ight. The aroma of champagne and roses filled the air, and the murmur of courteous conversation was broken up

ath my skin as I adjusted the strap. A few feet away, encircled by a group o

whom everyone in this ro

y side purred, "You lo

yes caught my attention. She evaluated me with carefull

said, maintaini

s is really attractive. However, I have to a

a courteous grin. "Unexpected ca

y answer, and then excused he

atching me closely, analyzing every aspect of my look and every motion I made. The fact that I had spent hours getting ready for th

versation with a man who appeared equally strong and cunning. Their

. Sc

es. Thankful for the distraction, I took a sip,

ttraction,

ooked up. As she moved through the crowd, her eyes fu

red as a sincere sm

her arm around mine. "Did you think I

in the sea of superficial

olas and teased, "

yes. "A long way

ect at being a gloomy billionaire? You're

self. Rather, I held on to her company

which he thanked everyone for their support. He sounded confident, slick,

me, "I want to thank my wife, Cas

room, his remarks sounded vacuous. I nodded as though

e felt more menacing than benevolent as Nicholas

ake kindness. How did the two of you meet? Nichola

sponse slipping from my g

mutual friends,"

w sentimental. You are now

hing. It wasn't just her who di

ass while standing on the balcony. The cool night a

unconcerned with the spe

t enjoying

he doorway with his hands in h

h a hint of resentment in

ok a step closer. "Cassie, this is the lif

n up for this," I said. "I signed up to save my ar

quiet voice. "Both parties benefit from this arrange

ld reply, a waiter walked out onto

a low voice. "There's a

brushed past me and murmured,

chest as I watched him leave. At a par

he throng and down a side corridor. I stayed outside and peere

man I didn't know. Their words were muffle

" Nicholas stated

"And when she does, this whole t

s's serenity broke as his h

I can he

. Nicholas, you have no control over everythi

heart began to race and

cholas have

ked, and Nicholas's head

stillness as he dema

him. The door opened before I could make up

voice a mixture of rage a

you doin

he end of it all, frozen in a mome