Ember asked the waiter for another refill. ‘Last glass,’ she promised herself as she savored the sweetness of wine in her tongue.
She briefly checks the time on her wristwatch. It was late and she should go back to her hotel suit to pack her things because she's flying to another city tonight. Upon finishing her glass, she rose on her bar stool. As she glanced up, she saw trouble headed on her way. It spelt ICEN in bold, capital letters.Ember realized she needed to get away before he got to her. But her silly legs won't move. Her feet seemed to be nailed to the floor.She finished her quick prayers just in time he pulled into a stop. He towered over her. Ember looked like a dwarf next to him, even with her heels on.She tried to flee, but his massive frame stood in her path like a wall. Biting her lips she slowly lifted her gaze.Breath hitched in her throat at the pair of exquisite eyes, the bluest color she'd ever seen.Icen Clayton Blackstone captivated her from a distance. But having him this close had liven up all her senses.Those eyes, looking like a deep ocean glowing against the light of the chandelier, looked utterly familiar.A funny little quiver danced down her spine.“May I have this dance?” He asks, his tone soft but firm. Instantly, she knew he wasn't the type to take no for an answer.Ember wished he would take off his mask so she could see his face.Her cousin Chloe, the one she caught making out with her lover, had an enormous poster of Icen with his signature on her bed. She hadn't actually seen the poster, but her cousin had been boasting about it.Regret filled her now that she did not even spare a glance, and she has now to suffer indispensable curiosity about how he actually looked.A soft sigh escaped her lips and she look back at his hand was still there, waiting for her touch.His fingers were long and big. For some kinky reason, she found them irresistibly sexy. A sudden rush of thrill and excitement swept through her. His powerful hands looked as though he could lift her body in the air with little effort and hurl her to her feet. At the same time, Ember knows—perhaps it was instinct–that he won't do anything to hurt her.“It's just a dance. I'm not asking you to make love with me.”The remark turned her cheeks crimson red.Yeah, just a dance. There's nothing wrong with it. Ember repeated to herself and threw all her inhibitions aside.With another soft sigh, she took his hand.Strange sparks flew the moment their hands met. Startled by her bodily response to his touch, she almost pulled away. But his hand refused to let go.Did he feel the spark? She quietly asked herself. Ember had no way of finding out unless he unveiled his face which obviously he had no intention to do.As he pulled her to the center of the room, all eyes followed.Every couple on the dance floor left to join the audience.With only them in the center, Ember felt the weight of stares, most of which were glares poking holes on her back. The party hasn't even formally begun, yet she made more enemies than friends she will ever have in her lifetime.Had been her cousin Chloe watching, she'd be one of those women casting her a murderous glance. She would love to see that look in her eyes and watch her slowly die with envy.Icen Clayton pulled her hands to his neck. Her heart thudded in her chest when his large fingers framed her waist.He was so warm it felt damn good. She resisted the urge to close her eyes and lean her head on his shoulders.Blue lagoon eyes capture her gaze. Ember wanted to look away, but she couldn't. He got her wrapped under his spell.The orchestra begins to play a song, the sound drowning the surrounding hush murmurs. Everyone in the room disappears. She felt like they were the last people left on earth as he held her in his arms as though they were lovers.Ember couldn't understand her feelings.Her brain says run but her heart says 'it felt so good' to be wrapped in his armsShe shouldn't be attracted towards a man she just met. But he was a man impossible to resist. Any woman near him would feel the same way.She didn't think he was attracted to her though. A man like Icen Clayton isn't capable of emotions, much more attraction to a random woman he picked up. His dancing with her was mere fascination on his part.He might be bored and found himself a toy to ease his ennui.But who cares if he doesn't like her back? She doesn't like him either even if she feels drawn to him. Ember thought to herself. What's important now is he was helping her forget about Thunder, her cheating lover.Her lips opened. A contented sigh emerged from them and she closed her eyes.She'd better enjoy the moment while it lasts. This perhaps might be her first and last encounter with him.“Have we met before?” He asked.Her eyes fluttered open in surprise and she abruptly raised her face. Their lips almost touched.Ember swallowed hard.Ice Clayton Blackstone, a man extremely notorious as he was not someone to be forgotten. It would not have slipped from her excellent memory if the two of them were formally introduced before.But then, have they ever met before without proper introduction, she has no way of finding out. He wore a mask, so how would she recognize him?It's safe for her to just say 'no'.“No, we haven't.” She replied.“Why do I feel as if I knew you?” He asked and Ember was surprised because she also felt that way.Ember felt as though they had met before.The way they dance aches with familiarity. Even the sweet scent of his manly perfume swept her with an unexplainable nostalgia. Weird but she also felt with a striking awareness that it wasn't the first time he held her in his arms. “I'm Thunder Steel's fiancee, I mean ex-fiancee.” She replied. For a second, her voice quivered.Icen tensed in response.She felt the moment it happened and something urged her to look at him, and what she saw made her freeze.His eyes didn't just look cold, but Ember swore she saw a hailstorm in them at the mention of her ex-lover's name.Why? Ember inwardly asked herself, wondering if the two had some kind of history.“I see. I remember you now.” He replied after a brief pause. His eyes shifted to her face, recognition shone in them as they looked at her. “The lady dubbed by tabloids as Cinderella. The one lucky woman Thunder Steel had fallen in love with.” He murmured. “That explains why you looked familiar.”
Her jaw fropped to the pristine white floor. She was so shaken by his unexpected admittance that she was unable to say a word. After staying silent for a long while she pulled herself together to as ask him the question that had been bothering her inside. “Do you have kids with her?” Under normal circumstances, she will never have asked such personal question. But the words were already out. Perhaps it was the drinks that gave her the strength to try. “Thank goodness we don’t.” He replied, Something that resembled relief flashed din his eyes. “But why?” She was prying too much in his private life but she can't seem to stop now. Her stubborn mouth couldn’t stop talking. “Because she attempted to murder me on our honeymoon night.” He hissed. Ember froze.Ember immediately sensed his fury and was swept by instant regret. She fell into silence. Her gaze lowered to his shoulders. What kind of woman would do that to her husband? She thought while her chest throbbed painfully.Could i
Her flashback was cut short by a tear falling from her flushed cheeks.She had been keeping her emotions but it finally broke loose after suppressing them for weeks.Tonight was the first time she allowed herself to cry. As she did so, she promised herself it would also be the last.As she wiped her tears with her palms, she remembered that night how Chloe woke up in daze only to realize she was there in the room.However, instead of offering an explanation and begging for her forgiveness, Chloe had proudly lifted her chin.“It's better you know the truth so Thunder would not be obliged to marry you. Your fiancé is my lover and we've been having an affair for two years.” Her cousin had declared. Ember felt as though the wind had slapped her in the face that time.Thunder awoke to the sound of their voices, and he wasn't even startled to see Ember. He gave her a single icy stare before breaking the news that they were no longer engaged.“Check yourself out in the reflection, Ember.” He
Three weeks later.Phoenix Empire Building.Ice Clayton Blackstone sat on his swivel chair, resembling Hades, the God of the Underworld, with a grim expression on his devilishly handsome face.Under the influence of that mood, no one dared walk into his office for fear they would unleash the demon inside him. Only his secretary was present in his office, trembling in fear with her head bowed on the floor. Beads of sweat formed on her temples as she stood in her place like a statue. She dreaded the worst after Icen caught her taking pictures inside the office. If using a phone and taking confidential pictures wasn't bad enough, a stack of paperwork stood on her office table, and the deadline was today, but she was slacking like the paperwork was none of her concern.“I-I p-promise n-n-not t-to do it again, S-sir.” Her desperate eyes pleaded as they shifted on him.Sadly, patience isn't one of Icen's strong suit. He gestured to the door with an icy stare cold enough to freeze the dep
Ember sat on the tiny balcony of her rented apartment as beads of perspiration dripped down her temples from the sweltering afternoon sun. Three weeks later, she still wasn't acclimated to the weather. She sighed and wiped the sweat from her temples with her hands.She squinted her eyes as she scanned the newspaper for employment listings, frowning. While doing so, Ember fought the desire to read the gossip column, knowing full well that doing so would leave her with a sour taste in her mouth.It seemed like she and Thunder's breakup made headlines every day. For her own sanity, she quit reading newspapers and avoided going online.Once Ember saw the words "Phoenix Empire" and "Urgent Recruiting," she froze. She thought about applying for a job at the company mentioned above, but she quickly got rid of the idea.Despite Ember's best intentions, she knew that her qualifications wouldn't pass muster. She didn't graduate from a prestigious university, and she came from a fairly average f
After a long catch-up session, Ember and her best friend Xia had to separate ways because Xia had to attend a business meeting. A client had called and wanted to set up a meeting to plan an event. Her best friend is a busy woman, as she is in high demand as a wedding and event planner. She felt fortunate to have a moment to chat despite her best friend’s hectic schedule.“Please be careful.” Ember waved at her friend with a smile."You too," Xia smiled back, waving back. Afterward, she climbed into her pink car. The car raced into the distance and Ember retraced her steps back to her rented apartment which was only a stone-throw away. As she walked across the pavement, a tall slender woman emerged from a grocery store.“What a beauty,” Ember thought to herself, unable to tear her gaze off her angelic features. She had the gentlest face she had ever seen. Her skin was as flawless as a pearl and her cherry lips would make a rose ashamed to bloom in her presence. Her intense, sapphire
His piercing blue eyes looked as though they could penetrate her soul and read her deepest and darkest secret. But despite his intimidating appearance Ember could not deny that he was good-looking.She was too stunned to move and simply watched as he threaded in her direction.Ember bit her lower lip as she realized she had been mentally murdering him only seconds ago, but now she was admiring him for his good looks. Speaking of looks, the man appeared to be quite familiar.Crap, the man reminds her of Icen Clayton Blackstone. At the thought of his name, Ember thanked her lucky stars she hadn't crossed paths with him again.Her heart began hammering in her ribcage for no apparent reason. She waited for him with her chin up, preparing for a confrontation she knew was coming.He almost took forever to reach her. When he did, The man towered over her. Even with her four-inch heels, she couldn't quite reach his shoulders.He opened his wallet, grabbed a bunch of hundred-dollar bills, and
Ember was so annoyed, her valued manners blew to smithereens. “Asshole,” she mouthed grimly.Engine roaring to life, the sleek Lamborghini sped away, leaving her fuming in rage. She remembered her job interview and immediately freaked outGrabbing the remaining pair of shoe on her left foot, she ran back to her apartment barefoot.She prayed she wouldn't miss her job interview as she changed. After a last glance at the full-length mirror, she hurriedly left her apartment.The Phoenix Empire stood magnificently under an exquisite blue sky. The colossal tower that she should have been admiring sent dread crawling down her spine.After paying the cab driver, she skittered to the upscale door in her black puff-sleeved dress. It was what she grabbed first in her closet and wore right away without a second thought. The automatic door opened, and she made a beeline straight to the front desk and asked for directions.The woman on the desk raised her head and politely gave her instructions.