Taming the wild billionaire

“Hello everyone! I apologize for the delay but we have gotten word from the groom. Due to some personal, unforeseen circumstances, the wedding has been canceled. We're so sorry for the inconvenience. Have a nice day.” 

If anyone had told Carlos Aston that he would be happy to hear Miguel Santiago’s annoying voice, he would have punched the idiot. But as he heard the words he had been waiting so impatiently to hear, a slight smile found its way to his lips.

“That Ferrari better be hot and waiting for me, 'cause that was the scariest thing I've ever done,” Miguel warned in a stern voice as he quickly boarded the vehicle. 

Carlos didn't need to be told before he started his Audi and sped out of the event center. The last thing he needed was for his father to start a drama before everyone.

“But seriously dude! I never knew you had it in you. You’ve just given me the best idea. Abandon my future wife at the altar.” He started, dramatically clutching his heart. 

“Remind me why I'm the getaway driver,” Carlos muttered as he shot his best friend a glare.

“So that if I'm caught, you can distract your father, while I make my escape. Don't you just love me?” He added, spotting a smirk he knew Carlos hated.

“Anyway, since you jilted your hot bride…”

“Sl*t.” Carlos corrected, making Miguel roll his eyes.

“Well, can I have her now?” Miguel asked, smiling mischievously.

Carlos angrily pulled over and gave his friend his deadliest glare ever. He quickly unlocked the passenger door and tried to push him out, but Miguel wouldn't budge.

“Get lost!” Carlos growled.

“Nope. You know Carl, if your s*xy bride should see the way you are currently feeling me up, she would know the reason for your dramatic rejection.” Miguel advised, putting on a pitiful face. Carlos dropped his hands, as he ran his fingers through his hair angrily.

“Leave or I will blame you when Dad starts ranting.” Carlos threatened. Before he could finish the sentence, Miguel was out of the car and hailing a cab.

“Good riddance,” Carlos said as he drove to the family house. 

He was so satisfied with what he had done. He had disgraced the wh*r* in the most embarrassing way. He hadn't even shown up to his wedding and never planned to. His sweatshirt and sweatpants confirmed it. 

The only problem he had now was explaining to his father why he decided to ditch the hussy. Not that he cared what his father thought. He had called off the wedding and that was all that mattered. He would celebrate later with Vivian; the only woman he could tolerate. 

Carlos was still deep in thought as he planned to celebrate by going to his favorite club. He was interrupted by the sight of his housekeeper, Mr Barnes. He was their butler and housekeeper even before Carlos was born and he was always uptight and grumpy.

“Hey Mr Barnes! How's the arthritis coming along?” He asked, a dazzling smile on his lips.

He turned to face him with his signature stoic face and bowed. 

“Hello, Mr Aston. I regret to inform you that I do not experience any pain in my joints.” He answered in his monotonous voice.

“Well, grow older, man! I have been fantasizing about seeing you wobbling. Wanna see how you do that with that stick up your backside.” Carlos whined as he took out a bottle of Pinot Grigio. 

“I shall see to that, Sir.” He retorted and was about to leave when he stopped abruptly. He peered at Carlos, his face creased in a frown.

“Forgive my forwardness, Sir, but aren't you supposed to be getting married? Is the wedding over?” Mr Barnes asked.

“Oh, John, the wedding is over,” Carlos replied as he swirled his wine. 

He heard the roar of car engines and he knew his time of momentary peace was over. Henry Aston was back and from the slamming of the car door, he was mad.

“Carlos Alexander Aston! You have just one second to explain yourself!” My father's angry voice preceded him. Seconds later, a very livid man stormed into the sitting room nearly breaking down the door. 

He was so angry that his veins were popping out and his face so red that a tomato would be shy. He was tall, but not as tall as his son. He walked up to Carlos and knocked off the glass from his hand.

“Woah! Chill man! What crawled up your shriveled *ss? I knew there was always a stick up there, but really man! That was my favorite glass!” Carlos said, smiling widely. He loved to rile up his father and he didn't hesitate to do that at any opportunity.

“One word, Carlos. Why?” Henry asked, sounding defeated. He had a stony relationship with his son and he had been trying to amend it but Carlos was just too stubborn and hotheaded.

“Well, it's my favorite glass because…”

“Not that, you idiot! Why did you not show up? Why did you cancel the wedding? Why did you abandon the young girl at the altar? Just why?” Henry yelled. He was at breaking point.

 His son had made a lot of money for Aston Realtors and he was dedicated to his job, but that was the only good quality he had. Apart from his physical appearance of course. Carlos was an utter pain in the *ss, but he was his only child and Henry loved him so much.

“Did you think that you could make me marry whoever you want? That you can arrange a marriage without my consent and suddenly drop the bomb a day before the wedding. Newsflash Dad, that was a really d*ck move.” Carlos said, returning to his grumpy self. 

Twenty-four hours ago, his father suddenly told him he was getting married and he didn't have a choice in the matter. 

“I'm sorry I only told you yesterday, but I didn't want you to refuse. The board is getting worried. Every day the tabloids have bad news about your habits and I'm really surprised that you aren't with a woman right now.” Henry said calmly. He was guilty of springing up the marriage on Carlos the day before the wedding, but he was scared his son would do something disastrous.

“Trust me, I will have the board under control. I know enough to keep them on their toes. Just find out their individual weaknesses.” Carlos retorted heartlessly.

“You need to surround yourself with people who trust you. If that's your way of handling things, then I guess they were right.” Henry said with an air of finality.

“Right about what? Whatever. The main issue is that if it's a wife that's going to get you out of my hair, then Vivian is available.” Carlos said as he walked towards the door. 

He was done with this conversation. He wasn't marrying that tramp, Bailey Whitney, no matter what his father said.

“Vivian?” Henry asked, laughing. He would rather die than let his son marry the leech.

“Yes, Vivi. She's way better than that sl*t.” Carlos spat out, not looking back.

“Sl*t? Have you heard the news? You're the greatest manwhore in New York!” Henry said. This was a pure case of hypocrisy.

“Trust me, Dad. She's not the angel you think she is.” Carlos said as he turned to break the sweet news to his father. He wondered how Henry would react on hearing it.

Bailey Whitney was in trouble. She knew that her father would blame this on her. She tugged on her short straight hair, pacing around.

“It isn't my fault that he decided not to show up, right? It's not like I'm ugly, so it wasn't my fault in any way. Gosh! Now I'm talking to myself.” She groaned as she collapsed on her bed.

 She could still hear her father as he spoke with Mr. Aston. She knew he’d come for her after the call and she didn't want to see the disappointment and defeat in his eyes.

As she heard her father bounding up the stairs, her heart thumped louder and faster, as she tried to look more presentable. Her efforts were futile as she was still in her wedding gown, that was enough to remind her father of the public disgrace.

“Bailey.” He called out softly, opening the door. Her father, Edward Whitney, was a bald, fat man in his sixties. He always looked tired, but today was worse.

“Downstairs. Family meeting