STITCH

"Oh... my!!!" her jaw dropped in awe.

Marie couldn't help but stare helplessly at the sophisticated mansion that lay elegantly in front of her, own by the renowned model; Berry Montana.

Sitting perfectly on the long driveway was a sprawling Mediterranean-style villa estate, with a red tiled roof and a large fountain in the front courtyard.

"Mama, are we in a dreamland?" Audrey tucked at the neck of her sleeves, eyes fixed on the dreamy meeting venue.

"Umm... seems like"

Instantly welcomed by a chandelier-filled foyer with marble floors and a sweeping staircase the moment they walk in; just as expected.

Every furniture screamed luxury!!!

Right in view was a lush sitting room with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city below.

"Welcome ma'am." A male housekeeper with strong Spanish accent greeted her, smiling courteously.

Marie nodded silently, still dumbfounded.

"Are you Ms. Marie?" his eyes fixed on the tab in his hand.

"Yes please"

"Oh... it appears you are a bit too early" he paused, like he was thinking on what next to say.

"Well, Boss Berry is on a live stream at the moment, you'd have to wait for a short while."

"That's fine"

"Marie gently followed behind him silently as he walked them into the extravagantly furnished living room.

"There," he pointed at one of the golden cushions and briskly walked out of the foyer like he was in a hurry.

From the foyer, Marie could hear the loud echo of Berry's cackling voice sail across the mansion from somewhere in the first floor.

Being a single mum from the west coast of California, Marie who was a professional babysitter hadn't stopped wondering why the renowned model had requested to meet with her; knowing fully that the star wasn't married yet and had no child either, two days ago; her job agent, John had contacted her stating that the star requested to see her without pointing out a specific reason for the request.

"Could this be some kind of publicity stunt, or was there something more sinister at play?" she tried to keep her composure, as her mind raced with multiple questions and possibilities.

"Mama, this payace is so beuyiful" Audrey babbled, wriggling cheerfully in her mother's lap; excitement clearly displayed across her chubby face.

"Of course it is; you can say that again little munchkin," Berry's silky voice announced her elegant entrance.

"Oh... hello ma'am" Marie greeted; startled, she wasn't expecting her just yet.

"Hola hola" Berry extends a handshake at her with a bright smile, revealing her charming dentitions.

Asides being charming, something about her smile made Marie feel uneasy.

"Follow me," Berry ordered as she led the way upstairs into a private living room neatly arranged with lavish velvet couches.

"Get us two glasses of champagne and a glass of fruit juice right away;"

"Yes boss," a female middle-aged housekeeper responded and hurried downstairs.

About a minute later, the middle- aged woman returned with a glass tray containing Berry's order and carefully placed them on the center gold table.

"Now, if you'll excuse us" Berry dismissed the housekeeper.

"Alright, down to business.

"There's a wedding coming up in a few days at the Silver Lawn garden between the influential Field Bail and Kathryn Carlo, are you aware of this?"

"No ma, I am not" Marie replied, honestly.

"Oh my! How can that even be, aren't you on the socials? I mean it's literally trending right now."

"I'm not on the socials"

"Oh, well... I want you to ruin the wedding"

For a moment there, Marie thought she was going to burst into a hilarious laughter but luckily she saved it.

"Sorry?"

"Yea, you heard me just right"

"How?" Marie's confusion was slowly growing into a feeling of disgust.

"So from your profile, you are a single mum and a baby sitter, who would need some extra cash to probably change her status, not so?" Berry's eye glittering with mischief.

"How do you expect me to do this?" this time, Marie's tone was a bit higher than the first.

"Okay... all you have to do is to stir a scene at the wedding just before the exchange of vows by yelling that Field is the Father of your child, and then you run away," throwing her hand up in the air to gesture the task as an easy one.

"And that's it?"

"Absolutely"

"Why would you want to do that?" "Marie couldn't help but stare at her in unbelief, how could someone who looked this innocent and sophisticated have the heart to hatch such devious plans?

"The millionaire happens to be my lover and is getting married to betray me, hence I have to get even," the model lied, rolling her eyes as she gulped in an amount of the champagne.

"Oh... well, I sincerely apologize for your hurt but..."

"There are no buts, I am not begging you to do it; I am paying you heavily," Berry bragged wadding a hefty wrapped envelope in Marie's face.

Now this was raw temptation, Marie had always wanted to give Audrey a better life and this seemed to be just the answer to that prayer.

"So, deal?" her slender soft stretched in front of her towards Marie.

Marie sat frozen, not even a blink.

"This isn't much of a big deal, you know? What's much of a big deal instead is that I have to capacity of ruining your life in split seconds, so it's up to you."

"Is that a threat?"

"Not in any way, it's simply a gentle reminder that I have a few clips of what you'd consider a "tiny little secret" a sly smile spreading across Berry's face.

"What was she talking about?" Marie thought, her mind racing at a million and one scenarios.

"Oh my God!" how did you?" Marie gasped as she remembered something.

"So, deal?"

As Marie slowly walked out of the mansion, cuddling Audrey tightly in her arms; she couldn't help feeling that this was such a huge mistake, this decision had the power to ruin her life and that of her daughter, but the thought of the money that had turned her into a millionaire in split seconds and the fact that Berry had a clip of her secret kept convincing her.

Driving home, she wondered if she'll ever be able to pull through successfully with this. Is she about to become embroiled in a world of danger and deceit? What if she gets caught and arrested during the event.