THE NEWS

Andrew’s Pov

I wake up, feeling like I'm submerged under water. Forcing my eyes open with a groan, I hiss as the sunlight immediately stabs them. What the hell happened? My head is fucking pounding.

Sitting up, I rub my temple, as the events of the previous night came trickling back to me. The poker room, the drowsiness, the woman. . . God, the woman.

Maybe she was an angel sent to me. She can't have been anything else. As I remember the more intimate details of our night, a calming feeling of contentment washes over me.

I need to find her again.

My gaze is caught by something reflecting the light— a delicate silver bangle, lying forgotten on the carpet, partially hidden under my clothes.

I pick it up, turning it over in my hand. Yes, I remember this. We were kissing when I took it off. I squint as I spot the small engraving on the inside, the inscription elaborate. “Patterson,” I murmur.

That's her name. She's Miss Patterson. I imagine her wearing it, but the image isn't complete. I hate that I can't really bring her face to mind.

I stare at the bangle for a long moment, grabbing my phone from the nightstand. With a single swipe, I dial a number. At the click of him picking up, I speak, “Two things, Kieran.”

“Yes sir,” he yawns.

“First, investigate last night. I asked the staff to make sure my drinks were not tampered with and I don't like it when I don't get what I paid for.” My fist clenches around the bangle. If it wasn't for my angel. . . “Someone wanted me out of my wits last night, and they actually succeeded. Do you see the problem here, Kieran?”

“Yes sir.”

“Then get me a beautiful gift, make it something good, thoughtful.”

“Who do I address it to and why sir?”

“No no,” I shake my head even though he can't see me. “I'm going to deliver this one myself.”

“Yes sir.”

“We’re going to the Patterson family today. Get some cars too. And. . . And a ring. Something delicate, set with diamonds.”

“Sir?” A moment ago, Kieran sounded like he was talking to me from a dream, now his voice is as clear as if he's standing outside my door. “What did you say?”

“I do not like to repeat myself.”

“I know sir, I'm sorry. I just don't think I heard you correctly,” he stammers, the surprise evident in his voice.

“You did,” I reply, a little amused.

He's not the only one that's going to be surprised by this news. My mother, my brother, even my bride, if she'll have me.

“Understood, sir,” Kieran exhales. “I’ll make the arrangements immediately.”

Usually I'm not this rash, not this quick to decide. But I'm sure about this. I may have been drugged out of my mind but I know what I felt.

It just felt so right being with her, like two puzzle pieces fitting together in every sense of the word, and I didn't become a billionaire by ignoring my gut.

She still left such an impact on me and I'm getting excited at the thought of meeting her again, with my mind clear.

That woman is my future.

_

Daphne’s POV

“Could you please repeat that?” Daddy's surprised voice rang out across the office, catching our attention.

We glance at him, Mom pausing her teacup’s ascent to her lips and I pausing the video playing on my phone.

He removes the phone from his ear and puts it on speaker, just in time for us to hear the person on the other end speak.

“Yes, sir. I said I’m calling to inform you that Mr. Andrew Hills is coming to your house later today. He would like your permission. He has a surprise prepared for your daughter. . . and a ring sir.”

Daddy's expression shifts, his confusion giving way to intrigue. Mom and I sitting on the couch opposite his desk, look at each other, her face mirroring the disbelief I feel. “Mr. Hills, you say?”

“Yes Sir.”

Daddy looks at me, grinning, and beckons me closer. “For my daughter.”

“Yes sir,” the man replies again, levelly.

“Very well. I’ll inform her. We'd love to have him over,” he replied, grasping my palm, before ending the call.

For a minute, we all just stare at each other. Then Mom breaks it by leaping up from the couch, whooping, her favourite tea now forgotten. I haven't seen her this happy in a long time and I feel the elation course through my veins. “Richard this is huge!”

Daddy just smiles, looking at me like I solved world hunger. I smile back, fully embracing it. Andrew Hills is coming to propose to me, I think basking in the satisfaction. I always knew something like this would happen to me.

“Daphne, tell us,” Daddy said, pulling me to sit on his desk, “How do you know Mr. Andrew?”

I blink, careful not to furrow my forehead so I won't get lines. Now that I think about it. “I don’t… I’ve never met him. Where could I have possibly run into someone like that?”

Daddy frowned, as Mom sat back down, the primary emotion in the room morphing back to confusion. “Huh? Then who is he here for?”

There was no one else, it had to be me. “Could he maybe have seen me on social media?”

Daddy thought about it for a moment. “I suppose so, but is that enough for Andrew Hills to propose?”

“Think Daphne,” Mom prompts, “Maybe you met him at an event or something.”

I wrack my brain anyway, even though I know there's a slim chance.“No mom, his circle doesn't run with mine.

Daddy glances between Mom and I, his voice laced with annoyance. “Well it's certainly not that hideous sister of yours. Of that we're sure.”

I scoff. I hate it when they call her my sister. She's disgraceful, so ugly and mousy even without that hideous blemish in her face. Besides if I hadn't met Andrew Hills then it was sure as hell that she hadn't met him.

Mom suddenly gasps, refocusing our attention on her. “Margaret, what is it?”

“Could it be?” She says vaguely, staring at her hands.

“Speak woman,” Daddy promoted. She was making me nervous too.

“That little brat,” Mom sneered. “I knew she was shameless but not this shameless.”

“For God's sake, Margaret, what is it?”

“Mr Andrew was at our new hotel yesterday and Valerie went there to clean!”

It takes us only a few minutes to get to the conclusion that she's at. “No,” I scream. “That's not possible. She must have thrown herself at him shamelessly, maybe she even used a charm to make her desirable because there's no way Mr Hill would want her otherwise!”

I gasp as Daddy's face darkens. “If he ever finds out she used a charm on him, he could sue us for everything we have.”

“I should’ve gotten rid of her the day she was born!” Mom explodes. “She nearly killed me, you know.”

My gaze rushes to Mom's face. Really?

I see it darken as she leans back on the couch, her eyes carrying the kind of disdain that comes from a place deep within as she reflects back.

“I think we should

do it now,” Mom suggests lowly. “So Mr Hill never finds out about her. I won't have her threatening Daphne's future.”