Serena agrees to marry her boss on contract to save her sick Father and give elevation to her poor family. She has no choice but to remain a maid in secret and a housewife in public to the rude CEO of Eclat Finance. Things get complicated for Serena when the CEO's best friend blackmails her about her past and threatens her into doing the unspeakable to enable him to swindle his best friend. Serena is stranded as she falls in love with the CEO but cannot go back on her agreement to betray him as that could cost her life and her family. Find out in the chapters what would go on, and how it would end for Serena.
Serena's POV:
"I do," I muttered, my face expressionless. I found it difficult to look at the face of my boss who was now my husband.
The request for the impromptu wedding came to me as a shock, but I loved the benefits that came with it.
I had made up my mind to do anything to save my sick father who had sacrificed so much for me. He was my only family and the only parent I knew as my mum left us after we lost our only property in a fire accident when I was five.
I also needed an upgrade in my life, my income could barely sustain myself, and my father neither could it bring me out of debt. Things had been very rough for me as an adult and I often wondered what good opportunities could come my way as a college dropout.
Soon I would be referred to as Serena Hayes and would have to pretend to be happy and in love until this contract expired. This is not the kind of life I planned for myself, but they say desperate times call for desperate measures, right?
I only hoped to be able to find love after the expiration of the contract, at least by then I would no longer be tagged poor, and my dad would be in better health.
Adrian's height covered my whole length. No doubt he was the tall, handsome, and very wealthy CEO every woman dreamt of having by their side. His grey oceanic eyes shone as he raised my veil and planted a soft kiss on my lips. Strangely, that sent shivers down my spine.
Could that be love?
Well, not the kind of love I dreamt of as a teenager. True love I believe is more than beautiful looks and appearances and is not built on contracts and lies.
Having worked for Mr. Adrian Hayes for a while now, I was certain he wasn't the kind of man I could fall in love with. He was the rudest man I had ever met, with zero regard for anyone. He was very stubborn and had a mind of his own. I wondered how he related with his staff at the office because he brought hell on me every day I was present to work at his mansion.
I quickly broke out of my thoughts and gazed at the men and women seated on the chairs in the gathering. Smiles were plastered on their faces, but not mine.
Soon enough, we were at the entrance of the church with our friends and well-wishers who struggled for a spot and picture with the latest couple in town. Adrian's family and colleagues from his workplace were present to support him, and Laura my best friend was also present to support me.
My beloved father, who had been battling with Coronary Heart Disease could not attend as he was already receiving treatment in one of the best hospitals. The very moment the contract was signed, Adrian transferred a huge sum of money to cater for my Dad's treatment. The thought of that made me wear a little smile.
We headed to the reception venue which was not far from the church, and a few hours later the event came to an end. Nathan, Adrian's driver pulled up in the large compound and we hopped in the backseat as he drove out, guests and well-wishers waved happily at us.
After a while of driving, he pulled up at the front of the big, beautiful compound. The gate was locked, but the honk of the car's horn caused the gardener who worked from inside to open up.
Nathan parked in the lot and headed to the back door to help the CEO out like he always did. Somehow, I expected him to also assist me with the door but he didn't. Well, what was I even thinking, he still saw me as the maid of the house, but soon he would realize I was now his boss's wife.
Adrian walked ahead of me, while I followed him behind. Before I could get inside the living room, the door was shut in my face.
"What?" I exclaimed quietly. Was it not too early for him to resume this crazy attitude of his?
I opened the door and quietly walked in, hiding the dissatisfaction I felt. As I headed to my room, I heard my name.
"Serena !"
"Get your stuff out of my room," Adrian commanded and I nodded as I rushed into the master bedroom to retrieve a few of my clothes. It was his idea that I got dressed in his room earlier that day, while the photographer took pictures of me in my wedding attire.
"Pack your bags from the room you occupy and meet me here."
I didn't know his plans but I dared not question him. I quickly changed into my maid uniform, packed my bags, and met him in the living room.
He was already in his nightwear. With the water dripping from his head, I knew he had taken a bath.
"Sir, I have done as you asked me to," I said, with my hands behind me.
"Good, I see you're back in your uniform. It shows you understand your position whenever we're in this house. "Come with me." He instructed, headed to the door of one of the rooms in the house.
"This will be your new room."
"Okay Sir, thank you, I don't take this for granted," I said to him as he turned to walk away.
"You may take it for granted if you deem it fit," Adrian, with a straight face, declared. "I'm only trying to keep to my part of the contract by making you more comfortable. You have done something to get this in return, haven't you?"
"I have," I said, nodding my head.
I kept my bags inside and rushed out to meet him.
"Would you love to have anything before going to bed Sir?"
"A mug of black tea would do."
I served him for a short while and headed back to my new room.
The space of the room was better than the one I always stayed in whenever I slept over at Adrian's house.
As my eyes scanned the room, I remembered the night I pleaded with Mr. Adrian to pay me my salary upfront as I needed to urgently buy some medications for my sick dad. I had summoned so much courage to make that request even though I wasn't expecting a positive response. He looked very worried a few days before that day, but I couldn't ask him what the problem was as I wasn't expected to know more than he told me when it came to his personal affairs.
He dismissed me angrily, saying he didn't run a charity organization, but to my surprise, he came back from work the next day and offered to take care of my father and pay me a huge sum of money if I could also be of help to him.
He wanted to save his seat in his father's finance company as CEO, and to do that he needed to be married with a child at least within three years of occupying that position.
I wasn't cool with the fact that I had to get pregnant and bear a child for him while married on contract, but he managed to convince me we could get a divorce when the child was three years old and I could go back to being single again. The money he offered was huge, and I sure needed my dad to receive urgent medical attention, as well as save up enough money to go back to college and also change my life completely for good. I quickly accepted the offer before he changed his mind. After all, it was an honour for a poor girl like me to have a child for one of the wealthiest men in the City, or so I thought.
As I lay down to have some rest, I imagined how my life would turn out for the next three years. I had signed the contract and received part of the money I was promised, I had to play my part religiously.
"I helped you, and you offered to pay me. This is the payment I need, and I'm not open to any negotiations." My heart pounded fast when I realised that the little lie I had told had landed me in deeper trouble. After narrowly escaping death, the only thing on my mind was moving on from the betrayal of my family and ex-boyfriend, but my little revenge plan backfired. Now I'm forced to be with a stranger and on his terms. Why must I pay such a steep price for a small favour? Ava had endured so much abuse from the woman who claimed to be her mother. Finding out about her best friend and boyfriend's secret affair just a few days after she let him take her virginity was the straw that broke the camel's back. After surviving an accident, shattered Ava ran into her enemies on the day she was discharged. To level up and make them believe she had moved on with her life, she told a little lie with the aid of a stranger who later asked her to return the favour, but his demands were outrageous for Ava. He threatened to make her disappear from the face of the earth if she refused his payback option, now Ava's trapped with the stranger, in a new environment, very far from home. How long will she be his slave before she gains her freedom again?
"You don't matter to me, and you never will." He pushed me to the ground as I sobbed. "But here my dear, you're meant to please me. If your father had not come begging on his knees, I wouldn't be marrying you. So you better make this worth it or I'll have to kill you with my bare hands." He said, causing me to tremble out of fright as he moved towards me... No... not now please, I wasn't ready to lose my virginity. I fled out of the room but he was quick to catch me. He slammed me to the wall and my head hit hard against it. I wasn't strong enough to take the pain that came with it...my head felt light, and the next thing I knew was that I was consumed by darkness. ****** Kassidy's life became a relentless series of injustices after her mother's death. She was coerced into a marriage she had to endure, bearing witness to her husband's cruelty. She never considered their union genuine, having been raised in an abusive home. She could only hope that one day she would find peace with the world and life. Meanwhile, Melody, her covetous stepsister, desired everything that had ever been offered to Kassidy, including her inheritance, claiming it as her birthright. Melody's father, Steve Jean, who is also Kassidy's stepfather, withheld privileges from Kassidy while he imposed an unfair condition. Kassidy must marry! Perplexed, Kassidy felt chills of terror running down her spine upon hearing the name proposed for her. The rumors circulating about him filled her with dread, but she was left with no choice. She reluctantly surrendered herself and her birthright to her step-sister. How much longer could she endure this injustice? As for Bruno, fate appeared to have different plans in store for them. How could she possibly cope?
Two people - both fiercely independent and unapologetically restless. Bound together by a love that is both beautiful and dangerous. Can they learn to trust and rely on each other, or will their individual natures tear them apart?
Life was a bed of roses for Debra, the daughter of Alpha. That was until she had a one-night stand with Caleb. She was sure he was her mate as determined by Moon Goddess. But this hateful man refused to accept her. Weeks passed before Debra discovered that she was pregnant. Her pregnancy brought shame to her and everyone she loved. Not only was she driven out, but her father was also hunted down by usurpers. Fortunately, she survived with the help of the mysterious Thorn Edge Pack. Five years passed and Debra didn't hear anything from Caleb. One day, their paths crossed again. They were both on the same mission—carrying out secret investigations in the dangerous Roz Town for the safety and posterity of their respective packs. Caleb was still cold toward her. But as time went on, he fell head over heels in love with her. He tried to make up for abandoning her, but Debra wasn't having any of it. She was hell-bent on hiding her daughter from him and also making a clean break. What did the future hold for the two as they journeyed in Roz Town? What kind of secrets would they find? Would Caleb win Debra's heart and get to know his lovely daughter? Find out!
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
Melissa could tolerate being deceived and humiliated, but being framed was a different story. Three years of marriage was less important in her husband’s eyes than a teardrop from his other woman, Arielle. Finally, on a rainy day, she was ruthlessly abandoned. Five years later, Melissa showed up with her adorable twins. She became world-famous in the medical field. That was when her ex-husband, Everett, came crawling back, asking her to help cure Arielle... "Hey, old man, if you want to talk to my Mommy, you have to pass my test first." Melissa’s young son, Merrick, raised his chin proudly. ‘Old man?’ Everett checked himself carefully. Did he look that old? “Daddy, you really are very old..." Lindsey, Merrick’s twin sister, said with a pout.
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"