CHAPTER 2: TROUBLE IN PARADISE

Bailey Whitney was in trouble. She knew that her father would blame this on her. She tugged on her short straight hair, pacing around.

“It isn't my fault that he decided not to show up, right? It's not like I'm ugly, so it wasn't my fault in any way. Gosh! Now I'm talking to myself.” She groaned as she collapsed on her bed.

She could still hear her father as he spoke with Mr. Aston. She knew he’d come for her after the call and she didn't want to see the disappointment and defeat in his eyes.

As she heard her father bounding up the stairs, her heart thumped louder and faster, as she tried to look more presentable. Her efforts were futile as she was still in her wedding gown, that was enough to remind her father of the public disgrace.

“Bailey.” He called out softly, opening the door. Her father, Edward Whitney, was a bald, fat man in his sixties. He always looked tired, but today was worse.

“Downstairs. Family meeting.” He rasped out, giving her a very disappointed look before he left.

Bailey quickly scrambled to her feet and followed him. She knew the slightest offense would tip him off the edge. By the time they got to her father's study, her Mom and twin sister were already there. No one had removed the wedding attire except her sister, Valerie, who changed clothes more than a designer.

Bailey sat down at her usual seat, avoiding the gazes of her gloomy family. Her mother, Elena was a beautiful and thin woman in her early fifties. She had an hourglass figure and it was so obvious that she passed down her genes to Valerie. They looked alike in every aspect. Blonde, thin, tall, and beautiful. Her mom was a retired model and Val had followed her footsteps.

Bailey was more like her father. Quiet, reserved, and classy. She was five feet three inches tall and petite. She had short, blazing red hair and a button nose with a good sprinkle of freckles. Her emerald eyes contrasted with her hair and her skin was as white as a sheet.

She was beautiful in a calm yet intriguing manner and she knew it. She worked as the head of the fieldwork department at Wit Builders. She had only appeared in the tabloid once when her face had been captured at a ball. Her reputation was clean and she intended to keep it that way. But it seemed Carlos Aston had been determined to break that record.

“Billionaire Playboy Jilts Plain Jane. Where do they even get these headlines!” Val screeched as she scrolled through her phone.

“That's enough Valerie. We have more important issues at hand.” Her father scolded, before shifting his attention to Bailey.

“Bailey, what's the first rule in this family?” He started his onslaught, as he glared at her.

“Avoid any scandal,” Bailey said and swallowed hard. He was already blaming her outrightly. This wouldn't end well for her.

“That's right and I must commend that you’ve followed that rule religiously unlike your sister…”

“Hey! It's not my fault I'm not plain Jane. People love me because I'm such a lively, ball of sunshine. It's only normal that the paparazzi would be attracted to me too.” Val screeched again, as she filed her press-on nails. This attracted a glare from her father. But she was the favorite of her parents who spoiled her like a child.

“As I was saying, I wanted you to take over from me, but that would be impossible if we're on the verge of bankruptcy, right?”

“That's why we need the Astons urgently. They are willing to have an alliance with us for no other reason, besides the good reputation you have managed to retain, Bailey. So why would you mess up at the last minute?” Edward asked, disappointment clouding in his eyes.

Bailey felt sick. She loved living up to her father's standards and all she had done was to get his approval. She was the forgotten child, she had to grovel for their attention and the only way to do that was putting herself into the family business and outsmarting her sister. But now she let her parents down.

“But it's not my fault that he rejected me. I did as I was told. I never fought against that decision because it was for the good of our company. It isn't my fault.” Bailey defended.

“It's not your fault? You really are so annoying! You think you're smart, but you're so daft. Did you think Carlos Aston just decided not to marry you for no reason? It's because you are boring! All you do is work and…I don't know. Just work!” Valerie spat out venomously.

It wasn't news that the sisters hated themselves. They always wanted to outshine each other and so far, Val had done a wonderful job of that, but was too jealous to see that.

“Sweetie, it's not just because she's boring. The real reason is that someone decided to ‘live a little’, probably because of that tomboy you spend so much time with.” Elena explained as she stared at her daughter without any emotion whatsoever.

“What do you mean?” Val asked curiously. Bailey sensed that her little secret was out and she wasn't wrong.

“She had an affair with Carlos Aston, some years ago.” Her mother divulged, looking pleased with herself for spilling that piece of information. Val looked at her sister, pure jealousy splayed across her face.

“You! You're such a vixen. Acting all innocent when you’ve been fucking him all along.” Valerie said, standing. She was ready to pounce on Bailey and beat her into an unrecognizable puddle.

“Valerie, language.” Her father cautioned.

“I will speak however I please, Dad. She… she has been… I can't even say it! You're a bitch. I hate you!” Valerie spat out and tried to pounce on her, but Elena held her back.

“I'm sorry, Dad. I am. But it happened five years ago. I just wanted to take a break from work and we were not having an affair. We dated for a few months.” Bailey explained as she felt tears clouding her vision.

She willed it back as she tried to look strong. But she was crumbling on the inside. She had just lost the last hope of salvaging their company, all for hot, steamy sex.

“You're sorry? Do you think you can undo what you’ve done? Imagine a womanizer complaining that my daughter was too forward with him and all but pushed herself on him. If a womanizer can complain about you, I don't know what to call you.” Edward said, looking disgusted.

“It's not what you're thinking, Dad. I was really young and…”

“You robbed your sister of the chance of being with her dream man and yet you couldn't even get him. You're despicable!” Elena added as she tried to calm Val.

It wasn't a secret that Valerie had an undying crush on Carlos. Her parents were so happy when Mr Aston had named his condition for helping them as marriage. But their happiness was short-lived when he announced that he wanted Bailey, the more sensible sister.

Before they could tear her apart even more, Edward’s phone rang. When he saw the caller ID, he motioned for everyone to be silent as he answered the phone. After a few seconds, his face broke into a smile as he spoke to the man in low tones. Within a minute, the call was over and he turned to face his family, smiling widely.

“The wedding is back on. Tomorrow at ten a.m.”