What just happened?

Derek stared at the beautiful lady in front of him, his gaze although dark and menacing was filled with uncertainty, but the beating of his heart was enough to conclude that she was gonna be his choice.

Ashley, however, was looking confused and annoyed at how the man abruptly snatched her hand. She was not in a good mood at that moment so she didn't take the time to do what girls mostly do and that's gawking frantically at him.

All she did was snatch her hand away from his hold, and looked at him like he was some sort of repellent or a plague.

Her gaze mostly was consisting of the thoughts that the man is probably confused.

"What's your name?" Derek questioned with an emotionless voice and a blank expression. He shoved his hands into his pocket, expecting an answer that instant.

Shelly who was standing beside him, took hold of his arm hesitantly, loving how she felt the feeling of his expensive coat in her hands. "Um, Mr. Cage..."

Derek darted his eyes to the side in anger at the interruption and he annoyingly brushed Shelly's hand away from his hand before turning to look at her. "State what you want."

Margaret walked toward them. "Mr. Cage, she's my daughter, Shelly Moore. Remember you said I should bring my daughters?"

Derek turned and looked at Ashley. "Is she your daughter?"

Margaret immediately shook her head. "No! She's my...my..." Margaret stuttered since she had no inkling how to introduce Ashley in the first place and was angry at the fact that Derek was noticing her since that was unexpected. Definitely unpredictable.

"She's your what?" Derek's cold voice uttered with an annoyed expression.

"Just someone ordinary. A nobody you shouldn't give a damn about." Shelly answered him.

"If she's not family, then why the fuck is she here?" Derek questioned his expression hardening with every millisecond.

"Um, ..." Margaret wavered due to the fear suddenly enveloping her. "She's just..."

"Didn't I clearly say it's strictly family? If she's not family, why is she here?" He asked, his intimidating gaze was harrowing and it scared Margaret.

She could tell she was doing things wrong.

"There's no need to speak to her like that." Ashley decided to intervene because his attitude was aggravating. They were obviously lily-livered toward him and it annoyed her further since when it comes to her, their mouths can speak the most hurtful things. "Does she look like your mate?"

Derek looked at her and scoffed like a predator finally having its prey.

"Just shut up, Ashley. Don't dare ruin anything with that malodorous mouth of yours." Shelly attacked with a sad grimace since she wasn't liking what was going on.

Ashley looked at her in disbelief. "I can't believe how unabashed you guys are. This man is clearly arrogant. You can handle him speaking to your mother like that?"

"I'm not complaining, Ashley. I never said I needed a knight in shining armor, so shut your trap!" Margaret dismissed with a gaze of warning flaring out of her eyes.

Derek stood still, his gaze lowered as he felt his heartbeat slowly fading. He wrinkled his brow in confusion and looked at Ashley. Her eyes were glaring dagger at him.

"Mr. Cage, we need to talk like you promised. I don't want to take too much of your time 'cause I know you're an extraordinarily busy man." Margaret persuaded precipitously.

Derek let out a harsh breath. "Since you guys are finding it so damn hard to comprehend my words..." He trailed off, his voice although cold was measured like a guy trying to overcome a stutter. "I asked who she is, and if there's any beating around the bush..." He looked at Margaret. "Consider this meeting over."

Margaret's heart skipped at his threat and she shook her head with an awkward chuckle. "Although, I don't know why you care, but, um, she...her...name is..."

"Ashley White." Taylor decided to chime in since she was getting fed up. She stood up from the chair and walked toward them. "Her name is Ashley White."

Derek nodded. "Then the meeting is over."

"What?!" Margaret and Shelly blurted out uniformly.

"I've made my choice so there's no reason to extend this meeting any further." He looked at Ashley who just looked at him with confusion written all over her face. "Soon, we'll meet over drinks and sign the contract."

Ashley frowned. "What?"

"The both of us will be getting married." He told her like it was fact and walked away.

They all stood in a weakened manner, not understanding an inkling of what just happened.