Three Men Want Me

Chapter 2

Kate’s face fell as she stared at the bill on the screen.

A million dollars.

For a freaking, stupid high school party. And not just that. Her money for that spoilt brat, Mandy.

“No, aunty. You can’t use my money,” she said, her tone pleading.

Becky snickered. Not that she ever cared that Kate called her aunty. She had never treated her as a daughter.

“Your money?”

The slap came now. Hot. Quick. But not as painful at the thought that all her trust fund might have been used on a prom dress.

“What happens to all the money we’ve been using to send you to college, you ungrateful brat?! Do you think we’ll let you go with the money? You must be delusional.”

Kate’s eyes welled at the thought of what her own family had in store for her.

“But…it belongs to my mother and I’ve been going to school with dad’s money.”

“Dad’s money,” she repeated mockingly. “Let’s see what you can do.”

Kate’s chest rose and fell in annoyance. “Dad won’t let you,” she said, running out of the room, her eyes blinded with tears. She wiped the tears.

No way she was going to cry for nothing. Her relationship with her father might be strained but he was still her father and he wouldn’t let her trust fund go to a silly prom gown.

He wouldn’t.

Dinner was the only time she saw him and she needed to know that her money was still hers.

Alex Pearce, her father, arrived for dinner stone faced. Mandy was already gone with her date, Dave Jones, and Becky was grinning from side to side. They sat quietly at the dinner table as their meals were dished. Kate noticed that her father was avoiding a conversation. Whenever Alex carried a stone face around, he was trying to avoid a conversation.

But Kate was not one who got frightened by his looks. Not when she was five hours away from being a millionaire. The family’s lawyer had said the money her mother left behind was in millions. She had waited nine years to have them. And nine years was going to be over once the sun was up in the sky.

She stabbed the meat on her plate with a fork and pushed the plate aside.

“Father, I turn twenty one tomorrow,” she started.

Alex was chewing noisily above her speech and Becky was sipping champagne away like she hadn’t said a thing.

“Father!”

A hiss escaped from his mouth and he dropped his cutlery.

“There’s no money for a birthday party if that’s what you want. Not even a cake.”

And yet, Mandy was wearing a million dollars for a date and Becky was sipping champagne like it was water.

“I don’t care for a party,” she said. “You’ve never done one for me,” she added under breath. “All I want is my money.”

Becky chuckled and dropped her glass cup. “What money, honey?”

Kate flashed angry eyes at her. “I wasn’t talking to you.” She returned to her father. “I was twelve when mum died and I know I have access to the money when I turn twenty one.”

“Not after you ruined Mandy’s prom dress,” her father said.

Her eyes bulged out in shock. Was her father now punishing her over a stupid dress?

“I had noth-”

His raised hand stopped her. “My wife had to get Mandy a new dress and a diamond necklace by 6 pm. Do you know how difficult that is? We have no money and I had to get the money elsewhere.”

Kate was shaking her head. “No, father. It’s all a lie. It was Auth who ruined her necklace and she stepped on her dress when she was trying to blame me.”

Becky exclamations filled the room. “You liar! My love, Kate bullies Mandy and she wanted to ruin her prom all because she couldn’t attend hers. She doesn’t know how to be a big sister.”

“Mandy is not my sister.”

She had said the words between her teeth but her father had heard every word. His fist banged against the table.

“You insolent child! Your stupid trust fund is going to be used to pay off the loan for Mandy’s prom gown and necklace. You owe her that as her elder sister after you intentionally ruined her dress.”

Kate pushed her chair backwards.

“No one will touch my money without my permission. I hate you all!”

She fled the dining room to her space. At least, she had that to herself. Falling to her bed, she cried. She had waited too long for her father to take away everything that belonged to her. Mandy had taken her mother’s necklace and now, she wanted to take her money.

No way.

There was no use crying when Becky glowed in her tears. She reached for her phone and scrolled through the net. Mandy was already dropping videos of the prom party with clear captions stating that she was wearing a million dollars.

“You b***h!”

She gritted her teeth and flung the phone.

If she could outsmart them by waking up early and meeting up with Barrister Taylor, she would have all the money to herself. She could even cut a deal with him. Give him a percentage if he helped her. She would be on a plane out of this city before evening.

She reached for her phone again but the lawyer’s line wasn’t connecting.

“Damn!”

She dropped a voice note.

Barrister Taylor, it’s Kate. Could we meet up by 5 am? It’s concerning my trust fund. I promise to reward you well for your assistance.”

She laid on the bed, her eyes to the ceiling she had stared at for years. Tonight was going to be her last time in this bed, staring at the whitewashed ceiling.

But when the sun rays fell on her eyes the next morning, she knew she had missed her alarm. Or had forgotten to set it.

She pulled out of bed hastily and ran the stairs to the living room only to be met by a family meeting. They were all there, seated, and looking like someone had died. But Mandy was right there so her stupid post hadn’t gotten her killed.

Barrister Taylor was also there, seated.

“Kate, he said. “You’re here just in time.”

“Just in time?” She repeated. “What is going on?”