Chapter 10: Introducing The Groom

Having made up her mind, she proceeded towards the stairs. She had to end it once and for all. She would feel bad if she was lying to someone. The man didn't deserve the deceit.

As soon as she reached the top of the stairs, she breathed out through her nose. She felt scared because she hated being judged.

"But you can just tell him you did it for your mom if he asks you," a tiny voice said to her and she nodded. That little voice was right. She didn't mean to do it.

Hell, she didn't even want to get married to him. She only got married to him because of the threat Madison had made to her.

"You can do this Kaia, believe in yourself and the principles which your mother had taught you,"she continued to chant to herself as she recalled where that driver had told her she could find his room.

She slowly opened the door. Her whole body was trembling and it was evident with how her hands trembled while she opened the door.

The door made a creaky, scary sound as she turned the knob. She quietly stepped in and there, she was shocked by what she saw.

She let out a loud gasp as as her mouth was opened widely as she stared at what was before her. She could not believe it. It felt like her eyes were playing tricks on her. What the hell was going on here?

Had she stepped into the wrong house? She reasoned to herself but threw the thought out of her mind immediately. It was unlikely for the driver to bring her to a wrong house, then why was the sight in front of her different from what she had expected.

She would never had expected for the man to be seated in the corner of the, high-ceilinged room. He a commanding presence. He was tall and it was evident with the way his legs were crosslegged. Owing to the fact that the room was bright, not knowing if it was done on purpose but Kaia could notice his features.

He was endowed with chiseled features and piercing eyes that seemed to see right through you. His dark hazelnut hair was perfectly messy, and his strong jawline was also accentuated by a subtle scruff. He was dressed in a tailored black suit, crisp white shirt, and a slim black tie, exuding confidence and sophistication.

As he sat with his legs crossed, his tailored pants hugged his muscular thighs, and his black leather shoes shone like mirrors. His gaze was intense, yet relaxed, as he sized Kaia who just made her way into the room which caused her to squirm under his gaze.

The room itself was a masterpiece of luxury and elegance. The walls were painted a rich, dark gray, and the floors were made of polished black marble. The high ceiling was adorned with intricate moldings and a stunning crystal chandelier which casts a warm, golden glow. The walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling windows, draped in heavy velvet curtains that pool on the floor like a dark, luxurious sea.

In the center of the room, a grand piano sits on a plush, cream-colored rug, surrounded by comfortable, oversized armchairs and sofas in a rich, burgundy leather. The air is thick with the scent of old books and fine whiskey, and the atmosphere is one of refined, masculine sophistication. The man in the corner is the undisputed king of this domain, and all eyes are drawn to him like a magnet, including Kaia.

"You are here, I have been waiting for you," his deep, husky voice quickly snapped Kaia out of what she was doing. She had been taking in the surroundings of the room completely forgetting what she had steeled herself to do while she got into the room.

"H-hi," she stuttered. This man was completely different from what the rumours had painted him to be.

The rumours called him old, sickly and close to the death but the person who was seated in front of her was far from whatever rumours was flying about.

He was young and he didn't even look sick. He was basically every girl's dream. Then her mind went to Madison, how would she react if she finds out that this was the man she was to get married to.

"Why are you nervous? I don't bite, so you have no reason to be scared, don't you think so?" He probed her as he continued to look at her.

"Yes, you don't bite, so I don't have to be nervous, it's just instinct," Kaia replied sloppily as she held the hem of her dress.

"This isn't the way the public painted you Madison or should I call you Kaia," the man said nonchalantly with a smile which shocked the hell out of her.

"What do you mean by that, who's Kaia?" Kaia asked. She had forgotten that she wanted to come clean to this man just a few minutes ago. Hearing him mention her name cause her to be frightened, hence she didn't remember anything which she had planned.

"Kaia, there's no one with us here, Madison isn't here to threaten you, I am aware that she threatened you using your mom which caused you to replace her in this marriage, isn't that right and don't lie to me as I have your mom under surveillance, I know you understand what I'm trying to say," the man said while still maintaining the smile he had on his face.

Kaia looked at him as her eyes bulged in shock. She couldn't believe that after everything, the secret was still known.

"That's it, I'm tired of you all using my mom as a bait, is it because she's my weakness, this is the reason why you all keep using her to force me to do your biddings," Kaia suddenly yelled out as she yanked the veil of her face.

She had had enough. She was tired of the constant threat which involved her mom. That was enough, she wasn't having anymore of it. She was fed up with being treated this way.

"Yes, yes, yes, this is the answer to all your questions, Madison threatened me just the same way you are doing, my mom is fighting for her life and you all are bringing her into your issues, is this fair?" Kaia suddenly slumped to the floor as she poured her heart out.

She was fed up, extremely fed up of being thrown around. She was fed up of being tossed around, of being used, of being threatened while using her mom.