Chapter 1

Daniel Stern was so much more than the stereotypical tall, dark and handsome. Every time he walked into a room, jaws would drop, women would be fighting to get his attention and even some of the men. His whole being was perfection, the perfect chiselled jaw, the dazzling blue eyes, the shortish messy brown hair. He was mesmerising and he knew it, being heir to a billion-pound legacy did that to a guy. As he sat at his huge mahogany desk in his soft, black leather chair, he couldn't help but let his mind travel back to the beautiful woman he once loved the joy she would bring him and the despair she has left him in. The way she would lay there asleep, so peaceful and so pure. As he let his mind wander through the past like he had done so many times before, he grew weaker and weaker the stabbing pain of heartbreak re-lived all over again and he recalled his last memories of her.

The knocking on his office door brought him back from his painful reverie. Katherine entered with a knowing smirk on her perfectly manicured face, as Daniel looked at her, he couldn't help but feel disgusted. Katherine was Daniel's secretary and the occasional booty call. She was bleach blonde, her facial features were perfect yet lacked any character, she had dull grey eyes, with make-up that was always perfect yet it was more than she needed. Katherine was a very, well-dressed women usually choosing a tight pencil dress to show off her paid for curves, Daniel had regretted employing her since the first time he saw her, but as he kept reminding himself she was great at the job and his father had chosen her so there was no chance of getting rid of her.

"Mr Stern, you have a Miss Charlotte O'Neill to see you, shall I let her in?"

Daniel stopped breathing, his heart began to thump so hard he thought it would rip right out of his chest, a bead of sweat began to form on his forehead, he had no idea what to do. "Sir?" Katherine felt a bit uneasy when he didn't reply, she rushed to his side and knelt by his feet, "Danny? Are you OK? You're starting to scare me!" And the sound of those words he remembered where he was, "of course I'm OK! Go let her in for god sake!" Daniel snapped. Katherine blushed at the tone of his voice and hurried away.

She can't have found out, could she? What am I supposed to 

say to her? She's never going to forgive...

Suddenly there came a knock on the door pulling Daniel out of his thoughts, as Charlotte walked in, all he could do was sit there, everything just stopped, his breathing, his heart and for a moment he thought maybe even time. She was exactly how he left her, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, the long brunette hair, the perfect cheekbones, her eyes like the bluest oceans, so vast and mesmerising, her slight hourglass figure, the sexy way her jeans hugged her hips and her cream blouse pulled in at her tiny waist. He was as much in love with her now as he was before. As she walked up to him, he raised his shaking hand to meet hers...

"Hello, it's nice to meet you, I'm Daniel Stern" Daniel said in his most confident voice, trying not to give away that she was doing so much to him just by being there. "Hi, I'm 

"Charlotte O'Neil, I've come to see you about buying a house in the area and I've heard you’re the best at what you do,” 

Charlotte said trying to hold back the butterflies fluttering in her stomach, he was the most handsome man she had ever seen.

After what seemed like hours, Daniel and Charlotte agreed on a house. He had only shown her a couple on the portfolio, but one stood out for them both, more so for him than her. It was Daniels own house, he hadn't been intending to sell it but as it was Charlotte sitting in front of him, he wanted, no needed for her to have it as he had always intended all these years.He knew he should tell her that they had shared countless memories in that big country house but he didn't have the heart and trying to fight the guilt threatening to eat him alive was something he didn't want to handle.

She doesn’t have to find out just yet, does she? She looks so 

happy and I'm not spoiling that!

Daniel thought to himself trying to push away the horrible feelings growing inside him. Once he knew Charlotte was safely out of the building and with an appointment set, he ventured home plugging in his headphones to drown out the voices in his head. He had to clear the house, something he's tried to do for years but, had never been able to.

Charlotte would never forgive you if you don't!

The voice of reason shouted as he pulled up the driveway. He knew the voice was right so, he headed inside silently starting to remove all evidence of the memories he cherished and had now tarnished. Charlotte had arrived a couple of minutes early to her appointment with Mr Stern to view the big country house that stood towering over her. As she looked around through the window of her car on the big open spaces, she loved it. 

A few minutes later Daniel arrived looking as magnificent as the last time she saw him. The butterflies in her stomach were on overdrive and she hoped she wouldn't make a scene trying to get out of her car and better yet remember how to speak. Thankfully, lady luck was on her side today, she climbed out of the car gracefully and manage to get over to Daniel without a hiccup.

Thank God for that!

Charlotte thought, smiling at her small achievement.

"Hello, Miss O'Neill, how are you today?" 

Daniel said almost in a hurry. "I'm good, thank you, I'm already rather impressed with the outside, let's hope the inside is as great too!" Charlotte said, ignoring Daniel's blatant coolness and as much confidence as she could muster.

As Charlotte walked around this vast house, she could feel herself becoming more and more upset, not understanding why, neither could she shake the feeling that she knew this building, the familiarity of it, but the atmosphere felt different and Charlotte couldn't quite put her finger on it, However, the house must be the most beautiful and characteristic building she had ever seen, the hallway with its marbled floors, a centrepiece of freshly cut flowers, Lily's and roses, smaller bouquets placed on a solid oak, handcrafted side table inlaid with such an exquisite array of Japanese artwork and oil paintings hung on the walls of the most wonderful landscapes, as she walked into the lounge she was in awe, the cream sofas with black scatter cushions and one single red one, a grand piano situated in the corner by a lovely, big bay window, with a view that was breath taking, the dainty little ornaments of animals and goddess like women, and in the centre of it all a warm, cosy fire place with a fluffy rug in front of it. Every room was inspiring and although the feeling of upset and uneasiness kept on trying to creep its way in, ignoring the feeling, Charlotte found herself shaking hands with this beautiful man.

"I want this house, where do I sign?"