Chapter 1
Title: Beautiful Enmity. (A Billionaire Romance Novel)
Source: Wattpad (https://www.wattpad.com/story/182412717-beautiful-enmity-a-billionaire-romance-novel)
Author: snowbelle9727
Category: Billionaire / CEO Romance | Mature: False
Reads: 334,983 | Votes: 6,981 | Total Parts: 24
Tags: alphamale, arrogant, badboy, billionaire, bookstagram, ceo, dark, darkromance, ego, enemiestolovers, fakerelationship, hate, kiss, love, lovehate
Synopsis: On the surface, Aiden had it all. Wealth, good looks, and intelligence. But beneath the veneer of masculine perfection lay a broken man. A man obsessed with revenge. A man who hated me with a passion. Or did he? After all, there's a thin line between love and hate.
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"I had never seen a person hate someone with as much passion as Aiden hated me."
Sarah and Aiden come from two separate worlds. He is the billionaire heir to the biggest mafia in town. Sarah is just a university student grieving the death of her loving father and her brother. Yet their lives are linked. Aiden has always held Sarah's family responsible for his sister's death and vows to make her life miserable. Will Sarah stop paying for crimes she has never committed? And what will happen when the two face the shocking realization that hatred is not the only emotion that exists between them? After all, there is a fine line between love and hate.
The cover was designed by: DesReadsAndWrites
Check out the Beautiful Enmity Pinterest board: https://pin.it/7jQmAfE
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### Chapter 1: The Most Unfortunate Girl That Ever Lived
This was it. The end. As the metal of the handcuffs bit into my wrists it became even more real. My life was over. Just when I had found true happiness. Known what it was like to love and be loved. Even if it was by the man who I had sworn to hate. I closed my eyes and tried to remember where it all had started.
A year ago...
Standing in front of the mirror made me realize how much I had changed since last year. Once upon a time, I was an exercise junkie and on my way to becoming a black belt in taekwondo. Now, there was hardly any muscle on my bones. Like it would only take a gust of wind to throw me off my feet.
It took an hour for me to brush my hair, as it hadn't been combed for ages. There was little of it left now. As if the acne breakouts weren't enough, the constant anxiety had caused most of my hair to fall out.
As I get ready, I wonder whether I should be proud of myself or ashamed. Should I be proud of myself for trying to live despite losing two people I loved all in one year? Or should I be ashamed that both of them had been murdered and I was still no where close to avenging them ?
The legal system in our country was pathetic. Only the rich and influential got their way. But even the fact that I wasn't one of them, felt like my fault somehow. It seemed like my failure.
Just then, the door opened, and my mother came in. She was my carbon copy except for the fact that she was prettier. We had the same brown eyes and wavy dark brown hair.
The bags underneath her eyes showed how exhausted she was. The smile on her face couldn't hide the fact that her cheerful demeanor was a mere facade. She had lost both the love of her life and their son not too long ago.
" Honey, let me do your makeup for your first day," she said. This was our ritual. When I was in school, on the first day of class, she would pick out my clothes. As I got older and started choosing my own clothes, she became my makeup artist instead, for such days.
I knew this time, however, she was only putting on a show of excitement for my sake. After my father and brother died, we also died with them. If we were living to an extent, it was only for each other.
As I passed through the dining room, I caught sight of my sister sitting at the dining table. She had a calculator in one hand and a pen in another. Her curly brown hair looked messy and unkempt. This wasn't my fashion-obsessed party girl of a sister. But a somber, brooding figure. Someone who was falling apart, yet trying to hold it together for the sake of her family.
My father's treatment had cost us a fortune. Despite the obvious medical negligence on the part of his attending physician, the hospital refused to pay us any compensation.
We weren't even left with enough money to file a legal case. Not that it would have made any difference with our corrupt legal system.
When Sasha wasn't at work, she was busy making calculations as to how we could save enough to pay back our loans. My mom and sister were two extraordinarily brave women, and nothing made me more proud.
As I waited for the bus to arrive, I remembered how my father would always give me some sort of present on such occasions, usually a book. So did my brother. But now they won't ever again.
As I sat in the bus, surrounded by happy students talking about their families which were intact, I felt like dying. Every street that we passed through, was a reminder of all the things I had lost.
The Chinese restaurant at the corner where my father and I would stuff ourselves with kung pao chicken.The city library where I and my brother would spend hours pouring over books. Every place in the city held memories.
That's why I had stayed cooped up in the house for so long. It was only when I realized how worried it made my mother and sister, that I decided it was time to come out. I couldn't let them think I was giving up, or else they might, too.
I was one of the few students who were still living with their families instead of the accommodations on campus. Most people of my age wanted to explore living on their own and, after college, would try to move out as soon as they could.
Except for me. I was the baby of the family who couldn't imagine staying away from her parents and siblings. It was so strange that I was the one who had to lose half of her family. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't help but wonder why a close-knit family such as mine was torn apart.
On reaching the campus, I felt my phone buzz. It was Stacy and Candice, my so-called best friends.
Besides a few messages of condolence, they never offered much support during the difficult times I faced. But they were the only friends I had, so I stuck with them.
Stacy was your blond Barbie girl type, with an excellent figure that she didn't mind flaunting off in her always-too-short skirts.
Candice, on the other hand, couldn't care less about makeup or clothes. Always decked out in a pair of jeans and those worn-out sneakers, that she must have been wearing every day for a year.
It was hard not to notice their duo. Two people so different yet so close despite their differences. The only reason why people would notice me was because of the baby fat I had on my face. People would often mistake me for a high schooler rather than a second-year university student.
The first period was cost accounting, and only twenty minutes later, I and everyone else were struggling to stay awake. Except for an Einstein reincarnation who was sitting in the front row and firing nonstop questions at the professor.
"This guy's harassing the poor man," Candice stifled a laugh, at the sight of the poor teacher being grilled by the brainy guy.
" I can only see his back. Is he cute? If he would only turn around," Stacy said, trying to get a look at the guy's face.
Ever since her breakup with her boyfriend Kevin, she had made it a point to find someone else to obsess about.
" I thought you didn't do nerds. " Candice teased.
" I don't mind intelligent men. I have had enough of the jock variety anyway. " Before Stacy could go on another rant about Kevin, the class was dismissed.
The guy in the front row also got up. He was in a black leather jacket, and his tousled brown hair looked like a lot of effort had been put into styling them. As my eyes met his, I felt like my breath had been knocked out of me.
And it wasn't because his eyes were the most startling shade of blue I had ever seen.
It was because I had seen them before. At the time, I didn't want to recall.
" He is cute. " Stacy giggled.
" We didn't get his name though ". Candice replied.
But I already knew his name. My family's only enemy wasn't the doctor who caused my father's death. Our most powerful enemy was here. Aiden Victor.
Aiden's POV:
This morning, I woke up feeling more alive than I had in months. Today, I felt closer to achieving what I wanted. Even though it was only just the beginning.
Mom wasn't happy with my decision. When I said ' good morning', she didn't answer back. She kept staring into space.
As usual, she was dressed impeccably in a black suit, wearing her favorite pearl necklace. Her blonde hair was styled without a strand out of place, and her blue-grey eyes identical to mine showed with wisdom.
We both sat eating in silence until I couldn't take it anymore.
" I thought we had made each other a vow. After Arianna died, we promised never to stop speaking to each other. No matter what. Whatever issues we had, we were going to talk them out, remember? "
" Yes, Aiden, I remember!" Mom slammed her glass so hard on the table it shook.
" Your sister won't be happy with what you are doing. She's gone. Avenging her won't bring her back!"
" Fine Mom, let's say I am selfish. Thinking of avenging my sister is the only thing that gives me peace. "
" You think that girl will talk? Confess to her brother killing your sister? Or reveal his whereabouts? Their entire family consists of criminals. They are so devious that even the police couldn't find any evidence against them!"
" I have to do something. Anything, Mom! I can't just sit idly by. I feel that by getting close to Sarah, I might manage to find something!"
" Life is too short for you to dedicate all of it to your revenge fantasies. If you fail, God forbid you will be more devastated than you can imagine." Mom threw her napkin at the table and stomped away. I knew there was no point in arguing further with her, so I didn't follow her.
The drive to college was uneventful. The crowd was the same as you would find anywhere else. As soon as I got out of the car, I was greeted by a bunch of curious eyes. Car fanatics drooling over my car. Girls ogling me. It used to make me uncomfortable once upon a time, but now I had gotten used to it.
I managed to make it early to class. There was still no sign of the target. Students started filing in beside me. As usual, they all gave me a few stares, but none of them tried to approach me.
That's how it has always been with me. People tend to get intimidated by me. As a child, I used to hate it, thinking there was something wrong with me. Especially when I started getting accused of being antisocial by my teachers.
But eventually, I learned to accept it. As the heir to Victor Enterprises, I was born to lead, and leaders should be a little intimidating.
Finally, I heard her voice. She may have forgotten mine, but I had never forgotten hers.
It was gentle and delicate, not the voice of someone belonging to a family of killers. But I knew better.
The class went by pretty quickly. The professor was someone new and completely unprepared. He kept relying on the PowerPoint slides to do the teaching for him. I kept firing questions at him throughout the lecture. You can say I dislike laziness and just people who don't do their homework.
The two guys next to me were busy passing lewd commentary on all of the girls in the class. It was like they had nothing else to talk about besides 'boobs' and 'butts'. I felt like gagging them.
Finally, class ended. I finally turned around, and my eyes met hers. There was something elf-like about her. A petite frame and an almost childlike innocence on her face. Somehow, it made me hate her even more. Because I saw all of it as a perfectly crafted illusion, hiding the snake within.
I saw her eyes widen and her face turns pale. She clearly didn't expect me to be here. Her friends seemed completely oblivious to the situation. The blonde one was checking me out and not even trying to be subtle about it.
Sarah muttered something to her friends and moved away. I may not have managed to accomplish anything significant, but the look of horror on her face was enough to make my day.
And I was just getting started.
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### Chapter 2: Who's Aiden Victor ?
Aiden was here. And I had no idea what to do. I felt my friends say something to me. But their voices seemed so far away. My eyes were locked on Aiden. Through my shock and fear, I could barely register anything. Save for the smirk, which slowly spread across his face. He seemed to be enjoying this. He must have sensed my fear.
" Sarah what is wrong with you ?!" Stacy was shaking me by the shoulders now. " I -- I need to go to the bathroom. " I stammered. Then I ran to the restroom as fast as I could. I splashed water on my face, trying to calm my racing heartbeat. My liner started bleeding around my eyes and I probably looked like a raccoon but I didn't care.
I remembered that night from a year ago. To think how simple my life used to be! College had just started and I was relaxing after another hectic day. Mom was massaging my shoulders and I was doing what I did best: whining about my day like the pampered little brat I was.
" Shouldn't you be preparing for that presentation you have tomorrow, instead of getting a shoulder massage from poor mom?"
" Stop being such a buzz kill. Sasha can't you see I am trying to relax?"
" When I was in college, the thought of a presentation won't let me sleep the entire night ."
" You know I don't stress myself over trivial things."
" I don't think you ever stress over anything. You know it's good to take things seriously once in a while."
And with that remark Sasha went back to scanning her magazine for any fresh piece of gossip she could find.
" That's it. I am done with shipping celebrities together. The dating rumours turn out to be fake or they break up after a few months. Or worse they get married and you find yourself idolizing their love story. Only to find them divorcing a few years down the road." Sasha signed.
" Take my advice, Sasha. Only ship couples in K-dramas, less chances of getting your heart broken."
" If only some chaebol heir would come to sweep me off my feet. Hmm, check this guy out. He is the certified most eligible bachelor in town. Think I might have a chance with him?" Sasha passed her magazine to me.
It was the picture of a young man, leaning against a black Ferrari. He was dressed in a sharp black suit. His name was Aiden Victor. According to the article, he must have been only a year older than me. Yet he exuded an air of authority, that you would expect from a company CEO with years of experience. He was listed as Forbes's youngest CEO, who took over his father's company after he died when he was only nineteen years of age.
Victor Enterprises was a name that was known in every household. It was the biggest conglomerate in our country, serving in every sector from energy, weapons to consumer goods. Seeing this young boy doing so much made me feel like a loser. But then again I wasn't born heiress to a billion-dollar empire.
" He's handsome." Mom's tone told me she had already started imagining one of her daughters married to the guy.
" And what are you up to? And what's with all the giggling Sasha ?" Dad dropped in just then.
" Sarah has just found the one." Sasha winked at me.
" You were the one ogling his picture ." I shot back.
Dad just shook his head at our childish banter. As I looked at him, I couldn't help but feel \ pierce my heart like a knife. It was like he was growing weaker every day. Ever since a few years ago, his health had declined. He had given up nearly all of his hobbies. Work and rest were usually the only things he did, besides sometimes talking to me about politics. I showed him the article on Aiden Victor.
" The person interviewing him should have asked him how his grandfather managed to acpassionulate so much money. " Dad gave a short derisive laugh.
"They were always rich Dad. According to the article his great-grandfather literally built this place up from a small town to a metropolis." I said.
" His great-great grandfather got bankrupt and committed suicide because of the disgrace as far as I remember," Dad stated. " Question is how they managed to build their business up again ."
" I have a feeling you know Dad, so spill. " Sasha asked, looking just as curious as I was.
" When the head of the family committed suicide in the 1800s, his wife and children had to fend for themselves. His son started getting involved in illicit activities like smuggling and in a few years established a sort of mafia of his own. Townsfolk became suspicious of him. And to avoid their ridicule the man shifted here where no one knew him and population was scarce. "
My jaw had dropped by this point.
" How come I am only hearing this from you Dad?"
" Because as soon as they moved here, they started investing their illegally earned money into legal forms of business. Eventually, everyone started seeing them as just businessmen. "
I looked down at Aiden's picture. He had a slightly haughty air about him, the sort you usually found in politicians and powerful people. But he would better pass off as a prince in a fairytale, than a mafia leader.
At that time I didn't know what was to come. That I would come face to face with the real Aiden Victor. And he was anything but prince charming.
I came out of the bathroom, after trying to salvage whatever was left of my make-up. Luckily Aiden wasn't in my business ethics class and I was rid of him for the rest of the day. I can't believe how cowardly I had become. All day I binged on anything available in the cafeteria, from the greasy fries to the stale pizza. My automatic stress response was to stuff myself up until my stomach was about to burst. The second was to isolate myself and shy away from anyone who might want to talk to me. I am sure Stacy and Candice noticed. They were probably discussing how crazy I was behind my back. Perhaps it was my fault that we weren't as close as most friends are. There was only so much they could take.
I kept trying to reassure myself that I had nothing to be afraid of. I was clearly traumatized by the events of last year and I wasn't thinking straight. Aiden had no evidence against me or my family. He couldn't hurt me. The police had found nothing against us.
Aiden may not like me but he had no reason to try to hurt me right? But after what I had been through, I have started to believe that when it comes to me anything is possible. I couldn't rest easy, thinking that nothing would happen to me because of him.
The day thankfully came to an end. I was crossing the road to my bus when out of the corner of my eye I saw a car speeding towards me. I jumped back just as a black Lamborghini raced past me. Had I not jumped in time it would have run me down.
It did not slow down and within seconds it was nowhere in sight. But I had caught sight of the driver's face. There was the same arrogant smirk on it that I had seen this morning.
" Sarah you OK ?" Stacy, who was talking to a girl some distance away was running towards me.
" Thank God you moved away in time I thought that car would crush you. Who was that creep? "
" Aiden Victor " I replied.
" Why does that name sound so familiar? " Stacy frowned.
" Wait a second wasn't that the name of the guy, whose sister your brother had married? "
" Yup," I replied. "The guy who believes my brother murdered his sister."
Stacy's eyes widened in shock.
" By the way, he was the guy you were crushing on today, " I said watching as Stacy's eyes popped open even further.
" You mean him ?!" She squeaked.
I nodded. I was right to be scared to see him here. Aiden was up to something. I just didn't know what. But with his family's powerful connections, it wouldn't be too hard for him to get what he wanted.
On the way back, I could see the top of Victor Tower standing higher than the rest of the buildings in the city, like a Titan made of concrete and glass. The road we were traveling on was called Fredrik Alexander Street. It was named after one of the ancestors of the Victor Clan. The restaurant on the corner, built in the eighteen hundreds in classic Victorian-style architecture, was called Victor's Inn. The city harbor, bordering the blue water glistening in the sunlight, was called Victor's Landing.
Literally, every street, every building, and every inch of this city had some association with them. They were the people who had built this city out of nothing. On a nearby billboard, was Aiden's picture advertising a new hotel resort built by their company. I felt claustrophobic. It reminded me of Persephone caged in Hades' lair.
I decided not to return home immediately. There was something I had promised myself I would do. For the last several months, I hadn't been to my father's grave or the one constructed for Sean without his body. I knew it was because I wanted to stay in denial. I wanted to believe they were still out there somewhere. Seeing the tombstones would remind me that I was deluding myself and they were really gone.
Today, I decided that the best thing I could do for myself was to learn to accept things for what they were. Maybe going there might actually bring me peace instead of the crushing feeling of grief I feared.
Heartbeat racing, I entered the graveyard only to see a familiar figure crouching near a grave nearby. I knew it belonged to my sister-in-law Arianna, hence I knew who the guy in the black trench coat was.
Here he didn't look so formidable, even from a distance I feel I could sense his pain. From the way, his shoulders were hunched, to how he fixedly stared at the engravings on the grave. I actually pitied him in that instant. He wiped off a tear, placing a bouquet of lilies at the foot of the tombstone.
As he got up his posture changed. Back straight, head held high he was back to being who everyone knew him to be: a force to be reckoned with. He suddenly turned in my direction as if he could sense my stare. I quickly ducked behind a tree. He didn't see me apparently and walked away.
In that tiny moment, I felt I had learned about him what I may not have been able to in years. Aiden wasn't made of steel as much as he pretended to be. Inside was a guy struggling to keep himself from falling apart. I also suddenly realized why he was so spiteful towards me.
They say for some people revenge is a way of healing their wounds. Channeling all that agony and feeling of loss into vengeance is one way of dealing with it. And these people often become inhumanly ruthless to get what they want. I could only wonder what he might try to do to me and my family. How far was he willing to go to satisfy that rage and madness?
Hi guys . Thank you to all of you who took the time out to read this. This is the edited version of chapter 2. To those of you who don't know what kdramas or chaebols mean let me explain. Kdramas are short for Korean dramas and let me tell you a lot of them have dashing rich men. Chaebol is the Korean word for conglomerate so a chaebol heir is some one super rich like Aiden. Please give me your feedback. What did you think of Sarah? Of Aiden? If you got the chance to would you date Aiden in real life?
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