Chapter 1

As I walked towards Brian's apartment, my heart raced with anticipation. It had been two long months since we had last seen each other, and I couldn't wait to wrap my arms around him and feel his warm embrace. I imagined the sweet kisses we would share and the passionate lovemaking that would follow.

However, as I drew closer, my excitement turned to confusion and then to shock. I heard a woman's voice, moaning in ecstasy, and my heart sank. Was Brian cheating on me? I couldn't believe it. But the sounds coming from inside his apartment were unmistakable.

Driven by a mix of anger and curiosity, I approached the window and peered inside. What I saw made my blood boil. There, on the bed, was a beautiful caramel-skinned woman writhing in pleasure, with my boyfriend on top of her, lost in the throes of passion.

As he explored the depths of her vagina with his tongue, every movement felt like a symphony in his mouth. She was his instrument to play, and he was the master musician who knew exactly how to draw out the most exquisite sounds from a woman. With each flick of his tongue, she let out a shattering moan that sent a jolt of pleasure through him.

He savored the way she responded to his touch, how her body quaked with pleasure when he hit just the right spot. He could feel her urgency grow as she grabbed his penis, and sucked him so hard, that he kept moaning, deeper. And so, he slipped a finger inside her, curling it expertly to reach that sweet spot that would take her to new heights of ecstasy.

Her moans grew louder and more intense, one long, high-pitched orgasm after another, as he continued to explore her with his skilled touch. As he gradually came to a halt, his eyes lifted and fixed on the window. To his surprise and dismay, he caught a glimpse of me standing there, tears streaming down my face as I gazed upon the scene unfolding before me. They were tangled up in each other, their bodies moving in a primal rhythm as I looked on in a mixture of fury and despair. The sight of them together was a sharp, painful reminder of the betrayal that had taken place, and the weight of my heartbreak threatened to consume me.

How could he do this to me? All the plans we had made, all the promises he had made me... they were all lies. At that moment, I knew that our relationship was over. I turned away from the window, tears streaming down my face, and walked away, vowing to never look back.

As I made my way down the hallway, I heard his footsteps hurrying after me.

"Cassandra ! Cassandra !  Please wait, wait please, " he called out, desperation evident in his voice. "Let me explain."

I turned around to face him, my arms crossed over my chest. "Explain what?" I said. "That you cheated on me?"

Brian's face fell, and he started stammering. "It didn't mean anything," he said. "It was just sex. I love you, and you alone."

I felt my blood boil. "How dare you?" I exclaimed, my hand flying out to give him a hard slap across the face. "You have the nerve to cheat on me and then act like it's nothing?"

Brian tried to say something, but at that moment, the woman he had been with emerged from his apartment. "Who's this?" she asked, eyeing me suspiciously.

Brian looked like he had been caught in the act. "She's just a friend," he said, his voice barely audible.

But the woman wasn't buying it. "We're partners in the UK," she said, turning to me. "We just came back from there."

I felt a cold wave of realization wash over me. I had been foolishly believing in Brian's lies this whole time. The anger inside me boiled over, and I gave him another hard slap across the face.

"You lying bastard," I spat out. "Get away from me."

Brian tried to follow me, but I pushed him away. Tears streamed down my face as I made my way out of the building, vowing never to see him again.

****

As I walked along the bustling city streets, my mind was in turmoil. I felt as if my world had shattered and come crashing down around me. My heart was heavy, and my thoughts were consumed by the painful memory of what had happened earlier. Brian had broken my heart and left me feeling lost and alone.

I couldn't shake the feeling that I had done something wrong to deserve such a heartbreak. The tears flowed freely down my cheeks as I struggled to make sense of it all. My heart was in agony, and I felt as if I couldn't go on.

Suddenly, I found myself standing in the middle of the road, lost in my thoughts.I didn't realize I had unconsciously wandered into the middle of the road. Suddenly, the blaring of car horns jolted me back to reality, and I realized the dangerous predicament I had put myself in.

As I scrambled to get out of the way, a tall and handsome man emerged from one of the cars, his eyes blazing with anger and fury. I could feel my heart racing as he approached me, and for a moment, I was afraid he was going to hit me for blocking his way.

He was everything a woman could dream of, with his muscular physique and chiseled features. But his initial reaction was far from charming. He yelled at me, demanding that I get out of the road.

I was taken aback by his words, but more so by the contrast of his handsome appearance and his cruel demeanor. The encounter left me feeling scared and shaken, and I quickly scurried away from him.

As I walked away, tears of heartbreak still streaming down my face, I couldn't help but wonder how someone so charming on the outside could be so different on the inside.

****

As I sat on the bench in the park, my spirits sank. I watched with a heavy heart as little kids ran around with their mothers chasing after them, their carefree laughter echoing in the air. I longed to experience that kind of unencumbered joy, but my own worries weighed me down. I reluctantly checked my inbox on my phone, bracing myself for the message I had been dreading:

"Ms. Levine,

As previously discussed, your mother's medication supply is running low and it is crucial that it be replenished. Please make the necessary arrangements as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Head Nurse"

I read the message again, contemplating the urge to simply delete it and pretend I hadn't seen it. "But how can I ignore their calls?" a nagging voice in my head reminded me.

Feeling disheartened, I looked around and caught a pair of mesmerizing blue eyes. They seemed to reflect the same turmoil I was feeling. It was the same man I had encountered earlier, with a face that could only be described as strikingly handsome. I know it sounds cliché, but he truly was one of the most gorgeous men I had ever laid eyes on. Scratch that! He was the most gorgeous man I had ever seen. His soft brown hair danced in the breeze, and he looked at me with a slightly annoyed expression. Embarrassed, I quickly averted my gaze, realizing that my staring must have made him uncomfortable. My face flushed, and I looked away, hoping to compose myself.

Just as I was lost in my thoughts, my phone broke the silence with a sudden ring. Startled, I checked the caller ID and saw that it was the nurse from the healthcare facility where my mother was staying. With a deep breath, I answered the call, steeling myself for what I was about to hear.

"Hello?" I said hesitantly, bracing for the matron's stern voice on the other end.

"Ms. Levine, thank goodness you picked up! We were getting worried," Mrs. Hansley exclaimed, sounding relieved.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Hansley," I replied, feeling guilty. "I didn't know what to say. I'm still struggling to find a job and I don't have the funds yet."

As I spoke, I noticed a handsome guy nearby who seemed to be eavesdropping on my conversation. I shot him an annoyed look and lowered my voice.

"We understand, Ms. Levine," Mrs. Hansley's tone softened. "But my dear, I'm truly powerless. I wish there was more I could do to help you."

Despite my predicament, a smile crept onto my face as I thought about how many times the kind matron had come to my aid before. "Thank you, Mrs. Hansley," I said gratefully. "I promise I'll come and make the payments as soon as I can."

After hanging up the phone, tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. I hastily wiped them away, took a deep breath, and resolved to soldier on through this tough time.

As I turned, my heart skipped a beat as I saw him standing there. The man with mesmerizing blue eyes, who was incredibly attractive, was right in front of me. I must have looked like a mess with my tear-streaked face, but I couldn't help but stare at him, captivated by his presence.

He noticed my distress and asked with genuine concern, "Are you alright?" I continued to stare, momentarily lost in the moment. He cleared his throat, bringing me back to reality, and I nodded in response.

"Yes, I'm fine. All good." I stammered, feeling foolish for being caught off guard by his proximity.

His cologne enveloped me, a heady mix of rich, spicy, and woody scents that overwhelmed my senses. "Well, hi! My name is Jasper," he introduced himself, extending his hand for a greeting.

I shook his hand and replied, "Cassandra Levine."

Jasper's beautiful eyes locked onto mine as he asked, "Do you live here?"

I rolled my eyes at my own blunder and blurted out, "No way! I mean, I could never afford to live here." Regret washed over me immediately. Who says that? I scolded myself mentally.

Jasper, however, didn't seem to mind. He simply continued the conversation, undeterred by my awkward comment. I felt my face flush with embarrassment, wishing I could disappear into thin air.

As I sat silently, my thoughts were preoccupied with the pressing need for a job. After quitting my job as a café waitress due to the unacceptable behavior of my manager, who had been sexually harassing me and my colleague, I found myself in a challenging situation. His unwarranted touches, cleverly disguised as accidents, had made it impossible for me to continue working there.

Despite the fact that I had just graduated, it was difficult to balance my studies, work, and caring for my sick mother. Supporting her medication expenses and taking care of myself was a daunting task.

Jasper's interruption pulled me out of my reverie. "I couldn't help overhearing that you need a job," he said.

I was taken aback and looked at him with disdain. How dare he eavesdrop on my conversation and intrude on my personal affairs? I was about to speak up when he continued, "I believe I have the perfect job for you."

As a group of children ran past us, playing and laughing with a dog, I realized we were sitting on a park bench, and I was talking to a stranger. I wondered if he was one of those shady characters who preyed on vulnerable women in the park. What if he had ulterior motives, such as recording indecent videos of me? I needed to be cautious, but against my better judgment, I asked, "What kind of job if I may ask?"

As I gazed into his eyes, I could see hesitance flickering across his face. But this conversation only fueled my fears, intensifying them instead of calming them. It seemed as though he was trying to manipulate me into something reckless, and my gut instinct told me to be wary. As he paused, gathering his thoughts, my mind raced with negative scenarios. Was he going to ask me to do something illegal? The mere thought of delivering drugs or participating in a robbery made me feel sick to my stomach. I found myself scrutinizing his appearance, from his designer Calvin Klein T-shirt to his Timberland shoes, wondering if his luxurious lifestyle was obtained through nefarious means.

Then, unexpectedly, he dropped a bombshell: "I would like you to come live with me."

My hand reacted before my mind could catch up, and I slapped him across the face. He had no right to suggest something so audacious? I immediately voiced my indignation, making it clear that his wealth and status meant nothing to me if it meant compromising my morals. I didn't care if people were staring at us; I refused to be coerced into prostitution or any other immoral activity.

Jasper, seemingly composed, shot back, "Get your mind out of the gutter! Who said anything about sleeping with me? Seriously? I have plenty of options, and I don't need to pay for anyone, thank you very much!"

I was caught off guard by his retort and felt a twinge of offense. I asked, "Well, then what is it that you want from me?" My emotions were in turmoil, and I wasn't sure if I was relieved or hurt by his words. Nevertheless, I couldn't help but be curious about what he had planned for me.