THE BILLIONAIRES UNWANTED BRIDE.
Chapter One
I heaved a heavy sigh of relief, dropping the makeup brush on my vanity, my eyes fixed on my now-made-up face through my reflection on the mirror.
Cameron was finally back, and I was going to see him after six months of his trip to the Maldives. Even though I had in mind to confront him about the rumors I'd been fed, I was still happy to be seeing him.
My heart sank into my chest as I descended the stairs and was met with my wicked stepmother seated in the living room, fully concentrated in front of the blaring TV.
I slowed my steps and tried to tiptoe, but the witch turned her head, and her gaze immediately met mine. I steadied myself to a halt.
"Where do you think you are going to at this time of the day and in this kind of dress?" she blurted, my pulse racing.
"Out, as you can clearly see," I managed to reply feigning confidence, while trembling in the inside.
She always acted this way. The witch seated and questioning me always got on my nerves. I wondered how my dad put up with her nonsense.
"Look, Mrs., whatever and wherever I go is none of your business. Leave me be, you wicked witch," I bellowed, and she didn't take it lightly.
She stormed up and neared me very fast.
"Watch your tone, you repulsive swine. Are you nuts? Who do you think you're talking to?"
My head only registered the resounding slap that reverberated through my cheek. I tried to ignore her and leave, but she gripped my hair.
"Where do you think you're going?" She repeated.
Even though it would hurt really bad, I didn't mind. If I needed to see Cameron, I needed to escape from this home wrecker.
With an aggressive pull, I escaped her hold, her fingers grazing my strands badly, and it stung. I ran as fast as I could and then hailed a taxi.
Getting inside his mansion, I had dialed his number multiple times, but it went unanswered. I went in without knocking, my strides targeted at his bedroom.
Cameron always brought me to his house, so I was already familiar with it.
"Babes?" I called out about three times, still striding, but all went unanswered.
I neared and noticed his door was slightly ajar, confirming he was probably in there, as mumbles accompanied it. Maybe he was on a phone call or something. I mused and opened his door, my eyes immediately piercing directly to the bathroom entrance.
There stood a lady, leaned in very close to him. whispering in his ear. I assumed it was nothing, trying to avoid hurting my feelings and ease the tension that gripped my spine. As I drew closer, he kissed her pouted lips. My heart sank, and my legs felt like jelly.
Cameron opened his eyes, and they met mine, which were wide with shock. She turned to face me, and my heart sank even further. I couldn't believe what I was seeing - it felt like a nightmare. The girl he had been cheating on me with these past months was my own step sister, Taylor.
"Cameron, tell me this is just a hallucination," I said, my voice low and laced with hurt and exhaustion, as I approached them.
He had walked out of the bathroom entrance and was now seated on his bed.
"Tell me it's not real," I pleaded.
He glared into my eyes with disdain, his expression twisted in anger, before exhaling a frustrated sigh.
"Do you hear that sound, Cameron? It sounds like a rat choking," she mocked my sobbing, glancing around the room, pretending I was invisible.
"Ah, found it!" she exclaimed, her eyes locking onto mine as she folded her arms, a smirk still plastered on her face.
I ignored the idiot in front of me and faced Cameron, my voice trembling with hurt. "How could you, Cameron? After all these years, after everything I've done for you, is this how you repay me? Is this how you say thank you?" I gritted my teeth, trying to hold back tears.
Cameron remained silent, and I continued, my emotions pouring out. "Is this how you decide to dump me? Come on, Cameron, you know I love you."
But he cut me off, his voice cold and detached. "Hey, hey, hey, enough! Enough of this nonsense. If only you had called, you wouldn't have broken your own heart."
"Really? Was that all he could say? What happened to “I'm sorry” or “I got bored because you weren't with me all the time”?
I could understand that, but with my step-sister? It was too much.
“Didn't you see the clues all this while? Are you dumb, Roseline? Goddamn it, I even made fake accounts just to trip you up.”
His words hurt me; I never knew Cameron could be this cruel. He even fabricated those cheating texts and pictures against himself. I couldn't breathe properly.
He pulled Taylor closer and added, 'I've found my match, Roseline. Move on already. We're done; get that into your head.”
Taylor, with a smirk playing on her lips, kissed him right in front of me, “Go to hell.” She spat emphasizing.
And I couldn't take it anymore.
I fled the house, running from the scene. I ran and cried so much that I didn't even realize I was sprinting down the middle of the freeway, oblivious to the blaring horns and screeching tires as cars swerved to avoid me. I turned around, and my heart sank at the sight of the countless cars speeding towards me.
Just as I thought all was lost, I heard a loud bang on a taxi door shutting it, and someone came running towards me bewilderedly.
I looked back, and my eyes locked onto a familiar face.
“Roseline?” she called out, running towards me. It was Cassie, my childhood friend. Tears stung my eyes as I turned and gave her a hug. My mind was racing, and I didn't know where to go. I just needed to get away. I told her what Cameron did to me.
"That's men for you, Roseline!" she briskly replied. "Calm down and let's take a walk to my apartment. Night will soon fall."
I followed her without rejecting, her apartment well-furnished and properly organized, it's really attractive to the eyes.
"So what do you feel like taking?" Cassie asked me calmly.
"I don't think I will agree to eat anything right now, my current state is a real disappointment to me," I said to her in a pathetic way.
"But I know somewhere that will purge your sorrow," she encouraged me. "Follow my lead," she said.
I followed her without making any excuses.
We ended up at a hotel club, a little bit far from Cassie's street. It was the only place I knew I could clear my sorrow away and lose myself for a while. We ordered drink after drink, trying to drown out the pain.
The bar was dimly lit, with a cozy atmosphere that did little to lift my spirits. I sipped on my third cocktail, feeling the alcohol start to numb the pain. As I sat there, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I glanced around and noticed a man at the far end of the bar staring intently.
"Why is he staring at me?" I muttered to Cassie.
"Maybe he finds you attractive," she replied, trying to lighten my mood.
"Attractive? In this state?" I scoffed, taking another sip of my drink.
The man finally made his move, walking over with a confident stride. He was tall, with a muscular build and a handsome face that exuded charm. His eyes were sharp, and his presence commanded attention.
"Hi," he said, his voice smooth and deep. "Mind if I join you?"
"Actually, yes," I replied curtly, not in the mood for company, especially from a stranger.
Cassie nudged me. "Come on, Roseline, maybe he just wants to chat."
I sighed, conceding. "Fine, but make it quick."
The man smiled, pulling up a chair. "I'm Jordan Allen," he introduced himself. "And you are?"
"Roseline," I replied flatly, not interested in small talk.
"Nice to meet you, Roseline," Jordan said, his gaze lingering on me. "You look like you could use some cheering up."
"Not really," I replied, trying to dismiss him.
Before he could say anything else, Cassie's phone rang. She glanced at the screen and her face turned pale.
"I have to go," she said, standing up abruptly. "My parents were involved in a car accident."
My heart sank. "Do you need me to come with you?"
"No, no, it's fine. Stay here and relax. I'll call you later," she assured me, rushing out of the bar.
I was now alone with Jordan. The alcohol was hitting me harder, making my head spin with the loud hotel music. Jordan took advantage of the situation, his charm becoming more apparent.
"Looks like it's just us now," he said, moving closer. "How about we get out of here and find somewhere quieter?"
I was too drunk to resist, and before I knew it, Jordan was leading me to a private suite in the club. The room was luxurious, with a large bed and dim lighting. He poured me another drink, and I downed it without thinking.
Everything became a blur. I remembered Jordan's hands on me, his lips, and then darkness.
