CHAPTER 2

(Jace pov)

It took Marcus and a few others of my friends a lot of convincing to get me out of the office..

“ Live a little,” Marcus always says. “You’ve got enough money to retire twelve times over. Stop acting like life is a business meeting.”

I always laugh at that.

My friends always tell me to get loose from time to time and enjoy life at its fullest..and I laugh.

I hadn’t always been rich like others that were born with a silver spoon in their mouth from birth, I built my wealth from scratch, brick by brick , just so I could be able to afford my present lifestyle and to make sure none of my children lacked anything, heck even 4 generations after him wouldn’t lack anything and wouldn’t have to work that hard, because he was putting the effort now..

I had been invited earlier for an event which I declined, I never really attended these parties anyways, they still always invited me out of formality

I tossed it to the side the same way I usually tossed the others that came to my desk… Then he heard a knock on the door and my friend Marcus came in. His friend was someone that invested in him today and he’s forever grateful for his friend in his life..A friend turned brother

He looked up and said

You knocked?” I didn’t know you had it in you or that you knew what the word manners meant, I’m impressed, I guess I’m rubbing off of you I said In between a laugh, Marcus flipped me off and asked why I was still working and that didn’t i have a party to attend …I looked at him suspiciously, Marcus knew that I had never attended any of the events I was invited to do why this one ?

He then tried making a cute face, saying he was going to do anything for me, if we went.. I smiled smugly at his friend

Later, Marcus asked why he needed to buy me something and that wasn’t I rich as well, even richer than him to afford it, I smiled and said it’s sweeter when the money wasn’t coming from his pocket

Then I laughed, got into the elevator with him and we got into his car..I didn’t plan the event so I didn’t have what to wear, and there was nothing wrong with the suit I had on all morning

When we arrived, I was shocked, thinking Marcus drove me to the wrong location because I was expecting to be at an event hall or something and not a club..

Marcus just smiled at me saying they’re at the right event…I just shake my head and then we both went inside…

It wasn’t long that the news spread that I came and then people started coming up to me with business ideas that I could invest in or the press asking me questions.

Marcus came to the rescue chasing them away and saying if they know the price he’s paying for me not being in work mode, they will not be here asking me for Favors

We were then ushered to the VIP lounge where our other friends were already waiting. When we finally arrived at the BIFE section, four of our closest friends were already there, drinks in hand, lounging like they owned the world.

Carter, the tech genius turned venture capitalist.

Leo, a two-time Grammy winning music producer.

Rafael, heir to an international shipping empire.

And Tariq, the fashion mogul whose designs had taken Paris by storm.

Every one of them was wildly successful, ridiculously wealthy, and just as untouchable as Jace himself. If there was ever a squad that turned heads, it was them.

The moment Jace stepped into the section with Marcus , laughter erupted.

“Man of the year!” Carter grinned, raising his glass. “Look who finally decided to show up!”

“Guess the money printer took a break tonight,” Leo teased.

I only chuckled, shaking a few hands and settling in. The conversation flowed effortlessly from business, to bad decisions, then inside jokes that made the whole section hum with energy. He didn’t realize how much he needed this until he leaned back, glass in hand, and thought to himself, Damn, I really needed a night away from the office.

That was right before his phone buzzed.

He sighed, pulling it out. One of the guys rolled his eyes. “Always a call,” Rafael muttered. “You sure you’re not running a country somewhere?”

Then they all laughed.

There were girls around, of course. Models, influencers, girls who knew exactly what kind of room they were in. One of them tried to cozy up to me, she practically throwing herself onto my lap with a flirty smile.

“Whoa, easy,” I said, lifting my hands with a half-smirk. “I didn’t bring a parachute.”

The guys laughed. But unlike the usual nights, I wasn’t in the mood to flirt back. I just stayed seated, and I let the music drift over me, and I just watched the chaos unfold.

The girls started dancing for them, but I looked in-different.. I did like what I was seeing, but I would have rather enjoy the night without having a Lady involved ..

I have had my fair share of women that the news always seem to carry, because they’re always in my business, but this night wasn’t one of this nights

My phone rang in my pockets, then I turned to look at my friends but they were all occupied so I just excused himself and came out to answer it.. I stood to take it in peace — away from the noise and flashing lights.

I was already discussing with the person on the other line when he got hit by something or rather someone

And that’s exactly when I stumbled into Her.

She turned and spoke to me like we have been in love for a long time..I. was about to call her off, telling her that she’s mistaking him for another man and that she’s too drunk and she should excuse me, until I heard her whisper that she’s trying to get away from the creep behind her, I didn’t even notice him until she spoke up…I forgot I was on a call for a minute, I ended the call and decided to play along with the girl in front of me…I’ve met different women from different races but something about this woman was different..She was beautiful and the dress she had on..

Any sane man wouldn’t have allowed her to leave the house in that..it was going to cause confusion.. She asked if the creep was still around, bringing me back to reality..I don’t know what came over me that made me suggest putting up a show for him then i pressed my lips against hers,it wasn’t rushed; but when she didn’t give in, I thought I misread the signs and was about to retreat when she opened her mouth and gave me full access.. she tasted of scoth and something else but it was good..

I got lost on her lips forgetting it was a show, I finally got my acts together, ended the kiss, then I looked at the creep asking if he wanted something..he muttered what seemed like an half apology then he walked away.. I looked at the girl in my hand now and she kept staring at me like she saw a ghost or something

I then let a sigh saying , they need to work on their security, if they just allow anyone into the club these days.

I stepped into the light, hands casually sliding into my jacket pockets. “You good?” I asked, my voice easy, like I hadn’t just stolen a kiss from a stranger. “Did the creep touch you or anything?”

She just blinked at me.

Then her gaze sharpened, moved over his face slowly recognition dawning like a slow sunrise. Her mouth opened, and then;

You’re JACE CARTER she stammered ..I laughed at the sight thinking it was cute..It seems my reputation went ahead of me always..and I asked her for her name since she already knew mine

Cat got your tongue Bella I said”

She still stayed frozen like we hadn’t just made out a few seconds ago…then Marcus came out, he whispered to me that he had been looking for me and that we had business to take care off

So I bent to her level, telling her that she owes me and that when me meet again, she will pay me what she owes me and that she’s owes me for the stolen kiss.. the kiss was anything but stolen, and anyone did the stealing , it was me and not her, I just couldn’t resist her lips

We got back to the car and I offered to drive since Marcus might be wasted and also because I didn’t really drink..the only thing close to alcohol that he took, he got it from Bella, I don’t even know her real name and then he touched his lips, his friend looked at him weirdly and said, someone seems to be in a better mood, did anything happen that I’m not aware of ?

I just brushed his friend offf telling him he’s overthinking things

It was meant to be a show. Now he wasn’t even sure who the performance was really for—the creep… or himself.

A silly, split-second reaction to the madness of the night. One stolen kiss to shut her up or maybe shut the world out.

But now?

Now it’s haunting me.

I’ve kissed women before. Beautiful ones. Models, actresses, heiresses. The type who taste like expensive lipstick and ambition. But her?

She tasted like wild decisions and chaos. Like she wasn’t supposed to be there, yet fit in a way that made my brain glitch.

Who the hell kisses a stranger in the middle of a PR nightmare and then bolts like Cinderella minus the glass slippers?

She didn’t even give me a name. Just stammering and more staring drama, and a kiss that’s been short-circuiting my focus ever since.

I should be over it. I should be pissed.

But here I am… staring at the doorway she ran out through last night like an idiot.

And Marcus has asked me if I’m okay for the third time this night.

“I mutter something random, just to say anything, hoping he doesn’t press further.

Truth is, I don’t know what just happened or why it mattered so much but for some dumb reason…

…I want to know her name.