Chapter One

Carmen's POV :)

Here I am walking through this flower garden towards a man that will soon be my husband. A man who was unaware of my true identity and plans. A smile is on Michael's face as I come into view and the guests here are not more than ten with Charles, Jenkins and Camila's parents being a part of it. My wedding should be surrounded with friends and families that loved me but here I was in the midst of strangers, though I've met them briefly they were still strangers to me.

Why did I get into this mess with Charles ?. There he was giving off a devilish smirk as I walked by making me feel like I just sold my soul to the devil. Well if I really did , it was some months ago.

Some months back , on that fateful my left eye kept twitching non stop which I interpreted as a good luck sign. I was on my way to the bike race, isle of babes that I usually partook in with my jinxed bike Quinn. Quinn was a rusty old handmedown from my twin brother, Cayden. Whenever I was on the verge of winning she abruptly stopped like a predator awaited her at the finish line and moved only when one or two people zooms by. So when my eye twitched I felt I could finally win the race, could finally break the chain of second and third place. Bike riding was a safe haven for me, every ride awakened my senses and I read a magazine saying it's like cocktail to the brain, well cheers to that.

"Shoot" the commentator shouts.

Isle of babes is a very illegal game, everyone who partook be it a rider or spectator was risking possible jail time or fines. The other location we were at got busted by the police and few people were caught, well I have no clue how it turned out for them nor do I know them. This current is an old large burnt down abandoned amusement park and has been police free for some weeks now...which is too good to be true or maybe since it's a bit secluded from the city. We had to twirl around the fallen roller coaster and the burnt metals and other stuffs that littered stood as obstacle course for the race.

I turned on the gear and zoom in flight. The evening gust of breeze touch my face through the opening in my helmet. My hair is locked in a ponytail but still dangled at my back. Quinn seems to be doing well today gaining on the other riders as always despite her jinx. Today must be my lucky day ! .

I had gained on the other riders, Shirleys Duccati was a few miles behind but she'd soon gain up and so I accelerate further to avoid that. I enjoy the smell of the air and warm breeze and close my eye for a bit. Close to the finish line my hearts starts thumping, Quinn has been delivered.

Yippee !!!

Shirleys Duccati zooms past me.

Again!!! I inwardly scream and curse.

How does she always do this!!

Shirley smirks as she alights her bike with her doll face and messed up blonde hair.

"Good ride loser" Shirley said hopping off her bike.

"Just fuck off" I say to which she flips her middle finger.

I'm always close to beating her but it never works and it's fucking annoying. I hate second place so freaking much.

Back when I was younger in Mexico with my twin brother we'd always race on her bicycles and he'd always win me and it hurt a lot. So I spent nights training ignoring the bruises I got when I hit a rock in the dark road. After that practicing and sacrificing my sleep for nights I got good and gained the stamina I lacked. I beat my brother in every ride after that and he didn't see it as a big deal but it meant a lot to me. I know I can beat Shirley, my soul says so but Quinn just won't let me and buying a new bike is not in my agenda.

I alight Quinn and say.

"Why do you love second place so much "

Then stomp off to collect my payment from Xaviers car and Shirley was already there getting hers. Rumor had it that she dated Xavier but who even cares, she's just stupidly beautiful that's all.

"Hey Carmen when are you replacing your old piece of junk"

"When you shove your nose in your ass"

"If people heard you now they'd think you're a big show but you're a little crappy asshole"

"And my crap is mine and your shit is yours so buzz off with your annoying face"

"I'll leave now so my beauty doesn't choke you"

"Dumb ass !!!"

Shirley always gets in my nerve jeeez I wish I could just beat her already. I can't wait to see that look on her face when I zoom past her and get first place. My victory would shut her bitchy mouth up for sure. So today my eye twitched for no reason, shit!!!.

"Good drive Carm...better luck next time" Xavier said counting my cash with a cigarette in his mouth. His hair was always in low cut ever since I knew him and he had tattoos on both his arms. Typical bad boy!!. He had hit on me when I first begun riding with him but stopped the moment I said know. A gentleman bad boy !.

"Yeah...I guess" I replied.

I strolled back to Quinn, having to bustle my way through guys walking back and forth as they were all trying to leave. I spot Raj leaning on my bike in wait for me. I have to deal with this shitty dude again !.

" Care to join me for dinner ?" He asked with his eyes ravaging my body like a predator.

" I never told you i had no food at home"

" well if you did would you be here ?" He replied. I wonder what the jerk actually feels like....what girl would hang out with a short dude who insults her...must be a psycho.

" seems like you need a taste of what I gave you last time" I remind him. He'd groped my ass once and I turned and kicked him right in the balls and I watched him wither in pain. He didn't know I had a fourth Dan black belt in taekwondo.

" you're lucky you did that here..... I'd have sued your sorry ass"

" fuck off from my bike and go find another girl cause I'm not interested in you and I never will, scurry off little man"

" fuck you" Raj said. He hated it when people referred to him as short or small. Well I don't like hitting people's insecurities but if that's the only way for their brain to function properly then...why not ??.

I drive Quinn home to the super mart to get some groceries. I stock on cup noodles and cereals since they're more easier to make and I have five par-time jobs. One at scarlet bar as a waitress and the second at Caffeville for weekdays morning. The third at brown town bakeries and the forth at Isle of babes. The fifth, my favorite job of all. I do acting gigs whenever I'm called by my friend Tiffany, who's a writer. It is my dream to be on the big screen. Ever since I was young, I'd watch movies and imagine myself in it with people watching me too. It's the main reason I joined my brother to America. My brother had been here for three years, he left home when he was 19. When he came to visit I convinced him and tagged along. After a year my sister joined too.

I arrive home with the goods I bought weighing on my hands. I spot a dark manly figure looming at my door post. I could see the outline of his body through the fact that the neighbors yard light was on and mine off. Had it been mine was on I would have been able to see him more clearly. For a second I think it's Rico, my twin brother that I hadn't seen for some months now. He keeps sending money through letters with no return address assuring me he's fine and had work to do. I had no idea what job he did and I hope it's not dangerous.

The strangers steps off my door porch and climbs the little three stairs the house has and I could now clearly see his face. Short dark hair, Greek nose, bow shaped lips and bulgy eyes.

Charles!!!! What is he doing here ???

Charles was an ex of mine who wanted more than casual dating. The delulu wanted marriage as I wasn't ready for intimacy with him. I broke up with him the moment I figured his plans and the negative vibes I perceived from him. He wanted to tie me down with marriage whereas I wanna soar high and hit the big screens.

" Hey Carmen" he said as I approached him.

"What are you doing here ?"

"Won't u invite me In let's talk about something important?"

" I don't think we've got anything important to discuss"

"Come on Carm....it's a juicy deal"

"Hope it's not about us"

Charles had sent a couple of drunk texts after the breakup before giving up.

"500 thousand dollars and a recommendation"

"Uhm...Come in" I impulsively said and unlocked my door.

" I have a proposal for you" Charles declared as he sat on the sofa.

"Yeah.....I know you said so at the door.... what is it about a 500k$ deal ?"

"All you have to do is marry my cousin get me some documents and the money is yours and maybe with some added bonus depending on how quick you are in delivering "

"Whoa that's huge. I have to scam this cousin of yours ?

" yes !"

"So you think because I didn't go to college I'm a dumb girl right ?"

" what do you mean ?" He asked getting pissed.

" obviously you can't reach those documents yourself and it could be worth millions of dollars and you wanna give me just 500 dollars...I must say Mr Charles, you're pretty cheap"

" if you're not interested let me know there are millions of other girls who would dive into a sea full of sharks for this opportunity"

"Well if there are so many fishes in the sea why are you here proposing this deal to me ?"

"Cause you're an actress... you're witty sarcastic and beautiful...you'll do the job perfectly"

"I'm not interested and I've never been desperate for money. By the way the look in your eyes feels off...you're someone I shouldn't deal with or trust ...if that's all please show yourself out I've got somewhere to be"

"Take my business card and think about it...I give you a week...If I don't hear from you which I'm sure I will the deals off"

"Bye Charles "I wonder what he meant by "which I'm sure I will' He holds no card against me.

Charles left and I hurried off to work. The club was packed with people and Makov my boss was sure to give me a warning glare. I spent the night serving drinks in booths. I didn't really like this job but the pay was good.

I clocked out at by dawn at 3am. I got out of the bar which was still bustling and the chilly dawn air hits me. Reminding me of yesterday's game. So my eye kept twitching cause of Charles. Shit !.

* * *

The next evening, I drive Quinn to the game. Today she seemed worse driving slower than ever and if not for my skills she was practically a snail. I had to learn multiple ways to fix bikes so she'd be with me this long and also save cost.

At the bike ring every thing feels off and I kept feeling chills down my spine. My eyes were twitching again 'what's gonna happen now !. I had placed Charles card in the back pocket of my trouser, not that I'd call though, I just did.

The commentator says shoot and we were about hearing when the police invaded the place with their sirens. The babes on bikes were able to dash out through the bake gate that led to the main road.

Quinn's jinx was in full swing, she abruptly stopped and wouldn't move. I kept praying and wishing she'd just cough a bit but she never did. She gave up on me when I needed her the most. I get off her but it was about dashing off but I was too late as I was grabbed by a police man and handcuffed. I was led to their cab where in I was driven to the station with some few men. Fortunately or not, none of the other racers were caught and Xavier vanished absolutely with no trace. I felt like crying !.

I had no one to call for my release, my twin brother was out town and Tiffany was away for work. I feel my back pocket as I'm in the cell and find Charles card.

'I have a lot to gain from this deal and besides Charles is from a family of billionaires so this guy definitely would be a billionaire too...whatever Charles does with the so called documents his cousin could bounce back...after all all rich people have slush funds...I can't miss this opportunity....I'm no scammer but I can't be sent to prison, can't have a criminal record that could weigh me down when I get famous...just need someone to pay this fine and I'll get outta here'

I alert the police in charge that I needed to make a call to a guardian and he sent a subordinate to bring the landline over. I punched in Charles number and wait impatiently as it rings.

"Come on pick up...pick up.." I whispered to myself.

Charles picked on the second ring which felt like forever.

"Charles what the fuck man...what took you so long ?"

"Carmen !...is that you ?...is this your new line ?" He asked with no tinge of emotion.

"Yes man...I'm at the police station "

"How ?what got you there ?" He dryly asked.

"Why's your voice laced with sarcasm ?"

"That's how I talk !"

"Well I need you to come bail me out...if I'm not bailed I'll have a criminal record"

"Whoa too bad Carmen...a criminal record won't be good for an upcoming actress like yourself"

"I realize that...that's why I'm calling you to come bail me out"

"Why would I do that ?"

"I accept the deal...come over now"

"Are you sure ?"

"Yeah...just get your ass over here"

"You sure have a sharp tongue for someone who's in jail"

"Are you coming or not ?"

"I'm on my way !"

Charles arrived thirty minutes later and he appeared to be buddies with the inspector. He came over to me and a lieutenant opened the cell for me to come out. Charles came with some documents which I had to sign before my bail could be processed. I sign the documents without reading them fully just scanned through them and handed over to Charles. He gave off a devilish smirk 'why won't he when he just got what he wanted like a piece of cake'. I followed him out.

"Let's go...I'll book an hotel room for you".

"No...I'll go home tonight and we can meet up tomorrow"

"Remember Carmen these paper's you've signed are legally binding...if you breach what's stated here you'll be on a straight way trip to jail and you can kiss your big screen dreams goodbye". Charles said and drove off and I felt a chill down my spine.

"What have I gotten myself into now !"