Chapter 1 The Arrangement

"You bitch! Come here!" Stella screamed at Amelia who ran away as fast as her short legs could carry her.

She knew she would be in trouble if she stayed back after class. Stella had invited her to a party the previous night. She had threatened to kill Amelia if the latter didn't show up and Amelia had refused to attend because going to parties wasn't her thing.

Now, Stella was there to carry out her threat. Earlier in class, Amelia didn't miss the glares Stella kept sending her way and she had shivered in pretense fear. Her best friend could be scary at times, Amelia thought, looking back. Sure enough, Stella was glaring at her.

"I'll see you tomorrow! I love you!" Amelia screamed, drawing the attention of some students nearby.

The guys gawked at her. She was a short beauty- if there was any word like that. With long blonde hair that cascaded down her back, ocean blue eyes, white skin and curves in the right places, she drew the attention of both genders. She was a sight to behold.

"You need a boyfriend, sweetheart. Those boobs of yours are helplessly crying for a guy's touch," Stella would always say shamelessly. While Amelia was an introvert and the shy type, Stella was an extrovert who would never hesitate to put someone in their place.

Stella hissed, "I hate you!" She screamed back and marched away.

Amelia laughed and slowed down her pace. She had successfully escaped Stella's wrath, for now at least.

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On getting home, she met her father which was very unusual. He was never home at this time of the day, she thought. Slowly, she approached him.

"Hi Dad, you're home early. Did something happen at the hospital?" She asked curiously. Bryan looked up and gave her a tired smile.

"Hey honey, how was class today?" He asked, ignoring her question.

Amelia's eyes bored into her father's, searching his face for some clue.

"At this rate, I'm afraid you'll drill a hole in me. Quit staring at me suspiciously," Bryan laughed and Amelia visibly relaxed, now convinced that her father was fine. She dropped her bag and slumped on the sofa tiredly.

Bryan stared at the bag for a while as though it bothered him, "You should go drop your bag in your room, then we'll talk."

Even though her father spoke softly, Amelia knew better than to argue with him. She could use the shower too, she told herself. She got up obediently and proceeded to her room. An hour later, looking fresh and all, she was about to tell her father how her day went when he informed her about his transfer at work.

Amelia's blood ran cold in fear and shock. Many thoughts ran through her mind as she processed the information.

"Sweetheart?" Bryan called when he received no response. Amelia jolted back into present.

"Uh?" She asked, staring at him blankly.

Bryan sighed, "I was waiting for your response but I noticed that you were lost in thought."

Amelia laughed harshly, "waiting for my response? Would stay if I ask you to?" She asked with a glare and added, "Don't ask for my opinion when you've made a decision."

She continued, "So am I gonna stay here alone? Or do you want me to stay in the girls' dorm?" She asked bluntly, masking her fear of being left alone.

Bryan shook his head, "No honey, I've made preparations for you to stay with my friend."

Amelia frowned her pretty eyebrows, wondering who that friend was. She was about to ask him who the friend was when another important question popped up in her mind and she asked, "How long will you be away for?"

He smiled bitterly, "A year at most."

Amelia's eyes widened, "A year?!"

"At most," he correctly and added, "It could be less."

"Who's this friend anyway?" She asked, crossing her hands around her breasts.

"Ryan," Bryan simply said.

Amelia racked her head for a minute until she remembered who he was, "Mr Woods??!" She shrieked.

Bryan raised an eyebrow in question, "Yeah, is there something wrong? "

Amelia thought about the handsome billionaire who had been friends with her father for as long as she could remember but she hadn't had much encounter with him because he was a man of little words who always wore an unapproachable expression. It made her wonder how they were able to maintain their friendship over the years.

She shook her head, "Oh! Nothing."

Bryan sighed, "I guess you know the kind of guy Ryan is, right?"

Amelia nodded and he continued, "Good. I want you to be a good girl. He's a very private person so do not poke your nose in his business, okay?"

Amelia pouted, "Dad!"

Bryan laughed, "I'm sorry, sweetheart. But you know how curious you can get at times."

"Just be good to him, huh?" He added.

Amelia smiled, and her dimples showed. "Sure, Dad. "

Bryan got up, "Go pack your bags while I take a shower. Then we'll head over to Ryan's place."

Amelia's smile dropped and her eyes widened in horror, "Why are we going to his place now? When are you traveling?"

Bryan sighed, "Tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow morning?!" Amelia shrieked.

Bryan nodded sadly and Amelia started to pity him, thinking to herself that the situation must be hard on him too, until she saw the corners of his mouth lift in... a smile?!

She placed her hands on her hips and glared at him, "Uh-huh, Looks like someone is happy to leave his daughter behind."

Bryan's head shot up and traces of the smile were gone too, "No darling, you can't possibly understand how bad I feel about leaving you behind."

Amelia rolled her eyes, "Whatever." She started walking to her room.

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