Kaia Crestfall was the youngest, as well as one of the most influential people in the entertainment industry--at least in the UK. She recently ascended to the position of CEO after graduating with a 4.0 GPA from a top graduate school university with a Masters in Business Administration at the age of twenty-three. She stood at a height of 5'6” with long wavy brown hair and chocolate brown eyes to match. Her figure was slender and she filled out in all the right places. Many insisted that she should’ve been a model or an actor, but she didn't want to. She wanted to rule the industry, and so far, she did.

Even so, she didn't expect to be in this situation...

Crestfall Industries, currently led by Kaia Crestfall, had always been a leading business in the entertainment world. That was until a few years ago, when two families, the Crestfall’s, and the Sabor’s butted heads. After that, the Sabor’s made it a goal to crush the Crestfall’s and dominate the industry. Though they were close many times, Crestfall Industries remained on top with Sabor Sights just grazing the line with their sales and popularity. Kaia loved her company, so there was no way she'd let Sabor Sights rise above.

Sabor Sights was now run by the youngest in the main branch of the Sabor family, Alexander Sabor, who was known for being cold and ruthless. If you got in his way he would make you disappear--at least that's what the rumors say. He had indeed shut down a few businesses in the past because they started drama with his company. However, what most people didn’t know was that it was merely a facade for work. Kaia knew based on their relationship in high school that he wasn’t like what the rumors portrayed him as.

Kaia sat at her desk fumbling through her papers. Her company, Crestfall Industries, was so successful and well-respected that models from the company were on high demand, thus Kaia decided to sign on and train three new models. She smiled as she signed a document before writing a note to hold an audition to find prospective new models.

Hearing a knock, Kaia looked up from her desk. As soon as she saw who it was, her face grew sour.

“What are you doing here Caine?”

With a smug look, Caine lazily leaned against the door frame. “Obviously I came to see my darling little fiancee.”

Kaia swiftly stood up from her desk, grabbing a few papers and stuffing them into a folder. “You gave that up when you cheated. I don't have time to deal with you, so please show yourself out,” she said curtly. She tried to stay calm, even though every nerve in her body was screaming to get as far away from him as possible. She didn't even want to be in the same room as him, much less breathe the same air as him.

On multiple occasions, she was struck--if not beaten--by this man. He always made sure to leave bruises in places that would be covered up. He came into the picture about two years ago and no matter how much she tried to resist, he always came back. She thought about seeking help many times but didn't want to worry those who truly cared about her.

Kaia slightly clenched the folder in her hands as she walked towards the door. But before she was able to walk past him, Caine slammed the door shut as he was angered by her words. He grabbed her arm roughly and shoved her against the wall. The papers that were in the folder now fluttered in a heap onto the floor.

No, not again!

She couldn't take it anymore. Kaia pressed her back against the wall of her office unwillingly. She hated this man with every fiber of her being. He was the man her parents forced her to marry for business purposes. She didn't like the idea of arranged marriages, but it was common among the upper class to marry just for connections, and Caine, of course, was the son of a well-known fashion company. He stood roughly six feet tall, with medium red hair that framed his face.

Caine shifted his eyes level to hers, as his face inched closer and closer with that creepy smirk and triumphant gaze that showed how proud he was at claiming his prey.

Kaia sucked in a breath as she felt his body press against hers. She wriggled her arms, which were trapped and held firmly above her head. She shot him a piercing death glare. She couldn't move her arms. What should I do? She glanced around, unmoving, before her attention went back to him. She wouldn't let him get any closer. Swiftly, she kicked him hard in the shin, making him double over, grabbing his leg in pain. Seeing an opportunity, she dashed for the door.

After fleeing her office, she walked out front. Her wrists had started to bruise and she tried her best to hide it under her sleeves. Her secretary and best friend, Naomi, worriedly stood up from her desk upon seeing Kaia so distraught. Naomi had heard the slam of the door and was also somewhat aware of how violent Caine was towards Kaia. She wanted to help somehow but Kaia made sure she didn’t say anything to anyone. She had pleaded with Naomi, practically through tears.

Kaia walked over to her, looking around before leaning in. “Naomi, get rid of him, please!” she pleaded, nervously glancing back towards her office. Naomi followed her gaze then looked back at Kaia. Seeing how disheveled she was, Naomi frowned slightly. “What did he do this time?! You want me to kick his ass?!” she asked angrily,holding her fist in the air. Kaia was startled for a second before letting out a small laugh. “As much as I would like to see that, how about we just kick him out today.”

Kaia knew she would get a scolding for it later, but she couldn't deal with this anymore. Today would be the day Kaia was going to turn down her parents’ “request” and call off the engagement. She didn't care anymore. Most people referred to Kaia as the baby of the industry. Despite managing to keep Crestfall Industries at the top, some saw her as incapable due to her youth and gender. They even attributed her success to her parents because she was “handed” her position as CEO. To add insult to injury, there were even some that thought that males should be the ones leading the top companies of the industry.

----

After being thrown out again, Caine just smirked and pulled out his phone. He dialed a number and after a few moments, a woman picked up the phone. “Hello?”

Caine’s smirk deepened as he walked to his parked car. “I have some free time, let’s meet up, k?” he asked in a seductive tone that could only indicate one thing. The woman on the other end didn't hesitate to reply with a yes. After Caine hung up, he sped out of the parking lot.

---

Seeing him finally gone, Kaia let out a sigh of relief and straightened her back, then went back to her office. Why do I have to be forced to be with someone like him? She thought, pressing her lips together tightly. She had to figure something out--and soon. Quickly, she grabbed her coat from the back of her office chair, slipping it on. She wore a custom fit female tuxedo with a slight skirt-like feature that accented her jacket, making it a bit more feminine.

Going out into the city, she decided to walk this time instead of taking a car. She sighed, taking out her phone and scrolling through her notifications. Two calls from her mother, three messages from her older sister and two from Naomi. With a sigh, Kaia typed in her mother’s number. Hearing her mother pick up, she sighed. Kaia knew it. Her mother didn't even say hi and instead went straight to nagging at her. Kaia took a deep breath. “Mom, Caine is a sleazeball. I refuse to marry him! Find someone else. This engagement is off,” she stated assertively. Her mother didn't hesitate to continue complaining and nagging. Kaia started to feel faint as she stepped out onto the road without thinking. She slightly stumbled as she tried to steady herself.

Hearing the honking of a car horn, she looked up and saw the oncoming car. Her eyes widened, and her body just froze. She knew she should move, so why didn't she? Feeling a sudden tug around her waist, a pair of solid arms pulled her back onto the sidewalk as she dropped her phone, which was crushed under the wheels of the car. Taken aback, Kaia grabbed her chest. Her heart was beating rapidly. She gulped and turned her head to take a look at her savior. “You should watch where you’re going…” The male's voice rang in her ears as she tried to grasp the situation. Finally coming to her senses, Kaia stood straight, fixing her jacket before brushing a piece of her chocolate brown hair behind her right ear and turning to look at him. “Th--thanks…” she muttered, before tilting her head and gazing at the familiar features of the man standing before her. “What's so terrible that you just had to walk into the middle of the road when it's a red light to end your suffering?” the man asked in a joking manner. Kaia blinked, shaking her head. “I wasn't trying to kill myself!” she exclaimed, but then stopped in her tracks.

The man was tall, about 6'3” with blonde hair that bordered on white. On one side, his hair was tied up uniquely, while the other side of his hair hugged his chiseled face. The layers brought out the hairstyle fairly well. He was slender, yet built. And he wore jogging pants and a grey t-shirt that hugged his form. He was very handsome. Finally realizing who this gorgeous face belonged to, Kaia froze.

It was her high school fling and long-term business rival, Alexander Sabor. Alex grinned and pulled her to the side near a building. “I heard your conversation and I have a solution!” He grinned, bringing his hand up to place his index finger on her nose with a little boop. “Marry me…”

Kaia blinked. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Yes, they had a history, but he was her rival! She narrowed her eyes and looked at him. “What do you take me for?” she spat out with a glare. This only made him laugh. “You're trapped in an engagement you don't want to be in and my family is pressuring me for marriage as well. Think of it as a contract to nullify your engagement and to keep my parents off my back,” he stated while crossing his arms and looking at her. He was waiting for her reply.

Kaia grabbed her head lightly before moving her hand down to rest on her chin. The whole plan was crazy, but right now it seemed like a great opportunity. Kaia looked up at Alex. “Alright...but! I have some conditions…” she replied sternly, her eyes meeting his.