Jade blinked, taken aback by the headline printed on the local newspaper the next day. She had picked her daily paper outside her boutique and the lines in bold letter caught her attention. She hadn’t expected this. Someone had published a rubbish article toward her. Auctioned for love?

Dropping her handbag on the sofa, she sat on the chair behind her table, eyes staring out at the busy streets of Makati. She’d read the content and was awed how detailed everything was written. Confusion weighed heavily on her brain. She didn’t know how to deal with this. The papers… how did the media know the story of last night’s events.

Think, she told herself. She can’t let this arrangement ruled over her life. It’s already bad she got tangled with the infamous Casanova turned Mr. President of a multinational company that earned billions in investments and stocks.

It was all her father’s fault. And the media had falsely concluded everything. When has she become the fiancé of the current President of de Jesus Corporation? That was a nasty joke!

Seconds went by and the door opens. Her eyes flew right at Jake Contreras making his way inside. He’s sporting his business suit rather than his staple t-shirt and jeans. The model turned businessman adjusted his glasses and gave him an assessing look.

“You looked stressed…” Jake concluded. He placed the paper bag of a known pastry shop in the round visitor’s table. She remembered it’s the day he’s coming back from a business trip. She sighed.

“I am,” she robbed her forehead, trying to decide what to do with the situation. “Thanks for the treat by, the way. You shouldn’t have bothered. You look you’ve just arrived here an hour ago. You wanna take a nap?”

“What are you even saying?” His brows furrowed. He moved closer, his eyes go down from her face to the broadsheet on her table. He reached for the papers and read the article. “What did happen in the charity event?” He transferred his gaze to her.

“Some funny stuff,” she dismissed, her hand gestures not to worry. “I got it. Everything will be under control, I guess.” Jade looked up to him and smiled, somehow in between forced and fake.

“I should have attended the event…” He sounded regretful. He shouldn’t feel that way. He has no obligations to her and he has commitments at that time. There’s no helping to that.

Yet Jade gave that idea a quick but serious thought and knew, even if he was there for her, the auction would happen anyway. He could try, she guesses, but knowing his father, chances are very slim. His good friend could only watch from the distance as the event proceeded.

“It’s alright, Jake.” She gave him a reassuring smile this time. “Where're my manners? Welcome back!” She stood up and goes around the table to give him a hug. “My offer still stands. Do you wanna take some nap at the back?”

He shook his head, refusing her. “I won’t take long. I just drop by to give you the present. It’s the usual.”

“Really?” that uplift her spirit. She moved like an excited kid and open the bag. It contains her favorite, sugar-free chocolate cake. “I really love you, Jake!” she tasted the icing and it’s perfect. She felt divine.

“I should be going now,” he patted her head. She glanced back at him.

“As in now?” He nodded. He wiped off the smudge of icing away on her lips. With his thumb. “Oh, Thanks!”

“Some papers to review before I could finally take rest. Call me if anything happens. I’ll be here whatever it takes.”

Jade grinned and reached up to pat his face. “I’ll remember that.” With one last hug, he exited her shop.

She waved goodbye to him as he looks back at her. He waved back before getting inside his car and drove away. Jade watched him disappear at the intersection and that’s when she noticed a movement out of the corner of her eye—something big---and then he looked into her vision. Tall and dark.

It’s Greg in his business attire. And he looked unpleased. Looked completely forbidding.

He didn’t say a word, but then he didn’t have to. She knew exactly what he thought. And none of it is nice.

~*~

His powerful body stepped inside her boutique and her space felt confined. Her heart thumps unevenly. She’d seen his car outside and had hated herself to admit that a part of her like that he was here. For her. Yet she told herself that it was stupid of her to think about it that way.

Left standing in the middle, Jade hadn’t gathered her wits yet. Her awareness of him as a man defied reason. He’s so close she could feel every bit of energy and the strength of his presence. Emotions clamored to the surface and she struggled to repress them.

She swallowed hard, scooted inside, and leave Greg looking around her little boutique. She relishes the opportunity to get some space, even for a few minutes. Greg was all-encompassing. She still couldn’t believe she was here, in flesh.

She could hear his steps approaching. She took a deep breath and shook her head.

This is insane.

He hadn’t touched her yet she felt as if he had. She tried to ignore him bet her reactions irritated her as much distressed it cause her that moment.

“What brings you here?” She hadn’t thought he’ll pay her a visit after yesterday’s events. Hell, she didn’t answer any of his calls and even went to their mansion that night. Her father was surprised to see her but didn’t ask anything.

She wasn’t herself yesterday. Ideas of his lovers showing anywhere they go put her into deep thinking. How was she supposed to act with that?

And why does it even concern her?

“I’m checking on you,” Greg went right behind her and put his arms on the edge of the table, trapping her. “You hadn’t answered my calls and you were not at the apartment when I came back.” He felt her tensed under him. He pulled her long hair over one shoulder, baring her neck. He bent his head and pressed his mouth to the soft skin.

Anger flashed through her, she pulled herself out of his protective trance and face him. “You’re too full of yourself to think I will be just as submissive as your lovers. I won’t be one, Greg.” That pushed some sexual tension aside.

He gritted his jaw to stop his body from reacting. He drew back slightly, dragging in breath, checking everything in control. “Are you and that guy involved?”

“Are you and Lovie?” She fires back. Her voice sounded sharper than intended.

“No,” he said with finality. “He’s one of the women I got acquainted with. Nothing more.”

Men could be dense. “Just leave,” She shook her head. Why is she having this kind of conversation with him? “Closed the door when you leave. I’ve got a lot of things to be done.”

Before she could go somewhere else away from him, Greg caught her arm. Her drew her back against him, his other hand going to her face. He touched her cheek, a casual gesture that made her catch her breath. His touch burned like a physical brand.

Their gazes locked together. And Jade saw herself looking utterly fragile and helpless in his arms.

~*~

Greg tried to pull back. A lot was on his plate to deal with; piles of papers needed to review and meetings to attend. But damn it, he wanted to see her. He hadn’t thought the possibility of Jade influencing his life but she did. And he saw himself driving his way to her boutique.

He got worried sick when he didn’t saw her back in his apartment. He’s expecting her to throw a fit on him as he returned last night. Every call was unanswered and if it wasn’t for a deal he needed to close with the Joons, Greg could have gone to her sooner.

He just wanted to see her. That’s all.

And yet how earnest it may sound, it all replaced by raw jealousy as he saw everything between her and the familiar model.

As always, her eyes had been cold to him. Her appearance, her attitude, was different towards him. Gone was the huge, warm, and soft eyes he saw to her while talking to Jake Contreras.

Her small hands pressed against his chest. He could see her resistance in her eyes but she hadn’t pulled back. “Greg…”

Without thought, he dipped his head and claimed her mouth in a passionate kiss. He drew her closer to his body. As always her softness drew him and everything follows. He angled her head a little and kissed her throat, nuzzling the familiar scent, breathing her in. “I love your scent…”

He had no reason to hold back.

“Greg.” If she kept saying his name, he’d lose it.

As the tension between them progresses, someone called her on her phone just on top of the table and Greg sighted the caller. It’s Jake.

He froze and Jade couldn’t fathom why. That’s when she heard her phone ringing. She fixed herself and took the call. Never felt relieved to Jake.

“Hi!” she answered enthusiastically. “Yes, I can drop by. Sure. No problem.” She ended the call yet she never met his eyes then.

She’s avoiding him.

He releases her and steps back. Darker emotions tripped him, resting on him that he didn’t want to study closely. The sexual tension remained. He could feel her, taste her interest, but damn her for playing him.

Neither could he allow Ann to affect him this strongly. He had to remember that she’d run out on him and he wasn’t ready to forgive her for that. Forgetting her hadn’t been easy.

In fact, he’d never managed it.

Just the opposite.

Silence engulfed them. Jade turned her head on the window, avoiding his gaze. “I believe you need to leave now.”

His emotions in check, he nodded. His mouth twisted “Of course. If you wish but don’t get high hopes, Ann. We’ll talk.” It’s an untold promise he mentally note before he left the boutique.

With a sigh, she dropped back into her seat. She could not believe what just happened. Greg left but felt cold and remote and yet he managed to rack her defenses and kiss his way again.

Was every encounter supposed to be like that?

Good Lord! What has she gotten into? She muttered before closing her eyes tightly.

~*~

New York City, Refinery Hotel

Alessandro stalled for a second in buttoning up his shirt and turned to face the woman sleeping soundly on the bed. He’d forgotten the name but she’s the hottest model on the club last night that’s why he’d chosen to take her to his hotel suite in New York City.

She’s all too willing. She’s perfect for the night.

He’d finished dressing up and pressed a light kiss to her mouth. He needed to leave that instant as his father, Damian, was scheduled to arrive an hour or so at the airport. He made his way out of the suite and towards the lobby of the plush hotel. He advises the reception to bring breakfast or anything that the woman asked and just charged to him before he went to the airport with his car to fetch Damian de Jesus.

Women. He loved them. Who wouldn’t? He loved them in his bed when it suited him. He never indulged himself to anyone romantically. He learned from experience to never trust a woman.

He’s humming while driving on the busy streets of New York. Alessandro got accustomed to the extravagant life in the famous city. He’d been to Los Angeles 5 months ago and is planning to travel to Japan just for a change of atmosphere.

That’s the life Alessandro de Jesus at the moment.

The eldest and the infamous de Jesus Casanova.

“Dad, Welcome to New York!” After thirty minutes of waiting on the arrival area, Alessandro approached his Dad and gave a brief hug. “What brought you here? And where’s the trusted butler?” He looked past him to see any trace of that old man Rico but there’s none.

“He returned to Cebu as his daughter gave birth,” Damian patted his shoulder. “We need to go, son. I need to meet someone at this hotel.” As always, business. Alessandro follows his dad without a word.

He thought of his younger brother turning out to be just like their workaholic dad. What was Greg thinking? Alessandro thought they share the same interest that’s why they were called the infamous Casanovas and yet he accepted the position as the President of the Corporation. That man has gone nuts.

“Alessandro, when will you stop this nonsense?” He looked at his father on the rare view mirror. Damian was reading some sheets inside the car. “Greg already did and I’m waiting…”

“Let’s see…” he did envisage settling down at some stage…far in the future. Above all, he would not fall into the same trap as his father and brother. “I’ll think about it if Greg brought a woman for you to meet.”

“I need assurance.” He chuckled.

“You have my word, Dad. I’ll fly all the way to the Philippines if that happens.”