Prologue

Wealth. Intelligence. Beauty. These are the three things that can make you climb on the top. This is why I am on top now and looked up to by the majority. This is not the life, I wanted. This is not what I dreamed to be.

But the cruelty of life thought me how to fight. The pain I've felt thought me how to rise from my greatest downfall. I got up, endured all the pain and worked hard. I never dreamed that I would have been born rich and from a respected family. But because of the circumstances of life, I have learned, if you have money you are not lightly oppressed and you are not lightly trampled on by others.

For the past seven years, I learned to use my brain, not my heart. I also learned not to give trust to someone lightly. Sometimes, whoever you trust the most, he is the one who can hurt you completely. I learned to use my heart less and disregard my emotions. The brain should work, not the heart.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the heiress of Soldevilla Shipping Lines, our birthday celebrant, Miss Francesca Soldevilla!"

Wearing an elegant red long dress, I stepped down on the grand staircase with poise and elegance. Flashes of cameras can be seen anywhere. Sparing smiles and cold looks were all I gave to the people who looked up at me. Amazement and joy I saw in their eyes as they followed my every move.

"Happy birthday, France." mommy greeted me. She kissed my cheeks. Dad hugged me.

"Happy birthday, daughter."

"Thank you, mom, dad."

I turned to the people waiting for a chance to greet me. They are the country's wealthiest people and famous in business world. I can even see faces of some politicians, as well as celebrities.

"Mom, I'll just be in the comfort room for a while." goodbye. He nodded so I immediately walked away. Many greet me that I just reciprocate with a formal smile.

Suddenly, I stopped. Not because someone greeted me, but because of the pair of black eyes that were now staring at me. He's standing half a meter away from me, looking at me intently as if he wants to see my soul and emotions. Is he still standing and the eyes staring at me are dangerous. Those eagle-like eyes are blazing with coldness and authority, just like how it looked like, years ago.

I stayed emotionless as I started to walk again. I passed him with my forehead raised. But before I could take three steps away from him I suddenly heard his cold voice which stopped me.

"Amara."

That name. My name has long been buried in oblivion like the painful memories brought to me by the past and the man I first loved.