Is This A Prank?

A black Lamborghini stopped in front of a huge company and five men dressed in black marched towards the car and one of them opened the door.

A shiny black shoe popped out of the car first before the entire body came out. He was dressed in a blue tuxedo and was putting on black sunglasses. He adjusted his suit before walking into the company.

Alex, his assistant followed him from behind with his suitcase and they were escorted by bodyguards.

The whole company was rowdy and noisy because the staff was discussing with one another but when they heard those footsteps they became silent and comported themselves. The once noisy place became as silent as a graveyard.

"Good morning President Preston", they greeted in unison and no one dared look at him directly because of fear of losing their jobs.

Aside from that they could feel an unfriendly aura being emitted from Valentino and tension was in the air.

Valentino ignored the greetings and walked straight to his office and the bodyguards left leaving Alex.

Something was off about their boss's mood and they felt it because they had all seen the news of his engagement and it wasn't Mariana but her cousin. They were in for it today so nobody tried to annoy him.

"What is my schedule for today", Valentino asked Alex. "You have a few meetings today and a business lunch with the CEO of Befirst corporation which will the place by 2 pm", Alex said.

"Cancel the meetings", Valentino said. Alex scrunched his brows at what he heard. "But they're important", Alex said politely. "Don't you like your job again or are you perhaps tired of working here", Valentino asked and Alex swallowed hard.

He understood what Valentino was implying and didn't press further...He canceled the meeting. "Any other thing", Valentino asked and Alex shook his head. "So what are you still doing here or do you want to become a statue in my office", Valentino said seriously. "I'll take my leave", Alex said and rushed out hurriedly in fear.

Valentino resumed work and started typing furiously on his laptop. He didn't even raise his head for once and his facial expression wasn't making things better. Other staff members watched him since the walls were transparent and the blinds were not down.

Valentino could feel their eyes on him and it was irritating him. "Keep staring at me if you wanna lose your job", he said through the intercom and it echoed around the company. People staring at him immediately looked away and minded their business.

Valentino paused and buried his face in his palms. He loves Mariana so much and his parents just have to ruin everything. He can't even complain because he brought this upon himself. If he had not been so rebellious, his elder brother will still be here and this wouldn't happen to him.

Because of guilt, he tries to fulfill his parent's wishes but this particular one was hard. Making him spend the rest of his life with someone he has no ounce of feelings for.

"How will Mariana react to this", he thought. When he couldn't concentrate again he left the company and went home. He didn't have the balls to call Mariana because she would be so broken.

He just changed his clothes and went to the nearest bar to waste himself up

Meanwhile, Mariana was in a spa getting her hair and nails done. She was chatting with her friends and they were giggling happily. " I'm so happy for you Mariana...can't believe you're leaving the single circle and getting married", Fabiola pouted.

"It's not just any man she's getting married to but Valentino...as in Valentino Preston...the sexiest and richest CEO in Dc. I'm so jealous", Addison said. "There's no need to be, you all are gonna get married soon...okay", Mariana smiled.

"Okay", Fabiola and Addison chorused and they all smiled. Mariana heard her phone ring and saw it was her mum calling. She picked it up immediately and smiled.

Her smile turned into a frown when she heard what her mum said. "You're joking right...it can't be my own Tino", Mariana said in disbelief. She ended the call and rushed to confirm it herself.

Her heartbeat rose when she saw the hottest topic..." Valentino Preston is engaged to Valerie Kings". Her face turned pale and her friends sensed something was wrong.

"What's wrong Ana", Fabiola asked and snatched the phone from Mariana's hand. "What...this can't be true", Addison said unbelievably. "It is..if not why will his parents come out to give an official statement", Fabiola argued.

Mariana took her phone and handbag and drove straight to her house. Immediately she got home, she was welcomed by her mum who pulled her into a hug. Mariana broke into tears as she sobbed on her mum's shoulder.

"How, how's this possible mum...Tino would never betray me like this", Mariana cried. "I know that my love, stop crying...It's not good for your health", Avery consoled. Mariana broke the hug and her expression changed into an angry one.

Charles sat on the chair, he was feeling pity for his daughter but for some reason he was happy the marriage isn't taking place again. He didn't dare voice this out because he knows he was going to get it not with Avery so he just kept his mouth shut.

"It's that witch, Valerie. I know she seduced him...she's the reason my marriage was canceled", Mariana said. "Let me call her", Avery said and picked up her phone to call Valerie

Valerie was sitting on her favorite couch in the sitting room, holding a bowl of popcorn and watching her favorite show with her best friend Megan. She didn't have any shoot or scene to act on today.

The show came to an end and Valerie sighed dejectedly. "I'm so sad it came to an end but it was the best ending ever", Valerie said and paused when she heard soft sobs. She turned sideways to find Megan crying.

"Meg, don't tell me you're crying over a fictional film, what if it was real...I bet you'd faint", Valerie mocked. "Quiet Val, I can't blame you...your heart is as cold as ice", Megan retorted. "It's not my heart but I know it's fake because I act scenes like that", Valerie shrugged.

"Whatever", Megan rolled her eyes and picked up her phone. She entered I*******m and the first thing she saw made her eyes pop out of their socket. "Holy fuck", Megan exclaimed.

"What is it this time, did Alex ask you out", Valerie asked. "Nope, but I wish...girl take a look at this", Megan said handing her phone to Valerie. Valerie stood up from the couch when she saw the news. "What is the meaning of this", she asked.

Megan excused herself to make some calls to verify the authenticity of what they just saw. She came back after a few minutes with a sullen look on her face. "Have they taken it down", Valerie asked. "I'm afraid not but it's worse than we think", Megan said

"What's that supposed to mean, you know I'm not engaged to Valentino and can never be", Valerie said. "You're already engaged to Valentino and his parents already released an official statement to confirm that", Megan said slowly.

"Holy shit, like how the fuck did that happen, I thought he was supposed to get married to Mariana next two weeks...What's this I'm hearing? Are you playing pranks on me...if you are you should stop because this one is really expensive", Valerie warned

"I ain't playing no prank on you, you are engaged to Valentino Preston and you're getting married to him in two weeks", Megan informed. "What..two weeks...that's too close even if I was in love with him but I'm not. How am I supposed to marry a stranger? Mariana and Avery won't take this likely", Valerie sighed in frustration

She couldn't believe her life was going to be ruined this way. How the hell did she get entangled in this type of shit. She was one to stay on her own and avoid trouble..just why did this have to happen to her.

Just then her phone rang out and she sighed when she saw the caller...it was none other than her aunt Avery. She slowly picked up the call and placed the phone far away from her ear.

"You husband snatcher, get your ass here right now", Avery said and ended the call.

"Jeez", Valerie gritted in anger.