CHAPTER 1

(Mae's POV)

I'm getting married this weekend and everyone, except me, is excited. Freya dragged me into a famous boutique shop in town to pick the best wedding dress, she kept on telling me how Miranda should be the one marrying Mr Conde and not me. Or how her life would feel so much better when I am already out of the house. I kinda ignored what she was saying because it was all about her and money.

I just focused on choosing the right dress. Even though I don't want to get married, I still have to look presentable.

"Oh, by the way, it's a private ceremony so don't go telling your friends," Freya said while I was picking a dress off the rack. I just nodded.

It's not like I have a ton of friends. I told myself. I was disappointed that I couldn't call any of them, but at the same time happy because they wouldn't know my situation.

It was Freya and Roger's fault that the BNB almost went bankrupt. Ugh, just imagining that I'm used as a mode of payment makes me want to burn the BNB to the ground.

"Stop daydreaming and put this on," Freya said as she passed the wedding gown to me.

I looked at it for a few seconds and wore the dress. It was lacey with a short train behind it. I felt nice wearing it but imagining myself getting married to that guy gave me chills down my spine.

I undressed quickly and bought the dress. Aside from the dress, I don't have to do anything. Everything was already taken care of. Freya went ahead to the BNB while I went to the park to clear my head.

Walking along the park, I saw couples dating on the swan boats in the lake, families having a picnic on the grassy area, children playing... how I wish time would stop at this moment. I miss the times where I get to do these things with my family...

"Excuse me. Are you Miss Mae Pearson?" a man in a black suit asked me.

"Yes. That's me." I replied puzzled.

"Mr Conde wants to see you," he said and ushered me to a car waiting at the parking lot.

As I got into the car a man wearing a well-tailored suit looked at me intently from head to foot.

"I'm Jayce Conde. Your soon-to-be-husband," he said it so casually like a good morning.

I just stared at him like a dummy. I can't believe that I'm in his car right now. And the cold look in his eyes was too much that I had to look away.

"What do you want? " I asked after a few seconds of silence. "Do you want to call off the wedding?" I even asked him.

"Call off the wedding?" He scoffed "I have invested a lot of money in that tiny BNB, calling off the wedding would be a total loss," he said and smirked at me. I raised my brows with a hint of disgust.

This guy is no different than my father! They're monsters! I told myself while trying to keep calm.

"I just want to check if my wife is a real human being or if your father is just messing with me. Since I can't recall him mention you ever in any business meetings," he told me. I wasn't surprised of course. I was after all invisible after my mom died 18 years ago. They only see me when they need something.

"You don't look surprised," he said in a somewhat amused tone.

"I'm his daughter from his first marriage. It's not a surprise I wasn't mentioned because they consider my half-sister a better daughter. Anything else, Mr Conde?" I asked, my tone was obviously pissed but he was too amused that he let out a laugh.

"Are you not going to ask why I want marriage instead of money?" he asked, his amusement was too obvious at this point.

There was silence in the car for a while. I sighed.

"As far as I know, you earmarked the investment ten times higher than what my father asked. Then, once you know my dad can't pay up, you offered marriage as an alternative. Either way, you want the land where the building is standing. It's almost in the heart of the city. Demolishing and building a new commercial building on top of the old BNB wouldn't be noticeable. Am I on the right track?" I asked him as he looked surprised by what I said. He didn't say a word so I just mustered up the courage to continue talking.

"If you don't have anything to say I'll be on my way. See you at the wedding." I said and got out of the car before he could say something annoying.

I don't care anymore. I just want this to be over.

I got into the BNB and saw Freya and Roger with a couple... I froze... It's Mr and Mrs Conde!

"Mae! You're here!" Freya excitedly hugged me and whispered to my ear. "Don't do anything stupid," I smiled and pretended to be okay.

"Mr and Mrs Conde, good afternoon," I said and bowed my head.

The Conde's are well known across the city, their reputation is undisputable and their social status is way above mine. So it's really weird that they're willing to let their son get married to a middle class person. Are they part of this marriage scheme too?

"Roger, is your daughter a model or an actress? She's gorgeous," Mrs Conde said as she looked at me. I almost choked on the water I was drinking but managed to keep calm.

"Oh, she's actually an interior designer." my dad replied and waved his arms around the receiving area. "She actually designed the interior of this building," he proudly said and looked at me.

It's the first time for a long time that he complimented my work. I know it's just for show but I felt a little happy.

The couple in front of us were amused and looked around, their eyes landed on a grand piano on the corner.

"Who plays the piano?" Mr Conde asked.

"I do, sir," I replied. It was one of the few thing's I'm good at.

"Wow, would you mind playing a song for us?" Mrs Conde said with excitement. Strange how this couple looked so perfect and happy and genuine, while their son is a total a-hole.

I just nodded and played the piano piece, "Fur Elise"

The sound resonated into the hall, the couple looked proud of me like their son made a good choice, while Roger looked sad... maybe because he remembers mom? And Freya looked annoyed as usual, she hates it when I play the piano because it reminds her of my mom.

I was too immersed in playing the piano I didn't notice Jayce Conde was standing beside the piano.

"I'm so excited!!! You'll be part of the family in a few days!" Mrs. Code giggled and gave me a tight, warm hug.

"Mom. What are you doing?!" Jayce asked his mom.

"Oh c'mon sweetie, are you not excited?! She's perfect for you!" her mom said and looked at me. I smiled back.

The roller coaster ride begins...