Disowned

Chapter 1

Victoria's POV

Growing up, i always thought that one must always work hard in order to prove their worth and so i did, i spent countless nights without sleeping trying to build a reputation for myself without anyone's help,but in this society i live in that doesn't count for anything,as long as you are a woman you will always be belittled.

Well my name is Victoria Smith and I'm 25 of age .My father( Edward smith)is a business tycoon owning the largest corporate company rated in the top 10 companies in the world, well my mom ( Evelina Smith)is a house wife,well more like a trophy wife. I also have 3 younger brothers which means i am the only girl in the family.

Most people would think that i was spoon fed and pampered to my heart's content,little did they know that i never used my father's connections for my benefit,but i can't say the same for my brothers. Yes i am a COO in the company but i earned the position through my hard work.

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Victoria's POV

I was jolted awake by my alarm as usual at 5 am ,gosh!!!! i have never been a morning person but i finally managed to push myself out of the bed. Every morning i would stand in front of a mirror and mutter some positive words to keep myself going throughout the day and today was no exception.

It was around 6:45 just after preparing for for work and i decided to go downstairs for breakfast. Everyone was already there. "Morning fam" i greeted as usual but they just stared at me as if they had something to say "gosh this better not ruin my day" i mentally pleaded.

"Ahem, we have found a suitable candidate that is worthy of you, the negotiations will take place next week" my my dad cleared his throat before dropping a bombshell on me, i stared at them as if they have gone mad. Deep down i wished that one of my brothers would say its a prank as usual, i looked them in the eyes one by one and i didn't see any hint of amusement on their faces,they all had poker faces that's when i realized something,they knew...they knew that our parents were trying to set me up for a marriage with a stranger.

I always knew that my father believed that a woman was meant to stay at home,bear children and take care of her husband like exactly what my mother is doing but i did not expect this at all.

I looked at my mother to see if she also supported this and she looked down in shame, just as i thought i snickered and stormed out of the house and immediately drove off. I didn't know where to go ,i mean i could always go to work but i could not let my colleagues see me like this,i was in no state to get any work done.

So i called that one person who would always have my best interests at heart, Maryse.We have been best friends since kindergarten because our families have been partners for ages,although we do not always keep in touch due to our busy schedules i know we've got each other.

"To what do i owe this pleasant surprise?",i heard her loud voice on the other side,well you can always count on Maryse to be bubbly. "Calm down will you?, i think i need to talk to someone before i lose my mind" i told her and she went silent for a moment probably wondering what could be the matter.

"Sure babe,Maryse at your service. Same place?" She asked. " Sure i will meet you there in 30 minutes" i immediately headed there,slightly relieved that atleast someone was willing to hear me.

I arrived at the location in no time. It was a a restaurant famous for its extraordinary dishes that attracted tourists from many places.the restaurant was decorated in morden way which can also make you feel at ease. I was directed to an available table by a waitress in no time and i ordered juice only indicating that I'm still waiting for someone and i will order later,the waitress was kind and patient so she smiled and told me to call for her if i need anything.

In no time i saw Maryse walk in to the building occasionally glancing here and there probably looking for me so i raised my hand and she finally noticed me. She walked over to the table in a graceful manner , it doesn't help that she has that hourglass figure that most women would die for, God knows i tried to pursue her to try modeling but she does not like being in the spotlight which is rather amusing or absurd for a daughter of a billionaire but either way i respect her decision it's not really easy to avoid paparazzi and I'm speaking from experience.

"What's the matter Victoria?"she asked, well i should have expected that since she has always been a straightforward person and i appreciate that. I told her of all the events that took place."those self centered hypocrites, i always knew that our parents would do anything for money but this time they have gone too far. What do you plan on doing? She asked afterr expressing her opinion on the matter.

"I really do not know, ever since i was young they always made decisions for me and i tried to understand that they were doing it with my best interest at heart but this alliance I'm not sure. I don't want to be a stepping stone for my parents just so they could have more piece of pie,i don't want to be a tool Maryse" i finally felt a little better after getting that off my chest

" so you plan on rejection the proposal?" She asked. " if i want to get married i will in my own time. I don't want to feel as if i live according to some schedule arranged by someone else but deep down i know that if this is what my father want then he will do everything in his power to make sure that i go through with the wedding even if it means he has to threaten me". I replied.

" if only we could choose our parents I'm sure the both of us would not choose them again but i want you to know that i will support you in every decision you take" she tried to console me which i was grateful for.

As soon i parted ways with her i started to think about this stranger that is supposed to be my"husband" in few weeks."Is he a good person or does he place business before family like my father? Or is he just like me at this point, helpless while watching someone making decisions for his life." I could not get the answers i needed no matter what, suddenly a thought crossed my mind, i could always meet him to get my answers and make a decision from there, i can't even believe that I'm actually thinking of getting married especially to a stranger.

I can't believe that i spent the whole day without getting any work done, blame it on my father who thinks that women always needs men by their side in order to succeed. Hours had passed since my meeting with Maryse thankfully i felt a little better. I knew i could not avoid my problems forever and it was already late so i decided to go home. While driving i tried to think of the next step and i decided that i will meet with my supposed "husband " just to figure out if he has an agenda or not.

Soon i found myself driving into my family's mansion and i released a huge breath that i didn't even know i was holding ,i gathered all of my courage and stepped inside the house.

The lights were out so i figured that everyone must be fast asleep since it was late. I took two steps up the stairs when i heard my mother's voice calling out for me"Vee" she called." Good evening mother, i thought you would be fast asleep now" i told her trying to keep calm. " where have you been? I've been trying to reach you all day but to no avail and how could i sleep knowing that you were not yet home"? She said tears threatening to leave her eyes. " I'm a grown woman mother and i can take care of myself nevertheless I'm sorry for worrying you,I'll now retire to my room if you don't mind,it's been quite a day i would appreciate some sleep,goodnight mother" i said while continuing climbing the stairs. "Victoria" she called after me but i didn't look back.

I know this isn't fair but i can't help being angry at her but it hurts that the one who was supposed to protect me is doing nothing. I always knew her word had not much weight around here but still i can't help it.

As soon as i reached my bedroom i threw myself to bed and fell to a world of unconscious without even caring to change in to more comfortable clothes. I want to sleep hoping that maybe i'll wake up and all this would just be a dream.

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Waking up i was enthusiastic about life,making myself believe that i had it all under control especially after the usual mirror pep talk so i went downstairs for breakfast. "Here comes the bride" says the youngest brother, Alexander. I gave him a look tha literally screamed " don't fuc*k with me!!!". He is the most caring of them all and deep down i know he is my favorite even though he tends to get on my nerves most of the times.

Then there is Ethan, first son. We don't usually see eye to eye mainly because he is a narcissist,a womanizer and he thinks that he deserves to inherit the company mainly because he is the older son.

Lastly William,the middle son. He never showed interest in the business world, he's into art he loves painting and sometimes i can't help but wonder how it would have been like if i was more like him. He doesn't like to speak much but when he does ohh boy he makes valid points.

"I'd like to see the man you were talking about father," i dropped the bombshell on them, well and they all stared at me curiously, well i guess thy weren't expecting me to take the first step but i did and they should deal with it. "Tonight if possible " i added.

Okayy i will arrange for you to meet and I'll send you the details" he replied, joy was evident on his face. I suddenly lost my appetite just thinking about my own father treating me like a business transaction and excused myself from the table going straight to the office.

I wasn't able to get any work done because my mind was constantly drifting to the meeting i had with my potential suitor and i feel as the time is dragging its feet. My dad obviously kept his word and sent me the location and time.

I finally knocked off after a whole day of being anxious and went home to prepare for the dinner date if i may even call it a date. I took a long warm bath to relax myself and when i was finally done i decided on a long black bodycon dress which fitted me like gloves, it was backless so i decided to let my hair down to cover some part of my back since i didn't like exposing my self , to complete the look i put on my 5inch silver heels and a small black handbag. Since I'm no fan of make ups i just put on my lip gloss and i was good to go.

minutes earlier and entered the restaurant. It was located just in the outskirts of town. Everything was elegant and classy from the decor to how their waiter carried themselves speaking of waiters a short bubbly girl came towards me "good evening mam do you have a reservation?" Holy sh*t , that's when i realized that i didn't even know his name. " yeah miss Smith" i replied awkwardly while hoping that whether my dad or the stranger thought of mentioning my name when making the reservation. "Ohh yes follow me,your date has already arrived"she replied while leading me to one of the table in a secluded area which is fine by me, i mentally heaved a sigh of relief seeing that my name was written down for the reservation.

Getting near the table i noticed that the man was sitting with his back facing me but he had broad shoulders. He must have hit the gym more times than i can count to get that kind of body.

Upon reaching the table i cleared my throat on purpose to grab his attention which worked like magic because he immediately turned around and boy i couldn't believe this, he is handsome. I got mesmerized by those emerald eyes, i wouldn't mind staring at them the whole day. That sharp jaw that you can even cut something with and he is blonde, although his hair is kind of messy it just makes him more appealing to the eye. " Ahhem like what you see"? He suddenly asked and i realized that i must have probably been staring for quite some time and i suddenly wished that the ground would open up and swallow me.

"Hi, I'm Victoria Smith and my apologies i haven't had the pleasure of knowing your name" i decided to change the topic as it was getting a litte unbearable. I'm surprised that i didn't stutter. " it's fine i have only been here for less than 10 minutes" i let out a sigh of relief at his response.