Melissa opened her eyes to the sun shining in, she rolled off the side where the sun had set on her bed and groaned.
She was just beginning to enjoy her sleep but unluckily for her, someone just ruined it. She lay on the bed with her eyes open boiling in anger.
She sat up after some minutes with her hair all over her face, frowned, and used her hand to brush them backward.
She was glaring at the maid in front of her, who had annoyed her already without knowing.
“Did you do that on purpose?” Melissa asked.
The maid opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
“What do you mean ma'am?” The maid managed to gather some meaningful words together.
“You knew opening the curtain would make the sun enter my eyes, and you went ahead to do so.” Melissa asked.
“I am sorry ma'am, I was only following your orders,” the maid said in fear.
“My orders” Melissa Mumbled
She stood up from the bed, glaring at the maid.
The maid knew what was coming for her, so she shifted back a little bit.
“Don't you dare move” Melissa mumbled.
She stretched her body and held the hair of the maid.
The maid yelped in pain, and Melissa tightened her grip on the maid hair.
“I am sorry, I won't do it again” the maid pleaded.
Melissa chuckled and let go of the maid's hair.
She wanted to make more pain for the maid but she changed her mind trying not to ruin the nails she had done the previous day.
“Yeah, you won't do it again because you are fired” Melissa said and went into the restroom.
The maid knew better not to wait in the room and try to beg. She rushed out of the room in tears, meeting her mate on the way, they knew what happened already and they shook their head in pity.
“It's a hot morning, everyone should try to avoid madam Melissa and not annoy her” One of the maids said.
That seems to be their everyday slogan.
They all went into hiding, knowing Melissa had woken up on the wrong side of the bed, so they had to be careful.
Melissa finished washing her face, packing her hair into a bun, and walking out of the restroom.
She went downstairs with her nightie still on her body.
She was holding her phone, it was always with her, that is her only friend since She had none.
She was chatting with someone who had been disturbing and pleading to date her. She went into the internet to search who the guy was, and she frowned when she saw what he was worth.
“Dumb fool, so much gut,” she mumbled as she reached the dining.
She sat on the chair, still focused on her phone. She put the guy's message on hold and went to her page to post.
Minutes after posting, she started receiving comments, and when she went through them, she grinned in satisfaction.
They were begging her to reply their messages and consider their request but she was going to ignore them as usual. She closed her phone and put it aside.
She looked at the table to see what she was served, and she frowned.
“Who prepared this?” She asked
The maids shifted back, looking at each other to see who was bold enough to reply to her.
“Are you all deaf?” Melissa asked and faced them.
“No ma'am” they chorused.
“Then answer the question and stop staring at me like a dummy” Melissa half yelled.
“I am the one” one of the maids raised her shaky hand.
“You know I don't like eating this in the morning right” Melissa mumbled.
“It's what was in the food table for this morning. Besides, you said you want it every saturday morning” the maid said.
“Even if I said that, are you dumb enough to know I am not interested in eating it this morning?” Melissa asked.
“I am sorry ma'am,” the maid mumbled under her breath.
“Saying sorry annoys me more, if you can't do your job right, then leave” Melissa said and groaned.
She picked her phone and glared at the maids.
“Get me something better than this rubbish if you all don't want to lose your jobs” she yelled and walked out of the dining.
She stopped just at the entrance of the dining and looked back.
“You” she said pointing to the lady who had claimed to prepare the food.
“You are fired and also whoever served this,” she said and left.
The two ladies sighed and went in to pack their things knowing they dared not defy the order.
The maids scattered around to think of what to cook for the unsatisfied daddy's princess.
The door bell rang, Lauren, one of the maids, rushed to the door. She opened it and saw a strange face.
“Good morning,” Lauren greeted.
“Good morning, this is for your boss” the man said and dropped the parcel in Lauren's hand, and then he left.
Lauren arched her brow while staring at the letter, she checked it all over and shrugged when she saw nothing on the parcel.
She closed the door and proceeded to their boss's room, she knocked on his door, but there was no answer. She tried again like two times before leaving.
She went to the back of the house where he always stayed and she met him there, he was sitting and resting his back while on a call with someone.
Lauren stood in front of him and bowed slightly.
“Arrange the meeting and tell me the time, then I will try to show up,” the man said and hung up.
He seemed to be in his late fifties. He was the father of Melissa. He gave her everything she wanted and allowed her to do anything she wanted without questioning her, which made her spoilt and rude.
“What's that?” The man asked.
“I was told the parcel is for you,” Lauren said and stretched forth the parcel.
The man arched his brow while staring at the parcel in Lauren's hand.
“Open it” the man said, and Lauren looked at him. It was the first time he would ever allow a maid to open any message meant for him.
She slowly unwrapped the parcel and opened it. It was a letter.
“It's a letter,” Lauren mumbled.
Melissa walked in at that moment and went to hug her dad. It was the first time she was smiling that morning.
“Dad” Melissa mumbled and sat beside her father.
“You look annoyed, Did something happen?” Her father asked.
“Those maids won't stop getting on my nerves. It's so annoying dealing with them,” Melissa said, and eye Lauren, who was still standing in front of them.
“What are you doing standing there?” Melissa asked
“Read the letter out,” Melissa's father said, and Lauren nodded.
“What letter, Dad?” Melissa asked
“It's a marriage proposal letter, ” Lauren said.
Melissa frowned and rolled her eyes, she had been getting constant marriage proposals from people all around, but she felt like they were not up to her league, and were not worth her.
She gave Lauren the go-ahead to read, and Lauren read the content of the letter.
Melissa chuckled, trying to hold back her laughter.
“People that have always been asking for my hand in marriage never hold themselves back in saying how rich they are and how they will care for me, I am shocked he didn't mention any of that” Melissa said.
“That's suspicious” she mumbled.
“I know about this, Lisa, he is very rich and famous, you will know him, trust me, he is the one for you,” her father said.
“Dad, you know about the proposal?” Melissa asked, frowning.
“Yes, I do,” Her father replied.
Melissa took her phone and quickly went to search about the man when her father mentioned his name.
She frowned when she saw how rich he truly was, but something spoiled him. He is crippled.
“What? Dad, how can you do this to me?” Melissa screamed.
“You don't expect me to get married to someone like this,” Melissa said.
“Just look at the bright side, darling, the things you will benefit.”
“Dad,” Melissa yelled, and her father kept mute for her.
“I am not getting married to a cripple. The proposal is rejected,” Melissa said and walked out in anger.
Lauren bit her lips and shook her head. She knew she will never reject such an offer like that.
“Discard the invite” Melissa's father said, and Lauren gasped.
The man looked at her with disdain, and she quickly rushed away.
She went to a corner when no one could see her and she read the letter again and again. She brought out her little phone and searched for the person.
Truly, he was really rich, she gasped at his beauty.
“He is really rich and handsome” Lauren mumbled to herself.
She squeezed the letter in her hand with one thing in her mind.
To take advantage of the proposal.
Lauren, the daughter of Mr McCarthy, he is also Melissa's father.They both have the same father, that's why lauren is being treated like trash and as a maid in the house because they believed she was born out of wedlock and she and her mother were not worthy to be in their family.She knew of all these but didn't bother or try to leave because she knew they were the only ones that could help in paying for her mother's surgery. Her mother had been on the sick bed, and her condition was getting worse every day, with lauren not being able to pay the surgery money. She left the house late in the evening and went to the hospital her mum was admitted. Even though she was treated like a maid there, she was allowed to leave the house whenever she wanted.She was told that the doctor had asked of her, and she went straight to his office. She opened the door and greeted the doctor in charge, who quickly offered her a seat. “I am glad you are here, I was about to tell the nurse in charge of
Lauren cleaned her tears and checked the time. She saw it was leading to the afternoon, and she knew the family would have gone to take care of their own businesses. So she left the hospital and boarded a cab back home with the intention of meeting Mrs McCarthy. Since she wasn't in the family meeting, she thought she could talk to her to see if she would help her.The cab stopped in front of the house, and Lauren ran inside. She stumbled on the maids.It looked like she was the one they had been waiting for. They stood at the kitchen door waiting and glaring at her. It seemed like they had planned what they would do to her. “Do you think you are some special kid all because you are an illegitimate child of McCarthy?” One of them asked. “What are you talking about? Lauren asked. “You refused to do your appointed work. Instead, you chose to run around skipping work.” Another maid said. “I was busy, and I always do my work, I never ask you to do them for me,” Lauren said and passed
Alex woke up to the sound of soft knocking on his door. Ariana, his personal maid entered when he replied, his eyes still stuck on the newspaper in his hand.She helped him shower and dress, careful not to step on him throughout the activity. It was the same every day, yet something felt unusual. He had only three days to bring up a wife to the investors.By the time he arrived in the dinning room, a delicious feast of breakfast had been set, but he didn't have the appetite for one. So he asked for a cup of black coffee instead.The name Melissa McCarthy kept ringing in his head like some sort of mantra.“There's still nothing on her, boss.” Alex looked up to see Dan, his right-hand man, standing over him.He remained quiet for some time, just sipping on his drink. But Dan could notice how his hand tightened on the mug.“What is taking them so long? Even a rejection should have gotten here by now. What games are they playing?” Alex muttered.Dan stood stiff, not responding. He didn't
Alex's eyes burned into the young woman as she found her way to the front of the now silent courtroom. The soft yet, deliberate click of her heels was the only sound that could be heard, a complete contrast to the wild storm that brewed inside Alex. His right-hand man, Dan, tensed beside him, his lips held in a deep scowl.“And who might you be?” Alex finally asked as she stood directly in front of him.“Lauren. Melissa's half sister,” she said simply. “The wedding contract was sent to Melissa, so why are you standing here in her place?” Alex asked coldly.“Melissa has no interest whatsoever in you. To her, you're just another man in the queue dying to get a taste of her love,” she said as she looked at him. “But you'll never be able to get pass that queue.” She glanced at the wheelchair he sat on.Alex raised a brow in question. He still didn't comprehend why she was standing there in front of him, offering herself willingly.Lauren was obviously very different from her sister. She d
”Well, well…” Jake started, his lips stretched into a taunting smirk. “You couldn't get the palace princess, so you went for the dirty palace maid instead.”Alex tensed as he watched his evil uncle and nephew walk out of the shadows, his body immediately going rigid, his mask of indifference now in place.So this is your replacement for Melissa…even for you…” Jake eyed Lauren. “…this is too low,” He clicked his tongue. Dan stepped forward in front of them, a deadly glare pointed at the two bullies.“You should take your leave now,” Dan demanded.“What will you do?” Jake smirked.Dan narrowed his eyes at him, before he pulled out a metallic black object, just enough for the man to see it. Something like fear flashed on Jake's face, but he quickly concealed it, smiling. “No need to get all macho on me. I'm only here to congratulate my cousin on his new marriage.”Dan stepped back a bit, but still stood defensively, ready to attack if Jake tried anything threatening.“Did you really thi
The mansion was strangely quiet except for the soft buzz from the TV. It felt like a place of secrets for Lauren. Her eyes roamed all the corners of the room but, yet, she couldn't find anything that made the large room homely.Her heart beat wildly against her chest. The weight from the earlier discussion she had with Alex's cousin still haunted her. She should have stood back. Alex's business wasn't hers. She wanted this marriage to go smoothly and be invisible to most of the members of the family. But she had just dug her grave. Now, Jake would make sure she regretted ever coming to this side of the world.The door finally creaked open to reveal Alex, wheeling himself in. His dark eyes immediately landed on her before he glanced away from her.Lauren felt a strange heat, flow through her body. Her heart tugged with a strange desire, but she quickly dismissed it.“You're still here,” Alex spoke up, as he went towards the window that had a nice view of the landscape outside. His back
Staring at the contract Alex had given her, Lauren perched on the edge of her bed. Her mind was racing, and the words appeared to blur. She was shocked by what she was reading. Earlier that night, Alex had said icily, "Sign this." "To make sure we both get what we need, it's just a simple agreement." She remembered their chat, and her hands shook. She recalled how she had glanced up at him, expecting to see a human face, but his expression was unreadable. Flashback: Lauren paused before saying, "You can't expect me to just agree to this." She looked over the terms of the contract as she held it in her hands. Alex's face remained unchanged. He remarked, "You stole my money to save your mother." "This is the cost you incur. Lauren, it's a commercial transaction. Not much more. "A business deal?" she repeated, her tone tinted with disbelief. "Alex, you're discussing our life. This is not only a transaction. His blue, piercing eyes met hers as he wheeled closer. "In my universe, ever
Lauren kept thinking about the note that was left at the gate to the mansion. While she sat in the dining room, gazing at her unfinished meal, the words, "Stay away from Alex, or you'll regret it," kept repeating in her head.Alex came in with a composed expression on his face, but his eyes showed worry. Rolling his wheelchair toward her, he added, "You didn't eat." "Lauren, you must maintain your strength."Lauren gave him a quick look while speaking quietly. When someone tries to harm us, how can I remain strong? It's no longer just about you, Alex. They are also aiming for me.Alex's palm covered hers as he reached out. "I will not permit anything to occur to you. I have requested additional security. Dan has already increased the number of patrols surrounding the estate by twofold.Lauren nodded, but her uneasiness was obvious. "What if it's insufficient? What happens if Jake manages to get past them?Alex's eyes grew gloomy. "Lauren, Jake won't prevail. I'll see to that. But you
With her eye fixed on the engraved words on the gate, Lauren stood motionless in the hallway: "You can’t protect her forever." Wheeling closer to her, Alex stared at the icy words. Lauren could sense the storm building beneath his placid veneer, but his face was unreadable. "This is getting worse," she said, holding her arms tight as a shiver went through her. Alex's voice was rough and icy as he turned to face Dan. "I want the security staff to double right away. Bring in more security and ensure that Lauren is always watched. Dan gave a nod. I get it, sir. I will immediately coordinate with the team. Lauren turned to Alex as Dan walked away, her voice shaking. "Is this Jake again, in your opinion?" Alex's mouth clenched. "It is beyond question. He's clearly trying to use you to reach me with this message. Lauren was devastated. She didn't want to be the cause of Alex's increased stress. "Perhaps I should go for a bit," she said. "Until this passes." Alex's tone was forceful
A knock on Lauren's bedroom door roused her. She sat up, half tired and sleepy, and yelled, "Come in."Dan came in, looking abnormally agitated. He had an envelope in his hand. He put it on the bedside table and added, "This was left at the front gate this morning." "Mr. Magnus and you are the intended recipients." As Lauren picked up the envelope, her fingers shaking, her heart fell. Carefully opening it, she read the handwritten note that was inside: Alex, you can't hide forever. Your beloved wife is now playing the game as well. Her blood ran cold as she gasped. She said, "Dan, who could have done this?" Dan's mouth clenched. We're looking into it. Nothing of value can be seen in the security footage. However, I've already told Mr. Magnus. Alex emerged at the doorway, his face a mask of rage, before Lauren could reply. With his gaze fixed on the letter she was holding, he wheeled into the room. "Hand it over to me," he insisted. Lauren silently passed it over. Alex's jaw tigh
There was too much tension in the mansion. Lauren watched Alex pace back and forth while perched on the edge of the couch in his study. The ferocity in his gaze was reflected in his angular movements. Dan was standing close by, rummaging through folders, his jaw clenched in annoyance.Dan stated, "The stock is still declining." Jake's spill came at the ideal moment. Investors are in a panic.Alex came to a sudden halt and struck the desk with his fist. He's pressuring us. However, I will not allow him to take what I have created.Lauren got up and walked cautiously toward him. She said, "Is there anything I can do?"Alex gazed at her, and his eyes softened a little. "Your presence is sufficient," he declared. Then he became firm once more. Jake won't stop, though. We must fight back, and we will begin by addressing those untrue reports. Speak to the media, Dan. Ensure they are aware of the truth.Dan gave a nod. "Working on it already, sir."Alex leaned back in his chair and massaged
As Alex and Lauren looked at her, Clara stood in the middle of Alex's study, her hands shaking. Just seconds before, Dan had escorted her in, his countenance tense.Alex's tone was icy and piercing. You and Jake have been collaborating. Provide him with details about my wife, my home, and myself. Why?Clara's mouth trembled. "Mr. Magnus, I had no intention of hurting you. I was threatened by Jake. He threatened to harm my family if I didn't assist him.Lauren felt betrayed even though her heart thawed a little. Why didn't you visit us, Clara? Alex had the opportunity to keep you safe.Tears filled Clara's eyes. "I was unsure about what to do. I believed I could handle it without hurting anyone. However, Jake persisted in demanding more.Alex's mouth clenched. "You put everyone's safety in danger. Lauren might have been killed as a result of your actions.Clara broke down in tears and fell to her knees. Kindly, Mr. Magnus. Pardon me. I will stop at nothing to put things right.Lauren a
Lauren kept thinking about the note that was left at the gate to the mansion. While she sat in the dining room, gazing at her unfinished meal, the words, "Stay away from Alex, or you'll regret it," kept repeating in her head.Alex came in with a composed expression on his face, but his eyes showed worry. Rolling his wheelchair toward her, he added, "You didn't eat." "Lauren, you must maintain your strength."Lauren gave him a quick look while speaking quietly. When someone tries to harm us, how can I remain strong? It's no longer just about you, Alex. They are also aiming for me.Alex's palm covered hers as he reached out. "I will not permit anything to occur to you. I have requested additional security. Dan has already increased the number of patrols surrounding the estate by twofold.Lauren nodded, but her uneasiness was obvious. "What if it's insufficient? What happens if Jake manages to get past them?Alex's eyes grew gloomy. "Lauren, Jake won't prevail. I'll see to that. But you
Staring at the contract Alex had given her, Lauren perched on the edge of her bed. Her mind was racing, and the words appeared to blur. She was shocked by what she was reading. Earlier that night, Alex had said icily, "Sign this." "To make sure we both get what we need, it's just a simple agreement." She remembered their chat, and her hands shook. She recalled how she had glanced up at him, expecting to see a human face, but his expression was unreadable. Flashback: Lauren paused before saying, "You can't expect me to just agree to this." She looked over the terms of the contract as she held it in her hands. Alex's face remained unchanged. He remarked, "You stole my money to save your mother." "This is the cost you incur. Lauren, it's a commercial transaction. Not much more. "A business deal?" she repeated, her tone tinted with disbelief. "Alex, you're discussing our life. This is not only a transaction. His blue, piercing eyes met hers as he wheeled closer. "In my universe, ever
The mansion was strangely quiet except for the soft buzz from the TV. It felt like a place of secrets for Lauren. Her eyes roamed all the corners of the room but, yet, she couldn't find anything that made the large room homely.Her heart beat wildly against her chest. The weight from the earlier discussion she had with Alex's cousin still haunted her. She should have stood back. Alex's business wasn't hers. She wanted this marriage to go smoothly and be invisible to most of the members of the family. But she had just dug her grave. Now, Jake would make sure she regretted ever coming to this side of the world.The door finally creaked open to reveal Alex, wheeling himself in. His dark eyes immediately landed on her before he glanced away from her.Lauren felt a strange heat, flow through her body. Her heart tugged with a strange desire, but she quickly dismissed it.“You're still here,” Alex spoke up, as he went towards the window that had a nice view of the landscape outside. His back
”Well, well…” Jake started, his lips stretched into a taunting smirk. “You couldn't get the palace princess, so you went for the dirty palace maid instead.”Alex tensed as he watched his evil uncle and nephew walk out of the shadows, his body immediately going rigid, his mask of indifference now in place.So this is your replacement for Melissa…even for you…” Jake eyed Lauren. “…this is too low,” He clicked his tongue. Dan stepped forward in front of them, a deadly glare pointed at the two bullies.“You should take your leave now,” Dan demanded.“What will you do?” Jake smirked.Dan narrowed his eyes at him, before he pulled out a metallic black object, just enough for the man to see it. Something like fear flashed on Jake's face, but he quickly concealed it, smiling. “No need to get all macho on me. I'm only here to congratulate my cousin on his new marriage.”Dan stepped back a bit, but still stood defensively, ready to attack if Jake tried anything threatening.“Did you really thi
Alex's eyes burned into the young woman as she found her way to the front of the now silent courtroom. The soft yet, deliberate click of her heels was the only sound that could be heard, a complete contrast to the wild storm that brewed inside Alex. His right-hand man, Dan, tensed beside him, his lips held in a deep scowl.“And who might you be?” Alex finally asked as she stood directly in front of him.“Lauren. Melissa's half sister,” she said simply. “The wedding contract was sent to Melissa, so why are you standing here in her place?” Alex asked coldly.“Melissa has no interest whatsoever in you. To her, you're just another man in the queue dying to get a taste of her love,” she said as she looked at him. “But you'll never be able to get pass that queue.” She glanced at the wheelchair he sat on.Alex raised a brow in question. He still didn't comprehend why she was standing there in front of him, offering herself willingly.Lauren was obviously very different from her sister. She d