Amanda's POVI climbed into the small rental car I had hired from the automobile company on my first day here. It was cheap and old, but my only option for transport whilst I was in Italy. I started the engine and drove off in the direction of the diner where I would be working my second shift for today. My real reason for being in Italy was because I had been sent by the company I worked for in New York. I had begged my boss, who was also my boyfriend, to let me stay back this time. The business trip coincided with my father's memorial and it was not something I wanted to miss. However, he disagreed, arguing that I was the best person for the job since research was my specialty. Arriving here, I realized that this whole trip was just a waste of time. The investor I was supposed to meet with had canceled on short notice. So the one week that my boss was letting me stay here had gone to waste. I was so angry and tried to call my boyfriend, but he didn't answer. Frustrated, I decided
Amanda's POVStunned, I watched as my boyfriend kissed Candace passionately, a smile still dancing on his lips. "That's great news, baby. Now all I have to do is get rid of that boring ass bitch, Amanda. And then we can get married."Candace frowned. "You still haven't broken up with her? Why?!""Baby, I told you I need time. I'll do it soon."Candace shoved him away. "What the fuck do you need time for?! I don't even know what you see in that bitch, anyway. I let you date and fuck her on the condition that you keep your relationship a secret, but I've had enough, Logan!""Candace-""No. You've had your fun. Now, get rid of her. Besides, we both know you won't be caught dead getting married to a low-life trash like her."I couldn't take it anymore. The tears spilled down my face in rivulets, blurring my vision as I pushed the door open and barged in. Logan and Candace jumped in shock at my sudden entrance. "Why?! Why would you do this to me?!" My chest felt heavy, like it would expl
Amanda's POVI stayed at the hospital till nightfall, until I was certain that my mother was stable. It was 9 pm when I finally left her ward to find a place to sleep. I had no choice but to spend the night at the hospital, after all. Where else would I go? Those loan sharks had seized our house already. This thought threatened to bring tears to my eyes, but I blinked them back. I had cried enough for one day. I found a storage room full of light blankets, and I took two and spread them on the floor beside my mother's bed. I was just lying down when a nurse walked in. "Excuse me, ma'am, what are you doing?""I…I just want to spend the night here with my mother," I said, praying she wouldn't ask for more details on why I couldn't go home. The nurse shook her head. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but you're not allowed to do that." My chest deflated. "Please, it's just for tonight. It's already so late, and I don't have anywhere else to go.""It's against hospital policy, ma'am. Visitors aren't
Amanda's POVI froze at the spot, whipping around to look at the stranger. For a second I wondered if I'd heard right. Fresh anger filled me up as I clenched my fist, walking closer to him. "W-What? What the hell are you talking about? Are you seriously making some kind of joke?"He stared at me in that cold manner of his, and despite myself, I felt a chill run down my spine. Gosh, he was actually so scary. But I refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing that."You know what? I don't have time for this. Keep your games to yourself," I spat."Marry me," he repeated. "Be my wife for two years only. Of course you shall be rewarded handsomely for your service.""Rewarded?""Twenty million dollars. Half when you sign the contract, and half after the time lapses."My eyes widened, and I swore I could feel my mouth watering at his words. "Twenty million dollars?!"I stared at the man, wondering if this truly was some kind of game. I wondered who he was, and how he could afford such an
CHAPTER FIVEAmanda's POV"Gosh, Amanda, where have you been?" Vanessa asked the moment I walked into her apartment. She had been pacing around worriedly when I walked in. She rushed to my side immediately. "What happened? You said you were going to the coffee shop to look for another job. I got there and couldn't find you.""Um…I was just…I went strolling."Vanessa stared at me, her eyes narrowing. "You went strolling? You, Amanda, strolling?""Yes," I muttered, walking past her quickly and putting my bag down. Vanessa and I had been friends for years, and she was one person who always knew when I was lying to her. But what was I supposed to say? If I told her I'd gotten married today, she would slap me and probably take me to the hospital for a mental illness! I couldn't tell her…not now. "Really, Amanda? Are you being honest?""Mm hmm. I just went to clear my head."I know she didn't believe me, but she sighed. "Fine, okay. But next time please call me, okay? I was really worried.
CHAPTER SIXQuinn's POVI never thought I would be here again; in this city, within the walls of this company. It came with averse emotions I could not quite place. But nothing was more unpleasant than being here already.I had no plans to be back in my hometown this soon, and especially to take over the company. This was not supposed to happen, at least not for a few more years. But they left me with no choice. They had pushed me too hard, and now I had to take action somehow. Being close to these people was not on my agenda, but I realized that the only way for me to remain safe was to blend in and get close enough to my enemies.I gritted my teeth in annoyance. I had better things to do with my time than this. This whole thing had ruined my plans. I thought I would not have to worry about the company until I found someone deserving to get married to. But now the criteria stated that I had to be married before becoming the CEO, there was nothing else I could do. I had planned to co
Amanda's POVAll the anger that was raging in my chest immediately subsided at Quinn's mention of the check. For a few moments I could not speak. I stared at him mouth agape, wondering how on earth I was going to get five million dollars back. It was literally impossible!My mind racked with thoughts and options. Was there a way to get out of this? Being married to Logan's uncle was the strangest, most distasteful situation I had ever found myself in. But if the only way to be free of this was to return the money, what was I supposed to do? The only thing I could think of was taking out another loan to pay off Quinn. But that was a stupid idea. I had barely been able to get my mother and I out of the debt my father left. Taking another loan would be begging to be killed, at this point. I had to think of my mother, and of our lives. Once again I felt helpless. My eyes found their way to Quinn who was still observing me with that emotionless expression. A wave of bitterness flooded th
Amanda's POVIt felt like the breath was knocked out of me when Quinn slammed his lips on mine. Hard. At first I was frozen in shock, trying to process what was happening. My hands were frozen at my sides, and my eyes were wide in surprise.Quinn was kissing me! I had no idea how to react at first and I found myself lost in thought, but eventually I gave in, unable to hide the ecstasy that came with having him so close to me. A slight sigh sounded in my throat as his fingers slid into my hair. I kissed him back with equal fervor, reveling in the sweet taste of his lips. He sucked on my lower lip, bringing my head forward to slam our lips harder together. His warm breath hit my face and I felt a wave of desire rush through me. I realized that I did not want the kiss to end. To have his strong arms wrapped around me, cradling me softly. But soon, it was over. The kiss ended just as fast as it began. It had been brief, but it felt so much longer than that. I was nearly breathless when
Amanda’s POV I woke up with the afterthought of my actions lingering in my head like a bomb ticking, ready to go off. When I rolled on my back I was welcomed by an empty bed. Quinn was not in bed. I looked out through the curtains and saw that it was still very early, the sky still had the pink and blue stripes mottle of colours and the moon was still visible, faintly.Somehow I was happy I woke up with him out already, doing what? I wondered. But his absence would make it easier for me to put up my walls and confront him why he was such a jerk to me, even without confirming from me that I was an escort as the idiot said.But then thinking about how much of a jerk he was, my mind reared back to last night how he’d come to my room. My lips stretched into a smile and the tingles from his touch thrummed in my skin like it just happened and then there was a fluttery feeling in the pit of my stomach.I stifled a scream and planted my face back into the pillow. My cheeks warmed up, sprea
Quinn’s POV “What?”Those words were like a bucket of ice emptied on me. She didn’t say anything after that, just stared at me with a sultry gaze.I was dumbfounded and starstruck. What could I possibly say at that moment? I just turned around and walked out with knees about to buckle. Everything was too much, the information was a lot to take in. It was as if I’d run a marathon on a completely different track.So many things scared me as her words replayed in my head. If I was her first that meant I’d been an asshole for nothing. More so I’d treated her so wrongly and jumped to conclusions. I had also been a coward, I never addressed her directly about it, just acting like a maniac with no reason.I hadn’t even confirmed what she said and I was already cringing and feeling all shitty. So many things were wrong with how I reacted, first and foremost I’d been a total jackass, even though it ended up being true, I never should have treated her that way, called her names, it was all i
Amanda’s POV As Candace threw a tantrum, I fumed silently. That bastard! After everything I said to him he had the nerve not to go ahead with his wedding?What the fuck was wrong with him? He set the date for the wedding, all through the engagement party and till this day he didn’t think that he was not ready, up until the wedding day with a guest and a pregnant bride.What sort of humiliation was this? I darted my eyes to Candace who was throwing a tantrum, believing that I was behind this. That it was my fault. I couldn’t even blame her, I’d react the same if I was her.Her face was tear stained and people were beginning to come for the wedding and now the groom was having a mental breakdown that he couldn’t go ahead for the wedding. If this didn’t make the news, I wonder what would. Granny Mariah would be so pissed after all she put into the engagement party and wedding. Especially when she specifically told us to not make the news. I guess we would be on the cover of every ma
Amanda’s POV Since I outrightly confessed my feelings to Quinn, I’d been avoiding him. Not because I confessed the way I felt about him, but because he’d had this dark, grim picture of me in his head.Now as I thought back to it I could understand why he was mean, cold, cruel and rude to me all the time. And like the coward he was he couldn’t ask me. One would think he had more balls as he was cruel but it was so fucking balless.Putting Quinn and his thoughts behind me, I stood before the long length mirror in my closet and ran a hand down the red dress I had on.It was finally the day. Logan and Candace’s wedding. Thinking about it, I felt bad for her. I mean she was a bitch, but Logan wasn’t a man I’d wished on my worst enemy.Imagine getting married to a man like that.I grimaced and a shudder snaked down my spine in horror.Just when I was curling my hair my phone vibrated on the table next to my makeup tools. Flipping the phone over I saw Logan as the caller.I frowned, staring
Amanda’s POV “You have to confront that girl. Put her in her damn place.” Vanessa stated. Her brows were pinched together from anger. I couldn’t blame her though, Miranda was a two time bitch that pissed everyone off.Hearing about her alone made your stomach tighten in knots and made you want to punch a fist to a wall or better still her face.“What could I possibly say to make her own up to the fact that she actually caused me to trip and pour the drink on the lady?” I massaged my temples as I asked.The horror of that day returned to me and I inwardly cringed and recurled back. The abject stare that granny had fixed me with tasted like a bile in my throat. I hated to let people who looked up to me down. Granny was one of those people. “What more is there to say? You know and she knows that you know. Grab her like the bitch that she is and warn her never to try that rubbish again.” Vanessa’s voice was hard and so was her eyes. I believed if Miranda was present right before us she
Amanda’s POV In a blink of an eye my questioning stare turned into hot burning fury. Did he just threaten me because of that two faced bitch? That cunt?How dare he?As I stood staring at the door I fumed with anger, my nose flaring, whilst I grinded down on my teeth. How much was the money that I couldn’t pay? Has it now gotten to the point where he would threaten me because of his ex? I didn’t care if they were in love or not, he shouldn’t fucking treat me like shit because of her.I would not stand it. No! I took my bag, just as I took my coat I stopped dead on my track. His threat reeling back to me.The manner he’d said confirmed that he was far from kidding. He hadn’t lashed out, no. He’d spoken in an excruciatingly low quiet tone, with eyes fixated on me, holding every bit of promise to his words.My inside burned as I couldn’t do anything and I kicked the bag and swallowed the animalistic scream that bubbled in my throat.The smug look on Miranda face appeared before me, the
Amanda’s POV As the more time went by, I eyed Miranda, observing her form. She had a plain and straight face. No muscle twitches, not even a blink of a lash. Her face was straight like someone with no care for the world.I had to give it to her. Her great acting skills made me question my vision, question if she’d really struck out her leg.However I didn’t waver even with the gnawing fear in the pit of my stomach, I knew she did it. I saw her and the footage would prove what I’d seen.My chest grew tight and hot. Everyone was believing Miranda over me. Even Granny Mariah. She really did think that I sabotaged her plan to get the man to continue working with the company.Knowing myself the hard work she put in just to have him for this dinner was overwhelming. She went out of her way to convince the man and now the man had left without closing the deal. The main reason for the dinner. What made it even more infuriating was the fact that she believed I caused this. It was heart wrenc
Amanda’s POV “Are you blind?” Mrs. Rosaline yelled.My mouth was agape, staring at the lady I’d emptied the glass of wine on and back to my feet. Something made me trip, worse, someone made me trip and that someone was Miranda. I saw her leg. I was so sure but when I’d turned back she’d latched it back quickly before I could see it.And now I was sprawled on ghe ground with a hammering heart staring at the guest. The lady. Her face was downright…..broken and surprised.Shit.I shot to my feet immediately while Mrs. Rosaline spewed more curses at me. Granny Mariah was quiet. I forced a lump down my throat, dread engulfing me like a blanket.“I’m …. I’m sorry ma’am… I’m so sorry.” I didn’t know what to do. Do I go after her? Do I stand here. Somehow I was caught in the middle. Startled with fear and confusion.Looking back, I saw Miranda. A ghost-like smile hovered over her lips. It was her, I was so sure but now since there was no evidence to back up my claim I’d look nothing but stu
Amanda’s POV “I know it, Quinn didn’t say that out of love. I assure you.” Love was not a thing that could be used to describe I and Quinn’s relationship. I did like him but I couldn’t say the same for him, not with Miranda back in the house. He was always taking her side like she was the one he’d married.Vanessa and Maxwell sat on my couch facing me, whilst I sat on my executive chair, drawn from my desk to the couch beside them.“I doubt that.” Maxwell thought, “he sounded really in love and possessive.”We were all done with our task for the day and beside work had closed, we stayed back to catch up on what had been happening. We were like the three musketeers. It was fun, having friends, friends who were dumb and made you forget your problems, like Miranda.But now this sudden talk about Quinn being possessive and in love was confusing. Well he confused me the majority of the time.“Well, I don’t know what he said or made it sound but believe me, Quinn is neither in love with me