Her Return, His Regret by Natie

Chapter 169~ An offer "Speak. Why did you callout? You know I'm on paternity leave right now," Ryan Kingsley said to his friend as they sat in a private room at a club.

Adan had called him over so they could have a drink. Ryan would have refused so he could stay with his family but after hearing the tone of Adan's voice, he agreed to meet him to find out what was going on. Since Adan had been there for him when he had issues, Ryan wanted to return the favour.

Adan took a sip of his whiskey before looking at his friend. He replied, "I wanted to vent and you're the only one I have. My mind is a mess right now." Ryan leaned back in his seat and asked, "Is this about your arranged marriage to Bianca?" Adan's eyes rounded at Ryan. "You already know?" Before Ryan could reply, Adan shook his head and added, "Why am I even surprised? Bianca must have already called her bestie to fill her in on the news. By tomorrow, the whole country will know." Looking at Ryan, he remarked, "You need to congratulate me, man. I'm engaged. Finally. Isn't that wonderful news?" "Do you hate it that much?" Ryan replied, shaking his head, knowing there was no excitement in his friend's words. "Bianca would make a good partner though. You're both not in love with anyone at the moment. If only you could open your heart and give her a chance-" "I can't," Adan cut in. "Bee is... she deserves to be with someone who will treat her well." "Are you talking about your playboy ways?" Ryan asked, arching an eyebrow. "Or are you still haunted by the past?" "You know what, bro? I know the one whose nwe don't mention hurt you deeply but it's tto move on, man. You deserve to be happy and start a family," Ryan added.

Adan swirled the amber liquid in his glass. He sighed and said, "Actually, I've never been with a woman ever since that time. This playboy image is all a lie." Ryan looked up at his friend sharply. He arched an eyebrow and remarked, "Don't tell me..." Adan let out a humourless chuckle. He shook his head and said, "I just couldn't risk it. So I made it look like I changed women like clothes." "I was never with all those women. My playboy image was to avoid women who would want to marry into my family," he added. "If socialites thought I was a player, they wouldn't want to becmy wife and avoidat all costs. It worked until now... it seems the Jones family don't care about my reputation but their daughter does." Adan chuckled and added, "You should see the way she looks at me. She's disgusted by me..." "So, what do you plan to do? Your parents seem serious this time," Ryan asked.

"I'm thinking about it. If I say no, my parents will keep pressuringto get married. If I say yes, Bianca will suffer in a loveless marriage. I honestly don't know what to do," Adan answered.

Ryan glanced at his friend and advised, "Talk to Bianca. I'm sure the two of you can find common ground. Perhaps she can convince her parents to pull out of the marriage alliance or you two can agree to marry and slowly open up to each other. Who knows? You might fall in love with each other." "Love?" Adan scoffed. "I don't believe in love. I don't know if I can." Meanwhile, at the Jones' mansion.

Bianca followed her father to his study. She sat in front of him and appealed, "Dad, can you please stop this marriage arrangement? I won't marry someone who can't commit." Eric Jones sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He replied, "My dear, it was not in my plans to force you into a marriage you don't want. But we don't have an option. If we don't partner with Nicholson & Sons group, the company might go bankrupt." Bianca's eyes widened. She asked, "Dad, are you saying we might lose the company if you don't partner with them?" Eric nodded, sighing heavily. He remarked, "I'm growing old. I made sbad financial decisions and now the company is paying for my mistakes-" "I can ask Lora for help. Her husband owns the Kingsley Group-" "But we do different things. A partnership with them wouldn't make sense. What benefits will we offer them? At least our business and the Nicholson's business are similar. We have no choice," Eric explained.

Bianca slumped her shoulders. She studied her father's face and just realised that he looked more tired than usual.

'The company problems must have been stressing Dad out,' she mused, feeling bad.

"So to get the partnership, the Nicholsons asked for an arranged marriage?" She asked her father.

Eric nodded and replied, "Yes, they did. I know their son has a bad reputation and I shouldn't be saying this as your father but men change, my dear. He might fall in love with you d beca better man for you. If he's anything like his father, Jacob, he will surely treat you well."

Bianca sighed, looking around the study. There were so many filesm containikig information about the ΕΠ Jones Group.

The files contained her father's life work. He spent so much tm building the company for it to end just like this. Looking at her father, she remarked, "Don't worry, Dad. You won't lose the company."

The next day, Bianca found herself in Adan's office. When Adan returned from a meeting, he was taken aback En to see her in his office. "Bianca? What are you doing here?" Adan asked, looking confused.

Bianca glanced at him and asked, "We had agreed to be friends right?" Adan nodded, saying, "Yeah, we did." "Where's this going?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

Bianca looked at him and offered, "Let's get married. As friends. No strings attached."