CHAPTER 1

GOOD DAY 

It's the 20th of June. I am invited by Ethan to their Mansion in Playa del Norte. We sometimes go out since the night I saw him at The Lounge.

I am a little nervous because I might be able to see his uncle. I don't know, but something about him is mysterious that draws my attention towards him.

It's just a simple family dinner that's why I wear a white silk dresses paired with a white jimmy choo heels. I already informed Feinah about this dinner and she permitted me to join the family. 

"Welcome back home, darling. You look stunning," it's Camila Montgomery, the glamorous lady of the house.

"Thank you so much," I handed my gift to the old lady and she was thankful. "Let's go..." 

We are already in the garden of the Mansion and settled in our seats but my eyes wandered around hoping to see someone but I failed.

"It will be just the three of us for this dinner. My son is not feeling well since this morning," Camila informed.

My eyes roam around and found its target. I thought that he isn't feeling well? Why is he drinking at the balcony?

Our eyes locked together but I averted and tried the steak that was served before me.

"Good evening, Mama..." a baritone voice greeted and settled opposite my chair.

Ethan looked at his uncle with a smirked and he smiled to me after. I didn't know how I was able to swallowed the steak without choking when the enemy is within the table. 

"Did you already considered my suggestion grandma?" Ethan mused while we are having the dessert.

The old lady looked at Ethan, "It's your uncle who has the authority for that, maybe you two can talk about it instead?"

I heard Ethan swallowed and lost interest in eating he excused himself leaving me with his grandmother and intimidating uncle.

"Maybe you should consider about your nephew's proposal Rhyiuz," the old lady exclaimed.

"Only if he'll cancel the deal with the Yunevichs, Mama. If not, then I'll just pull out the investments with the Hererras."

The old lady looked at me with sympathy. "Since when did you become so heartless, Rhyiuz? Really in front of Feinah?"

"Mama, let's not talk about things in public... Right, Feinah?" Rhyiuz Montgomery stated stressing out the name of Feinah while intently looking at me. 

What a hoodlum!

Ethan's right about his uncle. He's an ajax!

"Yes, I'll discuss it with Mom," I quipped to halt the subject.

Ethan returned to his seat but he didn't continue eating.

"I'm done. Disconnect with the Yunevichs and I'll give you the funds for your project." Rhyiuz left the table after. 

I felt the urge to pee that's why I left the table, a minute after.

"Excuse me, is there a powder room nearby?" I asked one of the housekeepers for the powder room's location.

"It's on the east wing, Miss. Just follow the hallway with a black dragon painting."

I hurriedly went east. As I closed the door and ready to go back to the garden after peeing, a hand grabbed me and dragged me towards a room. 

I faced the intruder and I was right. 

It's Rhyzius.

"Tell me, where is Feinah?" he hissed.

"I don't know what are you talking about! I am in front of you!"

The man pushed me in front of mirror and held my hairs up.

"Rhyiuz..." I uttered while looking at his eyes from the mirror.

"Tell me, who are you? Why are pretending as Feinah? What happened to her?"

I heard a hint of concern from him. I thought he hates Feinah.

"It's me..." I tried my luck to continue pretending.

"Let's not pretend in here. My nephew isn't around, Miss."

He let go of me that's why I comb my hair using my hands.

"How much did the Hererras paid you?"

"I told you. I am Feinah... Why hesitant, Rhyiuz? Can't anyone change?"

He got his phone and shove it in front of my eyes. My trembling hands hold the phone with my pictures before I dyed my hair. A lot of my pictures while taking golf lesson and some was taken during highschool while I tried to be involved with the school activities. 

"Tell me, is Feinah alright?"

"Y-Yes," I concluded.

"Now, who are you?"

"Feinah!!!" I heard Ethan's voice that's why I exited the room after putting the phone on the bed. 

The night ended after Ethan accompanied me to the guest room. His uncle left the Mansion which makes me less worried.

I didn't informed the Hererras that Rhyiuz Montgomery knows about my existence as an impostor Feinah Hererra. I am worried that it might affect the situation. What if they will suddenly withdraw my mother's medication. 

"Three more months, Xaliah..." I reminded myself while letting the hot water washed off all my worries away. "You can survive this..." I let my tears mix with the water. 

Since that evening,  I never heard anything about Rhyiuz Montgomery again nor saw his shadow. I remain in Playa del Norte for a week but went back in La Cita after I received a phone call. 

"What is your plan after the engagement party, Xaliah?" Feinah asked me as I am watching her taking her steps.

I am glad she can already move her hands fully and in few months she can surely probably properly walk. She recovered her voice just a week ago that's why I am so thankful.

"I want to go in Australia where my mother is," I truthfully answered her.

After her therapy session I opened up about her cousin, Rida.

"I don't know if it's okay for you to hear this but, are you and Rida, that close?"

Feinah waved her hands, "Never. Let me guess, did she tell you something about me?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry over your love life."

"She likes Ethan."

"What?!" Even if I am suspicious but hearing it from Feinah herself is a kill.

"She said something..." I told her but she just nodded.

"I'm not worried about her. Did you met Ethan's uncle?" Feinah seriously questioned.

I nodded.

"He knows that I am pretending..." I informed.

"Of course. It's Rhyiuz Montgomery. He's not an ordinary man in the society. He's a lie detector..." Feinah chuckled.

"You know him?"

"I'm his ex fiancée's friend..." Feinah seems to understand why my brows are shot. "She was killed. It's been a long time already..."

Feinah showed me a picture of her and Rhyiuz Montgomery's ex fiancée.

"Rhyiuz is a bit rebelious teenager while Amalia is opposite. They were classmates in college. She's from a not so prominent family but she's bright. Camila Montgomery doesn't want her child to married an ordinary girl that's why she offered Amalia some amount of money to leave her son and she succeeded but Amalia and Rhyiuz never cut communication with each other. Amalia become part of the military and gain Camila's trust but was killed a week before their wedding five years ago. Her body wasn't found though, only her things. That's Rhyiuz's life. A bit boring. I just hope that he will move on already..."

Is that why he is so keen to details?

I can't imagine a soft Rhyiuz Vann Montgomery. He doesn't seem to fit the criteria. His aura just can't. 

I went back in the metro a week before the engagement party. It's just a close door one which will be attended by friends and family that's why I am not that nervous.

"How was it? Do you like it?" Ethan makes a cute face in front of me after I finished the pancake he cooked.

"Sir Ethan..." one of the housekeepers called. "Your grandmother is looking for you. She's waiting for you in the library."

"Go! I think, you need more practice..." I beamed.

I scrolled my phone for updates regarding my mother's condition. She had another attack and the Doctor said that I have to choose if the same situation will happen again.

I let out a long and deep sigh as I look up the ceiling. I hope that my mother will fight or what's the use me, lying and pretending to be another person. 

"I thought that you will only last for a month but I guess you will be the one to attend the engagement party..."

"Ethan will be thankful that he'll present an actual person not a picture," I stated without a life.

The man laughed in a way that it can only heard for both of us. "I didn't know that you suddenly downgraded being the fiancée to spokeperson."

"I'm just helping Miss Hererra..." I gritted.

"So, if Ethan told you to strip you will also do?"

My thoughts were clouded. I never considered that part. Never, but I know that I can't. 

Rhyiuz chuckled, "So, you will, huh?!" he hissed.

I tried to retaliate. "Ethan never puts me in awkward moments..." I boldly welcome his grey orbs.

"But soon he will..." he bite his lower lips. "Right, Miss Xaliah Shasta Zerilla?"

I almost sink to my chair as my name came out of his mouth perfectly.

"Damn you Rhyiuz Vann Montgomery!" I exclaimed with full of irritation. "How dare!!!" 

"Not so pleasant my niece-in-law, huh, but considering you're not Feinah, I am amazed. Tell me, how much was your talent fee? I can double it for you to stay away from my nephew." 

I gave him my middle finger. "Capital F for you! Pervert!" I stood up leaving him laughing.

I went to the guest room I'm occupying to calm myself down. Ethan knocked after five minutes and he offered me a ride around the estate. I felt refreshed after inhaling some fresh air. While roaming around my phone vibrates. It's a message from a new number.

Unknown Number:

Don't you ever gave me a middle finger again, Xaliah or I will give you one and you'll know the feeling. Get out of this damn act before it gets serious, Xaliah Shasta. 

My face suddenly turned as red as cherries after reading the message but was irritated. 

I already knew who is it from. It's other than the ajax himself.

What the heck! 

I am already in my room but Rhyiuz message has gotten into my nerves.

I called him even it's in the middle of the night.

"How dare you!" I greeted him with a scream.

I am sure that all the rooms in the Mansion are soundproof that's why I am bold yelling the man.

"Hmnn?..." the person from the other line groaned. "I'm sorry?"

"I want to slap you for real, ajax!" I shrieked.

"Honey, if you want to say something, my room is open. Just make sure that my mother will never saw you cause I don't want her to think that I'm trying to snatched my nephew's fake girlfriend, aight?" 

Oh my goodness, this man is so full of himself. He's nuts! 

"Third room from yours. Left..." and the call ended.

I went out of the room without creating any noise. I didn't knock and went straight only to find out that Rhyiuz is in the middle of his meeting.

"I'm sorry gentlemen but I'll just call you tomorrow to finalize everything. I have an emergency to attend. Please inform my secretary for further concerns." Rhyiuz closed his laptop and looked at me with amusement.

It didn't sink in that I am wearing an almost see through nighties.

"Aren't you feeling cold by wearing nothing? What if someone saw you like that, huh?!"

I didn't care about my appearance out of annoyance. "You already did..."

Rhyiuz walked to the door and locked it before sitting on the edge of his king sized bed. I am dumbfounded after realizing that I entered the enemy's lair.

"Take a sit," he offered a chair but I went to his swivel chair instead. 

He opened a door. "Wait for me..." he instructed and disappeared.

I was so sleepy waiting for him that's why I let my arms as pillows and crouch on his study table. I felt that I was in the air but my back hits the softest bed I ever lay down on. I don't know how many hours I dozed off, I just felt that someone is watching me that's why I opened my eyes.

I collected myself when I saw that I am not in the room assigned for me.

Rhyiuz is in front of his laptop while I am comfortably sleeping on his bed. 

What an awkward situation!

I stood up but I suddenly felt dizzy. In a split of second Rhyiuz is holding my shoulders while I am clinging onto his hands. My back hits his perfectly toned chest. "Don't move..." he said using a hoarse voice.

I suddenly felt his bulge at my back that resulted me to shiver.

I heard him curse. "Don't worry, I won't bite. Too tired for another activity..."

I elbowed him making him to flinched and create a distance between us. I faced him and slap him on the face before leaving his room.

"What happened to your face, son?" Lady Camila asked while to the new comer on the dining table.

We are having breakfast in a gazebo near the garden.

"Just some allergies, I already took medicine, Mama," Rhyiuz stated while intently looking at me.

I just continue eating. Ethan sometimes offers me food which I tried.

"I'm so happy that your engagement party will be held soon already, Ethan. I thought that after what happened five years ago, there will never be a huge gathering in the Mansion again."

"Mama," Rhyiuz called his mom and after that he exited the dining table.

I felt sorry about what happened but the old lady just continue to eat and even Ethan like nothing happened. "Just continue eating, dear. Sometimes, he's acting like a child..."

After breakfast, I purposely help one of the housekeepers in the kitchen.

"Uhmn, Rhyiuz didn't joined us for breakfast, is there any particular diet for him?" I tried to opened up with the old housekeeper in the dirty kitchen when we were left alone. 

"Did something happened? I saw him going to the gazebo after he get some cold compress at the kitchen... I thought he had breakfast..." the old lady answered instead. "I'll let one of the housekeepers bring him food. He might be inside his room."

"I'll bring it," I volunteered. "I'm going upstairs to change for the activities I'll be having with Ethan today."

The old lady put a full course meal on a tray that's why I carefully carried it to Rhyiuz's room. I tried to open the door using my elbow and it swung. I entered and put the food tray at the table near the bed.

I tried to look for Rhyiuz but I jumped out of surprise when he entered the room while catching up his breathing.

I pointed the food tray. "You didn't had your breakfast..." I mused trying to hide my nervousness.

He arch his one eyebrow and pursed his lips. His tshirt was so drench by his perspiration but he still smells good as his perfume envelope every corner of his room.

"Ethan might be looking for you..." he said not minding if I am in front of him as he removed his shirt in one go through his nape part.

I looked down but only to find him removed his jogging shorts. "Eyes up Honey, or you might not be able to go out of this room unscratched."

I exited his room after the awkward situation. Ethan planned for us to teach me how to ride a horse that's why we used half of the day practicing. During lunch, only me, Ethan and his grandmother enjoyed some local dishes prepared for us.

I didn't saw any shadow of Rhyiuz for two days but on the midnight of the 30th of the month, I was awaken by loud voices.

Someone seems fighting. That's why I gently went on the corner of the first hallway only to see two shadows in the foyer.

"Just tell me the truth! You like her! I saw you!"

Ethan yelled pointing his forefinger to his uncle.

"Enough Ethan! For gracious! What are you two fighting in the middle of the night?!"

Ethan seems so mad not minding Lady Camila's words.

"Your son is trying to steal my girl, grandma!" Ethan beamed in a high pitched voice.

Lady Camila looked at her son with disappointedly.

"I don't have anything to say..." Rhyiuz defended in a calmly manner.

"Just admit it, you want to own everything. You're selfish! If it wasn't because of you Amalia wouldn't have died!" Ethan shouted which makes Rhyiuz to punch him on the face and hold the collar of his white polo shirt.

I covered my mouth trying not to create any noise.

"Don't ever bring her in this, Ethan. If you're behaving like that because you lost some money into gambling, don't try me. I am so done with your attitude. If it's not for my long dead brother, I should have put you in the rehabilitation center for your addiction!" Rhyiuz's voice thunder making her mother to sit.

"Stop, please..." the old lady pleaded.

Rhyiuz seems to recover faster as he held her mother's hand and two disappeared.

Ethan was left on the foyer, kicking and punching the couch. A moment later, Rhyiuz appeared pointing his forefinger to Ethan. "I didn't pull out the shares to the Hererras because of Feinah not because of you but if you're doubting her. Go ask her yourself. I'm done with your attitude, Ethan. You have the guts to dragged Amalia into your messy life. How dare you!"

I covered my faced when I saw Rhyiuz about to punch his nephew not knowing that my right foot bump into the side table where a porcelain jar is causing it to shattered in pieces.

Both the two man looked at me and hurriedly climb the stairs to attend me.

A part of my right foot was hit by the broken pieces making it to bleed. Ethan pulled me about an inch away while Rhyiuz tried to pickup some of the broken pieces near my bear foot.

I saw his hand bleed as he accidentally pressed it within the broken particles as Ethan carried me.

Our eyes locked and I saw him seriously looking at me while I looked at him with a teary eyes.

It must hurt. His hand must have been hurt by the small particles of the broken porcelain jar. I wanted to run and check his hands but he just nodded and put his right hand on his back.

I don't know what to feel at that very moment. My heart crumpled in pain thinking that someone helped me and not minding being hurt because of it. 

After Ethan cleaned my right foot he went out of the house. He told me that he'll be sleeping in the next island.

I took the chance to carry the medicine kit and went to Rhyiuz's room. I found him trying to pull out the particles from his hand that's why I helped him. I put a bandage over his hand after disinfecting it.

"Don't ever try to hurt yourself again," he breathes heavily.

"Don't ever scare me again. Don't do that," I exclaimed.

"Damn! Slap me later," he whispered and pulled me towards him and attack me with a tender yet deep kiss.

We were out of breath when his lips left mine.

"Tell Feinah to walk sooner..." he whispered tenderly after but still holding the holding the back of my head.

I just chuckled looking at his burning eyes.

He ran his tongue over lips. "Still, a good day for me," he sexily stated.

I gave him a middle finger as I run towards his door when I realized what happened. 

He kissed me! 

I breathe sharply.

"Don't think to much, Shasta!" I reminded myself. 

I received a message from him afterwards.

Rhyiuz:

Don't ever try to come back inside my room again or I will really show you how to properly use that finger. Not funny, Xaliah. 

I turned off my phone as I saw an incoming call from him.

I run towards the shower room and splash myself with cold water to normalize my temperature.

What the heck, Rhyiuz Vann!