Facing every possible hardship anyone could think of; lost her mother to an accident, lost her brother to drugs and father her was in coma, she was barely living when a stranger from nowhere walked up to her and said "Consider it a partnership. You provide the façade and the public image, and in return, I offer financial security for a whole year and other financial benefits. Imagine, no more late bills, no more worry about your father's medical expenses. Your brother's education? Secured." It sounded more like a Ponzi scheme, too good to be true , Fate was never on her side so she decided to test fate and see if she was really lucky this time. "What if I said No?" she questioned But she couldn't, she was desperate for a decent life and a debt free one, she was too unlucky to be kidnapped hours after she was announced as the fiancé of the cold hearted Sebastian Steele, The heir to the Steele Group. Will she be lucky enough to escape the kidnap alive? Will she ever live a decent life?Will the Cold hearted heir warm up to the unlucky girl?
Chapter 1 BENEFICIAL PARTNERSHIP
For some reason, My heart thumped an unwelcome rhythm against my ribs as I approached her. This wasn't the cool, collected Sebastian Steele most saw. This was Enzo Russo whenever he saw his father in sight.
I paused for a while and watched her from where I stood, looking at it. It was scary putting my life and potential ruins in a stranger's hand, it was worth being anxious for, all my life's worth and dreams could go down the drain if anything went wrong with her.
I sucked in a breath. The acrid scent of disinfectant mingled with the sweet perfume of the other women, made my nose
I moved on like the Sebastian Steele everyone sees on the outside, I stopped right in front of her across the counter, Shadows of fatigue lingered under her eyes, as she looked at me clueless, beads of sweat gathered on her forehead and her exhausted smile stared at me while the other two ladies giggled irritatingly as they gaped.
" You close by 6 pm right," I asked to reconfirm, my voice a touch too formal.
She blinked in confusion, " Ye, Yea, hmm, why?" She stuttered
I took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "I will be waiting for you outside," I said with a low and firm voice. "I would like to talk to you privately for a while."
Her eyes widened, surprise battling suspicion. "What, hmm, I don't think..."
"It's fine, Alexa," I interrupted, a hint of impatience creeping into my tone. "I will be waiting."
I turned and left, leaving her blinking in confusion.
As I settled into my car, the air suddenly felt suffocating, an unnecessary anxiety was catching up on me. To distract myself I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel, counting down the minutes until 6 pm, convincing myself it wasn't a billion dollar project.
It was past six and she finally appeared scanning the street, she looked fragile, tense and ready to bolt at the slightest sign of danger.
I Partially wish Lucas was here to handle this for me, one of my most hated interactions was with women and stupidly I chose to deal with this one by myself, with nobody to keep me in check, how dumb.
I waited until she was within a comfortable distance before opening my car door.
She froze, startled, her throat bobbing as she swallowed hard, her grip tightening on her worn-out purse. Glancing down at her faded jeans, I realized my approach might have seemed intimidating.
"I apologize," I started, projecting my voice softer this time. "I didn't mean to scare you. I just..."
Before I could finish, she moved back,
"Alexa, " I said, holding out my hands in a gesture of appeasement. "I promise I am not here to harm you. I just have an idea that would be best for us?"
But she wasn't listening. She bolted in the opposite direction as I was not ready to play cat and mouse so I instinctively reached out, grabbing her wrist rather aggressively than I thought.
"Get your hands off me!" she shouted. "I swear, if you don't, I will scream!"
With a short sigh, I let my business mind take over
"I know about your father, Liam Carter,"
The effect was immediate. Her struggle ceased, replaced by a stunned silence.
Her eyes locked onto mine, searching for answers.
"What do you know about my father?" she whispered curiously.
"That is what I want to talk to you about," I said, carefully releasing her wrist. "But not here. It is too... public."
Her hesitation was evident. "Where then?"
"There is a small cafe two blocks down," I suggested. "It is relatively quiet and we can talk without interruptions."
She didn't move for a moment, her mind weighing the options.
Finally, she sighed, nodding cautiously. "Alright, but if I feel even the slightest hint of danger, I am running and screaming."
I could feel my face folding in irritation, " How much do you think you are worth?" The words had fallen off before I realized I should have held back, I sighed again
" I am not here to harm you, I promise."
I opened the door to the passenger seat for her and gestured for her to enter but she refused,
" I would rather we walk"
Even if she was a difficult one, I like that she wanted to be in control of the situation which I knew I would later despise but for now, it's cool.
"Alright, let's walk," I relented, shoving my irritation aside. "But understand, time isn't a luxury I have right now."
She walked with quick, determined strides, keeping a safe distance.
"Then maybe you should say whatever you need to say here, I am not sure how much you are worth but nobody cares about why your lips are moving."
"Ms Carter, What I meant was, this isn't some kind of shady proposition. It's a mutually beneficial proposition, structured to address both our needs. I'm offering something tangible in return.
She stopped abruptly, turning to face me. Her eyes narrowed with suspicion.
" I really hope this isn't some ponzi scheme, I also don't have time to waste."
Taking a deep breath, maybe we can discuss it in the middle of the road, after all.
"Consider it a partnership. You provide the façade and the public image whenever I need it, and in return, I offer financial security for a whole year and other financial benefits. Imagine, no more late bills, no more worry about your father's medical expenses. Your brother's education? Secured."
"Isn't that a fancy way to say marriage?" she scoffed, a humorless laugh escaping her lips. "You must be crazy."
"Please give me your attention," I pressed authoritatively, ignoring the sting of her disbelief. "It's a contract, a business arrangement. One year, no expectations, just appearances. You get the financial support you need and I get what I need to secure my end."
She didn't answer immediately; rather she studied me, searching for hidden motives, for any hint of danger. Finally, she spoke, her voice low and hesitant. "What if I said No? "
Chapter 1 BENEFICIAL PARTNERSHIP
15/10/2024
Chapter 2 HEIR
15/10/2024
Chapter 3 SHOPPING SPREE WITH THE HEIR
15/10/2024
Chapter 4 I WILL
15/10/2024
Chapter 5 ENJOY THE RIDE ALEXA
15/10/2024
Chapter 6 WHERE'S SHE
15/10/2024
Chapter 7 NOT A TREASURE HUNT
15/10/2024
Chapter 8 Caught you
15/10/2024
Chapter 9 YOU DESTROYED ME
15/10/2024
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