The Billionaire's Unfavored Princess

CHAPTER III: NEW RULES

Jessica

It is already a norm for every wealthy family to always discuss anything related to money every time they are together. Be it wasting, earning, or saving, they just can’t stop a conversation without tackling these topics. For example: Burberry family and their thirst for power.

“Mom, have you asked Secretary Lin to deliver my bags today?” Penelope softly after lowering down her half-finished morning tea.

Being overly pampered, mom chuckled sweetly at her before lifting up her mug of coffee. “They will arrive at 9, sweetheart. Don’t worry.” She answered before drinking, earning her an excited gasp from my sister who seems to can’t stop herself from being angelic to everyone aside from me.

That thought irritates me truly. To think that no one dared to be on my side and just automatically get attracted to Penelope leaves a bitter taste in me. They got so invested in her looks and achievements that they subconsciously ignored how odd it is that she’s perfect in their eyes.

She tore my artworks when I was 8 and she was 10. I told my parents about it but even the maids lied and said that I purposely did that so I can blame something on Penelope.

How damned their mindsets are, right? They saw it happen because two of our maids were supposed to clean my room, and they happened to appear on that time.

That’s just one of my worst memories with her. If I am not weak, cowardly, and powerless, I would’ve done all means to ruin her life tenfold. But unfortunately, even the goddess of luck favors her.

While silently eating my breakfast which is comprised of seafood, my attention went to my lap when my phone vibrated and its screen lit up. Seeing the message, a smile made way on my face.

Alexander: Carlson will fetch you at 8. You have to look for a suitable gown.

Gown? Of my choice? Just the thought of having infinite options and not just settling from designs that Penelope hates makes me feel excited for today’s meeting. Looks like being the contract princess of this literal prince of the biggest moneymaker in the country is quite fun and interesting.

“Looks like you’ve received a news that will annoy us.” Dad said, causing for my smile to become smaller as I watched how the three of them are looking at me, all with expressions telling me that they’re on guard.

Feeling satisfied with how my simple smile ruined their day, I chuckled and stood up, leaving my nearly finished plate. “My future husband wants me to pick my wedding gown today.”

Tilting my head slightly to my left, I watched as their expressions turned sour. Penelope is glaring at me, mom looks like she’s hesitating between congratulating me for having a man that can double our riches, or get mad at me for outshining my sister, and dad as usual, looks like he’s annoyed of a dirt on the wall.

“Bye.” Smirking, I waved my hand at them before walking out the dining area.

“He’ll hate you soon enough, dear.”

“Don’t get cocky just because you tasted power.”

“That won’t last for long…your happiness, I mean.”

Mom’s sarcasm with the word ‘dear’, dad’s serious warning, and Penelope’s ironic combination of soft voice and threatening tone made my way back to room extra dramatic. I must admit, having no one on my side inside this huge house still hurts me, but because this contract gave me an ally, I can’t help but smile.

It only took one Alexander to ruin their guards. Heh. They are seeing me as a threat now, not as a simple nobody. Such a funny change of perception.

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Since I will go and fit clothes, I chose the simplest clothes I own: white knitted long sleeves and brown shorts for easier outfit change. And to deceive my height and at least have more confidence in myself, I wore my usual 4 inches heels to at least lessen the gap between me and Alexander. I bet Nine’s also a lot taller than me.

Staring at myself in the mirror, I smiled as I watched how I look better now. My brown hair is flowing freely on my back, nearly reaching my waist and contrasts deeply on my top and gold dangly earrings.

When I heard the doorbell ring, I stopped checking myself out. Quickly picking up my shoulder bag that is carrying nothing but my phone, wallet, and handkerchief, I rushed towards my door. If Nine works with Alexander, he must also be someone who hates late people.

However, my smile quickly dropped when I saw Penelope just exiting her room as well while carrying our company files.

Raising her brow at me, she hid the files behind her back, causing for me to internally scoff. Does she think that I will steal her job now? Jokes on her, I’m not totally into business. “Dad wants these to be delivered in his study room for an online meeting with the directors.”

This time, it’s my time to raise my brow at her. Is she thinking that I’m accusing her of stealing them or something? Chuckling, I looked at her and looked behind her just to taunt her. True enough, she moved backwards. “Chill. I’m a future bride, not a future thief.”

Her eyes widened and looked at me as if I offended her. Feeling proud that I was able to shake her a bit early in the morning, I turned towards the stairs and walked without turning to spare her another glance. “H-hey! You’re just lucky this time, b***h!”

For some reason, I didn’t feel mad. I just feel happy that she’s finally noticing my existence.

While walking by the stairs, I stood there in shock when I found several men carrying boxes in different sizes inside our house with my name type written under the brand itself. Just by the door, there stood Nine who is discussing with my parents.

“Isn’t this a little too much for a gift for a single woman?” Mom asked, probably worried that I am receiving much more than what Penelope normally receives. Dad, however, is just silently listening to their conversation.

“She is the future wife of our potential CEO in JQ Incorporation, not to mention that she’s also sharing the power of the vice president of the Alice Conglomerate from Sir Alexander’s mother side. These gifts are just the beginning of her rise in the society, Mr. and Mrs. Burberry.”

Nine then looked at me which caused my parents to lift their eyes as well. “Let’s go, Miss Jessica. Sir Alexander is waiting.” He smiled, causing for me to smile back before walking down the stairs, feeling the budding surge of excitement upon hearing that Alexander’s there too.

When he said that I have to look for a suitable gown, I must admit, I first thought that he will only leave Nine with me and make me decide for everything. But when he was said to be coming along, I can’t help but feel like I’ve really became someone important.

But when I reached Nine, the realization that he must’ve been doing this to comply on the contract’s conditions prevented me from getting ahead of myself. Was I that deprived of privileges that I was actually falling for such lies?

Wow, such a character development, Jessica.

Gesturing for him to go out, he shook his head and gestured for me to go out first instead, making me feel like I am being escorted by a formal butler into my royal carriage. Smiling at his politeness, I took a step forward towards the door, but my tracks stopped when dad spoke.

“Isn’t it a little overboard for my daughter to be treated like an elite even before getting the knots tied?”

What he said caused for me to look at him, and for Nine to look at him sternly. “I believe-” before he could even say anything, I raised my hand, causing for him to stop.

Standing on my ground, I looked straight in his eyes. “Why? Am I stepping on your pride because I have something you don’t even when I didn’t even work for it?” I asked, and I must admit, I sound very unlikely of my usual self because of my cocky remarks.

“Do you think Sir Alexander will accept this prideful woman, Secretary Carlson?” dad asked, causing for my ego to get deflated when I realized that I may have stepped way over my bounds.

But all my worries were washed away when he responded. “My boss will be more than happy to get a girl who can speak up for herself, Mister Burberry.” Nine then looked at me, causing me to smile and walk past my parents and the crew who were busy carrying the boxes inside.

As I walk away, I heard Nine’s last question. “Will you allow our men to bring the boxes in her room? These will be heavy for her to carry on her own. We are in a hurry and I believe that you won’t say no, Mr. and Mrs. Burberry.”

“Yes, you may. Her room has her name carved on a ceramic template hanging on her door.” Dad said, and based on his tone, he is obviously displeased by what’s happening.

“You heard the head of the Burberrys. Go to the said room and stack it properly. Understood?”

“Yes sir!”

Smiling at how authoritative he is, I stopped by the door of the passenger seat and turned to look at my frowning parents. I think I get why Nine chose to ask permission from my parents—he wants to put them in their place, that they’re nothing but guardians of the bride. “Bye, mom and dad.”

Proud that their expressions darkened, I turned and chuckled before entering the seat, just in time before Nine jogged towards the other side to go in the driver’s seat.

Once he’s in, he looked at me and smiled. “It’s nice to see you in person, Jessica.” With his calm and gentle tone, it felt as if I am speaking to another version of him.

But I like this side of him. “Thank you for sticking up for me, Nine.” Once the greetings are done, the two of us put our seatbelts on before he sped away from our house, leaving my family with their morning stress because of me, or the two of us rather.

While driving, it was peaceful. It felt as if I am free from the shackles of having to stop myself from being me just because I do not fit in with their standards.

Several minutes past and the silence we have is not suffocating, but rather, the soft music playing in our background makes me want to sleep.

“Sir Alexander is right.” Suddenly speaking, I looked at him and felt the sudden nervousness upon mentioning the name of my benefactor—contract fiancé, I mean. “He said that you have a potential, the only thing that’s pulling you down is the lack of power.”

My brows knitted as I listened to the man whose eyes were focused on the road. “You have the brains because you are keen and attentive while handling the contract. You don’t appear to be a pushover while handling business so he concludes that you just happened to have your pride crushed at an early age.”

Hearing that, I recalled how Alexander and I discussed everything in a café after we left the venue on his car. He seemed to be a serious type of person. I actually thought that he’s only focused on what he’s saying, but it looks like he’s observant enough to notice every little detail.

As expected of the one true heir. I was just ignorant of his name because I don’t usually partake in business related news.

“I think…you will be in a deep trouble in the future.”

I was snapped back in reality when Nine suddenly spoke. “Huh?”

When the light turned red, he stopped and turned to look at me, giving me a closer look of his brown eyes. “Sir Alexander may have not mentioned this to you, but among the new rules you both created for the sake of the contract, it is a must that you shouldn’t involve your heart in a play with only the strings of business connecting that two of you.”

“My heart?” What he said in confusing me. “I never said I love him, though.”

“…. You were visibly on edge when I mentioned his name. And when I told you what he said about you,” he paused. “You smiled.”

“That doesn’t explain-”

“Be more emotionally connected to him and it’ll be game over for you.”

Just like that, the silence became suffocating.