1 Prologue

It was a busy day for Peter inside his industrial store. Two of his staff didn't report to work today, so many walk-in customers to assist and phone calls to answer.

A few minutes later.

The guard informed him of his stepmother's sudden arrival at the compound. "Sir... your mother is waiting outside. Should I bring her here inside the store?"

Peter sighed deeply, his brows furrowed. What is his stepmother doing here? At this busy hour? Hmm... something is up!

Then his mind recalled something...

Dang!

'Could it be that the reason why she's here is because of that arranged marriage thingy that she mentioned during the family dinner?' he thought wryly. His brother, Arthur, already informed him about that issue a while ago.

"Alright, I'll go and see her," he replied. He exited the store and went to the parking area.

He saw two cars parked outside. He knew the other car belongs to Donna, her stepmother's best friend. Huh? Why she's here? It puzzled him deeply. Her presence only added to the mounting confusion in his mind.

He approached her stepmother's car.

Valeria exited the vehicle.

"Good afternoon, Mother!" Peter conveyed his greeting cheerfully.

Valeria looked at his stepson, smirking. "I'm sure that one of your brothers already informed you about the arranged marriage that I prepared for you. Am I right?" she said.

Peter sighed and nodded his head. "Yes, I'm aware of it, Mother," he confirmed. "Are you here to discuss that topic with me?" he asked calmly trying hard no to lose his temper.

"No and yes... I mean... I'm here to inform you that you can't say no to this arranged marriage because the woman that I have chosen to be your wife is the youngest daughter of my best friend! You can't say no, because the girl will be humiliated, and you don't want me to feel upset about the whole thing, right?" Valeria glared at him.

Peter is now ready to explode in frustration due to his stepmother's irritating intrusion in his life. Sad to say, he can't afford to yell at her in front of other people. He breathed deeply, trying to calm the rage that was burning deep inside him. It's not the right time yet to lose his control. "Mother, can we talk about these things some other time? I will come home tomorrow to discuss this thing with you. Just so you know... I'm not ready yet to get married!" he said firmly.

Valeria smiled broadly. "Well...too late for that! I already bring your bride home!" she said and walked towards her best friend's car.

"What the hell is going on!?" Peter's eyes widened in shock after hearing his stepmother's outrageous claim.

Donna's driver went to the car's compartment and grabbed the traveling bags, and placed them on the ground beside Peter.

"Sir, these are all your wife's belongings," the guard said and turned around, going back to the car.

"Damn!" Peter gritted his teeth in anger, his nostrils flaring.

Helen exited the car wearing a dark-colored sunglass covering her eyes. She looked both at Valeria and Peter.

Valeria holds Helen's hand, directed her towards Peter, and began the introduction. "Son, this is your wife, Helen. From now on, you will be the one to take care of her. The church wedding will follow soon after I finish the preparation. So, for the time being, enjoy each other's company!" she said casually.

Peter was stunned and dumbfounded while staring at his bride-to-be, wearing a sunglass standing in front of him. He didn't expect that this day will come, that his wicked stepmother will do the unthinkable and deliver his bride to his doorstep without his permission!

The arranged marriage that he didn't approve of in the first place is finally happening in a flash, unfolding in his eyes like a nightmare in broad daylight!

For God's sake! He doesn't want to get married yet! Not in the next five years!

This is pure madness!

He was raking his hair with his trembling hands in frustration.

Then he looked at her.

Peter and Helen stared at each other for a long time.

A few minutes later.

Peter stared in horror after watching the two cars speeding out of the gate! The two wicked stepmothers just left the poor Helen on his doorsteps like an abandoned puppy! Wow! Just wow!

Dammit!

These women's actions today are truly sickening!

Dumping Helen just like that? Must be gut-wrenching for someone like her. Peter sympathizes with Helen's unfortunate flight for a few seconds.

He was pacing back and forth in front of the visibly shaken woman. The truth is... he don't want to accept her in his home, in his life!

Helen was rooted on the spot like a statue, confused on what to do.

Then he finally addressed her. "Your name is Helen, right?"

"Yes, husband," she replied rather too sweetly. She took off her sunglass and looked at him straight into his soul.

"..."

After seeing her beautiful face and hearing her sweet voice calling him husband, Peter's heart somersaulted inside his rib cage. Oh, my...gosh...he...he can't describe what he felt at the moment!

They stared at each other's eyes for like eternity.

He was staring right into the eyes of an irresistible temptation! He groaned in despair. 'Sweet Jesus! What wrong have I done in my previous life that you punish me heavily today?' he lamented inwardly.

A few seconds later.

The guard approached the couple and coughed a little to alert them of his presence. "Sir, would you like me to bring Miss Helen's bags inside the house?"

Peter sighed heavily and tore his eyes away from Helen's beautiful face. He looked at the guard. "Nah, it's okay, I'll bring her bags into the house myself," he said and picked up the bags, then he addressed Helen calmly. "Follow me..."

Helen followed Peter silently towards the two-story house located a few meters away from the parking lot.

The guard was shaking his head in amazement after he saw the vexed reaction on his employer's face earlier. He thought the bomb would explode. Everything happened suddenly!

His single and workaholic employer finally got a bride!

The bride is beautiful though! His Boss might have a change of heart after the smokes settle down. He watched the lovely couple disappeared inside the house. "Boss is a lucky guy!" he gushes, sporting a broad grin on his face.

Unknown to him...

Peter's mind was going berserk due to these unexpected developments in his life. He's determined to kick Helen out of his house tomorrow!