CHAPTER 4

Amery Pov

When I opened my eyes and noticed that I was in an unfamiliar place. I realized I messed up. I had a one night stand with a stranger. Thankfully he was still fast asleep when I left, he might be one of the creeps that ask for more. 

They don't understand the concept of a drunk one night stand. 

I honestly didn't regret it though, I had the best night. The way that mysterious man handled my body was magical, I lost count of the number of times I climaxed. Even my boyfriend has never had this type of effect on me before.

I wouldn't mind another night like this to clear up my head but I wondered if anybody else would make me feel that way.

"We're here ma'am" the taxi driver broke me out of my reverie.

"Oh sorry" I chuckled awkwardly and brought out a little cash from my purse and handed it to him before stepping out of the car.

I walked to my front door, ransacking my bag for my keys. I sighed in relief when my hand touched the cold metal and I brought the key out.

I thought I lost it.

I inserted it into the lock and twisted it, but it didn't bulge. I changed sides and inserted it again, it still wouldn't yield. It wasn't always this hard to open my door.

Did I take the wrong key? I knew my key, I had been living in this house for twenty years and we've never changed our lock.

I tried it a few more times, my patience wearing thin with each failed attempt, frustration washed over me and I started kicking the door with my foot, the loud thud echoing through the silence. Why is this happening now, of all time?

"You're doing too much work darling" a familiar voice spoke behind me and I froze.

I should have known, this damned woman.

"I'm sorry, did I keep you waiting? " my mother mocked with a sinister smirk on her face.

"Don't tell me you changed my lock"

"Yeah, I did. So what? It's my house after all."

"Your house? This is my Father's house!"

She burst into fits of laughter. "Your Father and I built this house together, our names were both written in the document of this house Darling. So, since he's dead. It's mine now"

"Why? You have tons of beautiful houses far better than this one. This is the only thing my father left for me. Why can't you just let me have it? "I pleaded, tears threatening to fall.

"You can have it, only if you do what I want"

"And what is that?"

"Follow me back to California"

"Why should I? My life is here" I yelled.

"You have nothing! Nothing is here for you anymore. You're pretty much deserted so why don't you just listen to me"

"And the reason I was deserted is because of you Mom, you think I don't know" 

She shrugged. "Well, I have to do what I have to do to get what I want."

"Good, you've really outdone yourself mother. Well Done. But nothing you do will make me succumb to you, so do your worst." I told her before storming away angrily.

"Fine, I'll do my worst. If it gets you to follow me back home Amery!"she yelled after me.

I walked to my boyfriend's Atlas house and knocked on his door angrily. If he thought he could dump me so easily then he's had it wrong.

"Amery?" he called in surprise.

"Surprise right, you think I'll leave just like that. After everything that you've put me through. You're just going to neglect me.." my voice quivered as my eyes shimmered with tears.

"Listen Amery, us breaking up doesn't make me to stop taking responsibility but we can't be together anymore"

"But why! Why now of all time!" my words came out in whisper as if my vocal cords were struggling to hold on to a little thread of composure.

"I'm sorry, I've stopped loving you for a long time, I couldn't bring myself to tell you cos I didn't want to break your heart. But I can't keep pretending anymore.."

"Baby.." his words got interrupted by a feminine voice and loud footsteps approaching us.

He looked at me with wide eyes as he moved to close the door, but it was too late. I already saw who he wanted to hide.

My best friend, in my boyfriend's house. And she just called him BABY.

The moment our eyes met, she yelped in surprise and turned back almost immediately running back into the house.

I stood there, frozen in disbelief, I felt my world crumbling around me. The people I loved and trusted, the one I thought was my partner, my everything, was telling me he wanted out only to be cheating on me with my best friend.

The pain was like a knife twisting in my heart, a searing ache that left me breathless.

"Wh..at..is happening? Tell me what is happening" I yelled as I grasped at his shirt, my fingers trembling with desperation.

The tears streaming down my face were a mix of anger, sadness, and pleading, hoping he'd tell me what I just saw was a lie.

The next thing he said broke me the more. "I love her"

The emotion I felt was a crushing sense of loss, It was as if my heart was shattering into a million pieces.

"My best friend? Of all the girls in this world Atlas. You choose to love my best friend! "

"Stop it  you're making a scene" he yelled.

"You're yelling at me for that bitch? Tell her to come out, Joey come out! You bitch" I tried to force my way into the house pushing him away from the door frame.

He stood firm, his eyes flashing with fierce anger. I pushed him with all my strength determined to get hold of that betrayer and tear her into pieces, as my heart raced with adrenaline, but he countered my every move.

Then in a sudden and fast motion, he grasped my arms and pulled me back. I struggled to break free, but he held me back, his fingers digging deep into my skin. I felt a surge of fear as he pushed me hard, my head crashing against the wall with a loud sound.

The impact sent stars dancing across my vision, and my body crumpled to the ground, my consciousness slipping away like sand between my fingers. The only thing I could hear was faded voices as I slipped into darkness.

*****

"Mind your business and stop digging around mother!" I snapped, my voice trembling in frustration.

"Well, it's hard to mind my business, after all, your business is mine now," she smirked, her eyes glinting with amusement.

I glared at her, my heart racing with anger. "I'm warning you, stay away." My words hung in the air like a challenge.

Just then, a maid walked in and whispered something in her ear. She turned to me with a saccharine smile. "Get dressed quickly, you're going to meet your new family today."

"What? Not so fast... I haven't even agreed yet!" I protested, my voice laced with panic.

"Yes you have, you were supposed to meet them yesterday but you refused to wake up" Her tone was condescending, like I was a child who couldn't be trusted.

"Cooperate, everything will be over soon," She turned and walked out, leaving me seething.

After I was done dressing, I followed Merida out, as we climbed down the stairs I could hear voices. They all sat in the living room, waiting for me.

"Finally, " Jane groaned as she stormed out of the house, her parents also stood up and I followed behind them.

"Amery, you're riding with your sister," my mother informed.

"What? There's no way she's riding with me, I'm going alone," Jane huffed and got into her car. She ignited the engine and sped off.

"Don't worry, you can ride with us," my mother sighed, her eyes flashing with annoyance.

We arrived at another mansion, and as we walked in, we were welcomed by a maid who took our coats and guided us in. They stopped by a big table, where a woman, probably the same age as my mom, was seated. As soon as she saw us, she stood up, a big smile playing on her lip.

"Oh, there they are! Welcome to our humble abode!" she greeted, throwing her arms out as she hugged my mom, kissing the air while Mom did the same. 

Mom laughed. "Come on, Diana, you're making it like it's the first time we're visiting you."

"Well, we don't get these important visitors every day." Diana deadpanned.

"Thank you for hosting us, then," my mother replied, her voice warm.

Everyone else exchanged greetings while I stood there, watching until my mother grabbed my hand, pulling me close to her.

"Diana, meet my beautiful daughter Amery." My mom smiled as she introduced us.

"Amery, meet your future in-laws," she signaled me with her eyes and whispered, "Be polite."

"Hi, nice to meet you," I forced a smile, stretching my hand as we exchanged handshakes.

"Nice to meet you, Amery. You're even prettier in real life. Welcome, I'm happy to have you," Diana gave me a warm smile as she pulled me into her embrace.

Okay, I like her; I said to myself. This marriage can't be that bad; I have a lovely mother-in-law.

"Let me get my husband and Levin. Make yourself comfortable," Diana said.

"I heard your first son is back? Will he be joining us?" That was my mother.

"Yes, but he's a little bit busy right now. He'll join us later " Diana answered while mother nodded.

After Diana left, Jane turned to my mother. "I thought that first son left the family seven years ago after his father disowned him and made Levin his heir," 

"I know, maybe they've made up," my mother replied.

"Is he back to claim his position as the heir? I thought he's well off already. " she sighed.

"Well it wouldn't be that bad if Amery marries the first son, then I'll have Levin to myself. I told you to let me marry him anyway"

"Shut up, that's never going to happen" my mother cautioned while Jane scoffed in reply.

Just then Diana, and a man, probably in his late 50's walked in. He exchanged greetings with everyone and Diana introduced us.

Few seconds later, we could hear footsteps from the stairs, then a tall, lean guy walked in.

He was handsome, chiseled jawline, dirty blonde hair, brown eyes. He was totally giving me a runaway model vibe.

As he approached the table smiling, I could see a striking resemblance with Diana. 

"Everyone, I apologize for my lateness.I was on a call with a client and I lost track of time," he said, his voice smooth and confident.

"You should apologize to your fiancée, she has been eager to meet you," Diana said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Liar I wasn't eager at all. But if I knew he was this good looking, I would have been.

His gaze moved to me, and I gave him a genuine, real smile from the bottom of my heart. But Levin just glanced at me, his eyes cold and dismissive, before changing the subject.

Everyone acted like they didn't see what happened, or maybe they actually didn't. I felt a sting of rejection and embarrassment.

I looked at Jane, whose focus was on Levin. She looked smitten, why didn't my mother just let her get married to him instead? I sighed and dropped my cutlery, the sound echoing through the room.

"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom," I said, but only got one response, from Diana, who pointed out where the restroom was for me. Everyone pretended they didn't hear me, or maybe they actually didn't.

I walked into the restroom and released a deep breath. I washed my face with water and cleaned my face with a disposable towel. My head was spinning considering I just woke up from a coma and mom didn't even let me get better before she dragged me here. 

She's forcing me to marry a man who wouldn't even want to look at me, let alone love me. I felt like a pawn in a game I didn't want to play. I just have to keep praying that the years get by faster and I go back home.

As I left the restroom,I felt my world spinning out of control. My head was throbbing, and my legs were trembling beneath me. 

I tried to take a step, but my body betrayed me. "Oh God, it's coming," I muttered, my voice barely audible, as I felt myself losing balance.

The room began to blur, and I felt a sense of weightlessness before I crashed to the floor with a loud thud. 

As I lay there, dazed and disoriented, I heard a male voice piercing through the fog. "Hey! Are you okay?" it asked, laced with concern. I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the kindness in his tone. 

The person grabbed my shoulder, and I felt a surge of electricity as he pulled me up. "Are you okay?" he asked again, his voice softer this time. I looked up, still trying to clear the haze, and saw the stranger's face inches from mine. My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met, and I felt like I was drowning in those familiar blue depths.

"I'm not, obviously!" I groaned, trying to hide the embarrassment and shock that was written all over my face. He helped me up, his hand still on my shoulder, and I felt a spark of attraction mixed with confusion. I looked up at him, and my mind went blank. 

This couldn't be happening. "What?... what are you doing here?" I managed to stammer after what felt like an eternity of us staring at each other. 

He didn't seem surprised to see me, but his expression was laced with a hint of annoyance.

"You must be my brother's fiancée," he said through gritted teeth, like the words were being forced out of him.

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Is this a prank?Or was I being set up? 

The man I slept with a few days ago, the one who made me scream in utmost ecstasy, the one I couldn't get out of my head despite my situation, was standing in front of me, telling me he's my brother-in-law.

The room began to spin again, can today get any better?.