Chapter 3 COBH

Shelia's Pov

"How... Xander, you..." My mind was reeling. It was him! My ex-boyfriend whom I had broken up with because of Allen, the one whose heart I had broken.

We had broken up years ago, and now, he's changed so much that I could hardly recognize him again.

"Yes, it's me in the flesh," Xander murmured, reaching out to touch my face and clean the dust that had gathered on one side.

"But how... How did you know I was here? Why did you come to bail me out?" I questioned, even though I was shocked, I was still in my right senses.

"Let's just say I've been watching you for a long time, Sheila. But it's shocking to see what you have become just for a man who disregards you and cheats on you. I expected more from you, Shelia." His voice was cold and clipped, he was still blaming me for what happened years ago.

"You don't need to remind me about what happened, and no need to be salty about it. So why did you save me? What do you want?" I crossed my arms, my eyes narrowing. Even though he had saved me, I knew what sort of man he was, he didn't do it for free. There must be some sort of catch to it.

"I'll tell you later, Shelia." He smirked, and his fingers played with some strands of my hair. I could see an emotion in his eyes but I couldn't place a finger on it and what it meant.

"But for now, you should think about what you're going to do. The man you loved framed you for something you didn't do and worse, he cheated on you with your best friend of so many years. Not to speak of..." He glanced down at my stomach which I subconsciously covered up.

"So, what's your plan?" Xander tilted his head to the left, waiting for my answer.

My mind raced with a thousand thoughts. Allen's betrayal, the humiliation, the arrest, and now, standing here with my past staring at me in the face. I felt a wave of hopelessness wash over me and at the same time, anger.

I looked down at my belly, rubbing my hands on it lightly. I was contemplating going to the hospital to abort it but... I didn't want to. It hasn't been very long yet but for some reason, I felt attached to it. But I was confused, I had nowhere to go.

I wasn't even sure that my parents would want to take me back, after all, I had disregarded their words when they warned me about the kind of person that Allen was, but I still had to try.

"Take me back to Strauss's Mansion," I said to Xander who raised an eyebrow.

"And what do I get in return? I'm a businessman, Sheila, I don't do things out of the goodness of my heart."

I sighed, realizing that I was at his mercy now, "Fine. I'll do whatever you want me to do, just don't make it weird whatsoever." I said, but I knew I was going to either be shocked by his request, or I would regret it.

"Good enough." Xander nodded his head and motioned for the driver to go to the Strauss's manor. As we drove there, I started fiddling around with my fingers. I was so nervous that I felt like throwing up. I had no idea what my parents would say or what they would think.

We arrived a few hours later, and upon seeing me, the workers in the house were shocked. However, they quickly ushered us inside, and I was told to wait for my family to arrive.

Not long after, my mom, Elizabeth Strauss, the most famous businesswoman in the country; my dad, Michael Strauss, the wealthiest businessman; and my brother, Jeremy Strauss, the most renowned actor, stood before me. Their stern faces sent shivers down my spine as I braced myself for the words of disappointment that were sure to follow.

"What are you doing here?" Elizabeth asked, her voice was stern and cold.

"I..." I trailed off, not knowing what to say. Where did I even want to begin from? That I was pregnant? That Allen dumped me? Or that I was framed?

Maybe it really was a mistake to come here. But a few seconds passed and they didn't say anything else. I raised my head, expecting to meet their angry gazes or that they would even ask the workers to throw me out but the only thing I saw in their eyes was love. They didn't hate me.

"Mom. Dad. Brother." Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at them, I felt a glimmer of hope, "I'm sorry for everything. I made so many mistakes, and I didn't listen to you. I don't even know where to start."

Elizabeth stepped forward, her expression softening as she took my hands in hers, "Shelia, we've been worried sick about you. All we ever wanted was for you to be happy and safe. You're our one and only daughter, and we love you so much that we couldn't even bear to let you go."

Micheal nodded in agreement, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder, "We were hurt when you left, but that doesn't mean we stopped caring about you. You're always welcome here, no matter what."

Jeremy gave me a small, encouraging smile, "You're family, Shelia. We stick together, no matter what happens."

I broke down, relief washing over me in waves. I had been so afraid of their rejection but instead, they had welcomed me back with open arms.

"Thank you, thank you so much." I continued to cry in their arms until my eyes were swollen. Hours later, I had calmed down, I had been dressed like the rich daughter that I was and my parents were making plans to reintroduce me to the society.

"We'll give out invitations to everyone so they'll see that our daughter is back! Your birthday is coming up in less than one week, we should do the banquet then. I'll send invitations over to those two bastards so they'll see just who they're messing with." Jeremy clenched his fists tightly, and veins popped out of his forehead.

"No. Don't send them invites." I stopped them from speaking.

Elizabeth's eyes narrowed, "Don't tell me that..."

"No, I'm done with him. You know, I just have a plan. If Allen finds out that I'm back with you guys he might do the unthinkable to get me back or try and control me. Hecould even use his child as an excuse to get close to me. I can't take that chance." I paused for a moment, taking in the looks on their faces.

"I won't stop you from holding the banquet, but it must be behind closed doors. I can also use this opportunity to start something of my own and forge connections," I finished.

"Well, you can do whatever you want as long as you don't go back to that bastard, we'll be behind you in every way," Micheal assured me.

"Thanks." I glanced at Xander who had been quiet, he was still shamelessly sitting on the couch.

"I think Xander is ready to go so I'll escort him downstairs." I stood up and walked towards Xander, dragging him up from the couch and pushing him downstairs. I didn't notice the shocked looks on my parents' faces when I did that.

As we walked to his car, Xander finally spoke up, "I've decided what I want from you." Xander's eyes bore into mine, a glint of something unreadable flickering in them.

"I have a proposition for you, Sheila. One that benefits both of us."

I frowned, suspicion creeping in at his tone of voice, "And what might that be?"

"A relationship. Purely contractual to be precise," He stated bluntly, not a hint of hesitation in his voice.

I blinked, taken aback, "A contract relationship? Are you crazy?"