Chapter 1

Chapter One

POV: Kelly Flores

I knew I had made a terrible mistake by agreeing to follow Jace to this party. I would rather get run over by a bus and spend weeks bedridden in a friggin hospital than make the same mistake of accepting her invitation if I had a second chance.

I cursed under my breath. This was not how I imagined my first anniversary with Jack.

It was already a great disappointment when he said his going on a trip and will be back on the evening of our anniversary, but he promised to call when he get back which he hasn't done.

Instinctively, I checked my phone once again for missed calls or notifications but there were none. It was so like him to zone out just when he's needed. I willed his call to come through with my mind but I guess my psychic energy ends in my imagination.

I looked around in an attempt to find Jace among the crowd but all I saw were strange faces; mostly cute guys just like the one who had stolen my friend. Jace could never ignore a cute guy even if he was to walk up to her holding a bloody axe in one hand and a severed head in the other.

Sitting here alone staring at people while they have a good time was my way of escaping the harsh reality of my work. Being the CEO of the biggest fashion brand in Barcelona and one of the biggest fashion brands in the country wasn't a sunny affair. There were times I signed so much paper in a day it would make my clothes smell like fresh ink.

I had to admit I liked how the party was different from the usual noisy piece of shit gathering most people preferred. The ambiance in the room was bliss. Take the crowd out of the equation and you'd have nirvana.

"Hi. You zoned out there for a minute."

I jerked to awareness and saw a guy sitting in the vacant seat opposite. He had a stupid smirk on his face that made me hate him at once.

I know, I know. Hate is such a strong word but that was how I felt as I watched his stupidly handsome face brighten up from the smirk. He was one cocky bastard alright.

"Excuse me?" I said forcing a half smile. It must have come out crooked or worse, as a grimace.

He rested against the chair in a relaxed way almost as if he owned the damned place.

"You looked like you were lost in thought for a minute so I thought I'd come to rescue you." He said with a shocking amount of confidence.

I rolled my eyes at him; a completely involuntary response to his lame-ass line. If I had a magic wand, I would wave it in his face and transform him into a frog.

"I know I must sound cliche." He grinned.

I had to give him some points for being aware of how stupid he sounded. He wasn't a total lost cause.

I dismissed him completely as I redirected my attention back to my phone. Still no calls; fuck!

"I'm Pierce." He said tilting his head to one side. His short blonde hair moved over one eye and I noticed his green eyes and their allure. "I'm your waiter for the night." He added with a bow and that was when I noticed the uniform.

I tried not to look him directly in the face but it seemed like an impossible thing to do. There was just something about his eyes that caught me off guard.

"This is the part where you tell me your name." He whispered putting his hand to his mouth to muffle the words.

I blinked, "Uhm, I'm K- Kelly."

I felt hot blood rush to my face. Why the fuck did I stutter? He must have noticed my reaction which would further boost his already massive ego.

"Kelly. Why do I get the feeling you're not the average girl?" He squinted at me more like a doctor observing some fresh set of kidneys.

I was more than the average girl and that was evident if he had any sense. My wine-colored velvet Reiss' midi dress had the power to drop jaws effortlessly. It went perfectly with my Carrie K Baroque Akoya pearl necklace.

"Wait." His eyes lit up. I was caught in the crossfire of their mesmerizing effect. "Is that a Bulgari?" He asked reaching for my watch.

His hand made contact with mine for some seconds then I withdrew from his touch.

"Yeah. It's Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas." I said casually.

He blew a whistle. "Those things cost a fortune."

I nodded. If $18,000 was a fortune to him then I guess it cost a fortune.

"Don't tell me you're an assassin by night, gorgeous innocent beauty by day."

I laughed even though I struggled to hold it in. He was funny; I had to admit.

"I'm the CEO of Kelz Wear. You've probably never heard of it."

He shrieked, "Get out of here. For real?"

I nodded.

"Of course, I know Kelz. My ex-girlfriends idolize your brand. Most of em." He said with a huff.

I sighed. He had managed to ruin the whole conversation with his cocky attitude. I busied myself with my phone pretending as if he had somehow been sucked away from my presence by a vortex.

"I can see you're busy so I'll run off now." He said with a regretful drawl in his voice.

I was grateful. Finally!

"But before I go-" Oh fuck... Just go already.

"Can I get your number?" he asked with a pleading drawl.

I shook my head. "No. No, you can't. I'm in a serious relationship with the man I love." Just as an afterthought I added, "Plus I hate guys like you."

He laughed for a while which made me agitated but I waited for him to have his fill and explain what was so funny before bashing his skull in.

His laughter faded and he opened his eyes to meet my serious gaze.

"Sorry about that. I just think it's fucked up how you just judged me when you don't know a thing about me. It hurts but I choose to look at the funny side of it."

His words put out the anger burning inside of me. I knew he was right and I had judged him without cause to do so. My gaze fluttered and for the first time since he sat there, I softened.

"I'm sorry Pierce," I said keeping my head low.

It was bad enough that I had to apologize. Letting him see the guilt on my face was something I wasn't willing to do.

"On one condition." He said.

I looked up in confusion. "Huh?"

"I'll accept your apology on one condition." He said with a smirk. The annoying smirk I hated.

I sighed and then urged him to tell me what his condition was.

"If you're single by the next time we meet then you have to give me your number. Deal?"

I almost burst out in a maniacal laugh. He needed brain surgery done if he actually believed the crap he had just said. There was no way my relationship with Jack was going to end anytime soon and as for a second meeting, that was unlikely. Possible but unlikely as fuck.

Sure that his deal was faulty in every way, I smiled and then said, "Sure. Deal."