Bella is sitting outside her hostel, her face fixed to one position, tears rolling down her cheeks, her brain flicking through everything that has happened within the last 48 hours. 

The decision had been made. Mrs. Harper carried Emily's still body and returned  to California, Bella on her own, cried violently nothing mattered anymore she wanted to go back home. 

But her mother had to stop her, she was to continue her schooling and come home a graduate. These were her mother's  words before leaving the hospital. 

Bella's memory flashed back:.

 "You need to eat something Bella" Charlotte lectured

"If you don't eat, you'll die." Allison added 

"Then let me die" Bella's dramatic voice filled the air.

"It was my fault she died I don't deserve to live" Bella screamed as if she were losing her mind and her friends worried. 

"It's not your fault, you need to calm down Bella please" Allison said frightened. 

"Well if you're looking for someone to blame, start with Queen Bee Angella she was the one that threatened you" Charlotte  added sarcastically.

"What? Charlotte! Don't say that,  Angella can't be that heartless........ Can she?" 

"You're right ?" The first words Bella had said confidently in two  days, she turned and looked at Allison. 

"She said she was going to make me pay. She did this!" Bella screamed as she stood up 

"Where are you going?" Charlotte glared at her with the do-not-do-something-stupid look.

"I am going to teach her a lesson." Bella responded as she whipped her tears, carried her hand bag and stormed off.

"Damn it, how could you!" Charlotte snapped at Angella 

"I didn't know she was going to take it to heart" 

"We have to look for her," Charlotte said, grabbing her phone and walking out of the house with Angella. 

THE VALE MANSION

"Well it seems like you were trying to help her out and flying her mother here in your private jet wow!" Leo sounded jealous. He stood up, walked to the wine cellar, picked up his favorite wine and poured himself a glass. 

"Do you think I would be that gullible, well I have a reason for doing everything I did" Benson defended 

If it was the last thing he'd do on earth, it was to keep his pride and arrogance; he wasn't trading it for any reason.

"And what's the reason Mr. Benson?" Leo mocked as he handed him the glass. 

"I am going to get her to marry me!" 

"What?!" Leo choked 

He looked at Benson he was dead serious he wasn't smiling one bit 

"Wait.... Are you serious?" He growled 

"Yes! What were you thinking? Did you forget our problem Leo? I have to get a girlfriend in less than a week! And today is Thursday" 

Leo stared at Benson with disbelief 

"So what are you going to do? How do you intend achieving this great master piece of yours" 

"I am going to find Bella and offer her a deal, she'd be my contracted wife for a year while I help her find who killed her sister" Benson gulped the drink down, picked up his suit and was about to walk away, he stops half away to the door and without turning 

"And yes Leo this is between the both of us you're taking it to your grave" he sounded dead serious and walked out of the door.

Leo stared with ultimate disgust he gulped down his drink with anger, he hated the fact that Benson was going to treat Bella this way in her vulnerable state. 

He knew Benson was heartless but being selfish and wicked was never part of the plan. 

ANGELLA'S MANSION 

Bella consistently kept pressing the doorbell wanting to get inside she was already consumed with so much rage her entire life was a mess 

"Open this door!" She started screaming 

It didn't take her anything to locate Angella's house, since she was  Queen bee all she had to do was ask questions.

Standing from the outside Bella couldn't help but notice how magnificent Angella's house looked, yes she was a liar but honestly the girl came from so much wealth 

Her mouth watered from the beautiful view outside the estate gate 

"Whose that crazy thing that wants to destroy the gates that her entire generations can't afford" Angella's voice from the other end of the gate snapped Bella back to reality 

And within minutes the gates were opened 

Angella stood at the other extreme holding a glass of justice dressed in a beautiful ball gown. Maybe she wants to show off to Bella. 

On seeing her Bella charged with anger boiling through her veins she ran straight to Angella and attempted to push her down but two huge men dragged her back roughly and restrained her 

"Listen Bella we are not at school you can't just randomly slap Angella Browns twice I mean the first one was a mistake and I made sure you paid for it" Angella smiled her eyes directly at Bella's and that's when Bella realized 

"It was you!" She screamed tears pouring out from her eyes 

"You killed my sister!" She shouted again 

"How could you! I am going to expose you I will make sure of that" 

"Where's the proof" Angella scoffed as she looked at her new polished nails 

"Listen to me Bella if you don't want yourself getting killed by your pathetic sister you'd get the hell out of here and never return, there's no proof that I killed-what's her name again -Emily so if you don't want me making  your life miserable you'd stay shut" she screamed into her face and ordered the men throw her outside. 

Bella stood for what felt like hours her brain spinning in circles not just did Angella kill her sister she had no atom of empathy at all 

Was this how the rich were? Wicked, selfish and heartless she thought her eyes were already swollen. She turned and found her way and started walking. She got to a bar at the extreme end of the Estate and walked back inside. 

On seeing her the bar attendant walked up to her 

"Ma'am, uhm.... I'm so sorry I'm not sure you can afford anything in here" the lady was brutal, but she was right. She told the truth.

Bella glared at her angrily and this made the last asked 

"I'm sorry ma'm what would you like to drink?" 

"Whisky" Bella requested as she buried her head on the table 

"Alright ma" 

A few minutes later the drink was brought and she started to gulp it down. 

BENSON POV 

Benson walked into the bar he needed to strategize how he was going to bring the topic up to Bella and doing that over a drink was the perfect idea 

"Just say you want to get closer to her and you're using this as an excuse" his inner voice pricked him 

"Shut the fuck up!" He silenced it 

He caught sight with Bella and walked up to her 

"Let me make you a deal."

Benson walked into the bar. He needed to strategize how he was going to bring the topic up to Bella, and doing that over a drink was the perfect idea.

"Just say you want to get closer to her and you're using this as an excuse;" his inner voice pricked him.

"Shut the fuck up!" He silenced it.

He looked around the calm bar. It was getting quite late, and couples were already filling up the place.The background music played softly and filled the entire room. 

He sat down and signaled the waitress  to come. He was about bringing out his phone when he caught sight of Bella.

"Bella? What's she doing here?" He looked really  surprised.

For starters, judging from where she was coming from, she couldn't afford one single bottle in this bar.  

He looked around to see if she was with anyone, but non-she sat there drinking herself into a stupor. 

Benson had to take this opportunity, so he gradually stood up and walked over to Bella.

"What are you doing here?" Bella asked, disgusted at seeing him. 

She was already drunk and talking off point. 

"Let me make you a deal" All seriousness was written on Benson's face.

 He looked Bella straight in the eyes. He wasn't here to joke; he was running out of time.

"A deal? To bring my sister back to life" Bella scoffed mockingly. 

"I can help you catch your sister's killer on one condition."  

"Bella turned and looked at Benson with seriousness written in her eyes, if there was anything she wanted it was justice for Emily she would never be able to sleep knowing fully well that her sister's killers are alive and walking freely.

"How?" Her voice strong and deep. 

"You get married to me!" Benson was blunt-no emotions, nothing. He was dead serious.

"What? Excuse you?" Bella laughed. Was he trying to pull her leg or something.

"I am not joking Bella, get into a contract marriage with me so my dad can let go of my neck of getting married and also the company can be transferred to me and not my younger brother, if my dad tries to give even one percent of his company to my younger brother he'd destroy everything my father has built and my dad wants me to get married before the company can be transferred to my name" 

Benson was much more serious 

"Wait! You're not joking? You're serious" Bella laughed she has never seen the height of Arrogance  before 

Who was this man who thinks he can take an advantage of her because she was at her down moments was he serious or all these was a joke 

"Yes, I am not jok-" Benson was cut off by a hot slap that landed on his cheek. 

"What makes you think you can come in here and make stupid demands and I am just going to follow you because you think I am desperate, you rich people have no heart, no empathy you think you can get everything you want well guess what I am not that girl go find someone else" 

Bella stood up,  picked her jacket, and made an attempt to leave the bar. when she turned back to the waitress. 

"He's paying," and just like that she walks out with her head high. 

Benson didn't want to give up. He brought out his card, made the transfer and went after Bella in his car. He saw her running towards the road and chased her with his car. On getting there he stopped and walked out. 

"See this as a business transaction and nothing more" 

He sounded like someone who has been running. Bella didn't say a word and she just kept walking. 

"This is your only way of getting justice and if not for anything you owe Emily that. Whoever killed her you'd never find them. If you don't have money to put into this case" he was telling the truth Bella stopped not turning back just tears rolling down he continued 

"Listen to me, I don't know you from anywhere and if I have to help you get justice then you have to get married to me" 

"Why are you helping me?" Her voice was broken 

"Because I also need help in return" 

"Fine, for the sake of Emily, I will do it" Bella broke down. She had never gone back on her words ever but this time around she was ready to do anything just to make sure her sister gets justice. 

Benson smiled; he knew his plan would work.

"Have you had anything to eat?" Benson asked as he walked close to Bella 

"No," she shook her head, as her stomach growled, reminding her that she had nothing but water for the last two days.

"Fine come with me" Benson turned pulled the door open and waited for her to come in Bella obeyed as if she was controlled by some remote 

"You buying me dinner still doesn't remove you from my black list, you're still an ass to me" Bella said trying to be serious but the reaction Benson gave broke her and she started laughing. 

They arrived at one of the most amazing 5 star restaurants in the city Bella has never been in one of these, but she had to compose herself as she walked hand in hand with Benson. 

She looked pale and yet extremely pretty, Benson taught. 

"Waiter" Benson called as they sat down 

The young man walked up to their table and handed the menu to Bella, Bella smiled at him and he winked back 

"I would like ribeye steak, filet mignon, lobster Mack and cheese, creamed spinach, and chocolate lava cake for dessert." She giggled 

"What? You're going to have all that, you'd explode" 

"I guess my husband doesn't have a problem does he?" Bella smirked as she turned around and gently smiled at the waiter who blushed and walked away to prepare the Order.

"Don't tell me you're flirting with the waiter you crazy bad girl" Benson was amazed he had never seen a woman be so real and herself. All the women he brought to have lunch or breakfast they were no fun and always coded and this is him sitting directly opposite this crazy din lady 

"Well if you want him to put enough beef you have to flirt a little" Bella laughed for some reasons she was genuinely happy. The meal landed and she dug in. 

Half way through the meal she broke the silence Benson had been watching her eat all along and he was nothing but surprised and amazed 

"Why aren't you ordering anything?" She asked as she dragged the lobster 

"Well am not hungry" Benson was fast he wanted her to continue eating while he watched. 

Benson brought out a plain white document from inside the bag he has been walking around with 

Written on it was "DEAL," and underneath it was the "ONE YEAR CONTRACT MARRIAGE".

Bella looked at the documents and then back at Benson. There were no emotions on his face; he stared back at her, straight–faced, with no feelings attached. 

"Is he thinking that I would back down from a deal without signing this document? He doesn't trust me?" Bella questioned internally. 

"We are signing this now? Like, here?" Bella whispered, trying to remind him that they were in a restaurant. 

"Yeah." Benson raised his eyebrows.

Bella glared at the contract; she was totally speechless 

He was mean– too mean. According  to the contract,  PARTY A was Benson, while PARTY B was Bella.

She kept reading line by line until her eyes got to the part he said PARTY A was allowed to sexually request to be with PARTY B, but PARTY B isn't allowed to make any.

If PARTY A request, PARTY B has every right to accept or decline, and PARTY A will cooperate without Violence attached. 

Bella looked at him, anticipating an explanation. 

"What? There's literally no way on earth l'm falling in love with a psychopath like you," Benson mocked. 

"Hey! What makes you think I am one?"

"Well for starters who walk into an expensive bar they can't afford,  order a drink, and wait for their saviour to come pay the bills?" 

"Listen, I was upset and emotional. Do not judge me in that aspect."

"Oh really? So if I didn't come into the bar, Bella, please tell the audience how you were going to pay for that drink?" Benson was acting all dramatic, and Bella, realized that  she had lost this round, eyed him and went back to reading the document. 

"Wait, what?" Bella glared at the part he said PARTY B must agree to move into the same house with PARTY A. 

"Why would I be moving in with you?" Bella asked, looking at this crazy man.

"Well it's simple. If  you're going to be my girlfriend-wife we kinda have to make it look real in the society. I'm kind of a big deal here, you know–the media, the news." Benson sounded so arrogant and proud and this made Bella almost puke. 

"You're impossible!" She screamed into his face. 

"Are you having second thoughts about signing the papers? Fine, let me have it." Benson used his trick on her.

Bella, who almost attempted to hand the papers over to him, looked at the button and saw the amount she'd be paid. She wasn't a money monger but five hundred thousand dollars yes she was definitely doing this. 

She looked at Benson for a minute wanting to hug the hell out of him 

"Calm down. Don't  let him think you're cheap."  the inner voice inside of her cracked  her head. 

"Hmm... I will just sign it" she muttered to Benson as he handed her an office pen that looked really pretty, Bella scrawled her signature on the paper. 

Bella resumed her eating, Benson sat watching her and pretending to scroll through his phone. 

"Listen, if you admire me, go straight to the point. Stop acting like some kids." Bella broke the silence that had grew between them 

"Wait what? You wish" Benson pride fell straight to the ground, she had a gift for making him feel less of himself 

"Well, that's your business. I know l'm freaking worth it." 

"Yen yen yen" Benson mocked 

"What are these two cats and dogs doing here?" Leo screamed from the restaurant door. 

His  heart cringed on seeing Benson with Bella. He stared at them wondering what brought them here 

"Did Benson finally tell her the deal? How's she taking it" he thought to himself, instead of letting curiosity get the best of him he had to notify them he was around . 

"What got the enemies sitting on the same table must be crazily insane" Leo cracked 

"Excuse you who said we were enemies?" Bella tried to bury her head inside her food 

"Oh wait unless one of us got our head hit by a car, I clearly remembered "l'm not going to apologize he should do so first" two sick people" Leo had a satisfying laughter and it got Benson smirking 

"Well bro I want you to meet my girlfriend Bella, sorry we introduced ourselves to you on a wrong path but yeah that's in the past now" 

Benson for some reason found himself being over protective, he liked the word girlfriend and Bella he looked at her anticipating a rash moment but to his shocking surprise Bella smiled and looked at Leo as if she was accepting the fact.

"Did he just call me his girlfriend?" Bella's inner child giggled.

 She tried to hide the excitement in her face and just constantly kept her eyes on Leo avoiding Benson's gaze.

"Well you seem so excited he called you my girlfriend?" The voice in Bella's head pricked her 

"Well we are making an act in front of his friend remember the deal is a secret no one must know about it" Bella reassured herself but she hated the fact that deep down she knew she was being a pathetic liar 

LEO's POV 

He looked  dumbfolded. For what felt like years no he wasn't hearing properly, did Benson just call Bella his girlfriend, he gave Bella a long stare she seemed so happy hearing it come out of Benson's mouth, something inside him broke 

Does she even know he's doing this just to take over his father's company and be a good son? Does she know about the Deal?" He thought widely to himself

Leo didn't want them noticing the sudden change in his mood so he broke the silence

"Whatttt? When did this happen? Why wasn't I invited to the party" he cracked

"Don't mind Benson; he just has a way of captivating a woman's heart just speaking to them;" Bella spoke for some reasons her world felt real they looked real, Benson smiled genuinely he liked the way she said that.

"Damn you two love birds and making my eyes go all red" Leo joked trying to put himself together

"That reminds me Leo–you're Benson's longest friend. Can you tell me some embarrassing moments he had as a child while growing up I need all backups to his when am taunting him" Bella giggled her white dentition made her look really pretty

"Bro you wouldn't dare!?" Benson looked at Leo trying to plead with him not to spill

VALE MANSION

Angella walked in putting on a pink body hugging gown. Dressed  in her most expensive fragrance she walked in her red lipstick making her extremely noticeable

"Oh wow if it isn't Angella my future daughter in law, how are you child?" Mrs Vale screamed from the staircase

"I will do everything possible to make Benson mine. He'll be mine and no one else would dare take him away from me. Even  if it's the last thing I do on earth". Angella giggled to herself as she let drowning in her thoughts, making sure to put up fake smiles with Mrs Vale.