2.

Kendrick's mansion was much bigger and more luxurious from the inside. She fell in love with the interior decor as soon as she entered the house. Their wedding and reception were over and so everyone had left to their homes and she had no idea where her “husband" was at the moment. Her luggage was being sent to her room as she decided to give herself a tour of the house though she didn't have a clue of where she was going.

About a few minutes later, she noticed she was lost in the mansion with no one to help since they were busily preparing her room and unpacking her stuff. She had gotten a new wardrobe since all her things were back in Los Angeles, California while she was currently in Las Vegas, NV. 

Briella was a music lover so as soon as she spotted a piano, she immediately sat down to play one of her favorites. She was engrossed in the music that she didn't recognize footsteps not feel that someone stood behind her. 

Ah, the power and beauty of music

Kendrick and one of his maids stood listening to her play the piano. Kendrick had been trying to learn how to play the piano because Sage had mentioned to him that she loved guys who could play an instrument. He was willing to learn for her until she betrayed him.

“ Ma'am, ” the maid called drawing Briella's attention to her and her husband.

“ How long have you guys been standing there?” she asked wiping a few drops of tears from her eyes. The song she was playing was taught by her mother. She bore a striking resemblance to her mom, they both had the prettiest shade of emerald green eyes, dirty blonde hair, and a star-shaped birthmark on their necks.  She had died in a fire outbreak with Briella's baby sister. 

“ Long enough to hear you play a wonderful tune on the piano." Kendrick complimented.

“ Thanks, Drick," 

“Ma'am, your room has been prepared. You need to have a warm bath and get some rest." the maid said to her.

" Thank you," she said getting up to face both of them with red blood eyes.

“ Are you okay? Is something wrong?" Kendrick asked concerned. He didn't know her that much and she wasn't the one he intended to marry but that didn't mean he would act cold towards her.

“ I'm not, but I would be fine Kendrick," she said as he pulled her in for a hug. He knew that was what she needed at the moment. To be comforted.

“ Whatever it is, it's going to be fine," he assured her leading her to her bedroom.

I hope this lasts forever.

" I'd talk to him about my work tomorrow. I cannot abandon my empire for the sake of marriage." she thought to herself locking the door behind her. She took a few minutes to admire her new room. The walls were plain with no designs on them. The arrangement of her room was beautiful except for the dull walls. She needed to bring life into them, but she also needed sleep as at that moment.

" The walls could wait," she headed towards the shower to have a bath before she retired to bed.

~

~ 

"So, what are your plans for the man you chose over Kendrick?" Anika inquired of her daughter, who sat on her bed, idly scrolling through her phone.

" Mom, Nexus started a business after Kendrick hired him as his bodyguard. As we speak, he has two branches in Los Angeles. He's not bankrupt." Sage cheerfully announced.

" I'm not questioning if he's broke; I'm just curious about your plans for him." Do you have plans to marry? or are you simply having a good time with your friends? It's imperative that you double-check your facts. Your father is keeping an eye on you from afar, trying to figure out if you're ready to accept his inheritance. Briella, the brat, hasn't completely vanished yet. I'm certain she'll return to claim her fortune, so we'd better get moving——

Her daughter's snoring interrupted Anika.

How could she possibly be sleeping at such a crucial time?

She couldn't possibly be that foolish, could she?

Anika stormed out the door, turning off the lights and shutting the door behind her. Sage listened carefully to the sound of her mother's footsteps, making sure she was far enough away from her room before getting up to lock the door. She had her own plans, and she was not going to let her mother ruin them this time.

Nexus was the man of her dreams, but he wasn't quite there yet. She had devised a strategy to assist him in amassing more wealth. Wealth equal to or greater than Kendricks'. She wasn't getting married to a man who was less than her ex.

What would people say?

Sage Faragel Roberts was her name, and she always got her way.

She thought to herself, wide awake.

She knew she was her parents' favorite child, and she always got what she wanted from them. She was a scheming b*tch, but that's what made her what she was, and what drew men's attention to her.

She had rich men at her disposal who could change Nexus's fate in an instant, but all she needed was a little time to carry out her plan. All she wanted to do for the time being was have fun and enjoy life. She wasn't ready to marry or be forced to marry, as her stepsister was.

Sorry, sister, but a girl's gotta do what a girl gotta do sometimes.

You've done well for a lady your age and class; now it's time for me to achieve the same, but bigger. In every other manner, you can't possibly be better than me. That'll never happen.

I wish you all the best in your marriage.

She laughed as she sipped a glass of fine wine. She set the glass down and headed to the balcony. She stood watching the city sleep with a smug look on her face.

Make way, for the queen, is coming. She blew a puff from the cigarette she held in between her long fingers. 

All hail the queen...