Not Ready to Let Go

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"So is this the woman you said you were serious about?" Majorie Wood asked in disdain as she threw a stack of papers on the coffee table next to where Jonathan was laying in boredom. It has been three days since he was forced to stay in this room with nothing to do. Of course, at first, he tried to escape but with the entrance being guarded 24/7, there was no way he could get out. He contacted Remi that he was meeting his older sister but that was also three days ago where he initially confessed to his sister that he was in a serious relationship with someone else before his mobile device was confiscated.

Sitting up from the couch, Jonathan's eyes widen in surprise seeing Remi's portrait along with the stack of papers that must contain Remi's detailed background causing him to instantly glare at Marjorie Wood.

"I told you not to do anything to her!" Jonathan roared in anger using his Alpha tone but as expected it didn't threaten Marjorie and instead she continued to look at Jonathan with a bored expression.

"A Beta commoner? From a farmer's household no less. She is 8 years older than you are, Alexander. Have you truly gone insane?" Marjorie asked and this time she frowned in displeasure. All this time she let Jonathan play with all the men and women he had wanted, thinking that when it was time, Jonathan would have no choice but to follow the family tradition. He had no choice, being that he is the only son born in the Wood family's main branch.

Marjorie thought that it was fine for Jonathan to play around a little. There was no harm to that, she even does it at times. But getting serious was different. Jonathan had no choice! That although the Young Alpha had always been a child who sought freedom from household responsibility, she truly still believed that just like their father who married their mother for political purposes, and their grandfather who did the same to their grandmother, and even their father, and their grandfather, Jonathan would be the same.

Alas, it looks like she was wrong and she was here to set things straight.

"Even so, I love Remi, Marjorie! You cannot dictate what I should and should not feel for someone just because she's a commoner. I don't need anyone else to validate my feelings for her and I am also not asking you to understand me but I hope you know that you can never force me to marry Margarette," Jonathan roared. He knew their family would never marry for love and he didn't want to be the same. He wanted to be with the person he loves forever or else, why would he date those men and women if he wasn't desperate for love.

"And one last time, do not dare to hurt her. You might see me as someone who cannot do anything but follow Mother and Father but do not force me to do something you would regret. You've known me all my life, dreading to leave this family long ago. If you hurt Remi, I might be forced to really do so," Jonathan added as a warning. He had never said this before but that does not mean he never thought of giving up his title. He never wanted it in the beginning.

However like Marjorie always said, he is the only heir to the Wood household, if he refused his title it would bring great dishonor to his family because he was the only son. It is the family tradition for men to inherit the family name and for women to be married off.

Of course, as much as possible Jonathan didn't want to cause dishonor to his family especially when other branches are looking for opportunities to take over the main household but he will sacrifice this much if things get out of hand. And perhaps, it might even bring peace to his family if they gave up the title they tried so hard to maintain.

"Do you understand what you are saying? You'd give up your family for a mere peasant?" Marjorie asked, her expression was stiff as if she couldn't believe what Jonathan had said. She knew the Young Alpha despised their family but not to the extent that he would abandon his title for a woman, that is not only Beta from a farmer's household but also 8 years older than him.

"I don't want to but yes, so don't force me to do it. I love you. I love Mother and Father, and Eldest Sister Lucian but that doesn't mean I won't be willing to give that up for the person I love," Jonathan said firmly that when Marjorie heard him say this, she was quite shocked. It was not a secret to everyone that Alexander Jonathan Wood is a philanderer, he does not just readily enter casual relationships with women but also men. He treated his lovers like a piece of clothing he could easily change whenever he didn't want to anymore. He was never serious with anyone so they all thought it wouldn't matter who would marry in the end. He was just that kind of person so hearing him saying something like he loved the peasant woman was truly a shock.

"Marjorie, you've seen how Mother and Father marriage did to them and I don't want the same thing happening to me. I don't want to live a dull and unhappy life with a woman who I know would ruin my life," Jonathan added and this time it made Marjorie halt. She looked at Jonathan's determined expression before she sighed massaging her forehead.

Yes, she grew up watching their parents not having love for each other but that was only natural in the Wood household. There's nothing they could do about it. In time, she too will have to marry a man who will be beneficial to their family. And Jonathan is the same.

"I don't know whether you're lying or not anymore. Hanging out with Mo Tian Zi this whole time had truly changed you a lot. But we cannot change what had already been decided. Both parties had already agreed to this arrangement. If you truly care for this family, you will marry Margarette Silvostri in due time," Marjorie ordered dominantly. Even if Jonathan didn't like it. He cannot escape his bloodline. They have nothing to hold against the Young Alpha so his threat is valid but even she couldn't tell whether the Young Alpha was saying the truth or just saying this because he didn't want to marry.

". . ." Not saying anything as a defense, Jonathan remained silent. He already knows his marriage to Margarette is impending and that has put him in a constant dilemma.

"For now, you cannot leave this room until Mo Hanlu's wedding. You are to escort Margarette Silvostri as her fiance and a gentleman. After that, I will give you time to talk to your lover and whether you like it or not, you will go back with us to Europe," Marjorie ordered before she finally left leaving Jonathan falling back to the couch. After trying over and over again to escape for the past days, he finally gave up on the 3rd day and just hoped that when this was over, Remi would lend him her ears and listen to his explanation. And of course, also Fyre who would surely eat him alive.

He knew this was his fault. He shouldn't have kept his identity from Remi for too long. He had a lot of chances but he stalled it because he really enjoyed the way Remi treated him. She didn't look at him like he was someone who came from a noble family like everybody does when they learn the truth about him. He liked that his identity didn't become the reason why he was treated with care and kindness. Remi was genuine to him, it was a refreshing feeling that he wasn't ready to let go so soon.

"Two days..." Jonathan mumbled to himself before he closed his eyes, putting his arm over it.

Meanwhile, without Jonathan's knowledge, Fyre and Tian Zi were on the 18th floor of the Empire Hotel busy doing something that should be illegal in law.

"Wow, all these people are here?" Fyre commented in amusement reading the list of people that should be in the building at this moment. Empire Hotel is a massive building that has more than 400 rooms spread among 42 floors that even if you fill half of those rooms, customers still wouldn't feel suffocated with the number of people in the area. Even if the most popular celebrity stayed in the Hotel or the president of the country, you'll never be able to see their shadows or even learn that they are staying in the same hotel as you.

"Some of these people are basically already living here," Tian Zi replied scanning the names of well-known individuals to look for the surname Wood or Silvostri, however, as they finished the list none of the names were to be found. Fyre shakes his head slowly, not believing the list because the GPS clearly told him Jonathan was at the Hotel, well at least his mobile device was at the Hotel.

"Okay, don't worry. Let's try looking at the CCTV footage from days ago, I'm sure if he really checked in, he should have at least gone through the reception counter," Tian Zi said not waiting for Fyre to say anything because he also doesn't believe Jonathan's sister, Marjorie Wood, would be staying in another Hotel except Empire Hotel that is known for its highly secured facility. And of course, with how Jonathan had been rebelling, she definitely wouldn't allow the Alpha away from her sight.

"If that bastard is hiding then I can understand why he isn't using his name," Fyre said with a frown. He is still insisting that the Young Alpha was truly hiding and set out to hurt Remi Long.

"Or Marjorie Woods keeping him hidden," Tian Zi mumbled. Although Tian Zi had been invited a lot of times to tea parties conducted by the Wood household due to his Older Brothers being in business with their family, Tian Zi never felt like he was friends with the Woods except Jonathan who was constantly following him when they were little. From the beginning, he knew the Woods weren't fully conceded with him as Jonathan's friend due to him not having royal or noble blood.

Although the Mo Household held great power in terms of business and politics, that does not mean it could change the origin of their blood. The Woods were afraid that with Jonathan hanging out with Tian Zi, Jonathan would develop a different view from the Woods family tradition but of course, they couldn't simply cut ties with the Mos so they were left with no other option at the end.

"Tch. Whatever. We'll know when we find him," Fyre countered, rolling his eyes in annoyance.

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To be Continued...