CHAPTER ONE

      I was standing alone in the crowded hall. The entire Rayden family was supposed to attend this party. I was feeling alone as my friend, Becca was suffering from fever. I slanted my gaze around and it rested on him. Chris Rayden is the most handsome guy in the party right now and a playboy too.

         Rich boy with bad habits and spoiled kid of his parents. He is an apple in every girls' eyes tonight.'

         It was his another grand party to celebrate his taking one step ahead at the success. All businessmen were presented at this high profile party. Chris' eyes met mine. A woman in a red hot dress was standing so close to him that her chest was brushing his arm.

          ' I don't know, he loves his parties like this or he can't help himself. I'm a shy girl. I don't know how to approach guys like that hottie in a red dress is doing right now what she is doing or the woman in black was doing a few minutes ago. '

              I turned my gaze from him and stared out at the night view of the city. I was on the fifteenth floor of this building. It was a beautiful sight, almost breathtaking. The city was lit up with thousands, millions of lights at the same time. This huge mirror wall was carrying the whole sight of the city. " It's beautiful. " I whispered to myself with a smile.

       My hand was resting on the thick mirror wall which was keeping me safe at this side of it. 

           ' I am not a rich woman but I've worked hard. I'm trying hard to fulfill all dreams of my younger stepbrother. I'm his only family, and he's mine. I will never go this close to the glass wall ever in my life. It all could be possible because of the dark of the night. I have a phobia of height. I'm thankful to the dark that grabbed moat from sight, which always scares me. I always feel someone will push me or I'll slip on my heels.'

        I enjoyed my view, I slid my fingers on the mirror wall. Suddenly, it brushed with a second skin. I winced. My heart began to pound. I looked down at my hand and my eyes rested on a strong male hand. The skin felt calloused under my soft skin. His nails were neatly chopped, shining natural pink. There was a tattoo on the back of his hand, a symbol, a burning sun. 

      " I'm sorry. " I immediately removed my hand and lifted my foot to turn. 

      But his second hand stopped me when it touched my lower back. I froze. My heart started to thud loud, " I need your help. " His sexy voice made my stomach churn as it brushed the shell of my ear.

           ' I know he is near to my ear. I should be nervous. But I'm feeling comfortable under his touch. '

           " W what help? " I stuttered. My eyes were still peering out of the window. I was peering at the lights as he didn't allow me to whirl and see him. 

            ' He must be handsome. Gosh! I'm imagining him in my mind.'

          My stomach flipped when his hand covered my hand over the glass wall. I sucked in my breath, " My partner ditched me before the party. I was supposed to come here with her. Can you pretend to be my partner for just tonight? It's extremely urgent for me," His hot breath brushed the skin behind my ear. I felt the goosebumps rose. 

           Gosh! He's so close. 

          " Why!? " I whispered. I lowered my eyes. I could not concentrate on the view anymore. My concentration was on my heartbeat and his hand. I could feel it hot against my skin. Although, my hands were feeling cold to me. 

      I raised my eyes and I was trying to see him through the mirror but it was looking quite impossible. It seemed like a transparent wall. 

     I heard his quiet sexy laugh, " I'm a successful businessman. If people could not see me with my partner. The next morning, they are gonna pissed me with their stupid headlines. " He heaved out his hot breath, it was tingling my skin. 

      " You're saying as it's gonna print in the newspapers and on all social media. " I slightly smiled. I waited for the reply. He didn't reply, " Can I turn? " I asked him. 

      " Yes, you can. After saying yes to me. " I felt his stubble brushing my shoulder. 

       " Are you tall? " I reprimanded myself for asking him a stupid question. 

       It grabbed his sexy laugh again, " Six feet tall. " He smirked, " I'll give you ten thousand dollars. You will pretend during the party and after this party you are free. " He said huskily. 

      I thought about it. ' It has been years. I haven't dated anyone. I can experience dating someone just for a few hours. It won't kill me. I do not care about money. I've worked hard in these past four years. I've enough money for my living. Indeed, it doesn't seem fair to take money for it. He's asking for my help.'

     " Ok I'll help, but I don't need your money. " I said to him. 

     " Are you sure!? " I could feel shocked in his voice. I saw his head tilted at one side through the dark reflection. I tried to see his face but I could not. 

     " Yes, " With my ' Yes ' , he pushed his hand on my waist, almost turning me to face him. 

     My eyes rested on his face. I sucked in my breath. My heart raced. I wanted to say no. But his lips crushed on mine. The kiss caught me off guard, not because it was unexpected because he kissed me tenderly. I melted in his arms. My eyes closed against the ecstasy. I felt tingling in my belly. When he pulled back. My eyes were fixed on his handsome face without blinking. I stared at his perfect face. Chris was nothing compared to him. 

      ' He's his older brother, Agat. He's leading number one right now in this business industry. He's one of the most successful and handsome businessmen. '

       This party was thrown in his honor. He's tall and fit. His hazel brown eyes were on me and his pink lips were parted in a small smile. Which was kissing me a few seconds before. His stubble was making him sexier. 

        ' He is a sexy and gorgeous man. But he's a playboy who never dates a girl twice. I'm also one of them now. '

           My cheeks turned bright red recalling our kiss. My stomach fluttered. My smile disappeared. I never saw him face to face and never even desired to. I ran away from people like him, who didn't care for others feelings. 

          ' He's one of them, perhaps. ' I slightly shrugged my one shoulder at the thought. 

      ' I'm confused right now. It is going to print in all newspapers and news channels. '

                " Hey, " He tucked a lock of hair away from my cheek. 

      I didn't realize his both hands were on my waist, " You should tell me your name. " I said to him.  

      " Are you backing up from your words, love? I can still pay for it. " He said to me, drawing his face near to me. 

     I glanced at the door and back at him, " It's late now when reporters had already clicked our pictures, obviously kissing. I don't need your money. So please, don't show off. " I told him. 

        He stared at me for a second, perhaps, thinking ' Should I retort or not? ' 

     " Smart girl, " He winked at me and my stomach flipped again. 

       I've to be careful. I don't wanna end up in the same room with him. It had been years. 

      He tugged me toward his business allies. His hand seemed to glue on my waistline. 

          ' I know all but no one knows me. I'm not famous like him nor infamous like him when it's about the opposite sex. Chris is also in the same queue as his elder brother.'

       

       I wanted to feel bored but his hand over my waist was doing different things, " Are you enjoying the party? " Agat asked. 

       " It's boring. " I managed a truth but it was a lie after his arrival. 

    He looked at me with a smile on his face, " Not anymore when I'm at your side. " He inclined down and placed a soft his on my neck. 

      Oh, God! This man is doing strange things to me which I haven't felt before. 

       He headed ahead. I couldn't concentrate, " Dad, mom! " He said loudly. 

       Oh, God! Am I losing my job? Have I said yes to my destruction? 

        My heart plummeted down. His parents eyed me. I managed a smile when my eyes met them. Luckily, they returned the smile. I sighed in great relief when his hand lifted from my waist to hug his parents. He was totally different when he was with his parents. The newspaper didn't print this side of him, " Dad, mom, she's my partner. " He said as we were going to marry. 

       " Hello Sir, ma'am. " I extended my hand nervously. I didn't know this was a wise move or a great stupidity. 

       His mother waved her hand in front of her face and took me in a hug. It caught me off guard. She pulled back with a smile. I immediately returned the smile and gazed at Agat with confusion. 

       " Welcome to the family, young lady. " His father kissed my cheek. 

      That was something different. I glanced at Agat again. He was giving his usual killer smile. I smiled, " She's shy. " Agat said and pulled me back to his chest. 

      " Yes, she's. I'm extremely happy for you. She's beautiful. " Her mother said cheerfully. 

      His parents hugged him and congratulated him. I didn't want to think about it. Anything could be a reason to congratulate him. 

       What has he told his parents? But it feels quite weird to hear all this. 

       Mrs Rosemary Rayden was talking so politely to me. She asked for my personal details. I answered her honestly. I glanced at Agat. He was standing near his father. They weren't far from us. He was looking at me, gripping a smile on his lips. Someone called Rosemary from behind. She excused herself and left with her husband.

      I quickly turned to him, " What's happening? Why is your mother talking to me as I'm going to be your wife? " I asked him, roaming my eyes around. I didn't want our conversation to print in the newspapers. 

     " It's another story. I'll explain to you after this party. " He smiled seductively. 

     " I promised to stay with you at this party. That's all. I'm not going anywhere with you. " I clearly told him. 

    He furrowed his eyebrows. We were interrupted by someone, I couldn't recognize this gentleman, " I'll be back soon. " He smiled, his soft, smouldering eyes made me tingle again. He pecked my crown as his hand slipped from my waist and I sighed slowly. But his peck did a miracle and placated me. I stared at him going away.