**Ch 19: Collin Family

I wiped many thick tears away. Just as we arrived at this fancy tall black gate, Rome buzzed us in, and then the gates swung open. We drove on this driveway and pulled up to this enormous Palace-like mansion. Rome pulls around to the front sidewalk, where a man opens the door.

"Welcome, Sir Kai," the man properly greeted Kai as we all got out. We walk up to the front door for it to be unlocked by a butler.

"Good day," greeted the butler.

The butler wasn't the only one to greet us. This beautiful purebred white large poodle came up. She has a fancy purple bow tie clipped on her ear. The poodle comes trotting over to see me until she makes eye contact with Kai, and she whimpers. She took off yelping like a puppy. My mouth lowered to notice Kai only looked at her, yet she responded extremely terrified of him.

"Did you hurt her!" I accused him.

Kai faced me, grinning. "Did it look like I hurt that smelly mutt?"

"Why was she terrified to see you?" I questioned him skeptically.

Kai mockingly laughed before he had a chance to answer. A pair of high-heels came sharply clacking across the posh marble-made living room.

"Dear little brother, you didn't scare my baby now, did you?" came an elegant voice.

I was stunned to see the famous Veronica Collin coming toward us. An elegant light purple cocktail dress hugged her slim curvaceous outline. Like the supermodel she is, she came across this wide-open, fully furnished living room.

"If you call that stinky dog of yours a baby. Then you have some serious issues." Kai mocked his older sister.

Unfazed by his vulgarity, Veronica giggled at him. "You just hate anything that is living and breathing, Kai."

He didn't say anything.

Ace notified, walking around us. "You guys have fun. I am going to greet my wife."

I was surprised to hear Ace was married. As he walked away, Rome and Ivan did the same without saying anything. Ivan went towards the left direction, and Rome went to the right. I stood around awkwardly and noticed Veronica's smile.

"I see you have found her," said Veronica as we stood like a triangle with space between the three of us.

"I did." Kai coldly replied.

"Good, now follow me, Mom and Dad are anxious to meet her," Veronica proclaimed.

Kai made me walk in front of him, and we crossed straight up the living room. I wasn't given a choice but to follow inside this elevator. It was large, but I felt trapped between them. My body was shaking to learn I was about to meet Mr. and Mrs. Collin in person. I've seen them on TV but never in person. On top of that, Kai kidnapped me, so I didn't understand what was going on.

"Relax Victoria, I can assure you that you'll be safe with us," Veronica reassured. "Mom and Dad are looking forward to meeting you."

I swear it was like she read my mind. Ding. We got off the elevator and walked down this wide hallway, and then took a turn to our left. Veronica opened the door to this marveling office. It had a beautiful balcony view of this glorious outside garden filled with freshly bloomed flowers and a centerpiece fountain. Also, I was surprised to see Ivan here. How the heck did he get here that fast? He had gone in a different direction. There must have been another elevator. This was the only logical explanation I could come up with. I was unwilling to step any further, but Kai pushed me forward with one hand on my mid-back. Mostly everyone was seated at these center-placed couches across from one another between the coffee table. Delicious fruits, sourdough bread, fruit dip, chocolate pound cake, milk, gothic-style tea cups, plates, and wine glasses decorated the coffee table.

Upon seeing me, Mrs. Collin stood up and came around with her arms wide open. She engulfed me with an unexpected hug.

"Miss Victoria, it is so exciting to finally meet you," she lovingly welcomed me, though she strangely felt down my arms. "Goodness, you must be starving. Your bone-thin, my dear."

I really couldn't speak, but I was hungry. It felt like I couldn't get enough food. As if I was readable, she sat me down on the center of the couch that was in front of me and took a golden trim china plate, and began filling it with a bit of everything available from the coffee table. Then she handed it to me with a polished fork, and I didn't hesitate to scarf it down.

Coming to sit on my left, Veronica advised. "I know it might be difficult but try to eat slowly. We'd hate to see you fall ill."

I stopped eating for a second and saw across from me was Mr. Collin faintly smiling with a young woman sitting next to him. Behind their couch was his son Chester with another man beside him.

Veronica introduced me to everyone. "Victoria, that is my husband Eric next to our older brother Chester. And this lady on the couch by our father is Chester's wife, Zoey. Then you met Ivan, his family has been friends with us for many years, and his wife Mia isn't here."

"Why am I here?" I inquired, not caring about the introductions.

"That may be difficult to understand right now," Mr. Collin declared. "For right now, we want you to gather your strength."

"I have a fiance!" I boosted my voice. "I know he's looking for me!"

"Looking for you?" Kai's voice spoke rudely behind me. "I think he's too busy looking for other women to fill his bed while he waits for me to rescue you from death!"

I put the plate on the coffee table and stood up, turning to face Kai. "You're nothing but a liar!" I yelled. "I know he's looking for me!"

Unable to see his eyes, Kai's lips furrowed meanly. "Are you forgetting it was I who bailed you out?" He asked harshly.

"Kai, that is enough!" Mr. Collin raised his tone. Kai spoke not a word. At a faster pace, he left the room, merely slamming the door behind him. Ivan trailed out, likely going to find him. He shut the door more quietly.

"Please, Victoria, have a seat and eat." Mr. Collin uttered nonchalantly.

I did so, asking many questions. "Why did you fire me? And who killed my team? Why was I the one blamed for the murders?" Tears filled my eyes before I started to cry uncomfortably with them here.

"I fired you to keep you safe." Mr. Collin confessed.

"Safe from what?" I say, confused.

"I'm sorry, Victoria," Mr. Collin replies. "I can't tell you the reason because it would be too hard for you to understand. Right now, we have bigger matters to discuss."

"What do you mean?" I looked at him oddly.

"We need to plan your wedding to marry Kai," Mrs. Collin answered.

With a loud clink, I dropped the plate of food all over the fancy red carpet.

"No way am I marrying that psycho!" I yelled.

"Oh yes, you are marrying me!" Kai's strong voice suddenly came from behind me. I turned my head shocked to see him behind the couch. Didn't he just leave out of frustration? How did he come in without me hearing the door open?