"I have an announcement to make" his father stood up holding a glass of wine

"My son, Charles has turned 28 and is doing wonders in our company. But every successful man needs someone in his life with whom he can share his happiness and joy. And who would be better than someone who he have known him for years. It gives me immense pleasure to announce the engagement of Charles and Mariah. And the merger of both the companies. Cheers"

******

I froze at those words, engagement.

I can't hear anything further, the glass slip out of my hand in slow motion then making loud crashing noise making everyone look at me. I looked at Charles hoping he would say something but he just sat there with a straight face. I looked away as tears started to well inside my eyes,

"I- I um sorry. Excuse me" I didn't even looked at Charles and ran from there.

"Liv" I hear him shouting my name but I ran outside grabbing my coat. I was almost outside when I felt a strong hand around my arms pulling me back with a force.

"Liv listen to me"

"Let me go Charles" I said as tears started pouring down on my face. My mind was buzzing with so many thoughts

"It's not what you th-"

"Did you know about this?" I asked him looking straightly into his eyes

"I didn't" he loudly

"So you're tell me that your father didn't even tell you about this engagement?"

"He did but-"

"So, You knew about it" tears flowing non stop

"I did but I said no clearly. I swear"

"You didn't even thought of telling me about it?"

He stayed silent just looking at me

"Wait, is this the same Mariah who was calling you on our trip?" My eyes widened at realization

He nodded

"And when Brandon said about the her call, I even asked you who she is, not once but thrice, Charles thrice" I yelled

"Liv beli-"

"Leave my hand" I tried to let go of his hand

"But-"

"I said let go of my hand Charles" I shouted my face wet with tears my heart aching badly.

He let go of my hand and I ran out not turning back.

Maria's POV

"Control your anger tonight, we don't want to lose the deal with Maxwell's" my father warned me. I roll her eyes in response and turned to look outside the window.

"Don't you dare roll your eyes at me, young lady" he bang his hand on the steering wheel making mom jump in surprise.

"Chill dad. I love Charles and I would do anything, anything to marry him" she smiled wickedly. He's mine and will be mine forever, I chanted inside my head. I was furious when I saw those pictures of him with a girl in newspaper. But Charles's dad promised me that I will be his wife. That he will be only mine.

When we reached Maxwell mansion, I smiled, this house will be my in few months, I thought

"Sir, Mr and Mrs Reed are here" Butler said to his master

My eyes straightly landed on man, my man. He look ravishing as ever, I walked closer to him, my heels tapping as I took steps. Charles turned around facing me with a shocked on his face.

"Mariah" even my name sounds better from his tongue, I smiled

"Happy birthday, Charles" I walked closer to him

He didn't replied but just stared at me

"Oh c'mon, you still can't be angry" I trail my hand on his chest. I wish he was shirtless, than it would have been much better.

He swat away my hand, "thanks"

How dare he? I'm his-

My gaze shifted towards this girl. Wait, she is the same girl in the newspaper. And why is my Charles placing his hand on her back. My face started to turn red from anger, I will strangle this whore.

"Who is she?" I asked with gritted teeth

"My girlfriend, now if you excuse us" he and that girl walked off. How could he bring that whore here? Isn't he done fucking her?

"Mariah" I heard Mr Maxwell calling me

I walked towards him still fuming in anger.

"What is that girl doing here?" I asked him

"Doesn't matter, I'm announcing the engagement after the dinner. Don't do anything stupid" he said placing his hands on my shoulder.

Right. No stupidity. He can fuck all the girls he want. But at the end he will be my husband.

I walked towards dining table wanting to sit next to Charles but they got up and ran upstairs. seething from inside as I watch them go inside his bedroom. He never let me inside his room and he is letting this bitch walk inside

"Mariah, child are you okay?" Pearl asked me looking at with concern eyes. Concern my foot, this bitch hates me.

I glared at her and stalked towards washroom. I rested my hands on the washbasin, looking at the mirror. My eyes are red with anger and the girl standing there in the mirror is mocking me.

"You will never get him" the reflection said

"Yes I will" I said seething

"He doesn't love you. He love that other girl"

The picture of Charles and that girl started playing inside my head.

"No! No! No Nooooooooo" I yelled throwing away all the things counter.

"He is mine. Only mine. Did you get that?" I yelled at the reflection.

My chest started to feel heavy, he is mine. He is mine. I can't let that whore have him.

I didn't know when I started crying , my face was wet with my tears and my hair is everywhere. I fixed my makeup and hair, looking at mirror I smiled at myself. "I have to do something about this girl" I said as I walked out of the washroom.

Everyone were seated on their chair but Charles and that doe eyes girl were nowhere to be seen. I took a seat next to my mom tapping my feet constantly. Suddenly I hear a giggling voice when I saw them coming downstairs. He looks happy. I'm sure he is faking it. He can only smile like that when he's with me. I glare at the girl who was now looking at me. I stood up from my seat and went to sat next to Charles to which I earned a jealous look from that bitch

While having dinner Charles kept looking at me. Smiling at him, I move my feet closer to his leg down the table, trailing it slowly on his pant's hem making him jerk up. I smirked at him winking, whispering in his ears, too bad the poor girl saw us. Her face fall as she tried giving fake smile to everyone. I feel much better now looking at her fake innocent face.

"Where do you work, Miss Evans?" My mom asked her making me crunch my nose in disgust. Why she has involve her in conversation?

"In a publishing company" she replied with her sugar-coated voice.

Publishing company? Really? Boring...

I suppress my laugh. God, what did Charles really saw in her? Maybe she's good in bed.. but the way she looks, I don't think so.

"Can you pour me some more wine, Charles?" I asked him giving him a coquettish grin.

"Sure" he extended his hands to give me the glass, I touched his fingers softly to make the bitch notice it. He retreated his hand back, coughing nervously. I knew I had that effect on you Charles. I know Olivia is looking at me, so I looked at her and gave her a crooked smile. No one can win me.

"I have an announcement to make" Charles's father stood up holding a glass of wine as he looked at me. I smiled, finally the time has come.

"My son, Charles has turned 28 and is doing wonders in our company. But every successful man needs someone in his life with whom he can share his happiness and joy. And how would be better than someone who have known him for years. It gives me immense pleasure to announce the engagement of Charles and Mariah. And the merger of both the companies. Cheers"

My mom hugged me but the crashing a glass broke us apart. That whore stood up and ran outside.

"Liv" Charles started to run after her, I tried grabbing his arms but he was gone before I can reach.

You should be here with me Charles not her. I will be your wife dammit. I wanted to shout as anger started to boil inside me.