Checkmate

Chapter 1

Keira-lee

Pulling up to the restaurant I could see the place were completely packed tonight, it always was. All things considering this is the best place and the food is incredible, not to mention extremely expensive. My dad loved this place and since it was my mom and dad’s 22-year anniversary I was kind of confused why they wanted me to tag along. They didn’t normally do that, usually it would be date night. But I never complained besides I wanted to surprise them with their anniversary gifts. They air was humid and even though the night skies turned dark I could feel the sweat running down my back, the cold breeze made it feel incredible though. The streets were busy as they always are, and I loved the lights from all around. Upon entering the double doors of the restaurant, I could smell the delicious Italian scent that came along. Holy hell Italians knew how to cook, and since we have been coming here forever my father knew the chef personally, which means I get the incredible lasagna that is not on the menu. My heels clicked on the tile floors while I made my way towards my mom and dads normal table, at least he made a reservation. Since he forgot to buy her a present, the place was filled with fancy décor from candle lights and expensive tables to the soft music it always gave that romantic atmosphere, but since it was expensive people rarely smiled and sometimes, they would stare if you would dare laugh. You would swear it’s illegal, and disturbing their meal. That was the only problem with all of the rich and wealthy folks, self-centered and the believe they are better than anybody else. But it never used to bother me so much I am who I am and if they don’t like it, they know where the f*****g doors at. I immediately saw my parents and both of their faces lit up, so I made my way through not even sparing a glance at anyone else. Both my mom and dad engulfed me in the most incredible hugs and kisses, I wished them a very happy anniversary and to many more years to come. They both started to act strange again, I cannot put my finger on it but somehow after the couple of months since graduation they have been acting weird, my dad never touched my mom the way he used to. And my mom worked more than ever before, she rarely came home unless I called in advance to let them know I am coming over. But my surprise visits always came up with disappointment, they used to touch each other all the time and kiss and hold hands, now they don’t even look at each other. Upon asking both of them they would just explain they are going through a rough patch. One I clearly did not understand. But they continued conversation as we ordered dinner and our drinks, I loved my whiskey. Another thing me and my dad had in common. At 22 years of age, I have learned that me and my dad are closer since me and my mom had the same personality and traits, but me and my dad had the same tastes. My mom fell pregnant with me when she was 18 and still in college, my dad was a little bit older and almost done with college. Since they both grew up in a small town my dad had to plan for everything, neither of them prepared but he started investing and turned it into a multi-billion-dollar company. My mom graduated from med school and with extremely hard work and dedication on both their sides they made it work, daddy always asked my moms advice on his business and at first, he didn’t take her word for it. But that ended in disaster so she has been advising him since then and trust me when she talks, he listens. He always said he’d be nothing without mom, and that’s the sort of relationship I want, true, loving and never giving up on one another. Well, that was until tonight when my dad decided my dream is unrealistic in our world. It al started with him clearing his throat and oh boy don’t I know then all hell is about to break lose so I already sat forward and back straight. Ready for the announcement of a lifetime. “Lovebug, I have something I need to ask you.” Mom became uncomfortable and I could see she was not pleased with the whole question, I nodded not sure what to expect.” Do you know Kade Collins?” I froze for a second, I mean I didn’t know, know him. I knew of him. “You mean the arrogant man w***e who f****d some woman in front of a club, but ass naked and in front of the media flipping everybody off? Yeah, I would say I know of the man who completely disrespected the damn woman and humiliated his family.” My dad’s face contracted into a pained look as if he was about to give me some bad news. I mean the guy does have everything going for him, woman falling at his feet and men worshipping him. Wishing they could be him; it’s disgusting really. I mean yes, he is gorgeous. Perfect smile, straight white teeth and those baby blue eyes of his is hot as hell. I saw this one picture of him, where he sat in his expensive Armani suit, I mean build like a Greek god my ass, that suit nearly ripped at the seams. Dark olive colored skin and pitch-black hair, not to mention that beard he started to grow out. I mean f**k, he is every single person’s dream. But truth be told, he threw his life away disrespecting himself and other people like that, men like that had arrogance and the complex life owns them. Everybody’s lives revolved around them, and to me it was disgusting behavior I mean I am so proud of my parents’ successes but that’s just that their successes, their money. I didn’t work a day of my life for that money. It’s theirs. My dad cleared his throat and continued “well baby as you know he used to be a Navy SEAL, and worked in special forces, and we had a talk the yesterday.” I sat there anxiously waiting what on earth did I miss. So, the fact that he’s kick ass upon everything else should turn me on now. Like what the f**k is this.” Well since you are growing up to be an extremely beautiful woman, strong and independent, you have refused bodyguards. And I feel as your dad you could use the protection that comes with his name, plus he needs a wife who can help restore his reputation in a fundamental way.” I choked on my whiskey and felt the burn deep within my chest, please oh please don’t say it. Please don’t say it. “He feels like you would be the perfect candidate for an arrange marriage and it would be a great alliance for the company.” I sat there looking from him to my mom who’s jaw just dropped to the ground and her eyes mirroring my own. Is he seriously proposing an arrange marriage? “Dad, are your serious right now? I mean, I want what you and mom have. He is not my type; he is inked for f***s sakes. Tattoos everywhere dad, he looks like a damn tattoo shop exploded all over him. He’s a bad boy who sleeps with everything that moves. f**k no, he’s a walking condom. He probably has a condom on 24/7 just for incase the opportunity falls into his lap which is all the time. f**k no, he is a STD waiting to happen. An arrogant asshole who believes everything and everybody has to bow down to your majesty. No, absolutely not.” I was horrified. Our food arrived and I heard the waitress chuckling, and turning around I realized I spoke harder than intended and everybody heard me. But I didn’t care, absolutely not. We ate our meals the rest of the time in silence, my mom had anger radiating from her in waves. And by the looks of it my dad would end up in a shallow grave by the end of the night, we just might have to discuss her alibi by the looks of it. To clear her from the suspect list. But the thing is there is no denying my dad, he was none of the most successful business men in the world for a reason and he could sell a bloke of ice to a penguin. He was just that damn good, and by the way he looked at me I knew I would be married to that man by the end of the week. “Who’s daddy’s little lovebug?” Oh, s**t he started his opening line by dessert. “Me” He moved closer “do you think daddy would ask you to do this if I didn’t have to? Look at me princess.” I really didn’t want to but he tilted my chin up towards him with his thumb “do you think I want you to do this? All I want is for you to be save. I want you to be happy and save. Not to have endless sleeping night never knowing if someone sexually assaulted my princess or hurt her in the most unimaginable way. Receiving the call, they found my little lovebug in a dumpster downtown.” He already softened me up, I knew his biggest fear was losing me and mom. I didn’t need to like this guy right. “Do I have to like him? I mean daddy have never- “My voice turned down to a whisper “I never had s*x before” my mom and dad’s eyes went wide and I could see they were surprised. But they shouldn’t be, I was raised right. “I don’t have to sleep with him right, and I don’t have to play the perfect wife. I am far from any of those.” My dad stayed quiet for a while “you don’t have to do anything you are not comfortable with.” Right, so this is it. I am going to be in an arranged marriage with a arrogant son of a b***h, but if he thinks I would fall to my knees just like everybody else. He’s got another thing coming. I am a strong and independent woman. Who have clawed and climbed my way up in everything I did? I worked my whole entire life to get out from under my dad and mom’s shadow. I worked my ass of to prove myself, there would be no way I would fall for this guy. I am an artist and one thing artists can do is bring color and life, we are flexible and adjust to every single thing, we are free spirited and crazy. So, if he thinks I would be like everybody else he has another thing coming. Time to make a man out of a boy, and turn the tables. Bring him to his knees, color is about to fill that mother fucker’s life and perfect and flawless is f*****g boring. I lifted my head straightened my shoulders and started to smile. “Well, he hasn’t met Keira-Lee Blackwell yet, maybe it’s time for someone to turn his life upside down and make a real man out of him.” My dad and mom started smiling. “that’s my girl, give him hell” My mom started laughing oh boy I am her daughter I never let anyone get me down. Let the games begin.

I got home later that night, time to do my research on my future husband. I pulled my computer closer and started digging. I never go into battle blind folded and karma’s a b***h, if it didn’t f**k him up yet I would be karma. Wall of fame, wall of shame it doesn’t matter point is I can make him or break him and depending on my search I would have to decide which one. The only problem is the more I dug into every single article revolving him the less and less I liked this guy. He was arrogant alright, did not give a flying f**k about anyone else but himself, he looked to be selfish and self-centered. Now the thing is, people can change I have seen it. I could be him right now, but I had a lot to keep me grounded over the years. To start of with my grandparents, they lived on a ranch just outside of a small town. And every time I would go visit, I had to work, I loved it though grandpa let me help fix the fences and nanna taught me how to bake and cook. I loved everything about the ranch, the quiet, the smell of grass and fresh air. I had them to keep me grounded and I craved the feeling of normalcy. Where nobody wanted something of me, no faking a smile or pretending, I could just be myself. More I loved to volunteer at shelters and centers it bought the realization that I have a lot to be grateful for, and I always counted my blessings whenever I went out and donated my time to others. You truly do not know how bad some people have it out there, and that in its self is a lot to be grateful for. My investigation went as far back as his time in the navy and I cannot understand how someone with so much blessings can be so rude and disrespectful. The only thing is like I said, people can change and make a difference. But in the case where he has not changed yet, I would be the reason he changes. I am going to bring that man down on his knees, he might be the death of me. But if I am going down, I am dragging his ass down with me, come low or high water I am going to make a man out of him no matter how long this would take. Time to bring out the armor because I am going to war.