Chapter one

Dear Ms Vanessa J,

Your presence is requested at the Hood Creek Estate, Vermont.

A business proposition that will change your life.

— K Sterling

The notification appeared on my MacBook screen just as my eyes landed on the headline below it.

“GIRLFRIEND BURNS DOWN FIANCÉ’S WEDDING HALL”.

My lips curved into a faint smile. They never tell the story right. Hours earlier, I sat in the third row of a beautifully decorated church, dressed in a soft lilac gown, watching my best friend look radiant in her white gown, her smile bright enough to fool anyone who didn’t know her well.

Today, I was supposed to be happy for her, but how can I be when she took what was mine? Just two days ago, we were at the beach together, laughing as the waves brushed against our feet. I had confided in her, told her everything just as best friends do.

“Harris has been distant lately,” I had said, staring out at the water. “He barely calls anymore. I don’t know what I did wrong.”

“Maybe it’s time you let him go, Ness. You deserve better than someone who makes you feel this way,” Gina replied, her hands wrapped around my shoulders. God, I had trusted her.

“Bride and groom, please step forward,” the priest's voice echoed, snapping me back to reality.

My hands shook as Harris and Vanessa moved forward, fingers intertwined. He was the man who had stood with me on that same beach months ago, his arms wrapped around my waist, slipping a ring into my palm as the sun went down.

“I choose you,” he had whispered. Now he stood there, choosing her. Men are really miserable people and I don't think I can ever trust a man in my life anymore.

As I watched Harris, my fingers curled around my purse, gripping the gun tightly and before I could stop myself, I pulled out my gun as I stood up.

“Don’t you dare!” I screamed, making everyone look up in shock, the music stopped, and Gina turned back to face me, shocked. Of course, she had never expected me to be there.

“Please, don’t do this,” Harris said, shielding Gina from me.

I fired into the air making everyone take to their feet as I pulled out a lighter from my pocket, a small bottle of diesel and set the venue ablaze.

With a fake smile, I walked outside and the driver took my bag and opened the car door. We drove home.

A soft knock came at the door before it creaked open.

“Vanessa?”

I quickly wiped my face, I didn’t even realise when the tears started falling.

My mother stepped in, her eyes filled with worry as she took in the sight of me sitting stiffly on the bed, laptop open, phone clutched tightly in my hand.

“I saw the news. You didn't have to do that,” she said, gently closing the door behind her. “They’re talking about it everywhere.”

“I know. I had to do what had to be done,” I said. Just then, a soft knock came at the door.

“Miss ?” Mrs Gwen peeked inside. “There’s someone here to see you.”

“Did they say who?” I asked.

“No, ma’am,” the maid replied. “But… he said it’s important.”

My heart skipped a beat as I tightened my fingers around my phone then I looked at the message on my screen.

Hood Creek Estate, Vermont.

“I’m not expecting anyone,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “Then you’re not going,” my mother said firmly. “Whoever it is can leave.”

“I’ll just see who it is,” I said, standing up from my seat.

“He’s outside,” she said, lowering her voice slightly. Outside, a tall man stood beside the grey car.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Adrian. I’m here on behalf of K. Sterling. You need to come with me,” he replied.

“The police will be here anytime soon. Get in the car,” he said as he opened the door for me to hop in and turned to me. Still in my pyjamas, I hesitantly entered the car hearing the siren come closer.

“Use the left,” I directed using the private entrance, and slowly, the sirens faded.

Suddenly, the car rolled to a stop in front of the estate, the gates closed behind us.

“This way,” Adrian said, stepping out first. “Here,” he directed as I hesitantly followed him inside the big mansion.

Inside stood who I assumed was K Sterling.

“Welcome, Vanessa,” K Sterling said, pushing forward a document for me.

“Have a seat and go through it carefully,” his eyes pierced through my soul as he spoke.

Hesitantly, I flipped it open.

“CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT: LEGALLY BINDING MARITAL UNION”

“Marriage?” I laughed in disbelief. This had to be a joke, did he see me as a desperate woman who had to burn down her best friend's wedding cause she was desperately in need of one?

“You’ve got to be kidding,” I scoffed, pushing the document towards him.

“Keep reading," he pushed the document to me.

“I’m not doing it.”

“Alright,” he said, leaning back slightly, studying me like I was a decision already made and just not yet aware of it.

“You’ve had a long day,” he said. “I don’t expect you to think clearly right now.”

“I’m thinking perfectly fine. Is this the business proposal that would change my life? Marriage? You must be joking,” I replied, standing up from my chair, proceeding to leave the room.

As I got to the entrance, I was blocked from passing. “I am sorry, you cannot leave. The boss has not given the order .”

A voice came from behind, “You should stay. The police are looking for you out there, and I can’t let you into their hands.”

“Take her to her part of the house,” his deep hoarse voice resounded in my ear as the guards bowed slightly.

“I am not staying!” I affirmed. “Carry her,” Sterling ordered and before I knew it, the guard picked me from the floor into his arms as I screamed.

“This is kidnapping!! I’d make sure you go down for this!”

We stopped in front of a large door. One of the guards opened it, dropping me inside the room.

“Your room, ma’am. Don’t try to escape,” he added before turning to leave.

Immediately, I pulled out my phone to call my mom but her number was not reachable. My mom always picked up my call on the first ring. I called again but no response.

As I was panicking, my door opened, revealing K Sterling. For the first time, I observed him. His hair was neatly styled, dark against his skin and his blue eyes pierced mine. In his hands, he held the document.

“This is yours, take your time to go through it again,” he said, dropping the document beside me, and his eyes locking into mine once again.”