Daniel's POV

 Just as I had ordered Lady Jane, my house staff. The meals, the drinks, the decor, everything was perfectly placed in order.

 "Leo... I just sent you an address. Go and pick up the lady and bring her here. She will be waiting," I commanded Leo through my phone.

 I dropped my phone, and the reflection of how I met Annabel crept into my mind.

 How she bumped into me that night. Her swollen face from the tears she was holding back, her shattered voice, and how she kissed me back just to make Stephanie jealous. Her excellent presentation, her fierce look, and the urge to always challenge me.

 I have lived all my life not wanting anything to do with any woman. Not after how my father abused and neglected my mother.

The pain of seeing my mother struggle to give me a better life only made me believe that the best solution is to stay away from marriage.

 I declined attending her wedding because I knew it was not going to end well. Marriage is pointless.

Because what is the need to officially join a union? I did my investigation, and it was clear the man my mother got married to was only in her life because of my money and our family status in society.

 He owes a huge loan. For all I care, that marriage is nothing but a simple business transaction.

But what I don't get is, what will my mother gain from it? Could she really be in love with that man? And the only reason why I had Stephanie beside me was to use her as a distraction for my mother, since she can't stop singing into my ear about why I should marry and give her grandchildren.

 I picked Stephanie because my PA brought her. She said she would fit into this act.

Well, she has been doing a good job. But the latest obsession is what I don't get.

 That night, I had gone to the club to have fun when I saw Annabel run out from the room. Just then, I sighted Stephanie's bare skin, half covered with just a duvet, and a man sitting beside her. She felt guilty.

But seriously, I don't even give a fuck.

 It is just an open relationship. A contract. Do you, while I do me. Just don't get caught by my mother. Simple.

 I was still in deep thought when the entrance door opened and Leo entered.

Beside him was Annabel.

 Standing pretty just like the first night I saw her, but the difference now, she wore a sincere smile, unlike her swollen face with tears battling to fall that night.

 My eyes were still locked on Annabel. "Leo, you can leave us." Leo responded and left immediately, leaving just Annabel and me alone. Everywhere felt quiet, just the pound of our hearts and the ticking of the clock.

 I moved closer to her. "You made it." Our eyes were not leaving each other. She nodded. "Well, the table is set." I pointed at the table, leading the way while she walked behind me.

 After dinner, Lady Jane had cleared the dishes.

"The meal was nice," Annabel broke the silence. I looked at her. "I'm glad that you loved it." We burst out in laughter, one conversation leading to another.

At this moment, we were very comfortable around each other. Just again, we went silent.

"Mr. Stroke, what next?" she asked, her face looking at every other place but me. I leaned forward.

"So what... do you think two mature people do behind closed doors?" My voice was clearly sultry.

 She did not speak, nor did she look at me.

But I could see her cheeks turn pink from blushing.

 I cupped her cheeks, forcing her to look at me, which she did.

We stared at each other for a long moment, our faces inches apart. My lips hovered around hers. Our hearts raced in a fascinating way.

 We got too close, and I wrapped my mouth with hers, holding her neck to steady her. Our tongues tangled as we swallowed everything we gave each other.

She was getting heated up. And God, I wanted to take her here. Right now.

But I felt guilty.

It felt like I was trying to take advantage of her by promising to fund her project.

 I mean, her app is very good. And there is no doubt that she is among the top competitors. Clearly, from the record so far, she had already been selected by the board members. All they needed now was just my approval before emailing her.

 So using her would make her feel like she was selected because she slept with me.

 Just then, I broke the kiss and pulled away. Her expression changed.

It was clear she wanted me as much as I wanted her.

 But I didn't know on what ground.

 Is it for my money?

 Is it because of my status?

Or was she actually doing it just to get her app picked? Could she be doing it to get back at Stephanie?

 Just then, she broke into my thought. "Daniel, what's with the change of mind?" I caressed her hand with the thumb of my fingers as I fought to stabilize my urge to bend her over right here and make her scream my name, begging for more.

"Annie... the truth is that I only invited you over because I was lonely." I lied through my teeth.

Disappointed, she said, "Ohh... fine. Mr. Stroke, I'm sorry if I crossed my limit. I promise I will not interfere in your business or make our small friendship come in between our work relationship if I eventually get lucky to be picked."

 I picked up her hands. "Annabel, just be yourself around me. That's all I need." My eyes wandered around the room.

 "And I don't get intimate with my employees, so you have nothing to worry about."

 After that, we left the dining room and went to the living room.

I popped the champagne as we began to drink.

 We continued laughing and making all sorts of jokes before we realized how wasted we were. I was already close to Annabel.

 Our eyes searched for each other.

I leaned close to her. "Annie... I can't hold it anymore."

 She whispered, "Me either."

 With no delay, our mouths locked together, engaged in a deep, passionate, and raw kiss.

 I lifted her like she weighed nothing and carried her to my room, our mouths not separating from each other.

I kept planting kisses on her mouth, nose, ear, and then neck.

And that was when it struck me. Her scent. She smelled like strawberries mixed with vanilla ice cream. It was irresistible. A scent that I would wish to have beside me every day.

 Annabel's legs were wrapped around my waist, not letting me pull out. She threw her head backwards as I kept kissing her.

 My hand went down to her dress, pulling it up as I cupped her breast, squeezing it like my whole world revolved around them.

 A soft moan escaped her mouth. "Mr. Stroke, take me," she pleaded.

 Just her sultry voice drove me crazy, and a growl escaped my chest.

 I pulled down her lacy panties and found her already dripping wet.

The sight left me dilated.

I pressed my fingers inside and gave her a thrust.

She responded by widening her legs to let me in. Then I thrust again, and again, repeatedly, until she was screaming my name.

"Dan... Dan. Please. Take me, I'm all yours."

Having my name on her lips drove me crazier.

I pulled off my shirt and was about to unzip my pants when she dozed off, probably from the alcohol I gave her.

 That was when realization hit me harder.

 Fuck.

 What was I doing? She was acting under the influence of alcohol. And I was about to take advantage of that?

 I couldn't even control myself.

Annabel's POV

 The ringing of my alarm jolted me from sleep. I quickly reached to turn it off, only to notice I was not in my house.

The room was totally different from mine, the expensive sofa, the white-painted walls, and the soft mattress.

 I jumped up from the bed, finding myself half-naked and covered with a duvet.

 What did I do?

 Did I actually sleep with him? The last thing I

remembered was us drinking and laughing, then our eyes meeting, refusing to part, and Daniel calming my mouth as we went into a passionate kiss.

 But how did I get to his room? How I barely had clothes on was what I couldn't place my head around.

 "Did something really happen between us?" I muttered, a question only Daniel could possibly have answers to.

 But wait... Daniel. Where is he?

 I quickly dressed up and went downstairs, but I didn't see him. He must have left me.

 How could he? Who on earth brings a girl over for dinner and just leaves her like that, with no words?

I must be too foolish to think Daniel would ever want anything to do with me.

I'm not even in his class. There must be millions of classy ladies lining up for him to choose from.

So why did I even think something could make him want me? Besides, he already told me he doesn't fling with his employees, putting me completely out of the league.

 But why on earth am I this pained?

I had convinced myself I was only doing this to get back at James and Stephanie.

 With anger, I picked up my bag and left for home.

 *********

 The long-awaited day was here. I had messaged my dad that I would be coming over, after months of being apart because of school and work.

 It was a good thing I would be visiting, at least I would finally see my new mom, the woman who stole my father's heart.

 When I got home, everything had changed. The same house, but with a different interior. The furniture had been replaced with something more expensive.

The garden, the cars, everything screamed luxury. And that was when it dawned on me that my father had not just married any woman. It was obvious he had married a billionaire.

 I was still bringing out my luggage from the cab when my dad's voice called out, "My sweet," just like he always called me.

He looked ten years younger and happier. I could tell his new wife was really doing a good job.

 My jaw dropped when I saw him, and I ran up to him. "Dad!" I embraced him so tightly that anyone could tell how much we had missed each other.

 Just when I was still in his grip, a voice from the background called out, "Annie."

 I turned and met a lady I presumed was my father's new wife.

She wore a sky-blue silky dress that revealed enough skin on her chest.

Her short grey hair curled perfectly, her skin glowed, and her dark-brown eyes sparkled. Her grin grew wider when our eyes met.

 "Over here, my baby," she waved at me.

 A flash of disappointment wailed through me. Not that I hated her, but I was surprised my dad had settled for an older woman after years of being single.

 This woman could possibly have birthed a child at least twice my age.

 I gently moved to where she was and returned the smile, not fake, but definitely not the energy I thought I would give when I finally met my stepmom.

 I met her gaze. "You are welcome. My father has already told me much about you."

 She nudged my dad playfully. "Wow... really?" she asked, smiling brightly as she took my hand.

We entered and took our seats, chatting as we settled in. "So tell me, what did your father tell you about me?" she asked, still smiling brightly.

 I tilted my head, still keeping up my smile. "Everything nice. He said you make him happy."

She placed her hands on her chest. "Awwwww," she grinned like a teenager who had just met her first lover, her eyes fixed on my dad.

 Dad returned the smile, brushing his thumb across her face. "You are the best thing that has happened to me in years."

He leaned closer, gently took her hand, and pressed a soft kiss to the back of it. I felt uncomfortable.

 I cleared my throat gently, just to remind them I was still there.

 They both laughed softly, tapping each other playfully.

 Then the lady turned to me. "Ohh... Annie, forgive my manners. My name is Fiona. I'm sure your dad told you, but it is only right that I give you a proper introduction."

 "You know what?" Her face was still beaming with joy. "I have a son too, you'll be meeting him soon. I'm sure he'll be glad to have you as a sister."

 Sister?

 Well, this was my father's choice, and I would have to respect it.

 At least, I would be benefiting from the union.

Ever since I turned an adult, my dad had been excessively protective. I believed having a woman in his life as a distraction would be for the best.

 Meanwhile, Fiona pulled out her phone, waking the screen with a tap, and showed it to me. "This is my son," she said, still smiling ear-to-ear. "His name is Daniel."

 My body froze.

 How was this even possible? I recognized the face.

The same man whose bed I had just left a few hours ago. It was clear as sunlight through glass.

 In the picture, he stood tall, the navy-blue suit clinging to his frame like a second skin, sleek, tailored, whispering wealth without a word.

 Just like that first night at the club. The same dark eyes. His tie knotted with effortless precision. His charisma radiated even from the image.

 I was not hallucinating. It was actually Daniel. And to make it worse, he had never appeared as my brother all this while. I guessed he was also clueless about this.

 We kissed last night. It was something intense, something I could not make meaning of until now.

 Fuck.

 Now it was becoming clearer. We did not just kiss, his body was all over me. He was the one who stripped me naked.

 "What if we..."

 No.

We could not possibly have made out.

 Gosh. My head was on the verge of exploding when Fiona squeezed my hand softly. "Annie... Annabel." Her voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

 I jerked up. "I'm sorry," I whimpered.

 My dad's eyes met mine. "Baby, are you okay?" he asked, cupping my face with concern.

 My chair scraped against the floor as I leaned forward. "I... I'm alright," I stammered.

 At this point, the only thing I needed was answers to my numerous questions.

 Because not only had my dad brought home an older lady as his wife, now this? The man I had made out with was my father's son.

 Fiona stood up from where she was seated and came to me. Her hands softly brushed mine. "Annie... I was thinking, maybe you can go see my son. He's always busy, and I think you meeting him will help you bond as siblings."

 I swallowed hard. "Do you think so?"

 She gave me a playful tap. "Don't be silly."

Then her shoulder dropped as she took my hand. "I'll send you his address. I've already informed him. He'll be waiting for you tonight."

 "Tonight?"

Annabel's POV

 "Ma'am... Madam..." the cabman's voice came from the front, hesitated.

 I flinched from hearing his voice. "What?" He gazed at me from the rearview mirror. "We have arrived at your destination".

 My eyes darted around, I was deep in thought that I never knew when we arrived at Daniel's penthouse. "Can you give me a moment?" I asked, my voice low, almost pleading.

 With just a simple nod, he turned off the engine, leaving us with nothing but the chirping of birds.

I needed to gather up my confidence.

 What if I tell him the truth and he doesn't want to have anything to do with me again? What will he do when he finds out that he had a one-night fling with his sister? Will he deny me the opportunity of getting my app funded? the only way to get answers to my questions is to enter there and confront him.

 Damn, I can't even bring myself to tell him the truth. I still need to get my revenge.

 The only way to get back at James is by dating someone who is way better than him. And for Stephanie, Daniel is her weak point.

Having Daniel to myself will make her feel the pain I felt the night I saw her in my ex's arms.

But, dragging Daniel into my game without telling him about my plans will be so selfish of me. If I don't let out the cat now it might backfire later.

 No.

 I need to tell him the truth. I seriously need to find out about what happened last night between us too.

 I finally lifted my head. "I will be going down now". I informed the cabman and held the door handle to step out, but something caught my eyes.

 A lady.

 She was dressed in a black skimpy bum shot paired with a backless gold top. The evening breeze toyed with her hair. She was speaking with Daniel's security guard as I watched her step into her car and drove in.

 My chest tightened into a knot.

 Is this what Daniel does all day? Yesterday, he was looking at me like I meant the entire world to him. And today he has changed to another woman.

 Fuck, I hate that I care.

 He clearly stated that he can never have anything to do with me. Why do I still feel pain?

 I watched the woman walk into Daniel's mansion.

Just like that, the plan changed, I couldn't bring myself to go in. I didn't want to intrude on their moment.

 I could feel the tension burning through my chest as my hands tightened into fists. "Drive". My voice came out low and rough.

Slamming the door, as I ran my fingers on my face pulling back strands of hair covering my face. Ordering the driver to take me to my apartment.

 I saw how confused he looked as he stared through the rearview mirror.

 Not wanting any of his interrogation. "Can we move? I have something urgent to attend to". I lied, knowing fully well that he would not buy them.

 But he simply nodded in agreement, humming the engine to life and we glided to my destination.

 To be honest I still don't understand why I was so upset seeing another woman enter Daniel's house.

 The feeling of knowing that he was going to screw another woman made my heart burn. I hate to admit it, but there is a part of me that wants to be with Daniel all the time.

 Maybe I'm lying to myself that I only want to be with him because I want to get revenge or maybe something else that I'm not ready to admit.

 Not after the picture Fiona showed me. Besides I don't think Daniel would want to have anything serious with someone like me.

 The lady that I just saw entering his mansion is his type of woman.

Not a classless girl like me who could not even afford a basic ride.

 The moment I stepped through the door, I changed into my cozy pajamas after a warm bath.

 Then, I decided to check my email. Not that I was expecting the Stroke development company to give us feedback by now.

 The instruction clearly stated next week. Besides I was not even sure if I was going to be picked.

 The only reason why I was going through my email is because I know sleep was never going to come if I decided to stay ideal.

 I just needed something to occupy my head. Something that will make me forget him.

Something. Anything, to steady my pulse and keep me from storming out of this house, marching straight to Daniel's, and tearing into the woman I watched walk into his home just hours ago.

 Just when I had booted my laptop on, a message popped up showing that I had received an email.

 I reluctantly swiped to the page hoping that maybe another company responded.

Because I was not sure if Daniel would want to give me this job.

 His attitude this morning tells everything. Maybe he left because he never wanted to see me again.

 And to make it worse, I have blocked him from reaching me in any form.

 I finally opened the email and my eyes widened.

Too stunned to react. How is this possible? How could I have gotten the job this easily? I stared at my screen again as I quietly read the message out.

 "Dear Ms. Annabel Green, Congratulations on securing a job with us at 'Stroke Development Company' and winning the competition of getting your app funded. We hope to see you resume tomorrow.

 Best regards,

 Stroke & CO".

 My thoughts spiraled, my head turning into something that was going to explode soon.

 I should be happy right? This has always been my dream.

To get my app funded. To finally work in a big company.

 But one thing is off, among the numerous candidates I was the only one picked and the most confusing part of it all is that I got the email even before the supposed period.

Does that mean I actually slept with Daniel? Did he actually get what he wanted and he is now keeping to his own side of the bargain? Damn, this email only tells me one thing.

 I will be seeing him tomorrow.

 How do I face him?