chapter 1 Melissa's pov: Get married?

I stormed out of the house in anger after my dad told me I would have to marry Asher Kelvin to save our company. I was so frustrated and angry. So he would sacrifice me to save his company. He doesn't even care whether is happy or not. So I meant nothing to him. Tears filled my eyes but I refused to let out, I will just drive to Kendrick's place and cry my eyes out I kept telling myself. 30 minutes later I got to Kendrick's apartment, I had his keys so I didn't bother knocking but when I inserted the key I discovered the door wasn't locked so I open the door and walked in. The room was dark so I took my phone out and checked the time, it was past 10 and I know Kendrick is not the early-to-bed type. I was about to call him when I heard moaning coming from the room. I followed the sound and went to the room the door wasn't looked so I stepped in but the people on the bed were so engrossed in what they were doing they didn't notice a person had entered the room.

By now I knew exactly what was happening in the room as the moaning intensified. I turned around and wanted to take my leave but I wouldn't walk out without seeing the face of the woman my boyfriend was cheating on me with. Then the girl spoke, the voice was familiar.

" Baby, when are we going to get more serious?" she asked moaning.

" Just give it a little more time, okay, you told me she would be married off soon to settle the debt the family owe, who is she marrying anyway?"

"Why should I care, am guessing it's some rich old man with lots of money." the woman said and with this, I walked to the switch and turned on the light. They both jumped up in shock, Abigail used the blanket to cover herself while Ken used the bed spray.

I tried to breathe but I couldn't yet I kept my calm. I couldn't hear anything my mind was blank. It was like time froze for me, I looked at her and saw a satisfied smile on her face like she always wanted this to happen. This girl has stolen everything away from my dad and now my boyfriend.

I looked at him to see if it was someone else and not the guy I dated since high school and yet nothing happened, it was still him in front of me. I refused to look traumatised before them. I wouldn't give them that satisfaction, I refused to. It's his loss, not mine I kept assuring myself mentally.

" What's still there to hide Ken, just tell her already that it's me you're in love with and not her". Abigail said.

" Lisa I wasn't planning for you to find out like this trust me. Am sorry about this." Ken said

"Trust you?" I asked with laughter " How long has this been going on Ken" I continue looking him straight in the eye.

" Melissa, can you just go and stop disturbing us already? you interrupted something remember? " Abigail said still smiling mischievously with satisfaction like she won a lottery.

" Shut up, am not talking to you whore" I replied annoyed at her interruption.

" Are you ..... me what... take that back Lisa!" Abigail stammered as she laughed nervously with anger. I tilted my head to the side and smiled "You heard me right" I fired back. I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction she wanted. I refuse to break down in front of her.

" That's enough, we've been together for over a year" Ken answered and I felt the sting of pain again but stood straight with my head held high.

" Did you ever love me?" I asked. I wanted answers, I wanted to know why he did it.

" I did Lisa but that was a long time ago," he said

" So why didn't you just tell me," I asked again but he couldn't look at me so I turned around and left the room without looking back.

I entered my car and drove with no particular direction in mind, I just drove and kept on going. It started raining and I came out of the car and walked in the rain. I just stood hoping the rain would wash away the pain I was feeling. Why did it have to be my step-sister of all people? why must it be her I thought and continued walking in the rain.

Finally, I stopped in front of a house and knocked. My best friend came out and opened the door and when she saw me she was surprised as I earlier told her I would be at my family house today.

"What happened Lisa, why are you drenched? Why are you looking like this? Is everything okay?" Hadassah asked with concern and worry was written all over her voice.

She held my shoulder and walked me in. Immediately I entered I suddenly couldn't bear the pain I was feeling anymore and the tears came running down. I cried and cried, Hadassah kept patting my back and telling me it was going to be alright. She didn't ask anything, she just hugged me and patted my back as I kept crying. I cried for almost an hour uncontrollably but Hadassah didn't complain she just kept patting me telling me it was going to be alright. When I finally calmed down I went to the bathroom and showered as I was freezing and Hadassah had to change her clothes caused she held me the whole time as I cried.

when I had finished bathing Hadassah had changed and was wearing something warmer. I had some stuff there as I often came to spend weekends with her so I got dressed and met her in the Kitchen.

Hadassah was making noodles now " Sorry I had to disturb you bestie, did I wake you up? Thank God you're single else your boyfriend would have had serious issues with me" I said attempting to smile.

" Common Lisa, am happy you came to me. Come and eat something am sure you haven't had anything to eat all day since classes were stressful today." Hadassah said with a smile.

I moved closer, took the bowl of noddle and walked to the couch and sat. Looking at the bowl of noddle reminded me of how Ken would make noodles for me anytime I came back from school tired and stop at his place. He didn't know how to cook but made very good noodles. At the thought, tears came strolling down my cheek again and I started eating the noodles.

I ate it quickly as if it would stop my heart from aching, and my life depended on it. Hadassah walked to my side and patted my back again telling me everything was going to be alright.

" Had .. ..can ...you believe my Dad? ...he said that I must marry Asher Kelvin" I said between tears.

" What? The Asher Kelvin? The ruthless old man? The womaniser?". Had asked and I kept nodding

" My dad is in a huge debt and he's owing Asher Kelvin lots of money," I replied more calmly.

" And the only way to pay back is to get married to him?" Hadassah asked again still in this belief.

" I was so angry, I didn't listen to my dad's explanation. The moment he told me I had to marry Asher Kelvin I flared up" I answered

"Whatsoever this is, no one mess with Asher Kelvin. What are you going to do? How about Kendrick?" Asher asked again

" We broke up" I answered my voice bearly a whisper

" What? how? what the hell happen Lisa?" Hadassah surprised again

" I caught him in bed with Abigail...It was the place I came from. He has been cheating on me with her for over a year" I replied with my voice breaking.

" You what? Of all the girls it had to be your step-sis?" Hadassah asked almost in tears now, she had a strong sense of empathy which was one of her strengths and flaws times. I nodded yes as I was unable to talk now and Hadassah came close and hugged me.

Hadassah had been my best friend right from high, I saved her from one of Abigail's traps to humiliate her and we became best of friends. Abigail was the popular girl in school and looked for every opportunity to bully people I on the other hand was a tomboy and my best friend was Joshua until I met Hadassah. Growing up with Abigail and her mom I was bullied a lot because my dad was not always around and whenever he was back she acted nice to me. Abigail and her friends bullied me in elementary school I decided to take some self-defence classes in Karate. And after that, Abigail and her friends couldn't bully me in school anymore but that didn't stop the bullying at home.

" Am so sorry Melissa, you went through all this in one day," Hadassah said in a whisper and I nodded again.

" What are you going to do baby girl? Asher Kelvin is not one to joke with, how will you get through this?"

" I have no choice, it's like my dad said," I replied

" You mean you'll marry him Lisa?" she said surprised

" It's not like I have a choice anyway, my dad already sold me out. there's nowhere on earth I can run to that he won't find me." I said.

" The person I would have fought to be with has left me for my sister anyway so what is there to loss?" I asked in self-pity

" So you're just going to sacrifice yourself?" Had asked annoyed "Where is your fighting spirit? where is the girl that stood up for me?" Had continued

" Had what do I do?" I asked crying again.

" Let's book a ticket. Go to my Auntie's place in London for a while I'll help you write a letter to the school that you won't be around for a while" Had said already carrying her phone to call her auntie. I agreed with the plan and we booked a ticket but I had this nagging feeling in my heart that Asher Kelvin would find me somehow or make me come to him.