Chapter 01

ASTRID'S P.O.V.

I held on to the white roses as I struggled to hold my bag and open the car door. My face lit up as I saw a light from the room, he was home. I had specifically gotten these white roses knowing Anton loved them and what better way to celebrate our three years anniversary?

I pushed the door open with my foot and a familiar laughter reached my ear that made me confused, that wasn't Anton. I placed the flowers on the table and walked upstairs while my heart raced, something didn't feel right, the voice grew louder, and I felt a weight against my shoulder.

I pushed the bedroom door open and my eyes stung with tears as I watched Anton laid upon my twin sister with the sheet wrapped around them and his head immediately snapped towards me

“Astrid, baby, it’s not what it looks like!” Anton scrambled to sit up, his words tumbling over each other.

“It's not what it seems? You're in bed with my sister!”

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic, Astrid. It’s just sex.” Ingrid mumbled still trailing her fingers on Anton's bicep and my eyes blurred with tears and dwelling anger

"Both of you, out. Now.”

“You really need to calm the hell down”

“Get the hell out of my house Ingrid, now!!” She completely ignored me and reached for her food while Anton stumbled from the bed and walked towards me.

“Listen to me, Astrid, we can make this work an…" I slapped him across the face.

“Don't you ever call my name again! We are done! Leave my house!” I reached for Ingrid and pulled her hair so tight and threw her against him.

"How dare you touch me with those filthy hands of yours? I'm calling mother” Ingrid raged.

“Of course you will, mother's little girl, and while you go back to that God forsaking house remember to never step here and take that bastard with you!”

"Astrid, you’ve always been ungrateful. Ingrid has every right to stay in that house. If you can’t share it, then maybe it’s time you left.” A chill went down my veins as I heard our mother's voice on loudspeaker

“What? This is my house, I am not leaving it for…”

“I’ll buy the house from you,” mother added coldly, “and Ingrid will take over. Consider it compensation for all I’ve done for you.” she hung up before I got the chance to speak again.

“This should cover whatever attachment you had to this place,” Ingrid said, tossing the check onto the floor and I clenched my fist knowing there was nothing I could do about it, the last time I had hit their precious daughter I spent days in jail

Tears rolled down my cheek as I picked my bag while hearing Anton and Ingrid make out. I couldn't do this anymore. I got in the car and drove down the street before stopping at the car, was it bad that I just wanted a peaceful night?

It was always Ingrid over me, she was perfect for the family image, never makes mistakes, and I was the mistake of the family even if we literally look like each other, I downed the cup of whiskey and let set before swinging the bottle

“Rough night?” a deep voice mumbled while taking a sit next to me and I snort

“You have no idea.” I watched him order a glass of wine, and he suddenly raised his class to me.

"To forgetting,”

“To forgetting,” I echoed, clinking my bottle against his.

Laughter and music filled the air, and the only thing I remember was being knocked down on the table by a certain stranger. I woke up disoriented and confused and panic sets within me as I realized this wasn't my room.

No, no, no, no. I wasn't in my clothes, I was in my underwear, oh my God!

“You’re awake.” I jumped as a man walked out of the bathroom and I forced myself not to stare.

“You slept with me,” I blurt out feeling myself being sore and tears escaped me

“You came on to me, but we didn’t sleep together. You passed out before anything happened.”

“Do you think I'm stupid? You were the man at the bar and I don't even remember what happened, God!”

“You're being dramatic, nothing happened!”

“I'm in your house, butt naked on your bed, and you tell me to myself that nothing happen? I'm calling the police” I snatched my phone from the bedside cupboard before pulling my oversized shirt over my head.

"Do what you need to, but you’re wasting your time and while you're doing that get out of my house, your car is upfront” His voice darkened and he stormed out

The nerve of this guy

“I have been assaulted by a man at this address, and you're telling me you can't do anything about it?” I reached the front door while putting my shoes on as he was nowhere in sight.

“Ma'am we will advise you to leave the premises immediately” I shut the door and the phone went off

******

Three days passed by in a breeze and I still couldn't figure out who the hell this man was, and I was going to be late! Shit!

I got into Valerian interior and immediately head to the meeting room where my client was waiting, according to my assistant thus will be the best contract of the year and I couldn't rob my company of that honor

The door swung open and the air in my lungs was knocked out as my eyes met familiar blue ones, this cannot be happening. It was the man from three days ago. He smirked as he played with the pen while I tried to keep my temper in check.

"Miss Valerian. Fancy seeing you again.”

“You aren't meant to be here” I mumbled trying to stay professional

“Well unfortunately for you, I am” He stood up and adjusted his blazer before walking towards me

“Oh, and by the way…" he stopped as he walked past me. "I’m buying Valerian Interiors. Welcome to your new boss”.

“That's impossible, I am not selling my company to you” I turned to face him, and he smiles before attempting to push my hair from my face and I slapped his hands away

“Your company? You mean the one daddy gave you?” My heart sank remembering the deal my father and I made two years ago.

This cannot be happening