Chapter 1
On the day I came back home, not a single one of the four childhood buddies who had promised to pick me up showed up.
Suddenly, a flood of comments popped up in front of me.
One read: [Zara's got it rough. In just three years, all four guys fell for some replacement, and none of them gave a damn about her.]
Another read: [She is only good for staying overseas. Once she comes back, she turns into a nobody.]
A comment read: [Zara's gorgeous and talented, but she's just there to help Lydia and the guys get together. As soon as she returns, the guys suddenly realize they're head over heels for Lydia.]
Realizing that all four guys had all moved on and found someone else, I let out a long sigh of relief.
I pulled out my phone and texted: [The coast is clear, babe. Come over.]
Ten minutes later, I walked out of the airport with Lucas on my arm.
The live chat went wild.
One read: [Wait, what? Zara's been keeping a guy on the side, and none of the main leads knew about it?]
Another comment read: [Hold up, let's get a closer look. That guy looks just like the Hartley family's heir.]
A comment read: [Lucas? Isn't he supposed to be the big boss villain who only shows up in the second half? The one who nearly wiped out the whole main crew. Why's he making an entrance this early?]
I glanced at Lucas, who was sulking.
With those razor brows and sunken eyes, he had full final-boss vibes; if only he weren't sulking like a five-year-old.
"Zara, I've been with you since I was twenty," Lucas complained, his voice full of grievance.
He added, "And what do I get? You never even told me you had four side guys waiting for you back home. You even made me sneak around like I'm your dirty little secret.
"I'm your real boyfriend, but you treat me like some side piece. Is this how you treat your man?"
Seriously, I was getting blamed for nothing here.
I was just worried those four maniacs would mess with him.
If I'd known he was the big boss villain, I would've just let him do his thing.
Honestly, Lucas was kind of to blame, too.
Back when we were overseas, he was all cute and harmless, always trying to win me over. I really thought he was just another wannabe looking for a sugar mama.
I said, "Okay. It was my bad, alright?"
Lucas was such a sensitive guy. If I didn't coax him just right, he'd get all dramatic again.
So I didn't hesitate to apologize.
I added, "So, how do you want me to make it up to you? Just name it. Your girl's got a pretty face and a bit of cash to throw around."
"Who cares about your money?" Lucas snapped, clearly annoyed.
He narrowed his eyes, stalking closer with a predatory look.
He said, "Zara, just so you know: I'm dating you because I want to marry you. That's the endgame.
"If you ever betray me, I'll cuff myself to your bed, snap the key in half, and let you choke me until I black out. You'll never leave. Ever."
I nodded and said, "Sounds like I'm the one getting the better end of the deal."
Lucas grinned, looking smug. He said, "Damn right. Who else is tough enough to survive your crazy ways?"
Honestly, no one else could.
The live chat was blowing up over how much Lucas was willing to do for me.
One read: [It only took me one second to start shipping this couple.]
Another read: [He acts all possessive, but deep down he's head over heels in love. Lucas, you sneaky bastard.]
A comment read: [Wait, this is the big bad who can single-handedly torment all four leads? Zara, spill your dog-training manual, now.]
I didn't have to train Lucas. He was just born a hopeless romantic, head over heels from the start.
As for marriage, well, that might actually be worth considering.
After all, the only reason I let Lucas tag along back home this time was to finally make it clear to my grandpa, who was obsessed with arranging my childhood engagements.
If I were to get married, I would need someone with Lucas's standards.
Those four childhood friends my grandpa picked out for me? I honestly couldn't even look at them.
I took Lucas home.
The four childhood buddies were nowhere to be seen, but their parents were there, all eager and friendly, fussing over me.
They barely managed to say two words before my grandpa, pissed off, kicked them out of the house.
My grandpa had been all grumpy about those four not showing up, but the second he saw Lucas, his eyes lit up.
My grandpa said to me, "No wonder you stayed overseas for three years and wouldn't come home. You really scored big behind my back!"
He poked me twice with his cane, not holding back at all.
Then he grabbed Lucas's hand, grinning like a sly fox. He said, "Kid, you're a real looker. I don't care if you're loaded or flat broke. Stick around, join the family, and give me a few grandbabies down the road."
Just as expected, my grandpa was a total sucker for a pretty face.
The second he laid eyes on Lucas, those four childhood friends were instantly forgotten.
Lucas's cheeks flushed, putting on that innocent act. He said, "Whatever Zara says goes."
Then he quickly added, "My last name's Hartley."
My grandpa sucked in a sharp breath, staring at him in shock.
He asked, "Hartley? As in Richard Hartley, the guy who runs Solvane?"
Lucas put on a humble act and said, "Richard Hartley is my father."
My grandpa instantly let go of his hand, his face turning serious.
He said, "This whole thing's off. Yeah, we've got money, but we're pocket change next to the Hartleys. Zara's not marrying into that family, period. Let's just drop it."
Lucas whipped out a stack of folded contracts from his pocket and shoved them right into my grandpa's hand.
Lucas said, "Mr. Jennings, don't be so formal. My mom owns 32% of the Hartley family shares, I've got 30%, and we're each giving 20% to Zara. That's 2% more than my dad.
"Here's the paperwork; just sign it. If that's still not enough, I'll have my mom divorce my dad. She'll walk away with at least 10%, and that'll be Zara's wedding gift."