Chapter One

"Evie! Are you still there??" I heard my best friend's voice on the other end of the phone talking to me.

"Yeah, Lora. I'm here" I almost whispered through my sobs.

"So... what happened girl. It better be serious because I canceled a manicure session for you" Lora said seriously.

She is a very witty girl, from an extraordinarily rich family as well. Her dad, Ian Grand, is one of my father's good friends. They were best friends all their lives and helped each other no matter what. Lora has brown hair and hazel eyes. Her mom is a fashion designer, and we model for her from time to time. Lora and I were raised together, and we are and will be best friends for the rest of our lives.

"Actually, I was thinking you could come over," I said, my voice weak from crying.

"Oh, Evie... What's wrong?" Lora said.

"The thing is that something bad happened. Like bad. And I really need you I cannot go through this alone. " I said with a broken voice and started crying again.

"Honey, it's okay. Everything is going to be alright. Stay calm and I'll be there in a moment. " That was the last thing she said before hanging up.

A couple of minutes later the door opened and there was a very much panting Lora standing there looking at me with worry and sorrow filling her eyes. So here I am. A crying mess in my room. You are going to think that I am crazy, I mean I have everything I want.

Well, turns out that all this fame and power have a price. An awfully expensive price that I am not willing to pay. My freedom.

Lora fell on her knees beside me and hugged me.

"Hey, didn't I tell you to calm down," she said rocking her body with my head in her lap. "Shh, everything is fine now I am here. Tell me who do I have to kill and consider it done." She said in her attempt to cheer me up. Indeed, a cheerful giggle escaped my mouth. I moved my head from her lap to look at her.

"Apparently..." I started talking, "my dad decided that he wants to expand the company by signing a contract with his one and only rival."

"Alexander Lockwood?" Lora said amazed. I just nodded. It was the only thing I could do at the moment.

Alexander Lockwood, the youngest billionaire in the country. Only at the age of 24, he took over his father's company and, in a year, became one of the best lawyer companies in the States. He is very, and I mean remarkably, successful and my dad's only rival.

"Why are you sad then? This contract is going to make the company far more successful and richer and you are the one who is going to inherit it!" Lora said happily.

"Well, there is just a tiny catch, as my dad likes to call it. I have to marry Alexander to sign the contract and merge the companies." I said and started crying. How could my own father do this to me? I am his daughter, and he is going to make me marry someone just to grow his business and gain more money.

"And you know what the worst part is??" I asked her still crying on her shoulder. Her blouse was wet from my tears.

"He, says, he is doing this for me. To secure my future... I mean can you believe this?!" I said and I was now coughing from shouting so much. I was upset. How could he?

"Shh," Lora said and patted my back. I could sense that she was angry with my dad. She moved my head from her shoulder and looked at me. I must look awful. She gave me a serious look.

"You are going to calm down right now, and you are going to face your problem as the grown-up woman you are. Before you do, though, I, as your best friend, am taking you shopping. Okay?" she said a bit softer. I nodded and stood up to go to the bathroom.

Walking inside my bathroom, I closed the door behind me and looked at my reflection in the mirror. I was indeed looking bad.

Pick up the pace girl, Lora is right. You are going to face it as a grown-up.

And that is exactly what I am going to do. I washed my face and after slight make-up, I finally looked presentable. I got out and walked towards my closet. I picked an off-shoulder blue dress and paired it with my favorite nude stilettos.

"How about shopping and after that partying? I am in the mood for some party" I said while walking towards Lora.

"Now that's the Evie I know and love. I am in as long as I can borrow one of your dresses" Lora said.

"You know you don't have to ask me about that stuff, right?" I replied. We were practically sisters. We shared everything.

Lora wore a mini red dress with her black signature heels.

"Shall we? My limo is waiting" Lora said cheerfully.

"Hell yeah!!" I said and we walked down the stairs from my room to exit the penthouse.

Unfortunately, my dad called my name and made me turn around. He was in the living room with my mother and a man. I could not tell who he was since he wasn't looking at me.

"Whatever it is, dad it can wait. I am going out with Lora." I said and turned to Lora to leave.

"No, it cannot!" my dad said with much authority in his voice.

"Leave them, George! As long as Evie is okay with her part of the deal then there is nothing else to say." the unknown man said and then turned around.

At the sight of him, I froze. He was extremely handsome. But that's when I realized who I was talking to.

I squeezed Lora's hand because the man in front of me was Alexander Lockwood in the flesh. I was shaking I knew he was handsome but that was...WOW.

Let's not get distracted! He is still the one your father wants to marry you off to.

"Mr. Lockwood. What a pleasant surprise," I said trying to be as calm as possible.

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Today was a rough day at the office. So many important cases and after the contract I was going to sign with Harrison there was going to be much more.

I should go check on him. He was about to tell his daughter today. I do not trust him much, but I really want this deal. I’ll just have to keep a close eye on him.

~~~

When I arrived at Harrison's penthouse later in the evening, I walked up to the receptionist to let the Harrisons know I was here.

When the elevator reached the top floor, I stepped out and was immediately welcomed by who I presumed was Mrs. Harrison. She led me to the living room where her husband was. The penthouse was silent. I looked up at the marble stairs and I heard chattering.

I quickly got out of my trance when Mr. Harrison talked to me and shook my hand. We talked for a while about the contract and after business. This deal would be the best right now since my company and Mr. Harrison's are both thriving.

"George, may I call you George?" I then said and he nodded allowing me to continue "As long as your daughter is okay, then I believe that we've got everything else-" I was talking but the sound of heels clicking on the marble floor made me stop. Then George called out for his daughter. The truth is that I have never seen her, besides some shoots she has done over the years. I was finally going to meet her.

She was about to leave with her friend, and she was clearly annoyed by her father.

"Leave them, George! As long as Evie is okay with her part of the deal then there is nothing else to say" and then turned around to look at her.

I must admit. This is going to be the best deal I have ever made. She looks stunning in that dress. I regret telling her father to let them go. The things I could do to her in that dress…

Her sweet voice dragged me out of my thoughts, and I looked at her.

"Mr. Lockwood. What a pleasant surprise," she said but her disdain towards me was obvious. I’m guessing she is not taking it as well as her father thought she would.

"Likewise, Ms. Harrison. Please call me Alexander." I replied with a nod.

"Okay then, Alexander," she said, and her tone was sarcastic, matching the sarcastic smirk on her face. Despite that, my name never sounded more beautiful.

"If you excuse us, we better get going. Have a wonderful evening!" She said and turned on her heel to leave. She is quite hotheaded.

I like it.

"Why don't you take Alexander with you?" her father said, and she froze, "No!" she said with a rough tone, maybe rougher than she should be judging by the look her father was giving her.

"Why is that?" her mother then spoke trying to ease the spirits between father and daughter. I guess she does not have as much of a problem as her daughter does with the agreement.

"Because, mother, we are going shopping and I do not believe that Mr.-, Alexander, would like to be dragged into every shop, Lora and I want to go," she said angrily, irritated by her parents’ behavior.

"It's okay George." I then said to defuse the tension, "I already had a business dinner to attend" I finished.

Evie looked at me relieved and kind of thankful, and then she excused herself and left. After that, I quickly said goodnight to the Harrisons and left.

This is going to be fun...