CHAPTER 4

ANGEL'S POV 

The person in the mirror was me but the more I stared, the more confused I get. Yes, I was looking very beautiful. In fact, I wasn't sure I had ever looked so pretty. 

My hair was styled by various people. Even picking out this pretty gown was done after five designers came to a conclusion. All I had to do was sit down and let them handle everything. And the result was this beautiful and sexy looking woman staring at me in the mirror. 

“Are you ready?” I heard Vic's voice from outside the door. 

“Yes, I'm coming.”

I grabbed my purse and left the room. 

Today, I was going to a family dinner with Vic. His aim was for me to seduce his elder brother who was getting engaged today. 

I wasn't sure I could do it, but Vic had faith in me more than I had in myself. 

The moment I stepped out, I heard a long whistle from one of his men. Vic, who was on the phone turned to look at me. 

There was no expression on his face. But his eyes told something different.

“You look beautiful, little kitten.” 

I smiled shyly. “Thank you.” It was hard for me to accept compliments. 

He ended the call and offered his arm which I took. We left for the dinner. 

The moment we arrived at his family house, my mouth parted in shock. This was the biggest house I had come in contact with and it was also beautiful. 

Compared to modern houses with no trees, this place was filled with flowers by the side as we drove through the gate. The exterior decor gave a warm and homely feel, almost like it was designed by a woman who loved her family. 

We got out of the car and Vic pulled me to his side. 

“I'll show you who you're to seduce in a moment. Focus on doing a great job and we'll call it even.” 

I nodded and allowed him lead me inside. 

And if I was wowed earlier, seeing the inside made me speechless. 

“You can admire the house later,” Vic's voice interrupted my admiration. 

I looked up a him to see him watching me.

And then a smile formed on his lips, even though it didn't reach his eyes. 

“Dad, I've missed you!” He turned around as a man in his fifties came downstairs with a cane. 

Vic's father, Mr Costello was already old yet had a strong domineering presence that made me uncomfortable when he looked at me. 

“I thought you were too busy to come,” Mr Costello said as he walked by us, not even stopping for a moment. 

We followed him to the dinning room where five men and two ladies were already seated. 

“Of course not. I have to be here to witness my brother's own engagement.” 

If one didn't know, they would think Vic was being sincere. But I knew better. 

He pulled out a seat and had me stay by his side like a pretty doll while he kept talking to others. 

A few minutes later, two people walked in again. The moment I laid eyes on the man, my heart literally stopped. It was him. The nice cop who helped my parents that night and made sure they were buried properly because I was in too much grief to think. 

I never thought I'd see him again.

Admiration filled my chest and the little crush I had also flared up. But it died when I noticed the pretty woman by his side, clinging to his arm.

“This is my stepbrother, Christian. And the man you will be seducing in order to ruin his engagement,” Vic whispered in my ears. 

My mouth went dry. 

“Him?” My voice was weak. 

There was no way I was going to seduce Christian. He literally was the nicest cop I had ever known. And I had a crush on him. 

How could I do something to hurt him? 

“Yes.” Vic grabbed my hand from under the table. “So hide that loving look in your eyes and get to work.” 

Christian's gaze fell on me as he sat down and for a moment, I saw the recognition before he looked away. 

Dinner was served. There were various dishes and everyone chatted happily like one big family, yet the tension was there. I barely tasted my food and the moment dinner was over, I excused myself and went in search for the bathroom. 

Suddenly a large hand grabbed my waist and pushed me to the wall. 

I gasped and was about to scream, until I realized it was Vic. 

“What are you doing?” I hissed. 

“I should ask you the same thing,” he spat out. “You have been quiet all evening, sneaking looks at Christian like he was your crush.” 

I stayed silent. 

Vic stared at my face for a moment and scowled. “You like him.” It was the truth. 

“He… he once helped me. I didn't think I would meet him here after all these months.” 

Vic's grip on my waist tightened. He grabbed my wrists and lifted it above my head so I was totally helpless against him. 

I struggled. “What are you doing? Let me go!”

Then he brought his lips closer to my ears. 

“Shhh… Christian is watching me manhandle you right now . He is a good guy. He won't be able to see a beautiful woman like you get maltreated. So I want you to struggle more.” 

I knew I shouldn't struggle, at least not help Vic with this horrible plan of his but I had no choice. He had paid my debt and sent men to protect my brother. I had to do my own part of the deal so I struggled. 

“I said let me go!” 

Vic ignored me and grabbed my neck, while his last hand still held me in place, helpless and vulnerable. 

He came closer, almost like he was about to kiss me. I closed my eyes and waited. 

“Let go of her!” Christian's voice made me open my eyes. 

A ghost of a smile touched the corners of Vic's mouth before he turned to Christian. 

“What are you doing here, brother? This is none of your business!” Vic told him. 

Christian walked forward. 

“It is, when you're trying to force yourself on a scared little girl!” Christian frowned as he looked at me. 

“You're overstepping your boundaries. This is my date for tonight,” Vic responded and finally let go of me. 

I took in a large portion of air and exhaled. I was trembling. 

“Still, women should be handled with care.” Christian wasn't backing down. 

He was as stubborn as ever. Just like before. 

Vic gave me a warning look and rolled his eyes at Christian. 

“I need to speak to my father about something. Don't be long,” he said to me and finally left. 

Immediately I touched my chest. It was beating rapidly. 

“Miss Cole, are you alright?” Christian came closer, with a worried look on his face. 

That was when I realized what Vic was trying to do. He wanted me to play the damsel in distress. 

I shook my head.

“I… I'm sorry you had to see that,” I whispered, a little bit out of breath. 

“It's okay. Come, let me take you outside to get some fresh air,” he offered his hand. 

I shouldn't accept his offer. But I did. 

Not just because of Vic, but because this was the first time I was going to be close to the man I had a crush on.

I thought he would take me to the garden below. Instead he took me to the balcony in his room. I didn't know how to feel. 

“This… won't your fiancée get angry if she finds out there's a woman in your room?” I asked him.

He smiled and placed a jacket over my shoulders. “It's cold out here. And no, Britney is a nice and understanding girl.” 

The way he said it made me wonder if he knew how it sounded like. 

“Are you thirsty? Do you want a drink?” 

I nodded. After all, I had no idea what to say. 

He went back to the room and later came out with a glass of wine. 

“Thank you.” I took the glass but didn't take a sip. Meanwhile Christian finished his own and stood silently beside me. We stayed silent for almost ten minutes.

When I looked over at him, he was watching me with an unreasonable expression. 

“What?” 

He wanted to speak, when his face suddenly turned red. “I feel hot.” 

Immediately I touched his forehead when he grabbed my hand and pulled me closer. 

“Christian!” 

“I… I think I've been drugged,” he groaned. 

Oh no. There was only one person who could do this. Vic! 

A knock came from nowhere. 

“Christian, are you in there?” It was Britney! 

What do I do? 

I pushed Christian away and he stumbled.

“Your fiancée is outside!” I whispered. 

He looked towards the door but was unbothered. If Britney saw us together, with Christian like this, it would affect their engagement. This was what Vic wanted. 

But I couldn't harm Christian after he once helped me so I pushed him inside the room and then hid myself. 

Moments later, Britney finally opened the door. 

“Christian, what's wrong?” I heard her say but there was no response. 

Then she pulled him out of the room. I sighed in relief and came out of hiding. 

Unfortunately there was still someone in the room. 

Vic. 

“You spoilt my plan!” He hissed. 

“No, I…” 

He was in my face and gripping my neck. 

“This was a perfect opportunity and you spoilt it! Do you know what you've done!” 

I grabbed his hand and tried to push him away but he wouldn't budge. His grip grew tighter. 

“If you want to keep you life and your brother's, you'll make sure that engagement tonight is cancelled. Or else!” 

I froze. 

“What?” 

“You heard me right. If you don't do as you're told, you won't be seeing your brother again.” He pushed me away. 

I fell to the floor and gasped while staring at the devil in front of me.