Elena's POV
Mr. Mysterious eyes trailed around my body, going from top to bottom. He didn't really seem please... But I couldn't blame him. He thought he was going on a blind date with some rich heiress and then he got me. I wasn't saying that I lacked self-esteem and all those shit... But well, just look at him. Raising my head slowly, I looked up at Mr. Reynolds. He had his deep black eyes fixed on me, his gaze unmoving as if he was looking deep into my soul or something. Too bad for him, if he wanted to look deep into my soul, he was going to see nothing... Nothing but a black, dark empty space, a space just like those eyes of his. Pressing my lips together, I nodded. "Yeah, I know. I don't look like the rich heiress you expected do I?" I asked with a small smile. What I've known from all my years being a con... Being human in general was that, before someone would get a chance to hurt you with your insecurities, you deal with the insecurity first. I nodded again after I waited a few seconds but he didn't deny it... He didn't accept it either. "I understand that..." "You're right." Mr. Reynolds suddenly spoke, interrupting me. His deep voice flowed into my ears and all I could do was listen with rapt attention. Damn... Not only was this guy as hot as fuck... He was also as hot as fuck! Even his voice sounded hot. "You don't look like the heiress I expected." My face fell, but...but why did I have the feeling that there was a but coming along? "But..." He added. There is it. My eyes went back to him. "Our family already arranged this entire charade for us. It would be unethical for me to rejected you just based on the way you dress and places you go." I blinked twice, my brain still processing what he said. I thought he was going to compliment me...but no, he just had to bring logic into this. I snickered in annoyance. Mr. Reynolds then snapped his fingers with made one of the men which were with him step forward. "Layla? Or is it Lena?" he inquired. "Anyone you prefer." I answered curtly. I had learnt yesterday that flirting with this dude was like trying to milk a rock... impossible. He couldn't even detect simple signs! It's either he really wasn't into me, or he didn't like women...and from the way he spoke, either could be true. "Layla then." He said and I nodded. "Give Joshua here your number so we would be able to meet up properly in a more... decent environment." What's with the pause?! I almost screamed in annoyance. Yeah! I agree I wasn't wearing any makeup, but I still looked good, I was gorgeous! Even if I looked like a sweaty mess, I would still be gorgeous... I knew that, but the way Mr. Mysterious... No, he didn't deserve that name anymore, the way Mr. Reynolds eyes looked at me... I felt... Ugly. Humph! He obviously noticed my annoyance but preferred to ignore it, talking more to Joshua about where next we were going to meet. Taking the phone I typed my number in with a smile, and as soon as I was done, I was ready to leave there before mysnger would cause my tongue to slip and I would ruin everything. "If that's all, I will be taking my leave now. " I said calmly, releasing a small breath. I turned around ready to leave but hesitated. Please...call me. Just call me back. Yeah...I wanted him to call me back. A part of me, the lady part of me wanted him to apologize for what he insinuated. But he didn't. I took a step forward, then another, and another. But still yet, Mr. Reynolds still refused to call me back. Fine then...I was going to remember this for a very long time. Finally with my resolve hardened, I walked away and out of the place. He was so not a gentleman at all. Dargh! I would show this bastard. He indirectly called me ugly by not calling me pretty. Did he think I wasn't pretty? No...I was definitely going to show him that not only was a beauty, I was also very smart! "I would take very single thing you have from you...you fucker and you are going to plead," Fuck he was going to beg. Just like the last unfortunate person that came across me when I was back in the country 3 years ago. Rumors says the guy wasn't doing so well right now...but I didn't care. I never cared about my mark. Once they met with me, their fate was already doomed. It wasn't my fault that they were stupid... "Nah..." I voiced out answering myself. "They were not stupid, I was just to fast...to sharp; too good." I kept on walking until I was as far from the mini golf club as possible before I stopped the hail a cab. Two days. I had been in this country for 2 days but I still haven't met Layla. She was usually the first person to know when I arrived, even right from the airport but... But there was something else. I was hesitating. Was it because the person I was acting to be like name was also Layla? Was it guilt? I wasn't sure, it had been really long since I had felt that emotion call guilt. "Em...please wait." I said out loud getting the cab driver's attention. "I've changed my mind, go to this address please..." Handing him the piece of paper through the small open side of the huge glass that separated the driver's side from the passenger side, I said apologetically. The driver grunted in displeased but still changed his direction and began heading for Layla's house. The last time we spoke was almost a month ago now, she told me that her parents wanted her back to the family in the family but she didn't tell me why. "I wonder if she accepted." "Miss, we are here." He announced after a while. I paid him and got out of the car but my was I not prepared for what I saw. I was expecting a small house, a bungalow or something with nothing more than 2 rooms since Lyla lived alone and all but... Standing before me was a duplex a huge one with fancy coverings and everything! Did this girl hit a massive load of money... Or, or did she return back to her parents? My mouth hung opened as I stared at the house. Beautiful was an understatement. Relax Lena... Maybe, maybe... I couldn't even find an excuse. Taking a deep breath, I walked forward to open the gate, thankfully it wasn't the kind that was controlled by a remote and needed face recognition for access. After passing through that hurdle, I walked towards the main door. Why was I so shocked anyways? Layla was a pretty girl, maybe she had hit a gold mine, or maybe like me she found someone gullible enough to think she was someone else. Even if it wasn't that... Why was I shocked. Or maybe... Or maybe she finally agreed to be reunited back to her family. Layla's family wasn't just a normal one...they were rich; Billionaires. But she left them and chose this life because she loved the adventure. But it's been 3 years now. Three years since I had been gone. Three years since she has really had an adventure. The time alone was able to make anyone change, even if that person was a best friend. Then it finally began to dawn on me. I wasn't shocked, I was scared. Scared that I was losing her. "Ok, that's it. If you won't come in, then I'll come out." A familiar voice suddenly spoke, the voice sounded excited and anxious. Before I could fully understand who it was, the front door was pulled opened and I was met with a familiar face. It was her. A smile graced my lips and it began to spread, wild and fast. "Missed me bitch?"Elena's POV Layla sat on the other chair opposite me, staring at my face as if I was an alien of some sort. She had been doing it for a while now and it was getting creepy. "Okay now Lay, stop it." I said putting my leg down from the sofa and sitting up. "I'm here, like I am here...in a real freaking body." "Yeah, that's the surprising part." Layla said with a small nod as if she didn't hear the first part and I chuckled. Her reaction was too much...she was clearly overreacting. Yeah, to be sincere, her surprise wasn't that surprising. I wasn't supposed to be back here, not now and not here. I pressed my lips together rolling my eyes. "Lay..." "I'm sorry okay." She raised her hands up, surrending. "It's just shocking. I haven't seen you in years...like three freaking years, but here you are... sitting in my new apartment." She said pointing at me and I rolled my eyes again. Yeah, speaking of that. "This place is amazing." Getting up from the sofa, I strolled around the sitti
Elena's POV Layla suddenly coughed shaking her head. "No I don't...but I've heard that name a couple of times." I wanted to think about what she said... but it could true, so I dismissed it. Leaning closer towards her I asked. "So..." It took a second before she understood and she shook her head. Standing up she said. "Give me a second." Then she turned around and began walking up the stairs. "Aish...she didn't even offer me a drink." I thought out loud after I looked at the table beside me to see nothing there. Standing up I walked towards the kitchen...or where I thought was the kitchen. "Yes! It's the kitchen." I exclaimed in excitement. I took a cup and opened the fridge picking a bottle of water before returning back to the sitting room to find Layla already sitting there with a laptop in her hand. "Really? You couldn't even offer me a drink." "Yeah because you are not a stranger in this house." She said, calming clicking away on her laptop. Not a stranger???"This is
Elena's POV "If you were to ask me, there are many ways, many reasons I think this wouldn't work. But..." Layla stopped to shrug. "How bad can the consequences be? Worse come to worse, you'll ditch the guy and leave the country again this for a few years for him to calm down." I smiled, nodding my head. "Or better, I could make him fall in love with me, and he would just forgive me."Layla raised one of her brows at me and I giggled. "Okay, making him fall in love with me is too big of a deal...but trust me when I say this, after I leave it would be hard for Noah Reynolds to forget me."This was going to be one of my biggest jobs yet, and I was going to pull it off like I always did. Nothing was going to stop me. Layla and I chatted for a few more hours, catching up with each other on things we missed in each other's lives and before I knew it, it was past 9.I needed to go back to the hotel I was lodged at. "Why common? You can just stay here, this house is big enough for both
Elena's POV My mouth hung opened as I stepped into the main room, passing through the door which was opened so widely. "And I thought Layla's house was huge." Being a con artist had its perks. I could see different beautiful mansions, houses that cost millions of dollars and maybe, if I played my cards well enough, stay for the night. But never had I seen a house as big as this one. Like hell! This house was huge!!! Actually, I saw the house when I was like 20 miles away from the place, but my eyes didn't linger. I had no idea it was the place I was heading to. But then again, what was I expecting? From everything Layla told me about this Reynolds family, this was practically nothing. I had just finished dressing when Noah called me. He said he was having someone pick me up to his house and asked for my address. And yes, as expected I panicked.I couldn't just tell him the address of an hotel, that was degrading!His real fiancee would definitely not be staying at a hotel. F
Elena's POV We sat across from each other in the fancy restaurant, he just arrived there so the waiter had yet to attend to us, only the customary wine...which looked really expensive by the way, was on the table, but I felt uncomfortable. Seriously, something in me told me not to dress like this. It was too...well, too opened. But no, my pride refused to let me be. Noah had diminished my looks not just once, but twice! The first time in Diamonds when he even went as far as using a handkerchief to clean his hands after I held on to them, while the second was at the club. I just had to change the impression I made on the guy to something much, much different, and I was sure with this dressing that I did, but it turns out I didn't only change his impression of me. As soon as we walked into the restaurant, the lady's eyes went to Noah while the men, well, me. Normally I would bask in the attention they were giving me, but not today. Instead, I felt nervous... Like me, Elena... Nerv
Elena's POVHe caught me staring.I blinked, lips stretching into a smile...too late to look away now. Besides, if I wanted him to like me, why not let him see I liked him first?Noah raised an eyebrow, his voice low with amusement. “Why are you staring at me?”My smile widened. “Because you’re really handsome.”Yup. I actually said that. Out loud. In front of him and not just in my head. I was getting pretty bold. But I wasn’t lying; he was breathtaking. Noah’s face flushed slightly with a light shade of pink, and he let out a cough, his gaze flicking back to the screen.Fuck, was he...blushing?I could have let out a high squeal in joy. Noah Reynolds was blushing! God. He looked even hotter blushing.I propped my chin on my palm, still watching him. Was he even aware of how perfect his face was? People in my line of business spend hours, or even days to make their faces like this; perfect, to attract other rich people But he just got it for free. Good genes perhaps. “Stop sta
Elena's POV "It's not funny, stop laughing," I said with a giggle as we walked around. Surprisingly, Noah had been an amazing company. He wasn't cold or terrifying like I thought him to be like he was supposed to be. Instead, he was, he was funny... And just fun. I had thought I dug my grave when I said walk and talk, but he was the one mostly doing the talking while I listened. For a second, just a second... I felt bad. I felt bad that I was doing this to someone like him, but... Then the feeling of guilt disappeared. I had to do this. If not for myself, but to regain my name which I lost 3 years ago. All I needed was for him to fall completely for me, and I mean completely...then I'd ask him for a terrible amount of money, lie that it's for a cause or something, and once he gives me, I'll vanish away from his life. Yeah... that's what I'll do. We decided to take a rest by the park,
Elena’s POVNoah just arrived like a knight in shining armor…Only, he wasn’t wearing armor, and he didn’t have a sword. But the way he walked towards me; shoulders squared, eyes burning cold...he might as well have stepped out of an action movie.I’d already stopped struggling. The men holding me turned to look at him too, tension slicing through the air like a blade.“I said, let her go,” he repeated, his voice sharp and cold enough to make the temperature drop a few degrees, and it did. The men exchanged glances, then looked back at Noah. It was clear they didn’t know who he was.“…And what if we say no?” the gruff one asked, stepping forward like he ruled the damn jungle. He let go of me just to puff his chest and face Noah like a cartoon villain.They were the same height, but the guy was bulkier. Bigger.Stronger? Oh God please no.My heart wasn’t pounding for myself anymore...it was for Noah.He was rich. Polished. Elegant. What the hell did he know about fighting on the streets
Elena’s POVThe bright rays of the sun slipped through the curtains and stabbed me right in the eyes.I groaned.There went my sleep.After the rollercoaster of a night I had with Noah yesterday, I ended up crashing on Layla’s couch. I didn’t want to wake up; not yet. Maybe because the dream I was having was just that good.In it, I was back at the movie theater with Noah. The way his eyes lingered on me… it felt so right. We were leaning closer to each other, slowly, breathlessly...And then boom. That annoying manager popped up out of nowhere like a jump scare and ruined the moment. A blinding light followed, and just like that, I woke up… still on Layla’s couch.I blew a strand of hair away from my face with an irritated huff and sat up, stretching out my stiff limbs.“I should’ve known even my dreams couldn’t give me a win.”That stupid manager’s face was already etched into my memory. But seriously...how did Noah not see him lurking there like a creep? Or… did he? Did he let it h
Elena’s POVThe car ride was short, thankfully. But not the good kind of thankful, more like the awkward silence kind. Neither of us spoke. Not a word. Not even a fake cough to fill the space.It was even quieter than the ride to the restaurant earlier… and that was already graveyard-level silence."And this is my stop," I finally said, my voice sounding louder than expected in the stillness of the car.Noah’s sleek black car rolled to a stop in front of Layla’s massive building. He looked up at the tall house like he was analyzing its architecture before turning his gaze back to me with a small nod."At least your place is reasonable," he said.I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or a lowkey insult, so I just smiled.It wasn’t my place anyway, so…I stepped out, stretching just a bit too dramatically and scrunching my face like I had cramps. “Fucking fuck,” I groaned, then turned back to face him, placing a smile on my lips again. He had already gotten out of the car. Gentleman m
Elena’s POVNoah just arrived like a knight in shining armor…Only, he wasn’t wearing armor, and he didn’t have a sword. But the way he walked towards me; shoulders squared, eyes burning cold...he might as well have stepped out of an action movie.I’d already stopped struggling. The men holding me turned to look at him too, tension slicing through the air like a blade.“I said, let her go,” he repeated, his voice sharp and cold enough to make the temperature drop a few degrees, and it did. The men exchanged glances, then looked back at Noah. It was clear they didn’t know who he was.“…And what if we say no?” the gruff one asked, stepping forward like he ruled the damn jungle. He let go of me just to puff his chest and face Noah like a cartoon villain.They were the same height, but the guy was bulkier. Bigger.Stronger? Oh God please no.My heart wasn’t pounding for myself anymore...it was for Noah.He was rich. Polished. Elegant. What the hell did he know about fighting on the streets
Elena's POV "It's not funny, stop laughing," I said with a giggle as we walked around. Surprisingly, Noah had been an amazing company. He wasn't cold or terrifying like I thought him to be like he was supposed to be. Instead, he was, he was funny... And just fun. I had thought I dug my grave when I said walk and talk, but he was the one mostly doing the talking while I listened. For a second, just a second... I felt bad. I felt bad that I was doing this to someone like him, but... Then the feeling of guilt disappeared. I had to do this. If not for myself, but to regain my name which I lost 3 years ago. All I needed was for him to fall completely for me, and I mean completely...then I'd ask him for a terrible amount of money, lie that it's for a cause or something, and once he gives me, I'll vanish away from his life. Yeah... that's what I'll do. We decided to take a rest by the park,
Elena's POVHe caught me staring.I blinked, lips stretching into a smile...too late to look away now. Besides, if I wanted him to like me, why not let him see I liked him first?Noah raised an eyebrow, his voice low with amusement. “Why are you staring at me?”My smile widened. “Because you’re really handsome.”Yup. I actually said that. Out loud. In front of him and not just in my head. I was getting pretty bold. But I wasn’t lying; he was breathtaking. Noah’s face flushed slightly with a light shade of pink, and he let out a cough, his gaze flicking back to the screen.Fuck, was he...blushing?I could have let out a high squeal in joy. Noah Reynolds was blushing! God. He looked even hotter blushing.I propped my chin on my palm, still watching him. Was he even aware of how perfect his face was? People in my line of business spend hours, or even days to make their faces like this; perfect, to attract other rich people But he just got it for free. Good genes perhaps. “Stop sta
Elena's POV We sat across from each other in the fancy restaurant, he just arrived there so the waiter had yet to attend to us, only the customary wine...which looked really expensive by the way, was on the table, but I felt uncomfortable. Seriously, something in me told me not to dress like this. It was too...well, too opened. But no, my pride refused to let me be. Noah had diminished my looks not just once, but twice! The first time in Diamonds when he even went as far as using a handkerchief to clean his hands after I held on to them, while the second was at the club. I just had to change the impression I made on the guy to something much, much different, and I was sure with this dressing that I did, but it turns out I didn't only change his impression of me. As soon as we walked into the restaurant, the lady's eyes went to Noah while the men, well, me. Normally I would bask in the attention they were giving me, but not today. Instead, I felt nervous... Like me, Elena... Nerv
Elena's POV My mouth hung opened as I stepped into the main room, passing through the door which was opened so widely. "And I thought Layla's house was huge." Being a con artist had its perks. I could see different beautiful mansions, houses that cost millions of dollars and maybe, if I played my cards well enough, stay for the night. But never had I seen a house as big as this one. Like hell! This house was huge!!! Actually, I saw the house when I was like 20 miles away from the place, but my eyes didn't linger. I had no idea it was the place I was heading to. But then again, what was I expecting? From everything Layla told me about this Reynolds family, this was practically nothing. I had just finished dressing when Noah called me. He said he was having someone pick me up to his house and asked for my address. And yes, as expected I panicked.I couldn't just tell him the address of an hotel, that was degrading!His real fiancee would definitely not be staying at a hotel. F
Elena's POV "If you were to ask me, there are many ways, many reasons I think this wouldn't work. But..." Layla stopped to shrug. "How bad can the consequences be? Worse come to worse, you'll ditch the guy and leave the country again this for a few years for him to calm down." I smiled, nodding my head. "Or better, I could make him fall in love with me, and he would just forgive me."Layla raised one of her brows at me and I giggled. "Okay, making him fall in love with me is too big of a deal...but trust me when I say this, after I leave it would be hard for Noah Reynolds to forget me."This was going to be one of my biggest jobs yet, and I was going to pull it off like I always did. Nothing was going to stop me. Layla and I chatted for a few more hours, catching up with each other on things we missed in each other's lives and before I knew it, it was past 9.I needed to go back to the hotel I was lodged at. "Why common? You can just stay here, this house is big enough for both
Elena's POV Layla suddenly coughed shaking her head. "No I don't...but I've heard that name a couple of times." I wanted to think about what she said... but it could true, so I dismissed it. Leaning closer towards her I asked. "So..." It took a second before she understood and she shook her head. Standing up she said. "Give me a second." Then she turned around and began walking up the stairs. "Aish...she didn't even offer me a drink." I thought out loud after I looked at the table beside me to see nothing there. Standing up I walked towards the kitchen...or where I thought was the kitchen. "Yes! It's the kitchen." I exclaimed in excitement. I took a cup and opened the fridge picking a bottle of water before returning back to the sitting room to find Layla already sitting there with a laptop in her hand. "Really? You couldn't even offer me a drink." "Yeah because you are not a stranger in this house." She said, calming clicking away on her laptop. Not a stranger???"This is