The drive to my parent's house from the airport to my parent's house wasn't as far as I remembered it to be. I had to keep a low profile after the stunt Tate pulled on me.

I was diagnosed with infertility two years ago with no explanation of the cause. I kept this a secret from my family and friends except Tate because he was my fiancé.

“Who wants kids anyway? We can adopt when we want one. That means I can have you to myself.”

That was his response when I told him, and now he has published it for the world to see.

I swear I would have been admitted into a mental health facility if I stayed for seconds in Virginia, seeing my story on billboards, newspapers, and tabloids with the captions.

“Tate McGregor, the ex-fiance of a popular writer, Valerie Lysander, talked about this side of the story: she can't have children due to her infertility and I want a lot of them, she lied to me not to know the cause of her infertility, but I found out recently that not only did she lived a reckless life growing up she had a lot of abortions. This is where we break out.”

I got to my parent's house in Los Angeles, and I couldn't have been more grateful I came here. The busy streets and all took me down my childhood memory lane. I spent most of my time with my parents catching up on stuff or gossiping about the neighbors with my mom.

But today, I decided to step out and explore the city. A lot has changed and nothing has changed, it looks different and, at the same time, it looks the same.

I went to the park where we always go as kids with my parents. I saw children running around, parents playing with their kids, and couples on dates too. It feels nice to be back home really.

My eyes caught the sight of a little girl playing all by herself.

“Hey princess' ' I called, walking up to her. She had beautiful ocean-blue eyes with blonde hair that was long for a girl of her age.

“Where's your mama and papa? Are you here alone?” she nodded at my question. Looking around like she's looking for someone

“What's your name? My name is Valerie and I can play with you till your mom and dad get here” I said, stretching my hand to her. She didn't respond, she just kept staring at me like she didn't understand what I was saying.

Okay, maybe I'm weird. I turn on my heels to return to the nearest bench, the weather is nice, the flowers are colorful, and it's a nice time to be outside.

“My name is Layla”, I heard a tiny little voice beside me. The little girl I was talking to earlier is sitting next to me now.

“Hi Layla, you have beautiful eyes and I love your hair. '' I complimented her, that's what drew me to her.

“Thank you” she responded shyly.

We chatted for a while and I discovered she's four years old. She has an elder brother, Landon, who is seven years old, and the sweetest part is that she wants to be my friend. I have a friend now.

I've been hanging out with Layla every weekend since that's the only time she comes to the park and I wouldn't lie, that little girl is so energetic. She loves my baking, so I've been making cakes and cookies specially for her and her brother.

They're kids of very influential people because I see guards and maids around all the time.

Today, I made her favorite princess-shaped cookies. I was telling them a story when Dominic, one of the guards, said their father was there. I looked up just in time to see a Greek god, a well-built man with broad shoulders. I can proudly say God took his time to work on him because he is so handsome and his voice…

I was dragged out of my thoughts by Layla, obviously taping me. I was drooling, and her daddy is now standing in front of me.

“Hello sir, you have beautiful children”. That's the easiest thing I could think of.

He replied with a nod before picking up Layla in his arms while holding Landon with the other hand. Oh my God, those muscles.

“Dad, can Valerie be our mom?” Layla shouted to her dad.

I looked up to see him looking at me immensely before replying with a resounding ‘No’.

I was somehow disappointed, but what was I expecting? Layla said her mom traveled, which meant they missed their mother.

*****

During the week I explored the place, and today I tried an Italian restaurant. I ordered takeout and took pictures to show Monica. The drive back home was a smooth one as I couldn't wait to try the food.

I walked into the house with a huge smile, but I paused when I saw my father pacing the room and my mom sitting on the sofa moody.

“Is everything okay?” I asked, placing the food on the floor. My mom rushed to me and pulled me to sit before sitting next to me. She took my hands in hers as she apologized to me continuously. I was lost and worried.

“Dad, is something going on? Something happened right?” I was getting worried

“Do you know Mr Skavinski? Have you met him before?” Dad asked, kneeling in front of me.

“You mean the famous Skavinski family? I know them, but I've never met any of them. Why?” I answered.

“Ehmm…” Mom coughed while looking at my dad for help. I'm sure it is something serious.

“Just spill it already,” I said, tired of the suspense.

“Mr Skavinski came here today, and he wants you to be his wife as soon as possible. You know how big they are in the country. We can't tell him no when he can wipe our whole generation out at the snap of his finger." Mom finished explaining with tears streaming down her face.

I look at them waiting for them to say ‘It's a prank’ but nothing. “You're kidding me, right? How will I get married to a killer, a murderer, a trafficker, and a Mafia Don himself? You must be joking. Do you think I'm stupid to put myself in danger? No way” I yelled.

“I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning, I've overstayed my welcome here”. I stood up to go to my room when I heard a voice that held me in place.

“You won't dare, Valerie, take a step out of LA and I won't stop until I ruin you and your little career. I'll ruin everything and everyone you love will suffer for it”. I shivered at the authority, power, and how cold the words were. I couldn't see his face as he was standing in the dark.

“You can't just come here and demand that I marry you when I don't even know you” I protested. I know very much what I'm risking talking back.

“I don't like females that aren't submissive, but we can walk on that. You don't need to know me, Val, I know you and that is enough. You sure don't expect me to propose because I know for certain the last one didn't end well”. I winced at the painful memories, and I could see my mom crying silently.

“I hope you make the right choice because anything I want I get,” he said, stepping into the light, and I gasped at the familiar man dressed in all black.

Layla's father!

Leonard's POV

“What happened to my goods? Aren't you the one in charge?” I yelled into the phone, he is a clown to think I'll let him off because he claimed not to know home. My ship disappeared in the middle of the sea when it had almost gotten to our port here.

“I want my goods by tomorrow, or else the next time we're having this conversation, you won't be in a good condition.” I was barely off the phone when Malia walked in. I've known her for almost 30 years now, and I consider her close to a mother, as I don't have one. She took care of me as a kid, and now she's taking care of my children.

We've been trying to get my daughter, Layla, to eat. Since she met with that lady at the park, she's been ranting and raving on wanting the so-called Valerie to be her mother because she called Layla a princess. I didn't take it seriously until she started acting rebellious, refusing to eat or go to school.

I don't want anything to do with females, the probability of killing the next female I get entangled with is higher than me getting a boner from a romance movie. But after I met the so-called Valerie, I might have a change of mind seeing her smooth skin, curvy shape and long legs and dark brown eyes.

I mean she looks sexy and hot in the simple dress she was putting on that day, and she makes the best cookies. My best friend, Mateo, didn't help with the matter as he kept stating why I needed a wife, saying it'd boost my image in our world. I don't need a woman to boost my image.

“Why don't you take her request into consideration”. She said “They're growing and they need a mother figure. Landon asked me the other day to call Celine, so she could act as their mother in school”, she continued.

“They see other kids getting picked up by their mother, and they want that too. That's the least you can do for them, Leo” she left, closing the door behind her and leaving me in deep thoughts.

I picked up my phone to dial a number. “Hey Paul, I need everything you can find on Valerie Lysander, everything. I need it as soon as possible” I said to my private hacker.

“Yes boss, I'll send it sir”. I put my phone down on my desk, rubbing my forehead tiredly.

I checked the file Paul sent to me, going through everything the details one after the other. I must say, she's the best candidate. I need to have a meeting with her.

The drive to her address was short. I wish Mateo had been here with me, but the idiot decided to go on boat cruise in Miami. Leaving all the work to me alone. I checked myself out again, my long black sleeved shirt covering my tattooed arm with two buttons open and well tucked into my trousers.

I knock at the door, checking my gun at the back of my pants intact. An older woman answered the door. “Hello, who are you?” She asked politely with a smile. She's the older version of Valerie but with dark hair and light brown eyes. She smiled sweetly, waiting for me to answer.

“I am here to see Valerie Lysander, is she in?” I asked, trying to be polite, seeing that they didn't recognize me.

Her face dropped in disappointment. “She left not long ago”. She replied, Me pitifully.

“Who's there?” I heard a man's voice inside. He opened the door wider, so he could see who was at the door.

The expression on his face shows that he recognized me. Good.

“You know who I am right? I'm not good at acting polite and all that”, I made my way into their house without waiting for them to usher me in. The house is warm and feels like home, bringing back childhood memories.

“Yes, yes. Come inside.” The man I assume to be her father said carefully. He whispered something to his wife. She gasped loudly. She covered her mouth when our eyes met.

Chris, Valerie's dad, was about to say something when I cut him off.

“Let's get to business” I muttered, then proceeded to explain what I want from them and why I'm here.

They look confounded at my speech, I mean they should be. The most ruthless Mafia want to marry their daughter. It's a great honor. Seeing they're about to protest, I added

“I'm not asking you, I'm demanding. I'm sure you won't want to see me angry and a peaceful agreement will be better for both you and your daughter” I sneered, crossing my legs over the other.

“It's not up to us, it is up to our daughter. We can't force her if she doesn't want it.” Chris uttered, holding his crying wife closely.

“Why are you doing this to us”, Marie said in tears.

“Let's wait till she gets here” I stated, resting my back and waiting for my soon-to-be bride.

The sound of her car was heard. She didn't notice me when she entered, but she noticed the stuffy air in the room. I stood in the corner of the room watching her rant, angry about how it was a bad decision to marry me. I was enjoying the heave on her chest and her expression as she defended her reasons.

“I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning, I've overstayed my welcome here” she half yelled, turning to go to her room.

“You won't dare, Valerie, take a step out of LA and I won't stop until I ruin you and your little career. I'll ruin everything and everyone you love will suffer for it”. I saw her shiver at my words. Trying to see me through the darkness.

“You can't just come here and demand that I marry you when I don't even know you” she protested. She's bold, I like that.

“I don't like females that aren't submissive, but we can work on that. You don't need to know me, Val, I know you and that is enough. You sure don't expect me to propose because I know for certain the last one didn't end well for you” she winced.

“I hope you make the right choice because anything I want I get” i said, stepping into the light and she gasped, recognizing me.

I opened the door before turning to her. “My driver will pick you up tomorrow evening, be sure to get ready. I hate tardiness, and you don't want to keep me waiting.” I winked at her before closing the door behind me.

The drive home was fun as I recall the shock on her face when she recognized me. I pulled into my garage and went straight to my daughter's room. I told her Valerie agreed to be her mother and I swore I would kill for the smile she gave me. If that's what she wants, then she can have it.

I read her bedtime story after feeding her. It's been the three of us since their mother left three years ago. I can't be their mother and father at the same time giving my kind of work.

The vibration of my phone took me out of my thoughts. I gently closed the door after me.

“Yes?” I said into the phone.

“Sir, there's something you need to know about Miss Valerie”, Paul said.

Valerie's POV

I couldn't sleep overnight, I was tossing and turning on my bed. My head is running with unanswered questions. Isn't his wife on a trip? Are they getting divorced?

The ride to the restaurant was longer than I thought. His driver picked me up at six, after having a heart-to-heart talk with my parents, weighing our options when we don't even have one. I put on a blue bodycon long-sleeve dress that stopped at my upper thigh. I didn't wear any makeup and my hair was packed in a high bun.

The car stopped in front of a five-star hotel and I wondered why we were there. I walked into the hotel and was drawn in by the interior designs, the clean and professional outline of the front desk and the accommodating air was soothing. The female receptionist smiled as I approached her.

“Hello, I'm here to see Mr Skavinski,” I said politely.

She nodded, leading me to the elevator. We got into the elevator and she pushed the penthouse buttons. I took a glance at the hotel through the transparent elevator glass.

We walked out of the elevator, and she led me to the first door. I noticed there were only two doors on this floor. I could tell from the setting up of the living room that everything cost a fortune, from the floor-to-ceiling window, where I could practically see the whole city view, to the all-white types of furniture and cabinets and I felt out of place.

I saw him sitting at the dining table, in his all-black outfit, but this time his sleeves were rolled up, and I could see his tattoos, making me want to run my hands on them, feel the muscles in his arms, and ask the stories behind the tattoos.

“Come in” he said, ushered me in, I took my seat opposite him, glaring hard at him, as if that could stop my thoughts from going wild.

“Why did you bring me here and not the restaurant?”I want to know why he brought me here and not a restaurant.

He pressed a small bell on the table and maids walked in with dishes in their hands. I was a little frightened at first seeing them walk out in a straight line while carrying stuff in their hand. He chuckled at my expression.

We ate in pregnant silence as the air got thicker at the end of the dinner. I want to know why he was trying to be nice, because I've heard a lot about him and there's nothing like being nice.

The table was cleared and wine was served, “so what's the deal?” I couldn't hold out any longer.

“This” He passed me a brown envelope and I opened it reluctantly to find a contract drafted on it.

“What's this?” I yelled after reading what was in it," I don't see how this is beneficial for me, I'm sure you don't expect me to sign my life away to satisfy your need for a wife.”

“You get two kids to call you mom, and once they're grown, we can go our separate ways. I know how badly you want to be a mum, so this is a lifetime offer and if you bond well with the kids, that's for life. They already love you, and I'll do anything for those little devils of mine, even if I have to force you” He cocked his gun to show me how serious he was, and I almost choked.

She sat in silence as I thought of ways to opt out of this mess. I found myself but nothing. I stared at the contract in front of me, reading it over and over again. “What's the chance of me getting killed, you know, in those rumored fights among your people?” I couldn't suppress the urge to ask.

“Once you become mine, you get the ultimate protection”, he rested his back while staring at me, giving me the time to think.

I grabbed the pen and signed my life away with shaky hands. With this union, I can clear my name from the mess Tate put me in, I get to be the mother of two children, which is the most important part of the contract.

“Great choice, Mrs Skavinski” he sneered. I just want to go back to my bed and cry till there's nothing more.

“Let's go home” I started at him like he had grown two heads.

“You mean I'll follow you to your house?” I asked with concern. “ Didn't you read the last clause?” He questioned, raising a brow. I opened the contract in haste only to find the last part that says both ‘parties will move together and live together as family immediately after signing.’

“I can't just move in with you, I have to pack and inform my parents and…………..…”

“Your parents are aware, and your things are already in mine, and everyone is waiting to meet you. There's no need for delay”. He cut me off before heading out. It took me a while before I remembered we were supposed to leave together.

The drive to his estate was an uncomfortable silence. I took my time to admire the beautiful night view, houses, and cars, keeping myself busy when I remembered I hadn't talked to Monica throughout the week.

I sent her a quick message to check up on her and also hint to her about what was going on. I replied to messages from my parents and my editors too, before switching my phone off.

By the time we got to his mansion, I was amazed at the sight that I had forgotten where I was for a while, it was exactly that house I'd always wanted as a kid. I spun around, giggling like a kid. The colors, the statue of a man standing in the middle of the wide compound, and a little garden I can see from where I was standing.

“Ehm” I turned to see him staring at me weirdly, his eyes flickered with emotions before I could even figure them out. My cheeks were red with embarrassment as he led the way inside.

It was dark, so I guess they went to bed early. We took the long stairs to the floor where he showed me my room, which was seriously bigger than the apartment I shared with Monica. I turned to ask him where my clothes were when I noticed he had left the room.

I followed the sound of his voice to the terrace, he was talking to someone on call. His words stopped me right on my track as I turned to go.

“I don't have a wife, she's not my wife, she's just here to play the role of a mother to my kids. The background check shows she's a wh*re and covers that up with the book she writes. I'm just glad she's empty. Yes, she can't have kids and that's why she's the best candidate. I'm sure that's why she agreed in the first place.

Oh, please, having her doesn't mean I can't bang other girls. And when I'm ready to have her as my plaything, I'll make sure to run every possible test on her” My knees buckled at his words.