ARICA
It was 5.00 pm, another mundane day of her 9 to 5 job came to an end. She was officially done for the day, or so she thought. Her boss slammed a huge pile of files on her desk. 'Need this in my office next thing tomorrow morning'.She ordered. Arica sighed inwardly. Another day working overtime with no extra pay. Fifteen minutes later, she got into the flow of her work, grateful for the quiet evening.
Her phone buzzed on the table, the sound shattering the peace of the late evening. She barely glanced at it, too preoccupied with the stack of files she needed to review. But then another buzz, and annoyed she reached for it.
It was a video file. An unknown number. No sender name. Just the file. Something about it felt off. For some reason, she looked around having this fear of someone secretly spying on her and sending her a video.
Calm down Arica, you watch too many thriller shows. She muttered to herself.
She tapped on the video, and the moment it started she felt goosebumps like multiple needles pricking her skin.
Sounds of her moans pierced the air accompanied by Eliano's deep throated groans. The sound track was awful; the wet slap slap of skin on skin, two bodies slamming against each other viciously.
Fear gripped her heart as her eyes glued to the screen. It was that time at Eliano's office where she had to strip to save her job.
So he videoed her? A payback for stealing his stuff? I thought we resolved this.
A text appeared beneath it. 'Imagine how your precious Eliano would feel if this hits the media. Or better yet, imagine how you'd feel.'
Okay, so this isn't Eliano. And he's not my precious Eliano!
She didn't even know his name until now.
'Who are you and what do you want? She typed back, dread building in her stomach. She didn't have the money to pay off anyone.
'I want you to bring down Amaris with it.'
Huh?
Then another message buzzed in. It was a photo. Bryan. Her ex. She felt the wind knock out of her, memories of him tangled in bed with her half-sister came flooding back. Surprisingly, the betrayal still stung.
'She played with me, broke my heart.' He texted. 'Now she wants to marry one of the billionaire Elysian brothers.'
Anger coursed through her. It's been three years! How dare he entangle her in his drama! Why did she still have to pay for what karma did to him!
'That wedding must not be held.' He was still typing. 'You'll take this video, use it to blackmail him. It has to work out, Arica. That, or it'll be splashed all over social media.'
She furiously typed back, her hands trembling with anger. 'You're insane. How did you even get this?
'You're asking the wrong questions. Their wedding is tomorrow. You have less than 24 hours.' Offline.
Arica's hands shook as she set her phone down, her chest tightening in panic. And as her panic rose, so did her fury. How dare Russo come back into her life again after three years of silence to control her?
But then her mind wandered to Amaris and the Elysian brothers, two sets of people who had deeply wronged her. The Elysian brothers had killed her mom, used their connections to bury the case, stripped her of her position, and turned her into a pauper. Amaris had slept with the love of her life in her absence and turned his heart against her.
She knew what to do. She would blackmail him and take her place as his bride, then she'll infiltrate the brothers' bond and destroy them like they destroyed her.
ELIANO
'I'm sorry Amaris, but I cannot take you as my lawfully wedded wife.'
The silence that fell over the grand hall was palpable as he strode away from the altar, leaving Amaris, his bride, dumbfounded on the altar.
'Eliano! What's going on? She demanded, tears brimming on the lids of her eyes. Hushed confused whispers took over the hall. 'You can't leave me here Eliano! She picked up her gown and followed him. 'Eliano!
He turned back, his gaze dead-pan. 'It's not personal Amaris.' His voice was ice-cold and unfeeling. 'This is just – necessary.'
'Necessary?! What do you me—
Then her eyes caught Arica at the back of the hall, standing poised, a mocking smile on her lips. The wedding was strictly by invitation and he knew she sure as hell did not invite her half sister.
'What are you doing here? She hissed at Arica, her tone a low growl, making everyone instinctively turn back. Eliano ignored the bewildered stares from his brothers, pretending not to see the harsh questioning stares from the board of directors seated.
It was his reputation versus a wedding with a woman he didn't even like and he chose the former. Arica he could manage, but Amaris? Nah.
He looked at Arica, and Amaris caught on to their exchange.
'You bitxh.' She screeched. A blur of white whizzed past him. It was Amaris and she stopped in front of Arica who gave her a demeaning smirk.
'I'm sorry sister. And truly I am. It for sure doesn't feel nice to be jilted at your wedding.' But her tone wasn't meant to comfort, but to scorn. Amaris made to slap her but Arica caught her hand and threw it back.
'Get over yourself sisturr.' She drawled. 'I'm the woman he chose. The one you lost to'. He saw the satisfaction that rippled through her face and the fear that settled on Amaris'. Amaris managed a bitter laugh. 'You really think he's going to settle with a pauper like you? That he's gonna stay with a church-rat like you?
A devilish smile crossed Arica's lips. 'He's already with me, and indeed he dumped an elegant lady like you for a church-rat.'
Amaris was about to reply with a bitter remark when he finally reached the duo.
'You think that—
'Alright Amaris.' He cut in harshly and grabbed Arica's hand. 'We are done here.'
As he walked outside with Arica in tow – and Amaris ' mouth hung low in disbelief– the crowd broke into an uproar.
ARICA– states courthouse
His handsome features contorted into a stony glare which burned through her when she hesitated to pen down her signature on the paper. 'I have done my own part of the deal, Arica.' His voice was without feeling. 'It's time for you to do yours.'
Arica nodded gravely, his words repeating in her head.
The arrangement is going to be for three years and after then we both walk away. I, as the newly installed CEO of Elysian bank and you with all your accumulated debts paid for in full. During the three years, the marriage would remain platonic with no physical or romantic involvement.
We would both have separate living quarters.
There would be no need for you to work as everything you need will be taken care of.
And most importantly, you will not have any romantic involvement outside the union. I do not intend to share my wife with anyone.
Arica felt that the rules were too oppressive but she still signed the contract marriage anyway.
3 years was enough to wreak havoc on the brothers and their empire. She already had her laid out plan.
She stilled as Eliano suddenly took her arm while they walked outside the courthouse. "We have to make this look and feel real," he whispered to her. 'We have to pretend to love each other in front of my brothers and the board.'
As they stepped into the light he kissed her forehead and she lovingly looked up at him. There was a scattered applause from his other billionaire brothers and the board.
Her phone buzzed in her bag. It was a message from Bryan. Thank you.
She smiled. The pleasure is all mine.
As the bodyguard gently helped her into the limousine, she allowed herself one triumphant thought.
Checkmate.