Marrying the Cold CEO

Chapter Five

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"Hole in one, girls! Luck is on my side tonight! You better watch out, Aimi. I might be coming for your crown tonight!"

Elena declared, swinging her golf club in victory as the short, white skirt filed along the wind with her victory. Her red hair was gorgeous in the sun, a few strands escaping the ponytail it was in as she celebrated her victory.

The rest of us smiled at the sight, amused by her excitement. She had every reason to be happy by the achievement. Although we were avid golf players, we were certainly not complete pros at it. However, she happened to be worse at it than the rest of us. Her luck was, however, clearly turning around.

But certainly not enough to dethrone our queen of golf who was currently immersed in the game she was playing on her switch, a small amused smile on her own lips as she flipped off our excited friend.

"Okay, let's not get ahead of ourselves. A lucky stroke does not constitute beating the best in the game."

Ayana declared from beside me, prompting me to nod in agreement despite Elena's playful frown at the jab directed at her. She knew Ayana was right, though. Whereas the rest of us were simply intermediate players, Hye Jin Aimi Hattori was the real deal.

Her skills were unmatched in All games, her genius intellect and talent shining through all she did. She had channeled her passion for games into creating one of the most prolific Gaming Companies in the industry, RR Interactive.

She was a force to be reckoned with in her own right despite the fact that her father was the CEO of a Billionaire dollar Electronics Empire and her mother was a renowned Software Engineer and daughter of a Tech Giant Conglomerate CEO, Aimi's Grandfather.

Aimi had made her own path using her talents and grown her company from the ground up, going as far as to study at Harvard Business School to learn the reins of being the best CEO she could be. It is where I met her and the rest of my friends, all of whom I watched closely as they got lost in a heated conversation as to who was better at Golf- after Aimi that is.

My gaze took in my college roomate as she declared second place in the sport after Aimi, her conviction shining through her beautiful Hazel-brown eyes. Ayana Neela Carrington was beautiful with radiant caramel Colored skin that seemed to glow under the light of the afternoon sun.

She was gorgeous, her white skater skirt, matching crop top and sneakers melding perfectly with her petite form. Her shoulder length, Curly hair was loose today, wildly following the wind as she picked her club and prepared herself to take the next shot. Her beauty was enough to make heads turn, now being no exception as the attendant watched her with awe as he had been all of us.

I couldn't blame him though. Ayana's beauty was reminiscent of her supermodel mother's own. Crowned Miss World at the tender age of twenty one, Layla Carrington had found the breakthrough she needed to leave her home country in Ethiopia after being swept away by British Retail Billionaire and CEO of Carrington Enterprises, Jeremy Carrington. Together they had their twins with Ayana's brother taking more of their father's handsome features whilst she took their mothers.

Her background, however, did not stop her from making something of herself. She had risen through the ranks to become one of the top models and influencers of her time, her fame sweeping through the fashion world and beyond. She had, however, joined Harvard Business School to prepare for her eventual joining of the family business.

My gaze turned away from my close friend as she prepared herself to take the shot and towards the eagerly awaiting red head whose wide eyes were focused solely on the game.

Elena Rose Haren was a wild child and her curly, red, mid-shoulder length hair was a nod to her vibrant personality and her Irish roots. Part of a Banking family, she was the daughter of Tristan Haren, CEO of Haren Bank Limited and Raven Pritchard Haren, one of the best Artists of her time.

Working as a Curator and Photographer, Elena's ability to create beauty out of the least likely scenarios had elevated her position in the Art world.

Together, all of my friends were truly incredible and more so sisters to me than anyone else. Which was why I had to bide my time, center myself before delivering the news I knew would tip their worlds upside down. We could always see right through each other.

Which was why I had to ensure that they couldn't see through to my worry and panic over my upcoming nuptials. They would worry too, and try to find ways out of it for me. And I couldn't bare to have them in any sort of despair for me.

This is my mess to fix and I will fix it…by myself…

"I'm getting married."

I blurted out the news, finding no other way to break it other than in this moment. Catching them by surprise was probably for the best and it seemed to work as Ayana's stroke completely missed her ball whilst Elena choked on the water she had been sipping on. Even Aimi turned away from her game, a feat only we could be able to make her do.

"What? When? How? HUH?"

Ayana was the first to break the silence, handing her club to the attendant before dismissing him entirely. The man seemed as surprised as the rest of them were as he returned the clubs to the golf cart before excusing himself to stand a small distance away to grant us the privacy we would definitely need for this conversation.

I gulped silently, willing my body not to betray me. To calm down and explain the situation to the strong, incredible women before me who were more so sisters to me than anything else. I felt horrible giving them half truths of the situation but I knew they would understand. I knew that no matter what, I would have their support.

"I'm getting married to Damien Aleksandros. You all know that our families have always been close. We met again whilst I was attending one of mother's self imposed social gatherings and we started talking again. It hasn't been long but…I like him. He posed the question. I said yes. Our families are super excited. And now, here we are."

I shrugged, hating every moment that I had to lie to my sisters. The story had been created by my mother during the dinner from hell. The marriage arrangement between our families was incredibly private and kept between us for many years and neither side wanted word to get out of our betrothal.

Probably because they know how outlandish and freaking insane all of this is…

My friends were no exception and although I hated the pretense of being the perfect fiancé, I knew how important it was to ensure to follow my mother's instructions. I remembered the cool, calculated words of my 'dear' husband to be last night. The way he had watched me with the same impassive blankness he always did, his gaze heating only to make one singular point.

This was a business deal and as such, nothing could afford to go wrong, including the story that would be given to the press and those closest to us. No one would know of the ties formed between our families years before that had assigned my fate to the infuriating man who hated me more than anything.

I'm sorry, girls…this is as much for your sake as it is for my family…

"You never told us about him…why?"

Aimi spoke up, voicing the question I knew they all had. The hurt was there, clear in their gazes as they waited for my response and my heart clenched painfully at the sight. I hated that I had made them feel the conflicting emotions I could see in their gazes.

We always told each other everything, leaning and relying on each other not only through our college years but also in life. We were successful women in a world dominated by men who either wished to bring us down or to control us. We always had each other’s backs and our love lives were equally a topic of discussion we never shied away from.

The fact that I didn't tell them about Damien and I's fictional dates that led up to this decision has hurt them…And that truly breaks my soul…

"I'm sorry…I just wanted to be sure about what was happening between him and I before I shared with you guys. Believe me, I hate that I had to keep it from you and its the hardest decision I had to make…"

I let the sentence stray, keeping the tears at bay as I echoed an emotion that was all too real. I truly was torn up by this entire situation, probably not in the way I was describing it but in the way my heart felt.

I watched as my sisters did what I knew they would, their accepting and reassuring smiles washing over me as Ayana engulfed me in a hug just as Elena and Aimi followed, the four of us stuck in one of our ever amazing group hugs that we reserved for moments like these. Hallmark moments, both happy and sad.

This was certainly a bit of both…

"As long as you're happy, we're happy too, babe. And we love you so much. No matter what. Of course we're gonna need ALL the details leading up to your engagement and we need to start planning your bachelorette party baby!"

Elena declared, her eyes wide with excitement as she wiped away her own balancing tears whilst we did the same. We chuckled at her enthusiasm, each of us watching as the wheels in her head begun to turn no doubt, her creative mind brimming with ideas and more.

"Where's the ring? Please don't tell me he's one of those guys who wants to pick the ring out with you. Because honestly, He seems like the type. Unromantic to the bone."

Ayana declared, rolling her eyes at the very thought while Aimi chuckled from beside her with a nod. I granted them a small laugh, nervousness coating my veins as to how close to the truth Ayana really was.

Although I had not expected any sort of grand gesture from my fiancé, I certainly had not expected to be woken up by his chauffeur who held a large bouquet of red roses, my favorite flower- I'm a classic kind of girl- and a baby blue gift bag that he handed over with a kind smile before heading off.

Awe had engulfed me as I put the beautiful flowers in a vase but the feeling had grown ten-fold when I retrieved the baby blue box from the gift bag that contained the most gorgeous, diamond encrusted, square cut diamond engagement ring I had ever seen with a simple note that beheld two words.

Wear it.

Now many would have found his callous order and actions to be incredibly cold but I knew him. I knew what I had signed up for with him and this had to be the most romantic gesture I knew I would ever receive from him. And so I had spent the morning processing my fate as his wife and how to break the news to my sisters, each of whom were now gazing at the ring with audible gasps and whispers of awe as Elena whistled low.

"Never thought he had it in him to pick the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. I wanna know Everything about how you guys got engaged."

She murmured, earning nods from Ayana and Aimi whilst I chuckled in amusement.

"It's beautiful."

Aimi whispered, warming my heart as I nodded before sliding the ring on, wearing it for the first time in their presence. Whether they noticed the hitch in my breath or the way I stared disbelievingly at the thing that would tether me to Damien for life, they didn't say a thing and simply focused on what was to come.

"So, when is the big day? We, of course, have to go dress shopping and all."

Ayana declared, making me grin wide. I loved that they already knew their position as my bridesmaids before I even told them anything. I would still get them gifts but their unconditional love was heart warming and more.

"On the 7th of July. Next month."

Another string of curses and shocked looks from them before they all burst out laughing whilst I joined in, each of us clearly in disbelief.

"f*****g hell. I should have known you were coming in with heavy news when I saw the red sneakers."

Aimi murmured, gesturing at them whilst the rest nodded and I smiled through a shrug. They knew me well. I had needed all the confidence I could muster and my red skater skirt, crop top and sneakers had emboldened me as best as possible.

"Alright then ladies. Next month it is. Let's get ready to get our girl married! And to commemorate this earth bending moment!"

Elena declared, gesturing for our attendant to approach before she handed him her phone to snap a picture of us, memories we always made at the end of every hangout. Ayana, Aimi and I chuckled at her enthusiasm before we all lined up together and posed for the camera.

In that moment, I felt content. Brave and ready to tackle what was to come.

I can do this…

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