: LIKE A CINDERELLA STORY

CHAPTER 2

HENRY'S POV

Henry Montgomery! Son and heir to the Montgomery Hotel Empire. That's me. Only child, first son, only son, golden boy of the Montgomery's.

I sit quietly tapping at the table as I remembered last night. Last night, my mother, who passed away a week ago, was buried. It was a beautiful ceremony but my only reason to care was gone now. My father, who is 90 and still an absolute business brute, is all that's left, and I know it's going to be all business for me here on out.

"Knock knock, cuz!" Julian laughs as he walks in, smiling at me and taking a seat opposite my desk. "You left the door open dimwit" I scoff pointing at my office door. "Never mind that. I'm here for more important stuff. Your father requests you at the family house. Now, " he says, his playful demeanour immediately changing. "What does the bitter old man want? I already closed the deal with the Yang's so what the f**k does he want from me. Can't a man mourn his mother." I groaned, placing my face in my hands. "He lost his wife too man" Julian said calmly. "That heartless bastard didn't care" I seethed. "Don't say that. He may not have loved her but he did care... He cared man. Don't be biased. She was practically a mom to me too. We all miss her in our own way. Look, let's just go and hear what the old man wants okay. Maybe he's about to kick the bucket as well" Julian laughed and I chuckled as well. "Where are we headed?" I asked. "The family home in that little town Ridgewood Heights" Julian replied. I nodded and grabbed my coat as we headed to the helipad.

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"Father, to what do I owe this displeasure?" I asked dryly, not even hiding my dislike for this meeting. "Mind your words boy!" He seethed and I internally smirked, satisfied that I made him angry.

"I didn't come here to bicker with you." He coughed. "I made a promise to an old friend. Mr Evans. We were in highschool and business school together. And I was at his deathbed. He was my best friend. And I promised him since you were a child that you'll marry his daughter. And I called you here to make good on that promise". He said and my eyes went wide and my face pale. What the f**k!!!! "This is Daphne Evans. She's the only daughter of my old friend Michael Evans. And she will be your wife" My father said authoritatively as I stared at the slim, pretty blonde who batted her lashes seductively at me. "Father you've got to be joking?" I laughed dryly. "Montgomery's don't joke! I'm serious as day and night! It's not up for discussion!" He said and wheeled himself out of the room. "Let's leave them Victoria. Let the soon to be wed get to know each other. Julian!" He called as her mother, brother and Julian walked out.

"Your flowers are really pretty. I didn't know pink flowers existed" she said shyly, giggling like a brainless blonde. In cosa mi sono cacciato!? (What have I gotten myself into?) I cursed in Italian and sat down as she kept batting her lashes and tucking her hair behind her ear desperately trying to look cute.

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External pov

"He hates me, mother! He didn't fall for my pretty brainless blonde trick!" Daphne scoffed as the Blackwoods walked to their car. "Sweetheart you've got to play smart. Henry has got to marry you before his father dies. Else we're done for! The eatery's struggling as it is. Don't you want the money?" Victoria, her mother said. "He is rich and very handsome'' Daphne giggled evilly. "We need this Daph. Don't blow it up!" Ethan added. "And remember children, the truth can never come out" Victoria smiled evilly and her children did the same as they drove off.

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"He cannot seriously want me to marry that dumb bimbo! She's stupid!" Henry whined as he downed his third glass of vodka. "Take it easy comrade! " Dominic Pierce smiled as he waltzed in. "What're you doing here?!" Henry whined. "Congratulations are in order you're about to be a husband!" Dominic smiled. Henry glared at him murderously about to lunge at him. "She's stupid!" Julian said and Dom's eyes widened as he let out a hilarious sound slumping on the chair. "Whatever made your old man do that?" Dom asked. "He's fulfilling a promise to an old friend" Henry seethed. "Ouch!" Dom shrugged. "Sucks to be you man!" Julian laughed. "I'm out of here!" Henry growled, grabbing his keys and driving out of the compound.

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Henry's pov

I drove around the city. Ridgewood High. Well whaddya know, my old high school. I remember the Heart of Heights Fountain isn't too far from here. I smiled as I drove. Soon, the large angel with a mermaid tail statue came into view. I parked and came out to sit. My mother and I came here a lot, occasionally with my father, we were still a family then. Heaven knows what happened. I checked the time 11:30pm. I guess I can have a few quiet minutes to myself.

I sat reminiscing about old times when I suddenly heard running. Who takes a run at midnight?! A brown haired young woman ran and hid behind the statue. What is this hide and seek?! "Are you okay?" I whispered as she jumped, shrieking. "Who're you?" She retorted a bit hostile. "You're the one hiding suspiciously, who're you?!" I arched a brow questioning her presence. She scoffed in response. "I'm..." She paused, narrowing her eyes suspiciously at me.

Suddenly a revving up of a car was heard and her eyes went instantly pale. What is... Is she in some sort of danger?! I sighed,not bothering to ask why but just knowing that she needed my help. "Get in, I'll drive you!" I immediately said without hesitation as she entered and we drove off taking the opposite bridge.

Once we were well away, she called down, her tense shoulders softening into the seat. "You could've led with I'm in danger please help me" I smirk lightening the mood. "I didn't know if I could trust you" she said flatly. Harsh! "Fair enough! But I'm glad I could be of help. Where are you headed, I could drop you off" I blurted out. What the...Henry Montgomery! What are you doing?! Why are you interested in an ordinary eatery worker with tacky tastes? Her eyes brightened up and I felt something flip inside me but the light died as soon as it shone. "I'm fine. Just drop me at that bus stop. I'll take the bus'' She smiled painfully. I nodded and parked as she got off. "Alright have a nice night...?" I smiled warmly at her as she pursued her lips distrustfully. Eventually she sighed giving in. "Sam" she smiled appreciatively. "A pleasure Samantha" I smiled warmly as she turned to get into the bus. Once I was sure she was safe I turned to drive away still thinking why I was so attached to a complete stranger. I guess it's better off I didn't drop her off. It's all for the best.