Leonard

I can't remember the last time I had a good sleep. It has always been hours and hours of draining myself in work with barely enough hours to get some rest. I've been pushing for a promotion for months now and I'm working my ass off to earn it. Nick's call ruined the one cheat day I had. But I'm grateful he did or I would have missed my appointment with Asher O'Neill. Memories of last night linger in my head as I sit in the waiting room. She was out of my apartment before I woke up. All I have left is her scents on my sheets. No number or even a name. I'm hoping I bump into her again at the bar. I plan to visit later tonight.

"Mr O'Neill will be right with you, sir," the secretary, dressed in a tight knee-length black gown, says. Her lips are red and plump. Reminds me of a cherry.

"Thank you," I nod in response. She holds my gaze for a long second as she flips her hair backwards. I put some extra effort in my appearance today for this meeting. A tailored dark blue suit with a few curls of my hair falling over my face. I also gave my beard a little trim to look the part perfectly. Asher cannot know we're onto him and his family.

The landline on her desk rings and she answers immediately. She gives a few yes responses and ends the call.

"He is ready to see you now, Mr Porter."

"Great," I reply with a smile as I stand to my feet straightening my tie. She leads me to the office, stepping in first and holding the door for me. Asher's eyes are fixed on the screen of his computer as I walk in. There's a beautiful view of the bustling city through the glass doors behind him.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr O'Neill. I've heard so much about you."

"The pleasure's mine, Mr Porter."

Asher stands to his feet as I walk closer to his table.

"Please call me Howey," I reply as I extend my arm for a handshake. I'm Howey Porter on this job. Using my real identity is too risky.

"Asher," he says with a light yet firm grip. The air is cold with the smell of coffee lingering.

"Please have your seat," he adds, pointing to the empty chair facing his.

"Thank you." I settle on the cushioned leather chair.

"My secretary says you need the services of my company for a long-term business. Tell me about it." He hits a button on his laptop and settled his gaze on me.

"Straight to business," I say. A smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

"I like that. Well, my company, H-Motors, needs a reliable shipping company to get engines shipped into the city for assembling here."

He stares at me with keen interest and nods in response.

"I've heard so much about-"

A noise from behind the door interrupts me as we both turn to its direction. It flies open almost immediately and Asher stands to his feet. Fuck, I can't let anything ruin this.

"Here's your fucking ring," a lady says, walking into the room. The secretary follows behind her looking confused and slightly terrified.

"You can't just barge into my office, Olivia," Asher grunts.

"I couldn't leave it with your whore. Who knows if she might steal it? I know how precious it is to you, ex-fiancé," the lady continues.

Asher's face washes in embarrassment just as the secretary leaves the room in a rush. Well, damn.

I try not to look as I stare at the table.

"Olivia"

She places the ring box on it. I catch a whiff of her scent. It's so fucking familiar. Like the one on my sheets.

"Goodbye Asher!"

I turn to meet green eyes staring at me. They bulge out the second our gaze meet. Fuck no.

"You'll never find anyone like me," Asher snarled.

Olivia eyed me for a second and turned around, letting out a scoff.

"I never want a fucking asshole like you."

The tension in the room just got worse.

"Wonder why you're so miserable and lonely? No one wants you. You should be grateful I thought of marrying you because no one else would," Asher blurted.

"Oh really?" Olivia laughed hysterically and turned to me.

"Marry me."

"What?"

Olivia

I tap my fingers nervously on the bar table. This feels like the wrong place to have such an important discussion but I couldn't think of anywhere else. He's still a stranger and I can't have him in my house just yet. What was I thinking asking him to marry me?

I'm damn sure I wasn't thinking at all.

I cringe as I replay the scene in my head. Those words sounded desperate. I needed to prove Asher wrong and he was my only option. Meeting the stranger again at Asher's office was the only good thing that came out of that drama. I didn't expect his call after I handed him a piece of paper I had written my number. The look on Asher's face was everything I wanted. Jealousy- anger. I enjoyed every bit of it as I watched him burn with rage. But I want more. Revenge for cheating on me. And this stranger looks like the perfect plan. He's hot and gives great sex. I'll finally give my dad his wish while getting my revenge on Asher.

I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans as I see him approach my table. He looks different from earlier today in a casual sweatshirt and pants.

"Hi," I say as he settles on the stool in front of me.

"Hi."

His eyes watch me cautiously. He must think I'm crazy. Maybe I am.

"Well, thank you for coming."

"How could I ignore the lady that begged me to marry her?"

A smirk plays on his lips.

I let out a scoff.

"I didn't beg you. I only asked you to," I say with disgust. Maybe this was a big mistake.

"Didn't look like it," he retorted. He lets out a laugh. It's infuriating.

"I should have known this was a stupid mistake." I try to stand to my feet but he stops me. His fingers holding my arm.

"Wait."

"Why? This is some kind of joke to you."

I feel stupid and pissed. But mostly pissed.

"I'm sorry, okay? Please stay."

His eyes soften just like his grip on my arm.

"I don't have time for games," I say as I lower myself back on the stool.

"I'm not trying to play any," he replies.

I dragged my gaze away from his. The bar was getting fuller now. I need to be done with this quick before it gets too noisy to have a conversation in.

"So what is it with you and you-know-who?" he broke the momentary silence.

"None of your business."

I return my gaze to him with my face firm.

"Then why am I here?"

"I need your-"

I stop mid-sentence and swallow a hard gulp. Already hate how desperate it sounds.

"I need your help."

"To marry you?" the stranger asks.

"To get revenge on that piece of shit," I snap. Marriage sounds so serious.

"Why should I? You've already put me in a bad position with the business deal we had going on before you walked in."

He slides my glass of coke to himself and takes a sip. I have no idea how he made that look hot. But it did. And made my core throb.

"You can leave if you don't want to."

I keep my eyes locked on his. He stares back in silence like it's a staring contest. It makes me nervous for a second.

Then he sighs out loud.

"What do I get in return if I agree to this?"

He leans forward and folds his arm on the table. I do the same.

"What do you want?"

I know how this works. It's a business my father has always wanted me to be involved in. Nothing ever comes free.

"Everything. Everything you know about him."