Caliste fumbled with her phone, her fingers hovering over the search engine. What if she's wrong? What if Darius didn't hate Jasper as much as she thought?

The worst that could happen is that she would embarrass herself or he'd kick her out. That was nothing compared to what she had to lose. If she doesn't do something in the next few hours, she will lose her only family.

“You're going to regret this, Caliste.” She mumbled under her breath as her fingers began to tap on the keyboard in search of Darius' company address.

Thanks to the news, she knew he was currently in the country.

Her screen flashed white, his company address in full display. It was a twenty-minute drive from the hospital. Close enough.

She swallowed, is she really going to do this? Ask her ex's stepbrother for help? She glanced down at her outfit; black jeans and a random black tee, the same one she had worn to her father's funeral, and her short red hair looked a mess.

It would have to do. She was a grieving woman; hopefully, if she showed like this, Darius might take her seriously..

She glanced at the address once more, her heart pounding in her chest. This was the only play she had, she had nothing else in mind.

Caliste shuts her eyes and exhales, she'll have to do this for her brother.

— 30 minutes later —

The towering glass building of The Vane Enterprises loomed before her as she stepped out of the taxi.

The sky was cloudy and rain was starting to drizzle from the sky. The road was nearly deserted but somehow, the company seemed to still be open for business. It was almost midnight.

A few luxury cars lined the private parking area, their sleek exteriors gleaming under the streetlights.

She inhaled deeply, steeling herself.

She knew she probably wouldn't be able to see him right away. He might have clocked out for the day already. She planned to leave her number with the receptionist and pray to the heavens that he calls her.

Or she could just ask Jasper for his number. Caliste shook her head, there's no way in hell she's going to do that. That ship has sailed and she hoped to keep it that way.

She pushed the heavy glass doors open and stepped into the lobby. The receptionist at the front desk, a well-dressed woman in her late twenties, looked up from her computer screen, her eyes widening in surprise on seeing Caliste.

“Ms Caliste?”

Caliste glanced behind her, not sure whether the receptionist was referring to her. “Yes? You know me?”

She nodded. “Yes. I was informed about your arrival. Mr Darius will see you now.”

Her heart stopped. What? How did he know she was coming?

Caliste stared at her, a look of disbelief in her eyes. She didn't tell anyone she was coming here.

The receptionist smiled and handed her a key card. “Take the elevator to the thirty floor. He's expecting you.”

Expecting her? Those words don't seem to make sense in the same sentence.

She nodded slowly, forcing a small smile as she took the card and walked toward the elevator.

Her mind was spiraling.

Was this just a coincidence? Had he expected her to come?

Or... had he known all along that this day would come? No...that didn't make sense. How would he know that she needed money for her brother's surgery in advance?

There had to be another explanation for this. Could Jasper have been stalking her and told his brother to help cause he knew he was the last person she probably wanted to see?

That doesn't make sense either. Those two don't get along so it could only mean one thing..

Has Darius been stalking her?

Caliste swallowed hard, shaking off the thought as she stepped into the empty elevator.

That was ridiculous though. Why would someone like him have a need to do that? She was engaged to his stepbrother, the same one he seemed to hate. He had a reason to detest them all together.

The moment the doors slid shut, Caliste leaned on the wall and let out a shaky breath. Her hands were trembling slightly and her mind felt like a battlefield.

She shuts her eyes, taking a deep breath, it's going to be okay. The worst he could say was no. At least then she knows she tried. And her next option would be to beg Jasper.

Caliste winced at the thought; this had to work, or she would be forced to sell her dignity.

She tapped the keycard on the panel and the elevator swung shut, carrying her higher and towards her destination.

Her heart seemed to pound faster with every floor she went by. She exhaled, shutting her eyes and trying to breathe.

A soft chime echoed, and the doors glided open. She froze, her eyes darting down the hallway, she wasn't ready.

She sighs, peeling off the wall and stepping out of the elevator, it was now or never.

There was only one office on this floor and it was at the furthest end of the hall. Sitting outside of it was a middle-aged woman, whose desk was not so far away from the door, standing on her feet with a smile, her gaze fixed on Caliste like she had expected her arrival.

“Good evening, Ms Caliste. Mr Darius will see you now.” she smiled and moved to open the door for her.

Caliste nodded, thanking her as she stepped inside. Her eyes flickered to the man behind the desk in this huge glass walled office.

Darius Vane sat in his massive leather chair, eyes fixed on a tablet in his hand with reading glasses hanging on the bridge of his nose, as if he hadn’t just concluded she would show up there tonight, even before she knew she would.

His green eyes flickered up from the screen, locking onto hers.

Caliste felt weak in the knees, how can one man be this attractive?

His eyes remained fixed on her, clearly unbothered. His sleeves were rolled up exposing his tattoos and his hair looked like he had run his fingers through it. Her eyes went to his huge veiny hand, holding onto the tablet. She swallowed, maybe she should reconsider her resolve at this point.

This man is walking sex!

Caliste remained frozen, unable to speak. Damn, what was she here for again?

“Good morning, Caliste,” he said smoothly, her name rolling off his tongue dangerous ease.

She still couldn't bring herself to speak! It was like she was bound to a spell or something. But it wasn't like this the last time they spoke. Why couldn't she find her tongue now? Is it because she was drunk the last time or because of how devilishly good-looking he was?

“Good morning.” she managed.

“Have a seat.”

Caliste approached the table and settled down across him, trying to calm her nerves.

“Tea or coffee.”

“Neither. I won't be staying for long.”

Silence. His eyes were fixed on Caliste almost like he was looking for something.

“You haven't had anything all day,” Darius said before picking up his telecom much to her surprise.

How did he know she hadn't eaten all day? Could it be a coincidence?

“Send in a iced frappe.”

Her eyes flickered to him, how the hell did he know that was her favourite?

Darius leaned back on his seat, taking off his glasses. “You're not very discreet when you order at Merry's."

That…thats also the cafe she orders her morning coffee. She didn't think much of it. Dating Jasper, it's only reasonable that they'd be in the same circle.

“To what do I owe this honour?” He asked.

Caliste narrowed her eyes on him. “Judging by the fact that your receptionist already knew I would be showing up here, I think you know.”

He chuckled. He didn't even deny it.

“I told you. You have terrible taste in men.”

“I'm taking that as you knowing what your brother did.”

Darius smirked. Of course, he did.

“You didn't take my words into consideration.”

“Why do you hate Jasper?”

The room went silent; he clearly didn't expect that question, even though this was the second time she'd asked him.

“Do you want a quick rundown or a detailed analysis? We have all night you know?”

Caliste exhaled, she didn't have all night. Her brother's life was at stake, but she was able to confirm her suspicions; Darius wasn't very fond of Jasper.

“I mentioned it, didn't I? Told you he thinks with his dick, not very husband material if you ask me.”

She clenched her fist. Despite the urge to defend him, it was pointless. She'd seen it with her own two eyes, her own fiancé spewing nonsense just because he had a pussy around his dick.

“If he were, he wouldn't have messed things up with a beautiful woman like you, bellissima.”

Despite the warm feeling crawling up her spine, she knew it was now or never.

“I have an offer for you.”

His gaze remained on her, a look of interest in his eyes. “An offer.”

“Marry me. Give me enough money to save my brother. And you'll get to make your brother a laughing stock.”

For the first time, Darius froze. Is he going to turn her down? Her hands were sweaty already and beads of sweat rolled down her back.

She watched as he leaned back, studying her in silence. Then, his lips curled.

“You’re pretty straightforward. I expected you to take more time to come around.”

She clenched her fist. “I don't have time for that. I have mere hours to save my brother. Are you going to help me or not?”

Silence stretched between them, and Caliste could almost imagine walking out of here with no help at all.

“And if I say no?”

Caliste smirked. “I'll take a last resort. Mr Philips Vane. I heard Mr Vane has a type and his ex-girlfriend was at least half his age. I'm certain he wouldn't mind if I asked him for money.”

Darius stiffened, his eyes narrowing down on Caliste with something dangerous in his gaze.

She was pushing her luck but something tells her Darius Vane is interested in her.