CHAPTER ONE
“I'm buying Kyle his Bugatti today. I can't believe it's been five years!” Alisha laughed with her best friend, Manon.
“I know right! My serious friend had been happily married for five years. It gives me hope that I'll find my one true love someday,” Manon grinned.
They were walking round the mall, with guards trailing behind them carrying bags full of designer items. Bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and so many types of clothes. They were going to the final shop to get the dress Alisha was going to wear for tonight's celebration.
“I want something excellent, Manon. I want to blow Kyle away and show him his wife's still hot stuff.” She wiggled her brow up and down, and Manon pushed her playfully.
“Isn't that why you brought me along? I'm not the most paid and best fashion designer in LA for nothing. I'll make a princess jealous of you!”
“I know. I trust you, Manon. Now, let's get shopping!”
They entered the stall and an attendant approached them. She was wearing a simple outfit of a black shirt and jeans, as if the owners of the shop wanted shoppers to feel at home. She gave a big smile to them and shook their hands.
“Good morning, ladies. I'm Sarah, and I'll be your shopping assistant today. Are you looking for something in particular, or are you here to look around?”
“Hi Sarah! Tell Love that Manon Grey is here. I want her to attend to us.”
“Manon Grey? Like the best fashion designer in LA?! Omg omg. A pleasure to make your acquaintance ma’am. I'll let her know right away,” Sarah squealed and dashed off to find Love. The store they were in was called Lovech, owned by Love Smith, a woman who carried only the best fashion items from around the world.
“You're on a first name basis with Love?” Alisha raised an eyebrow at Manon.
“Yes. She helped me out the last time with that accident I almost had when dressing Gigi. Let's just say we became fast friends after that.”
“I'm so proud to have you as my friend!”
“You should be. How else will you survive the cutthroat world of fashion?”
Another attendant led them to a sofa off the main store, and Alisha and Manon sat down.
They were served red wine and a tray of small bites like macarons, éclairs and chocolate-covered pastry that looked delicious.
Alisha took a bite and moaned.
“This is so good!”
“I make sure to serve only the best things,” a voice said, and Alisha turned around.
Manon stood up and smiled. “Love! It's so good to see you. Thank you for coming so soon. I know how busy you are.”
“I'll never be too busy for you, Manon. Now, tell me, why are you here?”
“This is Alisha.”
“Nice to meet you, Love. Manon had great things to say.”
“She better! It's good to meet you, Alisha. What can I do for you today?”
“Today is my fifth wedding anniversary, and I'm having a party tonight. I want a gown that reflects my position as a billionaire and a wife. I want my husband to be wowed, and I need him to ravish me if you get what I mean.” Alisha wiggled her brows and all three of them burst into laughter.
“Well then, say less!”
*****
The halls of the Black Mansion were bedazzled in spreads of silver decorations that gave an ethereal glow to it. Black balloons hung off the banisters, and workers ran around the halls and passages setting up the space for the night event.
Alisha smiled as she walked to her husband, Kyle's office. She had spent the day in Love's store, and Manon and Love had sent her home with the most beautiful gown she ever saw.
It was a navy-blue number with a white train behind it, like it was a throwback to her wedding dress. The bodice hugged Alisha's body in a sensual manner, and her bust looked splendid as the dress drew more attention to them. It was sleeveless, and the sweetheart neckline framed her neck and collarbones beautifully. A simple diamond necklace hugged her neck, and matching earrings hung from her ears, framing her face.
The rest of the body pushed out of her waist and fell around her in a ball gown style. She had simple black Louboutin pumps on.
Her make-up was fierce and soft at the same time. A navy blue and black shadow that drew attention to her grey eyes, and red lips that looked sinful. Her Auburn hair was styled in waves that fell softly down her face.
Alisha felt beautiful, and she looked even better.
I can't wait for Kyle to see me, she thought as she walked giddily towards his office.
With Kyle, it had been something like love at first sight. She was proud of how far they had come, and memories of her father refusing to bless their union crossed her mind bitterly.
Alisha had grown up in money. She was born to a wealthy family that was something of royalty in their world, and from birth, she had been groomed to become a woman destined to be the heir of The Black Corporation: a finance mogul that dominated the world and was valued at over $20 billion.
Her father had made her break up with all her old boyfriends because he always thought they were only after her money, and Alisha had been powerless to stop him. She had sobbed and cried and threatened to run away from home, but her father stood steadfast in his refusal to entertain her love interests.
Then she met Kyle, and he showed her what love was. From the very first moment they met, he had swept her off her feet. All the other men had tried to woo her with expensive gifts and sports cars, but Alisha always rejected their advances.
She wanted to be married to someone she loved, someone she could build a future with without fear. In the beginning, Kyle was reluctant. He had been insecure about coming from a less wealthy family than hers, but none of that had mattered to Alisha. Even through her father's disapproval, she finally stood on her feet and married him.
And they will be celebrating five years together today. She was happy to have proved her father wrong. Kyle loved her for her without pinning after her money.
It was simply surreal.
The door to Kyle's office appeared in front of her, and Alisha quickened her pace. She was eager to see her husband.
She got to the door, but as she opened it expecting to see her husband, Alisha met the biggest shock of her life.
What!...