Chapter 1

Ophelia Keaten.

Fake smiles, flashing lights. I hate being the center of attention. One more damn photoshoot and I would go insane. To many this was a sweet life, but for me it's the worst part of being Ophelia Keaten, daughter of Manny Keaten. The billionaire who everyone loves.

My relationship with my father was far from the best. I only see him for a few hours every month and those hours were devastating. If I had to see him everyday then I would need therapy at least five times a week. Manny was a stranger to me even though we share the same blood.

To the world my family was perfect. A daughter who just finished high school, a step mother who is only a few days older than the daughter and a man who makes everything happen for them. The reality is that my life sucks, no matter the amount of money was in my bank account. Camila, my so called stepmother is a lowlife bitch who has daddy dearest wrapped around her ten skinny fingers.

The only part of my life that was a bit good is the part where my boyfriend comes in, Ryan Johnson. We met two years ago at a club downtown Miami. He was just a good friend until a few months ago when he asked me to be his girlfriend. I'm excited to finish this photoshoot so that I can see the look on his face when I surprise him with an early birthday present.

"That's a wrap Ophelia, thank you being so patient." The photographer says. My face was hurting so bad that I was unable to even give him one of my fake smiles. Instead I nod and walk past him.

I grab my bag from the chair right when my driver ways in. "Ms. Keaten your car is ready, shall we go?" I nod and begin to walk out with him when Manny decided to speak to me.

"Cami and I are going out for dinner, we need you to be at the house when we return. There is something important that we must discuss."

The look on that bitch's face as she clutches to Manny's arm like a panda on a bamboo was enough to let me know that this would not end well for me. Unfortunately I could not disobey him, Manny was not someone to play with especially with that bitch by his side.

My smile was forced like all the others. Fixing my Louis Vuitton bag I said the words that pained me more than maintaining a fake smile. "Sure, father, I'll be waiting."

"I hope that you won't be late, you're always late for everything," Camila said. Her voice was so annoying I hoped she choked on her words one day. Her stupid smile was as fake as the hair on her head. People who knew the real Camila knows that if she puts her real hair in a ponytail it would be as thin as a charger cord.

Her relationship with my father was disgusting. She was four years older than I am and that makes me sick. I celebrated the day when I leaked some dirty information about her to the media and they had a ball with it. It was the cover story on every magazine cover for a whole week. She lost many followers and her name was dragged in the mud. That was the best week of my life.

I didn't waste my breath replying to her. She should know better and not talk to me, instead I roll my eyes and make my way out of the building.

My driver stood by my black BMW with the door open waiting for me. I failed my driver's test the first time and never tried again. It is for the better because my attention span was the same as a two years old. I didn't like driver either, it was much better to have someone do all the hard work for me. My ankle hurt too much when I drive anyway.

As soon as I got in and he close the door I pull the envelope from my bag. I smile, Ryan will love this gift. It was a front row ticket to see his favourite basketball team play. I even got him a vip backstage pass. His birthday is actually next week and I plan on taking him to Las Vegas, but this game is tomorrow. It was all thanks to my ex, Kain Mahlid. He is one of the star players and when I reached out wanting tickets, he made it happen.

The thought of Kain made my smile disappear. Kain was a sweetheart, he remained the best boyfriend even when there were beautiful girls throwing their selves at him even when they know he has a girlfriend. Kain loved me and would have moved mountains for me. The only thing I hated was that he had to be out of the country almost all the time for his games.

My thoughts drifted to the reason we broke up. He was influenced by a few of his teammates and started taking drugs. Of course he kept it a secret from me, but I ended up finding out. He was Kain Mahlid and my boyfriend how did he think he would get away with it? The night I found out he got so mad. It was scary because I have never seen that side of him before, he was always this nice guy who wouldn't even raise his voice at me when I get on his last nerve. During our argument he started to break things. His rage terrified me. I decided that I have had enough and was walking out of his bedroom when a piece of glass slice the bottom of my foot, immediately blood started to soak his carpet. The moment he saw what he made happened, he picked me up in his arms despite of my protest and rush me to the hospital in the latest sports car he was driving at that time.

I ended up having to go to therapy and he went to rehab. He felt really bad and spent most of his time apologizing. That was three years ago, but I think he still feels bad which is why he was so quick to help me get these tickets even though it's for my current boyfriend. He still tries his best to make things right with me, even though I keep telling him that I forgave him a long time ago. Although he is clean I don't think I'll be able to think of him as more than a friend. I still love him, he was my first boyfriend but I'll leave it as that.

As soon as the car came to a stop I hurried out, eager to see the look on Ryan's face when I give his this. I have my own key to the penthouse since it was basically mine, therefore I have easy access in.

Relief washed over my body the moment I slip my heels off and my feet touch the cold floor. The real Ophelia hates heels, but unfortunately for the public I had to model around in them. Behind closes door I was free to be the real me. Which is the most amazing feeling in this world.

I got a sixty- four inch television for Ryan last month. It was blasting music much to my dismay. Ryan who is one year older than I am decided that College was not for him and is trying to become a famous YouTuber. Luckily for him, he gained a million followers plus the nineteen he had after he begged me to be in one of his gaming videos. Yes, I was that famous, which meant half of the people I know hates me and the other half tries to be my friend so it would benefit them.

Thanks to that, his channel was now being monetized and he was getting decent amount from that.

"Babe?! Does the music always have to be this loud?" I called out while making my way to the living room. "I can hardly hear myself sp-" The sight that greeted me made me forget what I was about to say.

A frighten girl stood to her feet and wiped her mouth before hurrying to pick her blouse from the floor. There was a panicked look on her face as she put it on.

"Are you kidding me right now? What the hell, Ryan?"

The look on his face made my heart fall to my stomach. He turn the TV off and walks over to me while fixing his jeans. The girl stood there looking at me like a statue.

"What are you still doing here? Get out you dumb bitch!" I scream frightening her to the point she almost fell on her face on her way out.

I narrow my eyes at Ryan who laughs at her. "Relax Heila. It's just brain, nothing serious."

This was just a joke to him. There was no sign of remorse on that bastard's face. He was way too calm and that made me furious. Using my purse I slap him across his naked chest. "It's just brain, you say. Are you for real right now? Would it be just brain if you walked in on me in that position?"

It felt as if the breath was knocked from my body in the blink of an eye. My back was against the wall and Ryan was squeezing my neck with a terrifying look in his eyes. "I have had enough of your bullshit you spoiled bitch, watch you fu*king mouth!"

His strong grip loosen and he ran his fingers through his hair as I grab hold of my neck trying to figure out how to breathe again. I stare at him, I would not show fear. People like him feed off the fear of women. He used to make playful threats before, but I was too dumb to see that they were red flags.

I was weak so tears ran from my eyes.

"Baby, I am so sorry. Heila?" He took my cheeks and started to rain kisses all over my face. "I'm so sorry baby, I'm just really stressed lately. You have to believe me that I will never hurt you."

But he just did.

"Shit, what have I done," he continues. Unfortunately for him, I was smarter than he thought. Not one word that came from his mouth was the truth. For my own good, I will play along.

"It's fine babe. It was no big deal." My throat hurt with every lie I whispered to him.

He nods repeatedly. "Let me go and get some water, okay sweetheart? I'm so sorry."

I nod. "I forgive you Ryan, take your time." The living room is not far from the kitchen. I liked having cucumbers in my water so I know he will cut them into small cubes and put them in my water. That will give me enough time to make my way out of here.

He moves to hug me much to my dismay and then kiss my forehead. "Sit down baby, I'll be right back."

I nod and watch him until he was out of sight. Clutching my bag I run for the door. The moment I enter the elevator I realized that I left my five thousand dollars stiletto in the penthouse. I could not care less. My life is worth more than a pair of shoes. Unlike myself it was replaceable. The way how Ryan behaved, I was surprised that he did not take my life.

I closed the door gently behind me. The lights were off which meant everyone went to bed so I hurried to the stairs. Halfway up a squeaky voice called out, making me grab ahold on the banister in order not to fall down the stairs from the scare of my awful step mother.

"I thought Manny and I made it clear that you needed to be here on time so that we could discuss something with you. It's past your curfew where have you? You know even though you are a highschool graduate, you still live under our roof so you have to abide by our rules." I glare at the witch who stood below with her arms folded. When did this become 'our' roof? "And where are your shoes?"

"You married my father, but that does not give you the right to speak to me about what I do or don't do. My life is none of your business. "Find someone else to play mother with."

Camila's long witch-like manicured fingers held onto the banister as she ascended the stairs. When she was two steps below, she stopped and smirk. The look on her face is so evil that even the devil would be scared. "Instead of being an ungrateful bitch you should thank me for stepping in and playing the role of your mother. You're so terrible that she didn't even want you. She dumped you on Manny and he had to deal with your spoilt ass and cries for your mommy who is never coming back. I can't wait until you are eighteen to have nothing to do with you, Manny looks forward to that day even more than I do and that's saying something."

Tears rolled off my cheeks. So that's their plan? To forget all about me once I turn eighteen and how dare she speak about my mother? She wasn't even in the picture at that time so how would she knows anything about my mother.

Her long bony fingers reach out to touch my neck. I slap her hand hard and she retreats with a grin. "Ryan deserves a little gift from me. I paid him to torture his little bitch, but this is icing on the cake."

My eyes widen. "What?" Did she pay him to mistreat me? Why would he accept something like that? Ryan is a lowlife just like her. I gave him enough so why would he take this bitch money to mistreat me? Before anything else I thought that we were friends, but I should have known that he was using me just like everyone else.

"I paid him to have fun with you, keep you occupied." She grins. "Do you really think that boy liked you? I'm surprised that a man like Kain even dated you. He already has money so maybe you were good for something else, but Ryan was only with you for the money. He became my puppet the moment I offered him a better deal."

"You crazy bitch!" I lift my hand to slap her, but she grabs my wrist before I can make contact with her face.

"Bet you couldn't show Ryan that much anger. I promise Ophelia, I will ruin you for all those nasty things you told to the media. Did you think I would not find out it was you? Luckily for me, you will be eighteen soon so consider this a taste of what I will serve to you."

I snatch my hand from her grasp and close the distance between us. "I knew you were stupid, if you think that I am going to sit back and let you harm me, think again. I will destroy you for everything you did to me Camila, that is my promise to you. You'll be eating with the pigs again once I'm through."

There was no more breathe in my body left to argue with that waste of space, so I turn on my heel and continue to my room.

My life was unbelievable. As soon as I closed the door behind me I slid against the door. There was no holding back, I cried into my palms as realty slaps me across the face. My mother really left me all alone with a man who hates me, my boyfriend did not care about me and now Manny bitch wife wants to destroy what was already close to destruction.