A Pawn in His Dirty Game

*VALERIE*

Promises were meant to be kept, but the ones made to me were..... mere words. Air.

My vision blurred as I clutched the note with trembling hands.

Each words carved with a hot tong in my memory.

No matter how I reshuffle the words, they still meant the same thing.

Michael. The man I was to marry today left with my sister.

No.

This couldn't be real.

It had to be a cruel joke. A sham.

He promised me. He swore to love me, to fight for me, to stand beside me when the world turned cold.

But the note said something different.

Cara. The little girl that clung to me always.

My sister has betrayed me.

Why didn't I notice?

Why didn't I see the signs?

I felt my knees weaken and I gripped Brenda's arm for support before I crumpled to the ground.

"Valerie... " Brenda, my best friend whispered, her voice trembling as if afraid the truth itself might shatter me further.

But it already did.

My lungs squeezed for more air as I feel my heart breaking apart.

I wanted to scream, tear the paper into shreds and dig my nails deep into my skin to match the pain squashing my insides. But I didn't.

Instead, I clutched my chest painfully, gasping for air.

Murmurs rippled from the back of the hall and slowly escalated into full blown speeches.

Some people in the crowd even brought their phones to film my humiliation.

Just then-

" Get her out of here!"

My father's voice boomed from the back of the hall.

From the corner of my eyes, I noticed my father's bodyguard drawing near.

"If you move an inch closer, I will chop off your balls and feed them to the dogs."

Despite my heart breaking into fragments, my voice came out stronger. Enough to make the bodyguard's eyes widen .

He stopped walking and took a step back.

I heard my father's scoff in disbelief.

He was probably going to fire the guard for defying his order but that was the least of my problems.

His footsteps grew louder as he drew near.

My heart raced with each footstep but I kept my face neutral.

I wasn't ready for the sharp pain that shook my core when his hand connected with my cheek.

Brenda gasped.

"I warned you," he growled, his face twisted in anger and maybe disappointment. "about that lowlife. About not holding onto him. And now look at us. Me, in front of all these people."

"Do you know what would happen if the press get wind of this?" He continued as I rubbed my cheek to soothe the ache.

" The investors would pull out their shares and just like that all my hard work would go down the drain because of you."

I chuckled bitterly.

" You could have fooled me," I said with a scoff. " For a moment, I thought you actually cared."

Tears pooled in my eyes and I blinked them back.

"Y–You didn't ask if I was okay,"

My voice cracked.

"But as always, what you care about is your reputation."

"You ungrateful child!" He snarled, wagging a finger at me.

"After all I have done for you."

My lips trembled violently.

I couldn't take this anymore.

So, I stormed off with Brenda hot on my trail.

My chest felt heavy, each breath dragging against my ribs.

I heard him say something but it went with the wind.

In a daze, I walked with no destination in mind as rain fell in torrents, soaking through my white dress.

"I want to be alone," I whispered softly, turning to Brenda who was trailing me quietly.

"Val, what -

" I said, I want to be alone!"

She gaped at me in shock, a look of hurt flashing across her face as if I'd struck her with my words.

She then reached for me and I drew back.

" P... Please," I croaked out.

She hesitated, her eyes searching mine desperately.

She nodded in understanding, her shoulders dropped in defeat and she walked away.

Her footsteps disappeared with the darkness and I was alone, I finally let the tears fall.

My knees buckled. I sank onto the ground, drenched, bruising my knee against the gravel.

My shoulders shook as sobs racked through me.

My heart felt like it was shredded to pieces and cold seeped through my bones.

A heart wrenching cry tore from my throat .

The two people I hold dear to my heart were the same ones who stepped on it, ripping it out from my chest.

_______

Few days later, I sat in my room, hiding from the world.

The silence was the only thing that dulled the ache in my head. I hadn't left my penthouse since that day. The curtains stayed drawn, the lights dim. I lived in shadows now, where shame couldn't find me so easily.

The press camped outside like vultures, flashing cameras at my windows, waiting for me to show up.

I dialled Michael's number for the hundredth time and waited patiently, biting my nails.

The response hadn't changed. His phone was switched off .

I turned off do not disturb and notifications flooded in.

Multiple missed calls from Brenda but none came from my father and Cara.

I clicked on an article as curiosity gnawed at me.

Big Mistake.

The headline hit me like a punch to the gut:

'Runaway Groom: Socialite Valerie Hampton Left at the Altar.'

Beneath it was a photo. A photo of my tear-stained face, mascara smeared under my eyes.

A sob caught in my throat, bitter and raw. I threw the phone across the room. It hit the wall with a satisfying crack.

But nothing broke as loudly as I did.

Enough.

I was done crying for him. He left me and chose my sister.

I wiped the tears off and peeled the duvet away.

I need to get back to work.

I winced when I caught sight of my reflection on the mirror. I looked a mess with dark circles under my eyes, my hair tangled like it hadn't been combed through.

"You are not a porcelain doll, you don't break."

I gave my self a pep talk as I freshened up and got dressed in a pant suit and white shirt, my hair packed up in a sleek bun.

I took one last glance at myself and walked out.

I managed to escaped the prying eyes of the press but as soon as my driver pulled up at the back entrance of the office building,they swarmed me like bees.

" Valerie,over here!

"Is it true your sister stole your fiancé ?

"Did you know about the affair?"

"Are you still the CEO, or is your father forcing you out?"

I kept walking like their words didn't claw at my skin.

But then-

"Valerie, how does it feel to be stood up at the altar." A lady with a cocky smile asked and I scoffed.

How does she think it felt, refreshing?

I squinted my eyes as I read the name on the tag around her neck.

Mara Rivera from ABC news. She looks fresh out of college, too bad, she was getting fired today.

I entered the building, my heels clicking against the floor .

The usually busy lobby froze. Conversation was cut short . Phones on silent.

In my peripheral vision, a guy was almost turning green from holding his breath for too long.

I smirked. Now, that's what I was talking about.

It was useless crying over some asshole who dumped me for my sister.

He couldn't even do that in person.

Clara, my clumsy yet hardworking personal assistant came running breathlessly and met me halfway.

I arched my eyebrows at her disheveled state, eyes wide like she'd seen a ghost.

"Ma'am, I didn't know you were coming in," she rushed out, catching her breath.

"I got stood up, Clara, not hospitalized," I said coolly, brushing past her into my office. The click of my heels echoed on the marbled floor.

"Right," she muttered under her breath.

"What's my schedule for the day?"

She blinked. " Nothing's on it. Your father canceled everything after...well..." Her voice trailed off.

I didn't let her to finish the sentence.

"He doesn't get to make decisions for me,"I snapped. "Reschedule everything. I want a full calendar by noon."

Clara nodded with a mumbled, "Yes, ma'am."

"And...?" I prompted, eyeing her hesitance.

" Someone's waiting -

"You heard the news right?"

The words barely registered before my attention snapped to the two employees loitering near the lobby.

"She deserves it," one of them snickered.

" I've watched that clip like, five times. Total disaster."

My jaw clenched. My fists balled at my sides. The audacity.

"you might as well say it to my face," I said, my voice slicing through the air.

They both spun around, pale as ghosts. One dropped her phone.

"M-Miss Hampton, we didn't mean-"

"Save it," I cut in coldly. " Before the end of the day, I want your resignation letters on my desk."

"But-"

"Did I stutter?"

"N-No, ma'am." They scurried off like cockroaches.

Clara stood frozen beside me, wide-eyed.

I turned to her. " You were saying something?

"Yes, ma'am," she said, recovering quickly, falling in step behind me as I resumed walking.

"Someone is here, I told him you weren't coming in but he insisted on waiting." She blurted out breathlessly.

My brows furrowed.

"Who?" I asked, pushing the door to my office open and stepping in.

"Him."

As if on cue, the chair swiveled around, and I came face to face with the one everyone feared-except me. The very person who had everyone at his feet, like loyal lap dogs.

My arch-nemesis, Zachary Wellington.

His lips curled into a slow smirk as he stood up. "It's nice to finally meet you in person, Valerie."

VALERIE 🎀

We were rivals but we have never crossed paths.

He'd steal my projects and I'd ruin his.

He called me Ursula on a live show , I organized a press conference and tagged him Dracula-the devil's spawn.

Everyone knew of our silent enmity but we've never met each other physically until -now.

I hate to admit but he looked better in person.

His jawline sharp, his piercing blue eyes and his tailored suit hugged his frame.

He stalked towards me like a predator circling it's prey and I took a step back.

"What do you want? I queried, my voice quieter than I wanted.

He grinned down at me.

"You."

My breath hitched.

What the-

"Leave us." He told Clara who was silently watching our interaction, her eyes darting between us.

"Oh,I ...."

She trailed off, pointing at the door.

"Stay," I ordered and turned to Zachary who was watching with his eyebrows raised.

I folded my arms and raised my chin.

"She only take orders from me."

He chuckled, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"I'm afraid whatever you want to say would be in her presence."

I tilted my head, challenging him.

His eyes glinted dangerously and his lips curled into a smirk.

" Sure, If you say so." he breathed and in one swift motion, his arm wrapped around my waist, yanking me flush against him. My hands shot up instinctively to push him away but his grip only tightened.

His breath tickled my nose and I could feel his chest rise and fall with every breath.

"Let me go," I said through clenched teeth, fighting to remain composed as my heart pounded against my chest. "Now."

" I..I think -uh- I...I should leave."

Clara stammered and his smirk widened.

"Smart girl," he drawled and the tip of her ears turned red.

I gaped at her in disbelief as she hurried out.

She didn't just leave me with him.

I shoved him hard and his grip loosened just enough for me to wiggle away.

"Touch me again," I hissed, "and I'll make you regret it."

He only smiled, like he'd just been issued the most thrilling challenge of his life.

"Now," he said, his voice dropping lower, "I think we should talk."

"You can take your talk elsewhere."

I muttered dryly, not sparing him a glance.

He went on anyway.

"I have an offer for you."

I eyed him suspiciously.

"Marry me."

I snorted.

"What game are you playing?

"Marry me for a year."

My mouth hung open as I stared at him-first in shock, then pure, blinding rage.

My hands balled into fists, trembling as heat surged through me.

Without thinking, I landed a punch right across his smug face.

Zachary's head snapped to the side and my knuckles throbbed. For a moment, the room was silent except for the echo of my heavy breaths.

He slowly turned towards me, a red mark on his jaw glaring at me.

One corner of his lips curved upwards.

"You punch so well," He sounded amused and I blinked at him in disbelief.

" Yeah? I hissed. " Consider it a tip of how our marriage will look like"

He chuckled , " you amuse me."

I blinked, "were you accidentally dropped as a child."

" Why? A smile danced on his lips. " Will that make you want me ?

" No, that would explain why you turned out twisted."

A muscle jumped in his jaw and I knew I had hit a nerve.

His expression hardened.

"Now, let's talk about the terms."

"Terms?" I spat. "This isn't a negotiation. You're insane if you think I'm going to marry you."

"You don't have a choice," he said smoothly, tossing a folder in front of me.

He leaned casually against my desk, his lips curled into a smirk as he watched me like an hawk.

I crouched lower and picked up the folder, my eyes fixed on him.

"What's this? I asked, eying the folder suspiciously.

"Why don't you see for yourself ?

I straightened and tore the folder open with trembling hands.

My fingers brushed against the documents and I scanned them, curiosity gnawing at me.

I froze and blood drained from my face.

My father's signature was on a dozen incriminating documents,evidence of embezzlement and tax evasion.

If these got to the wrong hands, they would ruin him and I might end up losing everything.

My heart caught in my throat and I glanced up quickly.

"Where did you get this? I demanded shakily.

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he pushed off the desk and closed the space between us in two slow steps. His height towered over my frame and I suddenly felt small.

"Does it matter?" he murmured, his voice dropping low. "What matters is what I can do with them."

"What do you want? I ground out, my heart racing.

He tilted his head, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

"I already told you, I want you." His voice dropped to a whisper.

I looked up at him, my vision blurry. "You're blackmailing me into marrying you."

"I prefer the term persuasion."

"You are a monster."

He smirked, unbothered.

" Of course, I'll give you time to think about it."

He leaned closer and I took a step back.

"But I must warn you..." his gaze dipped to my lips before finding my eyes again, "I'm not very patient."

I shot him a glare, my heart hammering against my ribcage as he searched my face before straightening up.

"Your time starts now, Ursula. Tick tock."

"Go to hell," I snarled, watching him walk towards the door, my fists clenched at my sides.

He paused, a dark laugh escaping his lips, and then, with a slow turn, his eyes locked onto mine.

"I've been there," he said, his voice low, dangerous, "and I'm bringing you with me."

The door shut behind him with a click and I felt my knees weakened.

I leaned against my desk for support, placing a hand on my chest to calm my racing heart.

What was that about?

But first, I need to find my father.

I stormed to his office and pushed the door open without knocking.

His head snapped up and his eyes narrowed.

"What are you doing here? He demanded sharply.

" I thought I asked-

I flung the documents onto his desk and his eyes only flicker to them for a moment.

"Zachary Wellington brought this to blackmail him to marry him," I seethed, my voice trembling with fury.

"How did he get hold of this?

He leaned back in his chair casually.

"Zachary Wellington, huh?" he mused, almost to himself. "Why didn't I think of this sooner?"

My stomach dropped.

"He'll make a good match for you."

My eyes widened. Huh?

"W...What?" I stammered, barely believing my ears.

"You should agree to his proposal," he said simply, a slow, satisfied smile curling his lips. "He has a lot to offer."

"I won't marry him," I said through gritted teeth.

His eyes instantly darkened and they narrowed into slits.

"Why won't you? We haven't recovered the shares that were pulled out because of the stunt you pulled," He said icily.

" I.. I can recover-

"You have no choice but to marry him,"

He said sternly.

"It would take me nothing to cut you off and leave you scrambling for crumbs."

My stomach dropped and heat burned my throat as tears prickled at the corners of my eyes.

"You wouldn't," I whispered, choking on the lump in my throat. "I've worked too hard-"

"Try me," he sneered, his lip curling in cruel satisfaction.

______

I huffed as I made my way to the underground parking lot in Wellingtons corps.

If Zachary thought I would marry him without a fight, he has something else coming.

My lips widened into a grin as I spotted a sleek convertible in the space allotted to him. Splendid.

"I'm so sorry, you pretty little thing, but I hate your owner" I whispered to the beauty .

I fished out the knife I kept in my purse and went to work.

One by one, I stabbed the tires.The hissing sound from the slashed tires were like music to my ears.

As I made my way to the fourth tyre.

The car's alarm went off. Shit!

Flashlights were pointed in my direction.

I immediately took cover behind a pillar.

" Who's there? A guard yelled.

I'm screwed .

I slowly moved away from the car before breaking into a run.

Phew! I heaved a sigh of relief as my car came in view.

But I bumped into a wall.

A wall that has arms?

I slowly lifted my eyes to look at the supposed wall and my breath hitched as my eyes locked with Zachary's.

He narrowed his eyes at me.

" What are you doing?

"Nothing." a nervous laugh bubbled within me.

" Now, that's suspicious."

Just then, the security guard ran to our direction and I bit my lips.

" Oh, sir , it's you."

Zachary nodded, "yeah, is anything wrong ?

"Someone messed with your car and this Miss was the only one around."

The guard eyed the knife still clutched in my hand.

Zachary followed his gaze, and I could feel the smirk stretching across his lips.

"She's with me." He said smoothly, draping an arm over my shoulders. "She's a bit dramatic when she's upset."

The guard chuckled awkwardly. " Of course, sir. I'll inform the others it was a false alarm."

"Do that." Zachary's tone left no room for argument.

Once the guard disappeared, I yanked away from him.

"Let go of me."

"Not so fast." He pulled me closer, " let's go see your artwork."

He dragged me to his parking space and I winced at the damage I did to his car.

Whistling , he let go of me and inspected his car.

"Impressive," he drawled. "Didn't know you had it in you."

I shrugged . "I aim to surprise."

"You sure did," he said.

"Too bad the security cameras caught everything."

My smile dropped.

He stopped inches from me, his voice a low whisper. "You just gave me leverage, Ursula . And I haven't even put a ring on your finger yet."

I scowled. "You're despicable."

He chuckled and stepped closer, his voice dropping to a taunting whisper. "Tell me, Valerie... if this is how you handle stress, what are you going to do on our honeymoon?"

My cheeks flushed, a mix of fury and... something else.

"I never agreed to marry you".

" Yet." He drawled .

" Why did you choose me ?

"Hmm, let's see," he tapped his chin, as if deep in thoughts, " Because I don't want you t unmarried for the rest of your life, so I offered myself on a platter of gold."

"Bull shit, we hate each other. Why would you care?

His playful smirk vanished.

"Because I want you."

I snorted, " you can have any woman you want . Why would you want me, we are rivals."

" I can have any woman I want but they are not you," His eyes gleamed as he leaned towards me, his hands in his pocket. "And I would do anything to have you."

" What exactly do you want from me."

I asked as helpless feeling washed over me.

" Why don't we find out?

ZACHARY 👔

Swirling the glass of amber liquid in my hand, I kept my eyes fixed on the open screen before me, watching the footage of her slashing my car tires.

My lips twitched. As expected, Ursula.

There was something about the way she plunged the knife. Unapologetic. Fierce. Stupidly reckless,like she has always been.

"I will have fun taming you, Ursula." I muttered as I took a slow sip of the whiskey , my eyes glued to the screen. The burn on my tongue was nothing compared to the ache pressing down on my chest.

The door creaked open behind me. I didn't need to turn to know who it was. My private investigator.

"Ian."

"Wellington." He gave a curt nod.

His eyes flicked to the screen, glinting with mischief.

"Busy, I see."

He leaned to take a closer look.

"She sure did a good job there, Wellington."

I ignored him. "Did you find anything?"

He straightened, all humor draining from his face. "This might be more complicated than we thought."

My brows furrowed. " Go on," I said, lowering the glass on the table.

He handed me a folder. "There are inconsistencies in your grandfather's medical records. The official cause of death was brain hemorrhage, but..."

I opened the folder, scanning the documents thoroughly.

"...there were no signs of bleeding in the brain. None at all."

I stared at the page, my blood turning cold.

"That's what we were told ," I murmured.

"That's what they wanted everyone to believe," Ian said. "But someone's lying and covering their tracks."

My brows scrunched up. " What do you mean?

His lips pressed in a thin line before he continued.

" The nurse on shift that night was found dead in her apartment from overdose,"

A cold knot formed in my stomach and I closed the folder.

I glanced up at Ian, the same thoughts running through our minds.

That wasn't a coincidence.

I pressed my palm to the glass. This is getting more deeper .

" That's not all." I lifted my eyes. " Before he died, your grandfather wanted to meet his lawyer."

My stomach twisted. " Why?

" No one knows."

Was this after he included that I had to marry Valerie to get my inheritance or before that.

The more I get closer to answers, the more confused I get.

Something was definitely going on.

I had found it odd when my father showed me the will that I had to marry Valerie. The very woman I despise.

" I'm curious." Ian's voice cut through my thoughts. " How is Valerie Hampton involved in all of this."

I leaned back in my chair, my hand raking through my hair as I tugged at the roots in frustration. "She's at the center of these deaths." My voice was low, bitter. "My grandfather died after naming me his successor only if I marry Valerie. And Anna..." My throat tightened. "Anna died because she discovered a secret about Valerie. One I never got the chance to learn."

I downed the rest of the liquor and poured another. My hand trembled just slightly.

"Either Valerie is the unluckiest woman alive..." I muttered, eyes fixed on the glass, "or she's part of something darker than we imagined."

"That explains your unhealthy obsession towards her."

I glared at him and he chuckled.

"Poor girl, she doesn't know what's coming for her."

I narrowed my eyes at him.

" Are you feeling pity for her?

He shrugged, his expression sombre.

" What if she's innocent in all of this?

" In our world, no one is innocent."

His gaze never wavered, and there was a flicker of something behind his eyes. "And what if you're wrong? What if all this is just a game you're playing with her life, Wellington?"

The tension in the room thickened as his words lingered in the air. I couldn't tell if he was trying to provoke me or genuinely questioning my motives.

"You're assuming too much," I said, my voice low and steady despite the storm brewing inside me. "You don't know anything about her, about what she's done, or what she's capable of."

He tilted his head, the faintest trace of a smile curling at the corner of his lips.

"She's never going to agree, anyways."

I nodded, pulling a pack of cigarettes from the drawer. "I know too well that she is one hell of a stubborn woman, which is why I have to play my cards right."

"Like blackmailing her?"

I offered him a cigarette, which he took.

"It takes more than blackmail to tame Ursula."

I leaned against my desk, taking a long drag, letting the smoke burn deep in my chest. It settled there, a temporary relief from the chaos swirling in my head.

Ian chuckled softly. "What did you do?"

I shrugged, exhaling slowly.

Just then, my phone buzzed with a message on its screen.

When is the wedding?

- Valerie

"Impressive," Ian said, his amusement clear. "You two would make a hell of a couple. How did she even get your number? I thought you two were rivals."

I glanced at my phone, my thumb hovering over the screen as a cold , unsettling feeling washed over me.Something about the message didn't sit right with me.

I shoved the phone back into my pocket and met Ian's eyes. "You got what you wanted. Why do you still look unhappy?"

His eyes widened as the realization hit him. "She's agreeing so easily? She has a motive, doesn't she?"

I gave him a sideway glance. For a private investigator, he was dumb sometimes.

" How do you know that? He asked, confusion evident in his voice.

I took another drag of the cigarette, feeling it silence the voices in my head.

"If there's anything I have learnt about Valerie ......." My lips stretched into a smirk. ".... is that she never backs down without a fight. she already suspects I'm doing this to get something and she's going to use it to her advantage."

Ian frowned, clearly trying to piece it all together. "But you still have the upper hand... You can make her fall for you. Then, when you've gotten what you wanted, you can end it."

I shook my head, annoyance flaring. "I don't want it to get complicated."

His grin widened, a knowing gleam in his eyes. "Or you're scared you're going to fall for her."

I almost groaned but I caught myself. I reached for the ashtray instead. "Wanna place a bet, Ian?"

He threw his cigarette to the floor, crushing it beneath his heel. His smirk remained.

"Careful, Wellington .The game you're playing might be a lot more dangerous than you think."