To Catch The Runaway Bride

On the luxury seat reserved for super VIPs, a man attracted the attention of all the women in the noisy bar. Although he was just sipping his drink, his powerful aura could be felt through his every single movement.

Not a single person dared to come forward and strike up a conversation.

He is the president of the well-known Imperial Group, Ivan Grayson. It was rumored that no one had been born who dared to offend him. He is known as the callous and decisive emperor of the business world, but also a rare business genius. "Failure" is never allowed in his world, and during the two months since he became the president of the Imperial Group, he has increased the market value of the company to trillions of dollars.

The world has never been fair. Ivan Grayson is not only filthy rich, but as handsome as if his facial features had been sculpted by God. Apart from the wealth he accumulated, his face alone can make women yearn to have one night with him.

But this imperial man hates women who threw themselves at him. At all times he wants to take the initiative. He prefers to be a hunter who makes the first move to get the prey he wants.

It's possession, dominance, and excitement that make things interesting.

So, who will be the lucky girl in his bed tonight?

"Whoa, man, where's the story going?" Xavier, a friend of Ivan Grayson's since he was a kid, is a typical playboy who doesn't turn down a woman who comes to him. They are poles apart in personality.

"The show is about to begin." Ivan Grayson held his glass. His hunter-like eyes fixed on the sexy woman shimmying her hips on the dance floor.

He saw the appreciation and challenge in her gaze and his cock stirred in anticipation...

"Oh, poor girl, I already foresee another heartbroken woman tonight." Xavier joked.

Ivan Grayson didn't reply, since he agreed on that.

Every woman had delusions of being the end of his love life, but that wasn't going to happen, ever.

He hated being imprisoned by anything.

Ivan was a person who already had his entire life calculated and planned.He loved being a CEO.He loved doing business and acquiring business deals in a twinkle of an eye.

Being the only child of his parents,his father had instilled discipline and a great responsibility on him for being his only heir and so far,Ivan has exceeded his father's expectations.

When he took over Imperial Group,the company's earnings had skyrocketed.He was one of the most sought after billionaire in Texas but he would never let anyone tie him down in that sham called marriage.It was against the rules he had laid down for his life.

Love.romance.marriage..those things weren't for him.there was absolutely no gain in that.

What's the fun in being committed to one person?

Ivan could never wrap his head around that.

He highly preferred having any woman at any time he wanted.As much as he worked hard.he fucked harder.

To him,that was the only reason to get involved with a woman.for just sex.

Love was a myth and he had never felt it.He was pleased with the fact that he wasn't wired to feel such a fickle and weak emotion.

Just then,the woman he had captured tonight with his eyes sashayed towards him and introduced herself as Isobel.

As she rubbed her hands on his shoulders,he bid farewell to Xavier and took her upstairs.

They got into an empty room and before she could ask irrelevant question,he went straight to the point.

"What do you want?"He watched as her gaze moved to his mouth.

It was an invitation.

He paused for a moment...just to make sure he was reading her correctly then he leaned down and kissed her.

It was the briefest touch...lips on lips..then nothing.

"I think you know what I want"She reached up to run her fingers through his hair and pulled him back to her warm and willing mouth.

She tasted of brandy with a faint hint of cigarette.

The taste was distracting.

He couldn't remember seeing her smoke at the bar.

He pulled her hard against himself,one hand at her waist while the other travelled down over her lush curves.

She had a small waist and large,firm breasts,which she pressed enticingly against him.

He wondered if they'll taste as good as they feel.

His hand skimmed down to her backside as he deepened the kiss, exploring her eager mouth.

"What do you want?"He whispered against her lips.

"You"Her voice was breathy and urgent.

She was turned on.

Big time.

She began to unbutton his shirt...He held still as she eased it off his shoulders and let it fall to the floor.

"Turn around"

Isobel did as she was told but swayed a little in her high heels.

"Steady"He clasped her shoulders and pulled her tight against him,then turned her head toward him so he could see her eyes.

They were intent on his lips but she looked up at him.

Eyes bright... clear... focused... sober.

He nuzzled her neck,tasting her soft,fragrant skin with his tongue.

"I think it's time to lie down"He unzipped her short red dress and peeled it over her shoulders, pausing as he exposed the tops of her breasts concealed by a red bra.

He skimmed his thumbs across the surface of the lacy fabric.

She moaned and arched her back, pushing her breasts into his hands.

Oh yes!

His thumbs dipped beneath the delicate material and circled her hardening nipples as she groped behind her for the button on his jeans.

"We have all night"He murmured and released her before stepping back so that her dress slid down her body and pooled at her feet.

A red thong revealed her shapely behind.

"Turn around.I want to see you"

Isobel tossed her hair over her shoulder as she turned and gave him a searing look from beneath her lashes.

She has the most magnificent breasts.

He smiled and she smiled back.

This was going to be fun.

Reaching forward,He grabbed the waistband of his jeans and tugged sharply so her glorious tits are once more pressed against his chest.

"Kiss me"She growled.

Her voice low and demanding.

She ran her tongue over her top teeth and my body responded,his groin tightening.

"Only too happy to oblige"He clasped her head,his fingers in her silky hair and he kissed her more roughly this time.

She responded,her hands grabbing fistfuls of his hair as their tongues locked.

She stopped and looked at him with a salacious glint in her eyes as if, finally seeing him and liking what she sees.

Then her lips were once more feverish against his.

Man,she really wanted this.

Her fingers found the top button of his jeans and she pulled.

Laughing,he grabbed her hands and pushed her gently so they both fall onto the bed.

**********************

When Ivan woke up, the woman was no longer in bed. It was his rule that he would not allow any woman to stay overnight.

The contract is a must, since he doesn't let anything get out of hand, including the women he sleeps with. And he has the world's top legal team to ensure that the women he sleeps with don't come back to him a second time.

He pulled over at his parking lot and strode,gracefully towards his house.

He had to freshen up and head for his company.

He frowned when he saw Monica by the door.

Monica was his housekeeper..

"Sir Ivan,your parents are here."The woman announced.

Ivan swallowed..since he climbed into his late twenties.there were two people he didn't like seeing..

His parents!

They keep pestering him to get married.

Taking a deep calming breath and with a fake smile plastered on his face,he walked into the house.

"Good morning,mom.Dad.Damn!You two should have informed me before coming over.I really need to get to work now.why don't we postpone.."

"That won't be necessary."His father thundered,standing up. "You're dismissed from your CEO position "

What?!

Ivan's brow furrowed. "Dad, are you kidding me?"

"NO. Your playboy lifestyle is getting unbearable!The last scandal you had with a woman made you lose some business deals." At the end of his sentence, Mr Grayson unconsciously raised his voice.

"That wasn't my fault.How was I supposed to know that I was being followed by some pesky reporters?" Ivan shrugged helplessly.

"Rigour and conscientiousness are what have allowed our group to grow so much, and the actions of individuals will have a direct impact on how our products are perceived by the public. If you could just get married,Ivan.everyone would see you as someone more reliable and responsible."

"I am."

"I'm proud of you,son.I'm more than proud of how well you've handled the family business.I always thought you were joking when you said you had no interest in getting married.But the daily headlines compelled me to make an intervention. Mia Easton would be returning to Texas next week.You know her very well,right..she's prim and proper.And I will get you two register in marriage whether you like it or not."

Yes,his parents had always pester him to get married but with the look on his father's eyes.

He knew that this time,it was serious.

But he couldn't marry Mia. Yes, he couldn't. He couldn't figure out why a girl always had snot hanging from her nose, and her hair was a mess and she didn't look like a lady at all.

Her presence cast a huge shadow over his childhood; it was because of her that he was always teased at school that he had a little wifey, so much so that no girl ever confided in him throughout his junior high school years.

He was reminded that he was a freak, just because Mia Easton was a freak. His hatred for her continues to this day. Even though he reminded her countless times that he didn't like her, she stuck to him like a tagalong.

Till her father changed job and they were not in the same neighbourhood, he finally got his freedom.

Marrying her? For god sake! How could he fuck a snotty freak?

Ivan suddenly found it hard to breathe now.

His mother moved closer to him and held his hands.

"Ivan,you're almost thirty.You need a wife.Your father and I are not getting younger anymore.We want grandchildren from you.please listen to us this time.we know what's best for you,"

He rolled his eyes.best for him indeed.

"I don't want to marry Mia," He pointed out as his lips were pursed into a straight line.

"Of course you have another choice.your mother and I also want you to marry for love so if you have someone dear to you.bring her to us before Mia gets back."

Before Mia gets back?

Before the week runs out?

"Those are the two choices you have.If you don't bring someone to us in a few days.You and Mia would be husband and wife as soon as she gets back!"His father declared.

"And for the meantime,do not set foot in the company.you won't even be allowed in."

"I'm the CEO."Ivan reminded.

"I'll take over before you can get your head straight and if you still want to live this wayward lifestyle,then forget about your inheritance."With that,his father stormed out.

"Ivan,marriage isn't dreadful.Especially, Mia is a very good girl and you will live happily ever after." His mother gave him a slightly sympathetic look, and followed his father out the door.

Happily ever after? By marrying Mia? He would never allow that to happen.

He grabbed his car keys and drove to the office. The lift which used to be exclusive to him, had been sealed, and when he tried to unseal it, his father's bodyguards surrounded him.

"Young master, I'm sorry. We are following the master's order."

"You have been banned from the premises."

*****************

And that was how Ivan found himself at the bar with Xavier again.he was still in shock.he didn't even feel like fucking tonight.

Xavier laughed after listening to his friend's complaints.

"I'm sure if your father handled the company for a few days.he would give you a call to come take over.I mean,everyone knows you're the best CEO Imperial Group has ever had."

Ivan shook his head."I don't think I can get back my position if I don't get married.Trust me,my old man is pretty serious this time."

"Why don't you just marry Mia?You parents already like her."Xavier advised.

"I'm not physically attracted to Mia at all and I know a woman like that would want to tie me down in marriage for life!Does being married really proves that a man is responsible?"

"As much as I don't wanna admit to it,the public sees a married man as someone who possesses stability."

Ivan made mental notes of all the woman he had been with.trying to picture himself getting married to any of them but he couldn't.

It irked him to think of himself as a married man.

He was so upset at the disruption to his perfectly planned life.

"Well, Ivan, maybe God is asking you to get married now.."Xavier let out,laughing.

Ivan stared at him."What?"

"Look behind you."Xavier gestured.

Ivan glanced back and his eyes quickly scurried off to a lady in a wedding dress.

The dress looked simple and lovely.But in contrast to her pretty dress, her face was unbearable to look at. She looked as horrible as a female ghost.

Her eyes were red and swollen, her hair scattered, and her mascara had been ruined by her tears which shed her eyes, leaving a large black patch underneath her eyes, just like she had been punched in the face. And her face was smeared with lipstick.

The lady was drinking to stupor and because of her choice of outfit.almost everyone at the bar was staring at her.

"Do you see? The lady in the wedding dress, isn't that God's way of making it clear to you?" Xavier took a sip of his wine and laughed. "Most of the women who come to the bar are here to have fun like the rest of us, and she'll be wearing a revealing bikini, but not a wedding dress."

"Ivan, maybe this is your Mrs. Right." Xavier continued to scoff.

Hell! Mrs. Right? This ugly woman in front of him?

Fate was in his own hands, and not even God could change his taste in women.

The thought of spending his life with this ugly woman made Ivan cranky and want to get the hell out of here.

"I'm going to the bathroom." Ivan tugged his tie away in annoyance and, without waiting for Xavier's answer, left the seat with his long legs.

"Li...Liam, why! Why did you betray me?!"

Ivan came back from the bathroom, just to see the ugly woman who had just worn a wedding dress crouching in the corridor and crying out. He couldn't help but frown. Why is this woman always around him like a ghost?

He didn't want his eyes to be tainted. He wanted to get out of here, but this woman was blocking the only exit.

Shit! Maybe it was time to get his bodyguards to throw this woman out.

"Liam...you said you loved me...we were together for four years and you said you wanted to spend more years with me...you said you wanted to spend the rest of your life with me...what went wrong?"The woman continued and her face got even worse.

Ivan pulled out his phone. He didn't have time to listen to stories here, and he just knew that committing to a woman was a pain in the ass and this ugly woman was the perfect example.

"I wore this dress today so you would see how serious I am about marrying you.do you know how many times I practiced how to propose to you.why did you turn me down?What about the promises you made to me? Why did you hurt me just as my father had broken my mother?" The woman's voice got louder, and she cried hysterically.

A proposal of marriage? She planned to propose to a man?

Ivan hated women who took the initiative. No wonder she had been dumped, he was even more certain that even if she was the only woman left in the world he would have killed her rather than choose to marry her.

The phone rang three times but none answered the call. Damn it, Ivan kicked at the wall in annoyance. Was this his bad luck day? How dare his personal bodyguard not answer his phone the first moment it rang.

Maybe his bodyguard just wants to be fired.

Ivan hung up the phone irritably and pulled the woman up. "Get...." OFF

Before "off" was even uttered, a bad taste of alcohol took over his mouth.

What the fuck! What happened?

Damn, this woman forcefully kissed him? She must have gone completely mad, and he was certain that she was unable to see the sun of tomorrow.

He had thought of a hundred ways to make this woman die. Just as he tried to push her away, the soft touch of her lips instantly acted like the great aphrodisiac, bringing all the senses together to his dick. The bad smell of alcohol completely disappeared, and all he could feel now was his dick twitching inside his trousers. He wanted to penetrate her!

This woman tasted damn sweet! Without much thought, he pulled the woman closer, his large hands tightening to imprison her in his arms as he moved the kiss deeper into her.

"Let ...go of me." The woman struggled in his arms, because the smell of this man was unfamiliar. He's not Liam, and she assumed that Liam had followed her to the bar out of caring. But how could that be? How could he still care about her after he had gotten her best friend pregnant?

No, she shouldn't be thinking about such scum! Cheating will never ends, and her dad was the best proof of that. She shouldn't forgive such asshole.

"Ah, that hurts!" As if to punish her for not paying attention, the man bit her lip. The pain woke her up and she opened her eyes before she realized what a ridiculous thing she had done!

She had actually forcefully kissed a strange man in a bar! There was no denying that the man was damn good looking! Liam, who was known as the school hunk, was not even a match for him at all.

But obviously, this extremely handsome man is an indecent hooligan! Look what he's doing! He's lifting her skirt?!

"Let go of me! You rascal!" She whimpered, trying to pull her head back, her little hands kept slapping the man's chest, but the man's chest seemed as hard as a boulder.

A rascal? This woman had the nerve to call him a rascal when she had taken the initiative to provoke him. He would punish her and let her know that he was not her puppy who can be randomly treated. He is her master, and he is the only one who can decide the whole thing.

"Let go? Too late!" Ivan said coldly, his large hand caressing up her ass. The smoothness gave him a pleasure he had never felt before, and he wanted more ...

However, the phone in his trousers sounded untimely. He tried to ignore it but the caller seemed to be up against him and kept on calling.

Damn, if there wasn't a good reason for this call, he would have chopped the caller up and fed him to the dogs!

The caller ID was Xavier. Fuck, he had forgotten that Xavier was still waiting for him. He pressed the button, and the woman took advantage of this moment and bent her knee to kick hard at his manhood.

Before Ivan reacted, the woman hurriedly put her skirt down and quickly ran away.

"Ah!"

"HEY, Man, what's going on? Do you have hemorrhoids? What took you so long to go to the bathroom! Your bodyguard is already crying like a six year old little girl because he can't find you!" Xavier joked on the phone daringly. "Can you imagine that? A two hundred pound man was crying like a little girl." Xavier continued to mock.

"Bathroom!" Ivan popped one word out coldly through his teeth.

***************

"That's hilarious!!!" After Xavier figured out the whole story, he was in hysterical laughter.

Ivan's bodyguard, however, was not that lucky. He awaited the emperor's punishment with fear; he dreaded to think how disastrous his consequences would be; the last bodyguard who had failed to answer his boss's call in time had gone to feed the mosquitoes in the rainforest.

"Ivan, but, this woman is different right? How dare she attack the emperor who dominates the economy of this country? She must be special."

"Only a woman like her would be worthy of you. Ivan Grayson, don't struggle anymore. Marry her!"

Ivan stared at Xavier, and if eyes could kill, Xavier have already been dead and his gravestones might have been worn away...

"Get lost!" Ivan spat out coldly.

His words sent a chill up Xavier's spine. He couldn't mess with Ivan anymore. Thinking of the sexy woman who was still waiting for him on his bed, he quickly left the bar.

"I want all the information about that woman at 8.30 a.m. tomorrow," Ivan stared at the bodyguard who was still shivering, "otherwise you can prepare your last words."