The poolside is alive with bodies swaying to the music as the d.j kept the spirit active,the bartender actively mixing drinks, different activities going on as bodies grind against each other,some actively making out,some swimming in the water, occasionally one would jump into the water making it splash on bystanders who would scream and curse in return, waiters and waitress went around serving drinks,some playing games,some taking shots,the party was alive to the fullest.

She stepped in dressed completely out of place in her royal blue suit,her pallazo pants flaring with each steps,she held a designer handbag, her heels clicking and drawing attention,her hair was packed in a ponytail her face set like someone who's plan was in motion,she was a contrast to the ladies around dressed in bikini fluanting their assets.

"OMG it's Lisa" "Lisa" gasps could be heard as all attention turned to her some people brought out their phones to take pictures. Of course it's lisa ,who not only comes from a wealthy family,she's also a billionaire who owns fashion brands across the world,works with young talents in the entertainment industry,she's supported many idols and made them popular,people who had dreams in the entertainment world pray daily to meet her just once.

"Lisa what on Earth are you wearing,it's a pool party"Cindy asked rushing over and enveloping her in a hug,Cindy is dressed to impress in her red bikini,they hugged briefly,Cindy held her hand leading her to a more secluded area where a set of couch was arranged,

"I came straight from a business meeting,besides I'm not staying long"her eyes looked around clearly irritated.

The party continued but people still looked at her wishing they would just have a word with her, but the two guards dressed in suit standing attention would give anyone attempting to come closer a second thought.

"Hey big sis"a voice called happily as a young man rushed over he's dripping wet obviously coming out from the pool,he hugged her ,she moved backwards disgust evident on her face.

"Damian,Stay the fuck away don't ruin my clothes, it's your birthday don't you have some decency,and why is it a pool party"she asked clearly irritated.

"Because I want it to be"he answered non chalantly."Lisa I'm so happy you're here where's my gift" he added brimming with excitement,she scrunched her face .

"Stay away I brought nothing"

"Seriously sis...."

"Hello sunshine"

The trio turned to the newcomer,who's also dripping obviously from the pool, dressed in just shorts.

"Gross you disgust me"Lisa said as she turned her attention to a couple dancing who were slowly becoming the center of attraction with their killer moves.

He sat beside her throwing a hand over her shoulder and pecking her cheek,she stood up immediately twisting his arm,she pinned him to the couch her knee pressing his back,he groaned in pain.

"How dare you "she asked adding pressure, around people were already making videos.

"You should keep your filthy hands to yourself and your whores,and how do you address me"she asked sternly adding pressure.

"Sister in-law,first in royal command of the Malcolm's household,please show mercy on me"he screamed in pain.

She released him,not without giving him a death glare ,she sat back on the couch, turned to the audience "show's over, fuck off"

she said coldly picking her phone as she clicked furiously.

"Girl that was too much"Cindy said softly.

"He should keep his hands to himself,and Cindy your opinion is highly not needed here"she answered still focused on her phone.

"My only crime is liking you...."he said nursing his injured arm.

"Then stop,micheal you dumb idiot I'm getting married to your brother get that in your thick skull,I'm sure there's no brain in there"her eyes were currently blazing in anger.

"How can I when you are so hot and cool at the same time"micheal said his eyes running over her body.

"You have a death wish"she asked standing up.she would strangle him to death this minute.

Damian got in between them as Micheal fled to the farthest couch,they were gaining a fair audience attention.

"Sis please don't ruin my birthday party please"Damian pleaded,

"He doesn't like you it's just business,and family stuff, you'll end up unhappy"micheal said loudly, around people gasped,this will make headlines,Lisa slowly sat down, returning to her phone.

"Just shut up, micheal she doesn't like you get that in your head,Lisa please don't spare him a thought"

Cindy stood up"guys please let's not ruin the party please"she signalled a waiter who came over four glass of wine balanced on his tray,Cindy passed one to Lisa.

"wishing a very long, healthy and fruitful life to our baby Damian"

They clicked glasses together Lisa and Micheal's eyes clashing a threat clear between them."are you supposed to be drinking don't you have a kidney problem"Lisa asked,Micheal scoffed

"like you cared"

"I don't care I just don't want a funeral ruining my wedding preparations"

"Sis my gift" Damian whinned, successfully stopping whatever exchange that would ensure next.

"Seriously, Damian"she checked her bag bringing out a box well wrapped and decorated.

The environment suddenly fell degrees colder,even the music played slow motion as he stepped in,with an unmatched aura, dressed in black suit behind him closely followed by four body guards, people stepped out of the way speechlessly,it took a few seconds then cameras started flashing.

"Its Malcom Ethan"

"OMG, someone wake me up"

He walked towards Lisa his eyes not leaving her for once,"hey babe"he called ,gasps were loud,

"He called her babe"

"I thought it's just an arranged marriage"

The four stood up to greet him,he pulled Lisa into a hug, kissing her in front of everyone,it wasn't just a kiss it was a claim,a possessive claim,that screamed

"she's mine"

He pulled away hands still on her waist possessively.

"You've been talking alot little brother,and words travel fast it's a digital world"he said waving his phone,with a smirk,

"You should watch what you say,she's mine,I'm going to overlook this last time,babe let's talk"he pulled her to a corner.

Micheal slumped down his seat,his eyes brimming with unshed tears,his fists cleanched on his laps"this is the last time he have his way"he said with a determined look.

Damian finally opened the box revealing a key he gasped, screamed

"my sis got me a freaking car,I'm going to test it'he picked a shirt lying carelessly by the side and dashed out.

Cindy patted his shoulder

"It's alright,it's fine"

"Your woman huh"lisa asked leaning on the wall, Ethan placed his hand by her side as he stared into her eyes,she rolled her eyes looking downwards,he held her chin raising her face to look at his,they stared into each other eyes lost for the moment.

"yeah my woman I like it"he said the words rolling on his tongue like he's tasting it

"You are marrying me for business,quit the affection"lisa answered.

"Seriously I thought we were over that just now I showed everyone you're mine"he said earnestly.

"Whatever tell your brother to keep his hands to himself it's gross"

"Obviously he won't go unpunished I was only nice because of the camera,I have a flight to catch,I stopped over when I saw the video,needed to clear some air,don't stay out long,I don't want my woman staying out late,and you need to rest planning wedding can be stressful so go home early"

"Yes sir"she said chuckling.

He leaned and kissed her before stepping out.

Cindy stepped before him"hi Ethan"she said her voice soft.

"Hi uhmm,what's your name, Lisa's friend right,nice to meet you"

He walked out with his entourage, Cindy scoffed holding back unshed tears she's clearly hurt,her only identity has always been Lisa's friend,and she's going to change that.

Lisa held her chest,her heart was thumping furiously threatening to burst out of her chest,she took deep breath to calm herself but she felt worse,it's obviously the kiss,she told herself as she felt hot all over, she bumped into Cindy.

"Cindy I'll be leaving now"she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her,she felt hot and pressed at same time.

"Are you fine"Cindy asked concern in her voice.

"Yeah,just pressed"she said the first word that came to her mind.

"I'll take you to the restroom"Cindy gently led her to a room,she stepped in as the room blurred and the world swirled why is she so hot,she removed her shoes.

"I'll go get your bag when I come we'll leave"Cindy said stepping out leaving her alone.

She stumbled to the restroom, bending over the sink she washed her face repeatedly,but she felt no relief,she heard the door creak open, sighing in relief, she stumbled out.

"Cindy"she called softly.

"Hello sunshine"she'll recognize that voice anywhere,her blurred vision saw him moving closer she moved backwards hitting the wall behind her.

He leaned over her hands beside her head.

"What do you think,will my brother still marry if he found out we had sex"he asked his voice taunting,he kissed her neck sniffing her and placing kisses,she stiffened, fighting the waves of dizziness and her reality.

"You won't do that , Cindy is coming in any moment" Lisa said desperately her voice shaking as the heat she felt increased.

"is she" he asked mockingly with a one sided smile"Well,well it seems like Cindy abandoned you"Micheal said laughing as he watched her helpless.

"Oh thou strong and mighty,now you're powerless, completely at my mercy,never knew a day like this would come"he threw his head backwards and laughed clearly pleased.

She looked around her eyes spoting a wine bottle,she wriggled from his hold running towards the dresser,she picked the bottle smashing it on the wall as the contents poured bathing the room in shades of red.

"Stay away"she said waving the bottle in front of her,he stood unmoved before her smirking totally unbothered.

She panicked cold fear seeping into her bones,her hand trembling,tears running down her face.

"Well two can play a game, actually there's no use, you'll soon fall unconscious,by morning our videos will be everywhere"

She stepped towards the restroom inch by inch.

"Stay away"the bottle slipped from her hand as she opened the door she shut the door behind her,waves of dizziness washed over her slowly the world blurred as everywhere turned dark.

Lisa slowly opened her eyes disoriented, where's she ,why does everywhere hurt,she stretched her protesting muscles feeling the cold floor,she slowly stood up and successfully unlocked the door after a few attempts,

crawling outside since her legs can't support her body,she slowly got bearing of her surroundings as she looked at the sight before her,she screamed falling on her butt,her eyes opened wide in horror,she moved closer, breathing hard with every step she took closer,

Micheal was lying on the floor,a bottle stabbed to his stomach , the floor was red from blood and wine,she screamed cradling his head.

"No,no, Micheal I didn't do this,I didn't do this"she sobbed loudly,as she cradled him closer.

The door burst open, Cindy ran in she screamed loudly stepping backwards as people rushed,the sight was ghastly,they screamed,but some recovered in some seconds as they recorded the scene each eyes looking at her accusingly.

"Cindy I didn't do it"she screamed, Cindy stepped back running out. Someone was calling the ambulance,she looked at the judgemental eyes around her,

"I didn't do anything to him"she pleaded.

Soon paramedics rushed in as they carried him on the stretcher rushing out.

She tried to follow but her legs could not support her, slowly she fell into darkness.

Lisa slowly opened her eyes, everything hurts,why does her head hurt this much, she groaned without meaning to, stretching her hand she pressed a button by her bed and a maid ran in dressed in a short gown her hair neatly packed and held with a scrunchie she bowed her head,hands shaking in fear,she kept clasping and unclasping her palms.

"I feel drained and exhausted I can't put it in words"Lisa ran her hands over her hair feeling frustrated.

"Tell my mom,I need her now,and I need a doctor, I've got a lot of things I need to do ,how can I fall sick at this crucial time"she slowly crawled up.

"Please ma'am you need to rest,you are not allowed to go anywhere today"

Lisa paused as she looked at the maid her eyes scanning her like a disruption rather than a person.

"Who are you to tell me what to do,go get my mom here now"she snapped,the maid shivered.

"Ma'am your mom can't come here she's busy,can't you remember"

"Remember what"

Lisa felt dizzy as the memories came back,the party,the blood,so much blood,she screamed thrashing the nightstand.

"Tell me it's all a dream,a very bad dream,I didn't murder anyone, I wouldn't stoop that low"Lisa slowly buried her face in her laps.she saw all her years of hard work washing down the drain, she'll end in jail, Ethan would call off their engagement,her life was perfect why now.She heard the maid whimper from her side.

"Just shut up,who's supposed to be crying,you or me whose life has been ruined,just get out, get out"she screamed,the maid scampered away for safety,she fell backwards on the bed, everywhere was so silent she could hear her heartbeat.

That was when she heard it,her mom's voice.

"You can't send her to the malkovs"her mother was sobbing.

"And I can't send her to jail"it was her father's voice.

"They will break her,let's wait I Know she's innocent,Lisa will never stoop that low,our daughter is innocent"her mother sobbed harder.

"mom we just need to gather evidence to prove she was drugged"she heard her older brother's voice he's a criminal lawyer.

"Lucein how could you,so you believe your sister is a murderer"it was her mom's voice her voice was breaking.

"Mom all evidence points at her, coupled with the video she asked him if he had a death wish,in front of at least fifty people there's a video"lucein tried to explain.

"Don't,no Lucein,no don't do this to your sister"her mom was sobbing.

"Let's hand her to the police the malkovs are heartless"Lucein said sounding logical.

"No one is taking my daughter,I know she's innocent,I mean there's enough clues to prove she didn't do it"

her mother said fiercely.

Lisa walked out slowly barefooted,in just her pyjamas,she walked down the stairs ,that arched in s curve into the sitting room,she walked towards her mother sitting on a couch who seemed to have aged significantly in just a night,her mother pulled her into a hug as the women sobbed.

"Mother,....i...didn't... do it"she said sobbing.

"I believe you ,I Know you wouldn't do it"her mother said soothingly, rubbing soothing circles on her back.

She turned to her father

"father,lucein"

she called ,they were not looking at her.

"You know I wouldn't do it"her eyes looking at them wishing desperately they would believe her.

"Father lets call Ethan,I'm sure he can help us"she said firmly, holding onto the last thread of hope.

"Your fiance,has abandoned you"her father said coldly.

"He would never do that"she answered firmly.

"well,he did,they called off the engagement announced on air today"slowly she sat down and wept.

The door opened as two cops stepped in,Lisa shrunk back by instinct clinging to her mother.

"Miss Lisa Liam you are under arrest for the murder of Mr Damian Malcom,you have every right to keep quiet because whatever you say may be used against you in the court of law,you have the right to a lawyer,if you don't have one will be provided...."

The officer continued speaking as everything blurred,she turned to her brother as the handcufff clicked in place,the cold against her wrist felt so foreign.

"Lucein,you have the best law firm,don't let them take me,say something"she was screaming desperately now.

She watched her family members look helplessly as she was taken away.

"I'll bring you home just hold on"lucein said.

She was pushed into the waiting van as the van drove off.

Just then another police van drove in past the massive gates, two police officers walked out.

"What do you mean by you are the police"Mrs Liam asked her eyes wide in panic."the police already came and they took my daughter,tell them lucein,tell them babe"she said turning to her husband and son they also looked stunned.

"No,no,no"Lucein muttered as he rushed out,maybe if he drives fast enough maybe just maybe.

Mr Liam moved closer his height towering that of the officer.

"what do you mean you never sent anyone to take my daughter,and you are the police,what do you mean by that"the officer felt intimidated stepped back, removing his walkie talkie,he dashed out with his couleague.

Mrs Liam looked at her husband tears running down her eyes,"the malkovs,it's them,you have to go get her back,after all it was all your suggestion,who toss away their daughter because of a mistake"she said angrily, standing up she left her husband who left the house one destination in his mind.

The internet is exploding from the murder case to Lisa's disappearance,that could not be traced by anyone,every blogger had a thing or two to say.

most of them suspected the Malcolm's family but there was no direct evidence.some felt she's suffering for her sins,and harsh ways she's treated people in the past.who falls from grace this fast,where is she,is she alive,dead?

So many questions no answers,days turned to weeks,weeks to months months to years.