Chapter 4

[Christopher’s POV]

"Fine. Wire the money to her and tell her to meet me tonight. We need to discuss the wedding details to get it done as soon as possible. I will introduce her to my family next week after the wedding," I quickly responded. Twenty million is nothing compared to the inheritance of my company from my parents.

"Why next week, Sir? Won't you invite your family to your wedding?" William asked hesitantly. I nodded quickly.

"I do not like a big wedding. This is just a wedding for convenience. Once the entire company is under my name, we can also part ways with that woman," I explained. He laughed at my response and just shook his head.

William has been working with me for over ten years, so he knows me very well.

Upon arriving at the reunion party, everyone's attention immediately focused on me. But I ignored them and looked straight at my parents with my grandparents.

"You're late again!" Daddy immediately scolded me. I sighed.

"I have tons of work in the office, Dad. You know how workaholic I am," I replied simply. I also greeted my grandparents. Mommy kissed my cheek when I approached her.

"I am only giving you this year to find a wife and produce an heir. If you can't do that, I will make sure that—"

"I already have a wife, Dad!" I declared. They all fell silent. Even those at the nearby table looked at us. I rolled my eyes because they're like crazy people gawking at me.

"What? Are you trying to make a fool out of yourself now, Christopher? Don't tell me you will just grab any woman on sight and marry her? Status is still very important. She should at least equal our standing in society!" Mommy raised an eyebrow with a hint of insult in her statement.

"I'm not a child for you to dictate who I want to marry. The important thing is I already have a wife, and all of you should just shut up!" I declared angrily. Their insistence for me to get married was no longer amusing. Besides, I already saw Ariya's face. She's very pretty, so I'm sure she could provide me with a good-looking heir.

"Still, I want to meet that woman. And, you are the eldest. You deserve a grand wedding where all our relatives and friends are invited. Did you marry her already, or is it not happening yet?" Mommy asked curiously. I chose not to respond further and politely excused myself from them. I saw Jared and some of our cousins, so I went over there.

That night, I couldn't understand why I was excited to meet Ariya in person. If I could bed her tonight, then it's even better.

But as the night deepened, she still didn't arrive, so I called William.

"Hello? I told her eight o'clock, Sir. Did you use the number I provided?" he asked surprised when I mentioned that Ariya hasn't shown up.

"I did. But it is out of reach!" I replied in frustration. "What if she backed out? Fuck! It can't be because I already told my family about her. I don't want to be embarrassed!" I vented my frustrations.

"Wait, Sir, let me call her again," he said nervously. I ended the call and clenched my fist on the table. I was getting annoyed with the crew repeatedly coming back to my table to take my orders. I couldn't decide what to order because I didn't know Ariya's food preferences.

Two more hours passed, and Ariya didn't show up. It was the first time I waited for a woman. Women were always lining up for me, but tonight I was stood up. I could hardly contain the anger I was feeling now.

William did his best to contact her, but he failed. Now he was complaining on the website. It was so embarrassing, and I couldn't take this fucking humiliation!

In the following days, my family and friends learned about the humiliation I endured. I didn't know how they found out, but now they were extremely disappointed in me. Especially Daddy, who couldn't believe that I faced such intense embarrassment just to get a wife.

"Sir, you have a visitor."

I lifted my face when I heard my secretary Tami's voice. My temper had been boiling for a few days now, so they always approached me with caution. I also didn't accept any visitors lately, especially if their purpose was related to business.

"It's Ma'am Veronica. She said she won't leave until you face her," she replied hesitantly. I gritted my teeth and blew out an irritated breath. I saw Tami gulp and become even more nervous.

"Okay, let her in. Prepare some snacks for her too," I reluctantly agreed. Veronica is one of my college friends, and I know she won't give up when she wants something.

"Alright, Sir." She politely excused herself to go out. Following her was Veronica's entrance. She was wearing a tight black dress and a pair of boots.

"What are you doing here? I'm busy," I coldly stated as soon as she approached. But she just laughed it off.

"Of course, you're busy! That's why you even tried a dating site," her sarcastic reply echoed. I cursed again, and my anger intensified. Right now, I've paid people to find that woman. I just hope there will be news soon. I'm really going to make her pay for her deceit!

"Tell me what you need, and I'm not in the mood to argue with you," I maintained a cool response. She smiled and approached my seat.

"Just marry me, Christopher. I can be a good wife to you, and I will give you as many heirs as you want," she said sweetly, trying to seduce me. My lips parted in surprise.

Actually, I'm just a year older than Veronica. She's currently separated from her husband because he cheated on her. Back in college, she confessed her feelings for me, but I only see her as a friend.

"Marriage is not a serious thing for me, Veronica. I will only be needing an heir for my family to shut their mouths. Besides, we're friends, and I don't want to complicate things," I bluntly stated. She blushed in embarrassment, but I needed to be honest with her. I considered her one of my closest friends, and I intended to keep it that way.

"Christopher, you know I've liked you for a long time, right? I can give you an heir. We can still be friends, and nothing will change. I'm just saving your face, okay? So, agree already," she insisted.

I was surprised when she suddenly sat on my lap and kissed me on the lips. I couldn't move immediately because I still couldn't believe what she was doing. We had tried having sex before when we were in college, and it never happened again because I didn't feel any spark or attraction towards her. I wasn't even aroused when she undressed in front of me.

"Sir, Detective Richards is here, and—oh, sorry, sorry!"

I snapped out of my daze upon hearing my secretary's frantic voice. I carefully pushed Veronica away and stood up. Veronica, in turn, glared at my secretary, who was now looking apologetic. I sighed and glanced at Veronica, who was giving my secretary a stern look. My secretary gasped and quickly bowed.

"I'm sorry, Veronica. But I can't accept your offer. I can't marry you. I truly value our friendship, and I can't hurt you. Your offer is impossible," I softly apologized to Veronica.

She looked at me, pain evident in her eyes. I swallowed hard because I didn't want to hurt her. But it's better to be clear about things between us.