"Y-yes... she couldn't have gone far. Don't worry, we'll find her before you arrive." I hear my father. I hear the panic in his voice, and my chest tightens.

"She's just a little sensitive. And throwing a tantrum. She's never acted out like this, I promise you, Son..." My father continues to break my heart.

I turn away, tears already stinging my eyes.

I'm throwing a tantrum?

"It's all right, Father-in-law... rest assured that I'll do what I can to find her. You have nothing to worry about. The news must have left her shocked." Alexander adds.

"Son, do not bother. We're already looking for her-"

"I'm marrying Sophia. Her safety is also my concern."

I turn my head to look at him, noting how my heart picks up pace. Alexander's eyes bore into mine. It's so unsettling.

"No, I shouldn't-"

"Father-in-law, with the M&A underway, we wouldn't want the media to get a wind of this... I'll have my people find her. And I'll personally bring her home to you. Quietly."

"Her phone is turned off! Where could she have gone?" I hear my mom lamenting in the background.

"It's my duty to find my daughter, so I'll keep looking. But I trust you, Son."

"I might not make it for dinner. Let's get together when she's found. Goodnight, Mr. Rose."

"Goodnight, Son."

Son?

The call ends. And the car is quiet again.

Our eyes stay locked.

My life is worth a business deal, and I'm just a little sensitive?!

Irritation and something else war within me.

I clench my fist and huff, hoping to make some sense of all that has happened in the past minutes.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing makes sense.

In this moment, my mind chooses to replay my monkey moment-the times Alexander spoke to me, and I thought it was Layla's friend. I was too focused on getting across the wall alive that I didn't recognize his voice.

"You're crazy," I whisper.

He says nothing, dark eyes still locked on mine.

I heave once, fighting tears and the foolish attraction I still have for him. One he's probably not aware of.

"It takes a crazy one to know another," He slowly speaks. "You're a skilled monkey. And you're calling me crazy? Jumping off walls and trees..."

I fold my lips, speechless and guilty.

"Garvey could take you back home if you want. I've got a lot of time on my hands. Cleared my entire evening to come see you... and almost got stood up."

The thought of facing my parents in this state of shame chokes the air out of my lungs.

But with Alexander being the groom in question-the 'wicked monster' I thought was coming to purchase me-everything changes.

My will to fight back wanes the longer I stare at him. The longer those precious eyes peel every layer of my defense.

"Where are you taking me to?"

The car climbs over a speed bump, and my back is forced back against the seat.

Alexander drops his gaze, opening the center console.

It's dark, but my eyes follow his hand. He takes something out.

"Where are we going?" I repeat.

He doesn't speak.

Instead, he reaches into his suit pocket and pulls out something else.

The lights on the streets catch it. A sleek, silver lighter. Unmistakably expensive.

He flicks it open with his thumb.

Ping.

The sound slices cleanly through the car. My chest rises.

When he looks at me again, my breath is stolen.

He slowly puts a cigar between his lips.

My pulse quickens. Another discovery about him.

He rolls the ignition wheel, and twin flames rise, soft and steady. I stare at the fire as he stares at me.

For a moment, the flames form a heart. My cheeks burn without my permission.

The firelight brushes his perfect face, sharpening the lines of his jaw and glowing in the darkness of his calm eyes.

He lights the cigar, attentively, inhales, then lowers the butane lighter.

Click. The lid snaps shut.

I let out a soft breath, utterly mesmerized. Transfixed by him.

He exhales a slow stream of smoke, watching me through it like he can see that I want it. No. I want him.

Then, he takes out the cigar.

"I'm taking you where you can breathe..." he finally speaks, blowing all of the smoke in my face.

The irony.

I shut my eyes, inhaling and feeling. It smells like incense, sweetness, coffee, richness.

My eyes stay closed. My lungs rebel, but I dare not cough and ruin the moment.

I hear him lower his window. I'm grateful. But do I even mind?

On New Year's Eve, I was ready to risk it all for him-my reputation, safety, pride, heart, future. Inhaling his cigar smoke seems like nothing compared to that.

"Forgive me, beautiful... I hope my smoking is not a bother?"

I open my eyes now, staring at him. But I'll be foolish if I utter a word. Instead, I shake my head.

When he smiles softly, butterflies rise in my stomach.

I burn. And immediately, I turn my head to my window.

Good Lord, help me.

I drag in a shaky breath and shut my eyes, recalling the last few hours of 2024.

Alexander flirting with me in a gazebo. Picking food crumbs from my lips. Catching me from falling, telling me not to break my 'perfect' ankles. And then the boldest move-openly touching my thigh.

Silly me was too stunned to speak. My face flamed. My mouth fell open in a soft sigh. A soft sigh! That's telling something. I reacted to his touch, not against it.

He gave me his number moments later-wrote it on a paper towel.

I almost lost it in the chaos that followed that night. But it was in my purse when I got home. I saved his number. And never called him.

Why? Because I never get involved with unserious men. It's the reason I rarely date. I'm surrounded by unserious men. And Alexander is currently at the top of the list.

It's August 2025, and here I am inside his car, arranged to marry him. Life is a movie. A mocking, but romantic one.

"When did you get back from London?" He questions.

"Mm?" I mumble, turning my head slowly.

He's still smoking beautifully, cigar butt and face turned to the open window.

"Last month," I answer, watching him.

"You never called. Why? Forgot about me?"

My brain freezes.

I run through my mind, searching for an answer. A wrong one. The search is long, and he's patiently waiting.

In February this year, I returned to London to finalize some college matters after completing my Master's degree and to spend time with my friends. Got back a month and a few days ago. I wasn't even thinking of him.

Even when I got the invitation to our mutual friend's wedding, he still didn't cross my mind.

Okay, I'm lying.

Alexander is stunning and unforgettable. And yes, he's crossed my mind occasionally. And I may have been looking forward to seeing him again in a week at our friend's wedding.

I know Alexander through a mutual friend, Dimitri Belcroft, the fourth man my parents set me up with, who beautifully turned me to the younger sister he never had. He and Alexander are very close friends. They belong to the same circle.

"Did Dimitri warn you to stay away from me?" He turns to me, cutting into my thoughts.

My throat dries.

He exhales, suddenly chuckling. The smoke fills the entire car.

I turn away. Not because of the smoke, but because he answered right.

"And you listened to him?" He accuses, then chuckles softly. "He's gonna be pretty upset when he finds out..."

Finds out what?

I look at him again.

He moves close, putting the cigar away.

My chest rises nervously, my breath pausing.

"Sophia, you and I are getting married in October."

Air stutters in my throat.

I swallow hard when I see his gaze drop to my lips.

The car comes to a smooth halt, and he unbuckles his seatbelt.

I lift my eyes, staring at a tall building. It's so tall, I can barely see the top from inside the car.

"Where are we?"

"My home. I live in the penthouse."

Chapter 3 Mesmerizingly Dangerous

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