CHAPTER ONE

Mia wakes up in the night to find out Liam is not in the room. His side of the bed was empty, "Liam?" She called out, but when she got no answer, she got out of the bedroom and saw him sitting on the couch in the living room.

"Happy birthday darling". Mia said and closed up the distance between them to hug and kiss him. But Liam ignored her.

"What is it?”Did I do something wrong?

 "Nothing, just thinking about my inheritance." Today is my 28th birthday. I'm scared the company might not be handed over to me. My grandfather is a weird old man. I don't want to lose this opportunity of a lifetime.

  

Mia sat beside him immediately, smiling as she placed her head on his shoulder.

“ Don't think too much, darling; you are the only legitimate grandchild he has and the direct heir to inheriting the company.” I believe in you. Mia encouraged him.

Liam let out a deep breath and turned to her, his eyes twinkling with enthusiasm, "Do you know what that means? Mia, if I win this, our lives will change forever.

 "I know, darling; there is no purpose in thinking too much when you will get your answer in the morning anyway.” It's your birthday, we need to celebrate before you go to work in the morning.

Seeing the look on his face, Mia blushes. Liam is the best thing that happened to her after the death of her parents. They've been together for three years now, and everything is perfect, although her best friend Grace does not like Liam for her. She bit her lower lip and looked away from him, her thoughts running wild; she had fifty thousand dollars; it was her parent’s savings, and it was all they left for her to survive on. She will use it to get him the car he has always dreamed of having as a birthday gift and surprise him at his workplace.

Thank you so much, Mia, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me," he pulled her into a hug, and soon he was kissing her, "thank you," he murmured in between the kisses."Now, let me drain your strength before I leave for work."

 "Oh Liam, no," Mia giggled as he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom.

********

Mia woke up late in the morning; Liam had left for work already. She quickly bathed and dressed up to go to the bank and withdraw all her life savings so she could get the gift for Liam. She planned to surprise him at his workplace and invite him out for a private dinner.

Mia arrived at Liam’s grandfather's company and was directed to his office by the receptionist. She got to his floor and saw a lady, sitting on a desk typing on the computer in front of her. She assumed her to be Liam's secretary. 

“Hello. Please, I'm here to see Liam Kingston.”

“Do you have an appointment?” The secretary asked her without looking at her.

“No, I am his fiancee. I came here to take him out for a private dinner in celebration of his birthday.”

The secretary looked up at her before saying. I usually wouldn't let you see him without an appointment. But there is a party celebration already going on at the Mercury Hotel for him. Liam was announced as the new CEO of the company this morning.

Mia was happy that Liam's dream was being fulfilled. They had both looked forward to celebrating today. Although she was not happy that she heard the news from someone else, she expected him to call and inform her immediately he was declared the CEO. Maybe, he was too excited and caught in the moment. 

Thank you for the information. Mia left his office and drove the car she bought for him to the hotel, where the party was ongoing.

Luckily for her, she was dressed in her best dress. A sexy black dress with puffy hands and a slit on one side to showcase her beautiful shapely legs, paired with silver heels. Liam loves her wearing this dress, he said he can't control himself anytime he sees her on it.

Mia arrived at the hotel and was led to the party by one of the waiters. The party looked more serious to her than a celebration of Liam's achievement as the CEO. The caliber of people she saw and their dressing screamed wealth and glamour. She felt inferior in their midst as she looked around for Liam.

“Where could he have gone to?” She knows he is the celebrant. She heard his name on the lady's lips as they gossiped about his handsome look, which made her jealous. She wanted to shout at them that Liam was already taken; he was her fiance and had eyes for her only. Well, she guessed they would find out soon enough when they saw her later with Liam.

She moved around and found Liam chatting with a group of men and women that looked so wealthy. She smiled as she headed his way. She was not looking and mistakenly stepped on a waiter carrying a tray of drinks. 

The waiter slipped and the drinks fell, with shattered glasses on the floor. The waiter glared at her with anger on his face. 

The whole place became silent suddenly, and all eyes were on her, wondering who she was and the mishap she had caused with her carelessness.

Mia felt like the ground should open up and swallowed her, as she apologized to the waiter on the floor. 

“She doesn't look like she belongs here. Her dress is so cheap. I wonder who she came with”. She heard a lady's voice and looked up to see a blonde speaking beside Liam, while Liam glared at her with disgust on his face, without defending her.

“Whoever dares to bring a low-class person like her to this party does not deserve to be seen here.” One of the men close to Liam also spoke out, as he looked down on her.

Mia was about to say that she was Liam's fiance, but the words she heard next shocked her to her bone marrow.

“ Sorry guys, she is my house help. I guessed she came to deliver what I sent her to bring for me. Liam spoke loudly to the onlookers and signaled her to follow him outside.