Chapter 1: The promise

Loraine walk in to the family's spacious living room there's so much have changed the position  and the furnitures itself. She had been living on her own apartment with her bestfriend Sandra and it's been months she had set foot on her parents mansion. But it's never welcoming after her grandmother died.

"Well it's about time that you show your face in here!" Her stepmother said with an annoying greeting. As on cue her half-sister Zeinah added smirking. " Well, well, well the prodigal daughter has returned!!"

" Speak for yourself Zee, at least I earned what I spend instead of  spending the money that isn't rightfully mine like a beggar with open palms. " Loraine retaliated.

"You...!" Zeinah attempted to slap Lorraine.

" Stop it you two! If you can't keep your mouth shut Zee! You may go to your room." Her father issued the warning to her sister. Which made Lorraine wonder does miracles do happen? Or is her father want something from her to gain her symphaty? So he sided with her.

"Anyway Loraine I'm glad you came." her father smiled at her that gave her goosebumps. "What does he want from me?" She silently asked herself.

"You didn't gave me much of a choice father! Remember?" She was asked to visit the mansion by their driver as ordered by her father. Bernie the driver had serve them for a long time she look at him as her second father and she give in to the request because Bernie's job is on the line.

"It's because you never came to visit your poor father." Amirah Adams said in sweet tone in contrast to her earlier greeting. Lorraine scoffs, if there's anyone whom she doesn't want to come in contact with is the mother and daughter tandem of two face bitches, and split tongues Amira and Zeinah. They made her life miserable living in this house if not for her grandmother on the father side. She would have runaway early on.

"You know the reason why. Coming to visit is like entering a war zone." She snapped.

" Lorraine, that's not the way to talk to your mother! " George Adams scolded his daughter.

" She is not my mother! See! I told you, it's useless to visit when all we do is snapped at each other. She openly accused her stepmother.

"Your the one who disrespect your mother!" George Adams said.

" Stepmother Dad, and that is what she wants to make you believe, that I am the trouble maker. Anyway, what is the purpose that you want to see me? "

" Okay well since you are of age , I want to  grant  your grandma's wish  to marry the grandson of Peter Collins. "

" What!? You arrange me to be married? Dad don't I have a say in my life whom I chose to spend my life with? I'm  sure grandma will honour my will  if I say I want to choose for myself!" She had a bad feeling coming to this mansion before, but not as bad as this.

"It's not as you would die, marrying the Collins grandson. He is a sought-after bachelor, he is rich and successful, and good looking too if I may add."

" If he is in your books, why don't you marry him." She doesn't want to sound sarcastic but, her freedom is what she treasure the most. The very reason why she left the mansion to live on her own. Her father still gives her her allowance every month but she never touch a single cent proving to him that she can make it on her own without his help.

"PAK! ! !" She didn't expect her father to raise a hand on her. " I didn't raise you to disrespect me Lorraine Adams. You are still my daughter and I have a say on your life especially when it has to do with your inheritance."

" I don't care for your inheritance! As far as I know I am my mother's only heir and that is amounting to sixty percent share on what you Bragg about your wealth. I also have my mother's share in the company." Tearfully while holding her cheeks she replied. Her stepmother and half-sister's grinning from ear to ear did not escape her.

" That shares your talking about are about to be lost if you are insistent not to marry the Collins. "

" What have you done father?"

" Well, I... I was misguided in investing in a transaction and lost heavily." But Lorraine suspects that the mother and daughter tandem have something to do with the loses due to their lavish lifestyle when they have a free hand after her grandmother died.

"You are responsible for your action Dad! Leave me out of this!" Then she storm away tearfully, leaving the family that shackles her freedom.

In another place a knock on the door caught the attention of the man inside his office daydreaming. "Yes!" The door open and his secretary announced. "Boss your father wants to see you." His secretary said.

"Send him in." A middle age man well dress carrying an air of respectability and he expect exactly that, sn older version of the man in the office.

"What is it father?" Mateo asked her his father.

"You didn't come home when I asked you, Your grandfather asked for you."

"Grandpa? How is he?" Theo asked worrierly. He was out of the country when his father called. But when he returned the request slipped from his mind.

"He is fine as long as you will give in to his request."

" Request? What request Dad."

" It is not my place to ask you, but to prepare yourself and have time to think about it." He raise his brows wanting to know more.

"He wants you to marry the granddaughter of his friend."

" What Dad! Why? "

" It seems son that he made a promise to his childhood sweetheart that if they won't be meant for each other he would surely make his grandson marry her granddaughter. Lately her son approached your grandfather for help . Their company is in dire straits."

"Why me? " perplexed he asked.

" Why not you? I mean you are already of age to start a family. It's about time you leave that memory behind and look at women not as playthings but as partners."

" But Dad I'm not ready! I dont want to be with someone I knew nothing about."

" I understand you son. But you have to take into consideration your grandpa's health. Another massive attack will take a toll in his health. We must try to give his heart desire to make him happy."

" I don't know what to do Dad."

After his father left Mateo call his friend to have background check on the daughter of the Adams. As soon as possible.

After he received the results." I knew it!" He said to himself. " She is nothing but a gold digger." The thought leaves a bad taste in his mouth.