Chapter 13 Never fall in love with me

Chapter 13 Never fall in love with me
FAST FORWARD - NEXT DAY AFTERNOON
\[YOU'RE ABOUT TO WHAT?!\] A surprised scream from Beatrice on call echoed in the whole room.
I'm currently applying a light makeup in my face while doing video call with Beatrice. It's 2:30 PM and any minutes from now, Xander would pick me up.
"I said I'm about to get remarried, Bea. I'm sorry for telling you so late..." I proclaimed.
\[ALL OF THE SUDDEN? GIRL, YOU'RE CRAZY. YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED WITH WHOM?!\] She yelled again on the other line.
"With Xander.... Lincoln." I answered.
\[Xander Lincoln? Who's that....\] Beatrice didn't continue her question after she realized the name she just stated.
\[OH MY HOLY MOLLY COW! ARE YOU FCKING KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW, SHANNICA?!\] Again she yelled.
"I know, I can't believe either..."
I gulp... Should I tell her the truth? But Xander told me to keep it a secret from anyone... Hays, sorry Bea, I can't tell you the whole truth why I ended up marrying our boss.
\[But why?! How? When?!\] she asks in a confused expression.
" I-It's a long story, Bea... I'll explain to you everything once it's time... Please... You trust me, right?" I asks and pout my lips.
She put her palm on her face, and sigh in disbelief.
\[So you're telling me that the one you're seeing right now is the one and only Xander Lincoln of Lincoln Group of Corporations? And what, he's the guy who wants to introduce you to his Dad?!\] She repeated what I said to her earlier.
I nod as a response, "Y-Yes.."
\[Goodness.. You're really out of your mind, Shannica. I can't believe what I am hearing right now. Have you forgotten that he is a man with a child?\]
Yeah, I almost forgot that my role isn't just to become a wife... But I'll also have to become a Contractual mother for a year. Crap.
"I can handle everything, Bea. Don't worry too much, I'll be fine."
I still have a lot of things to catch on with Beatrice, but I already received a message from Xander that he's on his way.
"Bea.. I'm afraid I'll have to go now. Let's just talk in person some other time okay?"
\[You really owe me an explanation, Shannica.\] she said in a sulking tone.
I laugh and nod, "I will. I promise."
I ended the call and went to my closet to wear the most formal dress I have. Of course, I must look atleast presentable in front of his Dad... I decided to wear my nude spaghetti strap bodycon dress which is below the knee and match it with a brown heels.
I look myself in the mirror and smile, it's been a while since I wore something elegant like this. I stop wearing such dresses from the moment I got divorced.
I prepared my purse and fix my hair a little until I heard a car horn from the outside of my apartment.
ringgg
Xander Lincoln calling....
I suddenly felt nervous the moment I saw his name flashes on my phone's screen.
"Yes, hello?"
\[It's me... I'm already outside.\]
I checked from the window, and saw the familiar car he always drive from work.
"O-Oh just a minute.." I awlwardly response.
\[No, take your time. You don't have to rush.\] he answered.
"I'm actually done.. I'll be outside after a minute." I answered back.
I ended the call and look myself in the mirror for final retouch. Okay, this is a bearable look I think. You can do this, Shannica.
I sigh heavily and decided to went out of my apartment. I saw Xander outside leaning at his car's door while staring at his phone so I awkwardly walk on his direction.
"Hi." I approached.
He begin to glance at me and his eyes suddenly turn round as he roam around his eyes to my overall look.
It's quite uncomfortable so I just shook my head out of embarrassment.
"Wow. You look stunning." he suddenly uttered and as I glance on his face he's looking at me brightly.
I just noticed that he's wearing a brown longsleeve which is quite a match to my outfit today.
"I didn't know you can do makeup." he said smiling.
"Any woman can do makeup." I respond.
"Really? So why don't you wear makeup often?" He asks.
"W-Well, I just decided not to." I simply answered.
"Hmm, as a matter of fact, with or without those makeup, I do think you're really beautiful." He complimented that totally shock me again.
His words never fails to flutter me and feel embarrassed at the same time.
"Thank you... X-Xander." I respond.
He opened the front door for me and then he turn around to the driver's seat.
"Where are we going?" I asks.
"To my personal space." He answered that made me curious. And where could it be?
After a 20 minutes drive, he turn right and then a spacious beautiful villa welcomed us. The car stops and Xander went out to open the door for me.
"W-Wow..." I said in an amazed tone.
"D-Do you own this place?" I asked.
"Uh-huh. Beautiful, isn't? The place is soothing and relaxing." He answered.
"Yeah, it has such a nice view." I complimented.
"Hmm I usually came here whenever I want to be alone or I want some privacy. I brought this place after Xenon's mom died." he said looking at villa while smiling.
I stopped as soon as I heard the last words he said.
Right, he was once happily married with someone. From what I have heard, Xander's wife died during child birth. He is the only son of Lincoln Clan, and was being arranged in a business marriage with his former wife. But although it started with an arranged marriage, I do think that they fell in love with each other... And up until now, Xander still longed for his wife that's why he can't go through a serious marriage again.
Somehow, I feel bad for him. He must have been lonely. And it's hard to raise a kid on his own.

"Let's go inside first, I have to discuss something with you." He interrupt my thoughts.

I followed him and my mouth literally formed 'o' with such amusement in my eyes. The place is so lovely. It's so pleasing in the eyes.

We went upstairs and he opened a room, I noticed that it's quite a office ambiance room. It's wide and has some minimal things.

"Have a seat, Shannica." he offers.

He went on his office table while I seated on the couch. He's holding a brown envelope when he walk towards my direction and seat infront of me.
Xander hand me over the envelope and ask me to open it myself,
"What is this?" I asks and after opening it, it was a contract agreement inside.

"Those are the things we need to follow, Shannica. After we get married, you will have to stop working at Lincoln Group." Xander said in a serious tone.
I got astounded after what he said. Is he kidding me?
"What? But why?" I confusedly asks.
"It's quite a tradition while Dad is still watching you, Shannica. We don't let woman in the family work for the family. That's a rule." he said.
Woah, that rule is quite old fashioned, don't you think? We're on 21st century, come on.
"Even my sister, didn't get a single penny in inheriting Lincoln Group, instead Dad has given her a chance to build her own business, and luckily she managed to be successful on her own." he shared.
"You have a sister? Where is she right now?" I never heard something about his sister.
"She's not here. She's settling up at New York." he answers.

"I see. But Xander, h-how about my living expenses if I can't work?" I asks.
He smile and grab the envelope from me, and get the remaining documents inside.
Then Xander laid out the document papers in the table,
"I have already prepared something for you, Shannica. I brought you a land, your own car, your own debit black card, and your basic necessities while you're living with us. It's all under your name. You can just stay at the mansion, and be an ordinary wife and mother if you want."

Speechless.... I check every document in the table and my name is really written in each paper. The heck...
"But if you can't bear a life of an house wife, instead of working, why don't you do business? Do you have anything in mind? Just tell me, I will always got your back. I can even give you more if you'll ask." My jaw literally drop after what he just assert.
Like gosh, he thinks I still want more?!

"X-Xander this is too much, I didn't ask for anything like this..." I uttered.
"Shannica, you know I didn't give any of those for free. For a year, we will really have to act as husband and wife, inside and outside the mansion. You will live with me and Xenon. Sleep with me... Become a wife and a mother... It won't be an easy job, Shannica."
"And I want you to know, you can't love me, Shannica. Never fall in love with me. That's the most important rule for the sake of both of us." he added that made me too stunned to speak.

What the hell?

Does he think so highly of himself?

Me? Falling in love with him?

WHY WOULD I?!

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