CHAPTER 2

“Elegance is knowing when to change the pair, not clinging to what no longer fits."

ALINA

Dressed in a dress that sank low in the back, showing off my upper back that I spent hours in the gym working on, I stepped out of the car, my black twelve-centimeter Prada heels hitting the paved floor. The wind blew my black, slightly curled hair into a different direction, which prompted me to lift my perfectly manicured finger to swipe it out of my face.

"Mr. Clay is waiting for you at the rooftop." Clement, his security informed me with a stoic expression.

Lifting my gaze, I stared at the gigantic building, wondering what kind of cliché decoration maybe waiting for me up there.

Mason is a private man, so I am certain there won't be any guests to witness his rejection.

"Ma'am?"

Taking a deep breath, I sashayed into the building, heading into the elevator which rode me up to the top floor.

The moment it pinged open, I was greeted with rose petals lined up on the floor with candles flickering next to the petals, making the red carpet more obvious.

Arching my back, I strutted into the rooftop, noticng Mason who was standing next to a table, holding a bouquet.

His eyes lit up the moment he saw me, and he began walking towards me, one hand buried deep into his pocket.

"You look beautiful Ali." He whispered, leaning down to place a kiss on my cheek.

"What's with the decoration?" I asked when he pulled away, my eyes slowly taking in the surrounding. "It's not my birthday."

"I don't need your birthday to celebrate you, Alina." Mason countered before handing me the bouquet of roses, my least favorite flower.

He took my hand in his and led me further into the space, towards the table. I ignored the 'will you marry me sign' at the end of the stage prompt and sat on the chair he pulled out.

Once he was certain I was settled, he rounded the table and sat down, his hand reaching out to take mine in his. "We have been dating for three months now, Alina, but it feels longer than that."

Blinking slowly at him, I moved my eyes from his face to his hand holding mine.

"I have thought of this over time, " he continued, "and I believe I am ready to make you my wife."

I slipped my hand away from his and reached for my purse. "I have a gift for you."

His brow arched slowly. "Really?"

Pulling out the small box, I opened it and brought out a wristwatch. "I realized I have not really gifted you since we started dating."

"Is this what the debit was about today?"

I shrugged, reaching for his wrist to unfasten the watch he was already wearing. "It is the thought that counts."

He chuckled. "I guess you are right." He watched me silently as I changed his watch to the new one I just gifted him.

"So back to what I was saying," he muttered the moment I let his wrist go. "I want us to_."

"Separate," I interjected.

He froze. "What did you just say?"

Reaching for the wine on the table, I took a sip. "I want us to separate. To end things."

His hand resting on the table slowly clenched. "You do realize I was about proposing to you, right?"

Taking a sip, I nodded. "I saw the ring last night."

"Then why are you suddenly proposing we break up?" he gritted out. "I have been nothing but nice to you, Alina. I have done nothing wrong to you!"

Staring at him for a while, I smacked my lips together and leaned towards him. "I know about her."

He double blinked. "Know about who? I never cheated on you."

Chuckling, I leaned into my chair, wine glass in my hand, as I regarded the man seated before me. "I honestly would prefer being with a man who cheated, than a man who ditched his five-month-old pregnant girlfriend without any remorse just because he found someone else."

His jaw ticked. "You know about Sarah?"

I always look for a way out the moment I get in, and Sarah is my way out.

"Yes," I drawled out, taking another sip. "I know about Sarah."

Muttering curses under his breath, he got off his chair, rounded the table, and squatted next to me, taking my hand in his. "Sarah is being taken care of." He blurted out, his voice quivering. "She should not be a reason for our breakup! she is not complaining."

"But I am." I countered, slipping my hand off his. "What is to say you won't just ditch me in the future when you see someone you feel is better?"

"That would never happen!"

Rolling my eyes, I gulped my drink and stood to my feet. "I am sure you said the same thing to Sarah." Reaching for my purse, I opened it, searched for his black card, and dropped it on the table. "Let's be civil enough not to talk about our relationship to the press or acknowledge each other in public, because if you decide to, I think we both know who would be getting hurt the most."

Standing to his feet, he rolled his shoulder, his face hardening. "Did you find someone else?" he spat. "Are you just looking for a way to ditch me?"

"You can believe whatever you want to believe, don't just contact me again." Picking up my purse from the table, I turned to leave, but he snatched up my wrist abruptly, his fingers tightening painfully.

"This isn't over until I say it is over." He spat. "You can't just wake up and decide you don't want me again!"

Not even flinching from the pain in my wrist, I tilted my head at him. "Why? Isn't that the same thing you did to Sarah? Woke up and decided you didn't want her anymore?"

"Stop bringing up Sarah!"

"Because you don't want to hear the truth?" I taunted, taking a step closer. "We had fun, Mason, and now I am ready to walk away. You can go back to your ex, or find someone new, I don't really give a fuck, but trying to go all alpha on me will push things in a manner you won't like."

Pertrified, he stared at me, his mouth slightly ajar. "Who are you?"

"A manipulator just like yourself." I deadpanned, "and someone who doesn't mind playing games with you. Stay away from me. You've been warned."

Snatching my hand off his hold, I stomped off the rooftop, got into the elevator, and then sent David, the same man who looked into the previous men I dated before I got close to them, a message.

FIND OUT ALL THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT VINCENT STERLING.