Casey P.O.V It was Sunday morning, and the sunlight streamed gently through my window, casting soft, golden shadows across the room. The faint chirping of birds outside my window added to the serene ambiance. I stretched lazily in bed, savouring the quiet, before finally pulling myself up. Another day, another routine. After brushing my teeth and splashing cold water on my face to shake off the remnants of sleep, I slipped into a comfortable T-shirt and shorts. The cool fabric brushed against my skin, and I combed my damp hair back after a refreshing shower. Feeling more awake, I stepped out of my room and made my way to the living room, the familiar scent of coffee guiding my steps. Zazu was sprawled across the couch, her legs stretched out lazily, sipping her morning coffee as though she had all the time in the world. A magazine hovered above her face, her eyes scanning its pages with rapt attention. The rich aroma of her coffee lingered in the air, mingling with the faint trace o
Owen P.O.V "OWEN BROWN, YOU BETTER HAVE SOME EXPLANATION FOR THIS ARTICLE! WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT? YOU SAID YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND, THEN WHO ARE THESE WOMEN YOU’RE FOOLING AROUND WITH?!” I winced at the sound of my mother’s voice blasting through the speaker of my phone. She always had a way of making everything feel like the end of the world, especially when it came to the mess that was my love life—or lack thereof. “DID I RAISE YOU TO BREAK WOMAN’S HEART AND WHAT DO YOUR GIRLFRIEND SAY ABOUT THIS?” her voice was getting louder and louder with each second. Damn it, why did she have to bring up my imaginary girlfriend now of all times? "Mother,my girlfriend knows nothing in that article is true, I—" I tried to explain, but she was not having any of it. Her high-pitched, exasperated tone cut me off before I could finish my sentence. "Then why is this news circulating? Do you know how embarrassing this is? I found out about my son’s wild... behaviour from my daughter's
Casey P.O.VInside, the ballroom was dazzling. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow over the elegantly dressed crowd. Waiters moved through the sea of people, offering champagne and hors d'oeuvres, while soft classical music played in the background. The atmosphere was sophisticated yet lively.Zazu and I navigated our way through the crowd, exchanging polite smiles and nods as we went. Till now everything is going well but I am still waiting for the other shoe to drop. We went out through the pilot door, to the back swimming pool where others were.After a few minutes, we found a small table near the edge of the swimming pool. Zazu sank into the chair with a sigh, and I followed suit, grateful for the break from standing.“I think I need a drink before the night really gets started,” Zazu said, scanning the area for a waiter. “What about you?”I nodded. “Definitely.”As if on cue, a waiter appeared with a tray of champagne flutes. Zazu grabbed two, h
Casey P.O.VI could hardly believe what I was seeing.I had just picked up two drinks from the bartender when I heard a commotion by the pool area.“YOU PATHETIC CUM SUCKING WHORE!” A woman screamed.What the fridging frutz . The people started gathering near the pool.Instinctively, I moved through the crowd, trying to see what the fuss was about.“Sorry” I pushed people out of the way while balancing the two drinks “Excuse me” I was apologising left and right as I struggled to keep the drinks balanced in my hands. “Sorry” “Excuse me” “Sorry” “Get your big butts out of the way man.” People were craning their necks, gasping, and laughing, making it harder for me to get through.When I finally broke through the crowd and reached the front, my jaw nearly hit the floor.OH . MY . GODDESS Standing at the edge of the pool, Zazu and Brooks’ date were locked in what could only be described as the world’s most chaotic catfight. They were tugging each other’s hair like wild animals, screaming
Casey P.O.VThe chaos around the pool finally started to die down, though cameras were still flashing, and people were whispering like they had just witnessed the scandal of the century. I stood there, still holding both drinks, frozen for a second longer than necessary as I watched Zazu resurface from the water. She looked like a drenched cat, mascara streaking down her cheeks, hair clinging to her face like vines. Her opponent, Brooks’ date, was not faring much better, splashing around beside her with an equally ruined look.I pushed through the remaining crowd, setting the drinks down on the nearest table, and rushed over to help. By the time I got close, Zazu was already pulling herself out of the pool, teeth gritted, breathing heavily. Her dress clung to her like a second skin, and I could see the anger radiating off her like heat waves.“Zazu, let’s get out of here,” I said, grabbing her arm gently but firmly. She was staring daggers at Brooks, who was trying to help his date up
Casey P.O.V.The sunlight streamed through the curtains, too bright for the pounding headache I was nursing. I groaned, rolling over in bed, half-hoping that the events of last night had been some bizarre dream. But the ache in my feet from those killer heels and the faint smell of chlorine on my dress from getting too close to the pool told me otherwise.Zazu had already left the room, and I could hear the faint clinking of dishes from the kitchen. I dragged myself out of bed and made my way to the kitchen, hoping coffee would make me feel human again. As I shuffled in, Zazu was sitting at the table, phone in hand, scrolling furiously.“Morning,” I muttered, heading straight for the coffee machine.“Morning? Try chaos,” she said, not looking up from her phone. “We have got a problem.”I blinked, still bleary-eyed. “What do you mean?”She shoved her phone across the table toward me, her expression somewhere between mortified and furious. I glanced down at the screen and froze. There,
Casey P.O.VThe clock had barely ticked past noon when Zazu finally walked through the front door, and I could tell immediately something was off. Her usually lively eyes were dull, her face pale, and she clutched her purse tightly against her side like it was the only thing holding her together. I had been waiting for her, anxious about what the HR meeting might have been about, especially after the fiasco at the charity ball.I sat up from the couch where I had been lazily scrolling through my phone. "Zazu?" I called out softly, noticing the way she stiffened at the sound of my voice. "What happened? How did it go?"She did not answer right away. Instead, she took slow, deliberate steps toward the kitchen counter and set her purse down before leaning against the counter for support. Her hands were shaking, and she seemed to be struggling with her words, like she wasn’t sure how to start.I stood up and approached her cautiously. "Zazu, you are scaring me. What happened in the meetin
Owen P.O.V.The room was packed with family, business associates, and media. Every detail had been meticulously planned, from the champagne fountains to the sparkling chandeliers hanging overhead. It was the kind of glamorous event that only the Brown family could pull off—everything shining, everything perfect. Except for the fact that this wasn’t just a party. It was my last stand.If I did not pull off this fake engagement tonight, Daniel would have everything he ever wanted: my company, my legacy. The board of directors had been leaning toward ousting me, spurred on by rumours of my bachelor lifestyle and Daniel’s relentless whispers in their ears. The fact that he was my cousin only made it worse. Growing up, my mother took him in after his mother died and his father walked out. She raised him like he was her own, and yet, Daniel always viewed me as competition.I could not let him take everything from me. Not after how hard I had worked to build the Brown Group. This engagement
Casey P.O.V. The crisp January air brushed against my face as Zazu and I stepped out of the cab in front of the L.A. Stadium. The towering lights of the arena glimmered in the evening sky, and the hum of excitement from the crowd around us buzzed in my ears. I glanced down at my jersey-style top, a shade of blue and white to match the Los Angeles Rams team, and felt a rare sense of anticipation. Zazu adjusted her own jersey, grinning ear to ear as we approached the gates. “Can you believe Mark just handed me these tickets?” Zazu said, practically skipping beside me. “Poor guy. Bet he’s regretting his work emergency right about now.” “Well, his loss is our gain,” I said, laughing as we handed our tickets to the attendant. Once inside, we grabbed a large bucket of buttery popcorn, its warm aroma wafting through the air, and made our way to our seats. The stadium was electric, the roar of the crowd rising as the players from both teams jogged onto the field. I had not been to a footb
Owen P.O.V The Lawyer’s Appointment The hours dragged until it was finally time to meet the lawyer. I arrived early, the sterile waiting room doing little to calm my nerves. The lawyer greeted me with his usual professional demeanor, but his words barely registered. My mind was elsewhere, consumed by the thought of Casey walking through that door and what it would mean for us once the papers were signed. I did not have to wait long. Casey arrived exactly on time, as she always did. She stepped into the room with her usual grace, but there was a tension in her shoulders that was not usually there. Our eyes met briefly before she turned to the lawyer, giving him a polite smile. She was cordial, professional, keeping everything on the surface. I hated it. We sat across from each other at the conference table as the lawyer went over the details, explaining the final steps. My eyes flicked to Casey now and then, but her gaze stayed firmly on the paperwork. “Say something.” The voi
Owen P.O.V The sound of my apartment door clicking shut behind me barely registered as I stepped outside. The morning air was crisp, and the city was already alive with its usual bustle. But it was not the noise or the brisk weather that caught my attention. It was Casey who caught my attention. She was standing a few feet away, next to her car, her arms crossed and her expression frustrated. Her car was off, yet she was not getting inside it. Instead, she was glancing down the road, occasionally stepping forward to flag a passing cab. Each one sped past her, leaving her standing there, tapping her foot on the pavement impatiently. I frowned. What was she doing here, looking for a cab, when her car was right there? Is her car not working? As I watched her wave her hand at yet another cab that did not stop, my new car pulled up. My driver stepped out of the vehicle, holding two Starbucks coffee cups in one hand. The steam rising from the lids told me they were fresh. “Morning, si
Owen P.O.VThe kitchen had always been my sanctuary, a place where chaos transformed into order, where raw ingredients became something greater. Tonight, I hoped it could also be a bridge, a way to reach Casey. She had seen Eva’s public apology, and while it had cleared my name, it had not been enough to erase the hurt I had caused. I wanted to prove to her that my words were not hollow promises, that I truly meant every syllable when I said I’d do whatever it took to earn back her trust.I rolled up my sleeves and surveyed the ingredients laid out on the counter. Casey loved Italian food, especially a good homemade ravioli. I remembered her mentioning it once during one of our passing times. It had been a casual comment, something about how her grandmother, her mother's mother used to make it for special occasions. Back then, I had tucked the information away, never knowing I would use that gun for my benefit ever . But now, it felt like the perfect way to show her I was paying atten
Owen P.O.VShe did not say anything at first, her hand still absently scratching behind Google’s ears. The silence stretched between us, and I felt the weight of her guarded stare. It was as though she was trying to decide whether I was worth her time or effort but I could not let her go on thinking the worst of me without knowing the truth. She deserved an explanation. No more assumptions, no more misunderstandings. It was now or never.“Casey,” I said softly, leaning forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “Please. Just give me a chance to explain what really happened that night. I know what you saw, and I know it hurt you. But it was not what you think.”Her hand froze mid-motion on Google’s head, and she turned to look at me, her eyes narrowed. “What’s left to explain, Owen? I saw her in your apartment. I saw her kiss you.”I exhaled, my shoulders sagging under the weight of everything unsaid. “You saw part of it, but not all of it. I never kissed her.”She crossed her arms, leani
Owen P.O.VThe silence in my apartment was deafening. Google lay at my feet, his tail wagging occasionally as if he sensed my distress. I stared at the ceiling, my mind racing. Casey would not answer my calls, and her door had been firmly slammed shut by Zazu. I had no one to blame but myself.How could I have been so blind to let Eva in? I should have sent her packing the moment I saw her at the door. Instead, I gave her the benefit of the doubt. Now, Casey thought I had betrayed her.The thought of Casey’s hurt expression the way she sat with her face in her hands made my chest ache. I could not let this stand. She deserved an explanation, but I knew words alone would not fix this. Actions had to speak louder.I needed to fix this.Google barked softly, pulling me out of my thoughts. I scratched his head absently, an idea forming in my mind. “Alright, buddy. Let’s start with Eva,” I muttered.Next Day…..The next morning, I stood outside Eva’s office. It took a few calls and some ch
Owen POV I pulled on a navy sweater, smoothing the fabric as I glanced at myself in the mirror. It was casual, warm, but still decent enough to make an impression. Casey would appreciate it or so I hoped. She had a way of throwing me off balance with her sassy words and even sassy looks, but tonight, I wanted her to see a different side of me. It was not often I put thought into things like this. Dates used to be effortless,another night, another woman, no strings attached. But this was Casey I am doing all these for. And somehow, with her, everything felt different. The sound of the doorbell interrupted my thoughts. My chest tightened, and a grin spread across my face. She was here. Right on time. I headed for the door, my steps quick, excitement bubbling in my chest. When I opened it, my smile froze in place before vanishing completely. It was not Casey who stood outside. Eva was. My jaw tightened as I took in the sight of the woman standing on my doorstep, perfectly polished
Casey P.O.VGetting ready for a date with Owen felt like being stuck in a mystery novel where you already knew the twist would irritate you. The man refused to give me any clue about where we were going, just a vague instruction to “dress casually” and “wear warm clothes.” Honestly, what did that even mean?“I hate surprises,” I grumbled, glaring at the sweater I had thrown onto the bed.Zazu, sitting cross-legged on the floor, let out a dramatic sigh. “You’ve said that about a hundred times now, Casey. Relax, it’s a date, not a covert mission.”I shot her a look. “If I wanted a surprise, I’d order a mystery box online. Dates are supposed to have details, Zazu—details! So I can plan my outfit and prepare mentally.”“Mentally? You’re going on a date, not to war.” She chuckled, standing to inspect the sweater. “And for the record, this is perfect. Warm, casual, and adorable. Plus, he probably wants to see you comfortable, not freezing to death in a cocktail dress.”I groaned. “Fine, but
Casey’s P.O.V The buzz of the gala preparations was a strange mix of chaos and excitement. The event was just a day away, and while the fallout from Rachel’s actions had initially shaken me, it had also ignited a determination in me that I hadn’t felt before. This was my chance to prove myself, to show Mr. Davenport and the supervisors that I could excel even under pressure. After the meeting yesterday, Rachel had stormed out of the office, leaving behind a trail of venomous glares and whispered threats. While her behavior had been exposed to some extent, I could not shake the feeling that she was not done with me. But I did not have the time or the energy to dwell on that. I had a gala to prepare. The morning was a flurry of last minute vendor calls and double-checking every detail. The floral arrangements, the seating chart, the lighting , everything has to fit perfectly in these puzzle. I had Karen helping me coordinate with the caterers, and even some of the supervisors had