Chapter 2: The Bet.
1527 Words
Serena’s POV
Three years ago…
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“I don’t understand why you want to use your mother’s last name.” My father said on the phone.
I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Because I want to make a name for myself. If everyone hears my last name, they’ll treat me differently.”
“As they should. I didn’t work my ass off so you could disregard our family.”
My father didn’t understand I came to New York to start a new life where nobody knew me.
“It’s preposterous, Serena.”
“I know you don’t agree with me, but please let me do this, Father.”
I heard him grumble, but in the end, I was his princess. After mom died, he became the best father. He made sure I had everything I wanted.
“Very well, I won’t interfere, but if you ever need my help, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Don’t worry about me, daddy. Everything will be fine.”
Just as I ended the call with my father, a man suddenly bumped into me.
“f**k I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there,” he apologized quickly.
“Don’t worry about it. It seems like you’re in a rush.”
His brown hair was messy. It looked like he had run his fingers through it several times.
“Still, I’m so—"
The moment our eyes met, I felt my heart stop. I never believed in love at first sight. But that’s precisely what happened with him.
This man had gorgeous blue eyes that mesmerize me. Of course, I also noticed he was fit and tall. Two things that already made him attractive.
“My name is Kian,” he said quickly, introducing himself.
I was still in shock, so I couldn’t utter a single word.
“And you are…?”
“I’m Serena T—” I stopped myself. It was still a habit to use my father’s last name. “I’m Serena Lewis. Pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise.” He smiled, and I swear, my stomach flipped.
I never understood why people said they felt like butterflies were in their stomach, but now I do.
Kian was hot.
The hottest man I’ve ever seen in Europe and here.
He glanced at his clock. “Shit.”
I chuckled, which made him blush.
“I’m sorry, here’s my number.” He took out a piece of paper and quickly wrote on it. “I would love to talk to you more, Serena.”
I grabbed it and nodded. Not really trusting my voice at the moment.
After that, Kian quickly rushed to wherever he was headed, and I continued my way to find the architecture department.
My father asked me to talk to the Dean. He is one of the best architects in Europe, and of course, he is ready to help a young and promising student as the philanthropist he is.
“Ah, Serena,” The Dean greeted me before I even reached the building. “Nice to see you here; I was going to look for you.”
I smiled. “Nice to see you, Mr. Conrad; my father told me to accompany you to the contest.”
“Of course, of course. A brilliant mind like yourself is always welcome. Why don’t you follow me?” He suggested.
The Dean took me to the auditorium, where the contest would take place. As I watched the different contestants, I found myself drifting to sleep. Their ideas were… all over the place.
They lacked something, and if things continued like this, there wouldn’t be a winner.
What I didn’t expect was to hear the Dean call that name.
“Kian Reed,” He called.
Of course… that caught my interest, and that’s when my relationship with my father soured.
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“You can’t be with that man!” My father said sternly through the phone.
“He is my boyfriend, daddy. And he is brilliant, the company he is starting—”
“Serena, I know your work, and I know you are the one helping that man,” My father cut me off. “He is using you, and once he knows you’re a Thorne, he will drain your money, reputation, and everything he can to then dump you.”
“That’s not going to happen!” Father doesn’t understand. Kian loves me; he doesn’t even know who I truly am, and yet he wanted to go out with me.
It’s true I’ve helped him here and there. But Kian has good ideas; he just needs to… polish them.
“No, you can’t marry him, Serena. You already have an arranged marriage, which you agreed to before leaving for New York,” he reminded me.
“But… dad! I don’t want to marry him, and he doesn’t want to marry me!”
“Enough, Serena. You either come here by the end of the semester, or I’m cutting you off.”
“Then cut me off!” I screamed.
Father sighed and clicked his tongue. “Why don’t we make a bet, Serena?”
I wiped the tears from my face. “What bet?”
“You have three years. If that man is as exceptional as you say he is, he will become someone worthy in that time. He will marry you, and I’ll support your relationship.”
“Of course that will ha—”
“But if he betrays you. If he doesn’t marry you, then you will return home, marry Darrius, and forget about that man.”
This was the best deal. I knew Kian loved me, and I was ready to work with him to build the biggest architecture company in the country.
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I chuckled bitterly at the memory. My father was right. I should have listened to him. Darrius wasn’t even a bad choice. He might not be as hot as Kian, but as far as I know, he is a good man, not a womanizer like his brother, and is the second son of the Voss family.
My marriage will be… ordinary.
“Miss Thorne, we’ve arrived at the Villa,” the butler announced to me.
“Thank you,” I replied, ready to step out of the car.
I was going to take my bags when he stopped me. “Allow me, Miss.”
It was so weird to be back in his life. I had gotten used to doing everything on my own.
The mansion was exactly the same as it was almost five years ago. In fact, there were a few more plants in the front, but that was all. What I didn’t expect was that the moment I stepped inside, my father came and hugged me.
“Serena, you’re finally home.” he pulled me even tighter. “I’ve missed you, princess.”
I sniffed, trying to hold back the tears. I’ve missed my dad. I missed his warmth, and I was sorry for making so many mistakes…
“Daddy, I’m so sorry…” I sobbed.
“It’s okay, princess. Everyone makes mistakes. But now you’re here,” He soothed me.
Maybe… this wasn’t so bad.
My marriage with Darrius sounded like a nightmare before, but now… I don’t feel so bad.
“Does Darrius know I’m here?” I asked and felt my father tense. “Daddy?”
“Serena.” he didn’t look happy to tell me this. “Darrius died two years ago.”
“H- How?”
“Car accident,” Father explained. “The driver was drunk; he hit a tree, and Darrius died on the spot, unfortunately.”
So… does that mean my marriage is off?
“Honey, you’re marrying Gareth Voss, his older brother.”
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I called Marie because I had to vent. I needed a friend.
“Finally! I thought you were going to stay in New York forever!” She exclaimed as she hugged me.
I let out a breath. “Tell me about it. It has been crazy.”
“I heard you’re going to marry Gareth?”
I quirked an eyebrow. “Straight to the jugular, I see?”
“Well… I’m a little worried, considering that man is a playboy.”
“A what?” I asked, because I’m sure I heard wrong.
Maria took out her phone and gave it to me. “Look him up. You’ll see. Gareth Voss has a new girl every week, Serena. He is the biggest playboy in Europe and America, and you, my friend, are going to marry him.”
- Writer
