NOVA POV
TWO DAYS LATER
The car door hissed open, and the soft crunch of my heels on marble echoed against the circular driveway.
The sun was dipping low, painting the sky in strokes of rose.
Just as I adjusted the collar of my satin blazer, four more cars rolled in behind me, black and glossy like loyal shadows.
The first door swung open and out came two figures I had hoped would stay in the third act until I told them.
"Darling!" my mother shrieked as she ran yes, ran toward me in her four-inch heels and designer pearls.
Well, my family looks a bit complicated, I am their only daughter and also now the CEO of a beauty company… The Vaughn Beauty Line.
"You are finally introducing us to your man! I have been waiting for this since your arrival on Earth."
I flinched at her ecstasy. "Mum, mum, mum… stay back." My teeth clenched tight as I lifted a hand in warning.
"We don't have to act lovingly until we are beside him. No hugging. Just hold my arm and smile like the gracious matriarch of a Beauty empire."
She adjusted her clutch, smoothing down her unnecessary excitement like static cling. "Fine. I was just… practicing," she muttered with a pout.
Dad also got to where we stood with a little smile but that struck expression look was still there.
"Good day, Dad." He let out a slight nod and I looked back to the building in which our meeting with the Carter family was to take place.
I was walking toward the grand staircase when another car pulled up, sleeker and slower than the rest.
The moment I saw the Caters family crest etched on the license plate, my spine straightened.
"They are here!" my heart makes a loud thump when I see their cars pulled up.
Their security team lined up at once, and two guards opened the door.
Calvin Carter alighted from the car first, his head held high, tie slightly loose. For a man no one dared look in the eyes, he certainly made it hard to look away.
God, why is he so dangerously good-looking? This wasn't just a deal anymore it was temptation in its purest, most infuriating form.
Just then Calvin's parents exited like royalty disembarking from a throne elegant, polished.
This is it. The final phase. The performance of a lifetime.
I turned to my parents and gave them a look. The one that said, 'If you ruin this, I will have your bank accounts frozen before dessert.'
They straightened instantly.
We met halfway up the path. Calvin's eyes caught mine, and he offered a smile that was cool, composed, yet disarming. I arched my brow, so he didn't feel I was getting so interested in him."
At least, that's what I kept telling myself.
"Welcome Mr and Mrs Carter…" I greeted them warmly, as they both got to us and I didn't miss the look on Mrs Carter's face.
The parents exchanged greetings with themselves as she just avoided me totally, while Calvin grabbed my hands pulling me back as if separating me from them.
"Shall we?" Calvin gestured toward the doors, and we all walked In perfectly.
Inside, we were led to the gold-trimmed beautiful VIP room, with Soft jazz playing in the background.
Everyone had their seat at the round table, as some ladies came to serve our wine.
I sat beside Calvin, and as his thigh brushed against mine he leaned in, whispering in a voice low enough to shiver down my neck.
"You look beautiful.." I almost blushed at this but managed to control myself.
"You don't look bad either," I mumbled and he snickered back… again he leaned closer to me.
"They are hard to please, so good luck dealing with them."
I turned toward him slowly, eyes narrowed. He smirked like he knew what I was thinking.
Then his mother cleared her throat, breaking the moment with a sweet, lethal smile. "So," she began, addressing my parents across the room, "I have heard our children have been dating for nearly half a year now."
Half a what?! My brow twitched. I turned to Calvin in silent outrage. He reached over and casually took my hand.
"Go with the flow," he mouthed.
I downed half my wine in one gulp. "Yes… a business trip turned into a personal one," I said, fabricating the lie. "I had gone for one business meeting so… we clicked immediately just like that."
It wasn't that much of a lie because we did meet in the gathering.
His father raised a brow, intrigued, and knew things were just getting started. "Business, you say? Are you an only child, the Vaughns?"
My father stepped in smoothly like he had rehearsed it because he had. "Our one and only. The apple of our eyes, she creates the empire herself and handles all international acquisitions."
Mr Carter smiled at this. "Impressive. What industry?"
"THE VAUGHNS BEAUTY LINE." Dad read out, even though I am pretty sure they might not have heard of it since it just rising.
His eyes gleamed like an answer bought us time. "Wow… I always heard how the company just joined the top 5 this year… that is impressive."
"I am honored… Mr Carter." I answered excitedly at how things were going my way.
Then, the inevitable question arrived, spoken sweetly by Calvin's mother. One could tell she is just interested in the love life of her son.
"What do you see in my son that makes you interested in him?" Then I blinked slowly.
What did I see? I thought and turned to Calvin and offered a half-smile.
"Maybe because he is the kind of man that doesn't go after just anything under a skirt Or maybe… maybe it's just the way those eyes always gain my attention immediately." All these were being said with my eyes on Calvin as I pretended to give him a living look.
The whole room turned silent and Calvin smirked, making me glance back at his parents. Mr Carter and his wife stared at me without blinking and I needed to look at my parents for help.
"Mr and Mrs Carter… well.. Our daughter hasn't been the type that deals with love much, so maybe you can pardon her choice of words." Dad butted in and mum followed.
"Yes, with the way she says things about Calvin we can tell she loves him."
Just then Father chuckled into his wine glass, followed by his mother nodding, delighted.
"I accept you. You're exactly the kind of woman this family needs. Confident and Clever." Mrs Carter let out excitedly, suddenly changing her countenance toward me.
She stood. "Let's begin wedding preparations immediately…"
My eyes widened instantly, "Mum!" Calvin and I said in unison.
She paused, blinking. "You called me… Mum?"
I smiled. "Yeah… you would be my mother-in-law soon." she scoffed trying to play things off as she blushed.
"Please don't get too excited. I don't want anything extravagant. Just your blessing… and a private ceremony."
"No paparazzi. No headlines. Just us," I added, turning to Calvin.
His eyes searched mine like he couldn't decide if I was teasing or sincere. Then he nodded.
"That would be fine."
His mother sighed dramatically. "Well, I am proud of my son. He chose a beautiful woman instead of a slut so I am happy you are different and would be his wife."
"Wow, Mum, I am pleased I am honored to get that from you," I appreciate.
"Well, let's not forget… Dad… Mum.. I brought a little winny gift for you and Dad," I said with a soft smile, trying not to seem too eager, though I had spent hours selecting and packaging the perfect pieces.
Before she could even respond, a gentle knock echoed and Summe walked in gracefully, carrying two beautifully wrapped boxes, one in shimmering ivory with a satin rose-gold ribbon, and the other, sleek black with gold-embossed lettering that bore my brand Vaughn Luxe.
"Mum, Dad," I began, nodding at Summer who stepped forward, "This is Summer, my assistant and product consultant. She will walk you through these."
Summer bowed slightly in respect, her polished tone immediately commanding warmth
"Mr. and Mrs. Carter, it's truly an honor. These are selections from Vaughn Luxe, our newest private collection. They haven't hit the market yet, you are the first to receive them."
She turned first to my future mother-in-law and gently handed her the rose-gold box. "This one's for you, ma'am. It contains a full rejuvenation set that helps your skin glow."
"Oh my…" Mrs Carter gasped, her perfectly arched brows lifting as she untied the ribbon delicately. I found out she is obsessed with skin care so I thought it was like the best gift.
She pulled out the serum bottle and held it up to the light. "This is… exquisite."
Summer beamed. "Apply two drops of that before bed. You will wake up with skin softer than a secret."
She laughed gently, eyes brightening. "Darling, you are going to have to hide these from me or I will bathe in them."
Now, Summer turned to the black box and handed it to Mr. Carter with a polite smile. "Sir, yours is a different kind of care."
He raised a brow, intrigued, and opened the box with a patient hand.
Inside was a handcrafted glass bottle dark, sleek, sharp-edged nestled in midnight velvet. Next to it sat an engraved silver box containing a set of vintage cufflinks.
Summer spoke with the same gentle respect. "This fragrance is made with smoked oud, vetiver, and a touch of Sumatran spice." He chuckled slowly, lifting the cologne and taking a slow inhale. "Now that smells like an empire."
I smiled back at them, as I could see the proud look on their faces. "Guess… this is where the collaboration between the Vaughns and Carter begins." Mr Carter announced and Dad smiled.
"We are happy, you are accepting our daughter with full hands." but then Calvin stood and offered his hand to me, gesturing for me not to dare say no.
I was so invested in his parents I didn't recall he was in the room with me. "Excuse us, as well as your parents catching up. We need a moment alone."
"Of course, you have the whole time to yourself." His mum gestured and then Mum pulled me kissing my foreheads
We walked down the hall, and finally, when getting to a room, he pulled me inside, shut the door behind us, and turned, staring at me weirdly.
I turned to him and then sauntered back at him with my swaying hips, of course, I knew why he brought me here.
"What is it?" I asked playfully. "You look like you're about to propose again," I said placing my hands on his chest as I slowly caressed it, but caught my wrist gently. "Don't."
I tilted my head. "Don't what? Touch my future husband?" but his expression was blank.
"How did you know exactly what my mother wanted to hear And my father? How did you even know what they liked?"
I raised a brow. "You think I walked into this blind?" He frowned. "Don't play dumb."
I smiled, brushing past him. "It's called research. I don't enter deals without reading every page of the book… including the family tree."
He exhaled, laughing under his breath. "You are weird."
"No," I corrected. "I am prepared. You lied about our 'relationship.' I simply played my part better."
He stared at me, and I could see it, he was falling. I turned toward the door. "By the way… wearing green to your future wife's engagement dinner? That is rude."
He whipped his head toward me, caught off guard. I smirked, pushing open the door.
"Green? Why would you know that? How.."
"Ma'am… you can't say anything about his ex-girlfriend… No one knows this." my eyes widened as I turned to him with a sly grin, hoping he wouldn't push this so I tried to play this off.
"Let's get back to dinner, darling," I called over my shoulder. "Wouldn't want to miss the food." I brushed off the topic and he gave me a wide look before sighing and nodding his head.
"Fine."
"Thanks for saving me, Summer," I whispered to my assistant discreetly over the comm inside of my ear. Green is the favorite color of his ex-girlfriend who I heard he is still obsessed with. He kept their relationship secret so I get why he is shocked that I knew about his choice of color.
Just then Summer's voice came through my earpiece. "Anytime, boss. Task Two is complete. One last phase to go."
I smiled to myself.