Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE 

                         DELIA. 

The night air was refreshing, streets bustling with lights and cars driving around, my heels were killing me but the determination to see what Galvin was doing in a five-star hotel was overwhelming.

When I saw my best friend's text I almost went mad. Carrie claimed she saw Galvin in this hotel with a beautiful girl and I rushed here as soon as I heard, ditching my job. 

My nails dug into my palm, anger simmering inside me as I stared at the massive building with guards at the entrance. I didn't even have the time to change out of the ugly dull brown gown I wore this morning with no clue I would be going to the Golden Hills hotel. 

My heels were just as worn out as my dress and from the look of things I won't be allowed in, a black Rolls-Royce Phantom stopped a couple of meters away from me and I watched as another Bentley stopped behind it. 

The driver came out and rushed to open the back seat door, I looked at the guards to find their gaze on the expensive cars. 

What do I do now? 

I looked back at the cars to find out a man clad in a black suit had stepped out, and the driver bowed as he fixed his dark shades. 

Who wears glasses at night? 

I didn't have the time to dwell on that cause from the way the guards at that entrance stood like they had rods in their spine, I instantly knew the man was important, a thought popped up in my head and before I knew it I was already walking towards his direction. 

I need to get inside this hotel, I don't care if hanging on a stranger's arm is what is going to work then I will do it. Galvin better have a good explanation for going to a hotel with another woman. 

It better not be what I'm thinking. 

I strode in his direction and as he headed for the steps, I followed beside him and linked my right arm around his left arm, he froze and I lifted my gaze. He was intimidatingly taller than me, with broad shoulders and hard muscles, even with the suit it was easy to tell the gym must be his second home.

His sharp chiseled jawline looked like it could cut through a diamond with faint stubble and hollow cheekbones, although I couldn't see his eyes I could tell he was handsome, maybe even a popular model. 

"I'm sorry, but I need your help to get in, if you don't mind" I noticed six men were walking towards us and his jaw clenched as if I irritated him. 

"Please" I added desperately, batting my eyelashes. 

He raised his other hand and the men halted in their tracks then he suddenly started moving.

He didn't say a word and as we passed the guards at the entrance they bowed to the waist in greeting, and I heaved a sigh of relief as soon as we passed the revolving door leading into the hotel lobby. 

I was about to let him go when his arm tightened on mine and I furrowed my brows, "Thank you for helping me I would be on my way now" I bowed slightly trying to rip my arm away from his grip. 

He didn't bulge and just continued walking towards the receptionist counter. I looked over my shoulder to find the men he stopped earlier walking behind us, their scary expressions made my palms sweaty, I had no idea what the man was going to do with me. 

Oh God, does he think I'm a slut? 

"Um. Sir, I think you must be mistaken, I don't-"

"You wanted a way in, and I'm giving you one" He interrupted, his voice gravelling and smoky, like ice on warm liquor wrapped in an Italian accent. 

He was right, I need to find a way inside, the receptionist greeted him warmly and handed a golden keycard to him, my bet is the guy must be a regular. We walked towards the elevator and I could feel eyes on us conscious of how they were staring and whispering.

We entered the elevator and his guards followed standing behind us, immediately the door shut I yanked my hand from his grip. Now aware that I was in the same space with strangers, he didn't say anything or even regard me.

When we got to the first floor I checked my phone to be sure if it was the floor Carrie said, then I started searching for the room while Mr Mysterious went in the other direction with his men.

I didn't have any keycards so I settled for waiting in the hallway, I waited for almost an hour pacing in the hallway while trying to figure out how to find Galvin, then the last door opened. My eyes widened when Galvin walked out with his boss Aliyah.

They were holding hands looking like lovers.

Aliyah was dressed in a beautiful sparkling short gown unlike the ugly one I had on, she was prettier than me with fair skin and a slender body, unlike me, who's a bit on the plus size.

Galvin said something looking down at her with affectionate eyes and she blushed giggling, my heart shattered into pieces.

"Galvin?" I called,managing to sound stable despite my chin trembling and the tears threatening to break free.

He lifted his gaze and his eyes almost popped out of their sockets, Aliyah stopped narrowing her brows as she frowned.

"Delia I-"

"Seriously? This is your boys' night out?" I scoffed, shaking my head.

"What's going on?" Aliyah asked, looking at the cheating bastard.

"Why is your sister here?" She added, appearing confused.

Sister?!

He told her I'm his sister?

Tears blurred my vision spilling down my cheeks, I'm such an idiot.

"Is that what you told her? You told her I'm your sister, that's why we live together, right?" I sniffed, wiping my tears but more flowed down my chin.

"I- I-it's not what you think, Del, let's talk about it-"

"We're done. Come get your things from the apartment else I will throw them out, sleeping with your boss was one thing but lying to her about us is another, I hope it was worth it" I turned to leave but a hard grip on my hand stopped me.

"Delia wait!" 

Just then the fire alarm started blaring and all the doors opened. People rushed out of their rooms, I yanked my hand free from his grip and walked in the direction of the elevator I used to come up.

I spotted the black suits at the other end of the hallway heading deeper instead of leaving. There was no time to be concerned about that, not when my life was in danger, thick smoke filled the air and the elevator was packed with others trying to make it down.

My breathing turned ragged, the tight feeling in my chest extended to my throat, I started coughing profusely then I was choking and gasping for air.

Tears burned in my eyes as I suffocated.

I'm not going to die here.

I refuse to die in such a pathetic manner.

The elevator opened and everyone staggered out, the whole place was in chaos, everyone was rushing out of the hotel. I managed to drag myself out of the elevator reaching for my bag, I found my inhaler and quickly used it.

The two puffs sent my panicked heart to start beating steadily and I exhaled in relief, I headed for the door like everyone else and pushed through, thankfully I got out before the top of the building blew up and someone screamed saying their dogs were still in there.

I need to get out of this vicinity before the whole building blows up, plus the cops would be here soon the sirens were getting closer.

I flagged down a taxi glancing back at the burning building, I hope Galvin and his boss made it out because it would be a pain if I'm the last person they talked to, talking to cops about my pathetic ex-boyfriend and the woman he was cheating on me with would make me lose my mind.

Then my eyes caught the man striding out of the hotel, that guy from earlier who helped me in, nonchalantly fixing his cufflinks and checking his wristwatch while heading towards his car. One of the guards opened the car door for him and he hopped in, the cars drove off and I could have sworn I saw a gun with one of the guards.

"Ma'am, are you getting in or what?" The driver snapped me out of my thoughts.

I got into the taxi and gave him my address, throughout the drive home I kept thinking of how I narrowly escaped death.

My boyfriend turned out to be cheating on me with his boss, I might as well have been the other woman judging from how confused she looked.

What a shitty night.