Chapter 1

Mila's POV …..

Guests had just started arriving at the venue, and the hotel was buzzing with our company shareholders, partners, other business moguls from around the city and even bank owners in celebration of my Dad's 50th birthday. One thing people in business never joke about is networking and good business relationships.

I welcomed most of the guests as my Dad had requested, but my mind kept swaying back to the events that happened earlier that day……

I had gone to pick up some jewelry I left at my boyfriend's place that morning before heading for the hotel where the event would take place.

Felix, my boyfriend, was my plus one for the night, but he said he was busy at work and wasn't going to be able to check in with me at the hotel that morning, but he promised not to miss the event.

I used the spare key Felix had given me for his apartment during our first anniversary to let myself in. I was about to open the bedroom door when my hand stopped midway to the doorknob as I heard sounds of skin slapping and the unmistakable moans of a woman calling my boyfriend's name reached my ears.

I was so shocked that tears began to pool in my eyes. I turned the door knob and embraced myself for the most heartbreaking sight of my boyfriend f*cking someone from behind in his bedroom. I could not see the girl's face as his body frame covered hers.

I stormed off after slamming the door. I could hear his footsteps behind me with him calling out

“I can explain, babe, please wait”. I heard him call from a distance as I had already picked up my pace and dashed into the car.

As I drove, I let my tears pour down my face. I felt betrayed and angry. I had to park at a spot because my vision had become so blurry that I couldn't even see the road properly.

I knew I couldn't be late for my Dad's birthday dinner in the evening, so I wiped my tears and told myself that Felix could wait. 

I wasn't going to allow him to ruin this night for me, as I was determined to meet and talk to most of the shareholders at the company that night to find out what their stand was with me as the new CEO after my Dad's retirement. I also wanted to meet other business owners in the city as partnership was always very important.

When I arrived at the hotel, I checked in and had my bath, put on a little make-up. I really did not need to do much when it came to my face, as my facial features were already quite defined.

I put on a simple evening gown that had an open back that rested just above my waist. I had let my hair fall compared to the usual bun I always put it in.

That night was about me making an appearance, as many business moguls all around New York City were going to be in attendance. If I were to become the new CEO of my Dad's company, then networking would be a top priority.

“Miss Grayson! Miss Grayson!”. A business associate I was having a conversation with called out, bringing my mind back to the present after she noticed I had zoned out during the conversation.

“Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom,” I said after giving a curt nod. I needed to regain composure, so I didn't make a fool of myself tonight.

I just needed to make it to the evening, as most of the guests would have been tired of conversing by then, and I could allow my thoughts to roam free, but for now, I had to keep them in check.

I returned to the event and continued welcoming guests until I heard the voice of the one person I had been trying not to think of all evening.

“ Mila, please, can we talk privately?" Felix said while placing his hand in the small of his back. It took every ounce of self-control in me not to turn and slap him. 

But I knew better than to create a scene at an event as big as this.

We had stepped into an empty lobby to talk.

"What is it, Felix?". I started talking

"I just want to explain myself, Mila. What you saw this morning was a mistake". He continued

" You know I won't do anything to intentionally hurt you.” Felix said as he moved to touch me. I quickly moved back, creating even more distance between us.

“A mistake! A mistake! Felix really?” I said back, not even realizing that my voice had increased. Felix's face looked surprised at my outburst.

“Felix, I can't deal with this right now. You know how important this event is to me. I don't want you messing this up for me either.”

“Mila, can you just chill? You can't tell me that the whole time we have been together, you haven't slept with anyone else. These things happen in relationships, we just have to move past them.” Felix said with a smirk on his face.

At that moment, I wondered how I would even date someone like him.

"Felix just do me a favor and get the f*ck out of my life. Never contact me or show up at my place or, in fact, anywhere around me." I pushed at his chest and moved past him to the door.

As I was about to reach for the door handle, I felt his hand on my waist. He held my waist with so much force and pressed my body against his.

“You don't think I will let you go just like that without one more taste.” He said with a sinister laugh.

“Let me go, Felix! This is a public event and there are guests everywhere. You wouldn't want to try anything funny.”

Rather than heading to what I said, he locked the door with his free hand and pressed me to the door as I struggled to break free from his hold. Just as he was about to kiss me, he was quickly yanked by someone from behind.

.I raised my head and my eyes met a pair of icy blue eyes.