“I already told you to stop being a bone in my throat. You and dad are on the verge of choosing him over me despite being the rightful heir, right?.. Anticipate my actions then..”

Those words, alongside the sun rays that were streaking out of the gray curtains, woke me up.

But then, I forgot about the voice and its words at that moment.

For a second, I wondered what I was doing in such a luxurious room instead of the almost-completely- empty-room I lived in as a mere shop attendant and even as Ryan's supposed bride to be.

But that wonder disappeared at a wavering instant when I remembered last night’s incident with the stranger.

The kiss..

Smooches..

And then, on the bed!

My heart instantly began racing faster as if something in me was about to explode and with shaky hands, I raised the duvet only to behold my nakedness..

A feeling I couldn't explain coincidentally enveloped me from my V area at that same moment and I closed my eyes tight, biting my lower lip as memories of the intimacy replayed in my head.

“You finally slept with a stranger, Jemimah..” I thought inwardly, having no idea what that fact made me feel exactly.

I suddenly gasped, realizing I was the only one on the bed.

“Don’t tell me he left without paying me!” my eyes widened.

It's not possible right?, he can't leave with the remaining 50% of the money his supposed-client billed him right?!..

How am I supposed to survive?!..

Ryan made me quit my job already!!

“Oh damn you, Jemimah for sleeping too long”

I sprang up from the bed immediately, wrapping the duvet around me in a rush.

“Run out and check if he's still around the hotel premises!” those were the exact words on my mind - my intentions actually.

At that point, I cared less about protecting my dignity by wearing my clothes before running out, after all, my wedding dress tore badly and revealed my underwear in public..

Why then should running out with just a duvet bother me?..

My eyes immediately spotted the stranger's brown mask on the bed and I folded my fists tight.

“That cheat and deceiver!”

Without hesitation, I proceeded towards the door but my legs stopped on their own and in my tracks immediately the opening sound of the bathroom filled my ears.

“Trying to escape?..”

That seductive voice was exactly the same as the one that filled my ears last night... my eyes widened for a second before reverting back to normal.

I heaved a deep sigh in relief, realizing he didn't actually escape.

Oh right, it was his voice that actually woke me up!.. he had actually been on a phone conversation.

“I'm running late, Pay me please, I need to –” I began saying, turning to him.

“... leave now” my statement ended up being complete in my head as my eyes landed on his chest which was exposed because he only had a towel wrapped around his waist.

Damn!..

Oh Lord, forgive me for always saying Ryan has a perfect body. I'd been lying all this while.

This man's body was exactly what meant perfection!..

Maybe because of the panic I had last night, I didn't get to notice the beauty of his masculine features.

The droplets of water on his chest made it more perfect that I found myself drooling and swallowing hard. He wasn't too hairy – exactly what I loved in a man..

“I never knew Jemimah could satisfy my desires that way last night” his words kicked me out of the world of admiration and my expanded gaze landed on his face immediately..

Did he just call my name?..

His cuteness was blinding but I couldn't drool for more than a second because of the overwhelming surprise in me.

I'm sure I didn't mention my name to him last night!..

“Jemimah?..” I muttered in a questioning tone and he curled his lips into a smirk before walking towards me..

I felt my heart skip a beat as he stopped right in front of me, looking cuter.

Wait, has he forgotten about hiding his identity with the mask?..

Or did he purposely use it last night because he knew his cuteness could make one faint?..

“Yes, Jemimah Velvet White” he multiplied my surprise by calling out my full name.

My eyes grew wider.

“You.. you.. you know who I am?..” I managed to make a statement amidst stutters.

With a smirk, he averted his gaze to the ceiling.

“Twenty four years..

Brown-haired..

Orphan and shop attendant at kings mall, though resigned a few weeks ago in response to her Ex's request. Mother of eight months old Reid Gerald Scott…” my shock knew no bounds as he spoke..

For Pete's sake, he just defined me!..

Before I could speak, he averted his gaze back to me and leaned in, nuzzling my upper lip with his fresh breath.

“Betrayed at the altar, yesterday” he made my shock reach the highest level with those last words.

“What?!..”

I was too shocked to exclaim with a voice louder than a whisper.

“How do you know all these?..” I asked, incredibly curious and he smiled for a second before raising his cold palm to my cheek.

That action alone sent cold shivers down my spine..

“You don't trust people that way.. they end up stabbing you at the end” he said. I sighed, not able to withstand the confusion anymore.

“Who gave you details –” I tried saying but he interrupted.

“I know basically everything about you and all that happened..” he said, getting me slightly annoyed.

For crying out loud, I was dying in curiosity and suspense!..

I raised my hand to his wrist and pulled his palm from my cheeks while my other arm held the duvet tight to my chest.

“It's not funny anymore..” I said with a cold voice. That was really my calmest way of speaking with that mood.

“Oh, forgive me for not introducing myself first” he moved away from me and walked over to the wardrobe door.

I stared at him with furrowed brows, anticipating his next words and hoping I hadn't just slept with some criminal or ritualist.

He took out a T-shirt from the multiple clothes in the wardrobe, making me wonder if he had actually lodged in the room a long time before now.

I scoffed impatiently, watching him wear his clothes without saying a word.

“What’s the meaning of all this? Are you trying to mess up with me?!..” I was forced to be blunt and till he was done wearing the white T-shirt, he didn't say a word nor walk back to me.

“I'm Richard, the first son of Jason Scott who left home three years ago without a goodbye” he finally spoke, stopping right in front of me.

My eyes furrowed on their own on hearing that..

Jason Scott?..

Wait..

Isn't that Ryan's father's name?..

I scoffed.

“This man must be insane”

“Consequently, I'm your Ex's elder brother, Richard. I'm sure he told you I'm dead or I don't exist but the truth is, I'm the first living son of Jason and Nora Scott.” he raised the back of his palm to my face and then I spotted it..

The Scott family's unique star-shaped mark!!!

My eyes flew wide and a gasp escaped my mouth in shock..

A drop of my pee rolled down my legs and..

A throbbing headache from nowhere took over me immediately..

This can't be true right?..

I’d just slept with Ryan's brother?!!!!