The next morning, my door was being banged hard, and hurriedly I got out of the bed to get it, only to see whom I never expected this early morning. 

Mom holding a white box. 

She hurriedly walked into my room. 

"We don't have much time at hand, Selena. You have to wear this." 

I stared at her, wondering what she meant.  

"What are you doing standing? Go take a bath already. We can't keep the Fernandez waiting."

But who the hell is the Fernandez? 

Is he or she a client from the company? 

But I thought she wouldn't be going over to the company until a few days after Nala gets married to her fiance? I thought that's how it works. 

Perhaps it was more important than the wedding. That's what I thought.   

I went to the bathroom to take a short bath, went to meet my mother who was placing a strange white gown on the bed. 

I stood by the bathroom, stared at the gown, then at her. 

That's a wedding gown. I have attended so many weddings with mom, and of course, I can recognize a wedding dress very well. 

The dress doesn't look my size. I am short, it should be for Nala. 

"Common now. Do not keep waiting there doing nothing." 

I was still lost. 

I went to meet her, picked up the gown. "Mom, this is Nala's dress." 

"Of course, but we already told you last night. Nala isn't getting married, you are, and you are also getting married in the next few minutes. Exciting, right? Common" 

I felt my world being crushed the minute I heard that. 

Married?! 

"What are you doing there standing?!" She drew my hand, trying to take off my towel, but I held it firmly. "Wasn't Nala the one who is supposed to get married? Why me?" I was staring at her, unbelievably.  

"I just told you Nala isn't getting married, you are! And besides, we already discussed this with you yesterday. Stop acting as if you are just hearing it now. Now, wear your undies and get prepared." 

So it was real. 

"No!!!" I yelled at her. "I am getting married to one one. Why should I get married to a man I have never met before?" I disagreed with her. I actually thought it was a joke until, 

 She slapped me hard across my cheeks. "Shut up! You will get married to the Fernandez's son. You have no right to say NO to my orders. Is that clear?!!" 

I held my cheeks, as tears flowed out like water. 

She threw a glare at me, picked up the dress and threw it at me. 

She forced me to wear the dress, and made me put on a pair of sneakers since I had no shoes.

*

The church in front of me. 

I sat still, staring at the church ahead. 

How come this is happening to me? 

The instant I got out of the car, towards the church, I felt the whole world crumbling on my head. 

I am actually getting married to the man I have never met before in my entire life. I don't even know his name or know if he is an old wrenched man. All I know is that my life is really getting destroyed. 

There were people in the church, just a few or less than ten, including the priest. They all had their eyes locked on mine as I walked down the Aisle gently.

I saw Nala also seated with them, smiling widely at me. 

I really will be getting married to the man I have never met in my life before. 

I stood by the spot the man standing by the pastor led me to. 

Scanning the people seated, I stole a glance at my mom. She was smiling so widely that I could clearly see her white teeth. 

She is happy. 

And my dad, he wasn't smiling, nor could I read his facial expression.  

It was strange. 

The door to the church burst open, A man stepped in. 

He was the only one who stepped in before the door closed. 

He was different. Well, he had that appearance that made him stand out in the church. He was fair, with beards all around his chin. His brown eyes contrasted exceptionally with his toned face. I could see the hint of frustration and unsatisfaction in his eyes, which disappeared as soon as it showed. And overall, he doesn't look innocent.  

He stood right beside me, a smile overtook his face as he grabbed my hand. He placed his lips at the back of my hand. Lifting his head up to look at my face, I quickly withdrew my hand, irritated with his stare.  

Should I run away? Far away from here? 

I felt hopeless. 

Every eye was on me. Some were smiling, some with a natural expression - I couldn't read their faces, while some had a grin on her faces - Nala and her friends.  

I wasn't listening to the priest, until when the vows was recited. 

"For better or worse...for rich, for poorer, till we grow older...." 

The fuck! He is already an old man! 

He inserted the ring into my finger, but I was hesitant to do the same. My hand was shaking nervously, holding the ring. 

He was still smiling at me, waiting for me to insert the ring into his finger. 

All eyes were on me too, waiting for me to do it. 

"Darling?" 

At last, I did it. I inserted the ring into his finger. 

"Kiss the bride!!" I could hear a loud shout from the small people in the church. 

It was Nala.  

"Kiss the bride! Common, don't be shy!" 

"Common darling." He took a hold of my chin, and at that instant my lips touched his, I quickly withdrew from him, holding the urge to hit him across the face. 

Everyone stood on their feet, clapping for us. 

My life is doomed. Selena is over.

After a week...

I have been in this house a week now, and I could boldly say, since the time I married Mr Fernandez, I haven't laid my eyes on him. He left me with his chief servant the same day I stepped into the house as his wife. Now, I feel like an abandoned good left in the house to be taken care of by an old woman. 

Nanny Elsa had been so good to me. She treated me much as if she was taking care of her own daughter. At times, whenever I needed someone to talk to, she would always sit there beside me to listen to whatever I wish to say. She would tell me 'It's okay, everything happens for a reason'. She would hold my hands tenderly and talk to me. Her presence makes me feel so much at ease. At least, for now. 

But at times, I get scared. I am always scared the boss is going to come home to claim me as his wife. I am scared he is going to treat me indifferently and make sure I go through hell, and it has been a week now - I am scared.  

I walked out of my room, ready to go to the dining table to have my breakfast when I saw something unusual. The maids were going to and fro, making sure everything was well tidied.

I was lost for a while, then instantly came to a realization. Is this boss back? 

I felt my legs turn into jelly, my hands soaking cold, sweat on my forehead, infact, I almost forgot how to breathe. 

This is not happening! 

I found my way sluggishly towards the dining room to meet Nanny Elsa and some of the maids working tirelessly. There were several delicacies on the dining table, as if they were aiming to impress a powerful figure who must be coming over today. 

"Nan...Nanny? What's going on?" I had to summon the courage to ask, "Why are there so many foods?" 

"The young boss is back home." 

"Sorry, who?" 

"I heard my father got a new wife." I heard a thick voice behind me. 

A young man walked to me, a pair of black irises devoid of emotions, his jet black hair swept to the side, his chin shaved neat, he was also more of a hunk than a natural man. 

Then I realized the man standing in front of me was the same as the man who saved me at the club a day before my wedding.  

I cannot believe this is happening. 

I was caught staring at him as he took a seat in front of me. 

"Ma'am Selina!!!" I didn't realize Nanny had been calling me until the last shout which rang in my head. 

"Y..yes, yes?" 

"Please, take your seat." 

"Yea...yeah...sure. I...sorry...I will." I ended up saying gibberish, before I finally took a seat three chairs away from his. 

He was the first to pick up the cutleries, without saying anything. 

He took a bite from the steak, lifted up his head to look at me, caught me while I was intensely staring at him.

I quickly took away my eyes, turned my concentration on the meal.  

"Interesting." I could hear him mutter. 

Wait, what is interesting about this? I precisely met the man I never knew was the son of my husband. Does that mean I am his stepmother? But he looks so much older than I am his stepmom. I am short, small, and most especially, I am twenty. He looked like he was in his late twenties. 

I picked up the glass of water in front of me, then gulped it at a go. 

"Are you scared?" 

"N...no!!" It came out in a yell. I quickly covered my mouth, embarrassed. 

He clicked his cup with a spoon, "Table manners please." 

* 

After breakfast, he was the first to leave the dining area. After I was sure, he left completely, "Why didn't you tell me Mr Fernandez has a son?" 

"I had..." 

I didn't allow her to finish with her words, "And why didn't you tell me he was coming today?" 

"Ma'am Selina, I didn't know he was even coming back to this house, it was a surprise, and I am really sorry, I should have told you he has a son." 

"He is really Mr Fernandez's son?!" It was still unbelievable. 

"Yes he is. He has two other daughters too." 

So, I am really a stepmother. I stood up from the chair, and quickly found my way out of the dining area. 

"Hello." 

I took a halt when I  heard that deep voice right behind me. I felt my heart fleeing out of my chest, and my pulse retaliating. I don't really feel myself anymore. 

I slowly turned around to see him standing by the stairs, holding a glass of wine I was sure he picked from the bar. 

This man, I once had a strong crush on him when he first saved me from the claws of the drunk man. I thought if I would see him again, perhaps we would be friends, definitely not this kind of way. I never expected him to be the son of the semi-unknown man I married. 

He gently walked down the stairs. I swear I felt my throat tied. 

"Calm down beautifully." He chuckled. "Hi." He stretched his hand forward, waiting for me to accept it. "I am Adrian." 

I gently nodded, accepted his handshake, still speechless. "I will be glad if you can tell me your name too." 

"Selena. My name is S...Selina." 

"Selina, nice name. I guess we will be seeing ourselves more often now, stepmother." 

No...he shouldn't call me that. I am just twenty. I am too young to be a grown-up's stepmother. 

"Selina?" I could hear his voice in my head. I lifted up my head to look at his face, then at our hands which were still together, "You seem lost. What were you thinking about." 

"I...just nothing. Nothing. I am thinking about nothing." Oh no, gibberish again.  

"Right, okay." Then did I let him go, a smile appeared on his handsome face.  "I..um...I need to go now. I have...some...somethings to sort out." 

"Okay, I will be seeing you later then."

"Okay." I fled up the other stairs into my room.

Later that night...

Adrian's POV: 

I never expected to meet the new wife my father got married to this quickly. 

So, after that old man killed my mother, he decided to get married to a very young girl to replace her? 

And what was Julianne and Kathy saying? I angrily smashed the cup I was holding, rising up on my feet. 

How could they be satisfied that their father got married to another woman just after leaving our own mother? 

It was just a week since mother died, and Dad used that fucking opportunity to get married to a younger lady who looks as if she is just eighteen or seventeen. 

I angrily glared at the shards on the floor, as the servants were packing it up. 

Did my dad just get married to an underage girl just to make sure I get pissed off?

   That motherfucking asshole of a father! 

I sighed, raised to look up the stairs if I could see her anywhere, but she was nowhere to be found. 

I filled up two glasses of whiskey. 

Of course she would love to have a glass, wouldn't she? 

I met her at a club before. Of course she would love to take a sip. 

        I walked up the stairs. 

    "Good day s..." 

    "Where is her room?" 

The servant pointed at the room right opposite mine. 

      A grin appeared on my face.  

Father made a very bad mistake installing the sheep there, beside the wolf's den. 

      I got to the door, knocked. 

She didn't answer at first, then I knocked again. 

         "Nanny Elsa, is that you?" 

I could hear her hurried footsteps, then a click— she opened the door. She was in her pajamas, her hair - wet. And very well, I could see her pink nipples standing right in the pajamas she was wearing. 

She looks extremely small. Is she really seventeen? She looks 5'0 feet tall, or perhaps 4'8? 

"Oh, goddess." She quickly wrapped her arms around her chest. She caught me red-handed, but did I care? NO!

     I stepped in, didn't wait for her to tell me to come in. "Sir?" 

  I coated my face with a smile, as I playfully clicked her forehead with my index finger. 

She raised her brows, wondering why I did that. 

  "I didn't see you downstairs all day. I was worried about you."

Her face screamed, 'YOU WERE WORRIED ABOUT ME?!' 

   "I...um...I...was just here. Here. Yes." 

Immediately she said that, she slammed her hand on her forehead, obviously embarrassed. 

"It's okay. Would you like a drink?" 

She shook her head. "No, I don't drink." 

 Lie!

I clicked her head again. "Do you really want me to say it?" 

     "Say what?" She looked confused. 

  "Have you really forgotten where I met you the last time?" 

Her face immediately became glum. She never expected I would catch her right where I wanted to.  "Or should I remind you?" 

    "I...uh... I...I was forced there. You know, it was my birthday then, so I was forced to go there by my friends, and I couldn't say no to them..." She chuckled, sounding embarrassed. "Gosh, I am saying rubbish again." 

    "So, what should I do about this then? I brought it, for us to have a toast. You wouldn't say no to me, would you?" 

   "Bu..but I don't..." 

I forced it in her hand. "A drink won't hurt. Just a drink, and I promise, you won't get drunk." 

She finally freed her chest, dropping her left hand. 

       What a nice view. 

  I clicked my glass with hers, waiting for her to drink up, but she was still hesitating. 

I took a sip from mine, waiting for her to drink too. 

She faked a smile at me, looked back at the drink, before drinking it all up. 

       She coughed out.

"Ah, good." I collected the glass from her. "Told you it will be alright. Look at you, are you drunk?"

She shook her head in reply. 

"Which means you can take another one." I gave her my drink to take. 

I would really love it if she gets drunk. Some stuff she would need to spill, some things I would love to hear from her own mouth. 

"But..." 

"I promise you won't get drunk. I can drink the whole bottle without getting crazy. Trust me, two shots wouldn't even make you tipsy." 

     But she already looks tipsy from that one glass she took. 

She took down the drink at a go, coughed again before giving back the glass to me. 

     "Told you two glasses won't kill." 

    "I...um...I feel a little bit tipsy though." 

   "Promise you will feel very okay soon." 

I sat on the chair. She looks entertaining and quite funny too. 

"It's such a small world. I started another conversation. I remembered saving you at the club before, and now, the beautiful lady I saved, ended up being my stepmom." 

"Um, Adrian?"

"Yes?" 

"Can I have another glass please?" 

I raised my brows in surprise. "Another glass?" 

"Yes, please."

Well, that was unexpected. 

   She took two more glasses of whiskey which was what I never expected. I never expect her to drink more than two glasses. 

She giggled, playing with the small content of wine remaining. "I feel so happy today. Today, I d... drank a lot of alcohol." 

Maybe this was the right content she needed to drink for her to spill it all. 

She lifts her face to look at mine, her eyes lit up. 

   "You are way TOO handsome to be true, Adrian." 

"Yeah, I get that a lot. So, what is your plan after today." 

"Two plans I have after tonight. One, run away;  Two, fuck you." She laughed. "I would love to fuck you." 

        I lift my brows. "Really?" 

       She nodded. 

"Um um, you are too delicious not to eat." 

   "Do you love my dad?" 

"Hell no! Damnit!! I don't!" Just what I wanted to hear. 

"So do you want his money?" 

       She tilted her head.

 "Who doesn't want money?" Then she grinned, "And who doesn't want you?"