After We Collided: Bound by a deal

Bella buried her head on her pillow as tears threatened to fall. She looked at her phone screen and a sigh of tiredness and frustration gripped her.

"We regret to inform you..."

"Again" she murmured under her breath

"You were rejected again ?" Her mom walked in holding a cup of water as she handed it over to her poor child who was sulking who sat sulking on the bed.

"Mom ... but my essays are good. I aced the exams. How on earth do they keep rejecting my application to study at Elite College?" Bella struggled hard trying to make sure she doesn't cry in front of her mom

"Mom won't I get a chance to go to school? Can't I chase after my dreams and the things that matter to me?"

Her tears dropped and her mother's face filled with worry, wrapped her arms around her.

" I am sorry, baby. They don't know what you possess, you're a big star no one can ever compete with. These rich kids used privilege and influence to find their way into these schools, and that's what's giving you all these rejections" her mother explained, trying to comfort her.

Bella !!!!!?????"

Seventeen years old Emily ran into the room, giggling and jumping around swinging her phone left and right, the sadness on Bella's face disappeared and was replaced with burning rage and anger

"What is wrong with you ??" She scrunched her face in irritation.

"Bella you just got into NYC!" Emily screamed, shoving her phone forward her eyes lit up with excitement

Bella looked at her mom, then back at Emily in confusion before grabbing the phone. On the phone screen was an email from NYC congratulating her on gaining a full scholarship to study at the university.

Dear Bella Harper ,

Congratulations! We are delighted to announce to you that your application to NYC was successful. you have been awarded a fully funded scholarship to study investigative journalism for your undergraduate program

Your grades and past academic records are top notch, and having someone with your exceptional talents and skills on campus would be of great benefit

Please read through the letter below 👇 indicating when you should be arriving on campus and also how to activate your scholarship grant

Have a great day

NYC University.

Bella's heart skipped. She couldn't believe her eyes. She turned back to look at Emily her expression demanding an explanation on what she just saw

"Okay fine before your creepy eyes tear me apart let me spill the tea" Emily smiled as she threw her phone on the bed sat down in front of her speechless mother and sister

"I've watched Bella cry her eyes out countless times because she kept getting countless rejections from different universities and then one evening I decided to check through her phone I found a pattern these school weren't even opening the applications at all

They were tossing it over and checking out the application of those rich kids who have bribed their way in with money so I decided to do something crazy and I didn't tell Bella because I know she'd disapprove

So all the time I told you guys I was having a sleep over at May's place it was all a lie. I was always going to New York. I personally photocopied Bella's application and I went to submit it myself and ........"

Bella stopped her from talking and threw her into a hug "I love you I love you I love you" her voice broke as tears poured down

Emily smiled sheepishly her mom stared in shock no words coming out

"So I have a chance to study in New York mom" Bella hugged her mom tightly

"Yes baby all thanks to your fearless sister" her mom smiled

"If only your father was here he'd see how much his smart girls have all grown I am so proud of you, my children," her mom whispered

THE VALE MANSION

"Your younger brother will be returning from England soon, he already has a girlfriend, someone he's ready to marry. And you the heir to my empire you're still roaming around with nothing to show for it "

"Dad it's my choice to remain single, or better yet, I haven't found a woman who suits my taste," Benson snapped, grabbing a glass of water from the table and gulping it down.

The Vale family was the richest in the country. Mr Vale had invested his entire life in real estate and built an empire worth trillions. He was married to Nancy, and they had only two sons - Benson, the heir to the Vale real estate empire, and his younger brother Michael who had spent most of his life studying abroad And this was why Benson was constantly pressured to get married.

Mr Vale was at the point of retiring from his business and wanted his eldest and most arrogant son to take over everything he had spent his entire life building, but only on one condition: Benson had to get married first. Benson who had no interest in getting married found this entire arrangement suffocating

He was sick and tired of his parents' constant pressure on him to get married, and he decided to move to one of the mansions they own in the countryside to get his peace back.

He was still a final year university student in business administration so why all this pressure ? But the old man was growing weaker.

"Then why not get married to Angella?"

"What!!!!" Benson choked on water as he stared at his mother, who just walked out of the kitchen holding a bowl of pasta- his favorite meal.

"I am a serious sweetheart. You've known Angella all your life, You both were childhood love birds. Bringing her into the family would benefit your father's company"

"Mom, Enough! I can never marry Angella!". His voice echoed

"What??!" Angella's voice cracked from the kitchen door way as she stood there broken

"Angella?" Benson muttered.