Jade's POV
Leaving Grandfather and Alexander's mother in the living room with their faces as red as tomatoes, I couldn't help but relish the sight of their stunned expressions. They seemed utterly lost for words, their shock rendering them momentarily mute. Outside, Alexander and I stood beside my car. He held an umbrella over our heads to shield us from the blazing afternoon sun.
The scene indoors replayed in my mind, and the urge to laugh bubbled within me. Though I tried to suppress it, I eventually burst into laughter, unable to contain myself any longer. The sound startled Alexander, who had been silently standing beside me, and even drew curious glances from the maids scattered about the mansion grounds, busy attending to their various duties.
"Are you okay? And… are you really serious about marrying three men at once?" Alexander finally asked, breaking the silence that had hung between us. His tone carried a mixture of confusion and curiosity as his sharp gaze focused on me. "Am I not good enough for you that you had to bring in two other men? Or… do you need to see a doctor?"
I abruptly stopped laughing, my expression shifting to one of mild annoyance. If there was one thing I couldn't stand, it was foolish questions, especially when I was in a good mood. Turning to face him, I fixed him with a pointed stare.
"You already signed the documents, which means you've agreed. So, what's with the questions?" I retorted, my tone sharp but controlled.
Alexander raised his hands slightly, as though in surrender. "I don't mean to annoy you," he said softly. "I just thought you might be pulling our legs. And, of course, I accept and respect your decisions… but people will talk. Once news breaks that you're marrying three men at the same time, the gossip will be endless." Concern was evident on his face, and his furrowed brows only served to irritate me further.
I smirked inwardly, amused by his feigned innocence. What was with the pretense? Did he truly think I couldn't see through him? There was no doubt that the men I'd chosen had their reasons for agreeing to this unusual arrangement. It was all going according to plan, just as it should.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed in my bag, pulling me from my thoughts. I reached for it and quickly unlocked it with the face ID. The name on the screen made me smile knowingly. It was Kira, and I already had a good idea of the news she was about to deliver.
Her voice came through the speaker, steady but laced with skepticism. "Hi, Jade. I was only able to secure two men. No one else was willing to accept such a… ridiculous offer. Honestly, I think the two who agreed must have lost their minds."
A small, satisfied smile curled my lips as I listened. This was exactly what I had been waiting for. "Where are they now?" I asked, my tone calm yet eager.
"They've already moved into your house," Kira replied with a faint sigh. "The moment they signed the agreement, they packed their belongings and headed straight here. It's insane, Jade. Are you absolutely sure about this? I mean, are you doing this just to spite your family? I know how much you hate it when they try to dictate your life, but this feels… extreme. Once people find out you've got three men living under your roof, the backlash will be massive. 'The heiress of the Sinclair family isn't only suffering from health disease, but she's crazy too'. That would be the headline."
"Stop asking questions, Kira," I said firmly, cutting off her worries. "I know exactly what I'm doing, so there's no need for you to stress. Just make sure they're comfortable. I'll be back home soon."
Kira sighed audibly on the other end. "Well, your house is heavily guarded, so if any of these men turn out to be troublemakers, security will handle them. But still…"
"Good," I interrupted, my voice final. Before she could say anything else, I ended the call and turned to face Alexander once more.
He was still staring at me, his expression a mixture of bewilderment and disbelief.
"Since you've agreed to be my husband, meet me at my mansion tonight," I said, my tone cold and businesslike. "That's where we'll all be living together." Without waiting for his response, I opened the car door and slipped inside.
The chauffeur, who had been standing at attention, quickly took his place in the driver's seat. With a smooth motion, he guided the car out of my family's mansion and onto the bustling afternoon streets.
As I leaned back in my seat, a small, triumphant smile played on my lips. Everything was falling into place, just as I had envisioned. Now the real deal is starting.
_________
Tristan D'Leon's POV
I'm now tied to the Sinclair family heiress through a contract marriage. Crazy, right? This wasn't part of my plan not even remotely but I guess it happened for the best. Valen's going to lose his mind when he finds out. I didn't even bother to tell him I'd moved out of the house we shared. Leaving him to live alone while I go shack up under a woman's roof? Yeah, he'll definitely call me a psycho. But do I care? Not even a little.
Being married to Jade Sinclair comes with certain… privileges. As her husband, I'll have the right to get intimate with her. And when that happens, I'll finally be able to reclaim my jade pendant. The necklace is a lifeline for me, it keeps me safe from the sun. Without it, I've been forced to rely on Valen's sun-protection liquor, which isn't sustainable. Now that he's not here, I have to fend for myself.
But it's not just the pendant. Jade's family heirloom has always been on my radar. By staying close to her, I can make it mine. And why stop there? I could enjoy the Sinclair heiress before her inevitable death and, of course, ensure that her family's vast fortune becomes mine as well. It's a win-win situation.
Apart from being a vampire and, naturally, extremely rich, I have another skill set which is scamming people. I suppose that trait will never leave me. After all, I was a scammer long before I became a vampire. Most of my wealth comes from conning people. Strange as it may sound, I find a twisted sense of joy in it. But to be clear, I only scam the wicked, the greedy, the corrupt, the ones who think they can outsmart the world. There's a certain poetic justice in it, I suppose.
Living under Jade's roof is a golden opportunity. It would make everything, every single one of my plans so much easier.
All I have to do now is stay close to her, play my cards right, and wait for the perfect moment.
That illusion shattered the moment I walked into this mansion's lavish living room and found another guy sitting there.
I had assumed I was the only man marrying Jade. That was, until I finished signing the documents and learned the truth: there are three of us. Three men, all married to the same woman.
The Jade I spent the night with just yesterday didn't seem this unhinged or maybe she was, and I just didn't notice. Either way, I never expected things to spiral this quickly.
Three men? Why? Does she have some illness I don't know about? Something worse than her heart disease, like a mental illness?
"Excuse me, miss. When will Miss Sinclair be here?" the guy across from me asked. His question was directed at the lady who had introduced herself as Kira, the same woman who made me sign that damned contract.
The man looked like he was in his early twenties. He had dyed blue hair, striking green eyes, and was dressed in a shiny silver shirt paired with black pants. A guitar rested in his lap. He screamed artist, and judging by the slightly desperate air around him, I could tell he was an up-and-comer, not yet a star.
"She'll be here soon," Kira replied with a polite, warm smile before turning her attention toward me. "I hope you're comfortable, Mr. D'Leon? If you need anything at all, then just let me know."
I gave a curt nod, though I couldn't help but notice the way her gaze lingered on me a second too long. Was she crushing on me? Wouldn't be the first time. Women can't seem to resist me, and Kira's no exception.
Bang!
The door to the living room suddenly swung open, slamming against the wall. The sound was enough to make us all turn our attention toward the entrance.
There she was...Jade Sinclair, the woman we'd been waiting for.
The pull of my jade pendant grew stronger the moment she entered. I'd already sensed her presence before she stepped into the mansion; the pendant's connection to her heart made that impossible to ignore. Yes, the jade is inside her. I could feel it.
My gaze was fixed on her, the same woman I'd met the night before, but completely transformed. Gone was the golden-haired goddess I'd seen last night. Standing there now, Jade looked like the devil incarnate.
Her fiery red hair cascaded over her shoulders in loose waves, a stark contrast to her sharp black suit. Crimson lipstick accentuated the curve of her lips, and her heels clacked against the floor as she strode into the room with an air of authority and sat before me and the other guy. Everything about her was red or black, bold, dramatic, and unsettling.
Damn… What was she thinking?
The young artist shifted nervously in his seat, while Kira stood quietly by the wall, observing the scene. I, on the other hand, leaned back in my chair, crossing my legs as I kept my gaze locked on Jade.
"Nice hair," I drawled, my lips quirking into a smirk. "Didn't peg you for the 'Lucifer in heels' look, but it suits you."
Jade's eyes narrowed as she turned her attention to me. Then, just as quickly, she shifted her gaze away from me.
There was no doubt she didn't recognize me and I love that. I had manage to erase her memory about last night incident afterall. She wasn't the first person I've done that to anyways.
I couldn't help but chuckle. This was going to be interesting. Very interesting.