Chapter 1

Damnit! 

She had been grasping at straws, desperate to find hope in a seemingly hopeless situation.

"You can do this." Saige's finger tapped on the brown envelope lying flat on the bar surface. 

However, red flags seemed to be blaring inside her head the longer she sat on the stool and waited. She could feel the sweat that dripped down her back as her nerves grew restless.

But she knew she had no choice as she grew desperate. It was not as if many were lining up to diversify their funds in their company, particularly in her research.

"Just get his signature and then get out of there." Then, her fingers wrapped around her drink and shoved its red contents inside her mouth.

She did not drink much, finding alcohol did not mix well with her blood. A glass or two was her limit. More than that, she was afraid she might lose control of herself.

At that moment, she needed something to calm her nerves. But still, leave her with a clear head. 

"You don't have to do this." Her instincts warned her again as she stared at the unfamiliar place where she was meeting a possible investor.

But she knew she had to. After her mother died just recently, she became the new CEO of their family's business. She became responsible for thousands of lives, including her younger brother.

"You need to do this." Reminding herself that she had to save the company.

Regrettably, her mother's rare illness had become an all-consuming obsession for her, resulting in overwhelming expenses and plunging them into debt during years of relentless research to find a cure.

Sadly, despite her rigorous efforts, she failed her mother. She died before she could develop the treatment that could heal her mother's disease.

"But what if..." Of course, doubt and fear still entered the equation. Many things could still go wrong with this negotiation.

However, she should not let that stop her from presenting her proposal. After all, she believed that she was close to finding the cure.

She just needed someone to bail the company out of its financial situation and to continue to fund her research until its completion.

"Yeah, that is all I need to do." She convinced herself as she straightened in her seat with a new determination.

Then, she looked down at the dress that clung to her body like a second skin. Why did she let her friend pick out her outfit for tonight?

"No man could say no to your proposal if you wear that dress." Her friend insisted. Eventually, she conceded.

Damn!

Now, she was regretting it.

It was too short as it displayed most of her long, lean legs, but she had to agree she looked stunning.

Nonetheless, that was not the point.

She was not here to impress anyone or someone, reminding herself that this was not a date. She was here to make a serious deal.

"This is business, nothing more." She repeated inside her head as she stared at her reflection in the mirror behind the bar.

She was on a mission, and no one and nothing could stop her. Besides, she believed she could not fail since everything depended on the success of this meeting.

Quickly, her eyes worked her way into the dark and crowded room, looking for the person she was supposed to meet. 

"Damn! Where could he be?" As her eyes searched the dimly lit place.

She believed it was like looking for a needle in a haystack in the middle of a moonless night. She could hardly see much, let alone identify the person's face with just the twinkling lights.

However, she could not shake the odd feeling that someone was watching her. She could not see it. But she felt eyes had been following her from the shadows as goosebumps crawled on her skin.

"Excuse me, but can I..." She turned to the tattooed bartender, hoping he might point her to the man she sought.

But she did not finish her sentence when someone interrupted her from behind. "The lady will have another red martini while I have my usual."

Suddenly, her back stiffened, her hands stilled, and her pulse quickened upon hearing that distinct, familiar tone. 

She wanted to believe it was just a coincidence, but when the man sat beside her, she automatically knew it was him, no doubt about it.

"Hello, Saige." The man greeted her, using the familiarity that they used to have.

But she knew better than to fall for his usual charm. She had already done that and looked at what it got her. Never again would she subject herself to his cruelty.

However, his manly scent wafted in her direction, reminding her of memories she did not wish to reminisce. But alas, as much as she hated it, she had no control over it.

"Are you following me?" But she doubted. It was probably a coincidence that they were in the same place tonight.

Damnit! 

Once again, his dominating presence, without fail, made her body stand in attention, recognizing the only man who could make her fall to her knees with a mere stare.

"I don't need your free drink." She did not wait for his reply, believing she would not get an honest answer. 

She hated that, after all this time, this man still had this effect on her. "I am more than capable of buying my drink. So, go get your drink and leave me alone."

She did not even know why he was there. But undoubtedly, it was not because of her. If she remembered correctly, he ended anything that connected them five years ago.

"What if I say that I am here to see you?" The man grabbed his scotch and carefully swirled it in his glass while he turned to stare at her.

"Then, it is a bad joke that I don't want to hear." Of course, that was utter nonsense. "Anyway, I don't have time to play your games. I am here to meet someone, and you are in my way." 

She ignored the new drink but still dropped some bills on the counter, not wanting to accept anything from him. 

She stood and stepped away from the bar, hoping to escape him. Unfortunately, she did not get far as he quickly snatched her arms, pulling her back into him with a slight force. 

Seconds later, he had her cornered between him and the counter, staring into his burning ember eyes, trapped with no way out.

"What the hell! Let go of me." She vocally protested. But shamefully, deep inside, she wanted the opposite as his firm chest pressed hard against her supple and pliant body.

What the hell, indeed!

She could feel the familiar burning sensation starting at the pit of her stomach and spreading like wildfire all over her body. 

She was afraid if she did not put a stop to this onslaught on her senses immediately, her entire body would be blazing straight to hell.

"I will not until you listen." He insisted as he pushed his body even more, making her feel all his pent-up desires that he did not seem to bother to hide. "I heard about your situation. I am here to help you."

That sounded noble, but sadly, she did not trust him. As much as she needed help, she swore she would never accept anything from this man.

After he broke her heart, she loathed him with every fiber of her being. She cursed this man out of her life. 

"Why? Did your name suddenly change to Mr. Osborne? Because that is the man I came to see and not you." She countered as she pushed him with every strength she had.

But as she had expected, he did not even budge. But the rage in his eyes told her he did not appreciate her answer. 

He partially stepped back, giving her some breathing space. Though, he still held her trap.

"I am telling you. Peter Osborne is not the kind of man you want to get in bed with." He warned her, not with just his words but with the intensity of his gaze.

"I am not sleeping with him if that is what you think. I am just getting his investment." She did not like that he thought he could meddle with her affairs. "Now, would you let me go?"

She hated that he could still think he had a say in her life after what he did. No! He could not control her anymore. He lost that privilege when he ended their relationship.

"You might as well prepare yourself to sleep with him if you keep insisting on seeing him." He suddenly threateningly said. "Especially with that dress you are wearing."

"I am not sleeping with him." She insisted. "And what is wrong with my dress?" She thought it was still fairly decent compared to the other women who had barely had enough clothes to cover their private body parts.

His eyes raked her body from head to toe as if he were studying her every curve. "You are asking for trouble by waving a red flag at a raging bull." 

She did not know if he referred the bull to the other guy or him because it was clear to her that she still had the same effect on him.

"I think you are exaggerating. Besides, what I do with my life is none of your business. Now, let me go before I cry for help." She snatched her arm, but still, he did not let go of her.

"Don't say that I did not warn you." He leaned forward, brushing his lips just enough to skim the tip of her ears.

But that mere contact was enough to send shockwaves throughout her body. It was more than enough to remind her who she used to belong to.

"Thank you for your unwarranted advice. Goodbye, Mr. Xavier Lockwood." She hoped that would be the last time she would see him ever again.

Finally, he unclasped his fingers, setting her free. Then, without a second thought, she walked away without looking back. 

But his words and his touch had lingered on and on, haunting her even if she could not see him anymore.