Chapter 1: Falling Into Temptation

The man in front of the mirror fastened the buttons of his black shirt and tucked it into his black jeans before checking himself in the mirror. After some thought, he flicked the top button open, allowing a sliver of his skin to peer out tantalizingly. Satisfied, he worked on his tousled hair, arranging it perfectly without it looking like he had dumped all the hair product on his head. 

Ethaniel took another moment to appraise himself in front of the full-length mirror. 

He looked different from usual. If his business associates came across him, they would walk past without realizing who he was. Ethaniel Ryves armed himself in expensive tailored three-piece suits and stoicism that made people rethink their controversial life choices. Indeed, in these casual clothes and relaxed hairstyle, he looked nothing like his usual ruthless self.

If his business associates saw him, they would look away without recognizing him. Ethaniel Ryves armed himself in expensive suits and stoicism that made people rethink their life choices. Instead, in his casual clothes and relaxed hairstyle, he looked nothing alike.

Something is missing.

He thumbed through his collection of watches and decided on the limited-edition wristwatch. He threw it up into the air and caught it at the last second, a playful smile tugging his lips up.

With a wave of his hand, he dismissed his driver and picked the inconspicuous Jeep at the back of his garage.

By the time he was parked outside ‘Serendipity,’ half of the city was already waiting in line to get inside. The line wound around the corner, out of his sight, and Ethaniel sighed.

Of all the days he chose not to bring his bodyguard…

Without any help to enter, he flashed his card at an unsuspecting group of girls and gave the security a tight look to turn a blind eye. That worked just as well.

He made his way in line when his phone rang in his pocket.

‘Snow.’

Ethaniel promised himself time alone, away from calls. But this one was different.

“Hi, baby. Is everything alright?” he asked.

“Yes, but I’m so bored…”

“Is Tilly not keeping you entertained?” he questioned curiously.

She sighed. “She went out to get us popcorn.”

Ethaniel hummed as he made his way to a less crowded area, where he could hear her clearer.

“Are you still at work?” He heard on the phone.

He didn’t miss a beat as he answered, “I’m still outside, but not for long. Don’t worry about me, baby. And be sure to sleep early. You have a long trip tomorrow, remember?”

She groaned. “I will.” And then after a pause. “I miss you.”

Ethaniel’s voice softened. “I miss you, too. But it won’t be long now. Love you…”

“Love you too, Daddy. See you tomorrow.”

The line went silent.

Ethaniel sighed and turned around, done with his last task of the night. Now, he had all the time in the world to enjoy some peace. He hoped for a quiet night with some strong drinks until he saw her.

Her honey blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail white her layered bangs fell over her heart-shaped face, framing it without getting in the way of her work. She busied herself behind the bar, making a cocktail that looked positively colorful.

Her bottom lip jutted out as she poured all her attention on the task.

Ethaniel took an involuntary step closer.

He was guided to the bar by a strange force. His eyes remained rooted on her until she looked up, noticing someone’s intense stare. Finally, he had her attention.

“How can I help you?” she asked sweetly. Ethaniel cocked his head, knowing this was her customer service voice. Done purely out of necessity. She hadn’t looked at him yet. 

“I’d like a Hot Toddy,” he murmured.

“Oh. Suffering from a cold?” she started but didn’t wait for his answer. “Coming right up.” She prepared the drink with practiced ease.

He took the time to analyze her further. Her amber eyes turned to him again.

“Have we met before?” she asked out of the blue.

A smile threatened to escape. “I believe that’s my line.”

She bit her lip before bursting into laughter. “You’re right. I should have waited for you to pull the line.” She shook her head softly. “I was hired because of my impeccable memory.”

Ethaniel cocked a brow. “And I look familiar?”

How curious.

She nodded. “I can recognize regulars—”

He cut her off. “I’m not a regular.”

“You’re not. I would have remembered you.”

He hummed. “I could become one.” He flashed her a crooked smile, his intentions clear.

She ducked her head and placed the concoction in front of him. He downed it and ordered another. The banter continued, and the place grew more crowded.

As much as he wanted to, he wasn’t the center of the universe and she had other customers to attend to. But she would always come back and check on him.

“How many drinks has it been? I don’t even know your name.” His hoarse voice was merely a whisper, but she was so close she could hear him.

“Don’t worry, I’m keeping a tab. I won’t let you drown in alcohol,” she joked. “And it’s Riva.”

“Riva.” The name rolled off his tongue. “Let’s play a game of secrets, shall we, Riva?” he whispered again, this time his lips inches from her ear.

Her throat went dry.

Riva had painstakingly learned how to steer advances of men away without offending them. It was part of the job because drunk men rarely had any manners. Usually, she didn’t need to try hard. But this man had stripped her of her defences and rendered her speechless. She couldn’t remember how to turn him down.

Right then, she was struggling with the decision. Should she keep him at a distance or not?

She felt the pull, but lying underneath the seemingly stagnant pool of attraction was unknown danger.

Fortunately, she liked danger.

He saw the gears in her mind work and went pressed ahead. “I am dying to know… Where are you going after work?” His gaze grew sharp, despite the haziness from the alcohol.

Riva’s eyes widened. 

She didn’t know how to approach the man, but as the clock ticked, her resolve crumbled and the temptation to fall into his seduction grew. 

She heard her name being called from a nearby table and snapped out of the spell. It was a welcome distraction from his intensity.

Ethaniel caught her arm as she turned to leave. His low words fanned over her ear, “Come home with me.”

Her breath caught in her throat. She wriggled out of his grasp before stumbling back and sprinting to the table. Her mind shut off and she worked on autopilot, taking the order and processing it.

In moments like these, Riva marvelled at what the human body was capable of. It was good that she had abundant experience working at the bar and could work flawlessly without thinking. If she switched her brain on, the inevitable battle between her instinct and her rationality would cripple her. 

She turned to look at the handsome stranger.

He sat alone at the bar, sipping on his drink leisurely. 

Riva couldn’t understand him. 

The people at the bar either came to mingle, or to drown their sorrows. If he wanted to get drunk, why didn’t he drown the drinks like others? Instead, he preferred conversing with her. At the same time, he didn’t entertain anyone else.

He was a mystery.

He didn’t scroll on his cellphone… not even to check the time. It was strange for someone from this day and age to be so detached from the world. His eyes were downcast or fixed on a random spot until she was nearby. Then, he watched her.

Riva had expected him to turn his attention to others when she didn’t respond. When some girls tried to pick him up, he either turned them down or ignored them altogether. Therefore, he was not there to pick up a stranger for the night. 

Except her. 

This made her wonder.

Her gaze fell to his hand. And just as she thought, there was no ring. Not even a line to show he routinely wore one or was recently divorced. But that didn’t mean much these days.

Why did he pick her out of all these people?

She was not the typical innocent girl that men wanted to corrupt. Neither was she opposed to one-night-stands. But for some reason, she couldn’t understand where this fling would lead. It made her pause, but the temptation to find out was strong. She had stayed strong for long enough. It didn’t matter if her resilience crumbled.

“Why the Hot Toddy?” she whispered into his ear this time, surprising him. 

He smiled again.

“Because it was her favorite,” he murmured.

Her brows knitted together. “Whose?”

“My wife. She left us. Today, I am commemorating the day,” he spoke through rushed breaths.

The confession took her aback.

She knew a thing or two about loss. It had been her companion in misery for years as well. And though this man didn’t appear to be in pain, he seemed broken.

“Wait for me in the parking lot in half an hour,” she announced.

She walked away to round up the drinks and get her tabs paid off. When she returned to his seat, the stranger was missing, but his card was left for her.

Ethaniel Ryves. 

The card suggested he was a businessman, and an extremely successful one at that. But the bar was known to attract the wealthy of the town. Her salary alone was enough to cover the mortgage for a small family house in the city. Tips were abundant, so she didn’t lack money.

She got her bearings and on the way to the parking lot, she hesitated.

Was she really going through with this?

Was it pity that compelled her?

Or comfort?

She threw the back door open and stepped outside. She found him leaning against his Jeep, and her instincts were drowned out by her thoughts alone. She no longer cared.

She simply wanted him.