#Chapter 5 Unexpected Fiancé

Early the next morning, I woke up and wished I could stay in bed all day. I hadn’t slept well, and I looked more of a mess than usual. But it suited my mood.

 

I was about to wash up and go downstairs to eat breakfast when someone rang the doorbell. After pulling on my old sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt, I ran to the front door. It was still early, and the house was quiet. Cecilia, Andrew, and Andrea must still be sleeping.

 

I looked through the peephole and saw Amy impatiently shifting her weight from foot to foot. What had her so excited already this morning? I opened the door and motioned her inside.

 

“You’re up early,” I said as I led her to the kitchen. “Want some juice?”

 

Amy shook her head. “Did you do the genetic test for Alex Wilson and give them the referral information?”

 

“Yeah, why?” I replied while pouring myself a glass of orange juice.

 

Amy held up an envelope addressed to me. The return address was Alex Wilson’s corporation.

 

“Oh, yeah. I used your address. Cecilia was on my case about marrying a rich Alpha who could take care of me. I didn’t want her to get any ideas about me being a billionaire’s heiress.”

 

“Yeah, what a horrible fate,” Amy teased. She crossed her eyes and giggled.

 

“I don’t want to marry any man I don’t love. And I’m far from ready to get married.” I stuck out my tongue at her and changed the subject. “Wow. I can’t believe the money arrived so quickly.” I took the envelope and began to slit its end with a letter opener.

 

“It’s weird. The envelope didn’t arrive in our mailbox,” Amy said. “A very distinguished-looking man delivered it to my house. He wasn’t a regular delivery man or anything. He was wearing a suit and tie.”

 

“Unbelievable! You got tested to see if you are Alex Wilson’s lost Alpha Princess,” Andrea said with a laugh as she popped into the kitchen. “You’re delusional, Daisy. What makes you think a geeky nobody like you could be Alberta Wilson?”

 

“I duh … don’t think I’m Alberta Wilson,” I told Andrea, inwardly cursing my inability to speak without stuttering when Andrea was around. Why was Andrea always sneaking around, listening to my conversations? “Wuh … why are you always so nasty to me?”

 

“Buh … because you’re such a dweeb,” Andrea replied, mocking my stutter. “I can’t freaking believe you think you’re an Alpha. It’s too funny.”

 

I felt my anger rising, but I tried to concentrate on staying calm and speaking clearly. “I wuh … wouldn’t want to be a spoiled, rich, Alpha girl. I’m happy being me.”

 

Andrea couldn’t understand that I didn't need to be rich or powerful to be happy. I have a few people who care about me, and I am willing to work for what I want.

 

“You’re lying. You were hoping you were born a rich Alpha.” Andrea rolled her eyes. “Why else would you get tested?”

 

“I needed the thousand dollars Alex Wilson is giving all girls who got their DNA tested to see if he’s their father,” I admitted. Hearing myself say it out loud made me feel worse than I had yesterday.

 

“Using people isn’t something I would normally do,” I explained. “But it was either take the test and get paid a thousand dollars, even though I knew I was not the missing heiress, or I had to allow Amy’s father to pay for an expensive suit I ruined.”

 

I handed Amy the envelope. “Give it to your dad and the other money I have in my room. He can make sure you know who gets the money.” I couldn’t bring myself to mention Victor’s name before Andrea.

 

Amy shook her head. “I can’t take your money, and my father won’t either. You worked hard for every dime you have, and you never spend any of it. You're going to take this check and cash it. Put it into a savings account for college.”

 

Amy pulled the check out of the envelope and froze. “How much was Alex Wilson paying girls for a sample of their DNA?” she asked. “I thought you said a thousand dollars.”

 

I nodded. “Yes, they were advertising that they would give a thousand dollars to any selected girl who took the test.”

 

“But this check isn’t for a thousand dollars,” Amy said. She pulled the check away from Andrea, who was trying to grab it from her hand.

 

“Oh, no,” I groaned. “I n … need a thousand dollars more to pay for that suit.”

 

“You'll be able to pay for that suit,” Amy said. I could tell she was trying not to grin. “You can buy any suit you want. Look.”

 

Amy held the check in front of my eyes. It was made out to me for one hundred thousand dollars.”

 

I let out a squeal. “It’s a mistake. I need to return it and get one for the right amount.”

 

“Boy, you are dumb,” Andrea said. “You should keep your mouth shut and give that check to my parents. They’ve raised you all these years. You owe them.”

 

“That would be stealing. It’s not my money,” I told her and examined the check closer. There was a phone number under Alex Wilson’s address. “I’m calling Mr. Wilson to tell him about the mistake.”

 

But the doorbell rang once again before I could dial the phone number.

 

“Maybe they dis … discovered the mistake and tracked me down to get their check back,” I said and ran to see who was at the door.

 

I opened the door, ready to hand over the too-large check. But when I saw who was at the door, I couldn’t move or speak.

 

It was Victor. He stepped into the house wearing a formal suit with a large bouquet of bright red roses in one of his hands. He was more handsome than ever, and he smelled like an expensive cologne.

 

Behind him, his assistant was carrying more than a dozen expensive gift boxes with various designer brand names on them. What was going on?

 

Victor glanced at me and my messier-than-usual morning look, and his face froze. But after a moment, he flashed a super charming smile as he walked forward into the house.

 

He looked over the three of us. "Which one of you is Daisy?" he asked politely.

 

I came back to my senses and replied stiffly, "I’m Daisy."

 

Why was he here?

 

I bit my lip and tried to keep my face away from Victor. Maybe he wouldn’t recognize me from the restaurant.

 

But Victor looked me over from my frizzy hair, held back from my face with an elastic band, to my baggy sweatpants with holes in the knees. His expression showed that he didn’t find me attractive, but he didn't seem to remember me either.

 

"So ... you’re Mr. Wilson's lost child."

 

He seemed earnest, but this had to be a joke.

 

“I brought a few things, gifts that are rightfully yours.”

 

"No … Wait … what?" I stammered. “What … what do you mean?” My mind spun. Was Victor saying what I thought he was saying?

 

“I’m your fiancé, Alberta,” Victor said with an attractive smile.