His Tempting Maid

Adele When did it all happen? When did my life turn around? Was it when I was announced as the Betrothed to Lucien Lawson or when I had secured a major role for a global movie? When did it all go wrong? My name is Adele Easton, Daughter of Easton David, Heir to the Easton Enterprises, and seven days ago, my father had paired me with Lucien Lawson for an arranged marriage. Lawson grew up alongside my family, his father and my father were close so they saw it fit for their kids to be married once they had come of age. We were set to meet his family for the introduction in seven days and I was excited about it. I arrived at the venue to begin my first scene, it was my first big movie role and I wanted to do my best. I had prayed many nights for this opportunity and it finally came to me. “Good morning” I greeted happily as I approached the Director’s assistant. His face didn’t have the usual smile it used to have when he sees me. “Good morning” he replied dull. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “The director want to see you” he informed me and then walked away. I walked towards the break room where the director was, and knocked on the door. “Good morning Sir, you wanted to see me?” I asked peaking. “Yes, come take a seat” he gestured and I sat in front of him. “I will just go straight to the point, the team has decided to scrap you out of the movie, your role will be given to someone else” he announced. I was frozen a minute, I couldn’t even move my body. I tried so hard understand what he was saying, but all I heard was the sound of my heart beating faster and his voice echoing in my head. “What… what do you mean Sir?” I stuttered. “The investors had asked for you to be pulled out of the movie” he added. “Why? What did I do?” “I’m sorry, I wish I could help you” he says rising up, That doesn’t answer my question at all. I grabbed his hand before he could get to the door, “What did I do?” I demanded, what could possibly make them not need me anymore. I spent six years in the industry being nothing but an extra, despite my family’s background, I wanted to make a change by myself and now this. Just when I am about to have my big break, it just can’t be happening. “I’m sorry, I have no idea too” he says and pulls his hand out of my grasp. My whole body became rigid, It felt like I had been shoved in a block of ice. After a couple more minutes, I was able to pick myself up. I stepped out of the room, I could feel several eyes on me, the news had already spread that I was dumped. So I kept my head down and began walking away not until I bumped into a figure. “Watch it b***h” a voice yelled at me. “I’m sorry” I said as I rose my head to meet her gaze. It was Lena, my senior subordinate, only then did I realize that she was the one the role had gone to. I should have known. Five more days have passed and I have not been able to secure a single role, not even as an extra or stand in, almost like I have been blacklisted everywhere. Despite it being my birthday today, I didn’t see the need to celebrate it. As I walked back home, I notice people running towards our building, it felt strange to me until I saw a figure standing at the edge of the roof. I looked closely and that’s when I realized that it was my father. “Dad” I whispered and his eyes fell on me like he could hear my call, his face was filled with regret and sadness. Our building was Six stories tall, which meant he would fall to his death if he jumped, he already knew that and that’s why he was there. “No please” I moved my feet to run to him when I heard a heavy stud. The screaming became so loud that it almost burst my eardrums. My entire body began to shake, I looked up and he was no longer there, which only meant… I began walking to the scene, people had already gathered around him, I made my way to the front and there he was. Blood splattered everywhere, his brains all over the floor. It was an unruly sight. I collapsed to the ground immediately, my screams turning into wails as I looked at him. I couldn’t take my eyes of him, laying in front of me dead was my father, and I couldn’t look away, I knew the image would hunt me for the rest of my life. “Dad…” I let out crying.