Born into a family struggling to make ends meet, April Miller is forced into the role of the breadwinner following a hit-and-run accident that tragically claimed the life of her father. With her family's financial burden mounting, she is plunged into a state of hopelessness as everything all attempts made fail to make ends meet In search of a high-paying job, April applies for a job at Vaughn Industries owned by the arrogant and ruthless billionaire CEO, Timothy Vaughn. Beneath the umbrella of a job offer, April is unexpectedly selected as a potential bride for Timothy, who is desperate to fulfill his dying mother's last wish. Plunged into the world of Timothy Vaughn, April must navigate the complexities rooted in this world as she is torn between her growing debts and her independence. But beneath Timothy's polished facade, secrets and lies lurk, threatening to destroy them both. Can April uncover the mystery behind Timothy's persona, or will his secrets tear them apart?
Chapter 1 April's POV
APRIL'S POV
Beep-beep!
The alarm rings so loudly that, for a second, I fear my eardrums might rupture. I keep my eyes closed and stuff my face into the pillow, both hands clasped over my ears-a failed attempt to drown out the sound of my alarm. The reason it sounds this loud is because I set it that way. I usually have trouble getting up from bed, so the loud sound often drives me crazy to the point where I have to get up to turn it off.
Today is different, though. For many reasons, I feel more exhausted than usual, but I think the main reason is that I had to cover Riley's shift last night. She called in sick, and I needed the extra cash, so I told my boss, Robert Fernandez, that I would cover for her. I probably have to see April after my daytime job at Cafe Oasis, but all of that can wait until I summon the strength to get out of bed.
"How I wish someone would just walk into my room and turn off this stupid thing," I mutter to myself. It's almost like I threw a wish into a well because just as I'm about to lift my head off the pillow, someone walks into my room and shuts off my alarm.
"You shouldn't stay in bed too long, April. I'm famished, and we all need to eat before heading out. I don't want to starve in physics class this morning," says a familiar voice I instantly recognize-one of the people I love the most on this planet: Samantha.
Samantha is my younger sister, but I like to think of her as my twin. We look very much alike-same long red hair, same heart-shaped face. We're also the same height, which is weird considering I'm five years older than her.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot-I'm on cooking duty today," I respond as I slowly, but eventually, get out of bed.
"It's hot and stuffy in here," Samantha says as she pulls apart my curtains.
"Ouch," I mutter as the sun's rays shine directly through my window and into my eyes, almost blinding me.
"Sorry about that," she says with a huge grin, "I just figured you needed to be kissed by the sun to pull away all the attraction you have for sleep and focus more on the new day."
"How poetic. Shakespeare's got nothing on you, my dear Samantha. I guess it's time to freshen up," I say as I walk toward the bathroom to clean up. I stare at myself in the mirror as I brush my teeth. I notice bags under my eyes-I look like crap.
"A little caffeine in my system and some makeup, and I'll be good to go," I mutter to myself. After cleaning myself, I head to the kitchen to make scrambled eggs and toast for the family.
My family has this tradition where cooking duties follow a rotating schedule. I usually make breakfast on Wednesdays and Sundays.
"Dad is probably dressed and ready to leave for work by now, so you have to pack his food or he'll be late," Samantha says as she pulls out a chair and sits at the dining table.
"Oh, that's true," I respond. Mr. John Miller works as a security guard at Levenspiel High School-the same school Samantha attends. Naturally, she should go with him, but she hates the idea of going to school that early.
I hurry up with breakfast since I have to get to Cafe Oasis on time. A new café just opened next to ours, and our manager, Donald Brooks, wants us to start early and stay sharp.
Dad walks into the kitchen ten minutes after I finish making breakfast.
"You shouldn't rush your food, April. It could hurt your stomach later on," Dad says with a smile.
"Hey Dad, we've got to start going. I've already packed your breakfast so you can eat at work," I say as I chew on my food. I finish eating and say goodbye to Mom and Samantha as I walk with Dad.
Levenspiel High School isn't far from Cafe Oasis, so I always walk with him on my way to work. We arrive in front of Cafe Oasis, and I hug my dad and tell him goodbye.
"Be a good girl, young woman," Dad says teasingly.
"Dad, the last time you said that was when you dropped me off at college. But yes, I'll be a good girl. See you later this evening," I say, laughing.
I wave goodbye and walk into Cafe Oasis to begin my shift. Work is slow today with barely any customers, so there's plenty of time to sit and chat. It seems like we've lost the first day of the battle to the newly opened café.
It's 4:00PM, which marks the end of my shift at Cafe Oasis. On to my second job of the day-The Tipsy Tavern.
"Donald, my shift is over, so I've gotta go," I say hurriedly to my manager as I run out the door.
I arrive at The Tipsy Tavern just in time to start my job as a waitress. I enjoy working here much more-I have a stronger bond with everyone else.
Time seems to fly by, but then something strange happens. Someone yells at one of our waitresses to leave him alone. It's one of the customers who requested very strong alcohol. He looks rather depressed. My good friend Sandra Owens was trying to flirt with him.
It's odd, considering Sandra is very attractive. But oh well, the guy seems like he just went through a terrible heartbreak. I wouldn't blame him for anything.
He staggers out of the bar, and I silently hope and pray he doesn't have a car-he might run someone over in that state.
"Where are you, Dad?" I mutter to myself. He's supposed to be at the Tavern already. My shift ends in a few seconds, and he's still not here. It's happened a few times before, so I'm not too worried.
As I pull out my phone to text him, I hear a huge commotion outside. Through the Tavern's transparent glass doors, I see a large crowd gathered.
"Hey Sandra, we should probably go check what's going on. Maybe the hot customer got into a fight," I say teasingly, a grin on my face.
"Let's not talk about him, okay? He seemed troubled, so I decided to let him off the hook for now," Sandra says defensively.
We walk through the doors into the crowd. I ask one of my coworkers outside what's going on, and he says someone got hit by a car-the driver ran off.
A sick feeling churns in my stomach.
"It couldn't possibly be Dad, could it?" I mutter to myself, trying-and failing-to convince myself otherwise.
I push through the crowd in a panic and rush to the center of attention, only to find my dad sprawled on the floor in a pool of blood.
Before I realize it, I'm screaming at the top of my lungs.