The Billionaire's Chosen Bride

Arriving at the international airport of AJ City, Nancy Marlon, a fair-skinned blonde woman, frowned. She couldn't understand why her parents had asked her to return home.

Previously, she had been studying in City X, and after graduating in business administration, her father had clearly told her, "Nancy, I want you to return home and not stay in City X."

Nancy frowned during the phone call with her father, knowing that he was a politician in AJ City and she couldn't disobey him. So she arrived at the airport at exactly 2 PM, and her father's men were already there, waiting to escort her home.

"Welcome home, Nancy," her elder adopted brother, Matthew Marlon, said with a smile. Nancy frowned as she walked with him to the car.

She sat in the back seat of the car, aware that the city was ruled by the popular President Nolan Alejandro and his family. The city was named after the Alejandro family, who had been in power for years. Any opposition party was immediately silenced.

Nancy watched the road as Matthew started the car engine and drove away from the airport. Her eyes fell on a gigantic billboard displaying photos of the city president.

"Hmm..." Nancy hummed, noticing Matthew smiling at her through the rearview mirror. She ignored his smile, continuing to wonder why her parents had insisted that she return home.

Upon arriving home, the security men at her father's mansion gate opened the huge black gates for them. Nancy watched as Matthew drove his exotic black SUV into the premises and parked.

She could see her parents standing at the mansion entrance. Her mother was wearing a red gown, and her father stood in a black suit, with the maids in their blue uniforms behind them.

Nancy stepped out of the car and walked up to her parents. She was wearing a red top, black trousers, and black high-heeled shoes.

Nancy finally approached the entrance, and her mother warmly welcomed her. "Welcome home, my beautiful angel."

"Good afternoon, Mom, Dad," Nancy replied, smiling as she hugged her mother. Her father added, "Welcome home, Nancy. It's good to finally have you with us."

"Thanks, Dad," Nancy replied, still hugging her mother. The maids echoed, "Welcome home, Nancy."

"Thank you all," Nancy smiled at the maids, and her mother said, "Let's all go inside."

"Okay, Mom," Nancy replied, and they walked into the living room together.

She observed that the living room hadn't changed-it was still painted white with beautiful flower vases around.

Nancy approached one of the seven black couches and whispered, "Home, sweet home," as she sat down.

Her mother, standing in the center of the living room, smiled sweetly at her.

"Mom, what's the good news? You look so excited to see me," Nancy asked, curious about her mother's wide smile. Her mother glowed with beauty, and at 51, she appeared to be under forty.

Mrs. Olivia Marlon smiled and sat down on the couch. "Why wouldn't I be excited to see you, Nancy? You've changed and look more beautiful than when you left the city five years ago."

"Thanks, Mom, but I'm still the same," Nancy replied, smiling sweetly. She knew her mother was right; she had changed since leaving the city five years ago to study abroad-her appearance had evolved into a charming young lady.

Nancy was aware that people often stared at her as she passed by, captivated by her beauty. Her mother's nickname for her, "angel," reflected her sharp nose, blue eyes, and striking long golden hair.

"Mom, I need to go upstairs now to freshen up. I'll join you and Dad for dinner afterward," Nancy said, standing up from the couch.

"Okay, my dear," Mrs. Olivia Marlon replied, admiring her daughter. She thought of mentioning the arranged marriage with the president's son but decided to wait.

Nancy smiled and went upstairs to her bedroom. Approaching her door, she pushed it open and walked in.

Her room was unchanged, still painted pink with beautiful flower vases around.

Nancy pulled back the curtains to survey her surroundings. She noticed three black cars entering the mansion grounds, and some men in black suits stepped out.

She watched as a man in a black suit with an inner red shirt exited one of the cars. Their eyes met, but she quickly looked away, closing her curtains.

Nancy went to her bathroom, stripping off her clothes for a bath before dinner with her parents.

A few hours later, Nancy emerged from her bathroom, wrapped in a white towel. She sat on her bed to apply body lotion.

While creaming her body, she switched on the television to see the city president's photos and videos displayed again.

Increasing the volume, she heard the reporter announce, "Good evening citizens of AJ City. I bring you the 4 PM news: President Nolan Alejandro has just won the recent election, securing over 50 million votes..."

Nancy frowned, disliking the Alejandro family. She turned off the TV, knowing they had ruled for a long time, and she wasn't fond of politics despite her father's involvement.

She didn't enjoy the luxurious lifestyle of her family, preferring a simple life for herself, her future husband, and their children. Nancy disliked the constant presence of security men since her return to the city.

After finishing with her lotion, she searched for clothes to wear, selecting a tight-fitting brown gown from her closet that accentuated her shape.

Nancy approached her mirror, using a towel to dry her wet hair and combing it to fall behind her back.

Though raised to maintain her appearance, Nancy was apprehensive about why her parents had called her home. If only she knew, she might not be there at all.

Charles Alejandro was at his hotel when he received the report that his chosen bride had finally arrived home.

He was eager to see Nancy because his parents had been pressuring him to settle down, as he was their only son and, quite possibly, the future president. He had many enemies, both self-made and inherited.

Charles had been at his company earlier that morning before deciding to visit his hotel in the afternoon and possibly charm a lady in the evening. It was well known that he loved women, being a powerful man in AJ City, and many young ladies were keen on him as well.

Charles was a 30-year-old black man, very attractive, tall, and masculine, with short black hair. His mother wouldn't let him rest, constantly pressuring him about marriage and showing him photos of women she had selected for him to choose from. Charles wasn't interested in any of them, as he preferred his promiscuous lifestyle, though his parents were totally against it.

"Charles! You need to stop hosting different ladies and bringing shame to our family. You're the president's son, and you need to act respectably for once. Or how do you feel when almost half of the city's ladies here have seen your nakedness?" His father asked him from his seat on a black couch in the second-floor sitting room.

Charles smiled and replied, "Not half, Father. How could I possibly sleep with almost half of all the pretty ladies here? They're too many for me alone, and you know this."

Seeing that his father wasn't smiling, Charles adjusted his expression to be more serious.

His father replied, "Then you need to marry, Charles. Or else, I will revoke your privileges and find someone competent to take over my wealth."

"Hmm..." Charles frowned as his father warned him with blazing eyes and then exited the sitting room to meet with his guests.

His mother then stepped out of the elevator and walked into the sitting room to join him.

She asked, "Charles... Why are you afraid of marriage?"

"Hmm, I'm not afraid of marriage, Mom," Charles replied, taking a cigarette from his trouser pocket, lighting it, and smoking. The truth was that he hadn't found a woman he loved.

He believed most young ladies were cheaters and gold diggers. He had seen plenty of women eager to sleep with him, disregarding their boyfriends or fiancés, and he didn't want a cheap woman as a wife. Finding the right woman who matched his ideal bride had been difficult too.

"Then what's the problem, Charles? You haven't accepted any invitation that your father or I have offered you. Do you want us to choose a bride, marry her, and bring her here for you?" His mother asked.

"No, Mother. I'm not interested in any arranged bride. Most young ladies are cheaters and pretentious. Once they see it's me who wants to marry them, they'll pretend to be nice and jump at the chance. So no."

Charles shook his head and took a drag from his cigar, puffing smoke into the air.

His mother frowned and replied, "No, Charles. That's when you end up marrying a prostitute like yourself."

"Mum..." Charles looked up at his mother in shock, shaking his head as he noticed her smiling gaze.

She was a 65-year-old black woman, standing in front of him in a long blue native gown, being a traditional woman too.

First Lady Kira Alejandro approached Charles, who was seated on the black couch, and said, "Here, Charles. I have these three photos of cute women for you to see. Their families are respected and support your father's political party."

"Mum..." Charles was surprised to see his mother holding three photos, ready to show them to him at any opportunity.

His mother approached him and showed him the photos. "Here, Charles, take a look," she said.

"Hmm..." Charles finally accepted the photos from his mother.

Holding his cigar, he wore a black top, black leather trousers, and black boots, as he loved dressing in all-black clothing.

Charles examined the first woman's photo on top. She was cute, a black-skinned lady with a round face and a flat nose, her big brown eyes shining seductively in the outdoor photo, wearing a simple pink crop-top and blue jeans.

Charles frowned, holding his cigar to his lips as he slid the photo to see the next woman's face, spotting a pair of blue eyes.

She was cute with a round face, a sharp nose, and blue sparkling eyes. Her dimples were rosy on her chubby cheeks, and her plump, full lips enticed him to kiss them. Her long, golden hair glittered, making his jaw drop. She wore a white singlet top in her selfie.

Staring at her slender neck and slightly exposed bosom, Charles felt his muscles tense with desire. He didn't know how long he had been staring until his mother asked, "Charles... Do you like her?"

"Mom..." Charles snapped out of his trance.

He looked at his mother and met her smiling gaze.

Holding back his response, Charles finally slid the photo to see the last woman's face.

She was beautiful, light-skinned, and more chubby than the second woman, but she didn't captivate him like the second woman did.

Charles swiped back to the second woman's photo, handed the other two back to his mother, and asked, "Who's she, Mom?"

First Lady Kira Alejandro smiled and replied, "She's Nancy Marlon, Senator Logan Marlon's only daughter and child."

"Hmm..." Charles hummed, finishing his cigarette.

His mother said, "I see you like her, Charles. Don't worry, I'll arrange with my assistant to send a marriage proposal to her family right away."

"Okay, Mom, but is she around? I'd like to see her in person. Does she really look like this photo? You know how edited photos can be deceptive," Charles asked, still staring at Nancy's photo.

His mother smiled, "I don't know, Charles, but I'll call her family to find out. Once she's around, we will proceed with the wedding preparations."

"Okay, Mom," Charles smiled, not rejecting the subject of marriage.

He wanted Nancy; his whole being yearned for her.

He wanted to kiss her photo but suppressed the urge, waiting for his mother to leave.

Charles stood from the couch and went to his bedroom on the third floor, taking Nancy's photo with him.

A month later, at his luxury hotel for the weekend, he tried to distract himself from thinking too much about Nancy as he awaited her return. But none of the attractive women he saw excited him like Nancy did.

"Boss, our security at her father's team just called. Your chosen bride is back at her family home," his personal assistant, Dennis Richard, informed him over the phone from the presidential suite of his luxurious hotel.

Charles replied, "Prepare the car. We're leaving for her father's mansion now."

"Okay, boss," Dennis answered. Charles ceased contact with the attractive woman who had been attempting to entertain him, feeling only irritation. He wanted to meet Nancy, the one his heart desired.

Dressed in a black suit and red shirt, Charles exited the luxurious hotel, entered his car with the help of his security team, and they drove to Senator Logan Marlon's residence.

Nancy was in her bedroom, drying her long, wet golden hair and combing it to cascade down her back. She left her room and went downstairs to the living room to have dinner with her parents.

Nancy's stomach was growling with hunger, so she held onto the iron railing for support as she descended the stairs, making sure not to miss a step.

Upon reaching the living room, Nancy noticed some guests had arrived at her parents' home. This made her frown, as she disliked how her father's mansion was designed; the living room was connected to the dining room, allowing guests to easily intrude on their private affairs. She valued her privacy and hated being watched.

She saw a tall, handsome black man exuding authority, standing in the living room and watching her intently. His gaze made Nancy uncomfortable, feeling as though he were undressing her with his eyes.

Looking away from the man, Nancy turned to her parents, who were standing nervously in the room. She approached her mother and asked, "Mom, is dinner not ready yet?"

Mrs. Olivia Marlon was nervous, as she hadn't expected Charles to visit their home personally. She replied, "Nancy dear, come meet your groom."

"My what?" Nancy gasped in shock, swiftly turning to face Charles. His handsome gaze was fixed on her, never wavering.

Snapping out of her daze, Nancy asked her mother, "Mom, when did I get married to him?"

"You're not yet married to him, Nancy," Mrs. Marlon replied. "This is Charles Alejandro, the only son of President Nolan Alejandro, and the wedding is in two days."

"Two days?!" Nancy gasped, feeling faint.

"Calm down, Nancy," Charles said, his deep, masculine voice sending shivers down her spine. Nancy couldn't believe she was getting married to him in such a short time. Gathering her courage, she said with trembling lips, "I cannot marry you, sir."

"Nancy!" her father shouted, trying to hush her. Charles Alejandro was the most feared young man in the city. Senator Logan warned, "Nancy, you have no right to object to this marriage. Charles chose you after seeing many young women's photos. You should be grateful to become the country's future first lady."

"No, Father! I cannot agree to this marriage. I can't marry him!" Nancy yelled, backing away and bolting up the stairs to her bedroom, her hips swaying as she ran. Once inside her room, she shut the door and locked it.

"Nancy, come back here!" her father called, but Nancy refused to answer. She didn't want to marry Charles. She lay on her bed and cried.

"Let me go upstairs and talk to her," Mrs. Olivia Marlon offered, but her husband stopped her. "That won't be necessary."

Senator Logan apologized to Charles, "We're truly sorry, Your Excellency. We hadn't informed Nancy about the arranged marriage."

"Hmm," Charles said, speechless as he stared up at the second floor, hoping Nancy would peek out. Her movements had stirred something in him, and he doubted he could control himself if left alone with her.

Charles turned back to Nancy's parents, meeting Mrs. Marlon's gaze, which was reminiscent of Nancy's. Mrs. Olivia Marlon smiled nervously and said, "Not to worry, Your Excellency. I will speak to my daughter, and the wedding will proceed as planned."

"That's alright," Charles replied. "I came to welcome my bride back to the city, but it's clear she doesn't want to see me. Please give these flowers to Nancy and let her know that I truly love her and want to marry her," he said, handing over a bouquet of roses to Mrs. Olivia Marlon.

Mrs. Olivia Marlon accepted the flowers and smiled nervously. Senator Logan apologized again, "We are sincerely sorry, Your Excellency. Please forgive our daughter's behavior."

"That's alright. I understand her fears," Charles said, "but that's not a problem. Please let her know that I want her. I should be on my way now. Goodbye, Senator Logan."

"Goodbye, Your Excellency," Senator Logan said, escorting Charles out to his car.

As Charles entered his Jeep, flanked by his security team, the cars drove away from Senator Logan Marlon's residence.

---

Nancy watched from her room window, seeing Charles leave and get into his car. She couldn't believe her parents wanted her to marry Charles Alejandro, the president's son, whom she had never met. She had heard of his reputation online, where he was ridiculed and accused of scandalous behavior. Nancy didn't want to marry someone rumored to be unfaithful.

Her door opened abruptly, interrupting her thoughts. Her parents entered, her father angry, her mother holding the bouquet of roses.

"Nancy! What was the meaning of that display with Charles Alejandro today? Many young women would jump at the chance to marry him!" her father demanded, glaring at her.

"Dad, that's not the kind of man I want. I don't love him, and that's the truth," Nancy replied, sobbing, knowing Charles wasn't the husband she wanted.

"You speak of love, but do you know what it is, Nancy? Love will come with time, after you're married. That's how your mother and I started, and we're still together. What if you wait for someone you love, and he doesn't love you back?"

"I cannot reject the Alejandro family's proposal. They are powerful, and rejecting them would be an insult. Charles chose you from many others, Nancy. You will marry him, whether you like it or not."

"No, Father! I can't marry him!" Nancy cried, overwhelmed by her father's insistence.

Her father turned to leave, telling her mother, "Speak to our daughter and prepare her for her new life. She goes to the presidential villa this Saturday to live with Charles, whether she likes it or not."