A Trillionaire’s Revenge

“Look, my friend's forgotten all about me. You're married now, and don't mingle with us singles?"

I grab her and give her the tightest hug I can afford. She was still wearing her Love Spell cologne, as always. "Thank you for coming,"

"I must give it to you, you look amazing, glowing, if I may add. Is marriage the secret?" She says as she hugs back.

We break the hug. "You can say that." I smile.

"Well, I guess, that's a good thing. I should be expecting that." She says as she waves her hand, an engagement ring visible on it.

I gasp in excitement, "Bloody hell! When? Who? Congratulations!" I say as I pull her in for another hug.

She shrugs but dismisses it immediately. "David." She says as she looks at me, directly in the eyes. That was exactly what she did when she felt bad over something—looking you in the eyes to avoid any form of guilt or burden.

"David? You mean, David Jackson?" I ask in complete shock an amazement, not just because he was to be my fiancé, but because of the terrible decision she had just made. "You know what he's like, you know what their family's like—how could you make such a reckless decision?"

"It's purely business. Political. It's just a year, or two. There's no dowry, no prenup and my freedom after a year or two is finalized. My family needs him and his family needs us. It's a win win, right?" She says.

I hold her hand, "Don't walk the same path I walked, Lydia. Don't let them use you in such a horrible way." I plead, my heart, genuinely breaking for her. It dawned on me that our parents were all just the same. Cut from the same cloth. Suddenly, but not the first time, I wished I was born poor. I would've been hungry but happy.

"Just as much as I'm being used, I'm using them too. My family is using the Jackson's and I'm using my family. Although, they have no idea, but they'll find out soon enough."

I raise my eyebrows in confusion, "How so?" I ask her. She tells me her plan and I look at her in awe. Lydia had a quiet personality and a shy personality too, but what she had just said made me see that even the most gullible person could be as cunning as a fox or even worse. A voice inside my head begged me to take notes on scheming from Lydia so at least, I'd beat my mother in her own game for once.

The party had begun, and people are socializing. I occasionally steal glances of Luke as I speak with Lydia. Things had really changed since school and I'd realized I'd missed out on a lot. My friend Anna had moved out of London to Germany to start a new life. Tracy had moved to Scotland for school, and would occasionally return and Verónica was still here, in Shoreditch.

That's your husband? You can't take your eyes off him." Lydia states.

I blush, "I never thought I could love someone as much as I love him. It's just so surreal."

really happened? I mean with Rocket? We all thought you guys would end up

glad that it didn't happen. I would never have been truly happy with Rocky, you know? Lucas is the

was an arranged

nod, "It was forced on me. I wouldn't say I was deceived but it was all

glad it did, Natty. You

and marrying that arse, is not where

get what I want, then so be it. I'd marry him a hundred times if I had

he shows." I say, as my focus is

Lydia says as we both look at Senator Jackson and his son,

Lydia and I are irritated. I see David look at Lydia and she responds with a fake smile. He blows a rich-playboy kiss to her with his index and middle finger. She catches it in the air and throws her hand down

really bad feeling about tonight." I say to

difference is whatever's happening, won't be happening to any of us." Lydia assures me as she

on him, champagne in hand and a

the ladies. I wonder how we

in and I

say in response. Lydia is quiet. I begin to wonder if her whole quite, calm behavior is a charade because with me, Lydia

She wraps her hands around his neck. "I'm fine, thank you." She

Luke but it doesn't take a while and I find him. He's talking to Senator Jackson. I approach them. "My love," I say

marriages are always like this." I

you were having fun without me. I thought

his cheeks,

senator? I thought you were familiar?" Luke asks. I turn to

positive." I say, a fake

I just got acquainted and he's interested in becoming a co-owner of

interest doesn't mean I'll become your partner, Mr. Jackson." I look at the senator, wondering his motives for approaching Luke. If only Luke knew that the man standing right in front of him tried to manipulate my family into marrying me off to his son, he wouldn't be as entertaining as

that could never happen. Rocky was still in the manor and the senator and his son knew Rocky. Everything would fall apart if Luke found out. "Why

not a problem." The senator says