Love Me Again,My Darling

CHAPTER 1

*I'm getting married to Lucia.You have to be happy for me.Her family's fortune will change my life.You have nothing to offer me,Daphne but I still love you.I want you to secretly be my mistress.*

Those were the words of her boyfriend of five years.

Those words reverberated in Daphne Howard's head over and over again.

She thought her family's background didn't matter to him.She thought he had loved her,unconditionally.Were the memories?Was everything they went through together so easy to throw away?

How could he do this to her?

And he had the nerves to suggest she becomes his mistress?!

His other woman?

His dirty little secret!

Daphne might not be a perfect woman but she knew her worth.She had great self esteem and would never settle for less.She had bluntly told Jacob that it was over between them.She would never be his mistress or anything to him ever again.

But the pain of the break up was still very fresh in her heart.She leaned against the window,devastatingly.She was in a cab when she caught sight of a club.

She sat up and quickly told the driver to pull over.She just wanted to distract herself.Do anything to get over this pain.

Daphne hurried up to the entrance of the club but she was stopped by two bouncers.

"The club's having a mask party tonight.Everyone has to be on masks."They informed her.

Sighing,she bought a mask by the side,put it on and walked into the club.She immediately went to the counter where she sat and order some alcoholic drinks.

She downed bottles after bottles,wanting to drink her sorrows away.Vaguely,she noticed a man sitting beside her.

He was also on a mask and elegantly sipping his glass of wine.

Daphne's drunk senses took notice of how gorgeous he looked in his suit.She instantly had a feeling that he must have a very handsome face.

As she continued to gush over him,she longed to be in a man's arms tonight.

Without thinking twice,not that she would be able to think twice in her alcohol filled brain,she got off her chair and staggered closer to him.

"Hello there."She purred."Wanna spend the night with me?"

The man only stared at her for a second and to her surprise,he nodded.

**********

Few minutes later found them walking into an hotel room.

As the man turned on the light,Daphne closed the distance between them,stood on her toes and kissed him.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her back,passionately.

As he took nibbles after nibbles of her lips,Daphne thought about how much she had loved it when Jacob kisses her.

The man's lips fell to her neck,sucking on her pulse point.

Daphne shut her eyes feeling so turned on and she had no idea when she moaned out a name.

"Jacob."

The man instantly moved away from her.

Daphne panicked knowing no man,even if this was a stranger to her,no one would appreciate you moaning someone else's name.

How did that name even fall from her lips?!

She wanted nothing to do with Jacob!

Daphne froze when the man took off his mask.Her eyes dilated as she recognized him.

Griffin Reyes!

The most sought-after lawyer and Bachelor in Chicago!

He was very famous in the high society and people had so much respect for him.

That wasn't the only thing shocking to her.He was Lucia's brother.The brother of the woman Jacob had left her for!

He was Jacob's future brother-in-law.

She shakily took off her mask and he didn't look fazed by who she was.

He only clicked his tongue and walked up towards the window.

"So you picked me at the bar to make Jacob jealous?"He snarled.

Daphne swallowed hard.

Obviously,Griffin knew who she had been to Jacob.

She couldn't really pretend she didn't know him.

But he had been on a mask and they've never really had a close encounter to recognize him by his voice.

By now,she had sobered up,completely.

The shock of whom she had almost slept with was enough to get her back to her right senses.

"I wasn't making anyone jealous."She explained."We were both on masks and I.and I didn't recognize you.I'm sorry about even suggesting we spend the night together,I was drunk."

Fortunately,he didn't make things difficult of her.

He spun and walked towards her.Taking off his jacket,he placed his around her shoulders.

"Come,I'll take you home,Miss Howard."He said,expressionlessly.

"Thanks."She murmured and followed him.

**********

In Griffin's Maybach,neither of them spoke throughout the drive but Daphne stole glances at him a few times.

She still couldn't believe that she had almost slept with someone as magnificent as he was.

He was literally a Greek god.She stared at his perfect face and expensive clothing.

Daphne guessed he might be used to high societal women.

Griffin pulled over close to her house,he glanced at her,discreetly wishing she hadn't moan out another man's name,wishing they had continued what she had started.

He stretched his business card to her and Daphne wordlessly understood what that meant.

He wanted her to give him a call in any case she wanted to really spend the night with him.She was surprised that a man like him wanted that from her,even after finding out who she was to Jacob.

Even though he was charming and probably good in bed,Daphne didn't want to get involved with him.Not only was he a big shot,he was related to Jacob now and she just wanted to forget all about Jacob.

She didn't even want to see him again.

CHAPTER 2

Daphne swallowed hard and spoke.

"Mr Reyes,I apologize again for tonight.And it'd be best if we pretend it never happened."She let out.

Griffin pretended to shrug it off.Though,he found her very beautiful,he had been floored by the kiss they shared but the last thing he would do was pursue a woman who wasn't interested in him.

"I had a nice time tonight."He said,taking her surprise.

She was even more stunned when he got out of the car and opened the door for her like a true gentleman.

She wondered if he was no longer upset about tonight.Didn't he think badly of her anymore?

As soon as Daphne got down from the car,he got back in and drove off.

She crossed her arms and then realized she had forgotten to return his jacket.

Thinking of how to return it,her cellphone rang out.

She glanced at it and saw it was her stepmother,Nora.

"Daphne,where are you?You need to come home right now.Your father was arrested!"

Daphne's eyes dilated and she quickly hurried down the street to her house.

On getting home,Nora ran up to her.Her eyes were red rimmed and it seemed she had been crying.

"What happened,Nora?What do you mean Dad was arrested?"

Nora burst into tears recalling how her husband was dragged out of the house by the police.

"He.he was arrested for embezzlement of company's funds but he kept pleading with the police that he knows nothing about it.I believe him.You and I know how righteous your dad is.I think this is all Jacob's doing.He didn't only break up with you,he framed your father!How could he do this to you?"

Daphne felt drained.

Her father works at Jacob's company.

Could Jacob really have set him up?

What exactly did Jacob want?

She had assured him that she wasn't going to fight for him and come between him and Lucia.

She had assured him that Lucia could have him all to herself.

Wasn't that enough?

She just didn't want to believe Jacob could hurt her father like this.

Even if he had cruelly broken her heart,they had been together for years,he certainly wasn't heartless enough to hurt her dad.

Daphne gave Jacob a call,wanting to be civil with him.

"Hello,my darling."He began,sounding excited.

She rolled her eyes."Jacob,what has my dad got to do with embezzlement?!You know very well that he would never do something like that."

"I figured that was the only way to get you to be mine again."

Her jaw dropped."Yours again?You left me for someone else!You ruined what we had.You have no right to want me anymore!"

"Oh I do.I want you as my mistress.If you agree to be my mistress,I'll let your father go."

Daphne felt like punching him.

How could she have been in love with such a man?!

He was so shameless.

"I'm never going to be your mistress,I'm never going to be anything to you.I deserve better,you asshole."

"Fine!Then prepare to watch your dad get sentenced to more than ten years in prison.I'm going to make sure of that.And I'm going to make sure no respectable lawyer help you with this lawsuit!"

Daphne's fist clenched.

He was hellbent on making her his mistress.

"My dear Daphne,don't you worry,I'll be waiting for you.you belong to me one way or the other."

She hung up before he could complete that.

How could he be so evil?

She just wanted to move on from him,she just wanted to forget he ever existed.

Was that too much to ask?

Why can't he just be with Lucia?

He had chosen Lucia.

Why was he so greedy and wicked?!

"Daphne,you deserve a man who will always put you first.You'll not be any man's other woman."Nora said to her,encouragingly.

"Jacob is quite influential,he could really get some top lawyers not to take the case."

"He can't certainly mess with everyone.I'm sure there are some who would stick to their morals."

A face suddenly flashed through Daphne's head.

Griffin.

No.

She couldn't possibly ask him.

He was related to Jacob now.

He might not want to take the case.

But something in her felt he had a good judgement and would not let his personal life get in the way of his work.

"I think I should go to Mr Reyes.He might want to take up the case."

Nora stared at her in disbelief.

"He's like one of the most sought after lawyer.Can you really get him to take the case?"

"I really don't know but I've got to try.We've had an encounter so I guess I should give this a shot."

That surprised Nora even more.

An encounter with Mr Reyes?

She was a particularly discerning woman.

Only then did she notice that Daphne reeked of alcohol.

Seeing a man's suit jacket draped around her shoulders,she guessed what the 'encounter' might have been.

But she didn't want to press on the issue right now.

They had other important matter on ground.

************

It was so difficult for Daphne to meet with Griffin again.

The first day she came by his law Firm,she was told he wasn't in.

The second day,she was told he wasn't chanced to meet up with anyone and she had to have an appointment.

The third day,she was more determined to see him.She couldn't waste any more time.She had to get her father back home.

The receptionist kept telling her she had to have an appointment to see Griffin.

Daphne regretted not taking his card that day.It would have been easier to see him if she had taken his card.

"You want me to book an appointment?"She asked the receptionist."If I should book an appointment now,when can I see him?"

The receptionist scrolled through her laptop as if checking when Mr Reyes will be chanced.

"A month from now."The receptionist replied.

Daphne's heart fell.

She couldn't let her father stay that long without getting him a lawyer.

**************

Daphne had no choice but to start stalking Griffin.She knew that it was wrong but she just wanted a chance to talk to him so she followed him to a restaurant.

She saw him meet up with a very attractive woman.Daphne sat tables away from them and covered her face with a magazine.

Relief filled her as she stared him.She had to seize this opportunity and finally talk to him.She stole a glance at him from behind the magazine.

He was clad in an expertly tailored gray suit and he look every inch of the gorgeous man that he is.

Daphne quickly shook her head.

'Focus,Daphne,Focus.'She warned herself.

Daphne noticed that he was ending his meeting with the woman when he stood up and shook hands with her.

Daphne quickly stood and hurried out of the restaurant.She decided to wait for him at the front of the restaurant.

Soon,he walked out of the restaurant with the woman by his side.She overheard a brief conversation between them and realized that the woman was his client.

Griffin and the woman walked out of the restaurant,Daphne took note of how beautiful and extremely sexy the woman was.

Griffin's gaze fell on Daphne for a brief moment and then he looked away,pretending not to know her.

He shook hands with the woman again and bid her farewell.

The woman smiled at him,seductively.

"Thank you so much,Mr Reyes.I never thought it'd so easy to get those assets in my name.Thank you for making this divorce process easy for me."

Griffin offered a small smile."It's what I do."

"Em.if you don't mind,I'll like to treat you to dinner for putting my ex-husband in his place."

Daphne walked closer to them,hoping for an audience with Griffin.

"I have plans for tonight."He refused the woman,flatly.

"I didn't say tonight."She pressed on.

"Well,I have plans for whatever night you mean."

Daphne frowned at him,finding that rude and funny at the same time.

How can he blatantly refuse a stunning woman like her?

The woman beamed at him,bid him goodbye and walked away.

Griffin finally turned to face Daphne.

"Miss Howard,are you stalking me now?Did you perhaps change your mind about sleeping with me?

Daphne froze.

Seriously?

Did he really think she came here for sex?

She awkwardly brought out a bag and handed it to him.

"I came to return your jacket."

He grimaced and then nodded.

"I see."Griffin drawled and headed off towards the parking lot.

Daphne quickly hurried after him.

"Mr Reyes,I have something to discuss with you."

He narrowed his eyes at her,inquisitively.

"My dad was."

"I'm not taking his case."He cut in,flatly.

Daphne sighed,heavily.

It seemed Griffin already knew about her father's issue.

She lowered her head and asked,tentatively.

"Did Jacob tell you not to take the case as well?"

Griffin stared at her as if he had been slapped.

"Who is Jacob to tell me which case to take or not?I personally do not want to take up your father's case."

"Why?I can afford your services,I promise."Daphne pressed on.

She had a lot of savings.She was sure she could pay whatever fees he charges.

He glanced down at her."Miss Howard,you and I almost had sex,that means I've known you a bit on a personal level and I do not mix my personal life with my work."

The truth was,he was scared of working with her.

He just couldn't understand it.

Ever since that night at the club,all he's ever thought about was bedding her.

So he could never have her as a client.He would not sacrifice his principles of strictly being professional with clients.

He got to his car and opened the door,shoving the jacket and his briefcase on the passenger's seat.

He glanced at Daphne and said,harshly.

"Find another lawyer."

Then he got into the car and drove off,leaving her standing there.

Daphne sighed,heavily.

What should she do now?

***********

The next couple of days were filled with worry for Nora and Daphne and then,Daphne gave in to the urge to ask for help from one of her closest friends.

Layla Dumont.

Layla had married a rich and influential man and Daphne felt she could use his help in getting a lawyer.

The two friends met up at a restaurant and Daphne explained all that had happened with Jacob to Layla.

"How could he do that to you?He's such a selfish bastard."Layla cussed."The nerves of him!To want you as his mistress!"Layla continued to cursed Jacob,angrily.

And when she finally calmed down,she asked,quietly.

"Did you really get Griffin to get a hotel room with you?"

Daphne's cheeks flamed and she nodded.

"Wow,what the hell did you do to him,girl?How did you do it?"Layla cooed.

"I did nothing much.He was on a mask and I just drunkly suggested we spend the night together.Oh Layla,I had wanted the ground to open up and swallow me when I found out who he was."

Layla laughed."You know I heard he's hardly ever fazed by a woman,even celebrities always fail to capture his attention.People had started gossiping that he might not be attracted to women."

Daphne sighed,heavily.

She really didn't want to talk about that night anymore.

She just wanted solution to her father's problem.

"Layla,about getting a lawyer,I really need your help.I have no idea how much Jacob had paid lots of lawyers to keep turning me down.He really wants me at the palm of his hand."

"He's not going to succeed!"Layla declared."But I really think Griffin should take up this case.Trust me when I say that he has never lost a case.If he takes up your father's case,there's a hundred percent chance that your dad will regain his freedom."

"But he doesn't want to help."Daphne pouted.

Layla placed her hand above Daphne's.

"Don't give up.You should try harder.And I'm going to help you.I'm going to help you make him take up this case."

She suggested Daphne approaches Griffin more and more until he accepts.And using her connection,she found out Griffin's schedules.

*************

It was a Saturday,Griffin had a horse riding appointment with some business associates at his ranch at noon.

Daphne went to the Ranch with Layla and her husband but to her greatest surprise,Jacob was also at the Ranch.