On the banks of village river Mia stood staring at the sinking sun. Her gaze was unwavering she was beautiful with fair skin wearing a loose fitted white top and a skirt, which was just moving according to the flow of wind. She was holding a white paper loosely that could fly out any movement from her grip. Then the grip on paper tightened which crumpled it as if coming to a resolution Mia turned and walked back to the house with her head high. 

The paper was not a simple paper it was a letter. Letter from Jake. Jake was Mia's childhood friend and her once so-called boyfriend. Whom she was going to get married to, but didn't as the groom didn't arrive and disappeared without a single word. And now after five years there was a letter stating only two sentences "You are mine. I won't let anyone have you". It was not easy for Mia to forget everything and agreeing to get married to Alex and this was the only way that could make her parents stop worrying about her. Alex was the son of her Dad's business partner and she personally had worked with him and she knew he was a very good person with good looks and brains. He agreed to marry her accepting her past and understanding her very well. He even said that he loved her but only she couldn't reply with the same words. When she felt that she could lead her life with Alex the marriage was announced and it was arranged for today. She couldn't let her marriage getting ruined once again by Jake. Thinking what he might do and how to stop, Mia was walking to and fro in the makeup room. 

"Mia come on you are the next. Mia are you listening Mia..." came the voice of jenny, Mia's best friend who stood at the door looking outside and waving her hand in a gesture to come out. Mia coming out of her thoughts saw jenny and asked "Did Alex go?"  jenny nodded and said "come on hurry up your Dad and everyone's waiting up for you." Mia started walking towards the door and took a look of her dress once on the mirror before stepping out. Once Mia was on sight George Dayton with a smile moved towards her smiling and said "You look very beautiful my dear child". "oh, come on dad don't try to flatter me I know I am not that of a beauty." saying this she held her father’s hand. A servant gave her bouquet of fresh flowers. This brought her the memories of old when she was eagerly wearing a wedding dress and holding bouquet in her hands and practicing her lines in front of mirror. "You look gorgeous." came a whisper near her ear. Looking at the direction of whisper it was Alex by her side. She was so immersed in her thoughts that she didn't notice she was no longer beside her Dad. Turning back, she saw her Dad and Mom who seemed to be very happy. Then taking a look thoroughly of the room she faced to the front. She felt revealed as she didn't see Jake or anything suspicious. She thought maybe the letter was sent to disturb her. Now the procession of marriage was about to begin but then,

“Stop”.

A sudden word was heard from the backside of the room. Everyone in the room, with surprise turned back to see who was it and what was it? Hearing this Mia knew that this wasn’t Jake’s voice but she knew that he was up to something and maybe this person was related to him. Mia and Alex turned back at the same time. There was a young boy who was in his early 20’s he was handsome with brownish hair which suited his white complexion skin. He wore the latest trendy ripped jeans, with white coloured loosely fitted t-shirt having random horizontal pale red coloured strips and a black coloured coat and the custom-made shoes, wore many stoned bracelets on his right hand. On the whole he was a pack of latest fashion. He stood there giving a wicked smile and his gaze directly piercing at Mia said “Ladies and gentlemen I have an announcement this marriage is not happening so I request all of you to leave”  hearing this George Dayton turned furious and in rage started walking towards the guy shouting “Who are you? How dare you say this?” the guy now looking at George “cool down old man take it easy I am Joe from Hayes company”. 

Now everyone was like what Dayton’s done that Hayes had come to stop marriage. Hayes company emerged out of blue in the recent five years and turned into one of the most power full company and influential family that could have anything that it wanted and could make anyone anytime disappear, no one had seen the family or the CEO of the company Mr.  Hayes. Work not related to company were handled by Joe. Hearing this George Dayton’s expressions came back to normal and in a polite voice said “We can talk about this privately”. Joe still smiling “as you say Mr. Dayton but it would be better if Miss Mia also join us”.

All three of them were seated in a room. George Dayton rubbing his palms in nervous started “what made you to come to us Mr. Joe. We have never offended Mr Hayes or the company and why did you say that marriage will not be happening?” Joe who was sitting peacefully observing George Dayton’s each and every move and making him more uncomfortable said “Mr. Dayton Miss Mia cannot get married without taking a divorce from her previous husband”. Listening to this Mia and George Dayton both were shocked. Taking a long breath “you might be wrong Mr. Joe how can Mia get divorce and from whom, she isn’t married to anyone” Dayton said. “you are wrong Mr. Dayton she is indeed married you can have a look at this”. Saying this Joe took out a paper from his inner coat and kept at the table. Taking a look at the paper Mia was not surprised to see her signature but was surprised to see the other signature under the name of Mr. Hayes and started wondering what could have Jake done to pursue Mr. Hayes in doing so, before she could use her brain a little more Joe continued “Mr. Hayes wants Miss Dayton to stay with him in Golden villa, and Mr Dayton if you say no to this there will be no tomorrow for you and your company think wisely before saying anything. Future of many lives or future of only your daughter”. “We need some time to think” came the answer from George Dayton. Nodding his head in approval “Tomorrow morning at eight there will be a car sent for Miss Dayton” saying this he took a leave.

All guests were sent away, even though the matter was big news it didn’t get in any trendy headlines. Dayton family and Alex’s family were gathered at Dayton’s house. Mia was in tears thinking what was happening and why? Letter was sent by Jake indicating he would stop marriage but it was stopped by Hayes. What connection Jake had with Hayes and What Mr Hayes wanted from her. The silence in the room broke with “we will not send Mia to Hayes right father?” questioned Alex looking at George Dayton. Looking at the face of her father she knew her father would never take any risk of opposing Hayes and ruining his years of hard work in a day. She also knew her father loved her, but if he had to choose between her and the company it would be the later one without a doubt. Company was his first love and child. “well for the time being we will send Mia to Hayes” George said.

 “you said Mia was mine. I love her. I can’t live without her. Together we can solve this problem.” Alex said looking at Mia and George Dayton. Looking at Mia with loud and clear voice as if he was ordering “This is not a problem that can be solved easily, Hayes are powerful. Powerful then me and you. Do you think if Mia marries you, yours and my company will have a life it will die in the hands of Hayes so for our survival letting go of Mia is the best choice” said George Dayton. 

Stepping out of the luxurious car Mia got captured by the beauty of Golden villa. She once saw the picture of Golden villa in a newspaper. The Golden villa was way more beautiful than the way it appeared in the picture. The main door of the villa opened and a familiar face of Joe appeared he looked as handsome as the other day and with his ever-smiling face he walked towards Mia “I really appreciate your decision miss Mia. All your belongings have been settled in the villa. Your room lies to the first floor, second room to the right of the stairs” saying so he got himself into a sports car and disappeared from her line of vision. 

Taking a look of things that lied around Mia entered into the huge villa. As she entered, she couldn’t find anyone. The whole villa was filled with silence and the air inside was cold and the walls painted colourfully. The villa really looked like old fashioned from the outside but inside it was brighter and more beautiful having all the luxuries. A faint sound of footsteps was heard and after sometime it turned louder and a man in his late fifty’s came to her vision. “Hello Mam I am Chester. I look after this place if you need anything you can ask me” seeing Chester’s expression anyone could easily make out that he was not pleased seeing Mia.  “This is the way to your room” said Chester slightly bowing and using his left hand to show the direction.

It had been two weeks since Mia started staying at the villa. She thought that she could see Mr. Hayes and ask about why her marriage was stopped but She never saw a single soul other than Chester in the villa, even Chester didn’t pay any attention to whatever she asked. She had no one to talk, the maids that worked were also unfriendly to her. She felt lonely. It was like a bird kept in a golden cage with everything it needed expect for its freedom to fly. 

Mia was standing at her bedroom widow seeing the garden but then her gaze stopped at the black car parked in front of the villa. Observing carefully, she knew whom the car belonged to. As if her life was depending on it, she started running downstairs towards the car. Her eyes held tears that would fall out any moment, as she reached the car there was no one. Getting back into the villa she asked Chester where the owner of the car was? And as expected there was no answer from him. So, waiting near the car seemed to be the best option.

“Wow! whom do I see here a newly wedded bride” said Jake coming out of the villa holding a briefcase in one of his hands. He looked more handsome than what he looked five years back. He was tall, and wore fully pressed black suit. He was a man who hated wearing suit and loved wearing more causal and comfortable clothes. His black coloured hair was neatly combed back, once there was a time when he used to do lots of experiments on his hair. Trying out different haircuts, colouring them into different colours and many things. Seeing him in this Avatar would be shocking to anyone who knew Jake five years ago.  

“newly wedded bride? How?” said Mia angrily standing near the car. Jake was now pretty much closer to her. She was so fierce that, in rage she grabbed Jake by his shirt’s collar saying “tell me how? Hmm? Why this mess in my life? Was it not enough once?”.

“you have become more furious in these five years” said Jake while trying to free himself from her grasp. “ok I will tell you. Leave me first” he continued.

Still looking at him with rage full eyes Mia left his collar and said “speak”

“look Mia I still love you. There is valid reason for why I left you five years back …...” 

“I am not interested in past. Just tell me why you made a mess of my wedding” saying this Mia cut shot Jake’s words before he could complete it.

“without listening to the past, you will not understand anything I say now” said Jake.

“fine. Tell me. Why did you leave?”.

“I love you”.

“This is not what I want to hear. Just tell me what you should be saying?”.

“you don’t love me?”.

“oh, I should have been still loving you? Even when you disappeared without giving a reason” said Mia taunting Jake. And then continued “And who is this Mr. Hayes? How am I married to him?”.

“Well I really did plan on saying you everything but seeing you now like this makes me not to tell you. You are in no position to understand whatever I say. I think we should wait for the right time. And as for Mr. Hayes, he is a good man. He will take good care of you. Just wait for a little longer”.

“You think that because you are not going to say anything I will just stay here quietly? I will find answer for sure” uttering this she walked towards the villa.

Mia saw Chester at the entrance of the villa and knew he witnessed everything. Glaring at him in anger she said “I want to meet my so called husband mentioned on the paper”.

“I heard that she didn’t eat anything since morning aren’t you going to show yourself to her?” Joe said standing behind a man who was also standing facing the window. “should I meet her?” answered the other.

After telling Chester that Mia wanted to meet Mr. Hayes. Mia locked herself in her room not eating and not responding to anyone, of course there was only Chester who came knocking at her door. Now she was hungry and there was nothing in her bag. She always kept chocolates and cookies in her bag and without checking that those things were there or not in her bag she went on a hunger strike. She kept herself busy with reading a book. Now it was past ten o’clock and there was no sign of Mr. H and even Chester didn’t come again asking her to have food. However, her hunger strike would be broken in the morning not because she was defeated but instead, she had to go to work and therefore she had to get out of the room.

“So, you are really tough?” came a male voice from behind Mia. Mia who was sleeping on bed on her stomach reading a book, hearing a sudden voice shocked her. She suddenly sat on her knees and then slowly turned back placing her specs back to its position that had almost slipped down to the end of her nose.

“who are you?” asked Mia looking at the man. The man standing in front of her really looked young like that of Joe. He was dressed casually like every other person at home dresses. He wore grey coloured round neck t-shirt with long sleeves, that were pulled up and wore black cotton pants. He was tall but had a lean body. He really had a handsome face and the best part was his silky long black hair that reached his nape and beautiful eyes that were staring at Mia. 

“weren’t you the one who wanted to meet me desperately” said the man still looking at her.

“How did you come into my room?” said Mia blinking her eyes and still not out of shock.

“An owner always has the keys of his house” the man replied showing a bunch of keys.

“You are Mr. Hayes?” uttered Mia in confusion. The man standing in front of her nodded his head giving affirmation. Mia couldn’t believe that the man mentioned in the marriage certificate and the famous Mr. Hayes would be this young. She even doubted that he was younger than her and then continued “How old are you?”

“You wanted to meet me to ask how old am I?” questioned Mr. Hayes with a smirk.

“No. no I didn’t mean to ask that” saying this she got off the bed now facing to the other person and then continued “look Mr. hay…”.

“wait I am sorry for stopping you in the middle my name is Rayan, Rayan Hayes. It would be good and comfortable if you use my name”.

Now it hit Mia and kind of surprised her that she didn’t know the name of this person. “Rayan…. is it really ok for me to use it” asked Mia uncertainly.

“of course, its ok” saying this Rayan who was standing near the door started to move towards the bed and lifting the book that Mia had been reading he asked “what were you reading?”.

“Ahh it’s a novel. Kind of romantic"

“so, you like reading these kind of things”.

“It’s not like I only read these I read other books too” replied Mia. Taking a look at her Rayan started flipping the pages of the book and then closing the book and again looking at Mia “so, tell me what you want to know?”.

“Hmm Rayan you are a very influential person you have everything name, fame, power and money you don’t lack anything. I know that this whole wedding thing between us is completely fake. I don’t know how you and Jake are related and how he convinced you into doing this and we personally don’t have anything to do with each other so will you consider of letting me go. So that I can go back to my life”.

Rayan listened to Mia attentively and then sighing he sat on the bed “I really wish I could consider it but I am sorry I can’t let you go no matter what”. Hearing this Mia looked tensed with her eyebrows knitted and then uttered “wow I can’t believe this. You won’t get anything from this”. “I know” came the reply.

“then why?” said Mia dejectedly in a very low voice. 

“I owed him and once promised him I would repay him once when he asks for it and fortunately or unfortunately this was what he asked for”.

After listening to this Mia went silent for few seconds and then staring at the window she said “can you just tell me why did he appear all of sudden and ruined my wedding back then and as well as now”.

“I don’t know what made him leave the wedding five years ago but I believe that he had a solid reason and now stopping your wedding may be because he loves you” said Rayan getting up from the bed.

Now looking at Rayan Mia continued “I don’t think that he loves me or even loved me once, let me see what reasons he has” then taking a deep breath she again continued “now I know me and you are in an undeniable  situation you are not going to break your promise. Not breaking your promise means I must stay here no matter what and to keep this promise you will do anything and everything if needed”. 

“Impressive you understood everything. So now I think it’s time to break off your hunger strike” saying this Rayan went out of the room and within few seconds returned back with a plate full of food and standing in front of Mia he said “Eat”.

Looking at the food and then shifting her gaze to Rayan she asked “how long does this situation between us is going to last?”. “Probably three months till Jake returns from the other country” replied Rayan.

Taking the plate from his hand Mia said “thanks I will have it”. “you can do whatever you want there are no restrictions. For three months this is your house and stay as you wish my rooms on the left side of the stairs if you need anything you can directly come to me” said Rayan and then moved out of her room.

This was not the first time that Rayan had seen Mia. He had seen her a month before today he had been to his school where he once studied, to donate some funds and that was when he happened to see Mia in the teachers staff room while he was passing by she sat on the chair comfortably with her legs crossed she wore white formal shirt with black jeans and her long black hair were tied up in a pony but still there were few loose hair that kept on coming on her beautiful face that she tucked them behind her ear she wore a  watch on her left hand and held a cane on the other hand she looked confident and professional. Two young boys were standing in front of her and probably she was giving them a lesson. Rayan really liked her the moment he saw her and asked the Head master about her and came to know that she was engaged and going to get married. After knowing that he stopped himself from getting interested in her. He never knew until two days ago that she was the girl with whom he had a fake marriage. When he saw her taking a walk in his garden, he couldn’t believe his own eyes that the girl on whom he took interest was here in his house for several days and he didn’t even show any interest on knowing who the girl was whose wedding he ruined on Jake’s request and didn’t give a damn on knowing who was staying at his house. Knowing this not even once he regretted but on the other hand, he was happy seeing her in his house.