Introduction:
FOREWORD
In the world of power and privilege, where every move is calculated and every relationship a transaction, the line between love and obligation can blur in unexpected ways.
"Deeper Than Deal" is a journey into this complex world, where two souls, bound by circumstance, must navigate the treacherous waters of trust, desire, and vulnerability.
Maximus Weston, a man who has mastered the art of control, finds himself drawn into a game where the stakes are higher than he ever anticipated.
MCateer Summers, caught between family expectations and her own longing for freedom, enters this game with trepidation, unaware of how profoundly it will change her.
This story is not just about the power of love but the power of choice—how we choose to guard our hearts, how we choose to open them, and the consequences that follow.
As you turn the pages, prepare to dive into a world where nothing is as it seems, and where every deal made is only the beginning.
Welcome to "Deeper Than Deal." May this tale captivate your heart and leave you pondering the depths of love, trust, and the human spirit.
EPIGRAPH
In a dance of shadows and light,
Two loves entwine.
Unseen, unknown,
A contract signed in twilight hush.
But love blooms where doubt had grown,
Amid the walls they built so high,
Through whispers of words and stolen glances,
They'll find that fate had deeper plans,
And love, beyond the deal,
A chance.
DEEPER THAN DEAL
~ Light Williams ~
---
PROTAGONIST
FEMALE LEAD: MCateer SUMMERS
MALE LEAD: MAXIMUS WESTON
DISCLAIMER
Hello and welcome to my story!
I'm so glad you're here to share this journey with me! This story is my heart poured out onto the pages, and while I truly hope you enjoy it, I understand that it may not resonate with everyone. If it's not for you, feel free to step away; no hard feelings!
As an introvert, I don't always share my stories because I get nervous, but this one touched me deeply, and I decided it was time to let the world see it. I'm just a girl who writes for fun, and while I know I'm not perfect, I'm dedicated to developing my skills and making this an interesting read for you.
I'd love to hear your thoughts, but please remember to keep comments positive. Constructive feedback is always welcome, as it helps me grow.
To all my readers: never forget the power of your voice and the magic within your dreams. No matter how small or big, every step you take toward your passion is worth celebrating. Keep believing in yourself, and don't be shy, even on tough days, because the world needs the light only you can bring. I hope this story inspires you to keep chasing what sets your soul on fire.
Thank you for being here, and I hope you find something special in my words!
That said, I poured my heart into this, and I hope you enjoy it.
Happy reading!
1
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She trudged through the relentless downpour, the rain pouring down like a cascade of cold, unfeeling tears. Each drop that hit her skin felt like a stab, soaking her to the bone and amplifying the shivering numbness that had settled in her heart.
She had thought about grabbing an umbrella, but the weather had been so unpredictable. Now, as she walked in the heavy rain, her clothes clung to her and the cold made her shiver.
The world seemed to blur around her, her only company the rhythmic pounding of the rain and the sound of her own ragged breathing.
As she walked, her phone buzzed suddenly in her drenched hand, startling her from her daze. She fumbled to pull it out, the screen illuminated by the harsh glow of a message from Jackson.
One message from
❤ ...Jackson...❤
" Hey, this is gonna be the last time we'll ever see or text each other.
I just wanna fucking blow it up to you that i've found someone amazing, fucking better than you're.
Just fuck off, summers. I mean, take a look at your self— I still can't believe how I fell for you.
Honestly, you're nothing more than a mistake that i regret. It's fucking over, bitch!
Good luck finding someone else who'll put you up in your shit!
You're gonna need it"
The message was a brutal blow, each word a jagged edge tearing through the fragile remains of her hope.
As she read his cruel words, her heart felt like it was being crushed. She stood there, drenched and numb, wondering what she had done to deserve this.
The cold and the hurt seemed to merge into one, leaving her to question if there was any hope left at all.
'What the hell i've I done?'
' Why does he always have to make my life a leaving hell?'
She pondered under the rain, still gazing at the brutal message from jackson. She pressed her lips into a thin line, taking in a sharp breath.
She vigorously strapped the phone into her back pocket, hot tears still streaming down from her eyes like waterfall. she still couldn't believe the harsh yet unexpected break up message from Jackson.
" That Asshole!...." She bit out a curse as she strolled under the rain.
This is MCateer Summers, who had just lost her job at Ace Dunlop Enterprises, where she worked as a personal secretary for the CEO. After losing her reputation publicly, Summers decided to stop working. Ever since then, she had no intention of working again—at least not yet.
The only person she had left behind was Jackson, her boyfriend from high school. Back then, Jackson was a famous hockey player, one of the best. He held onto his dream and is now a big-name player. But aside from his success, Jackson never had a good reputation.
Summers and Jackson met again in college after high school, where they became closer. Jackson became her boyfriend, and despite her friends' complaints about him, she went along with him, falling for his façade of love. Now, he was just a guy who bad-mouthed her to his friends and a jerk who had just dumped her.
But there was no reason for him to betray her. She was beautiful, not just physically but also in demeanor. Summers had warm, deep brown eyes with a hint of sparkle that reflected her emotions. Her round eyes were expressive, with an inviting and empathetic gaze that drew people into her circle. Her rich chestnut hair was long—waist-length, flowing with natural curls. Summers was graceful and slender, her skin milky and flawless, a canvas of smooth, porcelain perfection.
As her name implied, like the summer season, her vibe was warm, uplifting, and effervescent, making people happy to be around her. Summers was effortlessly ravishing, making other beautiful girls pale into insignificance.
As the rain poured down, she could barely see her house across the street, but the more she tried to hide the pain she felt toward the brutal message, the more she cried. Everything in her life had gone from bad to worse.
Immediately, she ran across the street. Abruptly reaching the front door, she pulled the knob and entered quickly. She heaved a shaking sigh.
"Oh dear, Summers!" Someone rushed to her quickly.
Aunt Tilly..." Summers trailed off with a sad smile.
"Ugh! So sorry, dear, this merciless rain refused to spare my lovely niece," Tilly smiled, taking off Summers' jacket. Summers looked away, with a small smile that was barely seen.
Observing her mood, Tilly's smile faded. Normally, Summers would have chuckled at her silly joke.
"Hey, Summers? Are you okay?" Tilly asked, unaware of the tears mingled with the rain that drenched her thoroughly.
"Yes, Aunt Tilly... I'm okay," she replied, walking upstairs. Tilly had no idea what was going on, but whatever it was, she didn't want Summers to dwell on it too much.
As Summers almost reached her room door, Tilly shouted, "Make sure you get dried up quickly and warm up!"
"Yeah..." Summers whispered.
When she reached her room, she broke down on a small couch near her window. Her lips trembled as her hand reached for her phone in her pocket. She switched it on, and the first thing displayed was the message from Jackson. Despite how much it hurt, her eyes scanned every word bit by bit.
She decided to text Marley, her best friend.
"He did!" she texted to Marley, but it turns out that Marley hadn't received the message yet, so she tossed her phone onto the bed and let out a long groan.
"Hello—" the door snapped open, revealing her baby sister, Alexa.
"Heyyy, Exa!" She feigned a smile, opening her arms wide for a hug. Alexa ran to her blissfully, hugging her sister despite the fact that she was drenched.
"I'm so sorry the rain caught up with you..." Alexa's small voice was barely heard over the heavy sound of the rain.
Summers shook her head slightly with a smile. "No one could have done better."
"I could have!" Alexa protested, clutching her Barbie doll to her chest. This made Summers' smile fade slowly, as sadness took full control.
"Sis... You don't look happy," Alexa formed a small pout.
"Of course I am, Exa! Why wouldn't I be?" Summers asked, trying her best not to worry the small family she had left.
"Well, ever since Mum died... You've never been the same...," Alexa's tiny voice dwindled.
She continued, "You've been sad, and Dad's been worse than ever. Just Aunt Tilly has been keeping us lively..." Alexa paused, looking down at her doll. "I just want my sister to be happy."
Summers couldn't hide the tears streaming down her cheeks. She missed her mother so much that she wished she could at least see her one more time. Alexa was right; things had never been the same. At least it was better when her mom was alive, but now, it seemed like everything had gone from bad to worse.
Just Aunt Tilly. Tilly had been the only good thing that came along. Summers wanted to pull Alexa into a long hug, but she didn't want her to get cold. Instead, she placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Exa! Listen to me, you've done a good job observing, and I can't hide anything from you. But I'm happy, Sister Summers is happy. Why wouldn't I be happy when I see that cute face of yours and your cute nose?" Summers grinned widely, flicking her nose as Alexa giggled.
"Everything is going to be okay, just a little time—that's all we need." Summers paused, observing Alexa's beaming face with a grin. "Now go help Aunt Tilly make some pancakes, and I'll be down in a sec!"
"Okay!" Alexa jumped happily, walking away and forgetting to close the door behind her. Summers let out a shaky breath as she wiped the stray tears from her face, biting her lip. She couldn't describe the feeling she had now, especially after being reminded of her mother's death.
Her mother used to be the only one who said, "I could have, I could have done better." That was how she used to cheer them up whenever something went wrong. Summers missed her so much, and she wished she could get revenge, but what would she gain? Pleasure?
Dragging in the snort that came from her nose, she took a deep breath and relaxed. She nodded to herself.
"Everything is going to be fine," she whispered with a sad smile flashing on her lips.
Gaining the strength to stand, she moved straight to the bathroom.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"What!!!!! That motherfucker dumped you?!! After all you did for him?!!" Marley yelled over the phone after receiving the text. She was in complete shock.
"Uh-huh," Summers replied, chewing on her pancakes as if she didn't care. But the sadness still lingered in her chest, showing visibly in her eyes.
"What— You couldn't even kick his ass or something? After that horrible message? You couldn't send him a message that'd send his motherfucking ass to the grave?" Marley asked, and you could even hear her gritting her teeth from the other end of the phone.
"Ugh! Marley, you talk like I would've done something—"
"—Yeah, you should have. Okay, that jerk didn't deserve you; he didn't deserve your love and trust. He was just... just playing you! Jesus!" Marley continued, biting out in regret.
"Look, Marley, I think I'm over him. He just showed me the asshole he was, and that's what I see. Right now, he's nothing but my ex, and I don't think you should be yelling, damaging my eardrums." Summers tried to sound like a Gen-Z, but she just wasn't good at it.
"You think?!" Marley sighed and continued, "I know right now you're feeling nothing but really heartbroken, like he just left you for a good-for-nothing, smelly-ass blonde! Really, Jill and Sam need to hear this—"
"—No!" Summers cut her off. "Don't tell Jill and Sam, especially Jill. She's going to fill my ear with, 'I told you he was a jerk,' and I don't want that. You know how she gets when she's right."
"But I have to, we have to. What if they come teasing you about Jackson? Don't tell me you'll play along," Marley said from the phone. Summers felt tears run from her eyes again. She hadn't gotten over him yet, and their memories felt like shattered glass lodged in her chest.
'How can Jackson be so cruel?' she thought as she imagined him now, drinking in the club, celebrating their breakup.
"Summers? Hey girl, are you still on?" Marley asked, breaking through the walls of her thoughts.
"SUMMERS!!!" she heard her name downstairs—the beast had arrived.
"I gotta go!" Summers said, removing the phone from her ear.
"Oh, come on—" Summers hung up before Marley could say another word.
~. ~. ~. ~. ~. ~. ~. ~. ~. ~.
"I thought I called her down!" Mr. MCateer fumed with rage as Alexa hid next to Tilly's leg.
"She'll be right down. She's not having a good—"
"—I'm here," Summers came downstairs, cutting Tilly's words short.
"What took you so long?" Mr. MCateer growled, his fists clenched tightly, his gaze sending daggers toward her.
Summers looked down immediately. One of her father's rules was 'Do not look me in the eyes while I'm talking to you.'
"Dad..." she trailed off, forcing out the word "Dad."
"...I'm sorry, I didn't hear you calling," Summers immediately defended herself before he could pounce on her.
"Where are the things I told you to get?" her father asked, moving toward the refrigerator.
Summers' lips parted in shock. Did she just forget something? She looked over to Tilly, searching for an answer in her eyes. Tilly could only shrug and mouthed, 'I don't know.'
"Wha- What... things?" she stuttered, looking down immediately.
"What do you mean 'what things'? This morning, I told you about the three thousand-dollar custom leather couch I ordered. I told you to get it for me because the stupid delivery guy missed my address!" He explained, walking towards her. Each step made her heart race with fear.
"You know how much that means to me!" His voice raged as she shivered.
"I was beaten by the rain, and by the time I got there, the shops were closed. I forgot, I'm sorry," Summers whispered, barely hearing her own voice.
"You forgot?!" he roared, slamming his hand onto the table, making Summers jerk back in shock.
"I-I-I...I... Dad," she stammered, trying to look up.
"You still have the guts to call me your father? After all the disrespect you and your mother have shown me, you still dare call me that?" His fury shook the entire house.
Tilly's expression darkened immediately, her face flushed with boiling rage.
A tear trickled down Summers' face as she looked up. "I shouldn't have called you my father in the first place. You don't deserve it, you cold-blooded bastard!" Every word carried the weight of her pain, sadness, and anger.
As soon as she spoke, a sharp slap landed across her face, causing her to stumble backward and fall to the floor.
"Summers..." Alexa called out, but Mr. McAteer's glare made her freeze.
"Go to your room and lock the door. Don't make me say it twice," he growled through gritted teeth.
Alexa's eyes filled with tears as she let go of Tilly's hand and rushed upstairs, her face wet with sorrow.
"You!" he growled, turning his attention back to Summers, who sobbed bitterly on the floor. The slap wasn't what hurt her—she'd felt worse before. What broke her was the pain her mother had endured when she was alive. Even in death, her father's insults continued. The overwhelming mix of emotions churned inside her; she wanted to scream them all out.
"Mr. McAteer, please..." Tilly interjected, her voice shaky. This was the first time she had witnessed such cruelty.
"Aunt Tilly..." Summers sobbed, trying to get her attention.
"Please don't," she warned, her teary eyes pleading with Tilly not to get involved.
Tilly didn't want to leave her niece, not with this heartless monster.
"Get out!" he snarled without even looking at her, keeping his menacing gaze fixed on Summers.
Tilly knew she couldn't make matters worse, so she left, her heart heavy with regret.
"Don't you dare touch me... Don't even think about laying your hands on me!" Summers forced herself to stand up, her voice shaky but defiant.
"You called your father a bastard?" he bellowed, slapping her again, this time on the left cheek.
Summers scoffed. What was his problem? Minutes ago, he told her not to call him her father.
"You are not my father!" she spat, her voice trembling with pent-up fury. "A man who treats his wife like trash is not my father. A man who makes his own child suffer is not my father!"
Suddenly, he backhanded her, harder this time, making her stumble into the wall. Her vision blurred, the sting of his slap burning her cheek.
"Since I'm not your father..." he leaned in close, his voice dripping with malice, "I'll give you what you deserve."
With a final, icy glare, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Summers collapsed onto the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.