" I'm with him. for better and for worse."

"it'll probably be worse,"

"I knew that the day I met him," I smiled.

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Isabelle POV

"I don't want anyone to ask me about your sullen face, smile for fuck's sake," Dad muttered angrily.

I looked at him before mustering a huge fake smile on my face. I looked at the people who were attending the party. I smiled at those who congratulated me on my graduation. I can't believe my own father did this to me. I mean how can he just decide my future? I looked at the man whom I was going to marry. He is busy flirting with my step-sister.

I looked around hoping someone would just come up to me and say "Hey! Isabelle, you are daydreaming." But I know that is not going to happen because it's a reality.

I gulped down the lump and exhaled heavily as I looked at the ring on my finger. My hands are sweating and I need a break from all the attention and noise. Every word―Every congratulation felt like choking hands around my neck.

I know I'm never gonna experience love―How it feels to have a boyfriend―How it feels knowing someone loves you and cares for you. I know I'm never gonna have those love dates which I would dream of.

I looked around the hall to see all the fake faces who were acting as if they were happy to be there. In reality, they really don't care whose party or event they are attending, until unless they show off their expensive dresses and newly imported jewellery and bags.

I just hope that it ends soon. I really want my room and the comfortable bed where I would sleep without any care. I never wanted to be here, I never wanted to marry the bastard beside me who is for sure gonna fuck my half-sister tonight. I don't understand if they really like each other. Why don't they marry each other? Why me?

My to-be in-laws met me in the evening and decided I was absolutely perfect for his son who is a bitch in the country. Thank god he didn't put a ring on my finger himself. If he did, I would have died on the spot.

His mother handed me the heirloom and asked me to put it on. I was going to tell her no but the daggers my father was sending my way. I didn't really have an option.

I never liked the parties or events which my father threw. That's the reason I never attend them, making excuses like exams or faking sick. But today I can't make any excuses as this party is held for a reason and I'm the main character of this family drama event. I never knew the reason behind this event until my father announced it in front of everyone. The heels were killing my feet. I just want to leave this party as soon as possible.

"Dave, tell her to behave." My stepmother whispered. I felt a pinch when Father started uttering shit in my ear. It might look like we are having a dad-and-daughter conversation from far away.

My stepmother and half-sister never liked me. They believe I'm the unwanted garbage on their heads. If things were in my hands, I would've run away. But I knew my Father. To him, his reputation matters the most and he would find me out anyway.

My parents had an arranged marriage. He never loved my mom. My mom died when I was six years old in a car accident. My father married my evil stepmother who was his fling.

Everyone believes I'm the elder one, but the truth is I'm four months younger than my half-sister Sara. Only a few people in this world know that Sara is my half-sister, not a stepsister. Father never really liked me. He had a deep hatred for Mum and the reason is unknown.

I stayed in my room most of the time and never went out of my room when they were home. They mostly don't as the mother and daughter always go on a trip saying or hashtagging it as "family time"

I was always under the care of my nanny. She was a sweet lady who shifted to her hometown three years ago to live with her family. I'm sad but at the same time happy that she retired and decided to spend the rest of her years with her grandkids.

"Father, can I go home? I feel like I'm having a headache," I said to my father. He gave me a dead look before cursing.

"Go, I will tell everyone that you are having a dinner date with Mick. My mood dropped off. He turned to his left side and called Mick.

Mick started walking towards the back exit. I followed him as he was the one who was going to drop me off. When we reached the empty private parking lot, he stooped and turned around.

"If you are interested in me, you could have told me."

"Excuse me?" I stared at him as he smirked arrogantly.

"Don't act all innocent if you really thought of having sex with me, then listen―" He checked me out. Gross

"I don't fuck an ugly duckling like you." My jaw dropped. Who the fuck does he think himself of? Before I could say anything, I saw Sara walking towards us.

"Go wherever you want to, I don't care. I'm going out with the hot lady of the night." He started kissing Sara in front of me and they made their way towards his car.

Sara gave me a smirk, mouthing better luck next time.

I watched as their car left. The parking lot was empty and a groan left my mouth.

Now I can't go back to the party knowing my father will kill me and, secondly, I'm starving! I don't know how to go back home and it's past midnight for god's sake! There's a real headache coming. I started massaging my forehead as I thought about everything. I gritted my teeth together in annoyance and anger.

I turned around to see―see a man watching me. I blinked my eyes in surprise. I wasn't expecting anyone. I'm sure he has seen everything.

He was leaning against his car with a cigarette in between his lips. My eyes ranked his figure, he was dressed in a black t-shirt, black jeans and a black jacket. My eyes finally met his blue eyes, his eyes were narrowed on me like he was studying me. I studied him for a while with my own narrow eyes.

He stood straight, my eyes slightly widened looking at his height. That man is a giant compared to all the men I have met in my life to date. He started walking towards where I stood. I blinked my eyes as I didn't know what to do. Whether I should run or stay rooted.

When he reached me, he stood straight looking down at me. "What are you doing here, don't you know it's past midnight?"

"And who are you to tell me, mister?" I asked him.

He chuckled and took a puff of his cigarette before saying "You do know how to speak." I stayed silent. "You should've slapped the shit out of her, you know."

"What?!"

"Come on."He turned around and pulled out the car keys from his pockets. I stood where I was, I didn't follow him as he said. He turned around, probably knowing I was not following him. He raised his perfectly shaped brow.

"I don't know who you are and you expect me to come with you?"

"Then what you gonna do? Wait for your dickhead boyfriend who left you?"

"You may be a rapist or a killer," I said. Not caring about the fact that he called Mick my boyfriend. He laughed―He laughed so loud, he looked more and more handsome when he laughed.

"Yo-you think I'm gonna rape you? I have some respect and I don't cross the line." Suddenly every trace of amusement left his tone and was replaced by seriousness. "On the other note, I don't have to fall so low."

I thought for a while I didn't want to see my father or anyone. It wouldn't be good for me if they saw me in the parking lot. I looked at the stranger― Hot stranger before me. Who is observing me and waiting for me? It doesn't hurt, right? Taking help from him. I hope God saves me as I give a nod to him.

I followed and now his car has got my full attention. This model is the same Mercedes-Benz that Sara is asking father to buy her. It is a limited edition. The car looked and screamed power like the owner of the car. He opened the car door for me.

"Thank you." I got inside the car and put on the seatbelt whilst looking at the interior of the car. The stranger must be rich.

In seconds, we were on the road. I looked out of the window at the lonely road as thoughts raced through my mind.

"Am I really going to marry that person?"

"Mick White is your boyfriend?" The stranger asked.

I looked at him, not knowing what to answer him. Well, I'm not going to see him in the future. He is just here helping me out, that's it.

"He is not my boyfriend and never was, but soon to be my husband," I replied with sadness laced in my tone. When I didn't get a response, I decided to ask him his name. "What's your name?"

"Cyrus."

"I'm Isabelle."

"And I thought your name was kitten." Usually, I would've been offended but this time I'm tired. So, I didn't care to fight with him. I Cyrus, I said to myself.

He probably knows my father if he knows Mick's full name, he must have attended the party and was probably leaving the party when he saw us. I removed my heels and massaged my feet because they were numb from the pain.

"Can you stop when you see the Subway or Pizza Hut?"

"Didn't you eat anything?"

"If I ate, why would I ask you to stop?"

I really don't understand what I'm doing here sitting in some stranger's car and asking him to stop for food. I guess this whole day was weird; firstly I came to know that I was going to marry Mick and then I met this hot stranger, then I was sitting in his car. Not sure what's gonna happen next.

"What do you do?" I asked him.

"Not that important which you have to know."

"I just asked about what you do, not about your stock market value." We fell into silence. He stopped near a small cafe. "Step out."

"Why so rude?" I asked him. In return, I just got a blank face. I didn't dare to put my heels back, so I looked back to see if he had anything and, to my luck, there was a pair of flip-flops. I thought for a second about putting it on or leaving it.

He is not going to know if I wore his flip-flops or not, my dress is long enough to cover my feet. I quickly put on his flip-flops before opening the car door. He was waiting for me. I have seen women turning around to have a glimpse of Cyrus.

I started walking towards the cafe door. His flip-flops are too big for me, but they are so much better than those deadly heels. Cyrus was behind me.

When I opened the door of the cafe, I heard the sound of bells jingling. The cafe is warm and cosy, we took a corner table as it was the only table available. The waiter gave us the menu and left us alone to decide.

I ordered chicken pasta and a water bottle. He didn't order anything. I looked at my phone to see I had got a new message. It was from Sara. It's a snap of her and Mike.

I sent a snap of my middle finger, satisfied when I got an anger emoji. A dread started growing in my mind and stomach. Shaking my head, I quickly put my phone inside my purse and looked up to see Cyrus, who was now seriously observing me.

We stayed silent. When the food was placed, I offered it to him but he declined. While I ate my food, he went through his phone. When I was done with my food, I was ready to pay but this god-like human had already paid, which made me frown.

"I already know you are a kitten, now there is no need to throw your claws at me."

I gave him the location of my father's huge mansion. "Are you my father's business partner?"

He smirked "For your question No. We are not, we are ― What you people would say―We are more than partners."

"Ooh..." I leaned back in my seat and got comfortable. I didn't have the energy to continue the conversation. I closed my eyes and soon everything went black.

"Isabelle...Isabelle" Someone was shaking shoulders. I opened my eyes and stared at Cyrus. My eyes widened in horror and I pushed Cyrus away as he was way too close.

"Your house."

"Thank you," I said, removing my seatbelt and opening the door.

I looked at his beautiful face once before getting out of his car. "Thank you for everything. Have a safe drive."

"Good night, Isabelle." He didn't go away until the gates opened.

I gave him a smile before waving my hand. I bet I saw him smile before he stormed away in his car. I don't know if we are going to meet again or not.