The Brookfield CEOs: The revenge begins

9 years ago:

It was a normal day like every other day. The sun shone bright as the sands glowed like thousands of thousands small diamonds laying down on the beach. The wind blew with the smell of fish and the previous day's booze. The shore was empty as the party of our farewell had ended.

I sat up on the soft bed of the small beach house that Mathew's father owned. The rags and sheets were all crumbled and I sighed.

Yesterday, he hosted a small party on the beach as he was going away in a week for his studies. He had plans to get his degrees before joining his father in their family business. He had always wanted to take over the business and he would often tell me that he would spread the business to other countries as well.

Certainly, it would take time but I had faith in him that he would.

He was the heartthrob of the high school and a dream boy of the maidens. He certainly was my dream boy too but as a plain girl such as myself who wore sweatpants and sweatshirts everywhere she goes, I could never imagine he would propose to me.

At first, I rejected him because I knew he came to make fun of me but he didn't. I was just fine by admiring him from afar. But he kept trying and trying for three months and finally I said yes.

A smile tugged on my lips as my mind kept recalling the memories of the previous night as my hands clutched against my chest gathering the rag on my bare body.

My cheeks grew red as I recalled how Mathew took me yesterday. My stomach flattered. It was my first time and I was glad that it was Mathew. We were dating for six months and all those months he waited for me. He never uttered a word about doing intimate things. We would only kiss and hold hands or crash on food parlors.

Some days we would just sit in the park and chat. He liked my creame pies and he would often ask me to make those for him. Since I loved cooking, I would make it and sometimes different dishes where he would be my personal Guinea pig. I chuckled at the memory as he made a face when I mistakenly added salt instead of sugar on a sweet dessert.

I looked beside me on the bed but Mathew wasn't there. My eyes moved around the room which had a large door to ceiling window and the sea was clearly visible from it. He wasn't in the room and a small pain tugged on my chest. Where was he?

I wanted to see him...

Maybe he went to the bathroom. I stretched my hand and gathered my clothes from the wooden floor. I got up from the bed and felt the soreness between my thighs. I yelped. My whole body ached and I felt a bit uncomfortable. I quickly wore my jeans and crop top and went to check the bathroom.

"Mathew?" I called and the attached bathroom was empty.

Where could he have gone?

As I headed toward the door, I glanced at the mirror. My brown hair was a mess. It looked like a bird's nest and immediately a few images flashed before my eyes when Mathew's hands brushed over them and caught them in a fist while taking me. I blushed.

Then my eyes caught something and my eyes went wide. There were hickeys on my neck and collarbone.

No way! It had turned blue already and was very prominent on my pale skin. I cursed under my breath. I would ask Mathew about these!

But then I didn't even remember when he gave me those. We were so high in our pleasure that we didn't know what was happening to us. His touch, his wet kisses and his breaths fanning on my skin all felt magical and it was irresistible. My cheeks turned red.

I needed something to hide them or everyone would see. Worst, when I would reach home, my mom and dad would see. I panicked as my mind ran various thoughts. A jacket or maybe a scarf would have been nice but unfortunately, I didn't take any of those with me.

Or, maybe a concealer?

I looked out for my bag as my eyes searched through the room for my light brown sling bag and it laid on the side of the door.

I remembered when we had started to kiss each other I threw it somewhere. We had no idea how much we felt the need to become one. We were drunk after all.

I smiled as my ears heated.

I went there to grab it when I heard a moan.

I froze.

Who could be here now?

I placed my ear on the door as my heart thumped. Whoever they were, they might be in a very bad position.

My ears perked as I heard a low growl which was exactly the same as the one Mathew gave me like last night.

My heart raced as sweat formed on my palms.

No! It wouldn't be him. He would not do that to me. He loved me.

Then I realized when was the last time he said he loved me?

Never!

The day he proposed to me he said he liked me and he wanted to go out with me. For all these months, I was the one who said that.

No! What was I thinking! I should not doubt him without taking a look.

I placed my hands on the door knob but suddenly, I felt all of my energy go out of the large window of the room.

I pursed my lips as my breath took pace.

Turning the knob, I opened the door slowly and peeked outside. The ground beneath me perished immediately as my whole body froze.

Because it was Mathew, kissing Isabella Smith, our cheerleader of the high school in the dining room.

I gasped as my hands found their ways on my mouth and my heart sank. Isabella's eyes fell on me as she pulled away immediately and Mathew finally looked at me above his shoulders.

Tears rumbled in my eyes as Isabella said, "Err... Mathew, let's catch up later. Bye." She left immediately but my eyes didn't leave Mathew's as Mathew didn't reply to her.

As she went away, I asked, "Why?"

He turned around and asked, "What, why?"

I was shocked at his expression. He wasn't even guilty instead he asked as if he didn't know what had he done.

"You-you cheated on me..." I said as my voice staggered. Why was he behaving like that?

Where were his loving, caring and gentle personalities? The Mathew who stood before me, felt like he was someone else. There was no gentleness in his eyes. There was no care, instead it felt like some cold eyes watching me crumble down and enjoying it.

He grinned. "Stella, you know you are very naive."

"What do you mean?"

"I didn't cheat on you. We were just in a lovely relationship with no strings attached." He said bluntly.

My brows furrowed. "What the hell are you talking about?" It was hard to believe him. He was so casual about it that I almost couldn't believe that we were really in a relationship. I felt like we were friends with benefits.

He sighed as he came near. "It was just a bet that's all."

His hands reached my cheeks and rubbed it in a sensual way which made my stomach tie into a knot. It felt good and at the same time, I felt my anger boiling in my stomach. He betrayed me.

Did he play with me for all these months?! A whole three months of trying to get a 'yes' and the next six months for 'sex'?

"So, all of those were acts?" I asked as my heart was breaking into pieces yet it hoped that he would say it was a joke.

He gave me a smile and said, "Of course, what else can it be? We had a bet. Whoever from Tony, Jacob, Kelly and me would make you our girlfriend and," his eyes washed over me, "sleep with you would win. But I had to admit, it took me one fucking whole year to get you to my bed."

Then a slap echoed through the room as my hand collided against his cheeks.

It was all for a single night. To make me sleep with him. I felt dirty. Shame and humiliation crawled on my skin as I stomped away from there.

Well, he had his fun but I swore that I would never see his face again. I swore that I would go far away as my tears ran down wetting my cheeks.

I hated him. I hated him so much that I wanted to go back in time and correct my mistakes. But it wasn't going to happen. He had broken me already.

He was the biggest mistake of my life.

Now, after 9 years:

I was leaning against the comfort of the leather couch as two women did Emma's and my pedicure. Both of our faces were covered by the latest mud face packs while slices of cucumber rested on our eyes.

"Ah! Life is great!" Said Diya as a girl was massaging her back.

We were at a parlor and had met after a few months. So, we decided that we would go to a parlor date. Only the girls while Timothy, Emma's husband went to pick James.

"You guys should do the hot stone therapy. It relaxes you, man!" Diya said excitement rushing in her voice.

"No, thanks. I did it last week." Emma said, "Timothy took me as a present for becoming..."

She halted and I asked, "Becoming what?"

"Pregnant." She almost whispered.

Both Diya and I jolted up as my cucumbers fell from my eyes. We looked at her with wide eyes as she slowly took the cucumber slices away from her and smiled shyly.

"Wait! You are pregnant already?" Diya asked both excited and shocked.

She nodded as a grin made its way onto her lips.

I hugged her, "Oh! I'm so happy for you, Emma."

"You guys do know that I can't go do a group hug now. I'm practically naked." Diya said from behind us as we giggled.

Diya and Emma were my friends from my college along with Timothy and James.

Diya was half Indian-half American girl and she worked as a fashion designer while James got into journalism and he was always away but he would be arriving in a few hours for our friendly get together. Emma went to where Timothy went. They were so in love that they never left each other.

Emma just recently got married with Timothy like seven months ago. That was the last time we all met. After college, we could only contact each other through video calls or text messages. Since Timothy went for a higher education, Emma followed him and they lived together while Emma started working.

Timothy got his dream job and that day, he proposed to her.

We were just so happy for them. They both struggled all these years and I envied them.

"So, Timothy is very happy I guess?" I asked, giving her a teasing smile.

"He is and he wants me to leave the job." She said a bit sadly as Diya asked, "Why!"

"For our child."

"But people still do jobs alongside taking care of the baby." I said. I didn't know Timothy had this kind of view. Well, he was a gentleman in college so it was hard to predict what he thought.

"Yes but you know how he was raised..." Emma hung her words.

I nodded. Well, can't say it was his fault. His mom and dad both worked so much that they barely had any time for Timothy. And after their divorce they put the blame on him. Because his parents had a baby at a young age, they had to work hard for him and didn't get to explore themselves. So it was practically Timothy's fault in their eyes.

He didn't want it for his child I guess.

I looked at Emma and smiled. "As long as you are happy with him, don't worry about it, okay?" I said and she smiled.

"Yes."

After our parlor date we got out and decided to have dinner at a restaurant before returning back to our rooms. Diya insisted on going to a club but Emma and I were both tired after the journey.

"Can't we just go today?" Diya pouted like a five years old girl.

"We will. Tomorrow, for sure." I said and was surprised at how energetic she was.

We decided to meet in LA as it was a midpoint for all of us and while meeting here, we could view the city as well. I wanted to have some fun as well because I felt my life was becoming so bland lately. Office, Home, Eat, Sleep and repeat. I wasn't complaining but there were some days where I wanted someone's hugs and cuddles. Maybe some affection and careness...

I wasn't ever good with speaking to strangers so hooking up with random people was never my thing. But seeing Diya, living her life made me a little envious.

She pampered herself with shopping, make ups, men, booze and her achievements. She was bold and would challenge herself every second in her life. While Emma's world revolved around Timothy. All I could do was like and comment on their pictures and videos on Instagram and feel happy for them.

Last post on my instagram was when I was in college with them and we took it together. That was nearly four years ago...

I sighed.

To divert myself from my depressing thoughts, I asked, "Call James and see if he has arrived or not."

It would take some time for Timothy to get James as he messaged us that his flight was late--well, that was a few hours ago.

We were eating in the restaurant when Emma called Timothy and told us, "He is at the airport and said James had landed."

"Wow! That was fast." Diya said.

"Well, it would still take one hour to come here." I said.

They nodded.

"I will pack some food for them." Emma suggested as he called the waiter and ordered them to pack the food.

While I sipped on my wine, Diya offered Emma some.

"Oh no. I can't." Emma declined as Diya recalled that she was pregnant.

"Oops. I forgot." Diya smiled sheepishly and gulped it down. We already knew she was tipsy.

"So, aren't you guys going to get settled?" Emma asked.

"Well, I am settled. I got an offer to work with Hollywood's stylist, Harry Benson. And if I work under him, my life will be set." Diya said with a smug face as we congratulated her.

"I am good with my job and I guess, I will try to get a promotion." I said.

Emma shook her head. "I am not talking about that."

We looked at her questioningly as she said, "I mean, what about marriage? Have you guys got boyfriends yet?"

Diya wrinkled her nose. "No way. I ain't gonna marry now. Maybe later but not now. I am only 26!"

We laughed as I said, "I am good at being single."

"Yeah, everyday hook ups, drinks, fun. Life is amazing." Diya said as she did a dramatic bow.

"Are you watching kamasutra everyday or what?" Emma asked.

Diya nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Everyday! Not a single day is missed."

We both gave her a look and then all of us broke into laughter.

"You guys won't change," I said, taking another gulp of my wine when a waiter came and placed a champagne bottle on our table.

We looked at him with question filled gazes as I said, "We didn't order this."

But Diya took the bottle immediately and opened it as she squeaked and giggled. She poured it on her glass and gulped it as we saw her with wide eyes.

"Yes, ma'am." The waiter caught our attention as he said, "The gentleman over there ordered it for you. He said to enjoy it while you can." He pointed in a direction as we all moved our gazes to find this gentleman.

Strange. Why would anyone send some weird message?

My eyes moved in the direction but no one was looking at us. There was a group but they weren't even taking a glance while one of them held a phone to his ear. He sat facing his back at us.

Other than them, all the tables were filled with either couples or families. The whole restaurant lit in golden dim lights giving us a calm feeling with the light music played in the background.

My phone rang and it was an unknown number. I picked it up as the person said with a husky voice, "Hello, sweetheart. I hope you haven't forgotten me."

My mind froze as a gap formed in my mouth. The surrounding blurred and the music seemed to be fading as my breath caught in my throat. How could I ever forget his voice?

That shiver giving, belly fluttering voice. Although it sounded more mature, the voice was still thick as before and it still had the same effect on me. My heart ached with the same pain it shattered that time.

"Who are you?" I asked, hoping it wasn't him.

He chuckled. "You do know you still can't lie."

"I am disconnecting it-"

"Enjoy while you can, Stella. Because in a week, you will be mine again." He said with a promise that made my stomach boil in anger. Then he cut the phone.

I felt my breath hitching as I looked up and saw the man who had a phone glued to his ear was looking at me with a smirk. And I knew that was the man who had ordered the champagne and that was the same man who broke my heart nine years ago.

His gray eyes glinted in the dimly golden lights of the restaurant and the shadows fell on his face giving his jaw and his nose perfect sculptures. He was still as handsome as before.

I knew that smile very well as my heart once again beat loudly because it was none other than Mathew Watson, looking at me with a known smirk, the man who broke me years ago.

"Let's go guys." I said as I put two bills on the table, my cheery self had perished already.

"What? Already?" Diya asked, giving me a confused look but Emma didn't because she somehow felt something wasn't right. So, she just looked at me with a worried face.

In a week, you will be mine again! What did he mean by that? I was so angry and felt like breaking the glasses but that might cost me since the restaurant was expensive as hell.

As much as any woman wanted to hear that from Mathew Watson but not me. I still felt an ache in my heart. I loved him yet he shattered my heart completely.

"Please, can we leave?" I asked, my voice pleading and Diya read my face for a moment before agreeing.

They put the bills on the table as Emma called the waiter. We left immediately after the waiter took the payment.

As we came out, I tried to stop a cab while two of them stood behind me but didn't ask why my mood suddenly became sour and I was a bit grateful for that. I didn't want to talk about it but as the seconds passed, my chest tightened. I needed to tell them.

A cab stopped as we entered and I was still silent as my mind rewinded all those times we had spent together. Old memories of us. There was this unsettling feeling in my stomach that would not go away even after nine years. I should have forgotten him long ago yet my heart was stubborn. It was an irony at how your beautiful memories could turn into nightmares in just a few seconds.

"I am sorry to ruin your night." I said as my voice became low. I was feeling bad dragging them along with me just because I wanted to leave the place.

"It's okay." Emma said as she squashed my hand. "What happened?"

"Mathew called."

"Who is that?" Diya asked as we both gave her a look and she shrugged in her defense.

"Stella's ex-boyfriend. Remember?" Emma asked back.

"Oh!" She nodded and suddenly her playful features turned into anger filled demeanor. "Why the fuck did he call?"

I shook my head. "I don't know. He offered the champagne and called me. He said I will be his again in a week."

There was a moment of silence as my words registered into their minds. And then both of them exclaimed in unison, "What?!"

"What did he mean?" Emma asked.

While Diya asked, a frown appeared on her face, "Wait! That meant the champagne... He gave it to us?"

I nodded.

"Okay. I need to vomit it out." Diya said as I chuckled. At least, they understood my feelings. After entering college, I was always very distant and would not talk to anyone. But Diya was the first one to follow me around. Since she had Indian genes and it was slightly visible on her face, people would try to bully her or avoid her.

Then we slowly started to get along when Emma came followed by Timothy and James. We didn't know when we became best friends.

I had told them I wasn't comfortable around men but strangely I was comfortable around Timothy and James. They never asked me the reason but one day, I told them and they respected me if I wouldn't go to any parties or I wouldn't meet their other friends.

Soon, I started to attend parties only if the four went otherwise I wouldn't and they always protected me from unwanted or disastrous situations. I couldn't help but feel them as my family. We had this strange bro-before-love bond among us however, Emma and Timothy came out as a couple. An adorable couple, to be precise.

If they weren't there, I wouldn't become this confident like I am today now.

"Damn! He even came here to ruin our fun!" Diya said with a distasteful voice.

I sighed.

My phone rang as both of them looked at me cautiously and I saw it was dad. "It's dad."

They nodded in relief as I picked it up.

"Hey, Dad!"

"Stella. I am sorry to call you now when you are having fun with your friends," he said apologetically.

"It's okay."

There was a long pause and somehow I felt something was off about him. "I wanted to say an Important thing but I couldn't call you before. Are you free now?" He asked and I sensed a bit of hesitation in his voice.

"Yes. Tell me."

"Do you remember Mr Watson?"

Now my heart pounded loudly in my chest. I was having a bad feeling. "Hmm." I hummed.

"Well, as you know, lately our company isn't doing well and Mr Watson has agreed to form an alliance with us." He said.

"Th-that is good. That's great news." I tried to say it with an excited voice but it came out in a breathy voice instead.

"Yes, but..." He hung his words in the air.

Now I was both curious and worried. My dad handled the whole business alone while my uncles went there to get only their shares and he would still not tell me or mom anything that was happening in the company. "But what dad?" I asked with a worried tone.

"But he wants you to marry his son, Mathew." Dad said and the ground beneath my feet perished.

"But dad!"

"I know. I know very well that you don't want to go back to that basta- ehem, I mean, him. But Mr Watson is my childhood friend and he said his health is declining now that he wants his son to settle down but he won't."

"So what does it have anything to do with me?"

"He had always liked you, Stella. Why don't you call him, yourself? He could tell you better than me." My dad said. "He practically has requested me and you know, I can't turn him down."

I desperately chewed on my lip as he added, "I felt very bad but I still said that the final decision will be yours."

I released a sigh. "Okay."

"And, Stella..." Dad took a deep breath and said, "I am sorry."

As he cut the phone I knew something had happened. The dejected voice of his made my heart break into pieces. My dad wasn't the person to break easily. For all these years, he fought alone and took our small company to where we are. But he said the company wasn't doing well.

Why? He never mentioned this and he would never tell us because he would think that would make us worry.

"What did he say?" Emma asked as she saw my tensed shoulders. I told them everything and they were astounded to find I was going to marry Mathew Watson. Well, I wasn't exactly as dad said the final decision would be mine. So, I needed to call Mathew's father. What could have made him plead with my dad to marry his son?

"But it must be important if uncle agreed to it, right?" Emma asked.

Thoughts ran in my mind. Emma was right. He wouldn't agree unless he is left with no choice. What could have happened?

I needed to call Uncle Gregory, Mathew's father. He could maybe tell me something.

I still had his number because he was an amazing person. Unlike my dad, he was very funny and would always take care of everyone around him. When Mathew and I were dating, he would often brag about me in front of my parents as if I was his own child and Mathew wasn't.

Mathew's mother was the same. A very warm hearted woman and I loved to go to their house. They were always so welcoming yet, I stopped calling them after we broke up. I knew they didn't do anything but I was so hurt that calling them would remind me of our times together when we were in a relationship.

I looked outside of the window as the sky high buildings glowed with lights and the roads were still crowded. This city never slept.

We reached the hotel where we had booked our rooms and saw Timothy just arrived with James. He was as handsome as before although he grew a beard.

We hopped out of the cab and did a group hug as we laughed. We made fun of James's new style as he had short hair but now he had long hair tied in a pony. His look certainly was cool.

"Man! You look amazing!" Diya commented as James grinned and Timothy caught his pony tail as he yanked.

"What the hell, man?" James shouted.

"I was checking if it was real or not." Timothy answered which made all of us laugh while James gave him a look.

We all indulged in chatting, laughing and reminiscing all those memories from our past and it felt so great being with them. I almost forgot about Mathew and the situation I was into.

As we were going to our rooms, Diya said everything to James and Timothy on the way as they looked at me with worried glances.

"Why did that bastard come to LA?" James asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know."

Timothy said, "Don't worry, we will not let him ruin our moods."

We chuckled. Well, of course. It didn't matter if Mathew came or not, we wouldn't let him interfere with us. This was our time, our moment. My moment. He had done what he wanted to but not anymore.

Little did we know, Mathew had already entered into our friendly moments, he had already entered in my life again with nothing but trouble and more heartbreaks.

But this time, I wasn't a naive little girl who would run away if he did something. I was Stella Harper who would fight back and let him taste his own spit.