or even read her name on televisions and magazines."

"Oh, yes, that's right. I have heard it somewhere," the chairman mumbled and nodded his head along as he agreed to Alistair's suggestion. "Come in, dear. Join my boys for some tea that has been prepared not long before you've arrived here. Haa, it's good to share a moment with you both, Alistair and Jenn."

While the three conversed about something, to which I didn't even understand, I only went to their office bench which is identical to the sofa benches at the two Roswell brothers' mansion but of different sizes. But the minute I plopped on the soft lounge, Chairman Roswell suddenly glanced at me and gave me a cup of tea before speaking, "You seem to be a fine lady, Matilda. How did you meet my sons?"

Before I could even open my lips, Jenn answered instead, "Matilda is my girlfriend, Sir, and we've planned to get married as soon as possible." With utmost haste, I waved my hands to the chairman and repeatedly said the phrases 'no' and 'he is just blabbering' which made the old chairman let out a chuckle. Afterward, the old Roswell finally gave a statement as a reply to my denial reaction. On the other hand, Jenn looked indeed angry because of my decline. "It's true, Sir, Matilda and I will get married before this year ends."

"Please call me father, my son," the chairman gently muttered, "Call me father."

"Okay, father," Jenn hardly spoke as if it's the most difficult word he has to say when in fact, he had addressed the chairman as his father at the mansion. Although, those simple words had made the chairman smile as if he's the luckiest father in the universe, merely because of his sons calling him a father. Then, his gape moved onto his oldest son, Alistair, before he again created a conversation.

"I suppose you're here to discuss the inheritance and successor topics, though, my answers will forever be the same, so listen up. All ears on me, please," the chairman declared and thus, their family meeting then continued while I kept quiet about my position. As if I'm out of place or whatnot but then, my name was mentioned thereafter. It's again Jenn who insisted on us marrying in front of his father, and I didn't do anything except for sipping a cup of tea as if nothing had happened. Duh, I may be good at acting, but it doesn't mean that I have a hint of what they've been debating on.

Nah, acting industries and huge businesses won't ever meet.

"I have told you, father, Matilda and I will get married," Jenn quarreled to the old man.

"But Jenn," the chairman replied in such a gentle voice, "Alistair has finally changed his mind, and that he decided to take my place when the time comes that I need to leave this world. Jenn, you should assist your brother first before you jump straight into the highest position. It will be a failure on the investors' part if we ever commit any type of mistake within the Roswell Group."

Jenn's guise turned into a more vicious one, and he took a glass of tea before throwing it on the floor near me, since we're sitting close enough to one another, some of the shattered pieces shortly hit the side of my feet. I winced in pain because of what Jenn had done, even though he had no intention of hurting me at all. Hence, I stood up from the soft couch before grabbing a piece of the shattered glass, I then took Jenn's hand, placed it on top of the table, and crashed the shattered piece on the table near his hand. It earned a startled face from him, until he has recovered from what I've done.

On the other side, the old chairman's eyes expanded at the scene, while Alistair merely painted a satisfied grin on his guise. "Y-You frightened me f-for a second, young lady," Chairman Roswell blurted after he somehow recovered by the sudden stunt I have just done right now. Shit, that wasn't supposed to happen in such a brutal way! However, I was perplexed at the chairman's next statements. "But that was so good to watch, although I'm worried for my son's hand."

It's not one of my usual reflexes, although I have acted like that on drama scenes.

"Isn't she great, father?" Alistair spoke meaningfully, including his stares.

Well, except for Jenn. "Great? Fuck, she almost had disseminated my hand!"

Ugh, he's boiling the blood inside of me!

"Hmm," the chairman hummed as if he had something in his mind. Afterward, the old chairman spoke once again. "Matilda seemed to be a great wife for you, my son, Jenn. I will approve the wedding, then, and the engagement party will take place after a month or so. What do you think? It's good to have a woman to look after you, guide you, and help you throughout. Matilda seemed to be a perfect match."

"But father!" Alistair slightly whined as a contradiction. As well as Jenn and I. However, it felt like my world had completely crashed, like the broken glass that I've previously smashed on the table when the old chairman plastered a knowing grin before uttering, "See you on your engagement day, Matilda."

Oh, no! Alistair will take the successor title, yet I'm bound to marry Jenn! It can't be!