Chapter 22
A week earlier at Chairman Jack's house.
"Son, I've found you a fiancée. You'll meet her soon," Chairman Jack stated with a wide smile on his face. Zach sighed and pinched the space between his brows.
"That was fast. Shouldn't I at least talk to her?"
"Nonsense, I've talked to her, and she's perfect for you. I just need you to sign the documents and leave the rest to me."
"Fine, I'll sign it later." He stood up and left his dad's study.
******
"Is that your brother?" Ariana asked, just to be sure.
"Yes, you do know him, right?"
Ariana nodded her head. She had made a huge mistake; why on Earth did she sign that contract? If she had known it was Zach she would be getting engaged to, she wouldn't have signed it. She felt like passing out or maybe dying. She hadn't thought anything through when she agreed to be engaged to a stranger. How would she be able to live her life with Zach under the same roof?
"I'll take my leave now," Anika smiled.
"No, please don't leave me here," Ariana whispered. She couldn't be alone with this guy. Since he's Casey's boyfriend, she's certain he is like her. She hadn't had an encounter with Zach before; she barely saw him at school and didn't know what he's like. She suddenly felt a headache, and her head was throbbing. Why was the universe against her?
"I'm not living here; you are. Anyway, good luck," she said.
"Be nice to her," Anika whispered into Zach's ear and hugged him. She waved at Ariana one last time before leaving the house. Ariana didn't have the strength to deal with this right now and went to the guest room. Everyone knows that Zach is a quiet guy, so she can live in peace at his villa.
The next morning...
Ariana got dressed; she normally dressed for comfort, but today, she wanted to change that. She wore clothes from popular brands. This time at school, she wasn't tolerating any nonsense from anybody, especially Casey. This time, she wore her hair back; she normally tied her hair in a bun or two pigtails, but she just wanted to change that.
As Ariana stepped into the hallway, she could tell all eyes were on her, as everyone stared at her in awe. She heard the whispers of everyone. She felt on top of the world as she made her way to her locker.
Ariana heard the whispering but pretended she didn't hear it. She had made up her mind that this time when she was at school, she wouldn't allow anyone to mess with her.
Ariana stopped by her locker and collected her biology textbook because she had biology for the first period. She heard a person scoff and she smiled. The set of girls she had been waiting for had arrived.
"Hi, guys, I've been waiting for you to show up, but you took your time today," Ariana smiled, and she closed her locker.
"Aww, she's been waiting for us. So, you do miss us? Guys, we shouldn't keep the princess waiting anymore..."
"Let's just cut to the chase," Casey interrupted Nora. "Those clothes you're wearing, who gave them to you?" Casey asked.
"Or did you by any chance steal this..."
"Look at her, does she look like a person who can steal? She probably found it in a trash can and just washed it and wore it to school," Sofia interrupted Nora, and they giggled.
The talk from Casey and her minions got the attention of all the students in the hallway; some started whispering again. Ariana knew this would happen today and she came prepared. She opened her purse and brought out the bill from her bag, then slammed it on Casey's face. Her phone rang, and she left the hallway, leaving Casey astonished and furious.
"Hey girl," Ariana stated as she sat at her desk.
"Hi, good morning,"
"Morning. So how's Mike?"
"He's doing great; he and my dad get along so well. I feel like a third wheeler," Anika said, and Ariana chuckled.
"Girl, I'mma call you back," She hung up when she saw Jeffrey approaching her.