Kapitel 2: Everything has a price tag

Cordelia

Few hours ago

'I think this will do.' Stacy said passing me a hideous dress. Certainly, my best friend even after all these years of friendship wasn't aware of the style I liked.

'Stacy, have you ever seen me wearing lace?'

'But there's nothing wrong in this!' She protested after giving the dress another good look.

I closed my eyes and sighed. Being stuck in a cheap store to buy the dress that's going to decide my future wasn't enough that I'd increased my headache by bringing her here. The way she behaved no one would believe her father owned one of the biggest talent management agencies and that her mother was the founder of a luxurious brand of watches.

'I have to go to meet my grandfather, not seduce a boyfriend! This will not work.'

'Then what will you wear? Everything here is either not according to your taste or the rest are out of your budget.' She pouted. Someone tell her, it was me who went broke not her.

We were in a discussion again about the dress when her driver came inside. 'Ma'am, it's time for your training. We should leave.' She looked at me. I nodded to tell her it was okay.

'Will you be able to manage?' She asked in concern.

I patted her back. 'I will. Don't worry.'

'Okay then, keep me updated about how it goes.' I nodded again and she followed her driver outside. Stacy was training to become an actress. Her parents were pretty serious about it though she wasn't sure. Why is she doing it then? This is because despite being born into such a wealthy family, she always came second to her elder brother, the one who was considered an heir. She had to find something to sustain herself, especially when she had an example like me before her.

If you're thinking how come someone rich and privileged became friends with me, then here's the whole story or the gist of it. I, Cordelia Rosette used to be the heiress to the Rosette Perfume Co., a business my very respectable father started, sustained, and made successful through his hard work. Ever since I was a child there was nothing that I wished I had and didn't. Everything was always at my feet. So much so that "princess" became a synonym for my name. But just like every princess, my story saw a big problem when my father made that announcement four months ago.

'Cordelia, there's been a recent discovery due to which certain I have decided to change certain things. My business will have another heir. Hope you will understand.'

That's what I got after spending years of my youth studying my ass off, just so that I could prove to him that I was capable. I was kicked out due to a discovery! Don't get me started on the discovery. Just know that an important part of it was that I had a grandfather I wasn't aware of in all these years of my existence.

Today I was going to meet him because after two months of persistent efforts he'd finally agreed to help me. He said I had to look my best since he was going to give me a test only after which he would let me become a part of his family and invest in my new venture. Everything depends on how today goes and hence the stress over the dress.

With a constrained budget, my options were also limited, only if dad hadn't canceled all my cards. 'Ma'am, would you be buying this one?' The assistant of the store manager asked me.

I looked over to the desk from where the manager was staring at me. I cleared my throat. Stacy was right, this lace dress, no matter how much of a put-off it was, was the best option for me. 'Yes.' The assistant forced a smile and took the dress for me to pack it.

'Here's your dress ma'am.' She handed me the bag and I took it from her after paying for it.

I looked at the watch hanging behind the desk and noticed the time. 'Shoot! I'm late!'

'Is there a problem ma'am?'

'Um, can I change into this here?'

'Of course ma'am. Feel free to use the changing room.'

I rushed inside the changing room and slipped on the dress. Strangely it fit well, though it still looked a bit sultry with its length being a lot distanced from the knee. That it covered my backside and my thighs was a blessing. The neckline was deep and no matter how much I stretched the fabric together, anyone who saw me could guess the size of my lingerie. I looked into the mirror, what am I doing? Never had I ever been so conscious about my appearance before.

Moving my fingers in my hair to straighten them and applying a little lip color, I got out of the changing room and after thanking the assistant I went on to take a cab.

The address he'd sent to me was of a restaurant I'd been to before. I'd been to every five-star in the city. Only now I depended on someone else to pay for me. I walked inside and asked the receptionist. 'Mr. Takahashi had a reservation here. I'm his guest.' I was received by a warm smile and nod. Someone escorted me to the private section he'd booked.

'Grandpa, I'm here.' I said as I opened the door, not knowing that the door will open the gate to a living hell for me. What do I see in front of me is not just the man I got to know was my grandfather four months ago but along with him was sitting the boy, no, now he was a man, the man who made me want to curse the very moment my eyes landed on him.

I snorted when grandpa called him young and dashing. That was the moment his eyes fell on me. The shock, oh I loved it. I smirked, so he was also unaware of me coming here. But the question is why he is here. And how does he know my grandfather? I maintained a calm expression. Let him think I knew he was going to be here. I'm sure he's baffled by now. The cold voice with which he greeted me says it all.

'Hello there Jackson.' I said while challenging him to a staring game.

Grandpa was confused so he asked, 'You guys know each other already?

He scoffed. 'I wish I didn't.'

'The feeling is mutual.' He better not think otherwise!

'Well, it seems you two aren't on the best terms. But what to do, this has to change. After all, I plan on getting you two married.'

'Married?' Both I and the asshole sitting in front shouted together.

I stuttered. 'Grandpa, what are you talking about?'

He took a deep breath. 'Cordelia, this is what I was talking about when I said you have to give a test to get what you want.'

'But…..' There were no words. He wanted me to marry that asshole! Never!

Mr. Jackass decided to speak, 'Grandpa, this cannot happen. We…are….we're….'

I stared at him. Did he call my grandfather, his? 'Since when is he your grandpa?'

'Since always.' He sneered while getting up to face me.

'What is he saying?' I turned toward the old man who had more grandkids than he let people know.

He smiled. 'Jackson is like my grandson only.'

I scoffed and turned back to the imposter grandkid. 'Oh, so he is LIKE a grandson. I get it. It means he is not!' Jackass winced. Looks like I'd touched a nerve.

'Grandpa, can we talk in private about this? I don't want to talk with you in front of a two-month-old granddaughter!' My jaw twitched. Did he just say that? He knows Mr. Takahashi found out about me only two months ago.

'No! I will talk to him first! Grandpa, what's happening?' I asked in anxiousness.

'Silence!' Grandpa raised his hand in the air to bring peace to the table. Both I and the one I hated shut our mouths. 'Now, I know this is surprising news for both of you because you weren't expecting this.'

'This more of a shock!' I muttered only to receive a sharp look from Grandpa. 'Sorry.'

'Cordelia, you set out to find me because you needed my help. Jackson, you wanted to meet me this time because I suppose you too need something from me.'

'No, I don't…..'

'Jackson, hear me out first, son.' He called him a son. Why? How did they even know each other? 'After putting a lot of thought into it, I have decided that will help the two of you who are my family but only if you fulfill my condition. Get married.'

'I can marry someone else. Anyone you want me to, but not her.' Jackass spoke quickly. Huh! As if I'm dying to be with him!

'Same here. If you want me to settle down, so be it. But the guy has to be someone else. Not this pauper!'

'You!' Jackass pointed his finger at me and I smirked.

'Sit down both of you! Now!' Reluctantly we followed Grandpa's order. 'I have made it very clear. Now it is up to you two to decide whether you will accept it or not.'

I had to reason him out so I said, 'But why do you want us to get married?'

'Same question.' Cheater! I snapped in my head at the guy who was full of himself.

Grandpa looked from me to him and then at his hands. 'I was left in an orphanage when I was two. No one knew who dropped me there, why they did it. I craved family all my life. It was not until I was an adult that a family claimed I was their heir and gave me all of their wealth. There was money but no one to call my own because my parents had passed away by then. My father was the only child and his aunt had found me to make sure the Takahashi family was not left behind without an heir. When I met Jackson, there was a connection between us two. I've always considered him like my grandson. Then Cordelia entered my life, my granddaughter. I realized both of you lacked something, family. To give you that, to make sure you both whom I love dearly are never left unloved, I have decided that both of you should get married to each other. This way my family stays complete.'

He was genuinely concerned. This could be because of what happened in my family. When I told him how my father refused to give me the family business, he was upset with me. I guess that made him decide to arrange a marriage alliance for me so that there's always someone to take care of me. But he has to know that someone cannot be, this jackass. Jackson Carter was the last person Cordelia Rosette will get married to.

Grandpa stood up. 'I have spoken my heart. Now it is up to you two to decide.' And then before the two of us could begin to talk again he left us in that room alone.

I breathed loudly. 'This will never happen.'

'You think I will let it happen? Keep dreaming Cordelia!'

I turned to him. 'What did you say? I'm dreaming to marry you. Only a jerk like you would think that!'

'Who do you think you're abusing? Do you even know who I am?'

'Don't care. never have, never will. Loser!' I was about to walk out of the room too when he grabbed my hand and pushed me toward the wall. 'What are you doing?'

'I'm not a loser.'

'You always were and from the way it looks, you still are.' I chortled. He hated it, his dark eyes were telling me. His head moved close to me, looks like he was in the mood for a head-butt. Bring it on! I was ready. But the moment I smirked inviting him for a fight he moved his face to my right ear.

He whispered. 'The one who scores the pricy queen of high school is never a loser, brat!' I gasped and pushed him away. He was grinning. Argh! Why did he have to bring the past right now? I was breathing heavily now. I hated him without a doubt!

'Stop making lies! You never scored anything loser!' I spat.

He came at me again and this time pinned my hands to the sides of my head. To hide from his staring eyes I looked away but his hot breath made sure to continuously make me feel his presence. Suddenly his hand shifted to hold both of my hands together above my head. I tried to resist but to no avail.

'You moron!' I shouted. By this time his hand was moving to the back of my dress slowly traveling upwards. When he was at the shoulder he slid the sides to expose my shoulder and then went on to move his hand inside the fabric. My eyes widened. 'Jackson, stop it!'

'So now you know my name.' He smirked and I closed my eyes as the tingle his touch was creating in my stomach was too much to bear. When do you hate your body? The moment it decides to betray you.

His hand now had direct contact with my back and I could feel the goosebumps. I collected all my willpower and pushed him away. This seemed easy, or maybe he let go himself. I looked at him to check what happened.

A small plastic cutout hanging from the string was dangling in his hand. 'Price tag?' I'd forgotten to remove it in a hurry.

He scoffed. 'I guess they you went broke as I had hoped for.' He could barely contain his laughter, leaving me fuming. He threw the price tag at my feet and said, 'Miss Rosette, if you ever need tips on how to manage the life of a pauper, please don't feel free to contact me because I only talk to people of my standard.'

I gritted my teeth. He buttoned his suit jacket and left me there to pick up my price tag.