"What do you mean she's not here?" Mr. Montelli asked, annoyed.
"We've searched the house, but we can't find her. I've got someone looking for her. If we don't find her on time, we're finished. Mr. Clarkson will never believe us."
"Why did you kick her out knowing damn well Mr. Clarkson was to come for her today? Is this your plan? You want to disgrace me?"
"No, no I swear it. We'll find her, I promise."
While all these went on downstairs, Aurelia had stepped out of her bathroom to grab her phone. She wanted to mute her phone so it wouldn't blow her cover. Immediately she muted her phone, she got a call from Olivia; narrow escape.
"Hey Olivia! What's up
"Hey birthday girl! Since it's your birthday today, I'm calling to let you know we're taking you out today. Get ready. I'll come pick you up in an hour."
"Thank you girl. But I won't be able to go out today. My stepmom's home today. I don't think she'll want me going out."
She tried to sound strong, but deep down, she really wanted to go out. Her heart longed for what she couldn't enjoy.
"Girl please. You and I know that she doesn't care about your safety and whereabouts. She only cares about what makes you happy, so she can ruin it."
"I know Olivia, but it does not change anything."
"Exactly Aurelia, nothing's going to change if you don't change it yourself. We're no longer high school kids. You can either be such a big baby or come have a fun time with us. And I say, you're coming with us to have some fun. Like I said, I'll be there in an hour. Bye!" She hung up.
"Olivia, listen…" the silly girl hung up.
Aurelia kept trying to call Julia but she wasn't picking up.
"pick up please."
She sent her a message stating her situation and that she couldn't be seen at the moment. The message was delivered but left unseen.
"If Olivia comes here, I'll be exposed. I have to find a way to get to her before she gets here."
Aurelia got dressed. Deciding to do something risky, she grabbed her bed sheets, tied them together and after making sure it was strong enough, she tied it to her bed stand. Aurelia held on to the sheets tightly, her life actually depended on it.
"phew, that was scary." Back to finding Olivia before she gets here.
She saw Olivia's car arrive, she'd just parked.
Unlocking the gate with her remote control, She ran to go meet her.
"Stop right there." It was Kaia. "What are you waiting for? Get her."
The guards grabbed Aurelia. Olivia had witnessed this and rushed in to save her friend. "Let her go, you evil witch."
"Get her too." Kaia ordered the guards. "You're just in time to witness a joyous occasion. Guards! Bring them inside."
When they got inside, Aurelia noticed it looked different. "what's going on? Let me go. Let go of Olivia."
"Shut your mouth you dirty little pig, now you go inside and get ready. There's a dress in there for you. Good thing I decided to bring it up to your room anyway."
So that's how she found out?
"Fine. Stop dragging us like dogs and we'll head straight to my room to get ready for whatever it is."
"Perfect. Let them go."
She signaled her daughter Elina. "join them. Don't let them out of your sight. I'll post guards outside the room, and notify them if she tries anything."
She turned to leave but stopped. "And Aurelia, there are two dresses there. I don't know your exact size so I got both. Make sure your friend gets dressed up as well, we don't want her shaming us."
They got to Aurelia's room. "Girl, what's wrong with your people? What's going on?"
"I don't know either." Aurelia turned to Elina.
"What stupid occasion was your stepmom talking about and what does it have to do with me?"
"You'll find out soon. I'm sure you'll enjoy your new life," Elina mocked.
"What do you mean new life? I don't want to know what's going on here, but trust me if you touch a hair on her head, I'll report you." Olivia was pissed, angry she couldn't help her friend or stop whatever was about to happen.
She decided to use her phone to call for help but saw Aurelia's message. "I am so sorry Aurelia, I didn't know. I would have brought help."
She immediately texted her danger code to her father, then immediately dialed 911.
"Hand me your phone." Elina ordered Olivia.
"Never!"
"Fine. Brutus! Come get their phones
The call went through, '911 what's your emergency?' We need help, we're at…"
The phone was snatched from her before she could complete her sentence.
"Now get ready, our guest will be here soon."
They were dressed and the security team assigned to them; not for safety, led them to the living room.
Shortly, the doorbell rang. "Hurry Preston, go get the door."
Someone who appeared to be a very qualified bodyguard stepped in. He scanned the room and gave a nod to someone outside the door.
Elina exclaimed. "He's so freaking hot!" She couldn't believe her parents would let Aurelia marry such a catch.
"Why does she have to marry him, mom? I want him."
"Trust me, you don't. He's no good. Why would we give something good to her?"
"Fine mom."
"Good day Mr. Clarkson, Nice to meet you." Mr. Montelli greeted with a smile and an outstretched hand for a handshake.
"Cut the chit chat, we're here for business. Where's the girl?"
"Yes Sir. Aurelia, come over here."
Aurelia didn't have a chance to stall, she was dragged by the guards to where Mr. Clarkson was.
"She's pretty." He touched her cheeks with the back of his palm. "Beautiful eyes. I'll take her. Where's the contract?"
"What's going on father? What does he mean by 'I'll take her'? what's all this?"
Olivia figured what was going on. "You assholes want to sell your daughter off to this weird guy for money?"
"Shut your mouth, you dirty little nobody." Kaia had had enough. "One more word and you're doomed."
"Wait till my dad gets here, he'll be here any minute. He won't spare you."
Who the hell was her father? And what influences does he have? Kaia couldn't help but wonder.