MAYBE NOT YOU

THE CHIEF’S

Chief Winston’s POV

There, she lay, so peacefully. She had fainted earlier but was now asleep. I had her belongings taken to my car and drove her home, instructing my staff to make her a warm bath and a cozy dinner for when she wakes up. As I gazed at her, she was still on her birthday dress and the most stunning twenty-year-old I had ever laid my eyes on.

I was aware of the agreement with her family; I had been covering her tuition expenses monthly too. However, I was taken aback by how beautiful she had blossomed into. Well sophisticated, elegant and redefined. At this point, I eagerly anticipated our first conversation, envisioning her as a perfect addition to my other three commitments.

When she was just a few months old, her parents sought my assistance regarding their printing press company. The company shareholders had caused chaos and were threatening to combine shares and claim ownership. The company was in utter jeopardy. They needed me to buy shares and also invest to reduce further damage. I did my research, recognizing the value of the investment, and instead of purchasing shares, I opted to provide a substantial loan.

I knew if they weren't careful enough, it would slip away. Then I anonymously bought the company. I merged my company with theirs, turning it into a joint venture. It might sound selfish, but in the business world, profit is key. Eventually, they lost the company in the end and were unable to repay the loan.

I proposed a solution: asking that they marry their three-month-old daughter to me when she clocks twenty. They were really skeptical but, I let them know that was the only way I wasn’t going to torment them if they had not paid me my money.

Soon enough, they agreed and we formalized the agreement. As for me, it was a beneficial arrangement. They got to find out later that I bought the company and I think that has been the biggest betrayal of time. To think that I still own their child.

I saw the way she looked at me with so much disgust. Someone had to stay ahead, it was simple logic and that’s how it’s done when it comes to business.

Her phone beside her won’t stop ringing. It read “Mine” on the screen. I had it on silent earlier. It must be her boyfriend. Of course, someone with her physique and beauty was definitely seeing the opposite gender. I placed the phone on the table by her bedside, carefully tucked her into the sheets and closed the door behind me.

STEPHANIE’S POV

I caught a flicker of light, as I rubbed my eyes to brace them for what lay ahead as I opened them. A sharp pain jolted me from the back of my head.

"Ahg! I cried out in pain, trying to brace myself until my surroundings registered. Where on earth was I? I scanned the room, trying to piece together what had transpired, and then it hit me. THE CHIEF’S!

Next to me laid my phone. Glancing at it, I discovered it was 4 am, and I had a barrage of missed calls, both from Michael and Mariah.

"I hope I'm not where I fear I am," I muttered, and quickly ventured out of the room. The exquisite interior that greeted me left me astonished. I revisited my door, this time taking in the details of my location. It was a grand, expansive bedroom. This single space resembled that of my parents' current residence, or maybe I’m just exaggerating.

Speaking about my parents, the pain of betrayal hit me again. They had sold their only daughter and given me out to a total stranger. I’m never going to forgive them. I followed a hallway which led to a staircase. I carefully took the stairs, and I was blessed by this magnificent living room with chandeliers. It was an epitome of beauty and I couldn’t help but get lost in its grandeur.

“Good morning ma” a voice startled me.

“Good morning” I responded.

“My name is Sonia, and I'll be tending to your personal needs around the house if you need anything”, she introduced herself.

“Ohhh, nice to meet you Sonia, I’m Stephanie” as I stretched my hands forward for a warm handshake while taking in her looks. She looks quite older than me definitely, had her black hair in a bun and in a crisp white shirt. She ignored my handshake, shaking her head in disapproval. Ignoring my gesture.

“I was wondering if you’d like to change to something else? Probably take a shower? Your clothes are packed inside your wardrobe. You can come down when you’re done for breakfast or ring the bell beside you, and I will bring it to you.”

I was dumbfounded. I hadn’t even figured out where I was and all of a sudden she was talking about assisting me in settling in. Who said I was staying?

“Would you want any other thing, ma’am?” She asked and I nodded in disapproval.

“Alright then, let me inform Chief Winston that you’re up.”

“Where is he? Take me to him! I quickly demanded.

“I’m sorry ma’am, you can’t see him right now“.

“What do you mean”?

“He instructed that you come down for breakfast with him and, of course, after you’re done settling in” she added, running her eyes down through my gown.

What in heaven’s name, was going on in this house?? I stared at her for a min or two and then decided to go shower. There’s no way I’m having breakfast with that monster.

I had better leave this hellhole of a house.

********

I got dressed and hurriedly went down the stairs, about leaving for school, when I heard a voice calling me from the other end.

Good morning Stephanie, hope you slept well?

“Good morning… I’m going to school” I replied, heading towards the door.

“Wouldn’t you come have breakfast with me?” He requested.

“I don’t think so, I don’t have time for that”.

Alright, then Mr Sampson would take you to school, and he'd also wait till you’re down to bring you back home”. He added.

“Wait, what! What do you mean bringing me back home?” The realization hit me.

“Stephanie my darling, I hope you’re not trying to fight this? ”It’s a dead game at your end.

I stopped there in my tracks analyzing the whole scenario as I hissed and stepped out.

The house was quite bigger than I thought on the outside. There was another building on the opposite side and, just like he said, a driver was waiting for me with the doors open. I shook my head and entered anyways.

Finally, I made it to school and hurriedly went in search of Mariah. I haven’t been able to speak to her all night and Michael as well.

I think he heard all that happened. Whatever the case may be. It’ll be better for both of us to see them in person. It was time for my morning lectures already, but I wasn’t interested.

Soon as I settled in, Mariah walked in and quickly settled down beside me. Giving my hands a squeeze as she passed.

”What happened? I’ve been trying to reach you all night.

“ I don’t even know where to begin, Mariah, I’m still trying to wrap my head around everything.

“You passed out, your mom was crying, but he insisted on taking you with him. And they didn’t even bulge. What’s happening? Does this mean you’re going to marry him?

“I'll never marry that old creep. Whatever contract they had will be dissolved, and I'll make sure of it.

“Stephanie, how much money do your parents owe?

“I totally have no idea because of the yearly interest included” I replied.

“Do you think you’d be able to pay back then?” How about Michael? I mean your relationship? What’s going to happen?

“Mariah, we'll get around it?” Speaking of Michael, have you seen him around? I inquired.

“I don’t think so, but I feel like…he’s looking at us, Stephanie” Mariah whispered, and we composed ourselves. It wouldn’t be fun if he called us out. We stayed quiet until the lecture ended.

Soon after the lectures, I quickly messaged Michael to meet us at the school’s cafeteria while Mariah and I headed there together. When I arrived, he was already there looking all concerned.

“What happened, Stephanie?”