CHAPTER ONE
Three years ago, I felt incredibly fortunate to have what appeared to be a perfect life with my parents. To some, it might have seemed like we lived in a world of luxury, but to me, it was all just a distant dream I couldn't remember clearly.
One day, my Aunt Anna approached me with tears and a look of deep sadness on her face. She spoke softly, tremblingly, "I'm so sorry, Kelly..."
That's when I knew that something terrible had happened to my parents.
My mother, Francheska Vichowski, was once a wealthy heiress and the daughter of a successful millionaire. She was known for her beauty and grace; every man desired her. However, despite her parents' objections, they fell in love when she met my father, Trevor Kelly. They believed that my father, an average citizen, couldn't provide for their daughter, so they forbade them from being together.
Despite this, my mother abandoned her luxurious life and ran away with my father, taking all her money and savings to start a new life with the man she loved. She became pregnant and was thrilled at the prospect of starting a family.
My Aunt Anna, my mother's closest friend, described my mother as the greatest woman she had ever known. She was delicate, soft-spoken, and genuine, a true lady in every sense of the word. My father, on the other hand, is a very charismatic man. He can fill a dull and gloomy room with sunrays and rainbows. My father is like a saintly man with the most humble attitude. I never saw him mad, nor did I see him and my mother fighting.
Although they were gone, I felt they were still with me, guiding me to every success I achieved.
I felt uneasy as I looked at the man in front of me. He seemed like a powerful businessman you only see in movies or read about in books. I raised my left brow and placed one hand on my chest as he stepped closer. He was perfect, with dark brown hair, ocean blue eyes, sculpted eyebrows, a sharply defined nose, and soft lips. Even his body was perfectly chiselled, hidden under his silver tuxedo.
The thought of him without his tuxedo made me blush, and I quickly covered it up with a sneeze.
"Excuse me, who are you again?" I asked politely, hoping to hide my unease.
He extended his hand towards me, "I'm Drake Adams," he said. I shook my head, keeping my hands to myself.
"Ms. Smith, can we talk privately if you don't mind? It's a personal matter," he said professionally, making me nervous.
"Let's go inside the coffee shop," I suggested, gesturing towards the shop behind me.
"If that's what you prefer," he said monotonously, adjusting his tie.
As we entered the shop, I couldn't help but notice his displeased expression. He scanned every corner of the room, calculating something in his head.
We sat down at a corner table and ordered a quick meal. Even though I'd been to this coffee shop countless times before and knew it like the back of my hand, I looked around the room, taking in the scratches on the chairs and tables. The aroma of coffee filled the air, but there weren't many customers around.
As I gazed at the man sitting in front of me, I couldn't help but wonder how he knew my name and what he had to do with me. He looked uneasy on the small chair, which made his tall figure stand out even more.
He cleared his throat, attempting to find the right words to explain our meeting. "It's complicated, but it's related to your deceased parents," he began.
My heart sank. What could my parents have to do with a man like him? I urged him to continue, feeling anxious and tense.
The waitress interrupted us by bringing our orders, and we paused our conversation until she left. Drake, that was his name, sipped his black coffee before resuming his explanation.
He mentioned that my mom's clan and his had been feuding for a while and that it all began when my grandfather had a falling out with Drake's Nonno. They used to be business partners, but my grandfather had become greedy, disregarding all the terms and agreements they had previously established.
I listened intently, sipping my coffee nervously as he continued. He explained that my mother had a good relationship with Nonno, Drake's grandfather, who helped her through difficult times until I was born.
I was surprised that I hadn't heard of Nonno before, and I couldn't help but wonder why Drake had shown up after so many years, seemingly knowing everything about me.
"Why did you suddenly show up, and how do you know so much about me?" I asked incredulously, attempting to make sense of everything.
"I've researched and studied this particular conflict, so you can tell that I already know the corners and boundaries of this issue," he said confidently.
Feeling impatient because it was already late and Aunt Anna was probably looking for me, I sarcastically asked him, "Then what are you trying to say? That you have custody over me or something?"
He replied, "Lucky guess. Yes, my family had custody of you. Your mom handed you over to us because, as I said before, she trusted Nonno no more than your grandfather. She also ensured that you will marry Nonno's grandson," making my head spin.
I scoffed and shook my head in disbelief, "This is not a movie, so don't expect me to marry a stranger I've just met a few minutes ago."
His eyes grew darker, and he stood up, towering over me at six feet tall to my five-foot-four. "I'm not speaking about fiction. This is real. Marriage in the business industry is not about love; it's a word used to sugarcoat the sentence 'I'm only using you for gratitude'. It's about your mother's stock, and I'm eager to get it," he spat harshly and glared at me, making me uneasy.
I stood up, and he seemed taken aback by my actions. "Don't you dare speak to me like that? If you want to be the stockholder of whatever it is, then fine. Take it. I don't care anymore; just leave me out of this," I hissed, pointing at his chest.
His eyes shone with guilt, and he breathed in and out, trying to calm himself down. "I'm sorry, Kelly. I don't want to be viewed as rude, but you have no choice. Your mother's last will and testament states that she wanted you to marry her grandson, which just happens to be me."
I raised my left brow and exhaled sharply, running my fingers through my blonde hair, thinking for a few minutes while Drake patiently waited for my reply. "I don't know any of this stuff, and it's confusing me, but at least don't make me sound ignorant. If I really have to marry you, then at least give me time to adjust to the situation that you and your family, as well as my mum, put me through," I told him with a hint of frustration.
His shoulders slumped in relief, and he handed me his contact number, printed on a laminated black business card. "Call me if you have made up your mind, and I really do thank you for your time," he said and stood up.
I grasped the business card from his hands and looked at him confidently. "Yes, I'll call," I declared.
He extended his hand. This time, I took it, hoping that this decision wouldn't ruin my life forever.
