FLASH MARRIAGE; CHARMED BY THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE CEO

Wednesday...

This was Sarah's most special day in the entire week. It was a day when she had the most free time to herself. It was also the day when her new musical band got to play at a renowned club in town.

Since this would be her first time playing live before an audience, alongside one of the coolest musical bands who were planning to debut an original song, she wanted everything to be perfect.

With just two lectures to attend for the day, Sarah could barely wait for the last class to be over. She packed her bag in readiness to leave when the algorithm professor made an infuriating announcement.

"Today, we will be addressing different challenges in cyber security ranging from cryptography to data protection, threat detection and network security." The professor announced, evoking a widespread murmuring, with so many scrunched faces.

"You have all been divided into eight different groups based on certain criteria. The group that pulls through with an efficient and effective solution to the challenges presented wouldn't just get a straight A+ for all the members in that group but would receive honorary recognition from the university management board. And trust me when I say that this project might just be the turning point some of you seek for your future dream job."

A hush suddenly fell in the class as everyone slowly processed the professor's last statement.

The professor picked up a document containing an already drafted list of students. He brought the microphone to his lips and started calling different groups and the names of students in each group.

Sarah waited breathlessly to hear her name and the group she belonged. Her bestie, Annabelle, has already been called under group one, and she was highly disappointed that they weren't together in the same group.

The professor kept calling more names until he got to group four.

"Henry G. Abel...." Sarah's heart skipped a beat when Henry's name was mentioned. Although he was unavoidably absent in today's class, Henry had promised to catch up with her during her musical instruments rehearsal.

Three more names were called after Henry before Sarah heard her own name.

"Yes!" Sarah inwardly celebrated, a wide smile spreading across her lips.

"This is not fair." Annabelle nudged her on the arm, her brows pulled together in a frown.

Sarah was about to cheer her bestie up when the professor mentioned the last name in group four, which made her stomach twist.

"Sebastian is also in your group!" Annabelle's eyes widened.

As if on cue, Sebastian tilted his head backwards, a wide grin stretching across his lips. His thrilled gaze temporarily met Sarah's deep scowl before she broke eye contact with him.

Sarah had not spoken to him since the incident at the shopping mall. She had been giving him the cold shoulder treatment, ignoring all his attempts at seeking her forgiveness.

But with the current development, they would have to put their misunderstanding aside and work as a team because the algorithm course was one of Sarah's core courses, with the highest unit load. An A+ in that course would mean the whole world to her.

Sarah listened as the professor, read out the project topic for each group. She took note of group one topic and her group topic in her notepad.

"I expect every group member to meet after this class and familiarize themselves with each other and the challenge given. You all have four weeks from today to get your presentation ready." The professor announced in closing before exiting the lecture room.

"This is so annoying," Annabelle grumbled, packing up her stuff. "How come that pervert..." She whispered the last part in Sarah's ear. "...get to be in your group alongside Henry, but not me."

"Don't worry, cupcake, irrespective of the group you're in, I've got your back like always." Sarah cheered her up, patting her on the shoulder.

"What about Sebastian?" Annabelle said, sparing a glance in his direction. She quickly averted her gaze when she observed that he was still staring in their direction while speaking to someone.

"What about him?" Sarah scoffed, standing up.

"Isn't it going to be a problem now that you guys would get to spend some time together working on your group project?"

"Dealing with problems is what I do best," Sarah replied confidently, picking up her laptop bag. "Moreover, he isn't the only one in the group. There is also Henry and the others."

"Oh...I completely forgot that your bodyguard/ male bestie is in that group." Annabelle wiggled her brows animatedly as she stood up.

"Whatever!" Sarah rolled her eyes. "Let's go already. I have to rehearse before the show." She said, pulling Annabelle by the wrist.

"Sarah!" Someone called out her name as she hurried towards the exit door.

"What now!" Sarah's forehead furrowed as she whipped her head backwards to see who was calling her.

The sight of Sebastian, closely accompanied by two guys and a girl, whom Sarah already suspected were members of her group, made the crease on Sarah's forehead deepen.

"I thought you were in a hurry just now?" Annabelle poked Sarah on the arm, pulling her attention away from the approaching students.

"Let's just hear what the self-appointed leader has to say first." Sarah tilted her head back to Sebastian, who was now standing in front of her.

"Hello." Sebastian's lips stretched in a bewitching smile. He was expecting Sarah to reply to his warm gesture. But when she didn't, he continued talking.

"I can see you're heading somewhere so I won't waste your time. As a member of our prestigious group, it would be nice for us to get to know each other to work perfectly as a team. So I have taken the liberty to gather us together. I'd like to introduce you to other members of our group."

"Okay." Sarah maintained a formal and business-like demeanour, causing Annabelle to chuckle inwardly.

"On my left..." Sebastian gestured to the nerd-looking guy with thick reading glasses. "...Jackson and beside him is Axel."

"Hi, Jackson and Axel; it's nice to make your acquaintance." Sarah greeted both of them politely with a curt smile that left Sebastian jealous.

"And on my right..." Sebastian continued with his introduction. "...is Zina."

"Hello, Zina." Sarah beamed at the introverted, freckled-faced girl with captivating blue eyes.

"Hi..." Zina mirrored back her smile while averting her gaze.

"So guys, meet Sarah Hunt, an ingenious mathematician, a renowned web developer, a seasoned ..."

"There is no need for all of that." Sarah cut Sebastian off, repulsed by his shrewd hyping skill. "It's just Sarah Hunt, guys, and it's a pleasure to meet you all. Unfortunately, there's somewhere I have to be right now. Maybe we could meet up after class tomorrow if it's okay by everyone."

"Tomorrow is perfect." Sebastian gave a prompt response before any other members of the group could concur. When he observed Sarah's furrowed brows, he added. "Right guys?"

This time around everyone concurred.

"All right then. See you all tomorrow." Sarah turned around and left with Annabelle before Sebastian could ask another question.

-

-

Regina wasn't expecting to see Matt so soon after their last encounter at the Shawls' mansion. Having settled into her new home, she was hoping to spend the entire day relaxing and rejuvenating her worn-out skin with some beauty products Gwen got her.

She had just finished pampering her body to a warm relaxing bath and was applying some lotion on her skin when a knock on her bedroom door disrupted her quiet moment.

Instantly, her face contoured like a squeezed tissue paper.

"Who is it?" Regina barked, knowing it could only be the housekeeper, Agnes.

"Is Agnes, ma'am," Came the softened voice of the housekeeper.

"Come in." Regina remained seated in front of her vanity mirror, staring at her slightly aged reflection while applying a scented lotion on her skin.

Except for the towel wrapped around her chest and another wrapped around her head, she wasn't wearing anything. She continued applying her lotion as the door creaked open.

Agnes quietly walked in before closing the door behind her.

"Yes, how can I help you?" Regina shot her a nasty glare from her mirror reflection.

"I'm sorry to disturb you ma'am, but you have a visitor," Agnes said politely, her head lowered.

"A visitor!" Regina raised a brow. She just moved into this house nine to ten hours ago. No one, except Gwen, Pearl and Tyler knew where she currently resided. So how could she possibly have a visitor?

"Who is this visitor."

"He said his name is ..."

Before Agnes could complete her statement, someone barged into the room as though he owned the house.

"Excuse me..." Regina whipped her head backwards in readiness to shred whoever had invaded her privacy without any form of respect. But she instantly froze when she found her old nemesis, Matt, standing by the door to her bedroom, looking handsome in his tight-fitted jeans and matching t-shirts paired with black boots.

"Sir, you are not supposed to be here," Agnes said pleadingly gesturing for him to leave.

"Leave us, Agnes," Regina commanded, a sly smile creeping up her face as Matt, took long strides towards her.

"Yes, ma'am." Agnes hurried out of the room and shut the door behind her.

Regina returned her attention back to the mirror and continued applying her lotion while staring at Matt through her reflection.

"What are you doing here, Matt? Have your elephant of a wife chased you out?" She maliciously spat out,