𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒

Chapter 13

"But if you can't take it anymore, just tell me. I'll do the rest." Zachariah spoke softly, then smiled reassuringly.

Seraphina looked at him with a frown on her face. "Are you saying that I can't take care of myself on my own. Are you saying that I am not capable and to be dependent on you?" Seraphina grumbled while looking at him in anger and disappointment.

Zachariah looked at her in a baffled expression. He looked at him in worry and some mixed emotions.

"That's not what I was trying to convey to you." Zachariah said calmly and genuinely. He felt a little small under the gaze of Seraphina.

"Looks like you're saying that I am not capable on my own without you." Seraphina stated then scoffed. Zachariah looked at her with a conscious look in his eye.

"I know you are capable on your own. I know how strong you are. And how you handle things perfectly. I know all of it and I am aware. But, what I was trying to convey is sometimes it's okay to have some companions besides you whenever things may go a little bit hard." Zachariah genuinely uttered trying to understand what he was trying to conduct and input.

"It's hard to fight your battles all alone, because I had already experienced that too and it's devastating and exhausting. I don't want you to experience that again." Zachariah soothingly vocalized while looking at Seraphina's eyes to prove that he was truly concerned and genuine to her, but within the dark orbs that he was looking at, there is no emotions that were writhing inside her eyes.

Seraphina looked at him blankly. She was staring at Zachariah without emotions. It made Zachariah feel insecure and unsecured. He felt tugged inside his heart seeing that Seraphina didn't feel the same way as him.

He knew what he had gone into. He knew what the consequences he would get if he agreed on marrying Seraphina. He already knew what the aftermath and possible outcomes were. But despite all of these, still he didn't regret marrying Seraphina, not even a single second.

Call him sadistic, he would gladly accept that fact. He is hurting himself in this arranged marriage. He is torturing himself. But despite all of this misery, he still feels blessed to be the man of Seraphina. In the middle of this hardship, he found glory and ecstasy. He doesn't know why, as long as he can feel the presence of Seraphina he is at peace.

"Stop telling me what I should do and what I should not do. Don't try being compassionate to me, because I won't fall for that." Seraphina bluntly spoke while staring at Zachariah with unreadable emotions.

"Seraphinaㅡ"

"Tonight I will remind you again, in case you have already forgotten. We are only bound by papers, no strings. You should know what our limits are. And just because I let you touch me earlier for the cameras, it doesn't mean you already have the right to control my life." Seraphina spoke dangerously while maintaining an intense glare at him.

"Serpahinaㅡ Please, listen to me. It's not what you think." Zachariah desperately uttered while looking at her with a pain lingering in his eyes.

"I have already said what it should be said." Seraphina stated without listening to Zachariah's further explanation. Turning blind eye to Zachariah's pleading eyes. Serpahina's eyes turned towards the crowds and started to focus solely.

"Seraphina, I never thought of anything in that way, nor can I imagine. It was never my intention to think that in a bad way. My words were genuine, and I didn't think of you in any bad way." Zachariah pleaded trying to understand Seraphina that his intentions were genuine and not tainted. And never in his life see Seraphina in an appropriate way and he didn't plan to, he holds so much respect for Seraphina.

"Zachariah, will you shutㅡ" As Seraphina muttered angrily, a cheerful yet manly voice cuts her off in a sudden.

Their tense postures and Seraphina's igniting glare suddenly cooled off. While Zachariah's pleading and guilty face immediately turned into the opposite.

Within a second, their previous atmosphere and facade changed in a sudden motion. Their faces are now plastered with some soft smiles and peaceful aura within them.

Seraphina smiled at Zachariah lovingly while laughing softly at Zachariah, while Zachariah returned with an equal passion. Trying to put a show at the one of the owner of big tycoons.

Seraphina pinched his waist in secrecy, trying to send a signal to start to pretend to be a real couple. With the sudden action, Zachariah immediately jolted by the small yet painful sensation in the side of his waist.

"What a wonderful night!" Mr. Pammerson said with a glee, witnessing the two newlyweds who were looking so happy and   loving inside from his perspective.

"Good evening, Mr. Pammerson. It's nice seeing you here." Zachariah formally said while as he shakes their hand with the other man. The older man chuckled and smiled.

"We are very pleased to meet you Mr. Pammerson." Seraphina said after Zachariah, then she shakes their hand too in greeting and respect.

"I'm sorry for not attending your  wedding. I was very busy with the upcoming launching project. I have no excuses for that. I hope both of you can forgive me." Mr. Pammerson spoke truthfully still holding a powerful and dominant aura.

Zachariah and Seraphina laughed softly in union. "We have already forgiven you sir. Your presence tonight is enough for your absence in our wedding." Zachariah calmly said looking so professional as he handles some businessmen, and judging by his behavior, it is clear that he was already used to this.

"I can't believe that you have forgiven me so easily!" Mr. Pammerson exaggerated as Zachariah's sincere statement. The three of them laughed and chatted. Still pretending that they are a true couple.

"Your reason is valid too Sir. And Europe is far from here. And we're glad to see you here all so well." Seraphina stated while smiling softly, as well as Zachariah.

"Thank you for appreciating my presence here." The man said gratefully and sincerely.

"I will tell you another reason why I am here tonight." The man said seriously while looking at the couple who were listening to him with an equal seriousness in their eyes.

"I wanted to have some collaboration to both of you for our upcoming project this June. I know that the two of you would be trusted and compatible for this project. We have already discussed my employees about the outcomes of this, and it is a hundred percent sure that this would be a hit in June and the following months. So, if both of you were interested to know about this, your agreements would be deeply appreciated." Mr. Pammerson spoke with a lot of authority. While both of them are listening deeply.

Both of them already knew the purpose of this event, for all the business tycoons will be able to share and persuade some of the different companies to merge and invest with them to make them stronger.

Some of them were here to gain power, money, and acknowledgement. They knew the secrets and intentions of the business world, because they are a part of it.

But, they are not the type of business person that is greedy or desperate for collaboration. They will analyze them first and find their true intentions, critiquing and judging their proposals if it's worth it or not.

They know that they hold big privileges and reputations. That's why before putting a decision on some proposals, they need to institute their association and if they are praiseworthy or not.

A few moments, their business talks are finally over. The three of them thank each other for a wonderful time that they have shared. Then Mr. Pammerson shakes their hands in gratefulness and farewell.

"Thank you very much for giving me a chance to share with you my upcoming project." Mr. Pammerson stated while smiling at the two couples who returned a nod and a smile.

When the Mr. Pammerson was about to go, he looked back at Zachariah and Seraphina with a bright smile and uttered.

"Both of you are glowing in radiance more than before."  And with a wave, he finally left, leaving them with a big smile on his face.