cruel world

Prologue

Sarah

''Be nice to him and don't spill your guts and made a fool of yourself in front of him. Theo is very important for our business so you should impress him so that he can marry you''

Mrs. Blake brushed Sarah's long hair and gives her a long list of instruction on what to do or not.

But Sarah was nervous as hell and she knew when she is nervous she does all of that stuff which her mother prominently told her not to do.

She has no idea why Theo Grey, the most beautiful man on earth, with an intimidating personality, wanted to marry her. She was sure he never even properly saw her in the recent get together's he used to have with her father, regarding business issues her family is going through and one day out of the blue he asks her hand from her parent which shock the hell out of her.

Sarah put a bar of chocolate on her mouth to relax her inner turmoil but all she got her mother strain look on why she is eating such stuff which will make her fat but she doesn't care at the moment.

''Mom I don't get it, it's still so confusing. I'm more amazed by how even Daddy agrees to this without asking me. He always put my consent first so what happens now. He was ignoring me, mom, whenever I try to talk to him he just excuses himself and gone from that place. What happen mom" Sarah asked in a suspicious tone

Mr.'s Blake eyes looked worried for a second but the cold mask was again replaced and she shrugs

''You are just making all this stuff in your mind, of course, your father knows what's best for you and for us and he is distant to everyone nowadays can't you see how our business is going through a tough phase. By the grace of God, he sends us an angel in the face of Theo Grey, who is willing to save our business and also marrying you''

Sarah chewed her nails, she has a feeling there is more to the story that her mother is hiding.

Mr.'s Blake hit her hands ''Sarah Blake stay focus and act like a proper lady don't put our family name in shame, again'' her mother said the last word very slowly.

Sarah gives her a puzzled look and shrugs, her mother is never happy with her and it gets worse when her older brother Simon died, apparently, she was with him when Simon crashed the car and unfortunately he died on the spot and she survived.

Sarah stands and picks her phone ''I have no idea why you keep saying this and you will never tell me so right now I'm super nervous to get into this argument with you but can I ask one thing why I'm getting married to someone I hardly know. I don't want to be a part of some sort of marriage of convenience where we don't even love each other''

Mr.'s Blake glared at her ''Stop your nonsense right now; you should consider yourself lucky that a man like Theo shows his interest in you. And about getting to know each other part you guys are meeting today isn't it, to know each other. Your father and I also involved in an arranged marriage and look it's much stronger than any other marriage in our society. Come put some lipstick on your lips it looks so dry like your personality'' Her mother jabbed her again

Sarah pouts in anger but Mrs. Blake one strain look made her face straight.

After giving her another lecture what to say and how to behave they both hear a bell sound ''Oh great just in time, quickly grab your purse he is here''

Her mother excitement was on cloud nine and Sarah was feeling the goosebumps on her arms. She took a deep breath 'You can do this Sarah' she calms herself.

She picked her purse and walks down the stairs and saw Theo larger than life presence greeting her mother, God why he is so good-looking another reason to doubt his motive why he wants to marry her plain Jane personality.

He was wearing a dark blue sweater which made his blue eyes popped. He was also holding a bouquet of flowers.

She was checking him out more when his eyes met Sarah's golden one, he smiled gently to her and said in a baritone voice

'' Sarah, nice to meet you again'' he kissed both of her cheeks which made Sarah blushed badly

She clears her throat ''hmm hi, good evening Theo and same nice meeting you''

Theo smirked when he saw the effect of his presence on her but Sarah also doesn't miss Mrs. Blake glare and shake her head.

Theo put his hand on her waist which made her winced ''Mrs. Blake, please excuse us, we might need to get going as the traffic is terrific outside.''

Mrs. Blake was all smile 'oh sure Theo go have some fun and Sarah be on your best behavior'

Sarah closed her eyes oh god, why her mother needs to scold her like a child in front of her future husband.

Sarah glare her mother ''I'm always mother, shall we go'' this time she directly looked at Theo and the nodes.

When they settle down in the car, Theo told her where he is taking her and her eyes shined with excitement.

She gasped ''Really wow I was dying to see that place, it was told it's the most prestigious and expensive restaurant of New York people hardly get a reservation there, how you even manage that''

But the moment she asked the question she knew the answer and her level of stupidity.

Theo shrugs like it was no big deal '' It's all about money Sarah and they can't say no to me knowing how much money I have invested in that restaurant'' he winked.

Sarah was speechless wow he is mega-rich which made her doubt more why he is marrying her when he can get any women in this world.

When they reached the restaurant and were placed in their private booth, Sarah looks around and felt out of place for no reason but she didn't say anything.

The waiter came with a menu but before Sarah can order something Theo all ready for them and she gives him a bland and weird look. He doesn't even ask whether she like that dish or not and just order it. Her father never does that to her or to her mother.

Must Theo have seen her expression 'You okay? You look little confused, you don't like this place'

Sarah first thought were to tell him that she doesn't like his action but choose to ignore it and smile politely 'nothing just wondering why we are sitting in this private boot when we can enjoy the outside sitting like everyone''

Theo was taking the sip of his drink but stops in the midway and pass her an arrogant and darker look ''because I like my privacy, I hate it when it gets disturbed or people gawk around my table. Now we are getting married, you should also know about this Sarah that I will expect the same from you''

Sarah felt a strange shiver in her body the way he said to her and her just nodes. She was feeling so uncomfortable now

Theo must have feel her quietness all of a sudden and touch her hands that made her flinched ''Sarah I'm sorry if I upset you it's sometimes I talk in that particular manner that made other people look I'm angry but you can ask me anything which I have a feeling you want to ask something''

Sarah felt a little relax ''Yes you are right there were so many things that were going in my mind but I don't know where to start''

Theo smiled and rub his thumb on Sarah's hands ''How about I start that you look beautiful in this dress '' his statement made her blush

Sarah give him a shy smile ''thank you and you also look very handsome today I mean not only today but every day '' She closes her eyes great she just did what her mother told her not to do

Theo smirked 'Well thank you for the compliment and also for clarifying it, so what are your thoughts about this marriage'

Sarah sighs and honestly replied ''I don't know I'm a little confused. If I'm being blunt I want to know why you are really marrying me? I mean saving my father business is another thing as you can easily help us without marrying me but then why you ask my hand in marriage as looking at you, you can get any women you want who is more according to your taste. Why it looks like there's another reason for marrying me''

Theo instantly looked her and don't reply quicker than the nodes ''You are right there's another reason to marry you and it has nothing to do with the business gain both our family will get but it's personal.''

Sarah come forward and asked ''what is it? ''

Theo replied ''You just said I can get any women I want so I want you. When I saw you the first time I was attracted to you and especially by your innocence and sweetness (he touched her cheeks) and now your blushy cheeks. I wanted to make you my wife very soon Sarah. So are you satisfied now'' he said in a dark tone

Sarah put some distance between them and pick her drink and hurriedly finish it ''oh I just (she wiped her forehead) I never knew but how can you be sure I will be your (she thought for the right word) ideal wife'

He pinched his nose like he is irritated but then he smiles calmly 'i don't know as I don't have an ideal wife criterion, it just my family was pushing me to get married since my younger brother got hitched last year so being the eldest my mom is quite keen I should get married. '

She node like it make some sense but then she asked 'what about your girlfriend? you must have any why don't you feel to marry someone who you know'

He smirks cooly 'I use to have girlfriends but they get too demanding and for me my business demand more time so I focus my interest on business and by the time I was so busy so I stop being in a relationship for a long time but like I said my family now pushing m to get married as my business is all settle and so should I and I agree to them. And look after a few months I got to see your lovely face and looking at how our marriage is going to give benefits to both our business so it was the win-win condition.'

Sarah blushed when he complements her for the second time in this evening 'oh now I understand' 

Theo smiled at her ''is there anything you want to ask? I'm happy to answer''

How should she tell him that he made her so hot and also he is super attractive?

But she shakes her head ''I think I need to have some food right now then maybe some questions fire in my brains''

Theo node ''good because I'm also starving but before I forget this is for you'' he put down a small black velvet box.

Sarah opened it and was awestruck ''wow its beautiful ring Theo, but why you are giving me this''

Theo pick her hand and put the ring ''cause as you know we are getting married next few weeks, so technically we are engaged but I haven't given you a ring but now you have one'' he kissed her hand and winked

Sarah bites her lips to hide her smile, for the first time this evening she is excited about this marriage.

Theo touch her face ''Your life is going to change Sarah and I hope you are ready for this because I'm very ready''

Sarah passes him a funny look and giggled but she wished she should have taken his words seriously.