•1•The Lie

Skylar's POV

I love sex.

Yes, you heard that right. I fucking love sex. I think it's the most blissful activity for mankind. I mean, why watch N*****x when you could be fucking? Why read novels when you can be fucking?

If I could, then I would have sex all the freaking time.

Looking up at the signboard on top of the door of the nightclub, a thrill goes through me as I look at the club name; City of Sin Club.

Ay, I'm excited already.

The inside of the nightclub is dimly lit, with people of all ages, sexes, and sexualities dancing or groping each other.

So what if I came to LA with Luca Knight, my boss, to do business? That doesn't mean I can't have fun and have a taste of the men in LA.

I never go without sex for more than a week, but I also never sleep with the same man twice.

Some people think I'm a slut but I don't give a fuck what they think about me. I'm happy the way I am.

I have no time for relationships. All that is guaranteed in a relationship is heartbreak. And I've sworn to never let another man break my heart again.

Just as I'm approaching the bar counter, I realize that a guy is watching me. His gaze is seductive so I know exactly what he has in mind.

Licking my lips, I walk seductively in his direction. “Hey. Do you wanna fuck?”

*************

Luca's POV

I step under the warm shower spray, loving the feel of the warm water beating down his body. After a while, I turn off the shower and dry off.

Stepping into my hotel room, I've just discarded the towel around my waist when my phone rings. I walk over to the bed and pick it up.

Looking at the screen, a smile stretches my lips when I see the caller. "Hey, Sweetie."

“Don't you dare 'Sweetie' me!” The mature feminine voice bellows from the other end. The smile disappears from my face.

“Mum, is something wrong?" I look at my phone screen to see whether I read the name right.

“You're in LA and didn't bother to tell me. I can't believe this!” Her voice rings accusingly.

I bite back a groan. Ugh. The main reason why I came to LA was for a family reunion which was coming on the day after tomorrow. In the meantime, I was hoping to get some business done.

That's why I booked a hotel to stay there for a while.

“Mum, I...”

“You can't lie to me, Luca. Alfred has seen you.”

“Mum, I only arrived last night.”

That's a lie too. My mum just can't know that I've been in LA for three days.

“Oh... That isn't excuse enough. I should've been informed. Why aren't you yet home? Where are you? When will you be coming home?”

“I'm taking care of some business, mum, but I promise to be home on Friday.”

“Fine, but I have something else to tell you.” My mum reveals.

Nope, I don't like this. I don't like the mischievous tone she's using.

"You remember Dotty, the daughter of Mr...."

I groan in frustration before she can even finish her sentence. This woman is impossible. Shoving my hand into my hair, I walk towards the window.

"Really, mum? We've had this conversation a gazillion times.”

"Luca Knight, you're thirty. You won't be thirty forever. You have to settle down. Your dad was 27 when he married me.”

I can practically see the frustration on her face even though she's not in front of me, and it makes me both annoyed and amused.

"As you said, mum, I'm Thirty. Thirty, not sixteen. I can decide when to settle down and with whom."

I sigh. How many times does she want me to tell her the same thing?

A loud sigh comes from the phone. "I just wanna help son. Maybe you're finding it hard to choose.” She says sweetly. "Just this once, please. I promise to understand if you go out with her and you don't like her.”

I snort. As if I haven't heard those words before. My mother has tried to set me up with women of her choice three times. Those blind dates never worked out.

"Mum, I can't go out with Dotty," I say firmly. I say my next words before I even have time to think. "I have a girlfriend."

My mum goes silent for a second. Just seconds before she's blowing my eardrums with her excited screech.

"Oh my God? You're for real, right?

"Of course, mum. Uh, I . . . even brought her along. I'm even going to bring her to the reunion. I wanted it to be a surprise but you ruined it"

Fuck, fuck fuck. What the fuck am I doing? Why am I lying some more?

"Oh God, such a pleasant surprise.!" My mother squeals excitedly. "You can't believe how happy you've made me tonight. So who's she? How's she? Is she pretty? What a silly question that is. She's definitely gorgeous."

"Calm down, mum. I'll bring her soon.”

Damn, why is this woman so stubborn? I've never told her that I'm miserable or anything so why is she so insistent on me settling down? Now, look at the lies she's made me tell.

"You are right, honey. . . . . Yes, honey. I'm coming!... You won't believe what Luca is telling me... " My mum shouts, causing me to pull the phone away from my ear. "Luca, your father is calling for me. Ay, I can't wait to tell him the good news. I'm so happy!”

"Alright, mum. See you."

Right after hanging up, I realize how much I've messed up. I'm in deep shit. What the hell was I thinking lying to my mum like that? I don't even have a girlfriend!

Okay, let's see. Maybe I can go alone and lie to my mum that something came so I couldn't bring my 'girlfriend’. No, that won't work.

Knowing my mum, she can even come back with me to New York just to meet my 'girlfriend'.

There's no way my mum is going to back down trying to find me a woman if I don't act fast.

That means I have to make her believe I have a girlfriend. I have to find someone to pretend to be my girlfriend at the family reunion.

But who?