Chapter 3

Teyara Moon

My mind drifted backward, sorting through the wreckage of the past and the reality that my old nightmare was suddenly standing in the center of my present.

The first and last names were identical.

Unless there was a second Jax Mitchell running around Los Angeles, the man we were meeting tonight was my ex-boyfriend.

The very same man I was scheduled to face in a matter of hours.

Chloe shook my shoulder gently, a futile attempt to snap me out of the trance.

It didn't work.

The memories came rushing back with the force of a tidal wave, as sharp and agonizing as if it had all happened yesterday.

“Teyara, what’s wrong?” Her voice was laced with genuine concern.

“Nothing… it’s fine. I was just… thinking about the dress at the boutique,” I murmured, the lie tasting clumsy on my tongue.

She wasn't buying it, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.

I quickly flashed one of my practiced, dazzling smiles—the kind that usually smoothed over any awkward situation.

I wasn't ready to open up to Chloe just yet; the absolute last thing I wanted from her was pity.

Jax was a ghost from my past.

If our paths crossed tonight, I refused to let it shatter me.

I was going to track down the most breathtaking, provocative gown available, walk into that gala, and prove to him exactly how much power he still held over me—which was absolutely zero.

Zilch.

Nada.

A sharp grin replaced my hesitation as I snatched my purse off the table.

“Let’s go shopping.”

I raised my hands in mock excitement, sticking out my tongue.

The theatrical display worked perfectly to disarm her.

She grabbed her handbag, and within minutes, we were out the door.

After hours of scouring boutiques for an ensemble that could make a blind man stop and stare, I settled on a crimson gown.

It featured a plunging V-neckline that offered just the right amount of cleavage to leave a man breathless, while a dangerously high slit showcased my perfectly toned legs.

Paired with a bold red lipstick, I knew every man in that room would be at my mercy—even someone completely unavailable wouldn't be able to look away.

“Girl! You are absolutely stunning!” Chloe gasped, biting her knuckle in admiration.

I smirked, deeply satisfied that the aesthetic strategy was falling into place perfectly.

“You’re a masterpiece yourself,” I replied with a quick wink.

We grabbed our accessories—I opted for a matching crimson clutch—and slipped into our heels.

“The driver is waiting downstairs,” Chloe announced with an excited, girlish squeal.

“Let’s make an entrance.”

I tilted my head, trading a playful custom handshake with her before exiting the apartment.

After six long years, I was finally going to face him again, and I couldn't wait to show him the formidable woman I had become.

The moment we stepped out of the sleek town car, the entire atmosphere shifted.

Every gaze in the vicinity instantly locked onto us.

Men, women, guests, and staff alike turned to stare, their eyes tracking my every movement.

I leaned into the spotlight, the wave of attention acting as a shield, bolting my confidence tight for the impending confrontation.

Then, a sudden thought crossed my mind.

Chloe had mentioned this introduction beforehand, which made me wonder: was Jax equally aware that he was about to face me?

Camera flashes erupted as paparazzi scrambled to capture shots of Chloe, given her high-profile modeling career.

I kept pace with her, gently guiding her toward a quieter alcove near the entrance before lowering my voice to a whisper.

“This Jax guy…”

I began, keeping my tone entirely detached, as if he were a mere afterthought.

“What if he doesn't even live up to the hype? I really don't want to waste my night on a disappointment if I'm scouting for a premium client. Is he even expecting me? You know…”

I let out a soft chuckle.

“Just in case he gets overwhelmed or something, so I know whether to just walk right past him and pretend I didn't see him…”

I mentally cursed myself, remembering that as far as Chloe knew, Jax was a complete stranger to me.

I wasn't supposed to know what he looked like.

“You know, after you give me a subtle heads-up that ‘that’s him,’” I added quickly, offering a slight, nervous laugh to cover the slip.

Chloe’s lips curved into a brilliant grin.

“Trust me, he is gorgeous. If I weren't completely turned off by the idea of dating right now, I would have pursued him myself.”

I swallowed a wave of nausea at her words.

If she had any inkling of how fundamentally despicable he actually was, she wouldn't even dream of uttering those words.

“Besides, I have very specific reasons for wanting to introduce the two of you, believe me. You’ll be thanking me by the end of the night,” she added, her tone turning distinctly mischievous.

A sudden knot of apprehension tightened in my stomach.

At the very least, he had no idea I was coming, meaning the advantage of surprise still belonged entirely to me.

“So, when do I get to meet this paragon?” I asked, feigning an eager smile.

“Stay right here, I’ll go track him down,” she chirped, disappearing into the glittering crowd.

I rubbed my palms together, exhaling a slow breath to steady my racing pulse.

Adjusting the drape of my gown, I braced myself for the impact of seeing him after six years.

I turned my back toward the direction she had gone, wanting to maximize the dramatic effect when he approached from behind.

A few minutes later, the sound of measured footsteps echoed over the ambient music.

“Teyara…” Chloe called out.

I pinned on my most alluring, serene smile and turned around with deliberate slowness.

The expression on his face was a portrait of pure shock.

His brows knit together tightly as a flicker of recognition flared in his eyes.

He hadn't changed much.

He was still strikingly tall, effortlessly handsome, and had matured into his features beautifully—if I didn't despise his very existence, the sight of him might have actually stirred something in me.

“Do I know you?” he asked, the words completely stealing the air from my lungs.

I hadn't altered my appearance that drastically.

Yes, six years had passed, and my hair was styled significantly shorter, but I was still undeniably me.

Yet, I had meant so little to him that he couldn't even place my face.

A volatile mix of fury and resentment surged through my veins, my fingers curling tightly into my clutch.

“Teyara…” he trailed off, struggling to connect the memory.

I let out a soft, mocking laugh, cutting him off before he could fumble further.

“It’s…”

“Sandra Moon,” I supplied smoothly, extending a manicured hand.

Chloe shot me a thoroughly bewildered look, but I used my eyes to silently plead with her to play along, promising an explanation later.

Catching the unspoken cue, Chloe forced a bright, somewhat artificial smile.

“Right! Well, Sandra, meet Jax Mitchell. Jax, this is the woman I told you about—the one who can handle the job.”

“Handle what job, exactly?” I asked, playing entirely dumb as my confusion mounted.

“I’m in immediate need of a temporary girlfriend,” Jax replied, a calculated, seductive smile playing on his lips as his eyes locked onto mine.

“And I was assured you are the exact professional to call.”