Chapter 1

Katiana's POV

"I'm grounded, Loisa. Fuck!" I hissed while I was on facetime with my friend. I was swaying my swivel chair, trying to distract my annoyance from something else.

"Grounded? You're twenty-one and you're grounded?" Her lips parted with wide eyes.

I rolled my eyes. "You know what happened, Loisa. You know about the fucking scandal. Fuck!"

"Yeah, as if it's a big deal. I mean lots of people are doing that a business---"

"It's not about the sex scandal, it's about the other one. For Pete's sake, don't act like you don't know that. We were both there. Both of us were filmed! I told you, Clea is not a trustworthy woman!" I dropped my fist on my table, feeling the eagerness linger on me like poison.

"Okay, calm down. You're not the only victim here---"

"I know! I'm just frustrated, I mean, fuck! I'm grounded and they put on hold all of my cards. God, I don't have a life now!" I pulled my hair and slapped my chin, I didn't know where to throw my anger anymore. It was as if all my life was a mistake. I was just a fucking mistake and to be born as Walker? Shit, it was a curse!

"Okay." Loisa puffed a breath. "How long are you gonna be grounded?"

"Fuck who knows who." I rolled my eyes as I took a deep breath. How to calm down if I was losing myself once again. My career was ruined, my money became air, and all I have now was my room and only my damn room.

My chest flinched when someone knocked.

"Madam Katiana, your parents are waiting for you in the dining!" the maid said behind the door.

I looked at the clock. My shoulders dropped when I saw it was seven p.m already.

"Tell them I'm not hungry!"

"Madam Katiana, they told me to call you no matter what. They have something to tell you, madam. It seems to be really important."

"I don't care!" I looked at my laptop. Loisa was biting her lower lip, suppressing a laugh. I glared at her.

"Madam, your dad told me that you should go down or else he's gonna on hold your card longer than---"

"Fine!" I thinned my lips, calming myself. "I'll be downstairs in a minute!" I looked at Loisa on the screen. "Hey! I'll have dinner with them. They left me no choice."

"Yeah whatever, Tiana." She sighed. "Just... calm your temper down a little more, can you?"

"Look, I'm sorry. I'm just really frustrated---"

"I understand. It's your career and life that's been at stake here so it's normal to get frustrated but hold your temper a little. High temper would just cause you more trouble."

"Yeah." I nodded and didn't bother to argue anymore.

"Okay. Call me when you need someone to talk to or to rant to. Everything's gonna be alright, Tiana, you hear me?"

I slightly smiled. "I wish." I shrugged before ending our facetime.

I looked at myself in my whole body mirror. I was just wearing red satin pajamas and I was too lazy to change. My hair was a mess in ponytails but who cares.

I rolled my eyes and blow some air. "Here we go again," I whispered before going out of my room.

My lazy feet walked downstairs until I reached the dining area. I rolled my eyes when I saw them eating already. What was the point of calling me for dinner anyway?

"Good evening, Katiana," mom greeted sarcastically as I sat on my chair.

"What's good in the evening?"

"Katiana!" Dad tightened his grip on his mug.

I sighed. "Good evening, mom and dad."

The table was too long for the three of us. It always made me feel alone, to be honest. Mom and dad were sitting at both ends of the table, parallel to each other while I sit wherever I want as the table was too spacious. We were only three in the family and they were always out of reach when I needed a companion. It was hard being an only child, I mean for me.

"What do you wanna tell me, dad?" I asked while looking at my plate, emotionlessly eating.

"Before anything else, I don't want you ruining this plan. You already ruined our families reputation---"

"You mean your reputation---"

"Katiana!" Mom cut me off.

I rolled my eyes and just ate, so I had something to chew and I had the reason not to speak.

"You are too much, Katiana," dad's glare could kill me. "You dropped out in college and I let it pass, you disobeyed us many times and I let it pass, now our reputation---"

"I get it, dad. I fucked up. Is that what you wanted to tell me? I fucked up big time."

"Yes, you fucked up! And if you fuck this up again, your life will totally be ruined and you'll lose all your inheritance from us." Dad clenched his jaw. "Don't mess with this plan and cooperate!"

"What plan?" I asked in boredom.

"Do you know the Moretti family? One of the highly influential family and owner of L&S cargo company."

"Of course, dad." I laughed sarcastically.

"You're going to marry Pierre Moretti, son of my good friend---"

"Wait, what?!"

"Tiana, listen to your dad first," mom reminded me.

"I told you to not ruin this plan, Katiana," dad's voice was low yet intimidating.

I took a deep breath, not knowing how to react. Somehow I wished I was just dreaming. This was all just a dream.

"Didn't I tell you that sooner or later you're gonna marry one of the famous men in our city?" Mom's voice became calm as if she was trying to calm my starting panic chest.

"But you didn't tell me that you're gonna be the one who'll decide who!"

"I did tell you, Katiana! See, you're not paying attention to my words." Dad gritted his teeth.

My brows crossed. "When did you tell it, dad? I don't remember anything about it."

"Didn't I allow you to drop out of college in exchange for one big consequence? Here it is, Katiana. Here are the consequences of all of your dumb actions. You're gonna marry Pierre Moretti, a famous billionaire that can be seen in big-time magazines and billboards. You have nothing to lose here, Tiana. We found the best man for you."

I bit my lower lip, processing things. I may look like a fighter against my dad but somehow I still couldn't fight him that much. I couldn't afford to lose my inheritance, that was the only thing I was rooting for in my life.

I cleared my throat. "How did you know he's the best man for me?"

"We just know," dad's cold voice froze my chest. "I have known Pierre's father longer than you could ever imagine. I know his family is the best asset for us. Marrying Moretti will redeem our image, the image that you broke because of your stupid scandal!"

I flinched at his shout. I looked at the plate, losing all my strength to fight for my thoughts. My eyes felt like there was fire coming through. I puffed a breath, composing myself not to cry. As much as I wanted to not care, it still hurts every time they'd remind me of how disappointed they were that I was their child.

"Tiana, honey, listen to your dad," mom's voice was sweet but irritating.

She would always follow dad's commands. As if she was his robot who never had her own mind. It was always dad, dad, and dad.

"Pierre is the best, Tiana. He's the real deal. Just give yourself a chance to know him. We already set a party where you guys will meet---"

"What?! No w*---"

"Katiana!" Dad slammed the table, making my chest run so fast. "What did I tell you?" His eyes were shooting bullets at mine. "I said don't fuck this up!"

"But---"

"Katiana," mom cut me off. She looked at me pleasing me to stop already and just listen to my dad.

I gasped and shrugged as my shoulders dropped in the heaviness of my chest. I just stared at my plate, enduring the burning pain in my chest.

"Your engagement party is already set and that's where you're going to meet him. Again, lose everything or don't fuck this up."