I can't marry this bastard

" How do I look? "

Evangel twirled around for her best friend stretched out on her kings size bed with her attention on the phone in her hand. She just finished getting dressed for her dad's birthday party

Her father turned sixty today and was throwing a huge ass party to commensurate the occasion.

Her father was a wealthy business man known very well in the city. His party will be swimming with all the who is who in the city and as his only heir Evangel knows so many eyes is going to be on her so she has to look her best.

Clarissa strengthened up and turned to look at her, allowing her eyes to journey over her best friend's form.

She started from the caramel silky curls adorning her head, flat aristocratic forehead, perfect carved brows, dazzling pale blue eyes sparkling with dancing stars, long swan neck bearing a silver necklace, a teardrop pendant, her slim trim figure slipped into a gorgeous, plain purple dinner gown with a teasing slit to the mid-thigh revealing a long pale smooth leg that was further stretched out by the four-inch silver Gianvito Rossi sandals on delicate slim feet.

" Gorgeous, stunning, breathtaking........ "

Evangel cracks up at Clarice lots of adjectives.

" Exquisite, Junoesque, resplendent...."

Evangel laughed harder.

" That is enough, I get it, I look good. And where did all these words come from. Read a dictionary today? " Evangel teased as she continued to grin widely at her best friend.

" Nope, you just looked so fantastic that I needed more words to convey it, " Clarrisa winked and laughed when Evangel grew red.

Are you blushing baby, she continued to tease enjoying reeling her best friend up. Evangel has always been so easy to tease.

" No. "

Evangel rolled her eyes at her friend's knowing the little blonde was just messing with her.

Her expression grew serious as she stared back at her best friend.

" Do I really look good? "

There was a little insecurity in her eyes as she asked. Evangel was aware that people think her beautiful but the problem is that she has a hard time believing them.

Clarissa allowed every trace of humor to disappear from her face as she held her best friend gaze.

A deep sadness filled her when she saw the vulnerable look in the brunette eyes, and a murderous feeling followed at the thought of the imbecile responsible.

Ages might have past but her best friend has yet to get over the hurt of her past. Her boyfriend someone she had loved and trusted betrayed her in the worst humiliating way possible and since then her girl has been battling with these insecurities.

" You look good baby. "

She held her eyes conveying the sincerity of her assessment both in words and in look.

A shy smile colored Evangel's lips as she read the truth in her friends eyes. She always trust to get a real answer from Clarissa.

They have been best friends since college and since she has known the blonde she has never tried to lie to her or decieve her like the other girlfriends she has had in the past and that is why their friendship has lasted this long.

Evangel was someone who took trust seriously and once broken can never be regained.

" Thank you. "

" You are welcome. "

" I better be leaving, I am already late as it is, " Evangel picked up her clutch.

" Yeah, as if you have ever been early to anything, " Clarissa teased throwing herself back to the bed.

Everyone who knew her best friend knew about her chronic lateness. The woman was never early to anything. In college they have often teased her that she will be late to her funeral.

" Hey! "

Evangel glowered at her best friend.

" You don't have to make me sound like a chronic late comer. "

" I call it as I see it baby, " Clarissa smirked at her.

Evangel responded with a roll of her eyes, even though what her best friend says is true. No matter how early she starts getting ready for an event she will some how manage to go late. The mystery behind it all seems to have escaped her.

" Have a nice date with your boy tonight, " Evangel retorted and breezed out of the door before Clarissa could respond.

" He is not a boy toy, " Clarissa screamed after her.

She was having a dinner date with her on and off boyfriend Stefan, whom her best friend believes she was with because of his ridiculously good looks.

Evangel chuckled at the usual protest that follows whenever she calls Clarissa's intermittent boyfriend boy toy. She trailed through the corridors of their apartment to the outside door, her heels hitting the tiled floor elegantly.

She unlocked the door and made her way into the lift down to the lobby to the outside where her driver stood waiting beside her car.

Evangel hated driving at night that is why she is using her occasional driver.

" Hello, Matteo, " Evangel greeted the tall burly Mexican man with a polite smile on her face.

" Hello, Miss Clark, " Matteo responded formally, his Mexican accent obvious in his voice, as he opened the door for his employer.

" Evangel, Mateo, " She corrected with an eye roll.

The man nodded seriously but Evangel knew he will calling her Miss the next second.

For months now she has been trying to get the guy to address her informally, as his formal address grates on her nerves and makes her feel superior which she doesn't want to but the man has remained stubborn.

" Did you get the gift. "

Evangel had gotten her father a little surprise gift for his birthday. Earlier this evening she had asked her driver to go get it from the shop.

" Yes, Miss Clark. " Matteo closed the door and hurried to the driver's seat. He buckled himself up before taking them out on the road carefully.

The woman he was carrying was a precious jewel of one of the richest men in the city if anything happens to her, his life with be over.

From her apartment to her father's Estate was about thirty minutes drive.

As they drove through the gates a nostalgic feeling filled her. Is been long since she has been to this place. Almost two years.

She smiled as they passed the fountain at the centre of the yards and the beautiful rose garden and flowers maintained by their Gardner.

That had been her mother's responsibility. She had taken joy and pride in her flowers but when she died her father had to get someone to care for the flowers not wanting her mother's pride and joy to wither away.

Evangel let out a sad smile at the thought of her mother. Though is been years since her death she is still misses her like crazy. Her mother had been her best friend.

She smiled as her mind took her to the best friend she left at home. In way Clarissa reminds her of her mother. They are both blondes and shares the same quirky attitude that attracted her to the blonde in the first place.

Meeting Clarissa few months following the death of her mother had been one of the few things that helped her cope with her loss.

Evangel stepped out of the car before Mateo could get the door. The parking lot was filled with so many cars, obviously from her relatives and her father's friends and colleagues.

While Mateo went to park the car Evangel headed towards the entrance. Her father's footman stood waiting for her with a smile on his age wrinkled face.

" Hello, Castro, " Evangel smiled at the elderly man as she walked past through the door.

" How are you and Mrs. Castro? " she asked as she is lead through the familiar long well-illuminated corridor leading to the ballroom in the left wing where the party is being held.

" She is alright, and will be greatly pleased if you can come around and see her, " Mr. Castro replied with a happy glint in his eyes. Happy to see the woman who is like a daughter to him after such a long while.

" Will do that soon, " Evangel promised with a smile.

She followed as the elderly man lead the way towards the east wing of her father's house, away from the main living quarters, where the ballroom is located.

As they drew closer to the room, the sound of laughter, boisterous chatter, and sweet cool music drifted up to her, telling her that the party was already in full swing.

Just before the brass door barring the ballroom, Castro stopped and turned to look at the beautiful woman in front of him.

" Your dad is going to be pleased to see you, he has missed you so much, "Castro said to her casting a look in the direction of the ballroom as if imagining his employee reaction to his daughter finally being home.

Evangel nodded with a wishful smile on her face. She too has missed her father. She has been away from home on vacation for a year now touring Europe and just came home because of her father's party.

Evangel took a deep breath before walking inside. Her entrance was immediately noticed as eyes went towards the door.

A little nervous, Evangel looked around and caught the eye of her uncle, Max one of her father's younger brother.

Her father was the oldest sibling of five boys.

Evangel was aware that the room was filled with so many of her relatives both from her dad and her mum who are itching to greet her but she needed to start from somewhere.

She made a beeline for her uncle whose handsome face lit up with a smile at the sight of her.

" Hello, Uncle Max, " Evangel greeted and went in for an air kiss with the tall burly man.

" Hello, my darling, Europe seems good on dear girl. "

Evangel blushed as her uncle ran his gaze over her.

" Thanks uncle. And it seems American burgers are treating you well too, " She teased looking down his protruding belly.

A boisterous laughter broke from her uncle lips before he pulled her into a more intimate hug.

" I have missed you kiddo, " he whispered into her ear tightening his grip around her.

" I have missed you too uncle, " Evangel wheezed, a little breathless from the bear hug, luckily her uncle released her befor she could pass out.

Free from her uncle she turned her gaze to the stunning younger woman beside him and her smile waned.

The woman looked so stiff and bored like she wanted to be anywhere else than here.

" Hello, Carmen, " she greeted in a more reserved tone as they air-kissed each other.

She wasn't really that close to her uncle's wife despite the woman being closer in age to her.

The woman was haughty and cold which doesn't encourage friendliness in the people around her. Though it might not be entirely her fault. The Clark clan had not be all that welcoming when her uncle came home after one of his vacation in Spain with a woman half his age as his wife.

Carmen was her uncle's fifth wife. To hear her uncle say it. Is because the women can't handle his awesomeness, but everyone knows is because he has such a hard time keeping it in his pants.

" Hi, Evangel, " the woman returned in the same flat tone. " Welcome back. "

" Thank you, " Evangel responded and then excused herself to greet other of her relatives.

Her tour led her round the party grounds with no sight of the celebrant and back to her uncle's company.

" Where is dad, Uncle Max? " She asked pulling him from the discussion he was having with some of her father's colleagues.

" He is in his study. "

Evangel frowned.

" Why? "

" Don't know, " her uncle shrugged, " but he is in there with a young man. "

He has just finished speaking when the door opened and her dad walked in dressed immaculately in a black suit, looking as dashing as she remembered with that quirky grin that won her mother's heart.

" Speak of the devil, " a smile lit up Evangel face as she made a beeline for her father.

" Dad! " she cried, few meters away.

" Angel, " her father smiled wholeheartedly, opening his arms wide for her.

Evangel was only to happy to throw herself into them.

Evangel fell into her dad's warm embrace, inhaling the sweet familiar spicy scent of his aftershave, with that note of leather that brings her comfort.

" What are you doing lurking around in your study instead being here with your guest. Isn't it supposed to be your party, " Evangel scolded mildly as she pulled back from her dad.

" I am sure my guest didn't miss me much as they had a lot to keep them occupied, " her father looked around the party before returning his eyes to her, a smile on his face.

Evangel shook her head at him. He was right. His guest were having fun entertaining themselves with all the over flowing drinks and food.

You do remember that the doctor adviced you to take it easy with work. Right?

Her father was a workaholic, almost working himself to death but after the heart attack he had three years, taking ten years of Evangel's life she had insisted on him cutting down. The deal had been that after college she will take over from her dad allowing him to retire early.

Her vacation to Europe was something to help her destress after school before diving into work.

Now that she is back her father can retire and have some needed vacation. Something he hasn't taking since the death of her mother. Work had been her father's way of dealing with his grief.

" You worry too much my darling, and I wasn't working merely settling your future. "

Evangel frowned.

" What do you mean? " She asked a little confused.

Her father's smile did not break, instead they grew wider.

" I have found you the perfect man to marry. "

Evangel gaped at her father. What did he think? That they were in 16th century where parents still found husbands for their daughters.

" Sorry dad I am not looking to settle down anytime soon. For god's sake I am only thirty. "

" Well I don't have much time for you to make up your mind, " her father snapped.

" What are you talking about dad? " Evangel took a closer look at her father. He looked paler than usual and seems to have lost weight.

" Nothing. Why don't you meet the young man first before turning me down "

" Wait, he is here! "

Someone coughed beside her father pulling Evangel's attention to him.

Evangel looked at the person and staggered as if she just saw a ghost.

It can't be. All the color drained from Evangel's face as she stared at her ugly past in flesh.

Unbidden all the memories which she thought buried and forgotten in the deepest part of her mind erupted and swam to the surface.

She couldn't believe she was staring at the man she hated with every fiber of her being.

No, Trenton Wade can't be the man her father wants her to marry.

Trenton sat comfortably in his office, a calm and collected look on his well-sculpted handsome fair features watching his brother pace a storm in his office.

His brother had an angry bear look on his face and looked as if he was on the verge of murder and the target him.

Although he has always delighted in needling Chase feathers, today he was not in a good mood and his pacing wasn't helping matters.

" Wearing out my tiles is not going to magically poof us out of this mess, you know, " Trent said, getting fed up with the oscillating movement that was making him slightly dizzy.

His bad mood this money was because he just found out he has been duped. He couldn't believe his stupidity if he wasn't living it.

Chase Wade paused like a braked train and whirled on his brother, the veins on his forehead pulsating to the gravity of the ire tearing his insides apart.He was so angry that he could blow a fuse.

" You are the reason we are in this mess and you sit there looking like a damn king on his throne and complaining about my pacing. How the fuck does that help us, " he growled and then returned to his pacing.

If he doesn't move he was afraid he might strangle his brother. Despite how much killing his brother will satisfy him he couldn't bear hurting his father who loves the imbecile so much.

His brother has always been frivolous and careless with his acts, but of all the stupid things he has done in the past, this one takes the cake.

His brother had been so stupid and gullible that he fell into the hands of scammers costing the company billions of dollars that they are struggling to recover from, placing them on the verge of collapse.

And that is not the worse. The imbecile has no lick of sense to come up with ideas on how to solve the problem he sunk them in.

Why his father thought he could lead this company beats Chase mind.

" And how does pacing like a cage lion help us, " Trent mocked. He knew his brother was secretly pleased with the situation he was in. If he couldn't find a way to solve this problem then his brother is going to take advantage of it.

" My pacing is to stop me from wriggling that scrawny neck of yours for being such an imbecile, " Chase hissed.

Trent sighed tiredly. Since he found out he has been scammed he has not be able to have a rest.

" What is done is done all we have to do is figure out a way to rescue the company and not throwing muds at each other, " Trent said trying to be the bigger person.

Chase scoffed in disbelief. Just like his brother to land himself In a mess and then turn around and look for who to bale him out. Not this time.

" No brother, there is no we, your mess, you clean it up and you have two weeks to come up with a concrete plan to lift us off from this huge debt you sunk us into or I am calling an emergency board meeting to impeach you as the acting president of this company, " Chase threatened with a red look in his eyes.

Trenton wasn't surprised by Chase threat. In fact he expected it. Since their father made him the president of their company Chase had been waiting on the curves for him to fuck up and prove him right that his father made a mistake handing over the company to him.

A mocking smile appeared on Trent's lips as his eyes grew cold.

" How long have you been waiting to use that line, Chase. I am a little surprised that you are not running to father with this piece of information. "

" I mean you have been waiting for me to mess up and prove to father that he was insane to make me the president. Well here is your perfect opportunity. Go on, " Trent mocked with a sick grin before his features twisted into something sinister and cold.

" Oh wait, could it be that you are afraid that father might not heed your cousel to remove me even if you do take this to him. After all we both know whose father's favorite is. "

Trent felt a load of satisfaction when he saw his brother's eyes flicker with pain before it became cold and threatening to match the look in his own eyes.

There has never been any love lost between him and his brother since he came into their life and took their father's attention from him.

Trent was the son of the woman their father had loved dearly. When his mother died he had been the only thing left of her memory and so was cherished so much by their father.

Chase hand tightened into a fist as he tried to control his temper. It pained him that he is brother was right. There is no denying that their father has always preferred his younger brother to him.

When he was younger he had been the apple of his father's eyes. They had been close as two peas in a pod, but all that changed when Trent came into their lives.

He hadn't hated his brother outrightly when he was brought home by their father. No he had loved him. It pleased him to have a younger brother to dote on but when his father started to ignore him in favor of his brother that feeling began to transform to jealousy and then grew to hatred when it became obvious that he was nothing in his father's eyes. No matter how much he achieves, whether is coming out on top of his class or going to best Ivy league school, all that mattered to his father was his younger son.

Even knowing his brother might be right, Chase wasn't going to allow him the satisfaction of having the last words.

A taunting smile curved his lips.

" We both know Trent that father loves you, there is no disputing that but have you also forgotten that he loves this company almost as much if not more. Do you really think he will let it sly if he finds out that you have sunk the company just few months of taking over. "

His smile widened when he saw the doubt flash across Trent's eyes.

" Keep this in mind. You might have father's favor but all he has will one day be mine. After all I am his only legitimate son, " Chase released his final shot with a cold sweet grin before sweeping out of the office.

" Fuck you Chase! " Trent yelled with so much anger pushing everything on his desk to the ground. He stood to his feet fuming. He hated having his birth circumstance thrown to his face and his bastard brother knew that.

His father had met his mother in one of his numerous business trips and had falling in love with her at first sight. They had an affair even though he was married and had a family. Things ended when it was time for his dad to return to his real family only he left his mother with a gift. Him.

His father didn't know of his existence until his mother's death and he was contacted as his only living relative. He had been eight years old at that time.

" Damn you! " He screamed again smacking his hand on his desk. His hands shook with his high emotions as he searched his drawer for his cigarettes.