Claire’s POV

“I’ll have to think about it,” I muttered, turning my face over to the door just so I could hide my blush. I couldn’t let excitement lower my dignity. They would think I’m so desperate.

Leaving the room, I shut the door behind me. Pretending to scramble away, they thought I was gone but I’d slowly tiptoed back. My heart is pacing. I knew they were really going to say something about this marriage, though it’s what every girl would want yet there was something off being that they never wanted me. Why would they prefer to choose me over Lilah, their favorite and a graduate of Business Management?

It was still unclear to me.

I waited still, yet no words, there was silence, then the scrambling of feet, a regretting sigh and then someone walking away, the next followed. The third sigh came from Lilah, she grumbled.

“Mom, dad, why will you choose Claire over me? Am I not more beautiful and educated?”

Neither of them answered her.

The same question I had in mind, to which there was no response at all.

I returned to my room to google about Alessandro Walson. As his pictures spread over the screen of my phone while I laid in bed, my body froze. Everything in me came to a standstill.

This guy is gorgeously beautiful, charmingly masculine and coordinated.

His shirtless pictures got me breathing faster than I’ve ever before. I wanted to see him this way physically, I wished I had the superpowers to fast forward time to after our marriage.

His personality displayed as I ran my next check. Always gentle, thoughtful and cool. Never arrogant.

Which girl wouldn’t want him?

Three days later, a knock came on my door. It was dad.

“We will have our first family meeting tomorrow, get prepared.” He said and turned around, walking away but I left a gasp, one that made him pause.

“But I never accepted it or not,” I uttered, wallowing in confusion. “I never gave my decision.”

“Your decision doesn’t matter,” he whispered coldly, nearly inaudibly. “You have to be useful for our family, at least for once.”

Those words sank deep, piercing through my bones. So I’d not been useful all those while? My joy shrunk as I shut back the door while he walked away, my decisions don't matter after all. They just want to send me away, even for no bride price. That is the cheapest thing anyone could do to a woman. Means I had no value, just an object to achieve whatever they want.

I laid on my bed, facing the ceiling as I thought about this, tears began to run down my cheeks, then the image of Alessandro Walson flashed through my mind.

A sudden smile popped up.

“The fact that I’m getting married to him isn’t a happy one but just getting married to him makes me happy.” I said to myself.

Only if he’ll accept me or treat me like trash like my family.

I was thinking of pretty nice clothes and shoes to put on, but surprisingly the following morning, a courier was knocking on our door to make deliveries. I answered the call, wondering who ordered something. Delilah and Lilah stood behind my dad watching with shock on their faces, then I knew it wasn’t them.

“Mr. Alessandro Walson asked to get these delivered ahead of the meeting.”

My jaw dropped. I sensed. Luxury clothes and shoes. I couldn’t just ask.

“Received with thanks.” I turned around walking to my room amidst the prying eyes. I spoke to no one, immediately I got in, I leapt up, screaming and giggling.

“Oh, so thoughtful of him.”

I took no time in tearing the large parcel to check what was inside. It was a massive jaw drop. Luxury white linen fitting gown, sleeveless. Louis Vuitton heels. A black diamond encrusted purse matching the heels. A full makeup kit.

Goshhh!

My joy knew no bounds.

I was all-ready, set to put up a smiley face all through my meeting with him only to be shocked more. A Limousine coming to pick up. What type of man is he?

Delilah and Lilah happened to come along, as I never expected, wearing envious looks all through. I ignored it anyway. The journey was only forty minutes as my dad told me.

Arriving at the Walsons’ family estate, my eyes rolled deep in admiration at the rare architectural designs of their eight stories glass house, this hadn’t pretty much been shown to the media. This was their family house, glowing with beauty and luxury. The environs, green and vast, spread out, giving a silent and blissful aura. The flower trees decorated the edges of the concrete walk paths and driveways.

This gave the aura of a modern stately home, a place I would never get tired of living in.

When the Limou came to a halt at the grand glass door entrance of the penthouse, my heart drummed. Heat rolled in, I felt my palms sweat. In no later time, I would be meeting the Prince Charming my family had arranged for me to marry, a man way out of my league. I was afraid to make any mistakes.

“At least, I have a few minutes, seconds,” I thought to myself. The staff, servants, whoever it is will come down to welcome us. So I thought. Barely done with my thoughts, the entrance swirled around and a tall, muscular yet thin man strode out, an older and average-heighted man behind him. His dad. But my interest was all over his son.

Raw. Masculine. Powerful.

He’s way hotter in his black suits than he always appears on TV and the magazines. My mind proceeded to think of him shirtless. Gosshhhh! Away with the dirty thoughts. It’s too early. I scolded myself.

“Hello.” He stretched out his hand, his lips curving into the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen. My face turned red, burning hotter, blushing with embarrassment.

I curtsied, taking his hand. Then his dad, I bowed. “Good morning sirs.” I greeted both at once. Their response, I didn’t take note. I was so conscious of them noticing my red face. Pleasantries with my family occurred next, before Alessandro returned back to grab my wrist.

“Let’s go in. Welcome to my family home.” His voice was low, yet deep.

“Thanks for the welcome—“ I stammered, summoned courage. “And—the gifts.” I curtsied again but he smiled.

“That was nothing. Knowing your condition, I had to make sure you have your best look today and even so on your second meeting.”

“Second meeting?” I repeated.

“Yeah! You aren’t informed.” His brows arched. “We’ll have a second meeting before we arrive at the final decision. The marriage.”

I inhaled, suspense scorching my chest. “Whether they will pick Lilah rather than me?” I thought but quickly expelled the thoughts.

“Oooh, I see.” I responded to cover up the awkward silence.

We were welcomed further with a breakfast at the dining table before my dad and Eric Walson, his dad proceeded to talk. Alessandro sat beside me on the couch, making me sit on my edge all through. His eyes were watching, and suddenly, he extended his hand. I first gave off a side eye, then looked at his hand before his face. He gave me a curt nod. Grab it! I did. He rose with me, Delilah and Lilah watching.

“Excuse us, I’d love to take Claire on a tour around the premises and we can chat a little.”

Oh, he knows my name?

I pulled in a deep breath, wondering if I missed the etiquette, not mentioning my name at our meeting downstairs.

“Sure.” His dad nodded.

“That’s a really nice idea,” dad chimed in.

“Can I come along?” Lilah asked but her mom slapped her thighs, suddenly sitting up, pretending as though nothing happened. I shut my eyes, swallowing in anger, breathing out, tightening my lips. She was here with her attitude again?

Alessandro only smiled at them, walking me out.

The tour around the garden made up for a sweet, blissful moment that got millions of butterflies invading my stomach. The look of his eyes, his deep, gentle tone as he spoke, all got me falling deep for him. It was all too soon, not matching the nature of the marriage. An arranged marriage. Yet, it was happening.

Alessandro is a perfect gentleman.

I returned home still feeling my heart rate pulsing high, even in sleep, I wasn’t saved. Romantic dreams of us together took me throughout the night and several nights after our meeting.

Our second meeting was highly anticipated. It came three weeks later, enough to erase the spark but nothing changed. It even tripled, setting eyes on him again. He welcomed me with a smile. Welcome, refreshing. My heart was earnestly beating in prayer.

Two challenges stood along the way. Lilah, a graduate being picked this time around. There were chances since she’s more academically fit than me, even though her dad might not think of giving her off as a loan repayment. The Walsons are multi-billionaires and if Alessandro was to choose a bride, a royalty would come rushing for him. Why me?

Our second meeting was held at the rooftop of the mansion.

“Today, we are finalizing everything.” Eric Walson began. Papers were brought. I guess the marriage agreement. “Arcoles Auto Spare is too good a company to be left abandoned for years. We will step up to revive it, get our shares before handing it over to you.” He looked at my dad who was nodding.

“The heiress is here to keep a close watchful eye to make sure everything goes fair.”

My eyes ran through Lilah unexpectedly, she held a frown. “Why not her?” Her mom asked, raising her index finger as an excuse.

My knees grow weak. This moment could be a massive turn around for bad. I lowered my face, knowing what she was going to say next. “She’s a graduate of Business Management from the best University in Las Vegas.”

Oh no!

“While Claire is a drop out.”

Did I have to go through all these in the presence of Alessandro? What will he think about me?

Silence. Suspense thickened in the air, sending me on my toes. I was on a hot seat before I saw a hand slowly crawl on my lap. I shivered as I raised my eyes on Alessandro. That same reassuring nod. I took his hand, then he looked at Delilah.

“I take marriage seriously irregardless of the unconventional way we have to marry. Treating her well would run as compensation for that. I don’t think calling her a dropout sounds any good because I’ll make sure she reaches the peak of her education.”

My eyes flared up, lips extended in a blush.

Wowww!

Is Alessandro really defending me?

“Besides—“ he cut through my thoughts. “I’m looking for someone who can manage my life and heart more, not just business.”

The room fell into deep silence. Mixed reactions rocking on faces.