Still under editing

Chapter 1

Audrey

“I can’t believe he’s already openly dating already! That slimy jerk!” my friend, Brynn shrieks into the phone. A little less than three weeks ago, I walked in on my boyfriend of two years, shoving his c**k down another chick’s throat. I’m not nearly heartbroken, but it did hurt my ego and pride. I’m not conceited but I know I’m attractive, with an abundant number of admirers. Which is to be expected when you come from a wealthy, influential family like mine. Not to mention our good genes. We are a family of attractive people. In our world, you can afford to be a horrible human being, so long as you’re rich and good-looking. My older sister, Taylor, was certainly one of those people that flaunted her beauty, but had a supercilious, vicious attitude. My mother has always been a beautiful woman and has aged gracefully. She’s stylish, dressing age appropriately with a wardrobe consisting of the latest luxury designer brands. She has her moments where she comes off like an elitist snob, but she’s not too bad. I’ve seen worse. My father is handsome, even at his age. He was apparently quite the heartbreaker before he married my mother. He did admit to the occasional fling, leaving quite a few broken hearts in his wake, but he says he never made any promises or commitments. You see, in families likes ours, arranged marriages are unusually common. The purpose is to maintain and contribute to the acquired wealth by merging with another equally influential family. Heirs with heiresses, heiresses with heirs. My father has always stressed the importance of an equally beneficial union, solidifying generational wealth. I know my time is coming. Alex was never a possibility either. His family is decently wealthy, but not enough for my father to have ever approved of in regards to marriage. Lucky for Taylor, she was arranged to Brandon Hoffman. She was ecstatic, while in truth, I was mildly bitter. He’s devastatingly handsome, with a crisp, classic and clean-cut style. His clean shaven face showcasing his sharp, Adonis-like features. His dark hair always styled to perfection, and his eyes this intense and beautiful cerulean blue. Masculine, perfectly chiseled nose and full, kissable lips. He’s tall and lean, standing at 6 feet tall, and layered in muscle. He has a sweet and humble personality that makes him even more attractive. And a beautiful smile that makes every girl swoon. The smile that swept me off my feet and made my heart flutter for the first time when I was eleven years old. When I hit my teenage years and my hormones started kicking in, it was him I’d fantasize about. He was my first real crush, and it was intense, lasting up until the day he was officially engaged to my sister. I remember my heart dropped when I’d heard the news. Obviously I acted indifferent, but inside, I was devastated. They never seemed happy either, and he didn’t express much grief when she passed. Taylor tragically died in a car accident four years ago. She and her driver were pronounced dead at the scene. It was concluded that the driver had somehow lost control of the SUV. Taylor and I were three years apart and we were close when we were little but drifted apart as we grew older. By the time she got to high school, she hardly spoke to me, aside from the occasional backhanded compliment and subtle dig. She had her minions, mainly other pretty girls willing to praise and worship her, even when she treated them like s**t. The planning of her wedding was the only time in our adult lives that she expressed any desire to bond as sisters. I often wondered if she knew of my crush on Brandon. She was my sister, but there’s not many good things to say about her, even now that she’s gone. Nevertheless, her son and my nephew, Ethan, was only two years old when she died. Because he lost her, I make sure to check on him through text and FaceTime. He’s now six years old with an exuberant and joyful personality, the only piece of my sister we have left. I might not have liked her, but I still loved her as my only sister.

“Well I’m not surprised. He was moving on before we even broke up. Yet he’s sent flowers and so many ‘I’m sorry, please talk to me’ texts. He won’t give up.” Alex’s parents were always asking us when we were planning on taking the next step. And I’m glad he never got the chance to propose because I would have had to turn him down. I’m sure his parents were pressuring him to, but my parents wouldn’t have agreed. My parents weren’t impolite, nor were they welcoming or friendly. Basically, they hardly acknowledged him. I used to feel bad, but now I don’t. f**k him. He was a cheating asshole, whose sole intention was probably to use me to his benefit. Marry me for perks while screwing other women on the side. Which is why I can kind of understand why marriages are arranged. Sure, it’s a little archaic, but at least it’s mutually beneficial. No one gets the s**t end of the stick. When I informed my parents of the break-up, they were obnoxiously pleased. Had I been as hung up on Alex as I was last year, I would have been peeved at their giddiness, and excitement. But I’m not nearly as upset as I should be. Perhaps I subconsciously prepared myself for this. My intuition had been telling me that something was amiss. s*x didn’t come as often as it used to, and he had been insatiable before. It all makes sense now. He claims it was just that one time, but I call bullshit. “Well I’m over him now. He can’t be with whoever he wants. The relationship wouldn’t have gone anywhere anyway, my dad never budged or warmed up to him like I’d hoped in the beginning. Anyways, I’m gonna get in the shower and get some sleep. I’ll text you tomorrow.”

“Ok. Love you girl. Night.” Brynn may not come from a wealthy family like mine, but she’s my best friend because she’s genuine. I love her wildness, and that she has zero filter. She makes me laugh, and is protective as hell. She’s loyal to a fault.

I turn on the shower and begin to undress when my phone rings. Brandon? “Hello, Brandon, how are you? How’s Ethan?”

I shut the shower off and wrap myself in a towel. “Hey Audrey. He’s great. He’s always asking about you.” His voice is deep and smooth.

“I was actually wondering if you’d be willing to come down and help me with Ethan. His nanny quit. The agency had sent over a replacement but she just wasn’t a good fit. I know it may be a lot to ask of you. It’d be at least for a month or two until I figure something else out. We’ve just got a lot of stuff going on at the company right now. Your parents mentioned you not working at the moment. I know you don’t need the money but I’ll pay you. And I know it’d mean a lot to Ethan.”

“Of course! I’d love to.” I bet my mother told him all about the break up. Down to every last detail.

“Really? Well I got a couple business meetings coming up. Honestly the sooner you can make it out here, the better. I’ve taken the next couple days off work but I’ll need to make it back to the office no later than Wednesday. If it’s possible-”

“No worries. I’ll be there day after tomorrow.” After I cut the call, I receive a text from an unfamiliar number. ‘Audrey baby talk to me. Please. I love you.” I had blocked Alex’s number so I’m getting several of these texts from random numbers. I take a breath and close my eyes. It’s not a vacation on a tropical island, but it’s still a break, and the perfect way to get my mind off things.