Bondage and Marriage - 6

When Noah saw his fiancé, Ian Miller, his thoughts were as follows:

‘Wow, he’s really handsome.’

Given the setting, Ian Miller was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit. His neatly combed dark hair was almost black, and his eyes were even darker, giving off an ominous aura. Despite his good looks, he had an unapproachable air about him. Noah quickly analyzed Ian’s style – he was completely decked out in high-end designer brands, from his perfectly fitted suit and shirt to the sophisticated cufflinks.

Even Noah, who was used to receiving courting from all sorts of alphas at clubs and parties, thought Ian was exceptionally handsome. At the same time, Noah couldn’t help but think the world was so unfair. Not only was Ian incredibly wealthy at a remarkably young age, but he was also highly capable, as evidenced by his father’s approval, and on top of that, he was devastatingly good-looking.

There was a reason why Noah didn’t insist to Tanner that he wanted to participate more in social activities. In Noah’s opinion, aside from his looks, he wasn’t particularly remarkable. Constantly being praised for his beauty by his family had made him somewhat lacking in self-esteem, and being surrounded by such capable people made him feel rather average.

While Tanner was undoubtedly an impressive man as Noah’s father, Noah was somewhat intimidated by his older brothers, Benjamin and William, who had shown extraordinary abilities from a young age, making their father proud. In contrast, Noah had graduated with very mediocre grades, and had only been admitted to the music college thanks to his family’s donations, rather than pure talent.

Apart from inheriting the Frost family’s good looks and love, Noah considered himself to be little more than a leisurely good-for-nothing. While Tanner might think Noah was a well-rounded person, Noah felt he was simply too ordinary compared to his fiancé, Ian Miller. If it weren’t for the substantial funds Tanner had poured into Miller’s company, this would’ve been a lopsided deal for Ian.

Despite these thoughts, Noah greeted Ian with a bright smile.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ian Miller.”

“Noah Frost. It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.”

Wait, something’s off… Noah noticed there was a cold edge to the way Ian, who was smiling cordially, was looking at him and Tanner.

Having been on the receiving end of countless gazes from people due to his good looks and status as a Frost, Noah quickly realized that Ian Miller seemed to genuinely dislike him.

Just as William had said, it was clear to Noah that Ian Miller was only marrying him reluctantly, because of Tanner. No matter how friendly Ian appeared in front of Tanner, there was no way such a capable, handsome, and wealthy man would also have a good personality. Noah subtly nodded to himself. He’s definitely not a nice person.

“How’s that? Don’t you two seem to get along perfectly?” Tanner chuckled gleefully, satisfied that he saw the two as an ideal match. Ian smoothly curled up the corner of his lips in a smile, and Noah also forced out a smile, though he felt rather uncomfortable. Previously, whenever Benjamin grumbled that their father was an outdated macho, Noah had defended Tanner, saying he wasn’t that bad. But now, he couldn’t even say that.

As the meal progressed, Noah became more and more convinced that this marriage wouldn’t happen. Ian Miller was impeccably gentlemanly, but Noah could sense his subtle aversion towards him. In contrast to the omega pheromones Noah was subtly emitting, Ian’s alpha pheromones were tightly contained – likely because Tanner was present. Yet, Ian had never once initiated a conversation with Noah, only occasionally making trite remarks about the food when addressing Tanner.

Wasn’t this obvious to his father? Or was it possible that Tanner, like Ian, held traditional alpha-superiority and patriarchal views, which is why they got along well? After all, Tanner was usually indifferent to anything outside of business, unaware that even his employees knew William and Benjamin were essentially ruled by their wives.

While politely smiling here and there during the meal, Noah was lost in his own thoughts. It was towards the end, as dessert was served, that the always-smiling Ian finally spoke up.

“So, when would be a good time for the wedding?”

Noah, happily savoring the creme brulee, eyes wide with surprise. Married? For real? Even Tanner, who had orchestrated this meeting, looked taken aback by Ian’s words.

“Now that I’ve seen my fiancé in person, I can’t wait to start living together under the same roof,” Ian said, in a proposal straight out of a novel.

Contrary to Noah’s apprehension, the ever-reluctant Ian’s sudden change of heart delighted Tanner. In Tanner’s eyes, his youngest son was the most precious, so he didn’t question why Ian had suddenly agreed to the marriage. Tanner must have assumed Ian had fallen for Noah at first sight, just like the many other alphas who had been captivated by Noah before.

However, the bewildered Noah knew this was a political marriage. Of course it was – if the Miller and Frost families sealed this union, it would greatly benefit both parties. As Tanner looked at Noah expectantly, waiting for his response, Noah set down his spoon.

“Excuse me, I’ll be right back.”

Deliberately ignoring his father’s gaze, Noah stood up, pretending to go to the restroom. After walking down the somewhat long corridor and entering the restroom, Noah let out a deep sigh.

“What should I do…”

Truthfully, Noah wasn’t even ready for marriage yet. If it was someone who genuinely liked him, he might consider it, but since it was someone who didn’t even like him, he was even more hesitant. After pondering it over, Noah felt bad for his expectant father and the clearly unwilling Ian Miller, but he decided he had to call off the marriage. The difference between being engaged and being married was like heaven and earth.

After taking care of his business and washing his hands thoroughly, Noah was about to head back to the room when he suddenly heard a familiar voice. The voice was so soft that it was surprising he even noticed it while passing by.

“…So what are you going to do about it?”

Why was Ian Miller’s voice coming from here, instead of the room? Quietly, Noah approached the source of the voice and found Ian on the phone in a secluded corner of the corridor.

“Are you saying I have to take responsibility for that idiot who’s walking around with his head as a decoration, because he’s so incompetent?”

The icy, scathing words were a far cry from the gentlemanly, polite demeanor Ian had shown earlier in front of Tanner and Noah. Noah’s mouth hung open in surprise. Wow… my hunch was right. There’s no such thing as a perfect person. If someone is rich, good-looking, and capable, they must have a bad personality. Noah listened to Ian’s stream of ruthless criticisms thinly veiled as reprimands, realizing this wasn’t just a case of a bad personality, but a complete personality disorder.

Mm… This marriage definitely won’t do. Noah shook his head. While he did have deviant tastes, enjoying being tormented, that didn’t mean he liked someone who disliked him. It was like how he liked Gabriel’s abusive teaching, but still disliked Gabriel as a person.

Noah was about to leave before Ian finished his call, but he paused when he heard something familiar.

“I had that thing you ordered taken care of. …Do I really have to spell it out for you? [Tear], I mean.”

Huh…? That name sounded familiar. Noah cautiously peeked around the corner again. Surely Ian wasn’t referring to _that_ [Tear]? It must be just the name of a company or something.

Noah’s ears had perked up for a reason – [Tear] was the name of an upscale adult shop that only catered to high-end clients. The shop’s products were so diverse and creative that Noah would practically drool just thinking about them. If he hadn’t been living in the manor, which had many prying eyes, he would have bought and collected them all.

“What? You’re too embarrassed to get it? You wanna die? Did you think I hired you as a secretary to listen to your whining? If that’s the case, then why are you taking the money?”

Listening closely, just to confirm if it was indeed the same brand, Noah’s eyes widened at Ian’s foul-mouthed outburst. Thanks to his family’s proper upbringing, Noah could only manage curses like “you cowardly bastard” or the occasional “bitch” used in roleplay. But the way Ian spoke, it seemed he was quite adept at shameful plays as well.

“Dammit, I’m already pissed off, and now you’re a bother… Just get whatever, I don’t care. You know who it’s for, right?”

A smile suddenly appeared on Ian’s face, as if he had a headache. Peeking from around the corner, Noah was mesmerized by the rather malicious-looking smile on the handsome man’s profile. The crooked upturn of his lips was even more fitting than the polite smile he had worn earlier.

“…Yes, it’s for my fiancé, that Noah Frost.”

Wait, what did I just hear? Noah doubted his own ears. Ian spoke in a sweeter, more saccharine tone than he had used during their meal.

“That innocent young master who won’t know a thing, even if I use just one toy…”

As Ian’s voice drawled on, Noah listened with bated breath. He’ll probably run away crying. He might even get traumatized, being an alpha. And then, the infuriating Tanner Frost would be so furious that he’d never let his precious son marry such a severe alpha again. What a wonderful outcome that would be.

Faint voices from Ian’s phone could be heard, someone pleading with the chairman not to do it, but Ian brushed them off nonchalantly. Don’t worry, I won’t do anything illegal. After all, it’s no one’s business what an alpha does to their omega after marriage, right? Ian’s plan was utterly malicious, but instead of feeling anger, Noah’s cheeks only flushed with excitement.

It was only when the conversation shifted back to business matters that Noah snapped out of his daze. Hurrying back to the restroom, Noah was struggling to calm his pounding heart. He couldn’t believe the phone call he had overheard from Ian. It wasn’t betrayal or shock, but more like the surprise of receiving an unexpected Christmas gift.

Goodness, was what I just heard real? Am I dreaming or awake? Is my fiancé really going to go to such lengths to torment me, even buying adult toys from my favorite shop?

It was far more alluring and sweet than any love confession Noah had ever heard. He immediately discarded his previous resolve not to marry Ian Miller. Someone who would bring him the stars was nothing compared to someone who would torment him.

I have to marry him! I absolutely must!

Somewhat composed, Noah hurried back to the room where Tanner was. Rushing to Tanner, who was concerned about Noah’s well-being, Noah firmly grasped his hand and beamed with slightly flushed cheeks.

“Father, I want to marry him!”