001

- CHLOE -

“Why are you such a disgusting, stuck-up bitch, huh?” Brian yelled at me, making the music in the hall stop. “Am I the cause of your Dad’s company going bankrupt? Why do I have to be the one to give you money for your Dad to start up again?”

I froze, blinking rapidly.

Why was he acting this way? We had been dating for over a year now, and he had never spoken to me this way before.

Even though his words stung and I felt utterly embarrassed, I forced a smile on my face.

“Brian, what are you talking about?” I forced a laugh and linked my arms with his. “You must be really drunk. Stop saying things people could misinterpret.”

Instantly, I regretted asking Brian for help.

I mean, it wasn’t like my Dad was dead broke, he only lost his company, not his life or hands.

I just wanted him to continue living a good life, which was why I even accepted Brian’s help. Otherwise, I wouldn't have.

Brian yanked my arms away, making everyone in the event hall begin to murmur, knowing a drama was about to unfold.

When he suggested we should attend this event, my instincts told me it was a bad idea, but I waved it off.

“I’m not drunk. I know exactly what I am doing. Stop trying to cover your mess, you beggar," Brian said loud enough for everyone to hear.

Gasps filled the air immediately, and I couldn't even hide my face in shame. I was angry and confused at Brian’s sudden outburst.

We were fine until he went to use the bathroom and got back.

What the hell went wrong?

My heart clenched in my chest as I said to him, “Me? A beggar? You promised to help, and all I did was remind you, and now you call me that?"

“Yes, Chloe Myer, you’re a beggar now that your Dad’s company has gone under,” He told me with so much disdain in his eyes.

At that moment, pain cut through my chest, and all I could feel was my heart aching, the pain from his betrayal and harsh words.

If he had done this in a private place, it wouldn’t have hit me this hard, but we were in public.

And now, some people in the hall were looking at me with pity, while others, whose parents' companies were rivals to my Dad’s, laughed in mockery.

What hurt me most was that while I dated Brian, I was faithful and understanding.

Even though, for reasons Brian refused to tell me, he didn’t tell his family about me and told me not to tell my Dad about him yet, I still loved him.

I felt that he was waiting for the right moment; therefore, I tried to understand him.

But right now, it began to seem like Brian never loved me, and that was why he didn't let me know any of his family members.

One year of love, loyalty, and trust, and this was how he was repaying me?

“My Dad’s company was framed, I told you that, Brian. I explained it to you,” I tried to defend my Dad’s honor.

But Brian laughed hysterically, “I don’t care. You really have nerves asking me for money when you refuse to let me have sex with you.”

“What? She’s still a virgin?” Emily asked rhetorically and laughed in mockery, but I refused to let her words and actions get to me.

There was nothing wrong with being a virgin at 20.

Or was there?

“Yes, she is still a virgin who doesn't even know how to kiss someone properly. Thinking about it now, maybe her pussy smells, and that is why she can’t seem to let anyone fuck her because she doesn’t want to embarrass herself,” Brian said in mockery.

His words cut deep into my soul and I was just an inch from bursting into tears, but I tried not to. At least not in front of this crowd.

“That’s a lie, Brian, and you know it,” I said through gritted teeth, and he laughed in response.

“You’re so pathetic, Chloe Myer. Now I know why I never loved you,” He spat coldly.

His words were like a punch to my heart. I clutched my chest due to how hard my heart ached.

It became impossible for me to hold back my tears because holding them back felt suffocating now that I realised that I was played by Brian Targatt.

One year of my life that I invested in my relationship with him turned out to be just a waste of time.

A lone tear slipped down my face when I looked at him again.

I shouldn’t have said anything. I knew I shouldn't have because I already seemed pathetic. But I said it anyway.

“You promised to marry me. You promised to introduce me to your parents when we get married. Was that all a lie?” I asked him in tears.

He looked at me and scoffed in disbelief, “Gosh you're so dumb Chloe, do you even—”

But before he could say anything, the sound of a hand colliding with his cheek filled the hall.

Everywhere became utterly silent with our eyes widened.

Brian had just been slapped by my best friend, Lorriane.

“Fuck you, Brian. Don’t ever talk about Chloe like that after everything she sacrificed for you,” Lorraine said and led me out of the hall.

“You will go back to Armsville to be with your Dad, as he has always been pleading with you to. Even if it means me bundling you into a luggage bag and sending you there, I will. And afterward, you will forget about Brian Targatt and live your life like he never existed. Do you understand me?” Lorraine sternly said to me the moment I got into my car.

She was right, I couldn't believe I had been such a fool.

But then again, Brian made me feel like I was the only woman in the world he cherished and adored and I fell for his act.

I had come to this city for college and this was where I met Brian. He acted like the perfect gentleman. My dream man.

When my Dad’s pharmaceutical company was framed for harboring hard drugs which led to my Dad’s company going bankrupt, I went to visit my Dad and planned to stay there for about two months.

But I only got to spend two days, before Brian called saying he wanted me to come back, and because I loved him, I had to cut my trip short.

That was when he promised to help my Dad get his company working again

I didn’t even ask Brian to do it, he decided to do it by himself and now he was acting like I was the one who begged him?

Thinking about it now, I regretted why I didn't slap him. I should have been the one who slapped him, not Lorraine.

Either way, the deed had already been done and though it was going to be difficult, I was going to move on.

An asshole like Brian didn’t deserve me.

So I looked at Lorraine with a grateful but sad smile on my face and hugged her.

I was going to miss her so much but it was time to go back to my city. Armsville.

********

“You’ve grown so much Kiddo,” My Dad crushed me in a bear hug when he came to pick me up at the airport.

My heart ached for him. His life had gone from grace to grass but he still had a warm smile.

When his company was accused of harboring hard drugs, it was a miracle that my Dad wasn’t sentenced to life in prison.

“I missed you too Dad,” I responded and hugged him tighter.

He pulled away instantly and frowned, “You don’t seem cheerful. Is something wrong?” He asked with a worried look on his face.

“I’m–I’m fine Dad,” I blurted and he nodded.

However, his countenance changed and I couldn't help but wonder why.

“I’ll be right back,” He said and walked towards the toilet area of the airport.

My brows creased wondering why his countenance changed.

I hated seeing him sad. He went through a lot to raise me alone when he was just 19.

Yeah, he had me when he was just 19 years old.

Sadly my Mom passed away during my birth. According to my Dad, the doctors called me a miracle child saying that it was a miracle I survived.

I was brought back from my train of thought when someone tapped me and told me I had a tear on my face and asked me if I was alright.

That was when I realised that a lone tear had slipped down my face when I hugged my Dad.

“Shit,” I cussed under my breath and quickly looked away after thanking the person.

I finally realized why my Dad’s countenance changed.

I then took two steps backwards intending while about to wipe the tear but then I bumped into someone passing and lost my balance.

But just as I was falling to the ground, strong arms wrapped around mine, pulling me towards whoever it was that had caught me.

I could instantly tell that it was a man due to how muscular the chest was.

I quickly pulled away from the person to apologize, and when I looked up, it was like time froze because standing in front of me was the most beautiful and tallest man I had ever seen.

This man was 6ft4 in height.

I couldn't help but ogle him, even though I could clearly see that he was about my Dad’s age. The faint lines near his eyes showed that.

He had green eyes and the most perfectly shaped lips and nose I’d ever seen.

The tattoo of a dragon by the side of his neck made him look hotter.

What the hell is wrong with you Chloe Myer, why are you ogling a man old enough to be your Dad? My subconscious screamed at me, making me snap out of whatever trance I was in.

“Uhm… I’m sorry. Hope I didn't hurt you?” I apologised to the hot man who frowned.

“No English,” He answered in a Russian accent, and a voice that could make a woman's knees go weak.

Afterward, he walked away. His aura screamed dominance and so was his physique.

Were Russian men always this beautiful and hot? I wondered.

My Dad walked to me after a minute had passed, making me put on my best smile.

“Cut the crap Kiddo. I know you’re sad and I happen to know what will help us both relax. There is a banquet being held tomorrow and you’re coming with me,” He said with an air of finality.

“That sounds fun,” I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm, however, I was willing to go to him.

What I didn't know was that the banquet was the day my life would change in a drastic way I never expected.