Skylight clubhouse, the most popular hangout place in the city... the "go to" place for the extremely rich elite and also the middle class. This is also the uniqueness of skylight. The middle open space tables could be booked for a table at 2000 dollars, whereas the private rooms could cost anywhere between 10000- 1 million, depending on how long they were reserved for.

Dana, wearing a wine-red top and jeans-colored capri, walked in looking left and right, fidgeting with the handle of her handbag. She hated places like this, the smell of alcohol in the air made her uncomfortable. Normally she would decline catch up invitations from her colleagues to places like this, but Therese was one of her close friends and this was her farewell party. This was the reason she braved her inner demons to be here to celebrate one last time. Spotting Maylin and Angus at the middle table, Dana squeezed past the enthusiastic patrons.

"OMG! Look who's here" Lara screamed as she rushed over with open arms.

Dana hugged Lara and whispered "Can you keep it down girl?"

"Ha..Ha..ha...” Lara laughed as she pulled Dana to the side "Tell me, who did you bring along with you?"

"Uh?"

Seeing Dana's blank look, she continued “Didn’t you tell Jeremy that you've someone you’re serious about and will be coming with him?"

"Oh! That" Dana smiled "I just wanted him to give up... Don't worry"

"Don't worry??" Lara smirked "you are way over your head."

"What do you mean?" Dana squinted her eyes at Lara.

"Therese wanted me to tell you that Jeremy might have seen through that trick... he called her this afternoon to say that he was coming over" Lara pursed her thin lips.

"So..." Dana prompted without any expression.

Lara shook her head and continued, "Actually Therese tried to dissuade him, saying that you were coming with your partner and this might affect his mood. But he told her that this was good as it would make him completely put this behind him and if you are unaccompanied today... he wouldn't stop..."

"What?" Dana couldn't help but raise her sound a few decibels.

"Actually he is not bad... everyone needs someone to accompany them and so do you; you can consider him... can't you? Lara reasoned. She was worried about Dana...

"No…No… Absolutely not" Dana firmly rejected. Jeremy was a nice gentleman but she couldn't think of him or any other person for now... She just wanted to be at peace.

Lara also knew of the shadow in her heart. She was the only person in this country that knew about this.

"What do I do?" Dana held her forehead, knitting her brows.

"Find someone to act... Jeremy said he'd come at 7 since he has a client meeting" Lara suggested.

"Are you crazy? Where am I going to find someone in 20 mins?" Dana looked at Lara in frustration.

"It's not that hard" Lara shrugged and explained, "just walk up to any of the single guys and tell them you'll buy them a drink and in return they have to act as your boyfriend for half an hour... as Jeremy won't be staying once he sees you weren't bluffing"

"Would this work?" Dana quizzed.

Lara nodded.

“I don’t have your looks” Dana became dispirited. “Why would they want to pretend to be with me?" Dana was very conscious of her looks. She wasn't even average looking, her dark brown skin tone in particular was her prime complex.

"Trust me". How could Lara not know about her complex?

"What if this becomes a problem?" Dana muttered still not convinced.

"Easy.... Find someone from the boxes " Lara replied confidently "as those people are extremely busy minting money and don’t have time to stick around".

Convinced by her own rationale, she pulled Dana. She was an action girl, now that they had wasted 10 mins arguing there was no time to loose.

Dana knocked at the first box; Lara pushed her in as they heard the invitation to enter.

Dana looked around the box ... 4 people sat in pairs. "I am sorry… I got the wrong room" she apologized hurriedly and rushed out.

She walked to the next box. Repeated the process of knocking and being pushed in.

3 males and 2 females sat around the table.

"Sir, Do you have a girlfriend/ partner or spouse?" Dana mustered up her courage and asked.

"Yes, my wife should be here shortly" he answered.

The next few boxes were similar... Dana looked dejected. "How about I head back? Just say I got a headache as I am not used to this sort of place"

"There's a few more boxes... hurry up” Lara prompted... she didn't want Dana to head off, this was the last time they could spend together before Therese went abroad...

Without waiting for Dana to respond, she pulled her, knocked on the next door and pushed her in on hearing the invitation.

Two handsome men with excellent temperaments sat across each other... they looked at her with raised eyebrows.

"Um... Thhat... um...” Dana fumbled, finally managing to ask "Do either of you have a girlfriend/ partner or spouse?"

"Yes, my wife should be here shortly" the guy on the right answered, just as his phone rang. Frank excused himself and walked out.

"What about you?" Dana looked at the other guy.

"Does it have anything to do with you?" He snapped arrogantly.

"Um... this..." Dana stood flustered for a minute and then decided to throw caution in the wind 'since this guy was so indifferent, he might be the best choice’

She smiled "Yes... it has ... so can you tell me?"

He looked at her, her smile was clear and soothing "No"

"No, as in you won't tell, or No, as in you don't have that special someone?" Dana pushed shamelessly.

"Latter" he spit out one word without taking his eyes off her.

"Great!" Dana clapped her hands excitedly and walked close to him and sat next to him ...facing him...

"Could you pretend to be my boyfriend for half an hour... please?"

"Pretend" his eyebrows knitted together. He somehow didn’t like the word pretend.

"Yes". Dana nodded enthusiastically.

“If it's to pretend, why bother asking if there's...." he quizzed

"Well, it's to avoid causing any harm unintentionally, especially to someone who helped me" Dana explained hurriedly, with a sweet smile, without waiting for him to finish.

"Even if it's to pretend.... why would it be with you?" He raised his eyebrows and smirked.

Dana was at a loss... although the other party had clearly mocked her... there was nothing she could say to refute. ‘That’s right. There was no comparison between them. Why would he want to pretend with her? He didn’t seem to need the free drink enticement that Lara suggested...Damm!’

Lara looked in "It's over... he's here... No need now... come out." She urged and then cursed "shoot!! He's coming this way!" before darting away.

Dana face became gloomy. She looked down, her long lashes covering the depths of her eyes. She had never been so shameless before, nor been humiliated like this, but she was desperate. She didn't want to tag Jeremy along.... especially since she knew that Emily was waiting for him to turn around and see her waiting for him.

Panic flashed in his eyes... No longer being able to see those beautiful lively eyes looking expectantly at him. She didn't see this, as she was looking down.

"Doesn't matter" she mumbled as she stood.

The door was pushed open at the same time.

Dana turned her head to see Jeremy standing at the door with a confused look.

"I'll leave" she whispered before fully turning to head out

He caught her wrist and asked in a low voice "Baby shouldn't you tell me who this is?" It was low… but loud enough for the two other people to hear.

Dana looked at the guy in surprise.

"Um..." he prompted with a twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his face.

Dana stared at his handsome face… his smile was enchanting!!

"I am Dana's colleague" Jeremy explained hurriedly. He didn't want to make things hard for her. Even though the guy was smiling, he could see the possessiveness in the other person's eyes. However, the 2 concerned people were completely oblivious to this.

"I just wanted to say good bye before leaving" he added nonchalantly, although he felt pain in a corner of his heart.

Dana came back to her senses; she struggled to free her hand while explaining "I won't be long".

"Won't you introduce me?"

Dana was at a loss again. 'How the hell would I know who you are? Damm man! Here he goes again with his mockery' while Dana was conversing in her head, he got up, hugged her waist and walked up to Jeremy. Dana followed uncomfortably.

"Benjamin Adalase, Dana's soon to be better half" holding Dana close to him by her waist, he stretched out his right hand. He normally hated people sticking close to him. All of his female friends would hang on to his arm, he would never hold them by their waist or let them hold him. But the feeling of holding her close was different. It felt good. He wanted to hold her closer and pulled her closer as the thought crossed his mind. Dana wriggled with an uncomfortable smile plastered on her face. Jeremy didn't think too much about it, he put it down to Dana being shy.

Jeremy shook hands with a smile, although his heart felt like it was being pierced by needles hearing the other party confidently say “better half”.

"Can you give us a minute?" Jeremy asked politely.

"Sure!” Ben smiled, turning towards Dana, he whispered in her ears “Baby, I will wait here."

All his actions were extremely sour to Jeremy’s eyes. Dana felt like goosebumps all over her skin as he blew hot air into her ears to whisper. She calmed herself and walked out of the box. "Sorry, for being late... Actually, I was just about to come over."

"So, there really is someone... I thought you were just trying to get rid of me" Jeremy blurted out while he smiled self-deprecatingly.

'Sorry Jeremy' Dana could only apologize in her head.

Jeremy took a deep breath "I have decided to take the offer from the company and move to U country"

"Really??" Dana was shocked "when??"

"Now" Jeremy paused before continuing "It's a good opportunity and there's nothing holding me back anymore."

"I...um..." Dana felt terrible... She couldn't bear to see the pain in Jeremy's face and almost slipped "Actually…"

"It's all good” Jeremy spoke hurriedly. He didn’t want to hear the details of their love life.

“I wish you to be happy always, wish the smile on your face to blissfully remain there” Jeremy smiled and walked away without turning back.

Back in the box, Ben didn't know why he suddenly decided to help nor did he know why he was getting anxious while she was outside with that guy. He barely knew her name. He wanted to go outside and check, but reason told him to stay put. He was not a meddlesome person nor did he have interest in other people's affairs, but he suddenly wanted to know what the relationship between them was? Was he an 'ex' who wanted to get back together? Childhood sweetheart? New pursuit? How did he compare? He shook his head in annoyance at the last thought. However, the longer she stayed outside, the more uncomfortable he felt.

Dana stood there for a few minutes looking at the shrinking figure as Jeremy walked further away. She felt sorry as she didn't expect him to be so heartbroken, but this was the best solution in the long run. Dana took a deep breath, calmed herself and walked back into the box.

"About before..." She paused "you were incredible!!! Thank you! I won't disturb you anymore. I will take leave" She smiled brilliantly at him as she stood up to leave.

Ben looked at her, his eyes never leaving her face from the minute she had walked in.

"Just thanks??" Ben asked with a playful gaze. “Gratitude communicated orally is not heartfelt.”

"Uh..." Dana looked at him with wide open eyes 'wasn't he disdainful towards her 10 minutes ago?' Although she thought this way, the words that came out were "How about I order you a drink to express my gratitude?"

"Sounds good... take a seat" Ben gestured to the seat next to him.

"About that... I don't drink and I have to get back to my friends" Dana refused politely.

"Buying me a drink and running... tsk tsk..." Ben narrowed his eyes.

"How then would Mr. Adalase suggest I show gratitude?" She asked with a smile that did not reach her eyes.

Ben looked at the ceiling, tapping his chin with his lips curled up. "Considering the effort I put in, a thank you kiss for now with dinner later since you are in a rush..." he paused deliberately "could be considered sincere."

"What??" Dana almost screamed.

"Dinner. Let’s do it another time" Dana negotiated, calming down ' heh... Dinner in your dreams…we won't meet again…he...he'

"It's a package deal" he leaned back against the sofa with his eyes closed.

Dana stood staring at the arrogant bastard cursing him a million times in her head. But she couldn’t get herself to walk out, she was not an ungrateful person. Once she finished venting her anger, cursing his insolence, she thought 'just a peck on the cheek wouldn't be too audacious... right?? He did play his part incredibly'

'Just a peck on the cheek, this is the customary greeting with colleagues here, just a peck’ chanting this in her head, she walked towards him with clenched fists and bent down to plant a kiss on his cheek, but he turned his head at the right moment. She touched his lips with hers...

"UGH!" she tried to pull back in panic but he pulled her by the waist closer, causing her to fall into his lap; he held her head with the other hand, deepening the kiss.

Dana struggled but this only fueled his kiss to be more passionate...forcing her to part her lips … giving him access to plunder…his tongue explored and savored her sweetness. Her resistance was futile, but what scared her was that she did not despise his kiss, her body wanted to respond. Ben was at a loss too… he could feel that she was running out of air, but he didn’t want to stop. It felt perfect… she was his… this thought... where did it come from…he didn’t know. All he knew for sure, was his reluctance to part from the kiss.

"Cough…Cough...” Jeremy stood awkwardly at the door. Besides him stood Sarah and Frank. Sarah looked at the scene before her with eyes wide open and jaws almost reaching the floor. Frank's expression was less exaggerated.... but his raised eyebrows were enough to express his surprise!

This noise bought them both back from the chasm of passion. In a moment of lucidity, Dana pushed Ben away and stood up from their ambiguous posture. She glared at Ben while Ben looked at Jeremy with displeasure... To an outsider, the couple's behavior was due to the awkwardness of being caught out...

"I didn't see anything" Jeremy smiled awkwardly although his heart felt like it was being squeezed out by a giant boulder "I just came back to invite both of you to my farewell party the day after tomorrow at 6:30pm at the Hudson Hotel". This was something he came up with as he was walking away. Although he knew he didn't have any chance, he didn't want to miss the last opportunity if there ever was one...

Ben looked affectionately at the fuming woman beside him. His gaze lingered at swollen lips, his lips curled up unconsciously "Let's see... we'll try... I have an appointment which I'll try to reschedule, but if it's not possible, Dana will be there with my blessings as well."

'Blessings my foot ...pervert!' Dana cursed in her head but smiled and nodded towards Jeremy.

'When did Ben start talking so much and who the hell is this?' Sarah thought as she sized Dana up.

All Chapters of Destined to love: Chapter -9