chapter 1

DARANA

“Don't forget Rana, your main focus should be on Caliste Titterington and nothing else. We can't afford to mess this up”. Gemma’s firm voice filtered through the invisible Bluetooth device in my ear.

“Got it” I muttered as my eyes scanned the crowd for the woman in particular. She was standing at the center in a green glittering dress that was hard to miss. Caliste Titterington. Queen of the Titterington empire as people liked to call her. Our latest victim.

“Adrika, how far up are you?”Gemma’s voice filtered through the device again.

“I'm on the fifth floor” came Adrika’s muffled response. She had managed to slip in through the back windows. I heaved a breath of relief and once again rested my gaze on Caliste.

“Okay, good,” Gemma replied. “The room you're looking for is on the far end of the hallway. I've disabled the security alarms on the door for about….. one hour. So you have one hour, Adrika. One hour to slip in and take the jewel and get out”.

“Got it," Adrika replied and I heard her muffled footsteps.” “Good luck” I whispered under my breath.

“Rana, you're next” Gemma informed and I nodded even though she couldn't see me and made my way across the room.

I grabbed a drink from a passing waiter and walked towards the elderly woman every one knew to be Caliste. A small crowd of women had gathered around her and were listening to something she was saying with animated expressions on their faces.

“……And that was how dolls were banned from my house till date” she laughed as she waved her hands in the air.

I smiled slowly and walked silently into the line of her vision while I sipped on my drink cooly. It was only a matter of seconds before she noticed me.

“You… ” she called out and all eyes turned to me. I smiled innocently at her. “Yes?”

Her eyes scanned me from hair to heels and she pointed her finger in my direction. “You're wearing the same dress as me” she said almost in disbelief and the women around her gasped, unable to believe my audacity.

I ignored them and glanced from my green glittering dress to hers that was similar and smiled. “Apparently, that's the case”.

Caliste watched me for a few minutes before she burst into laughter making a few heads turn in our direction.

She clapped her hands and wiped the tears in her eyes. “Leave us” she said and the women surrounding her scurried off.

“I know you did this to get my attention,” she said with a smile. “So spill it, what do you want?" she asked and I opened my lips to speak but she held her finger.

“Not yet. First, tell me where you got the dress. There's only one of these outfits” . She asked and I smiled and drowned the last contents of my wine. “I'll never tell”.

My response earned a laugh from her and she patted my shoulder. “What brings you to my party? We don't see the likes of you around here”.

“Likes of me?” I asked, stifling a laugh.

“Yes, all dolled up, funny yet elegant, with a hint of mystery. My grandson is going to love you. I'm sure” she said, still laughing.

“And the mistress of deception has once again fooled another unsuspecting victim” Gemma teased and I heard Adrika’s laugh over the intercom.

“Adrika, any luck yet?. Have you found the jewel?” Gemma’s impatient voice asked and I heard Adrikas groan of frustration.

“Not yet, I can't find anything in this place. Gemma, are you sure this is the room?” Adrika asked and Gemma sighed. “Yes, it's the room. Check around for a safe or something. There is no CCTV camera in the room so I can't check it out. You're all on your own Rika”. Gemma said in a resigned tone and I heard Adrika’s soft curse before silence resumed once more.

I smiled at Caliste who was still talking about a doll her grandson hated when he was little. Even at seventy she still looked younger than ever.

“…. And that was how my poor Nikky never played with dolls anymore” she finished.

“Caliste, are you telling everyone about that doll story again?. It's outdated already”. A bored voice sounded from behind her and my eyes left Caliste’s face to see the source of the sound just as Caliste moved to the side and I was awarded the view of her painstakingly handsome son. Niklaus Titterington.

The six foot two man bent forward and placed a kiss on each of Caliste’s cheeks and she smiled like a teenager.

“You're just in time. Meet the sweet young lady that has kept me company before you arrived”. She informed and Niklau’s eyes finally landed on me for the first time.

His eyes darted between our identical outfits and he raised his brow in amusement.

Caliste jabbed him in the ribs. “It was a fashion coincidence”. She grumbled and he laughed. “I didn't say anything”.

He returned his gaze to me and stretched out his hand. “I'm Niklaus Titterington”. He said softly as he watched me with calculating eyes.

I took my time to take in his features. Gray eyes, straight pointed nose, thin lips and a well defined jaw.

This was the grandson and heir to the Titterington empire. Gemma had speculated that he wasn't going to be attending the party as he was supposed to be on a business trip. So why was he here?

The night was taking a surprising turn of events. I just hoped Adrika was able to lay her hands on the jewel so I could get out of here because staying next to Niklaus whose eyes looked at me with a certain heat wasn't a good idea.

Thankfully it wasn't anything I, Darana, mistress of seduction couldn't handle.

I stretched forward my hand and watched as it got enclosed in his big warm ones.

I offered him the sweet smile I had practiced over the years that always had heads turning.

“I'm Darana”.