WE'RE STUCK TOGETHER, PSYCHO!

"Right over there! Go after her!" A man bellowed, pointing towards Camilla's direction, as his men followed his direction.

Camilla's breath came in ragged bursts, as her shoes slapped against the wet ground, her heart hammering against her chest, thumping loud and hard as she ran with everything in her. She risked a glance over her shoulder, running faster as men clouded in black were closing in.

When she saw she'd be caught in no less time, she increased her pace. Her eyes suddenly flickered to a car which was about to drive off, luckily the windows were down, in a swift and fast movement she jumped into the car through the window, and the car drove off.

"Dammit!!" the men cursed, bending to their knees as they panted heavily, clutching their chests in the process.

"That girl is a rascal!" The man who seemed to be their boss cursed.

"She thinks she's free this time, I'd make sure to catch her next time, and she'd face a severe punishment." he added, boiling with rage.

"But boss, isn't she the youngest daughter of the Jones family? I've seen her in the tabloids once."

"So? Isn't it your duty to protect your master? How can we let her go, when she stabbed boss like that? And what about our money, huh? Do you think we'll get paid if we don't catch her?"

"We're sorry boss." They echoed in unison, bowing their heads slightly.

Meanwhile, inside the car Camilla had jumped into, the tension was thick and heavy. Next to her was a man, clouded in black, his piercing gaze covered with black lens glasses. His expression turned sour and angry the moment Camilla jumped into his car.

"Carter!" He called out to his assistant, who was driving the car.

Before he could say his next word, Camila's voice quickly cut him off. "Hello sir, please help me out. I'm being chased and I..."

The cold man didn't let her finish her words, his gaze turning extremely cold, "Stop the car!" He growled, obviously annoyed.

Carter, who knew the temper of his boss, quickly stopped the car, bringing it to a screeching halt.

"Scram!" He barked at Camilla, who stared fixated at him unblinkingly.

To his utter surprise, Camilla let out a laugh, a low, mocking and humourous sound. "Did you not hear what I just said? I said, Help me. Why stop the car? Please let the driver start the car."

Carter frowned, his mouth agape, as he watched Camilla through the rear mirror. "Did she know who she was talking to?" He thought, feeling a pang of pity for her. She definitely would regret her action, his boss temper wasn't one that can be overlooked, especially when someone tries to invade his privacy.

"Miss, please get down." Carter urged, not wanting to infuriate the already angry man.

"Why? I won't get down, not when I haven't gone far from those thugs. What if they come after me again, how do you want me to escape?" She scoffed and looked away.

This woman was trouble!

"But, how's that supposed to be our concern?"

Camilla's gaze moved from Carter to the cold man, and then returned to Carter, "Can't you help a lady? Aren't you scared of my blood being in your hands if I get killed because you refused to save me?"

"Don't test my patience, woman. Get out this instant."

For a brief moment, Camilla felt a chill run through her spine, when he spoke and his gaze which was covered with the black lens, it was equally piercing. But she couldn't let it intimidate her, she hadn't run this far, to jump into the car, just to get out midway, because of a man's order.

She looked away and decided not to look at him again, what she didn't know was that Carter had already climbed out of the car. He effortlessly opened the door, startling her, the next moment he pulled her out of the car, shutting the door with a loud bang.

"What? Bring me down!" She cursed, hitting Carter's back. She quickly remembered it was because of the cold man, she raised her face to look through the window, he wasn't watching her but could hear. "Heartless scumbag, all you do is sit down and wear a pair of glasses, you can't even help a lady. Tsk, you're such a waste of human space!!" She Voiced her curses as Carter dropped her on the road side and returned to the car.

As their car drove away, she cursed, not believing that someone could be as heartless as them, not caring to help someone out. She seemed to realize herself and quickly looked around, at least she was away from those thugs. The next thing on her mind was to get back home– the worst of all places.

The Jones family is located in the North Side of the city. A small yet modern estate.

Camilla arrived in the house, and was greeted by the thick and suffocating tension in the living room. Her middle aged father sat on the sofa, along with her mother, who sat besides him. Their gaze quickly traveled to her, upon noticing her presence.

"Where are you coming from?" He instantly asked, his voice dripping with anger.

"I..uh..I.."

"Camilla!" Her father growled, trembling with anger.

"Father," she answered, bowing her head slightly.

"Where are you coming from?"

"Williams, please calm down. I'll talk to her myself." Evelyn urged, trying to calm him down.

"No, Evelyn, No! This girl has done nothing but to bring shame into this family. How many more shames do you plan to bring to us, huh? Look at you, what type of man would want to marry a woman like you? You're full of disgrace!!"

Camilla didn't flinch nor move, she stared blankly at her father, her expression unfazed and reluctant.

"Apologize to your father, Camilla." Evelyn said, casting her a glare.

"Why should I do that? What did I do?" she raised a brow.

"You don't get it, do you? Camilla, your news is all over the internet, you stabbed the prominent Mr. Louis and ran away. What has gotten in you? How do you want your father to be respected in the business world?"

"Ohh that?"

"What kind of reply is that? Do you not feel remorse?"

Camilla scoffed. There was no need to explain to her parents what had happened. They had never believed anything that came out from her mouth. They would rather butt lick her elder sister than ask about her well being. If they don't care about her, then why would she care about them.

Now, they were going to believe the story on the news than ask their daughter what happened. Camilla sighed, her heart twisting slightly but she ignored the pain, brushing it away.

"Can I go to the room now?" She glanced at her mother, eyeing her expression.

"Aren't you going to apologize to your father?"

"No. Your favorite daughter should apologize when she makes a mistake, not Camilla." Having said that, she stormed off further into the room.

"Dad, I'm sorry for my little sister. You know how stubborn she is, I'll advise her and persuade her to apologize to you." Vanessa's sugary voice rolled off sweetly, as she came down from the staircase and went to sit with her father.

Camilla could hear their voices from her room. Hypocrite, she hissed, putting on her headphone to block their voices. She laid back on the bed, reminiscing about what happened earlier, Mr. Louis' bloodied face flashing in her eyes. She had escaped tonight, what about next time?

STERLING RESIDENCE,

Inside a luxurious living room which exudes elegance and grandeur, designed to impress, while maintaining comfort. An elderly woman was seated gracefully in a high black armchair, designed with plush Velvet, she was no other than Mrs. Margaret Sterling. Her demeanor was one of quiet authority and composed strength as she sipped her tea. Her face softened by age, yet her eyes held a glint of worry and fear, as she stared blankly into thin air.

The soft sound of approaching footsteps jolted her back to reality, she placed her tea cup on the table and turned to look at who had entered.

Carter's face held an unreadable expression, yet worry etched in his eyes, as he walked quietly to the old woman and bowed.

"Carter, you're here. What bad news am I to expect?" Margaret said, her voice low and demanding.

"Ma'am, Sir Cyrus' illness acted up again in the office. He flipped the boardroom table in a fit of rage, screaming incoherently. The board members were terrified and they scurried away, even before the meeting could commence." Carter reported calmly.

"What?" Margaret frowned, her voice trembling, "I hope no one took videos or pictures?"

"No ma'am. I made sure of that."

"Good, where's he now?"

"In the room, I already called the doctor and he's on his way."

"Alright, when the doctor arrives let me know. I can't go to him now. Cyrus is unpredictable."

"Okay, ma'am. I'll take my leave then."

"Yeah, thank you, Carter."

Carter nodded and left.

Immediately Carter left, Margret grabbed her phone and made a quick call, panic and worry laced in every word she said.

It wasn't long before three elderly men arrived in the living room, they exuded an air of authority, and their expression unreadable.

"I've told you Margret, arrange a marriage for Cyrus, even if the bride comes from an invisible background. Stop waiting for him to get better, he's obviously not going to get better, he's going to keep spoiling the reputation of the Sterling group until it's brought down to dust!!" the first man, Nate, spoke, annoyance dripping in his voice.

"That's right. He is a man and can't resist the charm of a beautiful woman, what you need right now is an heir, as for Cyrus? He is a lost hope and can't achieve anything but loss to the company. The boards are already making meetings to withdraw their shares, this can't continue, in no less time, Sterling will have no name for itself." the third man, Vincent, added.

Margret sighed, her heart twisting with pain, and helpless, but she didn't dare to show it. She deeply regretted sending his son to study in another city, and now look at what has become of him. Her once smart and intelligent son was now crazy, with no answer or cue to what had happened to him or how it could be healed. She clasped her hands tightly, the rings biting into her skin. The company was her late husband's legacy, they had worked and suffered for it to get to where it is now. But Cyrus was her son, how could she sacrifice one for the other?

"But, Nate, I'm afraid he would kill the bride or turn against me."

"Margret, this isn't about Cyrus, it's about the future of Sterling and the company."

"Which sane lady will agree to get married to Cyrus, not after the rumours about him." The bald man, who hadn't spoken since his arrival, suddenly chimed in.

"That's true."

"I have an idea. Do you remember that girl from the Jones family? The one all over the news?"

"Yeah, yeah, the one, rumoured to have stabbed Louis?"

"Exactly. We can use this to our favor, don't you think so?"

"What do you mean?" Margret asked, creasing her brows.

"Louis is one of our competitors, and he knows we're above him. The Jones have fallen from grace and can't protect their daughter from Louis, Louis is clearly going to do something against them. It's better, we offer them protection in exchange for their daughter. Even if something happens to her, Jones can't go against Sterling, not in this lifetime."

"Isn't that cruel, Vincent?"

"But she stabbed him."

"For reasons we know nothing about, Louis is a pervert, we all know."

"That's not the case right now, You need an heir, they need protection against Louis. It's not cruelty, Margaret. It's survival. The Jones girl is disposable, and we can't afford sentimentality, not when Sterling stands on the brink of collapse." Vincent is cold and firm.

Margaret took a deep breath, "Fine then. I'll send them a proposal." the word felt heavy on her tongue, she only hoped this decision wouldn't destroy what little remained of her family.

"We'll back you up, no matter your decision. You're our sister." Vincent smiled, his lines of wrinkles widening.

******

In a dark room, the faint scent of medicines and disinfectant lingered in the air. On the bed sat, Cyrus Sterling, his sharp and chiseled features, hidden under the dim light. His dark, cold and piercing gaze was fixed on his phone.

"What did you say to her?" His cold and deep voice suddenly spoke, as he raised his face to look at his assistant, who stood beside the bed stand.

"I told her that your illness acted up at the office, and it scared the board members away."

"Hmm," he hummed, placing his phone on the table.

"What do you think?"

"Sir?"

"What do you think she's going to do?"

"I overheard her calling over Sir Nate, and the rest of her brothers."

Cyrus paused, seeming to think for a while, an evil smirk tugging at his lips."Did you get any news from Nacho?"

Carter was about to reply, when he heard approaching footsteps, he paused and looked at Cyrus, who nodded at him to leave. Carter bowed slightly and left.

It wasn't long before Margret, along with a servant, walked into Cyrus' room. The servant had stopped at the door, while Margret entered. "Cyrus dear, how are you feeling?" Her worried voice asked, as she made to sit beside him, but he waved his hand in the air, abruptly stopping her.

"The sofa," he said coldly, his expression unreadable.

Margret nodded, pausing her lips into a deep thin line as she recoiled and sat on the sofa.

Before she could say something, Cyrus' voice cut her off, "What are you going to do, now that you've heard what happened in the office?"

A glint of guilt flashed past her eyes, hearing his question. Her heart ached, like it was being twisted by an invisible hand.

"That's not why I'm here. Carter said the doctor came earlier, how are you feeling?"

Cyrus's lips curled into a faint, mocking smile, his voice dripping with disdain, "Don't act like you're so concerned about my health, or are you? Or is it about your precious company?"

Margaret's face fell, no matter how much she tried to push herself on him, he kept pushing her away. And to think he was right, because she had actually come to tell him about the marriage.

"When have I been wrong?" a dark chuckle erupted his lips, a sound devoid of humour or warmth. "Go ahead, tell me what plans you have for your precious company."

"Cyrus, you're my son and of course I do care about you, but the company is your father's legacy."

"I suggest you move on to why you've come here."

Margret was at loss of words, how was she going to tell something like this to him? She had no option left, as it was the only way to save him and the company.

"I want you to get married...I mean, I arranged a marriage for you. Please son, this about the wellbeing of this family, since you can't really take control of the company, there are competitors and providing an heir would lessen the rumors and..."

"You arranged a bride for me to get married to?" His jaw tightened, eyes darkening as he glared at his mother. "Wow, that's so thoughtful of you. Aren't you scared for the poor girl, or you got someone who can be disposed of and there won't be any consequences?"

"Cyrus–" her voice faltered.

Again, he was right. Feeling helpless and immense guilt, she swallowed hard, clenching her fists. Since her image was so evil in his eyes, then he should see her as evil, after all she was fighting for them both.

"In whatever way that's needed to save the company and the Sterling name, then the method doesn't matter, as long as it's productive. The marriage would help in no time."

With that said, she got up and left.

Cyrus clenched his jaw, hatred and anger brimming in his eyes. "Let's see how the game plays out, Mother."

Camilla returned home after a long day of being away. She had disguised herself so well that even her mother won't be able to recognize her own child. But before coming into the house, she did away with all her disguise.

She entered inside the small, modest house to find her parents and Vanessa seated in the living room. Their expressions were tense, yet Vanessa wore a smug, knowing smile.

She didn't bother to talk to any of them, they always wore a sour expression whenever they saw her, like she was a total stranger in her own parents house. But that was the least she was bothered about, before she could make it to the step, her mother's voice stopped her.

"Camilla, did you not see anyone here?"

Camilla paused and turned to look at her mother, "There's you, Dad, and Vanessa. Should I also tell you how you're all seated?"

"You're such a waste!" Evelyn cursed, fuming with anger.

"I know right? Do you have anything to say to me? If not, I'll head upstairs."

"Williams, do you see what I was telling you about? This ungrateful child feels no remorse for what she had done. She isn't even bothered about the threats that Louis had been sending. This isn't something you need to think twice about?"

"What are you two talking about?" Camilla frowned, unbothered about Louis' threats, but about what her mother said last.

"Camilla," her father began, his voice brisk and businesslike.

"Father."

"You're getting married tomorrow?"

Camilla frozen, Certain she'd misheard. "Excuse me? Married?"

"Yes," her father confirmed. "The contract had been signed."

"What contract?" Camilla's heart raced, dead pooling in her stomach. "What are you talking about?"

"My little sister is naive and doesn't understand what you mean. Mom, dad, I'll explain to her."

"Dear sister, you're getting married to the Sterling heir. The one rumoured to be crazy. Opps, don't mind my tongue. They offered enough compensation that would secure our family and even save us from the trouble you've caused."

"You're sending me away for marriage to a stranger, without my consent?"

"Don't be so dramatic," Vanessa scoffed, twirling the strands of her perfectly styled her. "Do you know how lucky you are? Women kill to get into the Sterling family and this could be our family's chance to rise to fame again, don't you think?"

"Then why didn't you take the chance? Last time I checked you're older than me, shouldn't the older one get married first? Weren't you the one who had always dreamt of getting married to him? Oh you're dumping him now that he's rumoured to be crazy? How pathetic?" Camilla snapped, obviously annoyed.

"Camilla, how can you say that? You know your sister has a brighter future and can't end up with a crazy man."

Camilla's heart twisting with pain, she couldn't believe her own birth mother was saying this to her. How did she even end up in a family like this? Any remaining likeness or love she had forgotten them was vanished.

"Y'all are risking my life for money, is that it? Fine. Now, knowing this, I would never get married to him. You better return their money and let Louis do whatever he wants, I don't care."

"Camilla, you won't dare to say no. You've always been the ungrateful one, this is your chance to do something meaningful." Her father chimed in, his tone depicting finality."

Camilla's eyes burned with unshed tears, but she refused to let them fall, not In their front of them. She chuckled, "I dare to say no, what about that?"

"Camilla, if you don't get married to him. I'll have the doctors delay Katrina's heart transplant."

Camilla froze, staring eyes wide at her mother, "You won't do such a thing."

"Of course I will. You think I have no idea that she's the only one you truly care about? The one you're spending your income on?"

"You're willing to risk someone's life, just for money? What did I expect, if a mother could throw her child into marriage, because of money, what more about a stranger. Y'all disgust me!" Camilla cursed, deeply regretting why she was born into the family.

She couldn't let them do anything to hurt Katrina. Few years back Camilla was accused of stealing In a shop, because she had no money. Katrina, a middle aged woman, was the one that saved her and paid the bill, took her home and made food for her. She took care of her and provided for her. Camilla later found out that Katrina had no child, and her husband was dead, and she vowed to repay her kindness. Few months ago, Katrina developed a heart failure and needed a transplant, which Camilla was working on so it would be a success. No, if her parents were to call the doctor and ask him to delay the opening, Katrina was really going to die, which she wouldn't allow, with no other option left, Camilla agreed to her parents request.

"You want me to get married into the Sterling family? Fine, but that's on condition."

"What condition?"

"I'll sever ties with everyone of you, after that, will I be able to get married into their family."

Her sharp words left a chilling silence in the room. Her parents and Vanessa exchanged uneasy glances, but none of them spoke immediately. Evelyn, her mother, was the first to recover, her face twisting into an expression of pure rage.

"You think you can just sever ties with us and walk away?" Evelyn hissed. "You are part of this family whether you like it or not!"

Camilla laughed bitterly, her voice trembling with suppressed anger. "A family? This isn't a family. Families don't sell their daughters for money. Families don't gamble with lives to save their own skin." Her gaze hardened as she looked directly at her mother. "You may have given birth to me, but you stopped being my family the day you decided I was disposable."

Vanessa smirked and leaned back in her chair. "You're being dramatic again, sister. You'll thank us when you're living in luxury. Honestly, you should be thanking me for turning this opportunity down. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have this 'golden ticket'."

"Luxury?" Camilla shot back, her tone icy. "You mean the chains of a loveless marriage to a man with a reputation for mental disorder? If it's such a golden ticket, Vanessa, why didn't you take it yourself? Afraid you couldn't handle him?"

Vanessa's smirk faltered, but she quickly masked it with feigned indifference. "Unlike you, I have options."

Camilla turned her attention back to her father. "And you," she said, her voice low and venomous, "you were supposed to protect me. Instead, you sold me off without a second thought. For what? To cover up your failures?"

Her father's expression didn't change, but his eyes flickered with something-shame, perhaps, or guilt. "This is not up for discussion," he said flatly. "You'll do as you're told."

Camilla clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. "Fine," she said, her voice shaking with suppressed emotion. "I'll marry him. But don't think for a second that I'm doing this for you." Her gaze darted to her mother. "This is for Katrina, and Katrina alone. Once the wedding is over, consider me dead to you."

Her mother scoffed. "You're being ridiculous-"

"No, you are," Camilla interrupted, her voice rising. "You've treated me like I was worthless my entire life, and now you want to use me to save your reputation? To save your skin? Fine. I'll play your game. But don't ever expect anything from me again."

She turned on her heel and stormed upstairs, slamming her bedroom door behind her. Her heart was racing, and her hands were trembling, but she refused to cry. Not now. Not for them.

Sinking onto her bed, she stared at the ceiling, her mind spinning. How did it come to this? Her parents' betrayal wasn't surprising, but their willingness to use Katrina against her cut deeper than she thought possible.

I have to protect her, Camilla thought, her resolve hardening. I'll marry into the Sterling family, but I'll do it on my terms. And when this is over, I'll make sure none of them can ever hurt me-or Katrina-again.

The next day a car from the Sterling family arrived to pick up the supposed bride, which was Camilla. That was how she found herself married, with no wedding or whatsoever.