CHAPTER ONE

MANNY

Manny has been working as early as 7 in the morning preparing the models for the upcoming fashion show.

Looking at the clock, she discovered that it was already late into the afternoon and she hadn't even had breakfast yet.

With sweat running down her face and a bunch of pins in her mouth, Manny felt tired.

All she wanted was to go back to her office, relax, and have a good lunch. Good thing she was dressing the last model for the day.

“Allen Cooper and his father will be coming by the office today to sort out the contract for the marriage and I want you to remember that this marriage benefits the both of us and you must sign the contract. ”

her mum said in a serious tone, coming out of the large dressing room.

Manny felt irritated and fed up. Her mum has been pestering her about the contract for the last two weeks, why couldn't she just accept that she's not ready to marry?

“No Mother, I want to marry someone who loves me for me and not just what he can get out of me.”

“I don't want to be like you and Dad!" Manny yelled back and her mum's face hardened.

You could see the hurt and anger in her eyes – although she might have lived in a loveless marriage, Manny's mum felt it was worth it.

"You should be happy that someone has agreed to be with you despite how you look. If you go on like this, you might end up alone forever.“

“And how do I look, mother?" Manny asked, getting furious.

She was well aware of how she looked but she didn't think her own mother would hate her or try to marry her off just because she was fat.

“I don't care what you think or want Manny but you're signing that contract whether you like it or not.”

With tears gathering in her eyes, Manny watched as her mum dashed out of her office banging the door closed.

So much for a quiet afternoon.

Hours after the conversation, the Coopers arrived.

With the black shining limo dropping them off, Manny thought that they must be extremely rich since her mum was hell-bent on matching them together.

As the men made their way into the fashion house, Manny noticed how the ladies fawned over the two men.

But she couldn't see what they saw.

As Mr Allen and his son both entered the office, Manny found my mum smiling like a lunatic.

Did her mother really think that Manny would sign the contract so she could have more money?

“Mr Allen, I'm so glad you could make it. Please sit."

Manny's mum offered them seats in her office and Manny could feel nothing but anger. Her mother looked like she didn't even care.

Clearing his throat, Mr Allen was the first to speak.

“I'll just go straight to the point so we can seal the deal and start necessary preparations.”

Manny took a quick glance at Mr Allen's son who seemed confused. Perhaps he wasn't aware of what his father was planning.

Too bad.

Without hesitating, Mr Allen brought out the paperwork for the marriage which was ready to be signed.

“Manny, Andrew you just need to sign where your names and phase one of the marriage is done.”

“Marriage? Dad? Is this a contract marriage?" Andrew asked with anger in his voice.

“I told you, Dad, I do not want to get married and besides couldn't you find someone better to do business with”

Andrew looked at Manny with disgust and at that moment, she prayed for the ground to swallow her up.

Manny couldn't bring herself to look Andrew in the eyes, she felt so naked and furious and was on the verge of crying.

She couldn't understand why she was feeling this way. She had been embarrassed before all her life but this felt very different.

Before Andrew could continue with his words, Manny spoke up.

“I told you, mother, I'm not ready to marry yet and I certainly don't want to be married to an ill-mannered and ignorant man. I'm not signing any contract and that's final.”

“How can you take over this fashion company if you do not get married?"

Manny's mum asked her, expecting an answer. But before she could talk, Andrew spoke up.

“I don't want to be married to a fat woman either. It won't be good to make public appearances with her dad”

“Is she even healthy enough to carry a child? What about all the necessary tests? I'm sorry to disappoint you but this marriage isn't happening.”

There was an awkward silence in the room and judging from the look on her mom's face, she was already angry.

“I see no reason for this argument, it is all for our benefit and you both can continue to live your own separate lives but just be together for public appearances.“

William tried appeasing the situation but both Manny and Andrew refused. They were headstrong on not signing the contract.

“I don't want anything to do with her, I would rather marry her mother than marry her.”

That was the last straw. Manny had had enough. She won't stand there while this man insulted her and her mother did nothing about it.

She slammed the table, picked up the papers that needed signing, and then tore it into pieces.

“I don't need you or your filthy money, please leave!"

Manny glared at her mother who just stood there watching the whole thing.

She wondered why she couldn't defend her. Sometimes she wonders if Kari was her real mother.

Not wasting any time, Manny retired back downstairs to complete the work she had left.

It was after work hours when Manny and her mum finally finished all the preparations. If this fashion show was not a success, those models will definitely regret it because they've put in so much work into this event.

As they drove through the silent road, Manny couldn't help but replay the scenes of this afternoon in her head. She took a quick look at her and she noticed that her mum wasn't getting any younger. Perhaps she should have signed the contract.

Manny thought about it but couldn't bring herself to do it. She had always wanted to marry for love and right now it seems those dreams will forever remain dreams.

Some minutes later, they got to the house. The large mansion filled with beautiful flowers and with a fountain in the middle stared back at Manny. What more could her mother want? She thought.

Stepping into the house, they went their separate ways. Manny's mum hasn't said a word since the afternoon and her face didn't give any indication of anger, which worried her.

“Mum? Is everything alright? You haven't said a word since we got back.”

With a fierce look in her eyes, her mother went to her room aggressively still without saying a word.

Getting into the room, Manny removed the extra large lace gown and got into the hot tub. She loved how the foam felt on her body and how the scent hugged her body.

Nothing could be more relaxing than this, she thought.

After a long soak, she grabbed her towel and as she stepped into the room, the scent of lavender mixed with a citrusy scent filled the air.

Drying her hair and putting on her clothes, she decided to take some air by the balcony as the night was cool and windy.

The gentle breeze caressed her face, making her stay on the balcony a little longer.

Lost in her thoughts, Manny failed to notice the blue Lexus halting right in front of the fountain.

“Avery!"

The squealing of her mother brought her back and looking down, she saw her mum hugging a red-haired girl. She couldn't see her face properly but she guessed she was beautiful.

Not being able to stand the sight of her mum hugging this strange girl, Manny went down to get dinner.

Minutes later, her mum came into the dinner with the red-haired and she was a sight to behold. With her bright green eyes that glowed under the light and her skin looking beautifully pale and fresh

“Good, Manny you're here. This is Avery and she's going to be taking over the fashion House.