Deceptive Vows

CHAPTER1

CHAPTER 1

VICTORIA

"Where the hell is he?"

I muttered under my breath, my fingers tapping impatiently on the table.

The soft hum of the restaurant buzzed around me, the clinking of glasses and low murmurs of conversation only amplifying my frustration.

I glanced at my phone for what felt like the hundredth time, noting the time. Derrick was supposed to be here an hour ago.

I tried his number again, pressing the call button with a touch more force than necessary. My call was sent straight to voicemail.

I sighed heavily, feeling a mixture of anger and resignation settle over me. How typical of Derrick to be late and unreachable.

"More wine, Miss?" A waiter appeared beside me, his expression polite and professional. He gestured to the almost empty glass in front of me.

I covered the top of my glass with my hand, shaking my head. "That won't be necessary," I said, trying to keep my tone as gentle as possible. It wasn't the waiter's fault I was stuck here waiting.

I stared at the flickering candle in the center of the table, its light was dancing mockingly as if to mock me.

Why the hell would he schedule a date if he wasn't going to show up? The question echoed in my mind, unanswered and infuriating.

I dialed his number again, each ring feeling like a taunt. Voicemail. Again. My heart sank a little more with each failed attempt. I sighed, feeling a deep sense of tiredness wash over me. I had a sinking feeling that Derrick might not show up at all.

When I started dating him, Derrick had a well-known reputation as a playboy and a clubber. But he promised me he would change.

My father, the owner of Quantum Nexus Media—one of the largest media companies in the nation—had warned me about Derrick's erratic behavior. "He's not good for you, Victoria. You deserve better," he had said as I could hear his voice in my head.

"I should have heeded Dad's warning," I whispered to myself, my fingers tightened around my phone.

I glanced at it again, hoping for a miracle, but the screen remained stubbornly blank. No messages, no missed calls.

Frustration boiled over, and I dialed my best friend, Chloe. The phone rang and rang, but there was no answer.

I frowned, a sense of unease settling in. Chloe was usually quick to pick up, especially when she knew I was out with Derrick. But I had already planned to see her at her apartment later, just in case tonight turned into another disappointment.

With a resigned sigh, I dropped a few dollar bills on the table to cover my drink and the time I had wasted. I stood up and smoothen down my dress and grabbed my purse.

I walked out into the cool night air, the city lights flickering around me. I made my way to my car, the engine roaring to life as I turned the key. Chloe's apartment wasn't far from here, and the drive would give me a chance to clear my head.

The streets blurred by as I drove, my mind was with Derrick. He had only met my best friend once, but Chloe had reminded me how lucky I was to be with him.

Yeah, right? To have an addicted clubber and Casanova as a boyfriend. I growled at my frustration towards him. "I knew he wouldn't show up," I whispered to myself.

There was a nice bakery called Sweet Indulgence not far from Chloe's apartment. I figured it wouldn't be right to come to her place empty-handed. I bought some cinnamon rolls.

I pulled up to Chloe's apartment building and parked, taking a moment to compose myself before heading inside. I needed to talk to someone, to vent my frustrations and get some clarity.

Chloe had always been my rock, the one person who could cut through the chaos and help me see things clearly.

I buzzed up to her apartment, but there was no answer. I buzzed again, but there was no reply. I sighed tiredly as I took out Chloe's spare keys and opened the door, only to reveal a horrific sight in front of me.

Chloe was bent over the couch, with Derrick's d**k buried inside her. Disgust crept into my face at the sight. They hadn't even noticed me yet. Chloe was moaning like a desperate animal on heat, her head thrown back in ecstasy.

"Derr-Derrick, stop!" She raised her voice at him, using her palm to bring him back to reality.

"What! I'm almost there," he said, raising his head as he realized my presence.

"Oh s**t!" he exclaimed, reaching for his nearby clothes, his face a mask of shock and guilt.

"Victoria, what are you doing here?" he asked me as if we didn't have a date planned, as if he was doing something innocent.

I stood there, frozen, my heart pounding in my chest. The betrayal was a physical pain, a dagger twisted deep inside me. "What am I doing here?" I repeated, my voice trembling with rage. "I had a date with you, Derrick. Remember?"

Chloe scrambled to cover herself, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Victoria, it's not what it looks like," she stammered, her eyes wide with panic.

"Not what it looks like?" I echoed, my voice rising. "You were bent over the couch, Chloe! What could it possibly look like?"

Derrick tried to step forward, his hand outstretched. "Victoria, I can explain—"

"Don't touch me!" I shouted, stepping back. The anger boiling inside me threatened to spill over. "How long has this been going on? How many times have you lied to me, Derrick?"

His face crumpled, guilt and shame warring in his eyes. "It was a mistake, Victoria. It didn't mean anything."

"Didn't mean anything?" I laughed bitterly. "That's supposed to make me feel better? You betrayed me with my best friend, Derrick. There's no coming back from that."

Chloe was crying now, her tears streaming down her face. "Victoria, please. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen."

I turned to her, my heart aching with a mix of anger and sorrow. "I trusted you, Chloe. You were my best friend. How could you do this to me?"

She sobbed, her shoulders shaking. "I don't know. It just happened. I never wanted to hurt you."

The betrayal cut deep, a wound that I knew would take a long time to heal. "Well, you did hurt me," I said quietly. "Both of you did. And I don't know if I can ever forgive you for this."

Derrick reached for his pants, pulling them on hurriedly. "Victoria, please. Don't make any rash decisions. Let's talk about this."

"There's nothing to talk about," I said, my voice cold and distant. "We're done, Derrick. And you, Chloe... I don't even know what to say to you."

I turned on my heel, leaving them both standing there in their guilt and shame. As I walked out of the apartment, my mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Anger, betrayal, sadness—they all mixed together, leaving me feeling numb.

How could they do this to me? Derrick, who I thought loved me and Chloe, my best friend. The betrayal was almost too much to bear.

For five years, I had been looking for a man to show my mom and dad who constantly reminded me that I was single, but no more! I was done with men! I, Victoria Prescott vow never to allow any man into my life again. I promised myself.

I heard my phone ring and It was mom, I answered it almost immediately.

"Victoria! How are you doing?" My mom calling my name excitedly.

"I'm fine, mom." I replied her, my tone sounding a bit sad.

"Victoria, are you okay? Can you come home now?" She asked me and I answered after a long sigh.

"I'm not sure I want too mom," I replied her replaying today's incident in my head.

"Your dad and I want to talk to you, it's important."

"Wait! Dad is around and he wants to speak with me?" I asked her as I rubbed my face with my other hand.

This can't be good, could it?

"Yes, he is and it's important. Come home, okay?"

"Okay mom." I ended the call.

***

After a long hour drive, I arrived home. I parked the car and got down before entering into the house.

My parents were seated in the living room, I was surprised to see my father. Who was usually so business with work, they were patiently both awaiting my arrival.

This couldn't be good.

"Mom, dad," I called them out, my mom stood up and hugged me tightly but my dad greeted me with a nod with his expression serious.

"I won't waste anymore time, you're -"

"You're getting older, Victoria." My mom interrupted and my father sighed.

"You need a man in your life, you deserve to be happy and loved." My mom said.

Not this topic again, I thought.

"I am happy, I have you and Dad—"

"But you don't have a man." My dad pointed out, his eyes hard as steel, and I frowned at him. He was always blunt with his words.

"Wrong, I have a man." I blurted out, and he scoffed.

"You mean, Derrick Grey, that good-for-nothing playboy whose only purpose is to w***e himself to girls and drown himself in alcohol? Is that what you call a man?"

"Marcus!" My mother exclaimed, her face tight with worry as she glanced between us.

"What! You know I'm right, Maria." He said, looking at my mom. Then he turned back to me, his expression unyielding. "That boy is probably cheating on you already. You deserve someone better."

The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. I couldn't argue with him, not when every word he said rang true. My heart ached with the truth I was reluctant to face.

"I'm so sorry, dear, that it turned out like this," my mom said, her voice soft and soothing. "But we were just worried about you and your relationship life."

My father's voice broke the quiet, his tone stern but laced with a hint of concern. "So, we took it upon ourselves to find you a man. All the arrangements have already been finalized. You will be meeting him over dinner in three days."

"Dad!" I called out, my shock rendering me momentarily speechless. His gaze met mine, unwavering and determined.

"Don't worry, dear. You're going to l

ove him," my mom said, smiling widely, her eyes filled with hope and excitement.

Great. Just when I decided to stay away from men, I get engaged to one.