The Billion Dollar Promise

Introduction 

Alisha Thompkins falls head-over-heels in love with the new guy, Hadley Jamison, at school. But due to competition from her best friend, Chelsea Grimes, Alisha does the only thing she knows and backs down. As Hadley and Chelsea grow closer, Alisha watches from the sidelines. But when a tragic accident injures Hadley, he makes a request from Alisha, that leaves Chelsea on the sidelines. Will Alisha agree to Hadley’s request, or turn him down?

Chapter 1

“Alisha!” Mrs. Thompkins calls through Alisha’s bedroom door. “It’s time to get up for school!”

“Yes, mom, I know.” Alisha replies back. “I’m up getting ready!”

As Mrs. Thompkins heads back downstairs to begin breakfast for her husband and Alisha and her brother, Ellis, Alisha gets herself out of bed and dresses in the clothes she picked out last night for the first day of her sophomore year: a calf-length black skirt, pink sweater, and gold necklace. Then she heads into the bathroom to style her long brown tresses in curls.

Heading downstairs, Alisha joins her brother, father and mother for a family breakfast before they all go off to school and work. Mrs. Thompkins always insisted they enjoy a family breakfast before anything else, if it was the only meal they had as a family for the day. And that’s exactly what the Thompkins family always did.

“Good morning, father!” Alisha said, giving her father a kiss on his cheek.

“Good morning Alisha. How did you sleep?” Mr. Thompkins asked her.

“Just great.”

“Yeah, I’ll bet!” Ellis said, sarcastically. “Just who is it that you will have your eye on this year?”

“Oh shut up, Ellis!” Alisha said bitterly.

 “Alisha! Ellis!” Mrs. Thompkins chastised them both. “Alisha, as the older daughter, I expect you to treat your brother with kindness. And Ellis, please don’t goad your sister.”

“Yes, mother.” Alisha and Ellis said simultaneously.

“Now apologize to each other.” “Sorry, Alisha.” Ellis said, obeying his mother.

“Yea, I’m sorry too.” Alisha reciprocated.

As the Thompkins Family finished their breakfast, Mr. Thompkins got up, kissed his wife and wished his family a good day before picking up his briefcase and heading to Bradford and Thompkins, Attorneys at Law, where Mr. Thompkins was a partner in his firm he operated with his long-time friend and college buddy.

“Good morning, Chelsea.” Mr. Thompkins greeted Chelsea, who came to pick up Alisha for their first day of their sophomore year.

“Hi, Chelsea.” Alisha greeted her, who had just said good-bye to Ellis and her mother before following her father out the door.

“I can’t wait to get to school.” Chelsea said, enthusiastically.

“You mean you can’t wait to get your fix on some hot-looking guy.” Alisha said, knowing her best friend so well.

“Isn’t that the only reason for going to class?” Chelsea asked the rhetorical question.

Alisha disagreed, but kept quiet. Chelsea was only interested in meeting guys, whereas Alisha was interested in her studies. She wished to be a lawyer just like her father. She loved going to her father’s practice and watching him work with his clients and sitting in the courtroom as he defended clients he knew were guilty. The legal system has always fascinated Alisha and made it her life’s choice to be a lawyer one day.

As Chelsea pulled into Fairview High School’s parking lot, blond-haired, Hadley Jamison, noticed the girls as Chelsea parked her Jeep Wrangler.

Chapter 2

“Wow! Who’s the hot guy!” Chelsea exclaimed as she and Alisha were getting out of her Jeep.

“Chelsea!” Alisha chided her bestie.

“Oh, c’mon, Ali.” Chelsea responded back, referring to Chelsea’s nickname for Alisha. “Don’t act so modest. You know you were looking too.”

“Well, he is hot!” Alisha admitted, not letting on that she had the major hots for the new guy in school.

As Alisha and Chelsea walked together to their lockers to get ready for class, the new guy, Hadley Jamison, noticed the two girls and gave them a wink. Alisha felt butterflies in her stomach when Hadley looked their way. Alisha and Chelsea went their separate ways as Chelsea had English first period and Alisha had Algebra. When Alisha walked into her Algebra class, she was surprised to see Hadley, looking as studly as ever before she and Chelsea had seen in the school parking lot. Hadley noticed Alisha too and walked to the desk next to her.

“Well, hello!” Hadley greeted Alisha. “The name’s Hadley.”

“Alisha.” Alisha said, introducing herself.

“Is this class hard?” Hadley asked a nervous Alisha.

“No, Mr. Wilson is easy-going.” Alisha offered.

“Good, because to tell you the truth, I’m not that good at Algebra.” Hadley admitted.

“Oh? If you ever need help with any of the assignments, I could offer some help.” Alisha offered.

“I may take you up on your offer.” Hadley said, smiling at her.

Mr. Wilson called the class to order as students settled into their seats. Hadley was getting bored with the day’s lesson as Alisha could very well tell by watching him. As Alisha found herself looking at Hadely, she didn’t realize Mr. Wilson calling on her to answer a question.

“Pssst.” Hadely said, nudging Alisha. “The teacher is calling on you.”

Embarrassed that she was paying more attention to Hadley than to what was being taught in class, Alisha looked up immediately to the board as Mr. Wilson pointed to the blackboard for Alisha to solve. Hadley watched as Alisha walked to the front of the class to solve the problem. Alisha didn’t know what was wrong with her. It was not like her to ogle guys. But there was just something about Hadley Jamison that intrigued her.

Chelsea was waiting outside Alisha’s Algebra class and happened to notice the guy that she and Alisha had seen in the school parking lot while waiting for her best friend.

“OMG!” Chelsea exclaimed. “You are so lucky to have that in your homeroom!”

“Yea.” Alisha said shyly, not wanting to admit her crush on Hadley Jamison.

“What’s his name?” Chelsea asked her bestie. “His name is Hadley Jamison.” Alisha replied to her friend.

“You so have to introduce me to him.” Chelsea told Alisha.

“Well, when we see him again, I will.”

But Chelsea didn’t have long to wait as Hadley walked over to Alisha. “So, who’s your friend?” Hadley asked Alisha.

“This is my best friend, Chelsea Grimes.” Alisha introduced Chelsea to Hadley. “Glad to meet you.” Hadley said to Chelsea, as he winked at her, making Alisha a little jealous.

“Me too.” Chelsea said, batting her eyelashes at him. “So, you two want to meet me in the cafeteria for lunch?”

“We’d be glad to!” Chelsea agreed for the two of them.

“Great! I’ll see you two at lunch!” Hadley said as he headed for his biology class.

Chapter 3

Alisha was sitting alone at lunch waiting for Chelsea and Hadley to arrive as agreed. She wanted to run away when she saw Hadley and Chelsea holding hands as they entered the cafeteria, unbeknownst to her that they had already made a first date for later tonight. Alisha ducked down under the table, hoping Hadley and Chelsea wouldn’t see her, but it was too late. Chelsea came up behind her and sat down, Hadley sitting next to her.

“You two already a couple?” Alisha suggested, hoping they didn’t sense her jealousy.

“Yeah, we have our first date tonight.” Chelsea told her friend. “Hadley called me last night and we are going to The Tasty Freeze tonight for a burger and fries.”

“Oh, I see.” Alisha said with jealousy. “You two are dating?”

“You’re happy for us, aren’t you?” Chelsea asked her friend.

“Yeah. You two make a great couple.”

“Thanks Ali--, I knew you’d approved.”

“Oh, geez, look at the time. I totally forgot I had detention today.” Alisha lied, to make a quick exit because she couldn’t stand to watch Chelsea and Hadley smooching in front of her.

“Oh. You never told me you had detention.” Chelsea said, obviously upset because Alisha always told her everything.

“I’m sorry, Chels—it must’ve slipped my mind.” Alisha said, as she headed off toward the cafeteria doors, leaving Chelsea and Hadley alone.

A call comes in on Hadley’s cell from his mother. Knowing how his mother would react if he ignored her call, Hadley tore himself away from Chelsea’s lips to answer the call.

“Hello, mother.” Hadley said. “Hadley, there’s been an emergency. Bryan has been in an explosion in Afghanistan!” Hadley’s mother said frantic with worry.

“I’m on my way home!” Hadley said as he hung up and gave Chelsea an apologetic kiss before rushing off in a hurry.

As Hadley got inside his car, started the engine and backed out of the school parking lot, Hadley saw a text come in from Chelsea. Ignoring the warnings from his mother about texting and driving, Hadley picked up his cell and replied back “I will miss you.” As he hit the “send” button, Hadley didn’t see the oncoming car in the other lane as he had swerved into the oncoming lane.

Upon impact, Hadley hit the car sending him flying out of his car when the two cars hit. A passerby who witnessed the accident immediately dialed 9-1-1. Emergency crews arrived within minutes of receiving the passersby’s call, locating Hadley’s body within minutes of arriving at the accident scene and placing him inside the ambulance.

The driver of the other car wasn’t so lucky as emergency crews pronounced the driver dead after several minutes of performing life-saving CPR. Hadley was just being brought into the ER when his mother arrived at the hospital after receiving a call from the paramedics after they found Hadley’s wallet with his cell in his wallet.

“How is my son?” a Hadley’s mother said frantic with worry as ER staff pushed her out of the way.

“Ma’am, the doctor will let you know as soon as he examines your son.” The nurse tells Hadley’s mother.

The next day, Alisha is sitting in her homeroom class when the bell rings, signaling the start of class. She noticed that Hadley hadn’t arrived for school that morning, when the principal came on the PA system:

“Good morning students! I’m sorry to announce that one of our students, Hadley Jamison, was in an accident yesterday. Let’s all have a few minutes of silence for Hadley’s recovery.”

While the room remained in silence, Alisha couldn’t help but wonder how Chelsea was taking this news, when she heard someone whisper her name from outside her homeroom door.

“Pssst, Alisah!” Chelsea whispered as quietly as she could, but still getting Alisha’s attention without alerting anyone else.

Alisha raised her hand to alert the teacher, “May I use the restroom?”

The teacher motioned for Alisha to go so as not to disturb the moment of silence as Alisha grabbed her books and backpack and walked quietly out of the classroom. As soon as Alisha got outside of her homeroom, Chelsea burst into tears.

“Chelsea, it’ll be okay.” Alisha tried to reassure her. “It’s not that.” Chelsea confessed. “I want to go see Hadley at the hospital.”

“Well, why don’t you?” “I’ve used up all my free passes.” Chelsea cried. “Will you go for me?”

“Me?” “Please. I need someone to know how Hadley is doing.” Chelsea pleaded with her friend.

“You still have your passes.”

“Okay, I’ll do it.” Alisha reluctantly agreed.

“Thanks, Ali.” Chelsea said, feeling relieved.

Alisha obtained her pass to leave the school grounds and exited the school, heading for her car to go see how Hadley was doing. She was in for a shock when she was finally able to see Hadley in his hospital room.

Chapter 4

“Hadley?” Alisha asked when he woke to find her in his room.

“Alisha?” Hadley said a little groggy from the drugs they gave him.

“What is it, Hadley? Alisha asked him.

“I need a favor from you.”

“What is it?” Alisha asked. “Do you want to see Chelsea?”

“No, I don’t!” Hadley said adamantly.

Alisha was taken aback at what Hadley said. “Chelsea is worried about you. Why don’t you want to see her?”

“Because, it’s you I really want!” Hadley confessed.

“I’m sorry, did I hear you right?” Alisha asked, confused.

“It’s you I really want.”

“But Chel…” Alisha started to say, but Hadley interrupted her.

“I don’t want to her!” Hadley said getting irritated with her.

“Okay, what do you want from me?” Alisha asked, feeling awkward.

“I want you to be my girlfriend.” Hadley confessed.

“Hadley, I can’t do that to Chelsea.” “I will make it worth your while if you agree to be my girlfriend.”

“And how do you propose to do that?” “If you agree to this, you will be the heiress to my family’s multi-billion-dollar fortune.”

“You think you can make me your wife with the promise of money?” Alisha asked him in disbelief.

“I need to be married by my 18th birthday in order to receive my inheritance.”

“So, why can’t you ask Chelsea?” “My parents would never approve of Chelsea.” Hadley admitted. “They think she is gold-digger.”

“But you and I both know she isn’t.” Alisha told him.

“I tried to tell my parents that but they wouldn’t listen to me.”

“And what is this supposed to get me?”

“Well, you get the perks of being the wife of an heir to a multi-billion-fortune.”

“So, basically, a trophy wife, while you see Chelsea on the side?”

“Yes, so will you do it?” Hadley asked her again.

“I have to think about it.” Alisha told him. “I have to go.”

Hadley hated asking Alisha for this favor. He wished he had just been killed in the accident, but as luck would have it, he was spared with barely even a scratch. He was just in the hospital for observation for a concussion. Hadley knew his parents would never approve of Chelsea as his wife. That’s why Alisha had to fill the title. All he was going to have with Chelsea was a secret love affair on the side.

Chapter 5 

Alisha couldn’t stop thinking about Hadley’s offer: a million dollars to marry him? Be his wife in name only while he saw Chelsea on the side? She could do a lot with a million dollars? Get her degree? It certainly would keep her busy while Hadley was busy with Chelsea? She decided to accept Hadley’s offer. After all, what did she have to lose?

She text Hadley to meet him at the java café to discuss his offer. When she got there, Hadley was with Chelsea. She should have known better. After all, he was in love with Chelsea. Not her.

“Hadley?” Hadley looked up to find Alisha next to them,

“Alisha, I’m glad you’re here.”

Chelsea was holding Hadley’s hand as Alisha sat next to her.

“I thought Chelsea should hear our discussion. After all, it does concern her too.” Hadley explained.

“Yes, it does.” Alisha agreed.

“So, what did you decide?” Hadley asked, waiting Alisha’s decision, as if it decided his fate.

“I’ve agreed to marry you per your terms.” Alisha told Hadley.

“Great! You won’t regret this, Alisha and you’re a life-saver!” Hadley told Alisha, as he smiled at Chelsea.

Chelsea agreed, although it met Alisha would be Hadley’s wife, albeit in name only. At least she got him where it mattered most: in her bed, and not Alisha.

“So, when will the wedding take place?” Chelsea asked.

“As soon as possible. Mother insists on it.” Hadley told the two of them.

“Well, how about next week?” Alisha asked.

“Sounds good.” Hadley said. “I’ll let mother know, and then she will get started on the wedding details.”

“I won’t have to plan the wedding?” Alisha asked with a sigh of relief. She was busy with school and everything. She planned to get her degree to distract her from this marriage since Hadley would be busy with Chelsea. She just hoped no one would find out the real intentions regarding this marriage.

“Hadley, what happens if someone finds out the real motive for this marriage?” Alisha asked him.

“It better not, or you and I are both screwed!” Hadley told her.

 “I don’t have any intention saying otherwise. I’ll play the dutiful wife whenever I’m needed. But that’s as far as it goes.” Alisha told him and Chelsea, who seem glad to know this.

“Okay. We’re all agreed as to the plan on this marriage.” Hadley said. “Oh, Alisha, mother will want to meet with you to discuss the dress you will be wearing.”

“The dress I’ll be wearing?” Alisha asked.

“Yes, she will want you to wear the dress she wore when she married my father.” Hadley told her.

“Okay. Let me know when.” Alisha told him. “Well, I’ve got to be somewhere now.”

Alisha left Chelsea and Hadley to themselves as she went on her way to her next appointment. The dean of the university she was trying to get in.

Chapter 6

Hadley kissed Chelsea good night as she bade him good will the next morning on his wedding day to her best friend, Alisha.

He couldn’t believe that it had come to this.  He had to marry a woman he didn’t love because his mother didn’t approve of the woman he did love.  No one could find out the argument he had with his mother in the hospital after his accident while on his way home after his mother called him about his brother in Afghanistan.  

After two days in the hospital suffering from injuries from the blast, Hadley’s brother, Tyler, died from his injuries.  Hadley and his mother had a terrible argument over his future plans with Chelsea.   His mother told Hadley she didn’t approve of Chelsea and told him she would make sure he never got his inheritance if he married her.   

Hadley had to get his inheritance.  He wanted to leave.  And leave with Chelsea.  But he couldn’t do it if he didn’t have his inheritance.  So he came up with a plan to marry Alisha out of convenience in order to get the inheritance so he could be free to be with Chelsea when the inheritance came in.

But unbeknownst to Hadley, his mother had a codicil put in that would make Hadley stay married to whoever he chose for a year before he got the inheritance.

The day of the wedding was here and Hadley text Chelsea:  “Babe, I miss you.”

“I miss you too!” Chelsea text back.

“Can’t wait to see you after the wedding.” Hadley text back.

“Me too.”

Hadley then text Alisha to see if she had arrived at the chapel yet:   “You there yet?”

“I just pulled up to the chapel.  Headed in to get ready.” Alisha text back.

“Great!  Meet you at the altar.” Hadley text back.

As Hadley put his cell back into his pocket, he wished that he was saying that to Chelsea, but he would go along with the sham of a marriage.  Soon, he would be marrying Chelsea.  Just as soon as he got his inheritance on his 18^th birthday in a month.  

Guests were arriving for the wedding as Chelsea sat in the back row watching her best friend marry the man she loved.  At least it was in name only.  

As the pianist played the wedding march, the flower girl, Hadley’s two-year-old niece, Aysha, headed the march, followed by Hadley’s sister, Taylor, who was the matron-of-honor, as requested by (more like demanded) Hadley’s mother.

Finally, it was time for the bride to head down the aisle.  There she was!  Alisha looked ravishing in the dress that Hadley’s mother demanded she wear.  Chelsea pictured her wearing it and got a little jealous at the thought.

The couple said their vows and after the minister pronounced them husband and wife, Hadley gave his bride a kiss on the lips, to which Chelsea felt a pang of jealousy watching them.  

The newly married couple headed down the church aisle as husband and wife and headed to the country club where there was wedding reception waiting for the couple.  

“I can’t believe my sister is married?” Ellis said to his new brother-in-law, Hadley, when he saw them at the country club.

“Nice to meet you too, Ellis.” Hadley said to him.

As the reception was in full swing, Chelsea showed up to see how it was going and was met with disdain by Hadley’s mother.

“What are you doing here?!”

“I wanted to congratulate my friend on her wedding.” Chelsea said.

“Well, this is a family party!  And you’re not welcome here!” Mrs. Jamison said, turning up her nose at Chelsea, showing her disapproval.

“She’s my best friend!” Chelsea protested.

“Alisha is having the time of her life!  She doesn’t need you anymore!”

“I can’t wish my best friend the best?”

“Get out of here before I have you thrown out!” Mrs. Jamison demanded.

Chelsea left before Hadley’s mother could throw her out, but not before texting Hadley why she left.

“Sorry, but your mother wouldn’t allow me inside the country club to see you at the reception.”

“K babe.  C U 2nite @ R secret place! J” Hadley text back, before joining Alisha at her side for their first dance at husband and wife.

While Hadley and Alisha paid their dues at the wedding reception, Chelsea was at the hotel preparing for her night with Hadley on his wedding night.

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