In the next two days, Stella Marcellus will be engaged to the love of her life. Her childhood best friend and her first love.

"Stella, your friends are here," her nanny informed her but she was too lost in thought to hear a word she uttered.

"Hey, young lady!" Her nanny tapped her. "Are you listening to me?"

"What? I am right here you don't have to yell," she frowned.

"I had to cause you were daydreaming," Her nanny replied and picked up the empty glass of juice in front of her.

"Were you here to pick that?" She pointed at the empty glass in her hand.

"No, your friends are in the living room," her nanny informed her and she sprang up.

"Really?" She asked in excitement before rushing out of the room.

She bumped into her mom on her way.

"Be careful Stella, you don't wanna walk down the aisle with a broken arm," Mrs. Marcellus cautioned.

"Sorry, mom I'm just excited," she replied, by this time she was in the living room.

"Would you take a look at the soon-to-be bride," Sara gestured at smiling Stella.

"Hi guys," she jumped on a couch beside Margaret.

"What were you doing? We have been here since like forever," Sara complained.

"Daydreaming," Her nanny replied and Stella frowned.

"Nanny."

"Stop glaring at her, it's the truth," Mrs. Marcellus pulled her ear.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Marcellus," Sara and Margaret chorused.

"Afternoon girls," she smiled.

"You better stop daydreaming," Margaret warned.

"Why should I? It's my wedding, I should daydream about it as much as I can," she pouted.

"Our exams are coming up next month and our test is next week, I will advise you to read instead," Margaret mumbled.

"I will after the wedding," she replied.

"After the wedding?" Margaret's eyes widened, their test week is immediately after the wedding.

"Don't be surprised Margaret, her boyfriend's dad is a co-owner of the school. I won't study even after the wedding if I were her," Sara smiled.

"I will be heading to the office out sweetie, your gown with be delivered tomorrow just before the engagement party," Mrs. Marcellus pecked her hair and she smiled.

"I am so excited," she mumbled.

"So am I, I can't wait to hold your baby," Sara squealed.

"I don't want to have a child yet, after graduation I will consider that," she replied

"Arnaldo is a s*x freak, do you think you can wait until graduation," Sara said.

"I am surprised he stop requesting for s*x after the first time, how does he satisfy himself," Margaret shook her head sideways

"He is waiting for me, he stopped being a s*x freak after we started dating," Stella uttered proudly.

"I miss him," Stella mumbled.

"Give him a call," Sara and Margaret said at the same time.

"I will," she smiled and picked up her phone, she dialed his number which was stored with a soulmate with three hearts.

"Hello future hubby," she called in excitement.

"Arnaldo is in the bathroom," Cherry, Arnaldo's best friend informed her.

"Cherry," she called slightly hurt.

"Yeah," she answered.

"Why is she answering his phone?" Sara wondered with a frown.

"Tell him I called," Stella said and cut the call.

"Who is she again? His second girlfriend," Margaret mocked.

"I wonder if he f*cks her instead of you," Sara mumbled.

"Guys!" Stella frowned while Sara laughed.

"We should get you ready for tonight," Sara giggled and pulled Stella up, the engagement party was going to be done at Arnaldo's father's hotel.

"Hey, Margaret! Aren't you coming?" Sara asked.

"Neither my boyfriend nor my future boyfriend owns the school," she replied.

"You are the most brilliant student in our department, failing a subject will have no effect on your marks," Stella pulled her and they walked to Stella's room.

"I'll bring you guys snacks," Nanny informed. "No need nanny, we are leaving soon... You should get ready too," Sara yelled as they walked into the room.

"I am going to miss, nanny," Stella mumbled.

******

"Phew," Stella breathed in relief as she walked out of the stall.

She just eased herself, she felt like taking a stroll when she felt pressed and decided to ease herself on the way.

"I feel so nervous," she fanned her face with her hand.

Immediately she walked out of the restroom, a couple walked into the male restroom all over each other and she could hear them moaning.

"Why will they do that in a public place?" She scoffed and shook her head.

She was about to walk away when she sighted a wristwatch on the floor.

"This belongs to one of them," she mumbled before picking it up.

She turned it over and saw an initial on it, it was the same on the wristwatch she gifted Arnaldo.

She walked into the restroom with curiosity as tears already fill her eyes, they were having s*x.

The lady was holding the door to a stall while the guy banged her from behind.

"A.W, Arnaldo Williams," she called and Arnaldo pulled out of Cherry immediately.

"Stella," he called pulling his shorts up.

"You... Cherry, you two... I... It's our engagement party," she stuttered as tears rolled endlessly out of her eyes.

"Calm down Stella," he pulled up his trousers too, and walked closer to her.

"Don't touch me!" She snapped at him and he flinched, Stella has always been the sweet girl.

Even when he hurt her, she was always understanding. This might have been too much but people don't change in a second, he can still activate her soft spot.

"Stella I am sorry," he apologized, feigning a remorseful expression.

"How could you do this to me?!" She sobbed.

"Forget what you saw, it is nothing," he said.

"Nothing, you were fúckinh your best friend!" she screamed with more tears falling from her eyes.

"Keep your voice down, it is our engagement party you won't want to create a scene," he was finally able to touch her.

"Think about our parents, our friends," he raised her chin while tears washed her makeup off

"That's right Stella, think about the benefits your dad will enjoy after your marriage with Arnaldo," Cherry spoke up.

Stella shut her eyes and gritted her teeth.

"My love," Arnaldo tried to kiss her but his cheeks met with her palm instead.

His face shifted to a side as a result of the slap.

"You both are shameless, I am calling this engagement off," she stated and turn to leave.

"Who will believe you? You have no evidence, it's your word against ours. I was never in the restroom and you accuse Cherry because of your insecurities, now tell me Stella what is your story," he smirked while Cherry walked closer to him and held his arm.

"You two will rot in hell!" She screamed and rushed out of the restroom, holding onto the wristwatch.

"Do you think she will call the engagement off?" Cherry asked in fear.

"She is too gullible to do that," he replied confidently.

Stella went back to her dressing room and sat on the floor, tears gushing out of her eyes.

Her life seemed meaningless at the moment, she was confused and broken.

"Why me? Why did he do that?" She wailed.

"Stella," Margaret knocked on the door and she wailed more loudly.

"Are you okay? What's that sound?" Margaret asked still standing by the door.

"Why aren't you going in?" Sara questioned Margaret when she got to the door.

"She isn't responding," Margaret replied.

"Stella," Sara knocked on the door but no response was given.

Stella crawled away from the door as tears continue to fall from her eyes, she was devastated.

"Did you hear that?" Margaret asked and Sara shrugged.

She tried to knock again but Margaret held her hand.

"Listen," she said and Sara obeyed, she heard faint sobs.

Sara got anxious and pushes the door open.

"Stella!" They called worriedly as they rushed to her.

"Sara, Margaret... What should I do?" She cried.

"What happened?" Sara asked wiping her tears.

"Stella honey, it's time," Mrs. Marcellus knocked on the door.

"She will be out in a sec ma'am," Margaret said.

"You guys should hurry," Mrs. Marcellus said and left.

"I can't do this, I don't want to do this," she shook her head sideways.

"We can only help if you tell us what the problem is," Sara said.

She wanted to tell them but her voice seemed lost.

"Dear," Nanny knocked on the door. "Your father requests your presence."

"We are coming nanny," Sara uttered this time.

They heard her footsteps fade and Stella stood up.

"Clean my face, Sara," she requests trying to hold back her tears, but they kept falling.

"Are you sure? We can call Arnaldo if...." Margaret tried to say but was interrupted.

"Noo! Not Arnaldo, I... I will be fine," she assured and Margaret stared at her suspiciously.

... ★★★★★...

Stella stepped into the hall with her friends, her eyes landed on Arnaldo who was standing with his parents.

She wondered where Cherry was, why wasn't she standing with him? The scene from earlier replayed in her head and got tears pricked her eyes.

"You are to walk to your fiance," Margaret whispered snapping her back to reality.

"We will be right there," Sara pointed at a table before they walked away.

Stella lifted her gown a little as she walked towards Arnaldo.

"You look beautiful tonight, my dear," Mrs. Williams (Arnaldo's mom) complimented her and she smiled in return.

Stella's parents walked closer to them.

"Why don't we let the couple have their first dance?" Mr. Marcellus suggested.

"I like the sound of that," Arnaldo said his eyes on Stella.

"The night is yours," Mrs. Williams pat his back gently.

He took two steps forward and stretch out his hand to Stella.

"May I have this dance?" He asked, Stella, felt pain in her chest as she stared at him.

"Go on my love," Mrs. Marcellus urged and hesitantly she took his hand.

Cherry smiled from the crowd as she had been praying Stella won't create a scene.

"You are still here," Arnaldo said when they got to the dance floor.

"I knew you couldn't do it, I am all you have. It's time you realize that dear, we are stuck together," he smiled mischievously.

Stella hated his hand on her, she recalled how he held cherry's waist and now he is holding her with the same hand.

"How long has that been going on?" Stella asked with her eyes closed, she desperately wanted to know the truth.

"A week after our relationship, you wouldn't let me fúck you or other girls, you don't expect me to satisfy myself do you?" He whispered into her ears.

Sara's words rang in her head. *I wonder if he f*cks her instead of you.*

"They look lovely," Mrs. William whispered to Mrs. Marcellus from their seat. The parents were sitting together.

"They will have cute children," Mrs. Marcellus replied and the women giggled.

"You have nothing to worry about, everything will stop after our marriage because I will have you to satisfy me," he smirked.

"There won't be a wedding," Stella started and stopped dancing.

"W.. What do you mean?" He stuttered shortly as he felt all eyes on them.

"I am calling this off Arnaldo, we are over... wait, were we ever together?" She scoffed and slid her hand from his shoulder to his chest until it was off him.

"What are they doing?" Mr. William wondered.

"I..."

"Don't you dare," Arnaldo warned her.

"You dared, why shouldn't I?" She questioned back.

"You will only make a fool out of yourself," he said trying to get into her head.

"I would rather be a fool for a moment than be one for eternity," she replied and turn to face their parents.

"Mom... Dad, Mr., and Mrs. Williams I am calling this engagement off, I don't want to marry Arnaldo!" She screamed her last words had tears fell from her eyes again.

"Stella," Arnaldo tried to hold her arm but she pushed him away.

"Don't touch me with that disgusting hand of yours again!" She snapped

"I think they fought," Sara mumbled from their seat.

"Whatever he did is unforgivable," Margaret added.

"Stella," Mrs. Marcellus walked here with an anxious smile. "What do you mean sweetie?"

"I don't want to get married mom, not to him!" She pointed at Arnoldo with disgust in her eyes.

"This isn't good," Cherry mumbled with her hands sweaty.

She was scared of Stella stating her reason, if she did... then she is doomed.

"Why? Did you two fight? You can talk it out, you are adults," Mrs. Marcellus said wiping her tears

"My love, your mom is right. We can sort it out," Arnaldo tried to hold her but she shifted away and he moved closer

He tried to touch her face and that made her slap him.

"ahhh."

"That must hurt."

"Has she lost her mind?"

Murmurs filled the air as the guest whispered into each other ears.

"Stella," Mr. Marcellus called in rage.

"Get that daughter of yours away from my son!" Mrs. Williams snapped rushing to the scene.

"Dear," Mrs. Williams raised her chin while tears flowed endlessly out of her eyes, her heart was shattered.

"I'm sorry mom," Stella sobbed.

"Why do you want the engagement to cancel?" she asked, she raised her daughter perfectly.

Despite being rich she made sure to train her, she would never call off the engagement or hit Arnaldo without a perfect reason.

"I... He is..." she broke down in more tears and hugged her mom.

A strange handsome guy suddenly walked into the hall and straight to the dance floor, he glared at Arnaldo hatefully which got him wondering if they'd met before.

He walked to Stella and pat her shoulder, he leaned closer until their lips were touching, he kissed Stella while she stood still.

He wiped her lips with his thumb after the kiss, with a smile he turned to the crowd.

"I apologize on behalf of my girlfriend for the confusion," he said and murmurs filled the air again.

"Who is he? Is he from our school? Do we know him?" Margaret asked Sara.

"I don't, I am seeing him for the first time too," Sara replied in anticipation of what was going to happen next.

"I thought you recognize every guy from our school," Margaret replied.

"She... Is calling off the engagement because she can't handle two Kindly Hi Amazing Stories on zero nine zero seven four two nine two three four seven to join our story grouprelationships," he announced and Stella's eyes widened.

Who is he? She doesn't even know him. Why will he claim they are in a relationship?

"Stella!" Mr. Marcellus roared and her head twirled in his direction, his eyes were filled with rage.

He looked like his pride land has just been invaded.

Stella wanted to deny the guy's words but Arnaldo's words made her stop.

"How can you be shameless? You have been cheating on me?"

How dare he turn the table on her? He is the cheating one.

"Stella, that is not true right?" Mrs. Marcellus asked with her head shaking sideways.

"I am sorry mom," She held the guy's hand and stepped away from her mom.

"Wow! Didn't expect that," Cherry mumbled.

"Why are you doing this?" Mrs. Marcellus tried to hold onto her hand but she pulled away.

All she wanted was to stay away from Arnaldo, the shame, and her family.

"You are a disgrace to our family," Mr. Marcellus spat and stormed out of the hall.

Stella would have run after him but her world has already crumbled immediately after Arnaldo cheated on her.

"Honey," Mrs. Marcellus tried to stop him.

"We better get out of here," The stranger whispered into her ear and she nodded.

"Stella," Mrs. Marcellus called with tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

"I'll see you, mom," she hugged her briefly and left with the stranger.

"Stella!" Sara and Margaret rushed to the door.

She couldn't even stare at them in the eyes, everything was ruined.

"Follow your shameless daughter," Mrs. Williams rolled her eyes at Mrs. Marcellus.

"Mrs. Marcellus," Sara and Nanny helped her out of the hall while Margaret got her things.

"Do you know that guy?" Cherry asked in a whisper.

"No, but I doubt they are in a relationship... I am confused about what the full story is," He replied.

His parents were apologizing to the guests.

"You should go home and rest," Mrs. Williams walked up to them.

"Are you alright mom?" He asked worriedly. "I understand how important my wedding is to you."

"I will be fine," She assured

"You shouldn't let this get to you, Mrs. Williams no one can be fully trusted," Cherry chipped in.

"You are right," she sighed. "You both should go home."

Cherry held Arnaldo's arm as they walked out of the hall.

********

"Where do you want to go?" The stranger asked Stella, they were in his car in the middle of nowhere.

"Why did you do that? The kiss," she asked.

"Wanna drink?" He questioned back instead.

"Are you even up to eighteen?" He asked staring at her.

"I would have been engaged and tomorrow would be my wedding," she replied instead.

"I don't want to end up behind bars," he joked but she didn't laugh or smile, her situation was beyond that.

The guy ignited the car and drove away, after a few minutes almost an hour they were in front of a bar.

The guy positioned his arm around her waist and she gave him a questioning look.

"You will understand when we get in," he said and she walked towards the entrance.

What was the worst that can happen? She is stuck with him for the night.

Immediately they entered, drunk guys tried to approach her but the stranger gave up on her and changed their minds.

"Tequila," she ordered immediately they sat and the bartender served them.

She was about to drink it when she remembered she didn't have any money, the guy understood her expression and gestured at the bartender to leave.

"I..."

To be continued.

...★★★★★...

The strange guy walked out of the wardrobe dressed in a black shirt and black shorts, his hair was all over his face making him look hot and sexy.

"When will she wake up?" He wondered staring at Stella who was sound asleep, she look so peaceful that anyone would find it hard to believe that she just had the worst night of her life.

She drank until she passed out the previous night but unlike other people, she didn't say a word despite being drunk all she did was cry while he watched.

He sighed and picked up his bag.

Stella groaned from her sleep and her hand unconsciously held her head.

She sat up and kicked the duvet away.

"Nanny, my head hurts," She mumbled and the stranger chuckled

She opened her eyes and started at the room, fear engulfed her and she screamed.

"Ahhh!!"

"Hmmm," the guy cleared his throat but she didn't hear him.

"Where am I? Dad is going to kill me," she mumbled, still unaware of the stranger's presence.

"Where is my phone?" She searched the bed, and the stranger chuckled.

"I will take responsibility for what happened yesterday," he uttered from a corner, and her head turned in the direction of the voice.

"For what?" She questioned back, out of confusion. She wants surprised to see him for some weird reason.

"You can live here, as you have nowhere to go," he said instead and with that, he left the room, it was then Stella recalled what happened the previous day.

"Nowhere go," She muttered and fell back on the bed. "Why me?"

Her life was ruined, she remember the look on her dad's face before he left.

Everyone is disappointed in her even though it wasn't her fault.

"But I can't stay here, that will only make me look more like the bad guy," she got out of bed and realize she was in a pajamas and slightly big brown shirt.

"This... how did I?... what happened yesterday?" She wondered.

However, that is the least of her problem, she walked out of the room barefooted.

"Wow!" She exclaimed at the sight of the mansion, it was bigger than her or Arnaldo's house.

This is the biggest mansion she has stepped in, in all her twenty-one years of existence.

But the mansion was dusty, she walked down the stairs and found the stranger sipping from a cup of coffee with his phone in his hand. He was leaning on the dining table, which looks dusty too.

"Umm... I... Where are we?" She asked.

"My house," he replied not sparing her a glance.

"This mansion is yours?" She asked to be sure she heard him right.

"Yeah," he replied swiftly, he wouldn't have repeated himself but the girl in from of him needs all the care and attention she can get.

For reasons best known to God, not even him he doesn't want to deprive her of that.

Stella wanted to say something but she was hesitant.

"What do you want for breakfast?" He asked, the cup was now on the dusty table.

"Nothing," she blurted, though her stomach was empty food was the last thing on her mind.

"Nothing?" The guy repeated surprised.

"Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it but I can't stay here or accept your kind gesture anymore. I will be heading back to my house," she breathed in relief after saying that.

"Your house?" He chuckled. "Good luck with that."

"Thanks," she smiled.

He stared at her amusingly, no wonder she is broken.

"You should leave then, there are places I ought to be," he said and walked to the couch leaving the cup.

"Where is my dress? I can't leave like this," she gestured at herself.

"On the couch in the room," he replied and she opened her mouth to say something but he beat her to it. "Your dress wasn't changed by me."

"Oh," she pouted, how did he know she was going to ask?

But, if it is just the two of them in the mansion who changed her dress?

She isn't sure but she isn't curious either, she believed his words.

She went back upstairs and got dressed, she met him waiting for her in the living room.

"Mr. Can you borrow me some money?" She ask with her head bowed.

"I thought you wouldn't accept my kind gesture anymore," he said.

"I will repay you," she replied.

He brought out his wallet and walked to her.

"This should be enough," he said with some cash in his hand.

"More than enough," she smiled and collected it from him.

*******

Margaret sighed as she and Sara waited for Stella by the school gate.

"I don't think she will show her face," Cherry said behind them.

"And why is that?" Sara questioned.

"Seriously! You expect her to show her ugly face after the charade she pulled yesterday? She must be somewhere crying her eyes out," she scoffed.

"Why don't you go and console your best friend since he must be heartbroken," Margaret suggested.

"Arnaldo has no reason to be heartbroken," Cherry replied confidently.

"You can't be too sure," Margret replied and held Sara's arm before walking past Cherry.

Sara turned to face her and gave her a middle finger, she has always hated her and she didn't hide it.

Cherry walked away too in search of Arnaldo, it took a while but she eventually found him on the field.

"Why do you look like a corpse? Don't tell me you are sulking over that girl. You don't even love her," she rolled her eyes with her arms folded under her ******.

"She broke our engagement out of the blue and I find out she has been cheating on me," he sighed.

"So?"

"I am the victim, I have to look pitiful," he said.

"This is all an act?" She asked her eyes widening in excitement.

"What do you think?" He smirked and brought out a cigarette while Cherry walked closer and helped him light it.

"But, Arnaldo who was that guy?" Cherry asked sitting beside him.

"I will find out soon," he replied.

"And about us, will she tell her parents?" She asked playing with the lighter.

"No," he replied and pulled her closer.

"Hey, we are outside... you are still hurt," she mocked.

"Let's head somewhere private," he kissed her cheek and they stood up.

*******

"How long will you keep this on?!" Mr. Marcellus snapped at his wife who hasn't stopped crying since the previous night.

"My only daughter is nowhere to be found," she sobbed, Kindly Hi Amazing Stories on zero nine zero seven four two nine two three four seven to join our story group she left her phone in the hotel dressing room so they can't reach her.

"Your daughter is a disgrace, you should stop wasting your tears on her," he scolded but she only cried more.

"A disgrace or not, she is my daughter," she wailed.

Stella was by the door, she bit her lips as she heard her mom wail and her dad scold her.

"Miss Stella!" A maid who was wetting the Flowers gasped and Mrs. Marcellus sprang up

Before Stella could tell her to keep it low the door was opened and her mom pulled her into a hug.

"My love, where have you been? Why didn't you call?" Mrs. Marcellus asked amidst tears.

"I am sorry, mom. I am sorry," she apologized with tears rolling out of her eyes too.

"Stella," her nanny called with tears files eyes too.

Mr. Marcellus stared away, he was too furious at her.

"Stop crying mom, you are going to fall sick," she said as she disengaged from the hug.

"Have you had breakfast? Where did you spend the night? It must have been cold," Mrs. Marcellus walked her into the house.

Stella suddenly stopped waiting for Mr. Marcellus to scold her.

"Serve her breakfast," Mr. Marcellus ordered to everyone's dismay.

Stella smiled but it vanished after a few seconds.

"Leave this house after that meal, consider it your last meal as Marcellus," he declared and left the house.

"What does that mean? You are sending your daughter away! What type of man are you?!" Mrs. Marcellus questioned while the nanny tried to hold her tears.

Stella wasn't surprised she knew her father would punish her in the harshest way anyone can imagine.

Despite her mom's pleas, she left the house, it was a tough decision but she was twenty one she has to stop depending on her dad.

She reached out to her friend but their parents won't let them take her in.

********

Stella took a deep breath as she stared at the gate, she closed her eyes trying hard to fight back her tears.

Her friends and family deserted her, a stranger is her only source of hope.

She walked in and straight to the door, she pressed the doorbell and after a few seconds, the door was open.

The guy was standing in front of her but she couldn't stare at his face.

"Why are you...."

She fell to her knees before he could finish his question.

"I know I said I wasn't going to come back but... can you save me one more time, please?" Stella pleaded with her palms glued together.

To be continued