Richard, a wealthy entrepreneur marries for convenience to save his crumbling family business. His wife Lila, is a fiercely independent artist who despises the arranged marriage. Despite their differences, their chemistry is undeniable and their relationship evolves from animosity to intense passion. However family politics and hidden agendas threaten to tear them apart as they navigate love, ambition and betrayal
Chapter 1 The Arrangementš
The Dinner Proposal.
Lila reluctantly walks into an opulent restaurant, casually dressed in a long blue pants and a low neck chiffon top slightly revealing her cleavage. She elegantly walks towards where Richard was seated waiting for her. 'Hi, I'm Lila Monroe and I'm sure you're Richard Hensley ' She said with an uninterested face. 'My father has said quite a lot about you ' Richard responded
'I see our fathers are now the decision makers ' Lila said while adjusting her top from revealing too much of her cleavage.
Contrasting sharply with the formal atmosphere and Richard's polished demeanor, the conversation was tense.
'So let's get to it.' Lila said this openly defiant making it clear she didn't want to be there because the dinner was arranged by their parents.
Richard on the other hand was polite but cold. 'We are only here because we are on the terms of having to be married'
'You don't have to like me but this marriage can benefit us both'
Lila counters with sarcasm refusing to be sold off like a commodity.
Lila stands to leave but Richard stops her with a sharp comment 'Walking away doesn't solve anything, you want freedom? So do I .. Well maybe this is the price for it'.
The words unsettle her planting the seeds of curiosity about his true motives.
Lila reluctantly agrees, on the condition that she would maintain her art career and independence.
Richard on the other hand sees her as a potential but is drawn to her fiery spirit despite himself.
'Yes you would ' he agreed to her condition.
The Wedding
Their wedding day was a really expensive one- an expensive charade of happiness.
Lila feels suffocated in her designer wedding gown while Richard hides his uneasy expression behind a calm facade.
As they were about leaving the reception, Lila whispers bitterly ' Congratulations Richard. You bought yourself a wife, I hope the investment pays off!'
Richard refused to respond but watched her walk out of the reception with a pang of regrets all over his face
Chapter 1 The Arrangementš
11/01/2025