Chapter 11
“That face…. It’s you. I’ve seen you before, you’re the one who was obsessed with Serena and stalked her all through college!” I gasped.
The last person I expected to see outside my father’s hospital room was him.
The last time I saw him was five years ago and that was on Serena’s phone.
“He’s obsessed with me, Rose, he won’t leave me alone,” Serena had cried that day.
“Well, that’s quite a story Serena has told you,” the man said with a wry smile.
He was very handsome standing in his crisp black tuxedo. His handsome features
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seemed more defined than when I had seen him years ago.
“What… What are you doing here? This is a private hospital!” I snapped, irritated that I was attracted to him.
“You two know each other?” my parents asked me.
I turned to them, “Yes. Why is he here? Do you know him?”
My parents exchanged uneasy looks as they turned to me.
“Remember that arranged marriage we were talking about,” my mom started to say.
I arched an eyebrow, “Yeah? What about it, Mom? I already told you that I agree to it. I’ll do it.”
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My mom nodded, “Yeah, I know you said that. But the thing is the man you’re supposed to marry-”
Is not supposed to see me until the wedding day. I don’t wanna know who he is,” I finished for my mom, interrupting her.
“But I’m right here! I’m your fiancé,” the guy from earlier said.
His words made me freeze as I stared at my parents in horror.
“Mom? Dad? What have you done?!” I snarled.
“Please calm down baby,” my mother said.
My father frowned, “What’s wrong,
Princess?”
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I glared at them so hard I felt the vein in my forehead almost pop.
“How could you set me up to marry him? He’s a stalker!” I snapped.
My father frowned, “I don’t know what you’ve heard about Tristan but he’s an impeccable man and he’s helped me with my business all these years.”
“It doesn’t matter. As much as I want to ruin Serena and her family, I’m not doing it with someone who is obsessed with her, I snapped.
“If I may, Rose, could you please spare me a few minutes of your time?” the man asked, stepping in front of me.
The scent of his perfume tickled my nostrils.
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I hated how easily my body reacted, so I stepped back before my thoughts could betray me.
“Stay away!” I snapped.
My mother sighed, “Hear him out, Princess. Just discuss it with him. If after you’re done talking and you don’t like this we’ll end the arranged marriage.”
My father nodded, “Yes, if you don’t like the arranged marriage we’ll call it off. We just wanna do things on your terms now.”
I stared at my two parents, they were trying so hard to be supportive of me despite my shortcomings. Heaving out a sigh, I nodded.
“Alright, fine. Just a few minutes,” I agreed.
I followed the man outside the hospital
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room, careful not to be too close so I wouldn’t keep fantasizing about him.
“It’s nice to officially meet you, Rose Merrick, my name is Tristan Kingsley. I’m your father’s business partner and I proposed the arranged marriage when I found out about Gideon and Serena,” he said.
I tried to keep my expression blank, but I felt the shock flicker across my face anyway.
Tristan Kingsley. One of America’s top ten most powerful, wealthy, and elusive bachelors–yet no one had ever seen his
face.
I frowned. “What is this, another one of Serena’s games? If she sent you, tell her I’m not playing.”
Tristan frowned, “I’m insulted you think that
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er 11
102 9201 392013
tuoda eone sent me.”
sed a left brow, “Well? Weren’t you ssessed and willing to do anything for her
Dars back?”
bise istan sighed, “I wasn’t obsessed with
erena, we were dating or at least that’s 29vhat I thought until I found out she was Techeating on me with multiple guys at school.
When I confronted her about it, she got defensive. Next thing I know, she’s leaking indecent photos of me in. my department and telling everyone I was stalking her. I lost my scholarship because of her and I was humiliated. I disappeared shortly.
after that.”
I stared at him, my mouth hanging open in shock, “Wow, she did all that?”
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“She did all that and more,” Tristan replied.
He handed me a tablet. My fingers tightened around the device. As the images played out, I felt my stomach twist.
“Why didn’t you show the board these
videos, they’re more than enough evidence,” I said.
Tristan stared at me, his eyes filled with something I couldn’t place exactly.
“Once a girl cries of being sexually
assaulted, all logic goes out the window,” he said, stiffly.
I sighed, “I’m not even surprised she’d do such a thing. This is someone that tried to kill me because of Gideon.”
Tristan nodded, “Yes, and now her family
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is trying to ruin your father’s company and his health. I asked that we get married to become an ultimate couple so we can take our revenge on them together. I’ll help you get rid of the Whitmores and the Blackwood. We don’t have to fall in love, we just have to be strategic.”
“And you, what do you want in return?” I asked him.
He smirked, the type that gave girls butterflies and made their knees turn to jelly.
“Just the thought of Serena seeing me again with you especially since she never thought I’d come out on top makes me happy. But no, I want to ruin her like she ruined me,” he answered with a twinkle in his eyes.
Just the image of Gideon and Serena watching me thrive–with Tristan at my
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side–was enough to make me smile.
Besides, it’s a strategic alliance. What’s the worst that can happen?
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
“Oh fuck it, I’m all in. Let’s blow shit up!” | smirked.
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