Destined To Be Together.

Why am I feeling so hot? Victoria Underwood wondered why she felt this way. Her face and ears burned intensely, and her entire body felt on fire. She couldn't decide if she needed an ice-cold bath or a glass of water, but touching herself eased the irritation somewhat. Upon rolling onto the bed, she quickly felt someone else alongside her.

In that moment, she realized she was with a man and began caressing him all over. She found solace in hugging him, feeling the warmth of his body. To her, it felt like the ultimate healing touch. What kind of a dream is this? She began thinking deeply.

During her dream, she had an intimate encounter with a man whose face she couldn't make out. He treated her with great tenderness, and they spent hours together, completely devoted to each other. She initially struggled with discomfort and pain but eventually recognized her longing for him.

"Can this dream never end, please? I never want to wake up from this dream. She repeated, with tears streaming down her face, 'Please, promise you'll never leave me.' The man assured her he wouldn't leave, so she felt content and fell asleep. She found herself naked when she woke up, her leg draped over a man's leg. She panicked, leaped from the bed, and fell onto the carpet with her clothes scattered around the floor. In her haste, she grabbed her stuff and rushed to the bathroom to put on her clothes. Everything clicked now, 'Was it not a dream?' "She wondered, Did I really loose my virginity? Oh my!

Without glancing back, Victoria dashed out of the hotel room, trying to piece together what transpired the night before. She last remembered being at the club with Serena, her best friend, sharing her heartache after her boyfriend Mark cheated on her, all because she wasn't ready to have sex with him. Moreover, she didn't come from a wealthy family.

Mark cheated on me because I didn't want to sleep with him, but then I lost my virginity to a stranger. Who is that man? I didn't even glance at his face,

Everything from the previous day hit her like a freight train. She went to Mark's apartment and found him in bed with her greatest enemy, Sophia. Ambitious Mark saw Sophia as his pathway to a better life. Sophia always liked him, but he insisted she wasn't his type because of her arrogance. Vicky felt both torn and humiliated. After leaving Mark's apartment, she headed directly to a bar and asked Serena to meet her there.

One thing led to another, so they went out to a club. This led her to end up in an unknown person's bed. She despised Mark, but she loathed herself even more for losing control of the situation. She realized she couldn't hold anyone responsible for her careless actions, not even her best friend.

She rummaged through her purse to find her phone, realizing she missed 27 calls. She called Serena, who answered on the first ring and said, 'Girl, where have you been?' Your mother has been calling nonstop looking for you. Tell me, how did things go with Mr. Handsome? You were all over him last night."

Serena, don't tell me you left me alone at the club when I was drunk. I have no idea who that guy was. How could you do this to me? Vicky yelled. She knew it wasn't right to blame her friend, yet she found it impossible not to. She had to vent her frustration. Serena completely understood her friend.

You said you were in good hands and that I should go back home. Mr. Handsome showed gentleness toward you as well. Even though you were drunk, I was confident he wouldn't do anything bad; he seemed like a decent guy. Babe, I really hope I wasn't wrong about him. Tell me that everything is all right and there haven't been any issues. I'm so sorry, Serena said. She began to regret leaving her dear friend in the hands of a stranger.

All she wished for was Vicky to get even with the useless Mark for his betrayal. She always knew he wasn't a good person, but she stayed quiet because her friend liked him a lot, even though he didn't deserve her. The man whom Vicky left with seemed very wealthy and was also quite handsome, like a prince. Mark could not even compare to him. To top it off, the gentleman and her best friend seemed like a match made in heaven.

It's okay, girl. Nothing went wrong. I surrendered my innocence to him. It felt like a dream, and while I can't remember every detail, the experience was delightful as he showed me such tenderness. But I left before he woke up; I felt so embarrassed. I'll tell you everything when I see you. I need to go home and face my mom's yelling.

Why didn't you talk to him before leaving? What if he's the right person for you? You two looked amazing together! Did you give him your number? Or at least have his? Tell me it wasn't only about spending one night together, please. Serena struggled to understand her friend completely.

Victoria told her that she didn't have his number and hadn't left hers. Thus, they will remain strangers forever. Every time she thought of him, she smiled uncontrollably. She yearned for another scenario.

Vicky reflected on whether returning home so soon was a must, since she hadn't clarified her thoughts yet. Her forehead glistened with sweat as concern over her mother's potential reaction consumed her. Though her mother had a good heart, she rarely stood up for herself, remaining quiet even when something bothered her. Her stepdad and stepsister constantly trampled on her feelings, and she never spoke up. That's why Victoria worried so much about her. She knew she might have gotten herself in trouble by not sleeping at home.

Despite her hesitation, she decided to go home and finish what needed to be done. Why should it matter if my mother yells at me? Even while feeling down, she decided to confront her problems directly, and she smiled at the thought of mocking herself for her past stupidity and irresponsibility.

When Victoria arrived home, she immediately heard her parents arguing about her. Her father angrily slapped her, then stormed out, leaving her mother in tears and her stepsister Mara with a smirk on her face. Her encouragement drove Sofia to pursue Mark because she knew it would deeply hurt Victoria. She blamed Victoria and Helena for her family's average financial situation. She believed that with only her and her father at home, their finances would be better, but now they had to support two more people.

Mara smirked and said, 'Didn't I tell you your daughter is good for nothing?' " Like mother, like daughter . Ever since you entered our lives, you've only caused problems. I hope my father kicks you out of the house too.

Just look at the mess she left for you to clean up, just for being lose. Helena glanced at Mara and remained silent. She took Vicky to her bedroom and passed her the luggage. 'Your father wants you to go abroad. He is very angry with you. I don't want him to harm you, my child. So please, go study, make something of your life, and return educated and independent.' That will make me feel at ease, knowing that when I die you will be okay.

He said you need to be more like your sister, you need to grow up and respect our home. You are nothing like your sister; I know you have a kind heart, though he chose to ignore it. Victoria stared into her mother's eyes and saw pain and sorrow. Neither shouting nor reprimanding her as she expected, her mother appeared resigned, and this realization pierced Vicky's heart like a knife.

She grabbed her luggage and flight ticket, leaving without a backward glance, feeling hurt that her mother hadn't fought for her. But she knew her mother had no standing in that house. One day, she will earn enough to support her mother and persuade her to leave her husband.

She didn't even have a moment to visit Serena and vent or discuss the events of the previous night. Note to self: Work hard and become someone independent from my family.

She texted Serena to explain the drama at her house and mentioned she was being sent off to an unknown location. I will be in touch with you. I'll be back before you know it. She reassured her friend with a heavy heart, 'Don't worry about me, I'm grown up.'

Serena felt an urge to confront Vicky's family, but she knew it wouldn't make a difference since her friend had firmly decided to leave. She just hopes her friend will be okay wherever she goes.

Four years later, Victoria returned to the airport as a transformed individual. Her father asked her to stay away for two years, but she chose to extend it by another two years to finish her studies. She was in great demand as a jewelry designer then. She was head hunted by the company back home. Victoria encountered an elderly woman who kept staring at her and her fraternal twins, Maya and Luke, while they waited for their luggage. The elderly woman couldn't stop gazing at the charming pair and their mother.

Though many passersby were watching and talking quietly, it was this particular lady who captivated her attention the most.

Mrs. Chadwick walked up and introduced herself to the young woman, thinking she might be a single mother, otherwise she wouldn't be alone with children so small. The old lady saw a reflection of her young self through her. Her vibrant energy and radiance drew Old Mrs. Chadwick's attention.

She wished she had met this young lady earlier; maybe she could have been her granddaughter-in-law. She realized Christian probably wasn't interested in women since he never introduced a lady friend. Old Mrs. Chadwick felt an inexplicable attraction to Victoria.

She asked Victoria if she could be her goddaughter because she wanted to grow closer to this young lady, even if it wasn't through being a granddaughter-in-law. They swapped phone numbers, and Victoria promised to visit the kind elderly woman once she had settled in with the kids.

After parting ways, Victoria located Serena in the parking lot, ecstatic to see her cherished friend after a long four-year absence. Seeing them now felt incredibly real compared to the daily video calls. They went directly to the hotel where the company had booked a room for Victoria, after they recruited her for their jewelry design firm during her time abroad.

She decided to catch up with Serena while she still had a week off before returning to work. Serena offered to assist her in searching for a house back home because she wanted to sever all ties with her family permanently. She had no desire to go back home. Did you hear your sister's marrying a big shot? "I wonder what he sees in her," Serena said, rolling her eyes.

Vicky had no interest in her family matters, so she interrupted her friend before the conversation went any further. But sadly, they discovered she had returned and called her back to the house at once. She settled down, leaving Maya and Luke with Serena, and felt immense joy while spending time with her godchildren.

Mara rushed to greet her at the door, eagerly showing off the huge diamond ring on her finger. " You decided to get pregnant before getting married, huh? Do you even you even know the child's father? Mara didn't know Vicky had twins. She came across whispers about her appearance with a little girl at the airport, and no one brought up the boy.

They called her home to save face at her sister's wedding, but they really wanted to cut ties with her since they saw her as an embarrassment. Mara was set to marry Christian, but he disliked her and her aura. He promised his grandfather that he would marry Helena's daughter. Old Mr. Chadwick did not know about Helena's stepdaughter. He met her at Hope Hospital while they both received treatment for cancer. To him, Helena felt like a daughter. She shared stories about her own daughter and how adorable she was. In that moment, old Mr. Chadwick decided to make her his goddaughter. All he wanted was for his grandson to marry the child of his goddaughter.

Christian sensed that his grandfather loathed Mara. Whenever she visited, he looked frustrated, but his major stroke prevented him from speaking as he remained confined to a wheelchair. He chose to make him happy, fearing that old Mr. Chadwick might suffer a heart attack if he ever went against him. He always kept Maya at a distance, hoping for his grandfather's swift recovery. He often wondered, 'Of all people, why would Grandfather choose such an ill-mannered girl to be my wife?'

Christian had Mara sign a three-month contract solely to appease his grandfather. His grandfather's health was failing, and he insisted that Christian must marry and make him a great-grandfather before agreeing to any treatment. Christian fell deeply in love with the woman he met that night, but he couldn't find her. Given the chance, he would ask for her hand in marriage. He searched for her all over but couldn't find her. He suspected his grandfather of drugging the wine in his hotel and setting him up. Sadly that girl drank it as well. They couldn't control themselves because they were drugged.

Victoria returned to her home after four years. Her vitality and beauty made Mara deeply envious of her. She greeted her mom but pretended her dad and sister weren't there. This greatly angered Mr. Underwood. Yet he had firmly decided to break off all connections with Victoria once the wedding was over. He just wanted to maintain his dignity for now.

Helena asked Victoria to her room to talk. She missed her daughter so much, she had lost so much weight and it broke Vicky's heart. Her mother was a shell of what she used to be. Although she looked happy and at peace to see her daughter alive and well it still broke Vicky at how her mother looked like a walking corpse. " Mom, please move in with me. You can't keep living here like this, I know Mara and dad are not treating you well" said Victoria.

"You have two adorable grandkids now, will you help me look after them, while I go to work?" she added. Helena couldn't even wait for her to continue, she was happy to look after her grandchildren so she agreed without even asking the burning quest of who the father of the twins were. She knew her daughter was a good person and there was probably an answer to all the bad things that Mara has been saying about Victoria. She decided to give her time to tell her everything.

Dinner time came and Christian came with one of his assistants, Colin. They brought dowry and all sorts of gifts for Mara's parent. Even though it was a sham marriage, He still wanted it to look real. Mara had invited her friends and relatives just to show off. Some of them hated her family but they were just there to curry favour from her family since she was marrying into the wealthiest family in the country. When Victoria and her mother came downstairs everyone was already seated, Christian was the first person to lock eyes with Victoria and he stood up right away. " Mr Underwood, I didn't know you had 2 daughters?" he asked Greg. Mr Underwood smirked and said " oh, you mean Victoria? She's not my real daughter, She's the daughter my wife came with" .

Christian was confused and amused at the same time. But a smile could be seen on his face while he was looking at Victoria. Mara got very angry and spilled the beans. " We are not related in anyway with this sore loser, she's like one of our maids, She even has a child and we still don't know who the father is" she said. This immediately picked his interest and he wanted to know more about Victoria.

What people in the room didn't know was that Victoria and Sebastian knew each other. Even though Victoria didn't look at his face properly the morning after their one night stand, she immediately remembered this face. She had been thinking about this man .Christian was intrigued, but on the other hand Victoria was disgusted by him. Anything it anyone that was touched by Mara was considered trash according to her. Even though he couldn't stop thinking about that night for four years all her feelings were extinguished as soon as they net and she realised "her man" as she has fantasised for so long was her step sister's fiancé. She was disgusted and heartbroken at the same time. She wanted to leave that place immediately.

She hugged her mother and said whispered goodbye in her ear, but her mother knew something was off because sh4 was trembling. She wanted to stop her but she didn't want to call attention to her daughter, so she just bade her farewell and said nothing more. Greg didn't even bother to look at Victoria. Mara was very happy because she thought, Victoria was jealous.

Victoria ran as fast as she could and stood beside the road to wait for a cab , but none appeared, she was cold and miserable. He tears pained her eyes. The more she tried to stop her tears the more they kept falling. What she didn't know was that after she left, Christian called off the wedding, without any explanation, he apologised and told the family he was sorry, something came up that needed his attention. He told Mara and her family that they should keep the gifts. The Underwood family was a laughing stock, even Mara's fake friend from high class were laughing at her. Mara was beside herself, she felt like a joke, yet she couldn't shout and scold Christian because she was scared of him. How could she not fear him it even his parents and everyone in the room was scared of the man. But since she thought he approached her because of his grandfather she decided right then that she will use the old man to make Christian marry her. A beautiful girl like her can get any man she wants, she just needed to use her charm to persuade him.

At the road side" I don't know it I should be happy or mad, In fact I should be the one crying " Victoria was startled by a deep voice next to her. When she looked up, she saw Christian looking down at her, but she couldn't read him. Was he mad? She didn't know what to make of his expression. Christian had so many questions to ask Victoria but he didn't know where to start, yet the question that came out of his mouth was " will you marry me ?" . Victoria shit his a look and laughed, not because she was amused, but because she couldn't get this man's audacity. He was engaged to be married to her step sister but here he was asking her to marry him. Did he think she was a toy to be played with? The nerve. So this man wanted her to be his mistress? What did he take her for? " she thought.

Although Christian was mad at this girl, he couldn't bring himself to shout at her, because he also couldn't contain his happiness. " please go back to your darling Mara, and stop playing games with me, you have no shame for a man who is about to get married. How dare you ask me to be your mistress?" Victoria shot back. Christian was amused by this little lady. For such a tiny body she sure had a temper.

"Anything or anyone that was touched by Mara is dirt to me ,just so you know." She continued. And if she sent you to toy with my feeling, you both will be very disappointed " she mocked. Even though she was livid, Victoria was happy to get a glimpse of the man if her dreams, this man has been evading her sleep for the past 4 years. She had never seen such a handsome man, he looked like a model straight out of a Elle magazine. " What a waste, why choose Mara of all people , such an evil woman?" She thought to look herself.

Christian could see that this little lady was angry, but he couldn't understand why she was even unhappy if she was the one who left him high and dry. " I have been looking for you for 4 years, with no luck. I am the one who should be angry by the way" he countered back. " Was I not good enough? Why would you just leave the hotel without saying a word, and even decide to disappear? Was I that horrible? He continued to grill her with questions.

At this point Victoria didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Because that night was the highlight of her entire life, she couldn't forget about this man even when she tried to. She told her heart to stop longing for this man but it didn't listen to her. She asked him why he chose to be with Mara of all people and the man laughed like he had the funniest joke. This made her angry and she decided not to pry any further. She stood up and started walking, leaving him to here. But he was not going to let her go again, afraid she was going disappear from his life again. He chased after her and grabbed, he hugged so tight. No one spoke, only their heart beats could be heard. It was like they were communicating with each other. Victoria knew she had to forget about this man, but right at this moment she couldn't let go, she didn't want to let go. She felt so safe, like she belonged there. This man was like her safe haven, how could she let go. Even if this was the last time she was close to him ,she just wanted to inhale his Cologne. He smelled so good and it was comforting..