Chapter 2

Outside of Regina's mansion was Jonathan doing the duty that had been assigned to him, his face scrunched up into a worried frown. No matter how hard he tried to focus on the task at hand, his mind kept racing with thoughts of what might be happening inside and if Regina was doing alright, who was that man sitting beside Regina's mum? What could he possibly want with the family? There was an unsettling feeling bubbling up inside of him. He wondered if Regina's family was serious about marrying their daughter to a random man like she was an object. 

His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden vibration from his breast pocket, reaching for it he fished it out and flinched when he saw the name flashed on the screen. 

His brows furrowed into a frown, something was wrong. Mr. Hales wouldn't be calling his private line if it weren't for something of importance. He wiped his hands with his jeans and then picked up his call, “Mr. Hales,” he said into his phone, he looked around subtly to make sure no one was around him. 

“Jonathan, glad you didn't change your number again, I was beginning to worry that I wouldn't be able to get in touch with you,” Mr. Hales sounded relieved.

Jonathan knew he had been stressing the old man. Mr. Hales was the manager of his family's empire, the Mario Empire. “I told you I wouldn't change my number, you should have a little more faith in me, Mr. Hales.”

“You need to come home,” Mr. Hales said briskly. 

Jonathan frowned, “But it's not time yet, why the rush?” 

Mr. Hales sighed, “If only you stopped being so stubborn then you would know your grandfather is planning to retire, and needs you to take your rightful place in the company.”

“Retire? Is it not too sudden?” Jonathan rushed out, his frown deepening. This was certainly not the news he was expecting, his mind swirling with the implications of this news. The Mario Empire was not just any business and it was a responsibility he wasn't ready to take up now, which was the main reason he had distanced himself from the family.

“Jonathan, are you there?” Mr. Hales prompted, making Jonathan realize he had been lost in his thoughts.

As Jonathan made to reply a sharp voice cut through the air, a voice he immediately recognized to belong to Regina's sister. “Jonathan! Come here right now!”

Jonathan frowned, glancing over his shoulder to peep at Mary standing in front of the mansion. He quickly ended the call with urgency, forgetting to end the call properly, and quickly slipped the phone into his pocket. 

His heart was pounding hard, unsure of what to expect as he approached Mary, who was pacing in front of the mansion. “Yes, ma'am.”

Mary's face scrunched up as she eyed him in disgust, “My mother summons you.”

Jonathan tensed up, “Is everything alright?” He quizzed worriedly, different ideas rushing through his head. He hoped nothing had happened to his Regina.

Mary scoffed, “You have a lot of explaining to do, you fool, poisoning the mind of my sister. You must think you are so smart,” she glared at him then twirled around, “Hurry up, we don't have all day.” 

Jonathan gulped down nothing as he followed behind Mary. It was at the tip of his tongue to ask Mary for more information so he could be more prepared but he was certain he wouldn't be getting any more information from Mary. 

The tension that greeted him as he stepped in was palpable. Regina was standing at the center while her parents were ranting, and he caught a glimpse of the familiar look paper lying on the ground, but he couldn't give it much thought,

“Jonathan, explain yourself!” Regina’s mother demanded moving to stand before Jonathan. “What is this nonsense I'm hearing about marriage?”

Jonathan took a deep breath, trying to act calm. “I truly love your daughter, ma'am,” was all he could bring himself to say.

Regina’s mother’s face contorted with anger, and what came next was a slap that got Regina gasping and crying.

“Don't you ever spew such rubbish, how dare a lowlife that can never amount to anything say such.”

The words stung, but Jonathan refused to break. “I love Regina.”

Jackson, who had been watching the drama with growing irritation, finally rose, 

“I don't have time to waste, I’m calling my father and I'm certain he won't be happy about this. I will implore you to forget about the three hundred million dollar deal, it doesn't even seem worth it anymore.”

Mary gasped and tried to stop him as Jackson began for the exit, “Wait! Please,” but Jackson shoved her aside and walked past without a backward glance.