"what are you doing here?" Lindsey asked immediately he opened the door.
"Can I come in?, you wouldn't want people to see us like this" Keith said.
Lindsey sighed opening the door widely for him to enter.
"So, how did you know my house? And most importantly why are you here?" Lindsey asked.
Keith looked from the blonde-haired lady, who couldn't take her eyes off him, and then to Lindsey "Mother wants to see, she asked I bring you to the villa immediately" Keith said.
Lindsey chuckled "Why?, your family couldn't keep the promise of not posting the pictures on the Internet and now your mother wants to see me, what for?"
"Actually, that's the reason she sent for you, I really don't have all day, Ms. Roach, I think we should get going," Keith said glancing at his wristwatch.
Lindsey looked at Leen as if asking her if she should go, Leen nodded her head, approving of it.
"And our $50,000 deal?" Lindsey asked folding her arms.
"I sent that to you this morning, Didn't you receive the alert?".
"I haven't checked my phone yet, I will be back in a while," Lindsey said and ran upstairs.
She quickly switched on her phone and scrolled to the message, "Yep, I got it" she smiled at the credit alert.
She checked her missed calls, most were from her family, then some unknown numbers which she was guessing most belong to the reporters, and then she also got a call from her workers and schoolmate.
"Everyone is suddenly calling me" She sneered putting her phone done, she went into the bathroom to do her morning routine.
A few minutes later, Lindsey walked downstairs putting on a brown turtle neck long-sleeve blouse tucked into a short black shiny leather skirt, she had a long black heel boot and then her black blazer to match.
Her long hair was packed in a stylish ponytail style which looked pretty on her.
"Don't tell me you are looking pretty for me" Keith said and Lindsey chuckled.
"I always look pretty, besides I need to look good for the paparazzi, I don't want ugly pictures of me flying around the internet," Lindsey said picking up her car key.
"That wouldn't be necessary" Keith stared at her.
"What?"
"I came with my car, so you don't need to bring yours too," Keith said now looking at her hand.
Lindsey gave him a weird smile before dropping her car key.
"I will be back in a jiffy" Lindsey turned to Leen.
"Yeah, no problem, your house is save," Leen said.
She watched Lindsey and Keith as they walked out of the house.
The drive from her house to the Winslow family villa was quiet and Lindsey couldn't be more grateful.
She can't imagine being in a conversation with Keith, what was she going to say, she was weak at keeping conversation and that has ruined most of her work and personal relationships.
Just as expected, the paparazzi were gathered in front of the Winslow villa waiting to get a gossip to put up in their blog.
A Rolls-Royce Extended slowly droving into the villa
‘NONE’ It looks like the license plate of one of the Winslow sons. The reporters became thrilled and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.
The license plate number belonged to Mr. Keith Winslow, the third son in the family and the reason for the extra public attention.
The Winslow family were among the very few famous and wealthy families with their license plate number in New York
The door of the Rolls-Royce was open, and Keith got out of the car first.
"Wow. Mr. Keith" The reporters swarmed forward like flies that smelled blood, but the security guard was fast enough to lock the gate against them, so they were forced to stay outside the villa.
By the car, Keith helped Lindsey out of the car, he knew quite well the paparazzi would be taking pictures of them so he tried his best to be romantic, at least for now till the family decides what they would do about the new development.
Lindsey felt a bit relaxed seeing Georgina’s warm smile, she had heard about the Winslow family and knew every member of the family.
Unlike most of the rich wealthy families, the Winslow family kept a high profile and was always on the internet.
The little smile on Lindsey’s face disappeared when she behold the stiff face of Mr. Pete, who was staring deeply at her without blinking an eye.
Lindsey smiled nervously clenching her wet palm.
"Welcome Ms. Roach, you can seat" Georgina ushered her in.
"Thank you" Lindsey sat down, the couch was soft and relaxing but Lindsey was too nervous to relax.
"About yesterday, I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise, I did send them the offer but they turned it down, the news was juicy to them and they couldn't let it slide," Georgina said.
"Hope you didn't encounter any of the reporters in your house?" She asked.
"Not at all, but they got my I*******m handle" Lindsey replied politely.
"Yeah, I noticed the numbers increased, you must be happy" Tiana snapped.
Lindsey stared at her not knowing the perfect reply, the whole family was there, well aside from chairman Winslow, their grandfather, everyone else was there.
She felt intermediate like she always does whenever she attends the Roach family function, having all her uncles, aunties, and every other member of the family remind her that she was part of the family by mistake.
"The family has reached an agreement, since Sophia Hales is nowhere to be found" Georgina paused looking at Lindsey, who lowered her head to the ground, avoiding eye contact with anyone.
"You should become Keith's wife" Lindsey gave her a sharp glance.
It seems she wasn't the only one surprised by Georgina’s statement, everyone else aside from Thalia was.
Keith stood up staring at his mum, he gritted his teeth in anger.
Georgina was exaggerating when she mentioned it was a family decision, it was her and Thalia’s decision.
"Mum, I can't possibly marry a stranger" Keith spoke with disgust.
"You proposed to her Keith, didn't you know she was a stranger?" Georgina raised a brow at her.
"But it was more like a deal, I paid her to stand in for Sophia" Keith tried justifying his actions.
"I know that, I don't have amnesia son" Georgina turned to Lindsey who was still speechless.
"Why are you quiet Ms. Roach?" Georgina asked.
Lindsey inhaled "I... I can't marry your son".
"No one is telling you to, let's say we are still on the deal, The family would you two times, the first contract amount every month for five years, after which you both can choose to divorce or continue with the marriage," Georgina said.
Lindsey's eyes and ears widened "$100,000 every month" she gulped down, collecting the money for five years she would kiss poverty goodbye plus being the wife of Mr. Keith Winslow would expose her to so many opportunities.
"What do you say?" All eyes fall on Lindsey.
Lindsey stared at every one of them, the offer was good but she was still scared, saying yes would mean she would become a member of an elite family and her life could be more difficult.
"We don't have all day" Thalia spoke staring at her.
Lindsey turned to Keith, everything about him showed he was angered and wasn't in support of what his mother had said.
Aside from Chairman Winslow, Mrs. Georgina Winslow was the second highest authority, not even her husband Mr. Pete Winslow could question her authority let alone her children.
"I'm sorry Ma'am, but I can't do it" Lindsey said firmly.
Georgina was a little shocked by her decision, she had thought she would jump into it like every other girl would.
"Is the contract years much, let's make it four years then or better still we could increase the money to 3 times huh?" Georgina persuaded.
"I'm sorry ma, but I don't think I'm the right woman for your son, I'm too bizarre and local for your son, I suggest you find someone from an elite for him" Lindsey said.
"Ms. Roach_" Georgina wanted to go further into convincing her but Keith stopped her.
"She said no already mum, don't push it," Keith said.
Georgina raised a brow at him "I shouldn't push it, I have to deal with the Hales family regarding their missing daughter who was supposed to be your wife and you also want to deal with a scandal of you breaking up with a lady you broke up last night or perhaps introducing a new bride on your wedding day" Georgina snapped angrily standing up.
Keith was quiet, he felt a pang of regret, he should have just told everyone that Sophia ran away, it would embarrassing but he wouldn't have been in a much bigger mess of him on the verge of getting married to a total stranger.
He had asked her to fill in Sophia’s shoes because he thought his family won't approve of her and let them break up but he was wrong.
The atmosphere became tense and Lindsey was uncomfortable, she didn't want to be in the middle of an elite family drama, the Roach family drama was suffocating enough for her already.
"Erhm_" she stood up adjusting her dress, and all eyes fall on her again.
She gulped down not knowing how to put the sentence to be less offensive or rude.
She continued "If that's all, I need to get going now, Tell me when your family is ready to call off the engagement"
Georgina stared at her stunned by her aura, she smiled as she found her pretty interesting.
"Here is my card, Call me when you change your mind, we are willing to compensate your boyfriend," Georgina said as Thalia handed over the card to Lindsey.
"You can take her home now Keith," Georgina said heading upstairs.
"I would advise you don't listen to my mother," Keith said, they were packed inside Lindsey’s compound. Lindsey didn't say anything as her eyes were focused on a black highlander packed beside her Audi A4."Did you hear me?" Keith asked, but still didn't receive any response, he followed her eyes and they landed on the car. "Your boyfriend is here," Lindsey blinked her eyes turning towards him. "Thanks for the ride Mr. Winslow and just so you know, I have no interest in you so I would appreciate it if your family call off the engagement as soon as possible, Goodbye," Lindsey said and immediately alighted from the car. Keith was stunned, was she being proud and feeling full of herself because of Georgina’s request? He rolled his eyes driving out of the compound, he never want to be caught in another picture with her. Lindsey opened her door only to meet Leen together with Chace. "I'm getting a lot of uninvited guests lately" Lindsey commented closing her door behind her. "Now I
Lindsey sat in her office staring into thin air, she was thinking of what to do but her head was blank, no idea was coming up aside from calling Georgina. "Oh God, ten years, I have worked so hard for ten years and I can't just sit and watch everything go down just like that" Lindsey lamented, she grabbed her bag and took out Georgina's card and made to call the number but then Keith's word flashed through her memory. "No... No, I can't do this" She dropped her phone, and just then her office door yanked open and Ashley walked in with a worried face. "What?" Lindsey raised a brow at her. "Errm, I don't really know how to say this but_" Ashley paused, showing Lindsey her phone. She took the phone from Ashley and froze immediately. "Who wrote this?" Lindsey asked getting curious. "It was uploaded anonymously and the reporters are outside probably waiting for you," Ashley said each word looking at Lindsey. "What?, Who let them in?" Lindsey rushed to her window, they were already inside
Lindsey stared into thin air after going through her phone, she had visited the photo studio with Keith after the contract was finalized and the pictures they took together were flying through social media. She heard her door open and turned it was Leen and her mother. "Please not now" Lindsey sneered closing her eyes. "I'm glad you took my advice, see you have 2.5 million followers," Angela said showing Lindsey her phone but she wasn't interested. "Congrats darling, I'm going to be the bridesmaid to the fifth richest man in the city," Leen said giving Lindsey a big hug. "It's just a fake wedding and it's going to be a private event so_," Lindsey said finally opening her eyes. "Private what? Hell no, I won't let that happen" Angela said, Lindsey glanced at her "You don't have a choice do you?" Lindsey asked. "I do, I am the bride's mother and Nancy is having a big wedding which you are planning and you want to have a private wedding, hell no, that's not going to happen," Angela sa
Four Days Later. The very day everyone was waiting for was finally here, reporters were present busy interviewing the guest trying to get the biggest news to break the internet with. The event hall was beautifully decorated with flowers and colourful light bulbs. Inside the bridal waiting room, Lindsey sat down alongside Leen who was her maid of honour and other bridal maids. They were busy capturing the beautiful moments in pictures which were going to last for a long time. The bridal awaiting room swung open and Audrey walked in, she was putting on a white long gown with a slit which passed her kneel. She had a big smile on her face and one would think she was the bride. "Tiana asked to see you all at the rehearsal room," Audrey said looking at Lindsey and then at Leen. "I already learnt my part, they can go," Leen said sitting tightly while the other bridal maids walked out of the room immediately. Audrey chuckled staring at her. "Why?, Do you think I would hurt your friend,
Audrey's lips curved in a smile "Too bad, that ain't gonna happen" she puffed some air into the wind and turned to Chace "nothing is going to stop this wedding but it sure going to be a wedding to remember for everyone especially Georgina" Audrey added. Chace scoffed staring at her. "Then it's no deal, I intend to stop the marriage and I'm going to do it my own way even if it means killing the groom to achieve it" Audrey's eyes widened and she quickly shook her head knocking off the silly thoughts her subconscious were feeding her with. She glanced at Chace who was walking beside her "hope you've got no weapons there" Audrey asked trying to be sure if someone was going to die today then it would be Lindsey, not her Keith. "No, my presence is enough to ruin everything" he boasted making Audrey snicker. If only he knew his presence won't do much than leaving a mark that Georgina could easily wipe off with money, he wouldn't be so full of himself. "He's with me, I just found out he's Ke
Georgina paced around the room thinking of what next to do she has never been in such a tight situation before "How was she going to face the press after the show Mrs. Hales and Chace just put up" she hit her hand forcefully on the table and gritted. The door yanked open and Keith dashed in followed by Thalia. "Why did you leave?, Who did you leave the mess you and Lindsey created for?" Keith growled, Georgina walked towards him and gave him a resounding slap"Mother" Thaila tried Stopping her but she flashed her a fierce glance which sent chills down her body, she kept quiet giving the mother and son time for themselves. Keith held his cheeks staring deeply at his mother " If you had found a better woman to be your wife, I wouldn't have tried finding one for you, instead you choose that gold digger" Georgina yelled. "And who said Audrey isn't a better wife, for all I know she's a million times better than Sofia and Lindsey and she would always_" Georgina landed another slap on Keith
Audrey turned hearing the gasps from the guests, she froze at the spot staring at Keith and Lindsey. She sniffed trying to hide the tears clustered in her eyes but she couldn't as a tear dropped. She quickly wiped it off. She looked around making sure that no one saw her before she stomped out of the wedding hall. Keith finally broke out of the kiss and stared at him Lindsey's flushed face. She looked surprised and was wondering why he had kissed her. The guests all clapped and cheered as they walked back to their seats. Hours later, the wedding reception came to an end as each guest congratulated them giving them a wedding gift before leaving. The Winslow family were no exception, Georgina bought a brown new car for Lindsey and Chairman Winslow gave them a one-month luxurious honeymoon in Paris. The wedding was an eventful one and was the talk of the town, the reporter uploaded all details on the internet including the scandal Chace and Mrs. Hales created. Keith and Winslow arrive
Lindsey stopped looking around the beautiful garden. She frowned her face wondering if she had unconsciously run out of the Winslow Villa but then she heard a familiar voice "What brings you here Sister-in-law?" Thalia asked. Lindsey turned and saw her smiling, she looked a little shorter than the first time she meet her. "Hi" Lindsey muttered not sure if she actually heard her. "You look sad, did mother tell you about Leen?" Thaila said walking out of the garden. "So you knew?" Lindsey inquired trailing behind her. Thaila didn't say a word to her until they got to the outdoor bar, she sat down and signalled Lindsey to do the same but she didn't. "Those kinds of things happen, I heard a friend whom I never thought could hurt a fly nit to talk of me but she ended up betraying my trust and stabbed me in the back, I learned the hard way that we have no friends aside from ourselves and family every other person is just a frenemy," Thaila said. "Leen is different, I have known Leen for