Arranged Marriage: The Lost Bet

Chapter Six

Lucas started to forget about Arianna. With money in hand, he felt ready to return to his normal life. He tightened his arm around the naked woman in his king-sized bed, who stirred and smiled up at him.

"Mm, hi Handsome." Lucas had one rule: he never slept with the same woman twice. He wanted to avoid commitment and the risk of a one-night stand getting pregnant and claiming his money.

"I think you need to go," he said coldly.

"What?" The blonde gasped, sliding deeper under the covers.

"I said you need to leave."

"I...I don't understand, baby. I thought this is what you wanted?" she whispered.

Lucas laughed. "No, I just needed a good time. I got it, and now I want you to go."

Tears filled her eyes. "You used me?"

"Yes, I did. Now leave willingly, or I'll drag you out myself."

"You wouldn't!" she yelled.

Lucas's expression remained impassive as he assessed the situation. He'd dealt with women before who didn't take rejection well, but he had no plans to coddle her feelings. He had a life to get back to, and he wasn't about to let anything—or anyone—complicate it.

"Sweetheart, I'm not here to play games," he said, his voice icy. "You had your fun, and now it's time for you to go."

The blonde, still wrapped in his sheets, looked small and vulnerable. Lucas could see the conflict in her eyes—fear, anger, and a flicker of desperation. But he felt no pity. He had made his intentions clear from the beginning, and he wasn't about to compromise his own rules.

"Please," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "I can stay. I can make breakfast! We can—"

"Enough!" Lucas snapped, cutting her off. The authority in his tone silenced her, and for a moment, he felt a twinge of guilt. But he quickly brushed it aside. He had worked too hard to build his empire to let anyone sidetrack him, especially not someone he had no real interest in.

"Look," he said, forcing his voice to soften just a fraction. "You're a lovely woman, but this was never meant to go anywhere. Just gather your things and leave. I promise I'll make sure you get a ride home."

With that, he turned away, striding toward the bathroom to wash his face and clear his mind. He could hear the muffled sounds of her sniffling behind him, but he didn't turn back. He had his boundaries, and he wasn't about to let them crumble for the sake of someone who had willingly walked into his life for a night.

As he splashed cold water on his face, he couldn't help but reflect on how liberating it felt to finally be free from the emotional entanglements of his past. Arianna was just a fleeting memory, and he intended to forget her completely. After all, he had money, independence, and the freedom to do whatever he wanted.

When he returned to the bedroom, the blonde had pulled on her clothes, her face still red from the earlier confrontation. She looked up at him, and Lucas could see the resolve in her eyes.

"Fine," she said, her voice steadier now. "But you're a real piece of work."

"Yeah," he replied.

"GO TO HELL, LUCAS!!!" she yelled as he tossed her clothes out the door.

Lucas smirked at her furious expression. "I'm already there, baby," he said, slamming the door in her face.

♠️♦️♣️♥️

Tonight, Lucas would attend the cutting ceremony for his newest hotel in New York. A wave of pride washed over him, his success and power radiating in all directions.