Chapter One

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"They think she has everything. They think she has the perfect life, with the perfect family and a perfect guy. But what they don't know is that, she cries herself to sleep. I guess there's more to it than meets the eye." - Anonymous

Stella's POV

My name is Stella Valiente. I'm 23 years old. Six months ago, I graduated a marketing degree in one of the top universities in California. My parents expected me to help in our family business, but I was taking my time – relaxing and living life to the fullest. No one's pressuring me to work anyway. With my status in life, I really don't need to work.

I am also a pianist. I learned to play piano since I was four years old. At first, I really hated it, but because I was forced into it by my mother, I learned to love it. Last year, was the first time I joined a major piano competition in Italy and I had the honor of winning third place. Not too bad for a first timer like me.

I was named Stella by my parents, because I was their star. When you searched the meaning of my name in google, you would learn that my name meant - a dreamgirl, a fairy and queen of stars.

Yes. I was like a star... I felt and dressed like a star, every single day of my life... since I was born.

I was lavished with EVERYTHING in life. Luxurious lifestyle, such as traveling in style with our very own private jets, vacationing in our private villas in Italy, Bora bora, Australia and Philippines - and dined in the world's most expensive restaurants.

My wardrobe? I had a fully equipped three story closet. All sorts of signature gowns and dresses – formal and informal wear... varied coats, in fur, mink and sable... very costly shoes, mostly 6-inch killer stiletto heels and countless accessories: hats, headbands, scarf, hankies, sunglasses, etc. there was no room for cheap clothes.

I had a separate room for my jewelries. Necklaces, chokers, bangles, bracelets, earrings, anklets, rings, brooch, etc. in different designs, made with rare gemstones: natural pearls, diamonds, rubies, topaz and others. I inherited most of these jewelries from my great grandmother who was a Russian princess, Vera Petrovna.

A few girls in high school hated me and talked behind my back. They said I was acting and talking like royalty... as if I was the queen of England. But they didn't know that I was indeed a part of a royal family. Royal blood ran through my veins. Aside from having a princess great grandmother, my great great grandfather also was a Russian King. In Russia and even in Italy, people addressed me as Lady Stella.

I was the only daughter and youngest child of my parents, Rafael Lawrence Valiente and Natalia Castello Monteiro. Both of my parents came from two of the world's richest families, the Valiente's and Monteiro's.

Dad was a businessman, like his father – my grandpa, Draco Valiente. Before dad totally managed my grandpa's oil company, he already had his own airlines and global chain of hotels businesses. And now that my older brothers had their degrees, they took over in managing our businesses.

My family treated me like a porcelain doll – so fragile and delicate. They were so protective of me, making sure that I was safe and properly guarded all the time.

I grew up surrounded with nannies 24/7 to take care of my daily needs. I had tutors/mentors who helped me with my school assignments, projects and exams. I also had my personal driver and bodyguards, who accompanied me in school, luxury shopping and going out with friends – which seldom happened because I had few friends.

As I grew older, more people were employed to work for me. I had a couturier, fashion designer and stylist, a personal trainer and nutritionist, beauticians – who took care of my hair and makeup, body waxing, eyebrow trimmings, manicure-pedicure, body spa, facial and body massage, etc. I was pampered by my parents, as well as by my brothers. They gave me everything I wanted. Sky was the limit.

In return, my parents had three conditions.

First, do good in school.

Second, obey their wishes.

Third, no boyfriends.

I always did so good in school. I was a consistent honor student. Not really in first place, but somewhere between sixth and tenth place. At least, I made my parents happy.

Obeying my parents wishes became a habit. Sometimes, I couldn't decide for myself, even in simple things. I have to consult my mom. And because of this, pleasing my parents and my brothers became a necessity. I seeked for their approval in almost everything I did, that eventually... I felt like I was seeking for their attention most of the time.

I admit. I didn't have much friends in school. I was in an exclusive school for girls from pre-school to high school, and I had very few friends. I could only count them in one hand.

During middle school, one of my few friends told me that the other girls didn't like me because I was too formal, so prim and proper, aristocrat, and most of the time, acted like royalty.

I just smiled and shrugged my shoulders. So what? I really don't care what they think. I'm not an ordinary girl. I'm a star... a princess and every boy's dreamgirl.

Actually, I chose my own friends. I got along with girls who admired me and wanted to be like me. Girls who picked my hanky when it fell on the floor. Girls who carried my books for me. Girls who ran errand for me. Girl who would take notes for me... etc. In other words, girls who worshipped me – just like Mia Stewart, my new friend, a transferee from New Zealand.

I was fifteen when I understood my parents' last condition – the reason why I was not allowed to have a boyfriend.

I was with Mia on our way to the school lobby to go home when I saw a strikingly handsome guy wearing white shirt and faded blue jeans leaning on his rugged pick-up truck door. He looked soooo gorgeous... tall, lean and strong. His face was bronzed by wind and sun... and the set of his chin suggested a stubborn streak.

Oh my God... I couldn't take my eyes off him. Who is he?

His profile was sharp and confident... and his hair, silky straight dark brown hair ruffled by the breeze... he was devastatingly handsome.

Then his eyes caught mine.

I instantly looked away. I felt embarrassed for being caught staring at him. It was not my nature to stare at a guy or even look, it was the other way around. Yeah, I was used at guys who often stare at me, openly, without shame. I knew I was attractive to boys... guys... or men. I was aware of it since I was a kid.

He was probably twenty... or twenty one...

"Oh! Tristan is here." Mia gasped.

"Tristan?"

"I have to go. Bye Stella, see you on Monday." Mia smiled and waved at me.

"Bye...." My jaw dropped looking at Mia embracing the guy named Tristan, lovingly and adoringly. They looked so sweet together and it seemed like they missed each other so much.

I felt a sudden twinge of jealousy - of Mia, for having a gorgeous boyfriend like Tristan.

At that moment, I really wished I was Mia.

I went home thinking of Tristan... and Mia. I couldn't stop thinking about him. I've never felt this way before and I never had a great crush on someone, ever before.

That evening, after dinner, I talked to my mom.

"Mom, how will you know if you're in love?"

My mom, Natalia Monteiro Valiente frowned. "Are you?"

It took so long for me to answer. I heaved a sigh and said. "Maybe, I... don't know."

"Stella, you're still young. You have to concentrate on your studies first."

"I know mom. It's just that I saw this guy this afternoon, and... I can't stop thinking about him."

"Oh... that's not love, Stella. That's infatuation."

"Infatuation?"

"Yes. It will easily fades. Tomorrow, you'll forget about him."

I smiled and asked the question that was bugging me for almost a year already. My grandma, Sophia Castello Monteiro told me about this but I refused to believe her.

"Mom... can I ask you something?"

"Of course. What is it?"

"Promise you'll not get mad?"

She sighed heavily. "I won't."

"Is it true that grandma Sophia was arranged to marry grandpa Enrique before they even met in person?"

Mom smiled at me, then ran her fingers through my long hazelnut brown hair. "Yeah, it's true. And look at them now, they are still so madly in love. There's was a marriage made in heaven."

"Oh." I stared at my mom, thinking. " Why am I not allowed to have a boyfriend mom? Are you planning for an arranged marriage for me too?"

My mom gasped and just looked at me.

"It's true, right?" I asked her.

"I... I..." My mom stammered. "It's for your own good."

"For my own good? How come?"

"It's hard to explain now. But someday, when you're older, you will understand."

I tried to control my temper and my tears. "Who's the unlucky guy to marry me, mom?"

"Don't say that, Stella. He will be a very lucky guy if he'll marry you."

"Mom, please.... Just tell me who the guy is."

She shook her head, then later on said. "It's Eros. Eros Petrakis."

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Love and kisses,

sweetdreamer33