FALSE AWAKENING

Chapter 2: Cullen Artois

I am 22 years old now but still attending university daily to continue the previous course I set aside years ago. I love painting and graphic arts, but when my parents passed away, I switched my course to business management and graduated. I have no choice since I am the only one who will take place in the position they left at a young age. Since I am a fast learner and smart, I can easily manage our business with the help of my parent's trusted and loyal management.

Yes, I am a billionaire yet a simple campus guy. I am the heir and sole owner of the biggest Artois Empire.

Since my parents died, I became sad and focused well on our business. I hide my identity, especially my real name, so my friends called me Allen.

I am just lucky I have Cyrus, Danica, and Harold who stayed by my side kept me company, and always cheered me up. They are all good and loyal friends to me. Their family is also affiliated with some of our businesses and known to society but all of us keep our profile secretly.

No one knows our personal information except the four of us and the school admins. Yes, we also own the best school in New York, under my parent's name, so I chose to study here instead of abroad. That's why I managed to hide my records of identity. And for one specific reason, my future husband is studying there.

I can't help myself but smile like crazy and giggle thinking about marrying Drake Sander in the future.

As I finished preparing myself, I went downstairs straight to our dining table, where the

breakfast was ready.

"Good morning Master Cullen." Mr. Morris bowed while showing his bright smile.

"Good morning too, hard-headed Mr. Morris. I told you many times, don't call me master; what if

someone hears you?" I chuckled while nagging at him.

"As if your future husband is here." he pouted.

I gave him a sharp gaze showing my bunny teeth. Mr. Morris just ignores me. Mr. Morris became my assistant and was like a big brother to me after my parents died. He had been working

with my parents before they had that tragic accident.

Mr. Morris is ten years older than me. He knows everything about me, every detail, including my

parents' last will.

To marry Drake Sander no matter what happens.

I was only fifteen years old when my parents handed me an envelope. Inside was a file of details, a photo of a handsome guy, and information about a person I will marry someday; I had read it carefully, and it said the wedding will be held once I reach the age of 23.

The paper had been secured with a blue ribbon, the Artois’s and Sander's official seal with their

signatures.

The last statement is the approval of merging the business of Artois and Sander.

It would be validated once we would get married and sign the paper.

In 3 months, I'm turning 23, and I already signed the paper.

The only missing signature is from Drake Sander.

I am in deep thoughts because I love him, but how about him? He doesn't even know me.

I am so frustrated with these thoughts.

Why doesn't he care about this matter?

It seems like he is enjoying his single teenage life, his fame, and I guess he doesn't like this

the deal, but he has no choice but to marry me.

If he doesn't marry me, the Sander Group of Companies name will be dissolved and brought

back to the Artois empire, which I don't like to happen.

I want the Sander Group of companies to reach as high as our company.

My parents will not allow me to see Sander's fall again, and I won't let that happen either.

My parents saved Sander Corporation when the global crisis hit many years back then, their business collapsed. Drake has no idea about it, but his brother is more aware of it. Mr. Morris told me the whole story.

My parents can't stand seeing many workers become jobless and can't eat well because of closing the companies of Sanders.

Since our parents were best friends, the Artois empire finances the Sanders and helps the best

they can save it until it becomes stable again and goes smoothly up to the present that

becomes bigger and bigger.

Because of this, Drake Sander's parents are so grateful and feeling indebted that they don't

know how they can repay my parents, who are refusing to accept any in return.

That's when they came up with an idea, arrange marriage.

From my parent's perspective, it was not a bad idea since they know me very well and feel happy hearing the proposal of Drake Sander's parents.

Bobby, who is Drake's older brother, on the other hand, turned out to be even happier to

know and hear the idea from his parents since he knows his brother very well too.

Out of curiosity, I decided to disguise myself as an ordinary guy and observe my future

husband.

I didn't bring my bodyguards, but they are just near somewhere, just in case anything would

happen.

I drove my latest model Tesla car, but to elite people like us, it's rather ordinary. I wore ripped

black skinny jeans and plain white T-shirts, and that's been my signature outfit every day since I started stalking him.

The campus parking is full of sports cars and supercars that only elite people can afford.

Drake Sander is one of them. It seems like he has no interest in marrying just in case he knows the agreement.

I keep myself at a distance while I have the full schedule details of his whereabouts and whatnot of Drake; this was so I too could be appearing in some of his practices and events.

I have a lot of workers doing those things to make it easy for me to access.

Drake Sander made his name and became famous. I am happy and proud of him. He is achieving his goal through his determination.

For the past three years, I have been stalking him. I know to myself that I am falling in love with him day by day.

Every morning, I wait for him to arrive on the campus while I and my friends sit at our favorite bench like we own the seat there.

I would steal a glance at him, and when I felt like he would look in my direction, I avoided his glance and looked down. I can hear my heart pounding hard and fast every time our eyes meet just for seconds.

I can't even smile. His simple glance completes my day every day. His jade-like skin and stoic face give more vibrant and handsomeness that I can't resist stealing a look for seconds.

My friends keep teasing me but are supportive and never complain about my crazy ideas.

If I wouldn't be able to go to the campus because of the sudden change to my office time, which is 1 o'clock to 5 o'clock, my friends would also not appear in our meeting place in the morning like today.

I can't attend my drawing class. I have an urgent meeting with Drake's brother, Bobby.

I know soon Drake Sander will find out who I am, but I'm prepared for the outcome of his decision.

My goal is to make him my husband and be mine for the rest of our lives. I don't even realize that I look stupid and smile like an i***t while thinking about Drake.

"Cullen, if you keep daydreaming here, perhaps you cannot marry him at all." Mr. Morris teased while munching his last slice of bacon.

Mr. Morris and I always eat together because I feel lonely if I eat alone. Whether we are in a restaurant or business meetings. I always ask him to sit beside me and enjoy our food. I don't have siblings, so I treat him as my big brother.

As soon as I finished my breakfast, I left our mansion and ordered my driver to bring us to my office.

Mr. Morris is more delighted to see my glowing face. I know he is waiting for this day to happen.

The reading of my parent's will and the formal announcement of my marriage.