Chapter 1
1.
Chloe's POV
“Chloe, are you crazy? What has love done to you?” Freya snapped at me, her eyes blazing with a fury I couldn't quite comprehend. Was something wrong with what I had done? Aren't sacrifices supposed to be made for people we love?
“Why are you yelling at me like I have committed a huge crime?” I asked, wondering what the big deal was.
“What you've done is much worse than committing a big crime, girlie! How could you transfer the ownership of a penthouse you struggled to build from the ground up to a man?”
“It's a gift, Freya. It's his birthday, and he told me that's the only gift that can make him happy. Besides, whatever is mine is his as well—”
“When he hasn't married you?” Freya snorted with her arms folded.
I shook my head. “You don't understand, Freya. Mike has been my boyfriend for five years now, and he promised to get married to me this year. So, what's the big deal? If we get married, the house automatically becomes mine as well. Chill, he loves me and won't do anything to hurt me.”
“You don't understand my point, Chloe. Mike isn't going to get married to you soon—”
“I can wait,” I cut in, and Freya gasped. “I don't care how long it's going to take, Freya. I love Mike, and I'm ready to do everything in my power to keep him. Stop worrying about nothing. I can give the whole world to Mike if provided the opportunity. You're being unnecessarily paranoid.” I chuckled and patted her shoulder.
I'm aware that Freya wants the best for me, but she's being overprotective these days. We've been childhood friends, and she literally knew when Mike and I began dating. I have no idea why she's bothered about me transferring the ownership of my penthouse to Mike. It is what Mike wants, and I had to give it to him for his birthday. After all, he had promised to marry me very soon, so what was all the fuss about?
He loves me so much, and takes care of me like I'm a baby. He is everything I could ever wish for, and I love him. Call me crazy, but I can damn well give him my kidney if asked; that's just how much I love him, and how ready I am to do more.
I smiled at Freya and she only bit her lip. She does that whenever she is mad. I ran my hands through my hair as I stared at her.
“I still can't get over the fact that you had to do this, Chloe. For goodness’s sake, you saved this money all your life. You worked part-time jobs in school and worked multiple jobs after graduation to save this much only for you to finally get the house of your dream and hand it over to a man who we have no idea if he is just playing you or f*****g with your feelings!” She snapped.
“Freya,” I called, and she huffed, looking away from me immediately. “You know Mike. You know when we started, and he has been the best to me. He wouldn't do such a thing to me, please try to understand. The house is going nowhere. It belongs to the two of us, okay? It belongs to me and Mike.” I tried to reason with her and she sighed.
“I'm just worried about you. I'm worried about how you'd feel if things don't work out the way you want it. Fate is sometimes cruel, you know?” She gave me a sad look and I nodded.
“I'm fine with Mike. He is my soulmate. Stop worrying. Now get up, let's get out of here. It's about to rain, and our shift is over.” I held her hand and pulled her up as we stepped out of the bank. We mainly worked at the customer service section of the bank, and so far, it's been good.
The CEO mentioned he had hired us to work there because of our beauty and genuine smile. I wasn't okay with it at first, but I've come to like it. After all, the pay is nice and being an orphan, I've been holding on just fine.
My mum died after giving birth to me, and that made my dad hate me. At a young age, I was thrown into the streets to fend for myself and also hide away from my abusive father, who would use the slightest opportunity he had to hit me and blame me for the death of my mother. I grew up without love, and Mike changed all that by coming into my life. The trauma still comes and goes, but at least, I have him by my side to calm the storm.
We got to the parking lot and I turned the car on. “Let's stop over at Mike's. I need to get some of my stuff from there and my credit card.”
“You gave him your credit card?” Freya snapped and I cleared my throat.
“He just wanted to get a few things. Stop being like this,” I smiled at her and got into the car before she could say anything else.
She entered as well, and I brought the car to life. We drove out and in a few minutes, we were in Mike's apartment. I got down from the car and Freya followed. I tried to open the door, but it was locked. “Where could he have gone?” I muttered to myself as I imputed the unlock code.
The door opened and we walked in. “Wait here while I go get my things,” I told Freya and rushed up the stairs. When I got to the door of his room, I couldn't help the uncomfortable feeling that gripped me as I heard sounds from there.
“Mike?” I called, but there was no response. I placed my hand on the doorknob.
“Oh my gosh, Mike, you're a monster in bed!”
I blinked as my heart twitched. That was the voice of a lady. “Mike?” I called again, still no response.
I opened the door and my world came crumbling to the ground at what I saw.
There on the bed I bought with my own money was Mike, f*****g the same lady he told me was his sister. I blinked my eyes severally to know whether I was dreaming or not, but her moans were enough to tell me this was all real.
My handbag fell to the floor, drawing their attention as they pulled away from each other, covered in sweat.
“Mike,” I called as tears rolled down my cheeks. “Mike!” I stumbled backwards.
“Chloe! This isn't what you're thinking,” He stood from the bed and was about to approach me but I raised my palm to stop him.
“Stay away from me! Don't you f*****g dare come close to me!” I yelled and placed my hands on my head.
The man I loved and gave the whole world to just betrayed me.
Mike betrayed me! No, this can't be happening. This isn't real! No!
