Chapter 7

Naomi’s POV

I turned sharply,my heart racing.

And there he was.

Raymond Montego.

The man who had just changed my fate.

He leaned casually against the doorframe,his piercing gaze meeting mine. He was tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a fitted black shirt with the top buttons open, and carried an aura of effortless domiminance. He looked every bit the man who wields power–and now, over my life.

I swallowed , forcing my voice to remain in composure.” I didn't expect you to be here.”

A smirk spread across the corner of his lips.”And yet, here I am.” The air between us grew heavier as he stepped into the room.“ I assume you read through the contract?”

Glancing at the untouched papers in my hands. “Not entirely.” 

He chuckled. “Then let me make things clear, Mrs. Raymond. This arrangement is purely business. You get to play the devoted wife in public, and in return, You get my protection and access to the Montego name.”

With crossed arms. “And what do you get?”

His expression darkened slightly. “I have my reasons, Reasons you don't need to bother yourself with.”

I clenched my fists at his provocative arrogance “You expect me to trust you blindly?”

He moved closer, his presence suffocating. “You agreed to this Erica? Or are you already getting second thoughts?”

I held my ground. “No. I just like to know what I'm getting myself into.”

He looked at me for a while before breathing out sharply. “Fine. Consider this a temporary partnership. To the public we are a perfect couple and in private, we stay out of each other's way.”

I slowly nodded, though uneasiness battled within me. “For how long?”

He gave a slight smirk. “Until I get what I want.”

That was not the answer I expected, but I didn't push further.

“Dinner is at seven. Wear something appropriate.”he said before leaving the room.

And again, I was left all by myself.

Later That Evening

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the deep emerald nightwear Samantha had picked out for me. It gave me a perfect look while hugging my figure,the silky fabric feeling almost foreign against my skin.

I stared at my reflection, barely unable to recognize the woman in front of me.

Five years ago, I was naive. Too trusting. Too foolish.

But Naomi was gone.

I was here for a purpose. That I must accomplish. And nothing, anyone would do to distract me.

I took a deep breath and made my way downstairs.

The dining room was large ,a long mahogany table set with delicate china and shining silverware.

Raymond was already seated, gulping a glass of red wine. His eyes went over me, with an unreadable expression.

“You clean up well.”

I ignored his remark and took my seat.

The meal was exquisite—roast lamb, buttered asparagus, a side of truffle potatoes. Yet I barely had a taste of any.

My mind was elsewhere.

I needed information. About Raymond. About Alexander. About everything.

“So ,” I said, twirling my wine glass. “Tell me, Raymond. Why did you choose me among others for this arrangement? You could have picked any woman in your class.”

He took his time answering, twirling the wine in his glass. “And why did you accept?”

I smirked. “Because I needed a job.” I lied.

He nodded slowly. “Then let's say our goals align.”

I narrowed my eyes. “That's vague.”

He leaned in slightly, his voice almost a whisper. “And yet, that's all you need to know.”

A game. Is that what all this is really about?

Well, I could play along too.

The rest of the dinner was in tense silence with a word from any of us.

I excused myself and headed toward the hallway , I barely noticed the shadow lurking close to the staircase.

Until I heard the voice that sent shivers through my veins.

“Your face looks familiar.”

I turned sharply, my breath cutting.

There, standing in the dim light, was Alexander.

His eyes are bored into mine, a mixture of confusion and something else—something dangerously close to recognition.

My fingers trembled at my sides.

Had he figured it out?

My heartbeat pounded against my ribs as I tried to keep a blank expression.

Alexander.

The man who had once won my heart. The man who betrayed me. And now,the man who was staring at me like he saw a ghost.

“Do I know you?”he asked with a low and calm voice.

I forced out a smile “I don't believe we've met, Mr. Montego.

He narrowed his brow with a suspicious expression. “You look like someone I've met.”

I laughed lightly, hoping it would hide the quiver in my voice. “I suppose I just have one of those faces.”

He didn't look convinced.

“Erica.”A voice called out.

I turned to see Raymond standing at the top of the staircase, watching us with a cold expression.

“You are up late?” His tone was smooth and calm.

I nodded slowly. “I was just heading back to our room.”

Raymond's gaze shifted to Alexander, sharp and assessing, before returning to me. “Then let's go.”

Without another word, he turned and left the room, expecting me to follow.

I paused for a moment before looking back at Alexander one last time. His eyes were still fixed on me, dark with something I couldn't tell.

Then, I followed Raymond upstairs.

Raymond’s POV

Something about her was disturbing.

The way she carried herself, the way her eyes darkened whenever she thought no one was watching—it was too familiar. Too…haunting.

I had spent years perfecting my ability to read people. It was necessary in my world. And yet,she was unreadable.

 I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling,my mind kept circling back to the way Alexander had looked at her.

Recognition.

He wasn't sure, but he suspected something was wrong. And that meant I had to be certain.

I turned to the side, watching her from across the room. She was brushing her hair in front of the mirror,lost in thought.

“You seem deep in thought.” My voice was smooth, testing.

She glanced at me through the mirror, offering a faint smile. “Just trying to process everything.”

I pushed myself up on one elbow. “Tell me, Erica…. Have we met before?”

Her hand froze for a fraction of a second.

It was quick—so quick that someone else might have missed it. But I didn't.

She turned her gaze to me, confusion in her eyes. “No. Why do you ask?”

I studied her carefully. “You just seem…. familiar.”

She let out a light chuckle, shaking her head in decline. “I think I would remember meeting someone like you if I did.”

I smirked. “Someone like me?”

She rolled her eyes. “You're not exactly forgettable, Raymond.”

I should have let it go. Should have dismissed the nagging feeling. But something wasn't adding up.

I had been with many women. None of them ever lingered in my thoughts. But this— this was entirely different.

I wasn't the type that believes in fate or coincidences.

Yet, I couldn't take the feeling off my thoughts. That Erica Ray was more than just a woman looking for a job .

And if I was right….

Then this arrangement was far more dangerous than I had thought.