Chapter 4

“I'm in,” Audrey replied almost immediately.

“Great one. I’ll get the contract ready by tomorrow for you to sign. Make sure to read through this time,” Thomas said with a small smile, prompting a laugh from Audrey. But her smiles vanished abruptly immediately Thomas' expression turned serious.

“Tomorrow's Valentine's Day and you have to go to the High-End Valentine's party with me.”

Audrey's mind whirled with thoughts. The dress on her was the only beautiful dress she had. Asking Sophia for a dress would be horrible.

Playing the role of a billionaire's fiancee could be expensive. She hadn't thought of that before jumping to accept.

It seemed Thomas heard her thoughts when he said, “Since you're avoiding home, why don't you come with me and get ready for tomorrow?”

Audrey's face split into a huge grin, her teeth flashing white. Thomas' unreadable expression kept her to her spot, else she'd have jumped on him in excitement.

Thomas seemed to have two personalities; in a moment, he could be smiling and the next moment his face was frowning. But whatever it was, Audrey was ready to roll with his habit. She had always had a crush on him, even with his non-smiling pictures.

There was nothing she was going back to pick at home anyway. “Sure, I’ll go with you,” she responded and followed Thomas into the car. She settled beside the chauffeur while Thomas sat at the back.

The car pulled up in front of a mansion. Audrey's jaw dropped in admiration. She had only seen grandeur like this in movies.

“You’ll be staying here for now.” Thomas' voice yanked her gaze away from admiration.

He pointed to a lady standing nearby, “Sharon will be your assistance.” With that he turned to leave.

“Where are you going?” Audrey asked with curiosity.

“To my house,” Thomas replied with a raised eyebrow. “Remember, you're my fiancee, not wife, don't expect to live with me.” His tone was gentle but firm.

Audrey simply nodded in response, his words broke her heart.

“Take this,” Thomas handed her a black card. Audrey's eyes widened with shock as she collected it.

“Buy yourself things you need. And get a dress for tomorrow.”

Audrey couldn't believe her ears. She stared in silence, her eyes not blinking as Thomas walked away with his bodyguard.

‘A black card? It can only be owned by the most prominent people in the country.’

Audrey's eyes beamed with tears. She had just left home with nothing and now she was holding a black card of the most prominent man in the country.

After Thomas' car disappeared from view, she dashed into the bathroom and had a quick shower, ready to go shopping.

Her face danced with smiles as she slid into the backseat of the car Thomas had left for her, accompanied by Sharon.

The car pulled up at the most expensive boutique in the city.

Audrey's eyes devoured the dresses hung. They sparkled with beauty and money.

“This will perfectly fit you, ma’am,” Sharon said with a soft smile as she pulled out a knee- length white gown.

But just then, a hand shot out, snatching it away from her. “I saw it first,” the familiar voice said.

Audrey looked around and was shocked to see Sophia and Lucas, hands locked. But Lucas immediately dropped Sophia's hand, on sighting Audrey.

“Sophia, you’ve got no shame,” Audrey said with a frown.

“You always want what belongs to me….first was my family….my supposed fiance…and now my dress.”

Sophia let out a low hiss and rolled her eyes, flipping her hair off her shoulder.

Lucas stalked closer to Audrey, his expression stern and unapologetic.

“Leave all this your pretense. You can't get to pay the debt. Marry me or rot in jail,” his tone was annoying.

Audrey smirked, “You have my sister already, she should replace me.” She hissed, yanked the dress from Sophia's slack grip and turned to leave.

“You can't pay for that, Audrey. Don't embarrass yourself,” Sophia shouted after Audrey as she strode to the cashier.

Sophia's feet almost slipped in shock as Audrey pulled out a black card. She glanced back at Lucas with a questioning look.

“The black card is only owned by your family and your family's competitor. Did you give her your card?” She asked in a low tone.

Lucas patted his pocket for his card and it was there. Still confused, he snatched the card from the cashier.

“Lucas!” Audrey screamed at him in anger.

“You stole the Whiteson’s card,” Lucas accused, holding it up.

Audrey's jaw clenched, her fist tightening beside her. She badly wanted to punch Lucas in the face, and unleash the Taekwondo skills she kept hidden. But to avoid getting in trouble with Thomas, she forced calmness.

“Do you want me to call Mr. Thomas?” Sharon whispered in her ear, but Audrey shook her head.

“I can handle this,” she said.

“Give me back my card,” Audrey's teeth clenched with fury. Lucas hesitated before finally handing it over to her.

Audrey handed it back to the cashier. Lucas and Sophia were more shocked when the machine beeped and the payment was made.

Sharon grabbed the bag and bowed slightly for Audrey. “Yes, we can leave now.” Audrey said in response.

She gave Lucas and Sophia a disdainful look, hissed and walked past.

Lucas and Sophia tiptoed after her. Their eyes almost popped out of their sockets when a man with the Whiteson's company ID opened the car door for her.

“How?” They shouted in unison.

“She just returned to the city. How did she meet the Whiteson?” Sophia whispered, her eyes wide.

Lucas' face twisted in shock, confusion and fear. ‘Is Audrey selling her body to any of the Whiteson's sons to pay the debt?

What will happen when she clears the debt with their help? He won't get to marry her and that means he’d lose the benefits of Audrey's share in her grandfather's company.’

“No,” he growled, his neck veins bulging.

“There has to be an alternative,” Sharon whispered and Lucas nodded in response.