Chapter 4 The fourth

Katalina's POV

I walked into Amelia's house like it was mine. The house was cold and unwelcoming despite Amelia's many attempts to brighten up the place.

There were no picture frames containing treasured memories, no misshapen pillows, it was just a combination of black, white and grey. An abandoned daughter's nightmare.

The walls always felt like they were closing in and the house itself felt claustrophobic despite it being big. No wonder she hated staying alone here, I would too.

"Honey, I'm home!" I hollered, grinning. I threw my brown Prada bag on the mint green bean bag, one of Amelia's many attempts to brighten up the dreary atmosphere.

I say "attempt" because it didn't work, it just emphasized on the emptiness of the house. I heard the sound of hurried feet running from upstairs.

Amelia appeared first, a clay face mask sitting on her face, with Samantha not far behind despite her attempts to look unconcerned. She was clearly curious.

"So, what was it? Why did Nelson call?" Skipping pleasantries, Amelia got to the point.

"My day was fine Amelia, thanks for asking." I slumped on an ugly looking brown couch. Some expensive things are just so ugly. And uncomfortable too.

"Katalina." She rolled her eyes as she took a seat. The drama queen. Samantha's sharp gaze roamed my face, missing nothing and seeing everything.

"Fine, be a grouch, see if I care." Samantha and Amelia both shot unamused expressions at me. I rolled my eyes.

My mood pummeled as I remembered what happened at the office. The wave of it all crashing over me.

I dropped my head, my fists clenching and unclenching. I could feel my hands trembling again and the back of my eyes stung. I exhaled shakily.

"My company was taken over." My eyes turned misty with unshed tears and a lump grew in my throat.There was a synchronized gasp from Amelia and Samantha.

"By who?" Amelia asked, her eyes widened. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"A mysterious buyer. The board wouldn't tell me anything." I shrugged, trying to appear unaffected but my hands were still trembling even in the fists they were in.

Amelia came to sit besides me and wrapped her arms around me in a comforting hug. The hug grounded me and I was able to breathe better. My breath came out a bit steadier.

"How did this happen?" She asked, her eyes filled with concern.

"The board sold their shares to the mysterious buyer. I don't have enough shares in the company to stop it from happening. Dad didn't trust me enough to be more than a figurehead." I said bitterly, tears dropping and more taking their place.

Amelia rubbed comforting circles on my back.

"What's our plan?" Samantha leaned forward with a determined look in her eyes.

One of the best things about Samantha was, no matter how bitchy she was, she always had the backs of those she loved, and I was among the lucky few.

The tears dropped, I don't deserve friends like these two.

"The board has already signed over, there's nothing I can do. In order to buy the company back, I need 2.5 billion dollars. I don't have that kind of money." My voice broke.

Samantha stood up, pacing agitatedly. Angry curses fell from her lips in torrents.

"Those rotten bastards! We're going to make them pay, no mercy." She spoke through clenched teeth. With a jolt, I remembered Colton.

"But I met someone who might be able to help me." I wiped my tears, shelving every feeling of not being enough in the darkest, deepest part of my mind, where I kept my insecurities. Samantha stopped pacing.

"What does he want in return?" She eyed me suspiciously.

"Well.... Nothing much, just for me to marry his brother." I rushed my words, hoping they wouldn't understand.

There were looks of confusion on their faces for a while, then understanding dawned on them. Wincing,I waited for Samantha to blow her top.

"Are you out of your mind? I know you like to play dumb but this is not the time!" She yelled. I seethed with anger.

"Do you think i don't know that?! It's my company! What do you want me to do?!" Samantha and Amelia wore stunned expressions. I was not the type to yell, I hated yelling.

"There's nothing I can do. Nothing" I whispered dejectedly, looking at my pale hands. There was a break of uncomfortable silence.

"Tell us more about this person you met." Amelia smiled in encouragement. I tried to smile in return.

Enough of the depressing mood, think of prada, louboutins,and gucci, I took a deep breath and shook my head to get rid of the negative feelings.

"His name is Colton and he's so hot!" I sighed with forced excitement. Samantha rolled her eyes.

"Where did you meet him?" Amelia asked, curiosity shining in her eyes.

"At our bar, he was sitting there miserably. I went over because I was miserable and I thought we should be miserable together." I giggled.

"You're supposed to be saving money right now, not spending it." Samantha cautioned. I rolled my eyes.

"Relax, he offered me 3 billion dollars to play his brother's fiance." I waved her concern away dismissively. It was funny to see both their jaws drop at the same time.

"Wait, 'play'? Samantha's eyes narrowed in confusion.

"Yeah, it's fake." I said simply. Samantha looked sceptical.

" This plan looks flaky and unstable to me. What if he regains his memory or worse even, wants to get married? " My heart warmed at her level of concern.

"The doctor said the amnesia was permanent due to level of impact to his brain and if he wants to get married,I'll just say I'm not ready to get married. Besides it's not forever, just until he gets more stable health wise."

Samantha still looked concerned. I sighed and sent her a reassuring smile

"I know it's not safe and it's breaking every moral code that I have but...." I trailed off and shrugged.

"It's a start, we can take it one day at a time." Amelia laid a hand on my arm. Samantha sighed defeatedly and shook her head in disbelief.

"I can't believe we're doing this. Who is this guy? How do we know he's trustworthy? He might be a sex trafficker, this is too dangerous. There are so many unknowns." Samantha said. She gnawed on her lips in worry.

"He gave me his card." I suddenly remembered. I dug through my bag and I handed it to Samantha

"Colton Hayes." she read.

"Do you know him?" I bit my bottom lip. Amelia hummed thoughtfully for a moment.

"I know of him. Him and his younger brother, Cameron Hayes are CEOs of Hayes Industries, HI for short. One of the leading pharmaceutical Industries in the world. They're filthy rich"

"All the more reason to investigate him and his brother." Samantha said, frowning.

"I haven't given him an answer though, I'm supposed to call him." I played with my fingers.

"You're not calling him until I've had my background check." Samantha said, sternly.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, mother."

She sniffed self-righteously. Amelia put her arms around both of us.

"You'll be alright Katalina, we'll make sure of it." She fixed her concerned gaze on me. My eyes watered again, what did I do to deserve these wonderful people?

"I love you guys so much," I said, my voice choked. Amelia squeezed me tightly.

"Don't be ridiculous. Enough with the tears, what would you do without us?" Samantha clicked her fingers. That was just her way of telling me she loved me too. I sighed contentedly. Things were indeed looking up.

My phone rang and I fished for it inside my bag. Taking it out, I peered at the screen curiously.

I froze,the name flashing on the screen made my blood run cold and my heart beat faster.

Uncle Richard.