You're Joking...Right?

4

RILEY'S POV
I still couldn't believe that I was arranged to marry Donovan of all people! I was so upset that I stopped talking to my parents for a few days and Ethan's been upset as well. We sat in my room and watched Netflix, then there was a knock at my door and my mother walked in.

"Hey..." She greeted.

I simply looked at her, then looked away.

"You're going to meet Donovan today."

"No." I quietly said.

"Don't be unreasonable."

"Unreasonable is arranging your daughter to marry some random guy, even though she has a boyfriend." I retaliated without taking my eyes off the screen.

"I'm sorry... But you might learn to love him."

"What about Noah?"

"Your boyfriend?"

"Yes."

"Well..."

"Ri, just go." Ethan said.

"Traitor."

"It's already done... Let's just make the best of it..."

"Fine."

"Thank you." Mom sighed in relief.

***

My parents pulled up at a mansion and during the drive, my parents explained that the Bowman's owned their own major company and made huge profit, so the mansion made sense. Then, they explained that Mrs. Bowman feared that Donovan would never find a decent girl to marry, probably because he's an obnoxious asshole, and after meeting me, they proposed co-ownership of their successful company to my parents... In exchange for me as Donovan's fiancée. As much as I hate to admit it, I would've done the same thing under the circumstances because my parents were great business people. We walked into the mansion and the staff took our coats and offered us glasses of champagne.

"Impressive place." Ethan whispered to me.

"I know..." I replied with wide eyes.

"What do you think?"

"I could learn to live here... As long as he stays in the opposite end of the house... Preferably in the basement." I giggled.

He chuckled in response and I smirked, then Mr. and Mrs. Bowman walked in.

"Rose, Daniel, so nice to see you again." Mr. Bowman greeted.

"Hello, Ethan and Riley." Mrs. Bowman smiled.

"Hello." we greeted.

"You have a beautiful home, Mr. and Mrs. Bowman." I politely said.

"Please, call me Dad." Mr. Bowman grinned.

I gave them a pained smile and Ethan immediately switched the subject to trophies that he spotted.

"Donovan's in his room." Mrs. Bowman whispered.

"Oh..."

As we walked to his room, she explained why she wanted the arrangement, then told me that he didn't know that I was his "wife-to-be".

"Donovan, your fiancée is here." She called as she knocked.

"Great." He sarcastically replied.

I felt my hand curl into a fist as he opened the door and had to refrain from hitting him as he smirked at me.

"Well hello there. Who is this beauty?" He smirked.

"This is Riley Reino." His mother introduced.

"Donovan Bowman." He introduced before kissing my hand.

"I thought you two would like to meet before we drive you to the beach house to get to know each other."

"Good call, Mom."

"You two look so cute together." She gushed.

I politely smiled before she ushered me into his room and left.

"This is too good." He chuckled.

"Don't even bother, I have a boyfriend."

"Well that's unfortunate because we're getting married."

"Don't say that."

"Too bad. One day you'll be Riley Bowman, adoring wife of Donovan Bowman."

"Adoring? That's hilarious." I laughed.

There was a knock at the door, then Ethan walked in.

"We're leaving..." He informed.

I hugged him tightly before going to say goodbye to my parents, then he drove us to their familiar beach house.

***

DONOVAN'S POV
"Wow, the universe just keeps throwing stuff at me." She sighed.

"Jeez, what's with all the moping?"

"I'm fucking engaged to you of all people!"

"It's no walk in the park for me either."

"I'm leaving."

She went out to the beach, took her shoes off, then started walking away, and I sighed before going after her.

"Why do you hate me?" I chuckled.

"You know exactly why."

"No I don't."

"Yes, Donovan, you do."

"Just tell me."

"You brought me here after what you called a date that your friends egged you into, took my virginity, then never even called me after that! Then, when we actually saw each other again, you acted like I never existed, you asshole!"

I froze and stared at her because I could've sworn that she was over that.

"I-I'm sorry."

"No you're not. You could've at least have been honest with me."

"I was gonna call you..." I admitted.

"Sure." She bit as she rolled her eyes and continued walking.

"I'm serious. I was going to... But Brad talked me out of it and said that you'd never go for a guy like me, so I just said fuck it and moved on."

"You're lying!"

"I'm not! I swear, I wanted a relationship... But I believed Brad. A girl like you would never go for a guy like me."

"How cliché, did you think of that on your own?"

"Believe me or not. Either way, we're gonna have to learn to live together some day."

"Don't remind me."

She continued her walk and I quietly trailed behind her, then realized that this wouldn't be as easy as I had hoped.