Chapter One

Janelle

I approached the living room and spotted a tall man seated on my late grandfather’s couch like he owned the place.

The basket of oranges slipped from my hand, my jaw dropped when I saw who it was.

It was Damian Cooper, CEO of Ranks Construction. One of the richest companies in the country. Every woman’s dream, but what was he doing here? Was this a dream?

He stood up and took five steps to meet me where I stood—frozen still.

His gaze moved slowly over my body as he studied me.

My fingers trembled at my sides, but I tried hard to hold it in. I couldn’t help but stare at his green eyes. They were mesmerizing. 

I understood why men wished to be him. He wasn’t just handsome! He was—gorgeous.

Even I wished I had such shoulder length white hair.

Finally, he spoke, interrupting my thoughts as he grabbed my attention.

“She’ll do!” 

For a minute, I couldn’t understand. My parents’ faces lit up like what he said was worth rejoicing over.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

He scoffed, then snapped his finger. A tall man in a blue tailored suit walked in and handed a document to my father. My mother rushed and handed his seal to him. 

Before he could stamp it, I rushed over and grabbed the documents from them. I read it aloud, “Slave disguised as wife for a year.”

How disgusting!

My brows furrowed as I yelled, “ You’re selling your daughter?” 

My mother tried to calm me down as she leaned closer but I snapped, “aren’t you ashamed? Now you’re selling your daughter? Isn’t it enough that you killed your first flesh and blood?” I paused. “Now you want the second one gone?” 

My father was about to speak when Damian cut in, “Then pay his debt.”

“How much? I’ll pay,” I said.

He glanced at me like I was already his. Then he asked, his voice as cold as ice yet intimidating, “Do you really think you can?”

My mom pinched me, trying to stop me from speaking, but I didn’t heed.

“Of course I can,” I said. Then my mom spoke up, “No you can’t Janelle.”

“You can’t,” she repeated.

My father bowed to Damian who looked pissed like everything wasn’t going according to plan and apologized,  “I’m sorry for delaying you but can you give me at least a week to convince my daughter and send the signed documents to your office?”

“I will never agree to become a man’s slave,” I protested.

“Send the debt f*e, and I’ll pay…with interest,” I said.

With his hands kept in his pocket, he smirked.

“I like your attitude. Just the best fit for the job,” He said and then turned to my father, “two days. Get the contract to me or you know what comes after next.” 

With that, he stormed off with his bodyguard.

I turned to my parents, pursed my lips and clenched my fists into tight balls. 

I sighed, then slumped and walked away to my room without a word. I picked up my bag and went back downstairs.

“Where are you going?” My father questioned.

“To Ashley’s,” I replied and walked to the door when my mom blocked my way and held my hand.

She smiled, warm and gentle…the kind that used to make me give in without thinking.

“No mom, I don’t want to talk to you,” I said and released my hand from hers then walked away before she called, “Janelle.”

I hailed a cab.

“Devi street.” I said and the cab driver nodded, then we drove off.

At that moment, all I wanted to do was tell Ashley about what just happened. 

As I got to her apartment, I spotted her sitting outside, her head bent. I rushed over to her. “Ashley,” I called. 

I knelt down to her level and gently lifted her chin. Her eyes were puffy and red. She had heavy dark circles under her eyes.

“Ash, what’s wrong?” I asked, my voice gentle and calm.

“My third boyfriend broke up with me,” she cried out.

My jaw dropped. “Third boyfriend?” I asked.

“And here I was thinking it was something as serious as mine,” I added.

She cried out, louder, “it is serious! Migaeul caught me.”

She sniffed.

My brows furrowed. I asked, “Who’s Miguel?" 

“My second boyfriend, they both broke up with me on the spot. Now I’m left with my first boyfriend, Frank… and that is so unfair,” she said.

I smiled, “Oh, poor Frank…it’s okay, you can always get another boyfriend. I trust you on that,” I said as I patted her back and handed her a handkerchief from my bag.

She wiped off her tears and asked, “what about you? You said yours was a bigger issue.”

“Ashley,” I called.

“Yes?”

“If perhaps, I’m being sold off to a billionaire and the only way to regain my freedom is by paying off my debt,” I paused. 

My voice cracked. “Would you help me?” I asked.

She stared for a second, then replied, “if it’s 500$, yes. But around 10,000 dollars? No baby. I can’t even afford my rent that’s why I’m living off two grown men. Plus, I’m taking care of a grown adult—Frank.”

She leaned in and asked, “you’re being sold off? To who?”

I faked a laugh. “Ha ha. That’s ridiculous. I said if, besides it’s for a novel I’m working on,” I said, trying to shake it off. She shrugged, “if you say so,” 

She wiped off her tears and stood up.

“Let’s go,” she said.

“Where?” I asked.

“To the club.” She replied. Before I could respond, a message popped up on my phone. I clicked it and it was from an unknown ID. The message was a document, I opened it and my jaw dropped as I saw a contract with my grandfather’s name on it and his debt.

$500,000 debt 

Loan collateral: His granddaughter, Janelle Peters.

And this contract was signed twenty-four years ago. I was just one.