CHAPTER – 1

Olivia pov

The vibrant lights, booming music, and the wild crowd at the club are just not my scene. I let out a sigh as I step outside, realising it's already 10 pm and I'm still stuck here. I didn't even want to come to this club, but my friend forced me to attend her birthday party without mentioning it would turn into a stripper party. Now I'm trapped here with no way to get home and no cabs available in my area.

To top it off, my so-called friends are ignoring me, leaving me stranded. I glance at my phone in the silence, realising I have no other choice. I dial a number and hold the phone to my ear as the person on the other end answers, "Hello, who is this?" I roll my eyes and reply, "Cut the act, you already know it's me." He chuckles , "Why did you call me, Olivia? Did you do something bad?" Hearing him I scoff, "I'm not you brother who always gets into trouble and makes our dad angry.

" He pauses for a moment before growing, "Listen, please come and pick me up. I'm sending you my location." I said He hesitates and replied, "Aren't you at your friend's birthday party?"

"Yes, but you know how much I hate the club. So, please come and get me." He hesitates again, frustrating me even more. "Sorry, sis, I can't come. I'm hanging out at my friend's house," he says, making me furious. "James, are you kidding me?" I shout into the phone, but he just laughs.

"Don't worry, send me your location, and I'll send David there," he suggests, causing panic to rise within me. "No, don't you dare send him. I'll find my own way," I start to say, but he hangs up before I can finish my sentence. I close my eyes in frustration, the thought of him sending David to pick me up driving me insane.

Fuck it . I mutter under my breath as I already sent my live location. Suddenly, someone taps my shoulder, causing me to turn around. "Hey Ava, what are you doing here?" I ask, slightly surprised. She smiles at me and says, "Come on, let's dance. It's my birthday." She pulls me into the club, and I gasp at the sudden action. The loud music echoes in my ears, and I take a deep breath, only to smell alcohol in the air. As I slowly start to dance, 15 minutes pass and still no one else is here. It's not necessarily bad, but it's not great either.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a boy approaches me. "Hey beautiful, let's dance," he says, making me frown. As we begin to dance, he starts getting too close and trying to touch me inappropriately. I'm about to say something when a voice interrupts us. "Are you guys done?" a deep voice comes from behind me. I turn around and see the last person I want to see in my entire life: David Dawson, my brother's best friend.

His face is bruised, and the red light in the club makes him look even more handsome, like a Greek god. I hate the power he holds over me. I just hate him. I stop dancing as he approaches me "I hope you're not waiting for me to grab your hand and make you sit in the car” he said when I didn't move. He sounded as happy as I was about the situation.

What a soft man.

"No god give me legs I use it just like you use your mouth " I said with a smile before getting out leaving him all alone he just follow me quietly

I pressed my lips together and bit back a sarcastic reply as I roused myself from the bench and ducked into the car. It smelled cool and expensive, like spicy cologne and fine Italian leather.

He was sitting in the car while I looked down, and then he started the engine. We left the club together. David and I haven't met each other much, only twice before this. I hope this is the last time. I still remember the first time I saw him at my house by accident.

I spilled coffee on his white shirt, and he yelled at me, showing his rude attitude. That's when this man started getting on my nerves. The second time, I saw him again at my house, discussing something with James. But this time, I ignored him. As a psychiatrist I'm used to facing enough crap, but when it comes to David, it's hard to know what's going on in his big mind. I looked at his veiny hands as he turned to stare at me. I gulped nervously. David Dawson is one of the top CEOs in New York, or you could say he's a rich monster dressed in an angel suit.

I hate him, not because I want to, but because his attitude always shows me what a jerk and arrogant man he can be. I'm always shocked by how he's my brother's best friend. Lost in my thoughts, I was startled by his cold voice rushing through my spine, "Wear your seat belt," he said, making me obediently follow his words like a lost puppy. We hardly talk when we meet, and when we do, it's always filled with sarcasm and a cold tone.

Well, at least he looks at me the same way I look at him, and that's a good thing. He's the last person I want to see if I'm in any trouble.

But here we are, driving together in his sleek black car, heading to who knows where. I can feel the tension between us, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. I can't help but wonder what he's thinking, what he's planning. Is he just being his usual arrogant self, or is there something more beneath that cold exterior?

As we drive in silence, I can't help but steal glances at him. His jaw clenched, his eyes focused on the road ahead. He's handsome, there's no denying that. But his beauty is overshadowed by his toxic personality. I can't understand how my brother can be friends with someone like him.

I try to push away my thoughts and focus on the passing scenery outside the window. But David's presence is like a dark cloud hanging over me, casting a shadow on everything. I can't wait to get out of this car, away from him.

Finally, we arrive at our destination. David parks the car and turns to me, his expression unreadable. "Thanks for the ride," I mutter, opening the door to escape his suffocating presence.

He nods, his gaze lingering on me for a moment before he speaks. " Next time tell your brother not to disturb me I am not a driver” he said looking straight at my soul

“ Well stop obeying my brother like a driver” I said, not breaking eye contact, his hand tightening on the steering wheel showing his sonfine veins. I quickly get out of the car and walk away, feeling relieved to be free from his presence.

But deep down, I know that this won't be the last time I see David Dawson.