Catherine's POV

It was getting late. I hurriedly bought some chocolates, books, crayons and toys for kids. I buckled my seatbelt and drove towards the orphanage.

Dad insisted me to take the driver but

I wanted to go there alone and spend time with those cute little kids.

Everytime when I visit them they run towards me with their pure smiles calling me "sister".

Even though I am not an orphan they love me dearly and take me as their family. As soon as I parked my car, the orphanage assistant greeted me cheerfully and helped me carry the stuff that I brought for the kids.

I went into the garden and shouted

"little bunnies ,your sister is here"

In no minute they came running towards me and hugged me.

Six year old eva with her sweet excitement told me "sis catherine, we missed you! come lets play!"

I smiled and kissed her cherry cheeks.

I opened a pack of chocolate and gave one to Eva, she quickly tore the packaging and started gulping it down. Patting her back I said "eva dear..eat slowly"

Suddenly she started weeping and in her little chocked voice she said "sister..I am so hungry. I havent eaten anything from two days."

I was utterly shocked hearing her say that. I gave her more chocolates and dashed towards the orphanage office.

"Miss catherine welcome back, we all were waiting for you" said Kate

I Ignored her greetings and said "whats wrong with Eva? are you kidding me, she hasn't eaten for the past two days!?"

In her low voice kate said to me

"Miss catherine, we are sorry..we were not able to provide food to the kids "

My eyes widened hearing this and I said

"what?! "

She immediately looked down. Her poor soul was looking as if it was completely drenched in pain. Breaking her silence she said "This orphanage is being shut down..we are in heavy debt and selling this orphanage is the only option that we have...to..survive."

I took a deep breath and asked her "then what about the kids?"

With a guilty face she said "Unfortunately we will have to transfer the kids to different orphanages that accepts them "

Hearing this I felt weak. A strike of pain echoed in my heart. I could never imagine even in my wildest dreams that kids will be suffering to this extent.  Immediately I called my dad and told him about the situation.

"Dad I am worried about the kids. Please buy the orphange so that the future of the kids would become secure."

In no time dad replied

"catherine, you have always been such a kind hearted girl.

I will buy it for you but on one condition...come home early.

Mr and Mrs williams are visiting us and they particularly want to meet you"

laughingly I said " Oh dad! Thank you so much! I will come home early as promised"

As soon as I ended the call, Kate started crying and hugging me she said "Thank you so much miss."

I smiled and drove back home.

Banging the door lightly I said "mom! I am home!"

Our housemaid Lily opened the door showing me her big warm smile.I smiled back and ran to the kitchen.

I saw my beautiful mom decorating a chocolate cake. "Mom!" I exclaimed while hugging her from behind.

"Oh sweetie, you are back? "

asked my mom.

I was so lost in the sight of homebaked cake that without even realising I took a spoon and was about to take a bite but mum snapped my fingers and said "you naughty girl, Its not for you."

My expression turned dull and in a pleading manner I asked her " just one bite mom?please.."

She glared at me and said

"no! Its for Mrs Williams."

I pouted and rolling my eyes I said "Oh yeah... whatever. Dont tell me you love Aunt Williams more than me?"

She laughed and said "hahaha, enough with jokes. Go and dress up, they will be coming soon"

After one hour.

I decently decorated the dinning table with all those mouthwatering dishes and sweets that mom cooked. We all were waiting eagerly for their arrival.

Mr Williams is a close friend of my dad and Mrs Williams is my mother's cousin sister.

They both are friendly and take care of me just like their own daughter. I like them too. Everytime they visit us, they bring me a large beautiful rose bouquet. They very well know I am fond of red roses.

Ding dong....here they are.

My sweet roses, I am coming for you!

My parents cheerfully greeted them and Aunt hugged me saying "Catherine I can see, you are becoming more prettier day by day"

I blushed deeply and shyly said

"Thank you aunt"

After half an hour of chit chatting and gossiping, we sat to eat dinner. Uncle and aunt loved my mom's cooking.

Aunt asked my mom "sis which secret ingredient have you baked the cake with?"

My mum shyly replied "the secret ingredient is love my dear"

We all hilariously laughed at my mom's reply. After finishing dinner we went to the terrace.

I was busy chatting with Aunt.

Suddenly in a serious tone Mr William asked my dad "Matthew, we would like to have your daughter's hand in marriage with our son Zale"

I was dumbfounded. I never imagined that Mr William would ask that! My heartbeat was rising up just like a speedometer. My cheeks heated up. I turned my gaze down.

Dad looked at me and asked "sweetie, what do you think about this?"

I was feeling shy. I was embarassed. I didnt knew what to say or what to do.

I was lost in my own little world.

I imagined myself wearing an angelic snow wedding gown but to my surprise I couldn't bring up myself to imagine standing there on the aisle with Mr Zale.

My fantasised thoughts were interrupted when Mrs Williams asked me " Catherine, do you...do you love someone?"

Her question made me more shy than before. My stomach was exploding with butterflies. My cheeks were red as tamatoes.

I gazed towards her and said

"Aunt...I..um..no"

Mr and Mrs Williams relieved after hearing my reply.

My mom asked me "sweetie, what do you think"

I stared at her for a moment, not knowing what to say. I felt myself at a loss of words. Without realising I said "mom, dad whatever you decide for me is always right. My marriage is your choice. I am happy with whoever you both choose as my life partner. I love you"

Hearing this dad and mom enveloped me into a warm hug. I could see they were overflowing with happiness.

If this marriage makes them happy then surely this is my illuminating fate.

Damn! those butterflies.

Mr william came towards me and patting my shoulder he said "Catherine, me and your father were desperately nervous to ask you about marriage.Thank you for accepting us. We will be visiting soon together with Zale next weekend."

Zale.......Zale.......

His name echoed in my whole body. Each and every cell of my body was desperate to meet him.

I remember I met him five years ago..........

Zale's POV

Drowned in my raging anger I was flipping through the pages of my file. In the morning I overheard my parents conversation about my marriage with catherine. Pretending not to know about it, I hurriedly came to my office.

I have countless times told them not to bring this marriage shit infront of me but they never listen. Everytime when I want to have a calm talk with them, they always ruin my mood with their nonsensical pleads of marriage.

Moreover I dont like catherine.

I met her five years ago. I dont even remember how she looks like in person. After the tragic betrayal I suffered I, Zale Williams do not desire to get myself tied into this stupid knot of marriage.

Even if I marry her, I will never love her.This marriage will remain only for the namesake.

"Sir, Its late. Should I brew a coffee for you" asked my assistant Andrew.

I exhaled with a deep sigh signalling him to leave me alone. I grabbed my coat and went back home.

Quickly I took a nice warm shower and went downstairs to eat dinner. I was busy thinking about all the marriage crap that I didn't realise Dad was standing near me. He was staring at me with his stern eyes. Startled I chocked on my food. I glanced back at him asking "what now?"

He sat beside me. In his dangerously serious tone he said "After dinner, come to our room. We have something to talk to you about"

I rolled my eyes and nodded muttering to myself "Their marriage dreams are literally fucked up."

After finishing my dinner, I gulped down lukewarm lemon water and strode towards their room.They were merrily chit chatting with each other remembering their old romantic times.

Clearing my throat I said "what do you both want to talk about?"

I knew what they were going to bring up.

Well I already know what they are going to bring up.

I sat infront of them and expected them to say something. Lowering their head down they remained quiet. This pin drop silence was killing me. It was so quiet that I could hear the clock's irritating tik tok.

Raising my eyebrow in my sarcastic tone I declared "since you are not saying anything, I am going. I have lot more things to do than waste my time."

Finally dad broke his mute silence and said "son we want you to............ get married to catherine"

Looking deep into his eyes I said "I know, I heard you both talking about my marriage in the morning"

With their shocked expression they both looked at each other, then starred back at me as if expecting to hear something from me. I continued saying " I am not getting married. I dont want to!"

Sighying mom said "Zale, you have to. Finally we have found someone suitable for you. I bet you will love her"

Her statement made my nerves boil to the highest temperature. Loosing my temper I grabbed the flower vase and smashed it onto the floor.

I shouted "Love!? My foot! I am not marrying!" I declared

My dad stood up. Walking towards his wardrobe he brought back some contract papers. Handing the file over to me he said " Zale... read it"

Without wasting a single second I quickly went through the contract.

I became shocked after reading it.

My parents have gone mad. What the hell are they thinking?

With my ferocious eyes I looked at him and shouted "Dad! seriously? how can you do this?! "

He smirked. Patting my shoulder he laughed and said " yes! I am damn serious about it and you will have to marry catherine"

" What if I dont?" I blurted out.

He grinned and said " well my dear son, you already have read the contract. It says that If you dont marry Catherine then your C. E. O position and all your shares held by our company will be taken away. "

I furiously gritted my teeth , roaring at him " You cant take the decisions all by yourself. The buisness is mine too and I am the C.E.O!"

He snatched the contract from my hands. In his soothingly calm voice he said

"And I am the director as well as the chairman my son"

"Shit !" I wispered to myself.

Before I could object anymore, mom stood up. Caressing my shoulder she said "Zale.....son try to understand. You have turned 25 already. Its perfect age to get married. Catherine is the best choice for you. She is the most suitable life partner for you. Believe us child."

Holding her palms in my hand I said "mom I will surely get married when I want to but catherine... "

Dad cut me off in between. Folding his hands close to his chest he said " son, no buts anymore. You are marrying catherine and thats final. I know my son wont let me down. Tomorrow we are going to Mr williams mansion.There behave properly otherwise you know the consequences... and yeah the contract is valid, dosent matter if you sign it or not. "

My jaw dropped seeing his unique personality. Till now he has never forced me to do something nor he has ever restricted me to some contract. This is the very first time he is behaving so differently. What magic have you cast on them catherine. For you, my parents are not listening to my pleads. Its your fault.

I promise you catherine, you will suffer if you dared to marry me................

Catherine's POV

I have been daydreaming all day thinking about him. Whenever I imagine his handsome appearence, my heart skips a beat. I haven't seen him for the past five years. I wonder how he looks now.

Yesterday I wanted to stalk him on instagram but I couldn't find his profile.

I even searched on facebook and twitter but all my hardwork got wasted. Is he some 90's 80's fella? Dont tell me he doesn't use social media afterall he is the popular C.E.O of Williams corporation.

I was about to search Google for his pictures but then I stopped, thinking that I am going crazy.

Zale..... just prouncing his name makes my heart flutter. Imagining myself spending a romantic candle night dinner with him instantly heats my cheeks glowing red.

I have never been in any relationship. Maybe that's the reason I am thinking wildest moments with him. Fantasising about kissing under the moonlight, dancing together to the romantic beats of music . Each day I will serve him warm breakfast and by the end of the day we will peacefully eat dinner together. Cuddle and sleep. Thinking constantly about such moments colours me deep red.

Damn my imagination is running wild.

Waking myself back to reality from my stupid reveries filled with zale. I realised that in three hours they will be here soon.

I quickly cleansed myself in an aromatic warm bath.

Today I will be wearing a dazzling silver long frock.The tiny embroidered colourful flowers over its silky fibre makes me feel cheerfully radiant.

After wearing this I feel like a fairy running through the lush green woods. I dont like showing too much of my skin. Well thats who I am.

After dressing up, I carefully dried my wavy mahogany hair. Bringing volume to my hair, I half tied them.This is one of my favourite hairstyles.

Next I coated my light brown eyes with black winged eyeliner. For the final step I applied deep pink lipstick over my heart shaped lips. Lastly I applied a little highlighter to my glowy chubby cheeks. Here I am done!

I went to my parents room.

Standing beside my mom, in my softly shy voice I asked her "mom, am I looking good?"

The moment she saw me, her face ilumuminated with awe. Her eyes were filled with emmense immeasurable love. Suddenly a lone tear travelled through her eye.

She quickly wiped it. In her cracking emotional voice she said " cathe.... no matter what you wear you always look stunning. My beautiful princess. How will I bear leaving you? my precious emerald, I love you so much"

My heart was losing its strength. My eyes were becoming moist. Hugging her I said "mom... you are going to ruin my make up. Stop making me feel so miserable. I wont marry if you cry like this. "

Squeezing my face with her soft palms she said " you naughty child. Even in this emotional rollercoaster you only care about your make up huh? "

Authors POV

Poor catherine was lost in her own little world, she was imagining that after marriage her life would be amazingly perfect.

Her mind was wandering in the new regions of love that she never explored before. She was predictably sure that zale will treat her with utmost care showering her with his passionate love.The way she grew up with her parents.

After all he was chosen by her parents.

She believed that her parent's choice was best not only for her present self but also for her future self. Her purely innocent soul dedicated herself to zale. Zale was the only one for her. She never loved anyone. Catherine was enjoying this newly strange sensations of love.

Little did she knew that these sensations were the tiny waves which after her marriage will transform themselfves into giant waves engulfing her into unbearable pain. The temporary happiness that she is feeling right now will later convert itself into her greatest misery. The butterflies that are freely dancing in her stomach will turn into caged creatures eating her little by little.

After an hour

"hahahah compared with

catherine, zale was so mischievous when he was 5." said Mr Williams.

I chuckled at his statement. Zale was mischievous huh? atleast I came to know something about him. Since the time they have come, he hasn't looked at me even once. He is sitting here just like a statue.

No doubt he is devilishly handsome with his perfect sharp jawline. His carved five o clock shadow decently sits on his highly cheekboned face.

I feel myself getting lost in his grey piercing eyes. When he speaks, his manly brown lips catches my attention. Gosh how can be someone so beautiful. Its a sin to be this beautiful.

His broad masculine shoulders peeping out of his grey office coat makes him more sexier. His neatly combed dark brown hair makes me want to ruffle them. My ****** eyes cant tolerate such an angelic man.

Zale's POV

It been a while since we got here. I am feeling quite uncomfortable by the way she is checking me out from top to bottom. She thinks I am unaware about the fact that she is peeping through her long eyelashes at me every single minute. To my surprise she looks pretty. But she is too simple.

I am not a fan of total simplicity. The girls I used to play with wore revealing clothes.Their womenly faces were covered by truck loads of makeup but catherine seems different.

With her light peach makeup and her simple floral dress she looks innocently pretty. She is not my type not even a slight bit. She dosent look sexy instead she looks like a village girl. Her dress covers her body completely. She should have atleast shown some neckline or some cleavage just like other women slutting around me.

Well never mind, who I am to comment on her wearing styles. She can do whatever the **** she wants to do with her body. To me she will forever remain an outcasted pressure that parents put upon me.

Damn she was again checking me out. This time instead of ignoring her, I transferred my gaze upon her. For the first time our eyes met, she quickly looked down. Her blushed tamatoe like face was clearly visible to me. I rolled my eyes at her childish attitude. So this is the innocent magic she has casted on my parents.

Catherine you wait, I will break your magic so brutally that you will regret not just marrying me but meeting me in your entire lifetime.

Mrs williams said to me "Son, I think you both should stoll a walk on the terrace. Catherine take him there with you."

Hesitatingly she starred at her mom and then her eyes drifted back to me, signalling me to come with her.

Fixing my tie I stood up. To my surprise she was a bit tall. Our heights difference matches perfectly. Wagging my tail like a lost puppy I had to follow her towards her lush green, flowery terrace.

As we entered the terrace I inhaled the sweet fragrance of roses. It was amusing to me that the terrace was covered with all kinds of red roses.

I hate roses.

Even in this weather, cool wind was blowing. For a moment I lost myself in her. Her mahgony hair were swiftly drifting in the wind. Seeing me staring at her, timidly she tugged her hair behind her ear. This action of her made me irritated.

I marched towards her and grabbed one of her shoulder lightly. Feeling my sudden movement she flinched back.

I looked deeply into her brown eyes.

Releasing her from my tight grip I asked her "catherine why do you want to marry me?"

She blushed again. I am getting infuriated by her. I simply asked her a question, yet she is blushing for no reason. Lowering her head down she said "parents told me so. Its parents choice"

Hearing her ridiculous reply I laughed. She looked at me confusingly. I glared back at her. In my seriously sarcastic tone I told her "miss catherine dont play with me. You want to marry me because of money right?"

Her eyes widened in complete shock. Her eyelashes began blinking continuously. She tried to say something but found herself at a loss of words.

Her silence boiled my anger.

I asked her again "you have a tongue right? speak."

She hesitatingly looked at me and said "No.... Its just that Mr zale... you seem very different from the article that I read about you"

As I went close to her, she began panicking. I leaned towards her neck. Wispering to her I said "even salt looks like sugar. Dont believe everything you hear or see miss catherine."

She slightly pushed me back and lowered her gaze down. She clasped her fingers staring at the floor.

I sighed and turned behind only to see these nasty roses.

"Why only red roses are planted here?" I asked her.

Hearing my question she looked up in excitement and ran to one of the rose pots. Plucking out one she said "I love red roses.

I planted them here.Their mesmerising fragrance makes me feel cheerful."

She came towards me offering me her plucked rose. I took the rose from her hand. Brutally I tore apart its petals and threw it on the floor"

Dismayed by my action she muttered "why did you...do that?"

Raising my eyebrow, I scowled at her saying "If you dare marry me, your condition will be just like this fragile rose. I will make you suffer each day and every night."

Glaring at her with my

bloodshot eyes I said

"DONT marry me or else you will have the taste of what hell feels like."

She was standing there astonished. She didn't say anything. Leaving her alone

I went downstairs.

Catherine I warned you not to marry me. If you do I will make you suffer till no extent.........

I told my dad I had some urgent matter to attend. I drove back to my company.

Catherine's POV

My dreams , my imaginations were completely crushed by his merciless words. My body began shivering.

I thought Zale was a good person but he is somone I cant even recognise as a human.

The sight of him cruelly tearing my red rose revolved around me. I cant marry him. I ran downstairs. Inhaling deep breaths I declared " Mom, I cant marry him"

They all became stunned after hearing me denying the marriage. Mr william was filled with anger. His eyes bulged out.

Mrs william stood up and came towards me. She hugged me. After starring at me for a minute she said "catherine....he said something? He might have said he dont want to marry you right? daughter please dont mind him. He has become cold and emotional less person because something tragic happened with him two years back.

Catherine...We believe only you have the power to heal his wounds. The first time we saw you, we came to realise that you, solely are the life partner for him. We want to see you both as a couple. Please Dont deny the marriage proposal catherine.....I bet he will change after marriage. Unquestionably he will transform himself after marrying you. Believe us child."

Aunt's words somehow calmed me down. I can feel he will surely change after marrying me.

I will heal his soul, his wounds, his heart.

Zale.............I will melt the crystallised ice freezed in his heart. I will change him.

I will make him fall in love with me. Thinking this I agreed to marry him............