*AMBROSE*

I hurriedly got dressed in the car and tucked the red thong into my pockets. I had a feeling that I was going to meet that woman someday and I'd personally return this to her.

"Are you at the bar?" Nolan asked curiously and I could tell that he was upset.

I groaned deeply.

"Firstly, I deserve an apology, son, because you ditched your old man. I waited for you for hours, and you never even bothered to call or text to let me know that you weren't going to make it."

Nolan remained silent.

"Okay I'm sorry for not informing you, but please don't tell me that you're at some random hotel with a woman in your bed."

I chuckled softly.

"Actually, I'm in my car and the woman sneaked out while I was asleep."

Nolan scoffed in annoyance.

"Eww, dad, I'm hanging up. Just meet me at your apartment. I've already bought your suit."

I hung up and began driving to my apartment. Twenty minutes later, I arrived and spotted Nolan's car in the driveway.

I went to the living room and found him staring outside.

"You're late," he muttered quietly and turned to face me.

He looked very handsome in his blue suit.

"You never told the real reason why you ditched me last night."

He looked conflicted.

"Are you having second thoughts about the engagement? We can always find another way to get this deal."

He shook his head negatively.

"No... this deal means a lot to you and the company, dad, and I want to help you even if it means marrying a woman from the rebel's family."

He made it sound like I was forcing him to marry that girl.

"Nolan, you don't have to marry someone you don't love. Just think this through and let me know what you'll decide."

He nodded quietly.

"Just please take a shower so that we can start off early. I want us to leave early and make a good impression on the Rebels."

I had a feeling that Nolan was hiding something from me, and I was going to get to the bottom of the issue.

I placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, and he gave me an assuring smile, but it wasn't enough to convince me or erase the doubts that had begun to creep into my head.

I went upstairs and took a long shower. Once I was done, my gaze lingered on the black suit that was perfectly laid out on the bed.

I sighed deeply.

That woman never even gave me her name but her scent is now embedded in my soul, and there's no way I'd forget it anywhere.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Nolan walked in, and he looked nervous.

"What if she doesn't like me?"

I gave him a puzzled look.

"Are you talking about your fiance?" I asked curiously.

He took a sip of his drink.

He was nervous.

"You'll be fine, Nolan, just be yourself, and everything will fall into place."

I've never seen him so nervous to meet a girl.

"Relax."

An hour later, we were driving to the Rebels mansion. Our agenda today was to have a small lunch and get Nolan and the Rebels' granddaughter engaged in the evening.

When we finally arrived, the mansion itself looked magnificent, and I could already imagine what the inside looked like.

I turned to look at Nolan, and he looked in good shape.

Security checked our IDs and later gave us the signal to go in. After a few minutes, we were parked at the entrance of the mansion.

The doors of the mansion opened, and an elderly man wearing a black tailored custom-made suit beamed at us.

He was definitely welcoming.

"Mr. Esteban, you've finally made it. Who's going to be my son-in-law between the two of you?" He teased, and I chuckled softly.

Nolan and I were the same height, but my white beard always gave away my age.

"Unfortunately, it's not me, Mr. Rebel," as I gestured to my son, Nolan.

He shook hands with him and handed him a bottle of expensive wine. I had ordered it straight from my vineyard in Italy.

Mr. Rebel smiled at Nolan.

"Please call me Charles. There's no need to be formal since you're now part of the family."

We were ushered behind the mansion where a few butlers were setting up the table for lunch.

Charles introduced us to his family, but there was no sign of his granddaughter.

"Will your granddaughter join us for lunch?"

Mr. Charles looked tense.

"You know how women are, they take forever to get ready because they want to look perfect. But don't worry, she'll join us this evening for the engagement as planned."

I turned to look at Nolan.

He looked a little disappointed.

I'm guessing he was eager to meet his bride.

Mr. Charles took out the contract marriage showing us that his granddaughter had signed it.

She was now legally bound to the contract.

"Benedykta, is that her name?"

Mr. Charles nodded quietly.

"Yes, and I personally chose it, but she shortens it, so she goes by 'Ben' now."

Nolan smiled.

"I think it's a beautiful name."

We kept engaging in small talk as Mr. Charles took the liberty of telling Nolan about his granddaughter and how she was the perfect girl for my son.

"She's hot-headed, so I advise you to get ready because my granddaughter doesn't like losing until she gets her way."

It brought back memories of the girl I met at the club.

She certainly got her way last night.

I snapped out of my daze and excused myself to go answer a phone while Mr. Charles was showing Nolan some childhood pictures of Benedykta.

The call was from the office.

"This isn't the right time, Matteo. What is it?"

Matteo was my best friend and second right-hand man when it came to the affairs of the vineyard in Italy.

"We'll need you back here."

He sounded worried.

"What happened?"

"There's been a fire... Ambrose, and half of the wine cellar is gone."

I let out a shaky exhale.

Fuck.

That vineyard belonged to my father, and I had promised him to continue the family business no matter what.

"How the hell did the fire start?"

I was getting worked up.

Matteo sighed deeply.

"Most of the cameras were burnt up, and with what we could retrieve from the other angles of the camera, there was a masked figure."

I ran my fingers through my hair.

"Let me just conclude with Nolan's engagement, and I'll get on the next flight tonight."

I stood there in shock, anticipating the damage that I was going to find back home.

"Dad, is everything okay?" Nolan asked in a worried tone, and I turned around to meet his worried gaze.

I wasn't going to burden him with the news of the vineyard since he was already nervous about his engagement.

I forced a smile.

"Just a few issues with the vineyard, but I'm sure that your uncle will take care of everything."

He nodded quietly and went back to our seats.

We spent the rest of the afternoon talking about the partnership we were going to have together.

When we finally concluded with the meeting, the press began to arrive, and it was time to head inside for the engagement.

Mr. Charles directed us to the ballroom that was filled with a few guests, and he was quick to introduce us even though I knew some of the people in the room.

A butler offered us some champagne as Mr. Charles introduced the arrival of his granddaughter.

She definitely knows how to make an entrance.

A woman stood at the grand stairway as a white shoulder-length dress curved her body sinfully.

Nolan had gone to help her get down, and she kissed him on the cheek.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and when her blue eyes met mine, I dropped the glass of champagne.

It was the only sound in the room.

All eyes turned to me.

It was her.

She looked away when she saw me.

Fuck.

This couldn't be happening.

A cleaner came to clean up the broken glass, and I apologized and turned my attention to Nolan and his future bride.

I've never seen Nolan so smitten over a girl in my whole life.

"Dad, this is Benedykta."

She offered me her hand.

The same hand that caressed me last night.

I took her hand in mine, never taking my eyes off her flushed face.

When I didn't pull away, she smiled softly and pulled her hand away.

I've never felt horrified in my entire life.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Ben, and welcome to the family, piccolo fiore."

Her face went pale and she shyly smiled at me.

"Thank you, Mr. Esteban," she muttered quietly.

She was my daughter-in-law.

My son's fiancee.

I grabbed another drink off the tray because it was time for the engagement.

Nolan got on one knee and pulled out a box from his pocket.

I swallowed hard as anger and jealousy filled my veins.

"Benedykta Rebel, will you marry me?"

Our eyes locked in a frenzy.

"Yes, I'll marry you."

The room burst into applause, and in that moment, she smirked at me.

*BENEDYKTA*

*FOUR HOURS EARLIER*

I let out a yawn when I realized that it was morning, and I was stark naked in the arms of a complete stranger.

I smiled to myself because he was still passed out from last night's events, and I couldn't blame him since we went all night long making love.

I placed a kiss on his cheek, and he groaned deeply but kept his eyes closed.

A part of me didn't want to abandon him, but what happened between us was just a one-night stand with no strings attached.

I gathered my clothes and began to get dressed, but I couldn't find my panties anywhere, and I really wanted to leave before he woke up.

I ditched them, got dressed, and with a heavy heart got out of his car carefully without making a sound. Soon enough, I was back on the road in my own car.

My phone began ringing, and I fished it out of my purse and put the call on loudspeaker since I was driving.

It was my grandfather, and I wondered what he wanted this time because he had clearly done enough damage to my life.

"Hello."

"Benedykta Luisa Fernanda Rebel, where the hell are you? Because I am certain that you did not spend the night in my house."

I rolled my eyes.

"Relax, Grandpa. I just went to have a few drinks at the bar, lost track of time, and fell asleep in my car."

He had the audacity to use that ugly full name.

"I won't have my own granddaughter turn into some whore on her engagement."

I stepped on the brakes as the car came to a halt in the middle of traffic, and the blaring cars behind snapped me out of a trance as I made an emergency stop at some random gas station.

"What engagement?" I asked curiously.

He sighed deeply.

"If you paid more attention to my words, you'd know that your engagement is today. So get your ass back to my mansion before I send your useless friend to come get you."

I scoffed in annoyance.

"This is my life, and you can't keep dictating it for me. When will I ever make my own decision? Because I'm starting to feel like I'm nothing but a puppet in this family."

I could feel my anger boiling.

"Get home now because I won't ask nicely, Benedykta."

And before I could utter a word, he hung up.

I let out a scream, hitting the steering wheel angrily, and the couple next to me probably thought I was crazy.

Well, they weren't wrong.

When I finally calmed down, I decided to call my mother. Maybe she would help me find a way to get out of this mess.

I wasn't ready to get engaged to some random stranger tonight.

She picked up on the second ring.

"Hey, Mom."

"Honey, your grandfather has been calling non stop. Where are you?" She asked curiously.

I sighed deeply.

"Don't worry, I'm on my way to the mansion. But why didn't anyone tell me that I was getting engaged tonight? I haven't even signed that damn contract, and I don't think I can give up my life for the sake of the company."

She remained silent.

"I understand what you mean, honey... but there's something your father and I have been keeping from you."

I narrowed my eyes.

More bad news?

What the heck was up with this damn day?

"What is it, Mom?"

I had a feeling that this had to do with my father's lousy gambling bets.

"Uh, your father may have lost a quarter billion in his betting games."

My eyes widened in shock.

"A freaking quarter billion?!" I yelled furiously.

"He says he's sorry... the company is deep in debt, and if your grandfather finds out, he's going to disown your father or worse, send him to prison for embezzlement."

I took a deep breath.

You've got to be kidding me.

"So how does this concern me? Because you're clearly encouraging dad to gamble with the company."

"Your father and I figured if you marry the son of Mr. Esteban, he's promised to invest five billion into the company's project, and the money will be enough to keep the company afloat. Your grandfather won't ever find out about the missing money."

I didn't want to get involved in this scheme, but again, I felt conflicted because I didn't want my dumb father to end up in jail.

"Benny, sweetheart, are you still there?"

I ran my fingers through my hair.

I was only moments away from pulling it out.

"Fine. I'll marry Mr. Esteban's son, but this is the last time I'm getting dad out of a situation like this. I'll marry Mr. Esteban's son but we'll be married for a year, and after that, I'm filing for a divorce."

I hung up on her and continued driving home. Once I arrived home, I signed the damn marriage contract and prepared to put on a good show.

According to the contract, I had to give Mr. Esteban's son a child within the year of our marriage, and it was the only way I'd be eligible to ask for a divorce.

My gaze lingered on the signature I had written, and it was official.

I was married on paper.

*PRESENT DAY*

I let out a shaky exhale when Nolan got down on one knee and pulled out a ring.

I swallowed hard as he smiled at me.

"Benedykta Rebel, will you marry me?"

My gaze lingered on Mr. Esteban.

"Yes, I'll marry you," I exclaimed softly and kept my eyes on him.

His gaze darkened dangerously, and I smirked at him.

Nolan slipped the ring on my finger and planted a kiss on my cheek.

The guests cheered and began to congratulate us.

Mr. Esteban began walking towards us, and he beamed at Nolan, giving him a quick hug. When he turned to me, I felt the air leaving my lungs when he leaned in close to my ear.

"I finally know your name, Piccolo Fiore."

He pulled away, smiling at me, and I froze in shock.

He was deliberately torturing me.

The man that had kept me moaning all night was going to be my father-in-law.

"Welcome to the family, Benedykta."

I forced a smile when he offered me his hand.

Our eyes locked in a frenzy.

I placed my hand in his.

There it was again.

His touch made my skin tingle.

"Thank you, Mr. Esteban."

He grinned at me, and two dimples appeared on his cheeks.

Something I hadn't noticed last night.

"Please, you're family now. There's no need to be formal. Call me Ambrose."

I nodded quietly and pulled my hand away when he didn't make an attempt to release it.

His gaze made me feel bothered and hot.

He probably thought I was a slut.

"You look awfully familiar, Ben. Have we met before?" He mused, and I nearly choked on the champagne I was drinking.

Nolan placed his hand on my back, soothing me, and I felt much better.

"Are you okay?" He asked in a worried tone, and I glared at his father, who looked equally amused.

He was enjoying torturing me, and I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.

He was taunting me on purpose.

"I think you probably mistook me for someone else because I was home last night."

He cocked a brow at me and smiled.

My heart skipped a beat, and I knew that I shouldn't be feeling this way about my father-in-law.

It was sinfully wrong.

*AMBROSE*

When Ben finally found an excuse to slip away from the crowd I took a gulp of the champagne hoping that it would calm me down.

My emotions were all over the place and it was because of this woman.

I still couldn't believe that she was the same woman I had an affair with last night.

I swallowed hard and Nolan approached me with a smile.

He already looked smitten with Ben and it was going to break his heart when he learned the history between Ben and I.

"I thought you'd like her" he muttered quietly and I gave him a puzzled look.

"Ben?" I asked curiously and he nodded in response.

He took the glass of champagne away from me.

"You tend to drink too much at social events when you're stressed out."

He turned to look at Ben and when their eyes locked she blushed.

Fuck.

Nolan turned to look at me and I forced a smile.

"What's there not to like about her? She's pure perfection and I want is best for you son. If she makes you happy then I'm happy as well."

Nolan still didn't look convinced.

"She'll fit right into our family."

He smiled at me.

"I felt something change inside me when Mr. Rebel showed me her childhood pictures and when I saw her for the first time I felt speechless because this beautiful woman was going to be my wife."

I had the urge to cringe when he called his wife.

I shook my head in disbelief.

It was just a one night stand.

I need to get her out of my head.

She was going to become my daughter in law.

"This isn't the way I wanted to find her dad...but I think she's the one."

I chuckled softly and patted his shoulder.

"You just met this girl, son . I think you need to slow down."

He offered me another drink and I cocked a brow at him.

"Are you trying to get me drunk?"

I took the glass from him and brought it to my lips.

He shrugged carelessly.

"Consider this as my redemption for ditching you at the bar last night."

If he only knew that he had done me a big favor by not showing up.

Because I met her.

A woman who could easily get into my head and I haven't felt that way for a long time.

"What happened to your lady friend from last night?" He asked curiously and I almost choked on my drink.

He gave me a poker face.

"She didn't stick around she left while I was asleep" I exclaimed sternly and kept my gaze on Ben.

She was talking to her grandfather and he looked like he was scolding her.

She looked pissed off but she was trying to hide her anger by smiling.

Next thing they were heading in my direction.

I wasn't ready to see her again.

Her grandfather smiled at me.

"Dinner will be ready soon. I hope that the engagement is to your taste Mr. Kean Ambrose."

I gave him a stern nod.

"As long as these two love birds are happy I have no problem with the engagement."

Mr. Rebel smiled.

"Now that we have sealed the deal, how about we get to some official business in my office?"

I nodded quietly as he led me to his study.

He offered me a seat and took out some documents out of the drawers and placed them on the desk.

My gaze lingered on Ben's signature.

She was only marrying Nolan for the money and within a year of their marriage she had to give him a child.

The mere thought of seeing her pregnant with another man's child made me feel uneasy.

And that man was none other than my son.

"I'd look to increase my investment than the initial price indicated in the documents."

The words left my lips before I could stop them.

What the heck am I doing?

Mr. Rebel looked off guard.

"Are you sure? If you're changing the amount then the documents need to be edited and a new copy needs to be approved by all our lawyers."

I nodded quietly.

Yes I was aware of that formality.

Mr. Rebel looked puzzled.

"Why do you suddenly want to invest so much money in our company?"

I wanted to see Benedykta sign those documents again.

I want her to admit that she's just marrying my son for the money and that she's nothing but a mere gold digger.

I gave him a small smile.

"I know that this project is going to be a big hit on the market and the profit I'm going to make from this is going to be bigger than my investment."

Mr. Rebel nodded thoughtfully.

"The project has a lot of potential and my granddaughter came up with it and that's why I want to make her the CEO."

He sighed deeply and sat down.

"My son was supposed to be the CEO but he's very useless. The only thing he knows to do is gamble. He's lucky to have such an intelligent daughter to make up for his stupidity."

I chuckled softly.

"When do we officially start to work on the project?" I asked curiously.

"Benedykta is in charge of the project and I believe that she'll come to your company and give you a detailed plan of the project."

I gave him a stern nod.

After discussing a few things we went back downstairs and I found Ben dancing in Nolan's arms.

I decided to cut in.

"Do you mind if your father in law steals a dance?" I asked curiously, keeping my gaze on her face.

She looked at Nolan and he smiled at her.

"Sure" she muttered quietly and put her hands on my shoulders gently.

Her fiery eyes met mine intensely.

"So is this the part where you blackmail me?" She taunted .

I restrained myself from chuckling.

"Whatever happened last night was just a mistake."

I cocked a brow at her.

"A mistake?"

She smirked.

"Yes, a mistake that happened because both of us were clearly drunk."

I shook my head in disbelief.

"You came onto me last night and asked me to kiss you...and when I refused you got upset and stormed out of the bar."

Her face turned red.

"You wanted me... just as much as I wanted you piccolo fiore."

She let out a gasp.

"Don't use that name on me."

I chuckled darkly.

"How does it make you feel?" I whispered softly.

She frowned at me.

"If you weren't my father in law I would have slapped that grin off your arrogant face" she warned.

She looked dead serious.

"We never met last night and I'd like to keep things that way if you want this marriage and partnership to work."

I felt angry.

"So that's it? You're only marrying my son for a couple of billions?"

Her eyes met mine.

"I'm doing the right thing to save my family's legacy and I will do whatever it takes to stay on the top."

Benedykta Rebel was nothing but a cheap gold digger.

I pulled her against me and her lips parted softly.

My gaze lingered on them.

"Nolan genuinely likes you and I swear if you break his heart I am going to kill you and ruin your damn company."

I meant every word.

She smiled at me.

"I'll make him the happiest man on earth for a year and he'll be a great father I'm sure of it but after that I'm going to divorce him."

Benedykta Rebel was just like the rest of her family.

Vultures who only cared about money and their precious reputation.

We were very different and the woman I met last night was nothing compared to the woman standing in front of me.

"Is that why you gave yourself to me last night? Aside from being a gold digger you're also a whore is that it?"

Her face paled and she looked hurt.

I didn't fucking care.

She looked away and before I could control the damage I had done Nolan had cut in.