SERENDIPITY OF LOVE

Chapter one

Stephanie stood there in shock, her hands trembling as she tried to process the devastating news.

"How... how could this happen?" she whispered to herself, tears welling up in her eyes. Just an hour ago, she had said goodbye to her parents, her heart heavy with worry for her little sister's treatments. They had reassured her, telling her to take care of herself. And now, they were gone.

She turned to the police officers, her voice trembling with disbelief.

"Are you sure... are you sure it's my parents you're talking about?" Stephanie pleaded, desperately hoping for a mistake.

The officers nodded solemnly, confirming her worst fears.

"Yes, it's your parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward. They were involved in a car crash a few hours ago," one of them replied gently.

Stephanie's mind raced with a mix of emotions. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Maybe it was all a misunderstanding. Maybe it wasn't really her parents. With a glimmer of hope, she asked again ,

"Are you absolutely sure? Could it be someone else?" Stephanie asked trying to hold the tears from Spilling out,

The officers assured her that it was indeed her parents, their expressions filled with sympathy.

Just then, their neighbor, Mrs. Johnson, approached them.

"Officers, please give her some time to take this all in," she said kindly. "Stephanie, go back inside okay.” She said to Stephanie

Stephanie nodded, her tears flowing freely now. She walked back into their empty house, collapsing onto the couch. The weight of the loss engulfed her, and she cried uncontrollably.

In that moment, Stephanie made a silent vow. She would strive harder than ever before to take care of her sister, to make her parents proud. She wiped away her tears, determination shining through her grief-stricken eyes.

"I promise, Mom and Dad," she whispered. "I'll be strong for Ella. I'll make you proud."

Exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster, Stephanie cried herself to sleep, holding onto the memories of her parents and the strength she would need to face the challenges ahead.

SIX YEARS LATER

Stephanie woke up early, the sun barely peeking through her bedroom window. She sighed as she got out of bed, knowing that another long day awaited her at Xavier's establishment. Ever since her parents' tragic passing, Stephanie had taken on the responsibility of providing for her little sister, Ella.

After getting ready, Stephanie hurriedly left their small apartment and made her way to work. As she entered the bustling office building, she exchanged greetings with familiar faces, trying to put on a brave face despite the heaviness in her heart.

Reaching her office, Stephanie settled in and began working on the stack of files that awaited her. The sound of her phone ringing interrupted her concentration, and she glanced at the screen to see Becky's name flashing. Becky was not only her best friend but also the boss's personal assistant.

Curiosity mixed with a hint of anxiety coursed through Stephanie as she answered the call.

"Hey, Becky, what's up?" she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.

Becky's voice came through, slightly muffled. "Steph, the boss wants to see you. He asked me to let you know," she said, her tone serious.

"Me? Did he say why?" Stephanie asked, her voice laced with surprise and confusion.

"Seriously? You think I'd risk my job by questioning him when he gives an order?"becky responded,her tone tinged with disbelief. She regarded Stephanie as if she were the craziest person she had ever encountered.

Stephanie's heart skipped a beat. The boss wanting to see her? Fear gripped her, and she quickly tidied up her desk before making her way to Liam's office. Liam was her other best friend, and his calm demeanor always managed to soothe her nerves.

She knocked softly on Liam's door, peeking inside. "Hey, Liam, can I talk to you for a second?" Stephanie asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Liam looked up from his computer, concern etched on his face. "Of course, Steph. What's going on?" he asked, motioning for her to come in.

Stephanie stepped into his office, her hands fidgeting nervously. "Becky just told me that the boss wants to see me. I don't know what it's about, but I'm really scared," she confided, her voice filled with apprehension.

Liam gave her a reassuring smile, his eyes filled with empathy. "Take a deep breath, Steph. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. You've been doing great here," he said, his voice steady and comforting.

Feeling a renewed sense of confidence, Stephanie thanked Liam and made her way to the boss's office. As she approached the door, she took a deep breath, gathering her composure.

Stephanie stood in awe as she entered the boss's office. The room was adorned with elegant furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city, and tasteful artwork that added a touch of sophistication. She couldn't help but admire the luxurious ambiance that surrounded her.

Summoning up her courage, Stephanie walked towards the boss's desk, her heart pounding in her chest. With a shaky voice, she said,

"Sir, you called for me?" Her fear was palpable, making her voice tremble.

The boss looked up from his papers, his gaze piercing yet enigmatic.

"You are Stephanie Edward, right?" he asked, his tone measured and serious.

Stephanie nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, that's me," she replied, her confusion growing.

The boss leaned back in his chair, studying her intently. "I have a proposal for you," he said, his words hanging in the air.

Stephanie's brows furrowed, her mind racing to understand the situation. "What kind of proposal?" she asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.

The boss leaned forward, his eyes locked with hers. "A contract marriage," he stated firmly, his words catching Stephanie off guard.

Stephanie's eyes widened in disbelief. "A contract what?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with confusion.

The boss maintained his calm demeanor as he clarified, "I need you to enter into a contract marriage with me in five days."

Stephanie's mind whirled, trying to process the unexpected request. She looked up at him, her confusion evident. "But why? What do you mean by a contract marriage? Why me!" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

He leaned forward, his expression serious. "It's not a choice, Stephanie. It's something you have to do, whether you like it or not," he said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Stephanie's heart sank, her mind filled with a million questions. She couldn't comprehend the situation she found herself in, and she knew that her life was about to take a drastic turn.

Her fear and confusion were evident, but she summoned her inner strength and stood her ground. With determination in her voice, she looked at boss and said,

"I'm sorry, but I can't marry you or sign any contract. You don't have the right to order me around or meddle in my personal life just because you're my boss." She said angrily

Xavier's face flushed with anger at Stephanie's defiance. He took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure. He then leaned forward, his voice dripping with frustration, and offered her a tempting proposition.

"Stephanie, I understand your concerns, but think about this. I'm willing to offer you a substantial amount of money, enough to clear your sister's hospital debts. All you have to do is sign the contract." He said with so much arrogance

Stephanie's eyes widened at the mention of her sister's hospital debts being cleared. It was a tempting offer, but she remained resolute. She shook her head, her voice firm.

"No sir,Money can't buy my freedom or dictate my choices. I won't compromise my principles just for financial gain." She said angrily

Xavier's anger flared up again, and he raised his voice, his frustration evident, he wouldn’t take such disrespect from her

"You're making a big mistake, Stephanie! If you don't sign the contract, I will fire you and make sure you never get employed anywhere in this city!" He yelled angrily

Xavier's face turned red with anger, and he pointed towards the door. "Get out of my office!" he shouted, his voice filled with rage.

Chapter two

As Stephanie left her boss's office, her mind raced with thoughts of the impending contract marriage. She had always envisioned a life filled with love, building a family, and living happily ever after. The idea of entering into a marriage of convenience was far from her dreams.

She couldn't help but question why her boss had chosen her out of all the ladies in the company. After all, she had seen him with different high-class women on TV shows and in the news. Why hadn't he picked one of them?

Lost in her thoughts, Stephanie made her way to her own office. She sat at her desk, contemplating the difficult decision she had to make.

If she refused the contract marriage, her boss could fire her and make sure she wouldn't find employment anywhere else, That would be disastrous for her and her sister. They relied on her income to take care of themselves and pay off her sister's hospital deb