Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
—Lao Tzu

"I still can't believe that you are dragging me with you for a family dinner!", Elena exclaimed getting into the car that was sent by Remington's.
"You are family Lena", I sighed. "Don't make me repeat it again".
"I know my lady. But it's an intimate family gathering. On top of that I don't know if they are kind enough to let a stranger in", she confessed.
"Don't worry. They are kind & welcoming people. I'm sure they won't throw you out", I joked.
"How persuasive", she said sarcastically with a teasing grin.
"Siding your in-laws before marriage itself?"
"Definitely no", I said with a stern face.
"You know about my plans of staying married to him for 3 months. So, there will be no personal connections involved". I said staring out of the window.
That was the only way I was left with to come out of this trouble. Marry him for three months & divorce as soon as he transfers the property rights over my name.
"Are you sure Nicholas will be signing over the land to you?", Lena asked doubtfully.
"Yes, he will. He said he will transfer the property after completion of three months", I said at the same time the car came to halt near a huge mansion.
The house-help escorted us to the dining room where everyone were seated for dinner. I was surprised to find dad, Nina & Pops as well.
"Here they are", the kind lady whom I remembered as Elora, Nicholas's mom came towards us to greet.
"Wow, You look beautiful in this dress, darling", she said taking a look of my dress.
Ofcourse that's your son's selection.
"Thank you, m...mam", I said awkwardly as I couldn't bring myself to call her mom, eventhough she advised me to call her that.
If she noticed my slight discomfort while addressing her, she didn't point it out, which made me to sigh in relief.
My senses became alert as slight nervousness took over my features seeing many new faces staring at me.
"So, This is my husband Andrew", she said looking at the handsome man lovingly, "I hope you remember him", she said making me remember that dreary day when I refused their proposal rather little harshly.
"Of course, she remembers me. I'm not that easy to forget. Right darling?", he said with a slight smirk making every one to laugh at his remark.
Guess where Nick got his cockiness? It runs in their bloodstream.
"Good evening, Mr.Remington", I said leaning in for a quick hug still smiling.
"And this is Alexa & Adonis", she said pointing towards the girl & boy who were staring at me curiously.
Oh god! What's with the grey eyes in this family.
The look they were giving me was unnerving. Why are they staring at me like that? Is there something wrong with my dress?, I began fidgeting in my place.
"Can you both stop staring at her please? You are scaring her", Nick's mom rolled her eyes, which made them to break their staring contest.
"Mom, she is beautiful", Alexa gasped loudly as if she witnessed something incredible.
Omg........... This girl just gave me heart attack.
"Hello, I'm Alexa. Nick's younger sister", she said suddenly jumping onto me for a hug, which took me by surprise.
"Stop acting like a monkey now. You are suffocating her", Adonis came to my rescue.
"Oh! I'm really sorry. I was just excited to meet you", she said sheepishly smiling.
"It's ok & You are beautiful too", I laughed at her cuteness.
She is too adorable.
"Hi, I'm Adonis. This gorillas twin brother", he said earning a smack on his head by irritated Alexa.
"Stop calling me that", she huffed.
"Nice to meet you Adonis", I hugged him. "And what was your reason behind giving me those looks earlier?", I asked lifting my brow.
"Oh! It's nothing. I was just staring at your dress", he said embarrassed.
"Dress?", I asked in confusion.
"Get away from my fiancee, little brother", an annoyed voice came behind us, sending chills down my spine.
"Don't be rude dearest big brother. I was just praising your incredible choice. The dress indeed looks good on Sam", he said stressing on my name before moving away with a satisfied grin.

I just stood rooted at my place turning my back against him. I could still smell his intoxicating cologne & feel his body heat just a mere foot or two behind me.
Oh god. I'm not ready to face this man now.
As if on a cue his mother's voice interrupted us.
"Dinner is ready. So please take your seats", she said pointing towards the empty chair beside my brother.
Elena sat beside me & I could feel a pair of intense grey eyes staring at me from across the table. While I kept my head lowered to escape from his prying eyes.
"Nick, where is Liam?", his dad asked him staring at the watch.
"Did I hear my name just now?", came a rasping voice, as Elena frooze beside me.
"Are you alright?", I asked in confusion to which she didn't respond.
"You are late idiot", Nick growled at the handsome stranger wearing suit.
"I know man. Don't make that scowling face now. It's disgusting", he rolled his eyes glancing across the table before his eyes stopped on terrified figure of Elena.
A look of surprise flashed in his eyes, before he masked it & turned towards me.
"If I'm not wrong, you are Dr.Samaira", he said with a warm smile extending his hands for a shake, while his voice held a dominance.
"Yeah, that's me", I said taking his hands for a shake still not knowing about this man who looked like a male model.
"Well, nice to meet you Samaira. I'm Liam Rhodes", he introduced genuinely as his gaze swept towards Lena instantly hardening. I saw a mixture of pain, longing & anger in his gaze.
"And who might be this young lady?", he asked arrogantly his sweet tone gone.
Why is this man speaking so rudely? And above all why is she looking so terrified?
Whatever it might be I won't let a man walk over my bestfriend.
"She is Elena Hayes, my bestfriend", I said sternly.
"Nice to meet you Ms.Hayes", he extended his hand for a greeting expecting her to do the same.
"Same here, Mr.Rh...Rh..Rhodes", she stammered looking at the man.
What's wrong with this girl today?
I have never seen her so nervous .
We finally settled down on the table & the dinner was soon served. But I could feel that Lena was very uncomfortable.
I mentally noted to ask her about the matter as soon as we leave this place.
Nina kept asking questions to Nick about his work, hobbies. I tried to tune him out of my mind and concentrated on my meal. I felt a harsh tug from beside me to see Rishi signaling me towards something.
"Sam, will you pass the bowl to Nick", I heard Mrs. Remington saying.
I looked up from my meal only to realize all eyes were on me. Which meant I was asked more than once & I didn't realize it.
"Sorry, I had something on my mind", I apologized. As I pushed the bowl of mashed potatoes towards Nick trying to avoid any skin contact.
I could feel his eyes on me but I didn't lift my head. I heard a small 'thanks' from him.
The dinner finally finished as all the elders sat down.
"So, we have matched the horoscopes of both of them & fixed the marriage dates", Nina started which made my blood to go cold.
"We have to conduct their marriage within this week, as there are no auspicious dates available in next 6 months", she further continued.
Here goes nothing.
This old lady will turn everything in her way.
"That's too soon Nina", I raised my voice infuriated at her.
"Did I hear a refusal there? You agreed to this marriage right?", she asked staring doubtfully.
That's her. She knows where to hook the fish perfectly.
Startled I looked across the table to see Nick staring at me already with a warning look in his eyes.
Don't open your mouth. Or else you know the consequences.
I sealed my lips at that. Damn him.
"Of course I'm ready grandma. It's just, too early, don't you think?" I asked in a meek tone.
She relaxed at that. As if a rock has been lifted off from her chest.
Oh. Does she think I will screw her plans?
"No, we have decided about it. We will be conducting an intimate wedding with only family relatives & after that we can hold a grand reception", she said rather proudly about her carefully laid plans.
I sat on my seat with a seething rage. Well, if they have decided everything previously; then what's the need of this discussion.
They can play whatever they want for 3 months .
"Can I use the rest room please", I excused myself from that distressing discussion as some house help accompanied me to the restroom.
After I finished my business, I moved towards the adjourned balcony as the crisp cold air of the night greeted me.
I stood there enjoying the cold breeze as my loose hair swayed in the air.
"That dress fits you perfectly", a sudden voice startled me as I turned towards the man with a hand on my chest, breathing heavily.
"Did I terrify you darling?", he asked huskily as he swept his gaze loosely on my outfit, as a winning smirk appeared on his face.
I regret wearing this dress today.
How badly I want to punch his handsome face.
My eyes swept over his body, as my eyes connected with his playful ones.
Suddenly all the frustrations from before came back to me like a rushing river.
"What's your fucking problem now?", I demanded.
His eyes suddenly turned wicked, almost piercing through my soul as he took menacing steps towards me.
I stood rooted in my place, crossing my arms. As I matched his glare.
"Someone should really teach you how to speak with your future husband", his mouth curved.
I stared in disbelief at his arrogance.
"Listen carefully you asshole. You can never be my husband. So stop referring to yourself as my husband. It's disgusting", I said jabbing a finger at his chest.
His jaw clenched as he raked his gaze intensely over my face, as he took a step forward covering the little distance we had in between, getting in my space.
"Get this straight into your tiny head. You will marry me & there is nothing you can do about it. Or else I will do everything to shatter your dreams", he said with a stormy glare threatening me.
"You really don't want to threaten me Nicholas", I took a daring step towards him as our breaths mingled, faces an inch away.
"What will you do sweetheart?", he asked innocently as his eyes kept on shifting between my lips & eyes.
Oh dear lord!!! When did the situation took a whole 360⁰ turn?
I curled my hands tightly at my sides as the rushing sensation of butterflies erupted in my gut.
I tried to step away knowing clearly it was really dangerous to be alone either this man.
Suddenly he captured my both wrists in his hand turning me towards himself as he stood close without touching & he held my face in his free hand lifting it up until his heated gaze met mine.
My thoughts were suddenly corrupted by the dark intensity that his eyes held but he suddenly turned his face towards my ear whispering,
"I don't want to touch you before marriage, Or else I would have kissed the fuck out of you", he said with a scorching gaze taking a step back.


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