“I thought he wasn't supposed to be a problem? I asked while I crumbled the note in my hand, Damian was the only one who would want to mess with me like this.

“I'll take care of it" He peeled the note off my palm and I watched him walk over to the fireplace then slowly tossed the note into the fire and for a few minutes we both watched it burn as the thought of his grip around me and the smell of his aftershave flooded my mind.

I shook my head to shake off the thought, I felt goosebumps just with the thought of his voice over my ears.

“Why in god's name am I thinking about him" I looked up to find Eli glare in me only to realize that I had voiced my thoughts out.

“Did you say something? He asked, lifting his eyebrows at me but I was quick to say no, shaking my head in disagreement as I watched him stand and pause for a moment before directly walking to the door, the pause as he held the door knob.

“We can't be seen together” He said as he turned to take in my appearance once again" You keep doing well and don't worry Eli and anything else, I'll take care of it. Your job is to make sure that Eloise keeps trusting you”

" Yes, I will,” I nodded, then watched the door shut beside him and listened to the footsteps fade before collapsing at the couch nearby as I stood strong and played the perfect role he wanted me to play.

“I'm scared, I'm out of my mind scared” I voiced silently while my hand trembled violently. The only thing I had to think about was the money, not Eli, especially not Damien, because how in the hell would someone smell that good or look that handsome.

The only men that I had dealt with were the filthy drunk men at the pub, battered men on the road and I promise they don't smell good. My hands itched for a cigarette that usually helps to calm my mind.

“I don't think I'll find it here” I muttered bitterly to myself as I looked around me, reminding myself that I was in paradise where I wouldn't find any cheap ones and I couldn't be found also taking one. I ran my hands through my ginger curled hair, stood and made my way out. Tomorrow is another day.

But I was seated here next with Eloise in Limousine dolled up in a pretty blue evening dinner gown.

“Grandma, are you sure you're up for this? I asked, looking at the frail woman seated next to me while trying for many consecutive times to forget about Damien who was seated right opposite me.

“Of course, I can,” She laughed, waving her hand at me so as not to bother me. "And I'll be able to do this plenty more times, this is one of the best days of my life, to have my granddaughter finally seated right next to me” I could see tears in her eyes and gently covered my hands in hers.

" I love you Grandma” I reached over and placed a light kiss over her cheek, it only made me less guilty…to be nice to her.” And for the rest of the journey, I tried not to breathe too much because it meant inhaling more of Damien.

And for a brief moment, I allowed my gaze to wander on his soft features, the pointed nose, red lips and his strong jawline. How can a man be so beautifully annoying, I shut my eyes as the memories of his thoughts overwhelm me.

“Eloise has insisted that he comes along with him, so he was here and I have to face him tonight but there's nothing to worry ... .I guess because Eloise said he was going to take care of him and I believe him.

The litted room welcomes me with Grandma Eloise right next to me. This wasn't just a dinner party but a banquet, a kind I haven't been to in my entire life.

“Everyone here has been waiting for this moment to meet you but don't worry I've made sure no one is going to ask you any questions you're not comfortable with” She smiled leading me gently through the crowd while leaving Damien behind and the question she meant are those unspoken years.

And I also wouldn't also want to be bugged about those years too.

“It feels like you could use some break" I felt a soft whisper over my ears after hours of sitting with Grandma friends while listening to each and everyone of them tell me about their sons and countless occupations. I turned sharply to find Damien over me…

“Damien not now! I breathe sharply and turn back to the distracted grandmas who were engaged in a heated conversation.

"I think you'll love to hear what I want to say” I turned to watch him shrug his broad shoulders. “And you also need a break away from them" he whispered while I turned my attention back to the table. I hated that he was right because I couldn't stand another minute here.

“Fine then” I forced a smile but it came out genuine, my first genuine smile and it was with him. I allowed him to lead me out though the crowd of beautiful dressed humans in the room.

" There are lots of people here" I commented as I followed him to the terrace, away from the crowd but we could still visibly hear the popular music by “Jane's North" . I had spent my childhood and early teenage years dancing and speaking to her music. One of the gateways I escape is life in the slums.

“This is beautiful” I breathe looking around, we seem much closer to the sky from here and the stars …. This is the first time I feel closer to it. “This is…so… beautiful” My voice broke as I stared admirably at the sky while the song played in the background.

“It's beautiful" I turned back to Damien who had his back leaned on the wall while he stared right at me. “Thank you Damien" I smiled, couldn't hold back that one and slowly I found myself twirling and laughing to the sound of the music and for the first time I felt like a Disney princess lost in fantasy land with a hot handsome prince madly in love with me.

But I have to remind myself this life isn't mine, I wasn't any Disney princess but a villain in one's body, it's all facade and the hot handsome prince is no other one but Damien, Eli's son and Ember's cousin.

But I was no Ember….

“Ember" I heard him call slowly, I turned but he was not leaning over at the wall but just a few steps from me.

“I don't need you to believe that I'm Ember…” I started to talk but he crossed over to where I was standing.

" No, not that” He spoke too quickly and before I could react his lips were on mine.

What in the hell was happening….