Chapter 1

Asia's POV

The flight from New York had been hell.

All that echoed in my head was the words Gia said.

“Asia dear, you can't attend this wedding, It's for elites only,take this ticket, it's a two days vacation trip to Paris, it'll be worth it sister.”

She’d said it with that fake sweet smile, while Mom nodded along like Gia was already the trophy daughter.

The daughter who landed a wealthy fiancé. The one who lied straight to everyone’s face and claimed she was an only child. 

And me? I was none existent.

Now here I was, dragging my beat-up suitcase across the polished marble floor of the Golden Galaxy hotel in Paris.

My worn sneakers squeaked loudly with every step, announcing to everyone that I was the outsider.

I was at the front desk, trying to check in without looking too lost, when I heard the laugh.

That laugh.

I paused.

My stomach dropped before I even turned around.

Monroe! 

My ex from high school,the one who dumped me the second his tech startup took off, called me “used goods” for his brand new world. 

He stood there in a brown jacket, arm wrapped possessively around a Blondie, I looked closely and it was Chanel, my old high school friend who had clearly upgraded right along with him. 

I turned fast as possible and grabbed my luggage to avoid catching up with them.

“Asia?” Monroe’s voice startled me,I thought I could escape him.

He stepped closer, that familiar smug smirk spreading across his face. “No fucking way, you still look just the same, after so many years.”

Chanel giggled.

 “Asia, what a coincidence, what brings you here?”Chanel asked.

I forced a smile.”I'm here for vacation.”

“Vacation?”Monroe scoffed

“When did you start making money to go on vacation or you are here to hookup with one of those old men who hit on you.”

They both burst into laughter, heat rushed up my neck. My palm tightened around the box handle until my knuckles went white.

“You better watch your mouth Monroe, my fiance won't take that nonsense you just sprouted, lightly.”I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“Fiance?, you are engaged?”His brows shoot up and then furrowed,his gazed moved to my finger, and then he smirked.

“Then where is the ring.” He chuckled."You still haven't stopped lying, Asia.”

I had to calculate fast,I wasn't going to let Monroe eat me up just like that.

My eyes darted across the elegant lobby, desperate for anything,for anyone,and that’s when I sighted this man, he stood near the grand staircase, so huge and broad shouldered, he was scrolling through his phone, a small smile formed on my lips.

I catwalked straight across the lobby.

My heart slammed against my ribs so hard it could burst.  

I stood in front of him,I rose on my tiptoes all five feet of me, grabbed the front of his suit jacket with both hands, yanked him down and crashed my lips against his.

For one frozen second,the gasp and whisper from people around faded away, the chandelier light became invisible, everything and everyone blurred out. 

He went completely rigid under my fingers.

His body tensed like steel. 

I poured every bit of my anger, my desperation, and my fake bravery into that kiss, It wasn’t gentle,it wasn’t pretty. 

It was reckless and raw and born from years of being stepped on.

When I finally pulled back just an inch, breathing fast, I whispered loud enough for Monroe and Chanel to hear.

“Baby what took you so long to get here?”

The stranger stared down at me, his expression shifting from shock to something darker, amusement mixed with heat and a flash of danger. His large hand came up slowly and settled on my waist, fingers strong and possessive, holding me exactly where I was so I couldn’t run.

“I like your boldness, little kitten ” He murmured, voice low and rough. I felt my stomach somersault. 

I lost my senses for a second just staring at his dark fox eyes.

He towered over me, making me feel even smaller than usual.

Just in, Monroe cleared his throat.

I had forgotten they were standing there, Chanel's mouth was wide open with one hand on her chest.

Monroe's face turned sour.

“You can't be engaged to him, you are not of his class.”He sneered.

Chanel nodded in agreement.

“He…he is , We’ve been keeping things on the low.”I snapped.

Monroe let out a forced laugh “Fiance? Him? Bullshit. You expect us to believe this tiny nobody landed someone like…”

 “You got a problem with my fiancée?”

The word “fiancée” from the stranger's mouth made my skin tingle.

My pulse calmed down,I lifted my head up to look at him, jaws tightened, his eyes were fixed on Monroe.

His hand slid from my waist to the small of my back, pulling me closer against his solid chest.

Monroe and Chanel stood there dumbfounded.

“Wow, nice one Asia.”Monroe said shifting his gaze between me and the stranger.

They both walked off.

I turned to pull away from the stranger, but he held my wrist. 

“Not so fast,little kitten

.”His icy fox eyes pierced through mine.

My pulse began to rise again.

He started guiding me away from the center, toward a quieter corner of the lobby near the bar, my body just followed without permission.

“You kissed me without permission,” he said slowly, “In front of witnesses, claimed me as yours, that was bold, little kitten.”

Heat flooded my face. “I… I’m sorry,it happened out of impulse.” I grabbed a piece of my dress. ”Please pretend this never happened, we won't cross paths again.” I turned to leave,but he blocked the way again.

“No.”

“You don’t get to kiss a man like that and just disappear,” His eyes darkened.”Not without consequences.”

He leaned in closer, his breath brushing my ear.

 “How about we continue this game for the next two days?”

“What…what do you mean?”My voice was barely a whisper.

“We will pretend we are dating just to spite him more, and also I want to strike a business deal with him, so you on my side, might just make it easier.”

Two days pretending to be engaged to this intriguing stranger? 

It was insane.

“What exactly do I have to do?” I asked.

His dark eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “Everything a real fiancée would do,”

“Starting right now.”

He pulled me closer again, arms wrapped possessively around my waist like I was already his.

“Smile, little kitten,” His tone sending chills racing down my spine. “Your ex is still watching, And trust me… this little game we just started? It’s so gonna be worth your time.”