LOGIN***~~ZARA~~***At exactly 9 p.m., we stepped into the club. Adrian took my hand and led me through the red velvet curtains, with Dahlia just behind us.The room was packed, with pink and red lights flashing, and the bass shaking the floor.“This is crazy,” I shouted over the music.“Just follow me,” Adrian yelled, pulling me toward a booth near the stage.We sat on the couch, and I looked up just in time to see a woman spinning on a pole. Her moves were incredible, and her hair flipped as she moved with the beat.I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop staring. Everywhere I looked, it was chaos. Moans got lost in the bass. Champagne glasses clicked, and the noise was overwhelming. Yet there was something about it that made me feel alive.“Oh my god!” I grinned, laughing nervously. “This is… a lot. Okay, I’m officially overwhelmed,” I said, still trying to take it all in.Adrian smirked. “Thought you’d expect something tame? This is the whole point.”I chuckled while glancing around. The
***~~DANTE~~***I drove away from Zara's house, heading back to my office. The road was clear, and I kept a steady speed, shifting gears smoothly as I navigated through the light traffic.I turned on the radio, and a song started playing. I found myself humming along at first, then singing the lyrics under my breath.The same song played again, and I let it repeat, this time singing louder, my voice blending with the melody. I slowed at stoplights and moved when they turned green.The road went straight, then curved, and I followed it carefully, keeping control the whole way, my voice filling the car as the song played on.The lyrics shifted to something about a club, and suddenly my mind went back to what Zara had told me earlier.She said Adrian was taking her to a club with him tonight.The nerve.Adrian knew she was getting married to me, but he still wanted to take her out as if he had the right.What made it worse was how happy she looked when she said it, and she didn't even
***~~ZARA~~***“Broke ass, Zara.”I turned around and saw the usual troublemaker group walking toward me with phones out and grins on their faces.I placed my hands on my hips and waited for whatever they wanted."Can I help you?" I asked.Raven held up her phone straight at my face. "Just wanted to confirm something."On the screen was a video of me outside the bursar's office yesterday, telling Dahlia and Adrian everything about my family’s situation.I froze for a second.Who recorded that? And how did it get online?"Guess that answers my question," Raven said, laughing. "Broke girl. I saw him drop you off this morning.”Her friends joined in, laughing like it was the funniest thing they'd ever heard.“Raven, what if I am marrying Dante? Got a problem?” I said, standing taller.“Broke girl with sponsorship,” Raven chuckled, pointing at me."So what's your point?" Dahlia cut in."My point?" Raven looked at me. "It's just funny how fast things change. One day you're Miss Perfect,
***~~ZARA~~***I ran all the way from the Wright mansion and didn’t stop until I reached the gate of my family home.When I got into the house, I slammed my door shut, locked it behind me, and then sank onto my bed.I stared at the wall, trying to calm my mind, but all I could hear was Adrian’s voice when he told me he loved me.I didn’t know whether to scream or cry.He had all the time in the world to say those words. We spent every damn day together, and he waited till now.It felt like he only wanted me once he realised I was slipping away from him. It hurt in a way I didn’t even expect.If he had told me earlier, maybe things would be different. Perhaps it would’ve made me happy. But now it just felt painful and confusing.Everything he said just messed me up completely, because I went into that house ready to marry Dante and to move on from Adrian, but hearing him say those words sent my brain into full chaos mode.I cried until my eyes hurt. I just lay there staring at the wi
***~~DANTE~~***Adrian confessed his love to Zara right in front of us, and I knew it was complete bullshit.My brother could act sweet and emotional and even cry if he had to. He did it all before. None of it was ever real.What he wanted was to sleep with her. That’s what it’s always been about.The fact that Zara had been his friend since we were kids made this whole thing even more disgusting. She trusted him and believed in him. And here he was, using that against her.I didn’t say anything, though. She has to see it herself. If I say it now, she’d think I'm jealous.Mrs Williams stood near her side, watching Adrian like she already knew what type of guy he was. Smart woman.I felt bad for Zara. If there were other ways to help her family without this marriage, I’d do it. But my trust fund’s locked till I get married—family rules.Adrian was still holding her hand when Dad’s voice came from behind.“Adrian, enough.”Everyone turned to look at him. Dad stood near the entrance wi
***~~ZARA~~***I stood outside the bursar’s office for a few seconds, trying to calm my breathing before knocking.“Come in,” she said.I walked in slowly. “Good morning, Ma.”She gave me that tired look teachers always have when they’re about to lecture someone. “I’m going to be direct with you.”“Your tuition fees haven’t been paid. Finals are in less than two weeks, and your account shows zero payments for this entire semester.”My hands gripped the edge of the chair, and I bit my lip. “Yeah, sorry. We’re… dealing with some stuff right now. We’ll pay soon.”She sighed and rubbed her temples. “Zara, you’re one of our best students. Your grades are excellent. Your professors speak highly of you. But the school has rules.”“If payment isn’t received by the end of this week, you won’t be allowed to take your final exams.”What could I possibly say? The truth? That we lost everything? That my dad died in an accident, due to the frustration of his bankrupt company?Only the Wrights kne







