Chapter 1

It is said that the person you consider your friend can also stab a knife to your back.

All her life, she always got what she wanted. Being an only child, mummy's favorite and daddy's little princess.

Her parents were rich enough so they fulfilled her heart desires with a smile every single time.

But the look on their faces as they sat opposite her in the living room and the inability to look her in the eyes said it all.

She was still in denial but no matter how many times she asked them, their answer remained the same.

"The company is dying! We are bankrupt" Her father said but he maintained his composure. His black hair had a little touch gray with light wrinkles around his eyes but his beard was completely gray.

"I still don't get why you 'sold' me!?" She angrily shouted. She was still in her pajamas but her long brown hair neatly flowed down her back.

"Jade, we had to do the next best thing for our company" her mother replied instead.

"The next best thing would be selling the company and…"

"And starting from scratch? We have long term investments, different shares and some debts as well. This mansion will be auctioned off if we don't pay up on time. We will be thrown out on the streets!" Her father explained. "Is that what you want?"

"Why didn't you tell me any of these?!" Jade was taken aback and she became pale.

Their company was facing a lot of difficulties and her parents didn't confide in her. They didn't trust her enough to tell her that they are in debt.

"Then what Jade? What can you really do about it? We give you all you want and we take responsibility for you. You work in that company. What can you possibly do when you literally eat out of our palms?" Her mother moved closer to her.

Jade was shocked. She looked between her parents. Is that what they think of her? A liability and now a commodity?

If they had a problem with taking care of her, they should have said it before now.

She isn't a tool or something that can be sold!

Who does that anymore?

"Is this the price I have to pay for depending on the both of you?" She stood to her feet. The hot tears in her eyes made her feel betrayed, cheated and vulnerable.

"Jade…"

"No!" Jade quickly ran upstairs.

"Listen, princess!" Her father made a move towards the stairs but his wife held him back with the shake of her head.

Jade threw herself on the bed.

Her parents woke her up with the news that they sold her to save their company.

In addition, they made it clear that it is now her turn to make a sacrifice for the company.

What did she really expect? She deserved this for always being dependent on her parents.

Who is this man and why?

"Bastard!" She cried her eyes out.

'You need to pack immediately' her father's voice rang in her head.

How can they look her in the eyes and tell her that she was sold?

No, how dare they sell her in the first place?

Did they really love her? They obviously don't love her!

She can never imagine 'selling' off her child for anything!

Jade wiped her face and went to the huge closet.

She brought out two duffle bags and four suitcases.

She looked at the photo frame which hung on the wall. They were a little happy family. Her father, mother and herself.

Maybe they didn't love her at all.

Jade moved to the window. Maybe she isn't ready for the new life they imposed on her.

They can't really force her into this when she isn't around, can they? She'll run away.

Jade climbed the window seat and opened her glass window with a smile then stepped on the windowsill. The fresh breeze of New York hit her face along with the beautiful view.

She can escape this madness and go far away from her crazy parents. They will never find her. She will have a free life.

She turned and looked at the photo frame.

Yes, they gave her everything she needed. Cared for her, provided for her, protected her, sent her to the best school, gave her a job and she'll forever love them for everything but this was too much to take in.

To wake up one morning and realize you don't belong to yourself anymore is just the worst feeling ever.

But maybe this is her turn to be responsible for them. They've always been there for her. So how can she abandon them when they needed her the most? She can't let them suffer because she loves her parents a lot and will do anything for them.

Including being with a stranger?

It is her time to have their backs. To repay them all the time and efforts they put into her future.

Jade turned to step down from the window but missed her step and fell out.

"Argh!" She shouted. She is going to die!

Oh great!

Just when she accepts to do the right thing, she is gonna die.

She closed her eyes in fear ready to accept the pain.

Although her room was on the second floor, she knew it would still hurt a lot.

Jade was scared for her life but instead of falling to the ground and breaking two or more bones, she felt two strong arms tightly caught her when she finally landed.

She stopped shouting and slowly opened her eyes. She tightly held his shirt in a death grip.

Jade looked up only to find a godlike face staring down at her.

Icy blue eyes bore into her soul.

He had silk black hair that was in a rough quiff and thick eyelashes that complimented his eyes. His jaws were set and the dimples were faintly visible due to the lack of expression on his face but his purplish lips were slightly bent upwards.

He had a red stone earring on his left ear and a little scar on his jaw which was hardly visible but the stubble gave him a hot look.