Chapter 1

I lifted the champagne flute to my lips and took a sip on it as I held my gazes to the grinning eligible man approaching my way. His hair neatly combed backward and nicely waxed. His suit was immaculately clean and straight while his shoes were blinding everyone who would look down on it. 

Lorenzo Gomez.

The topnotch business magnate who runs the Gomez Empire. Named as the most elusive bachelor in town. The person who makes and breaks anyone at the same time. The man of the hour. Everyone believed he had everything. And that included me. 

“Gorgeous as always,” he complimented as he leaned in for a peck on my lips. 

His grin didn't falter as he pulled away and sweetly greeted all the people hoarding around me. “What did I miss here?” he asked politely as his hand slowly snaked its way around my waist. 

I stayed still. Partly, because I was not in the mood to do a roleplay. While everyone around us seemed to be in a daze watching us, as if we were the stars from a blockbuster sappy movie, they couldn't believe they met at this party. I ignored it and just kept thinking how extremely bored I already was. Unfortunately, I couldn't just leave, knowing that my adoptive father won't let me live in peace if I ever ditch. Well, without valid reasons at least.

“When are we getting the invitations from your wedding? Or an engagement party perhaps?” Mrs. Smith squinting her eyes on my hands. 

The corner of my lips lifted a bit as I gladly showed her my empty ring finger, while I lifted my flute to her, “No plans,” I chirped. 

I felt a soft lips pressed on the side of my head and the ‘perfect man’ chuckled beside me but never denied my statement either.

“You're both accomplished and at the right age to settle down. Too in love with each other as well, if I may say. That's why I don't understand what's taking you so long,” one head shook while looking at us quizzically. 

My answer was nothing though. I mean nothing, as in we have no plans to be tied up together at all. Having us vowing each other for better or worse till death do us part will be a freaking suicide, and I am not a suicidal. Figures. 

The oldies then continued talking about our future, and my gazes caught a familiar move that my ‘boyfriend’ thought he's the only one who knew what it meant. And as if on cue, I heard him excuse himself after giving me another peck on my lips, then hastily strode to his circle of friends that I was not fond of.  

I was watching him the whole time as the scene unfold in front of my naked eyes. I bet no one saw it but me. 

Lorenzo Gomez, my elusive bachelor of a boyfriend, sneakily kissed a woman on the lips who was not me. I smirked. 

If people would've learned about it, they would certainly call me a martyr or a masochist for letting it happen, and worse watching it even. But they would get it wrong. Because neither am I any of the two. That scene was never new to me anymore. I could even write a book with the long list of women he banged and kissed with that never brought a single tear in my eye. 

Yes, he's that guy. The perfect Lorenzo Gomez. 

What people believed in was true though. He's everything a man and a woman ever wanted. I mean, everything without the exception of being a manwhore. All the ladies in the vicinity were craving for him. Like a prey, all their hungry eyes were focused on him as they were all waiting for the opportunity to attack him. While that man will gladly welcome them with open arms, all at once. 

It should concern me, but fortunately, it didn't. Because not everything about him that people believed in was true. Lorenzo may have everything in his hands like wealth, power, and all the good and bad traits a man can have, but not me, contrary to their beliefs. 

I sipped again on my champagne while our eyes met. Amusement was evident on his face as he watched me watching him, discreetly licking the ‘unknown’ woman's earlobe. 

I rolled my eyes. 

It's too gross, seriously. 

He could've done better than that. 

I don't want to look damsel in distress if ever he decided to make a sandal out of himself. If it turns out that the ‘perfect guy’ was cheating on me, people will pity me and I will certainly hate it. 

Shaking my head, I lifted my champagne flute to him before I diverted my eyes in different directions. Automatically, my lips curved upward at the sight of a very handsome guy who was slowly approaching me. And my boredom instantly gone for I have now my apple of the eye.   

“I told you I can make it,” Daniel grinned boyishly. 

His chocolate orbs danced as he looked at me. His lashes batted, and his brows moved up and down while playfully sending secret messages only I could understand. I wanted to kiss him, but unfortunately, I couldn't. 

I am no different to Lorenzo because just like him, I played behind the scenes. But what sets us apart was, I'm more discreet when it comes to ‘cheating’. 

“Didn't know you're invited,” my head snapped at my side when I felt Lorenzo suddenly appeared there and protectively slid his hand around my waist. 

“Nice to see you again, too, Lorenzo,” Daniel smirked mischievously.

“Why don't you leave?” Lorenzo snarled, not bothering to hide his distaste towards my man.

I didn't like his rudeness so my eyebrow raised at him, “He's my guest,” I interfered. 

“I don't like him. Send him out before I do something you wouldn't like,” he retorted without looking at me then quickly left.  

But before he could step away, I held him by the wrist and curiously queried, “What will you do?” 

One of the things I hated about him was his menacing smile. Because when he does it, I know he meant to mock whoever receives it . And right now, its on me, “Gonna tell your Dad that I'm fucking ready to tie you on with me.. Pronto,” he answered with a firm voice. 

My eyes narrowed, not expecting that kind of threat --if that could even be considered a threat.

“Why would you go to such an extent, when we both know how much you wanted to keep your bachelor status? That makes no sense” I prompted. 

Gently, he distangled my grip from his wrist and darted his dark gaze to Daniel, “Send him out, Brianna,” he responded instead.

I sighed. 

It's quite irritating how his ego was as big as the world, that his reasoning sometimes didn't really make any sense. I don't understand the loath he had for Daniel, nor the connection of his hate for him to marrying me. But then, I shrugged it off immediately because I didn't care what he was thinking at all.  

Shaking my head, I looked at Daniel and slightly nodded. “We'll leave then,” I announced and headed to the door first without waiting for Lorenzo's response. 

I didn't have to look over my shoulder if Daniel followed me. I know he will for I am the only reason why he flew miles away just to attend my adoptive father's event. And I don't need to be worried for him to not let me live in peace for I am certain Lorenzo will make an excuse for my disappearance. That's what made him the best boyfriend. 

My chauffeur was already on stand by and I quickly hopped inside the car. “Studio A,” I muttered. 

It's my penthouse that I secretly bought after I successfully closed my first ever deal as an executive. My second baby. A great hideout. And I actually bought it for Daniel, for us to meet secretly there, away from the prying eyes of everyone else. 

My lips curved upward lopsidedly when the car finally halted at the basement. Muttering thank you to my chauffeur, I emerged from the car and walked straight to the private elevator of my penthouse. 

I had just settled on the coach when Daniel appeared and wrapped his arms around me. No words were said, he claimed my lips as he locked the door behind him. 

“I miss you,” he mumbled in between our hot kisses. 

We sucked each other's breath until we ran out of it. That's when we parted and stared into each other's eyes. I missed him, too. However, before I could open my mouth to say it out loud, my telephone rang loudly which got us quite startled. 

“This is the first time someone interrupted us,” Daniel commented. 

My brows furrowed as I pulled away from him and answered the unexpected call. No one knew this line, except from the reception area and my chauffeur. And I remember how I firmly ordered them not to call except for emergencies.

“Yes?” I answered.

“Briana”

The crease on my forehead pronounced upon recognizing the voice. There's no need to hear more lines for just one single word --which was my name-- I already knew who it was.  

“What do you need, Lorenzo?” I asked sternly.