Lena’s POV

“One night, Lena. Just one night to get a big fish, and you’ll never need Adam or Victor again.”

Kyra’s words rang in my head as I stood in front of the golden gates of the annual fundraiser gala that Kyra had convinced me to attend if I wanted to save my career.

Letting out a deep breath, I looked down at my outfit before walking through the gate. I had drained my savings on a knock-off gown, cheeps heels from Mr. Pockets across town, and borrowed earrings from Kyra, but still felt cheap.

The line moved slowly forward, and I clutched my invitation tighter. At the front, two-broad shouldered guards blocked my way.

“Name,” one grunted, snatching the card from my shaky fingers.

I cleared my throat. “Lena Martinez.”

He smirked after skimming the list, handing my card back like it was contaminated. “Not here.”

“That’s impossible. I have an invitation right here,” I retorted, stretching it out.

The second guard chuckled, leaning closer in a flirty manner. His breath reeked of cigars. “Honey, this event isn’t for your type. And this card? Obviously fake or probably stolen. Step aside.”

“It’s real,” I snapped.

“Enough,” the first man cut in sharply and yanked my arm, dragging me off the line. My heels scraped against the pavement as I struggled to break free.

“Let go of me!” I struggled to yank myself free, but his grip tightened even more as he kept on pulling me aside.

We were lost in the tousle when a deep voice sliced through the air behind us, startling us. “Is this how you were trained to treat a lady?”

We both turned to see Cole Mathew standing a few feet away, one hand tucked in his pocket. The guard instantly let go of me and I stumbled back.

Shit! What the hell is he doing here?

“What is going on here?” Cole pressed, taking a step closer.

The security guard straightened before saying, “Good evening, Sir.”

Sir? Really? Calling an obviously overgrown child in such a manner? How absurd.

Cole’s gaze darted slowly from then to me. “I asked what the problem is, why are you creating a scene with this young lady?”

“She wasn’t on the list, Sir,” the cigar-breath guard explained.

“Really? That is your excuse? She wasn’t on the list?” Cole snapped, cutting him short as his brows creased tightly together. “Since when did a clipboard give you, bottom-feeders, the right to manhandle a woman?”

The guards went pale as color drained from their faces.

“Apologize,” he ordered flatly.

Their eyes snapped to my direction and I clutched my purse tighter, getting ready to swing it at them if they dare go against Cole’s order and come at me. “We’re sorry, miss,” they mumbled.

I just nodded, too shy to speak.

“Now, you would let her go in,” Cole went on to say.

“But…” the stinky breath one opened his mouth to protest, but the other elbowed him sharply and the words died in his throat before he could voice it.

“What?” Cole arched a brow, “Got something to say?”

“No, sir,” they both chorused, shaking their heads quickly.

“I thought as much,” Cole added, and just like that, they let me pass.

Of course it is Cole Mathew we are talking about here, they can’t object to him.

It was a completely different world—expensive perfumes, designer gowns and quiet laughter amidst soft chatters—inside the hall with people walking carefully around, sipping their drinks, sharing warm greetings and exchanging soft air kisses.

“You’re welcome,” Cole said from beside me.

Facing him, “I didn’t need you saving me, I could handle it myself,” I stated.

He let out a dry laughter. “Don’t waste your breath pretending to be though. I saw how desperate you were for a savior from afar. Anyways, I'm glad I was able to help. Enjoy your night,” he added before walking away without so much as another glance.

I’d expected an apology at least, not him walking away as if humiliating me in front of half the academy had never happened. I guess that is the price one pays for being poor and powerless at the same time.

I grabbed a glass of champagne from a waiter passing by and tried to blend in so I stop feeling like an unwelcome stranger.

As my eyes swept across the hall, I couldn’t help but admire the richness and sophistication it held. Just as I was beginning to enjoy the serenity of the view, “You look gorgeous!” Someone said from behind me.

Thinking my big fish had finally swam across the pond to me, my heart leapt until I realized the compliment was for the blonde woman behind me.

A frown tugged at my lips, and as I turned back, swallowing the disappointment I had just been served, I caught sight of Cole, leaning against the bar, his gaze locked on me like he was trying to claim me.

As the event rolled on, I circled the room, trying to look approachable. But, no one glanced twice at me or at least offered me a smile. The only companion I had was Cole’s gaze, following me all over the hall.

I tried avoiding staring back but every once in a while I do and I’d catch his eyes still on me again, and each time, I chose to ignore him. But his persistence was beginning to distract me so I decided to approach him and call him off whatever game he was playing with me.

Within a blink of an eye I planted myself in front of him. “Why are you staring at me? Did you let me in just to stalk me?”

Let a smirk that cut me into half roll on his soft pink lips that looked inviting just like the night in the hotel room and back in the hallway. “You think too highly of yourself. I wasn’t stalking you. I was watching to see how you planned on getting what you came for.”

“And what exactly do you think I came for?” I asked, my eyes narrowed.

“The same thing half of the other girls your age come to events like this for,” he drawled.

“I…I…” my mouth opened, and then closed, mimicking that of a fish out of water.

“Don’t bother trying to deny it,” he cut in. “But let me save you your precious time that you seem to be wasting. No powerful figure would be caught dead associating with you, not dressed like that. Cheap fabric, knock-off jewelry. You stand out like a fraud.”

Heat rushed up my neck and I didn’t know which was more hurtful—him seeing through my intentions or him ridiculing me for them.

Completely short of words, I spun on my heels to take my leave but his hand shot out, gripping mine.

“Wait,” he said.

I turned, glaring hard at him. “Why? So you can insult me some more?”

“No. Because I can help you.”

I laughed bitterly, throwing my head backwards a bit. “I know you think you know why I am here, but you certainly don’t know what I want so what makes you feel you can help?”

“The why is quite obvious,” He replied, his eyes roaming the hall for a short while before returning to me. “You want connections that can unlock certain doors for you in the hockey world, I know. But you don’t have to sell yourself to anyone to get it because I can give it to you.”

“Why do you care to want to help me?” I asked with a brow raised.

“The incident that happened between us has resulted in a second scandal on my side that has messed up my reputation and is dragging my career to a dead end, you must have seen the news.

“So this is what this is about?”

“Yes, you help me and I will help you in getting what you want.”

I blinked, stunned. “How? I know you are a prodigy, but that doesn’t change the fact that you are also a player on the rink, you depend on the big fishes too. Also, my coming here today was tied majorly to getting a shot at the Helmsworth International Hockey Scholarship game.”

“That is true. But for this season, I am a professor, not a player, and I have been given a task to raise a star just like myself. I’ll pick you, train you for the scholarship game and make you my star.”

A sharp, bitter laugh escaped my throat before I could think to stop it. “That's a nice task you’ve been given. But sorry, I can’t be your star.”

I stepped back, but he got in my way, blocking me. “Why…why not?”

“Because if I don’t find what I came here for tonight, I’m done. I’m dropping out of Northbrook this season as I can’t afford the fees anymore.”

“Then I’ll pay them,” he chipped in quickly.

“What?”

“You heard me. I would do anything you want. Tuition, training, anything. You just name it and I’ll give it to you.”

There was a long pause between us, the music from the party drifted in the background as I weighed his words.

Staring straight into his eyes, my voice dropped to a whisper. “All this…at what cost?”

“Pretend to be my girlfriend,” he replied, his lips curved into a wry smile.

“You mean faking dating?”

“Yes.” His gaze was unwavering. “Just long enough for both of us to get what we want.”