My name is Valentina Roth. I am 27 years old and a model. Beyond that, I own a fashion house and have my own clothing and cosmetics lines branded with my name...

My best friend is Olivia Ponce. She's a year older than me and an accomplished lawyer.

She has also represented me in contract matters with other brands or designers.

By the way, I should mention she detests my boyfriend, Fabian. We've been together for three years, and we're about to get married...

Well, as long as everything goes smoothly.

My mother left me as a teenager, leaving me in the care of my father, a man who passed away from cancer a few years later.

...----------------...

I am Fabian Harris, the boyfriend, or rather the fiance of Valentina. Truth is, I don’t really love her; I'm just with her because she's famous and I'm not as much. It's not her money I’m after, as I couldn't even get 5 dollars out of her. But being by her side, or in her circle, makes you get noticed.

Just so that you understand better, I work as a model.

I'm 30 years old. My parents died when I was 20 and I've been on my own ever since.

I’ve been with many women, even those called "Sugar Mommies." But the one who's constant in my bed is my lover, Susan.

...----------------...

I’m Danilo Miller, 32 years old and a Petroleum Businessman. It’s a family thing, from generation to generation it has always passed to the firstborn male, just as it happened with my father, my grandfather, and my great-grandfather. The same will occur with my son, if he accepts. None of us were forced.

I’m engaged but I don’t know how to shake off this woman; I’m not interested in her, I don’t even find her attractive. It was a foolish agreement between my father and hers, supposedly for the good of the business. Which business? That's my question, because ours is doing exceptionally well.

So far, I’ve managed to avoid that arrangement. I've been engaged for two years without setting a wedding date, and honestly, I’ll do whatever I can to avoid marrying.

I am Susan Wilson, 30 years old and engaged to Danilo. I know he doesn’t love me, and the feeling is mutual. I only want power, money, to save my father from bankruptcy.

The old man is a compulsive gambler, owing millions of dollars to scores of people, and they've come to me to collect his debts, but I don’t have a dime.

I still don't understand how he managed to fool my fiance's father, as they believe the merger of our businesses after our wedding will be beneficial. But it won’t happen if Danilo finds out the truth.

On a different note, I must confess that I am the lover of Fabian Harris, the handsome model. I can’t claim I’m in love with him, but he's very skilled in bed, it's a pity he has no real power, relying on his poor girlfriend for work contracts because he can’t manage to get them on his own.

I studied classical dance and never got the chance to dance, as my father broke my foot after an audition I had. That day, I missed a date with another man, one who would pay off my father’s debts; but he got tired of waiting for me and left, refusing to see us ever again.

...Valentina...

"Friend, can you set a date at the registry office?" I asked while brushing my hair in my room.

Olivia- "Sure thing," she replied, not too happily. "Are you sure about this?"

Valentina- "Why wouldn't I be?"

Olivia- "Oh, friend, I don't know how to say this, plus I have no proof, but I've heard rumors that Fabian has been with other women, and it's not the first time those rumors have circulated, which is why I don't like him. I just feel there’s some truth among all the things being said, and that's why I think you shouldn't go through with it."

Valentina- "Those rumors again? Let's do this: you look for an available date about four months from now, and I'll investigate if those rumors hold any water."

Olivia- "Would you still marry him if it turns out to be true?"

Valentina- "Do I look like a fool to you? Of course not, on the contrary, I'll make him pay. I've given that man three years of my life, and I am well aware that it's thanks to me that he has become 'famous.'"

Olivia- "I've noticed, but I didn't want to tell you in case you got mad at me."

Valentina- "I would never get mad at you. You've always told me the harsh truths straight to my face."

Olivia- "And I'll keep doing that. Well, I'm off so I can bring you that date... Any particular day?"

Valentina- "No, just call me on my cell or come to the office."

Olivia- "Consider it done," - she bid me farewell and left.

A few minutes later, I checked that everything was in order and headed out to the fashion house.

...----------------...

"Good morning, everyone," - I announced as I entered.

"Good morning, Miss," - my employees replied.

"Darling, bring my planner to my office," - I requested my secretary as I walked on.

"Knock knock."

"Come in," - I said, anticipating who it might be.

Secretary- "Miss, I have brought you a coffee."

"Thank you," - I gave her a smile.

Secretary- "Today's schedule is quite light compared to other days. A clothing brand called Sporrting wants to hire you and you also have to check on the models to make sure everything's fine."

Valentina- "Looks like we're light today. Olivia will manage the contract, and I’ll go see the models as usual at 10 am."

Secretary- "Okay, I'll let Miss know. Excuse me."

...----------------...

Minutes before 10 am

"We have a little problem," - Olivia said as she entered my office without knocking.

Valentina- "What is it?"

Olivia- "You can’t marry Fabian."

Valentina- "I told you I will sort that out, I’m calling a detective today."

Olivia- "It’s not about the rumors; they can't give you a date for your wedding. You... You’re already married."

Valentina -"Already married? That's not possible," - I said, shocked.

Olivia - "Oh, friend, it's the best thing that could happen to you."

Valentina -"Let's find this supposed husband before Fabian sets our wedding date."

Olivia- "That would be easier, though I don't know if he'll be willing to talk to you."

Valentina- "Don't tell me we know him?"

Olivia- "Not personally, but he is someone famous."

Valentina- "Did I inadvertently make another man famous?"

Olivia- "No, friend, don't compare. Your useless fiance got famous because of you, but this man is known on his own merits; maybe you won't even want to divorce him."

Valentina- "Well then, I'm in no rush to get married, but now I don't understand what nonsense you're talking."

Olivia- "Here’s your marriage certificate, and you can see who your husband is on this phone," - she placed both items on my desk.

I took the papers, and was astonished to see the date of my marriage, five years ago in Las Vegas. The name of the groom, Danilo Miller. Who is that? The name sounded familiar.

I instinctively picked up the phone, unlocked it, and was dumbstruck to see the most important man in business, an oil tycoon.

"It can't be him," - I said looking at Olivia, who had a huge smile on her face.

Olivia- "It is him. I showed you because I’ve already verified it with his ID. It’s marked right there."

Valentina- "This man has been engaged for two years to a woman named Susan. Does he already know about our marriage, and is that why he hasn't married her?"

Olivia- "If he knows, then he doesn't want to marry her, or else he would have come to you for a divorce by now."

Valentina- "So perhaps he doesn’t know yet."

Olivia- "And you'll foolishly alert him.”

Valentina- "Obviously."

Olivia- "Do you remember what happened in Las Vegas?"

Valentina- "Of course, we went together for your cousin's bachelorette party. Remember that the groom was there too; they wanted a joint send-off, but separately. It didn’t make sense at the time until he started dancing."

Olivia- "I remember that part, but not much afterwards. We all had a lot to drink."

Valentina- "Apparently too much. I ended up married to a stranger."

Olivia- "How did that happen? Don’t you remember a chapel, an Elvis, saying 'I do,' kissing someone?"

Valentina- "If I remembered, don't you think I would have done something about it by now?"

Olivia- "If I were you, I wouldn’t divorce him, not until we have the information about Fabian's rumors. In any case, they seem true to me."

Valentina- "I promise I’ll call you so we can read the information together... Now let's go see the models."

...Danilo...

I can no longer find an excuse to cancel or postpone my wedding, but I’ll make it simple: she can't be as saintly as she appears, there must be something bad she’s done.

"Friend, are we going out today?" said Oscar, coming into my office.

Danilo: Of course.

Oscar: You look awful, what happened?

Danilo: The usual. - I rolled my eyes.

Oscar: Has your father asked you for a date again?

Danilo: Yes, he called me last night...

Oscar: Are you thinking of an excuse?

Danilo: Once again you hit the nail on the head. I need something really good to end this, I'm considering investigating Susan. She must be hiding something. For example, I’ve never touched her since I've known her, and I've seen marks on her neck. It doesn't bother me if she's with someone, but it might help me to get out of this nonsense.

Oscar: I know a great investigator; he's trustworthy and won't spread things to the press.

Danilo: Call him today.

Oscar: Alright, changing the subject, what time are we going out?

Danilo: As always, at 10 p.m.

Oscar: There will be a lot of beautiful women at our favorite bar.

Danilo: You know I go to drink, not to pick up women.

Oscar: You should think about getting a girlfriend; you're getting older by the day.

Danilo: Ha ha ha, look how I'm laughing at your joke - I said sarcastically.

He laughed and went back to his work station.

...----------------...

Pleased to meet you, I am Oscar Thompson, 33 years old.

I am Danilo's Vice President and also his friend, the only one he has.

A damn womanizer, so they say... I don't play with women's feelings, I make things clear from the start, after that, it's their choice to get involved with me or not.

As my friend requested, I'm calling the investigator.

📞Hello, you have reached T Investigations, how may I assist you? - A woman says.

Oscar📞 Good morning, I have an urgent job, when can we meet?

📞 Please tell me your name.

-📞 I’m Oscar Thompson - I replied.

📞 Sir, my boss can meet you today, please provide an address.

Oscar📞 Please come to the Miller Oil Company at 2 p.m.

📞He will be there.

I ended the conversation with her and texted Danilo.

📨He's coming at 2 p.m.

He didn't reply, but I was sure he had seen it because that's how he is; messages that don't require a response, he ignores.

...----------------...

2 p.m.

......Danilo......

Here I am, seated in my chair, with Oscar in front of me, waiting for the investigator to arrive.

Secretary: Sir, a man named Tito has arrived; he said you were expecting him.

"Let him in," I said.

Danilo: I assume he’s the one you called, right? - I said to Oscar.

Oscar: I'm not sure, they call the man T.

Danilo: Whatever.

A man around 60 years old, in a business suit with a notebook in hand, walked in.

Tito: Good afternoon, I'm Tito from T Investigations. What's the job? - He said, cutting to the chase.

Danilo: Please, have a seat, sir. - He complied - I want to avoid my marriage, and that's why I called you, I need you to follow and gather information on my fiancee. Anything that would help to end this entire charade.

Tito: It will be done. From what I've read in magazines and social media, your fiancee is Susan Wilson, correct?

Danilo: Yes. The sooner you get everything, the better, the reward will be triple what you usually charge.

Tito: Fine. With your permission, I'll get going.

Danilo: Please do.

Oscar: Mmm, he's a very serious man. - He commented when we were alone again.

Danilo: Better that way, he focuses on his work without being judgmental.

...----------------...

Tito from T Investigations is a retired FBI detective, honored upon his retirement.

Aged 60. He maintains a well-conditioned physique.

He dedicates himself to personal jobs, mainly for celebrities, but also offers affordable services for low-income individuals who need his expertise.