Chapter 4

TARA

I twisted and turned in bed for hours as I couldn’t shake the thought of the threat out of my head. Knowing it came from Alessia, I knew she would do it in a heartbeat. 

I got up from bed and sat in my kitchen in front of my laptop for two hours, trying to write an outline. Every time I put my fingers on the keys, I came up with nothing. All I could think of was my face flashing over the internet with a horrible headline and vile comments on social media.

I still ended up with nothing. I finally grew tired of staring at the black page and yawned at three in the morning. I barely slept and woke up with anxiety.

 Here, I was back to work, trying to squeeze the idea out of my head for another commentary. As they say, easy peasy lemon squeezy. I finished it within an hour, proofread, and submitted it to my boss. But when it came to my next book, I got nothing. I didn’t even believe in writer’s block, but right now, it felt like it.

 I checked the time on the screen. The 24-hour ultimatum was over. Simultaneously, my phone vibrated.

 I picked up the call with my heart pounding hard in my chest. “Hello?”

 “You have five seconds, my dear.” I instantly recognized Alessia’s voice and rolled my eyes. “Call the number, or you’re a click away from being famous again.” The line went off.

 “Bitch.” I picked up the calling card and dialed the number. The line answered right away as if someone was expecting a call. 

“Vysper Rowe.”

 “Ms. Rowe, I’m Tara.”

 “Great,” she replied chirply. “Meet me at the address I’m sending it to you right now. I’ll send a car to pick you up.”

 “I’m sure I know how to get there.” My phone just pinged. “When?”

 “Right now, if you’re free.”

 “Okay.” I drew a deep breath when the call ended.

 When I thought my life would be a little bit better after I got my first book published, received the royalties, and the readers loved it, I was wrong. I had a good life away from scrutiny, and the reason why I preferred to be anonymous in the first place. 

Since that incident, I hated to be the center of attention. I’d been able to acclimate just like an ordinary person, and yet, here we go again.

 My identity remained unknown because I’d rather have my fans love the book and the characters than the author. Fortunately, my publisher had agreed to my terms until Alessia threatened me.

 My drive to the address was filled with silence and uncertainty. I didn’t even know what I would do if I didn’t do as she said. I had a feeling that I might have to sell my soul to the devil.

 The Shanewood Tower, a high-rise complex building located in the central financial district in New York, soared higher in front of me upon parking my car. Before I could inquire at the reception, someone called my name.

 “Yes?” I turned to a thirty-ish-tall man in a dark suit. “That’s me.”

 “I’m Rey Nites. I’ll take you to Ms. Rowe.” He gestured to the elevator.

 “Mr. Nites, may I ask what this is all about? I’m kinda in the dark here,” I said as I followed behind him.

 “Call me Nites, ma’am. I’m sorry, I have no idea.” He used a key card to access the private elevator. “I’m sure Ms. Rowe will explain it to you. Lady’s first.”

 I walked in. “I get it. You’re not at liberty to discuss it with me.”

 He briefly looked at me and smiled.

 As the elevator brought us up, I counted numbers in my head to calm my rising heartbeat. Rey Nites hadn’t said a word. The floor number kept rising and stopped at floor PH.

 Penthouse?

 My heart sank. I still didn’t know what I was doing here, and it felt like I was thrown into a crocodile pond.

 I managed to enter through the fancy door of the luxurious penthouse without collapsing. I released a shaky breath that I didn’t know I was holding for too long.

 The stunning architectural design had achieved an expansive interior like a space in the sky with an extraordinary level of sophistication, yet it was more than just a residence, but an element of home. But what truly captivated me was the view behind the floor-to-ceiling window— it was spectacular.

 “Do you like it?” The woman must be Vysper, who just appeared out of nowhere as I was too caught up checking out the captivating skyscraper from the window. 

“Sublime.” Still in an American accent, I smiled and offered my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Rowe. I suppose you and Ms. Hearst are friends.”

 “Yes, we are.” She shook my hand and offered me to sit. 

I took a seat just to be polite. “Thank you. I have to get back to work. So, why am I here?”

 “Alessia told me about you.” She sat across from me, studying me candidly.

 “And you believe her? As to why I am here, I’m still clueless.”

 “I didn’t believe her until she showed me proof.” Her smile was practiced as if she were trying to impress someone. I knew it because I was trained to act the way she just did.

 “She threatened to expose who I am. And you? Am I here to be blackmailed by you, too?”

 “Quite the opposite. I’m here to offer you and give you a chance.”

 “I suppose there’s always a catch.” I also wondered how deep she knew about me.

 “Aren’t you tired of hiding the truth, of who you really are?” Agh. That crap again. I wanted to roll my eyes. “If you can do something good, wouldn’t you take that opportunity?”

 Still confused, I stood up. “I did something good, and look where it took me? And besides, if you do something out of the goodness of your heart, the best reward is to do it in private. So, just tell me already, or I’ll walk out. ”

 Before Vysper could answer, I heard strong footsteps behind me, and she rose and smiled.

 “Vysper,” said the deep baritone voice that instantly caught my attention— the kind of voice that hypnotized me to turn around and face him. And by that single word, it was awfully familiar, like it was fresh in my head.

 All of a sudden, I could feel my heartbeat drumming in my chest as I turned around. The world seemed to have stopped spinning— time struck a halt. 

His strides were long and confident. His hands were stuffed in the pockets of his dark pants. He met my gaze with his hazel eyes, surrounded by natural, thick, long lashes.

 Hazel eyes. The same hazel eyes that hypnotized me. No, this wasn’t real. This wasn’t happening.

 You’ve got to be freaking kidding me! 

This was not a coincidence.

 I tried not to stumble over my feet as I shut my mouth. The closer he got, the more familiar he became, like I’d seen that face somewhere. 

Shanewood Tower. 

Penthouse.

It took me seconds to realize what this was all about.

Of course, the condescending Playboy Mad Shanewood, and I were here for him, not for Vysper, and this was his penthouse where he hooked up with that poor girl who tried to take her own life livestream.

He stopped before me, offered his hand, and smiled that didn’t reach his eyes. But what was more humiliating? He didn’t recognize the sapphire— the birth freaking stone— the woman he kissed two nights ago.

Well, that was a bummer.

“Hi. I’m—” 

I looked up at him. I was viscerally aware of how tall he was, with a powerfully built body, almost making me look fragile before him. And not to mention that long, thick, and— crap!

 “Why am I here, Mr. Shanewood?” He didn’t even recognize my voice, or maybe the accent confused him. For a second, I thought he was drunk or maybe had hit his head before he left two nights ago.

 For God’s sake, Tara. He’s a manwhore.

 Instead of answering me, he looked at Vysper. “You haven’t told her?”

 “Told me what?” I bounced my gaze between him and Vysper. “To work for him? I have a job, and I’m not currently looking for a new employer. I’m sorry to have wasted your time. Obviously, there’s been a mistake.”  I walked past them. 

Before I made another step, Vysper called my name. “Do you know your brother mediated a deal with a billionaire that can destroy a mountain in your country to build a luxury resort?” I know you’re an environmental activist—”

 I turned around. “That’s not possible. And I hate to break it to you, Ms. Rowe, but you approached the wrong person. I can’t help you.”

 “Listen to me, Tara. This offer is once in a lifetime. I know deep inside you, you still care about your country and who you are. You still carry your family’s blood in your veins. You don’t need those fancy titles anymore to help other people. All you need is an influential husband to make a difference.”

 My heart stopped. I felt like my world just turned black. “Did you just say husband?”