*BEN*

It was all smiles for the family when Nolan and his father bid us goodbye and after they were gone my grandfather turned to look at me with a scowl on his face.

I crossed my arms over my chest.

"What were you thinking, Benedykta?!" He yelled furiously.

I stared at him in disbelief.

"What have I done? I'm selling my dignity just to make you richer. What else do you want?"

I kept my gaze on my mother and she looked away with guilt.

Serves her right.

"You came home drunk knowing that you could potentially ruin this engagement and I won't let you ruin my plans."

I scoffed in annoyance.

"I'm all doing you a fucking favor by marrying a man I don't even love so you should all be fucking grateful."

My grandfather raised his hand to hit but my mother held him back stopping him.

I smirked.

"Are we resolving to violence now?"

He remained silent.

I already knew my answer.

I grabbed my car keys and left the mansion while my grandfather kept calling my name.

This is why I moved out.

I couldn't stand being under my grandpa's control like I was some mindless puppet.

I want to be CEO so bad but deep down I think it's not worth selling my soul to the devil.

By the devil I mean Ambrose.

I got into my car and drove off without looking back.

I've always had a messy relationship with my grandfather and when I got older it only got worse.

I've tried to impress him so that I can be in his good graces that has never worked.

Tears filled my eyes as I increased the speed and I found myself heading somewhere else.

It was late but I found myself driving towards the beach.

When I finally arrived I sat on the sand and just broke down crying.

I was alone and no cameras were here to judge me.

In the eyes of the media the Rebels were an epitome of perfection and success and my grandfather has always wanted to keep things that way.

Always stay on the top no matter what.

And with this new project things might even get more difficult. Once you get to the top it's impossible to get back down and I've learnt that the hard way.

I wiped my tears away.

I released a shaky exhale.

It's easy to back away from this marriage but the mere thought of my father going to prison doesn't settle well with me.

I've already signed the contract.

I'll just have to get married to Nolan and stay with him for a year but I can't fathom the idea of having a baby with him.

No.

I've never thought of having kids and getting married was always out of the question.

My life was filled with my secret passion for writing and well taking over the family business since my father can't get his shit together.

No one knows that I'm a writer aside from my best friend Marcus.

If my family knew I know that they would never support me so some things I better off unsaid.

My mother was trying to get hold of me but I turned off my phone.

I sat at the beach for an hour just listening to the waves of the oceans wishing that they'd just carry me along.

Maybe my life would feel easier.

It was getting cold and this dress wasn't keeping me warm.

I got up and began walking towards my car.

Later that night I made it at the apartment in one piece. I stripped out of the dress and decided to go for a long shower.

I had a glass of wine and went to bed.

I had to wake up early for work.

My thoughts kept wandering back to the moment when Nolan kissed me and I couldn't help but feel flustered at the mere thought of his lips on mine.

His kiss was gentle yet passionate.

He was nothing like his father.

Ambrose.

His kisses made me feel like I was on the verge of drowning in ecstasy yet I didn't want him to stop either.

I groaned deeply.

When I eventually blocked out those steamy moments between father and son I eventually drifted to sleep an hour later.

As usual I woke up at 5.am in the morning and did my morning yoga routine despite feeling exhausted.

I decided to go for a long bubble bath and after that I went to get dressed and after I was done I was heading to the kitchen for some quick breakfast.

I turned on my phone and the number of messages and missed calls I found were alarming and a few of them were from Nolan.

I frowned and decided to call him back.

He picked up on the second ring.

"You made me worried, Ben," he muttered quietly.

"What do you mean?" I asked curiously but deep down I knew that my grandfather had something to do with this.

He cleared his throat nervously.

"Your grandfather mentioned that you left the mansion upset last night so I wanted to check up on you to make sure that you're okay."

I was angry that my grandfather dragged Nolan into this mess.

"Ben, are you still there?"

I had zoned out.

I sighed deeply.

"Yes I'm okay but I've burnt my toast while talking to you" I exclaimed softly removing black toast from the toaster.

It was burnt beyond human consumption.

He chuckled softly.

"I'm sorry for that but let me make it up to you. Let me have the honor of taking you out for breakfast."

I bit my bottom lip.

It was off schedule but I wanted to genuinely get to know Nolan.

"Please" he insisted and I found myself giving in.

"Like a date?"

I smiled to myself and I'm sure he had a grin on his face.

"Yes it will be our first date"he muttered quietly.

It was official Nolan and I were going on our first date but in the back of my mind I could picture Ambrose frowning at me.

Nolan offered to pick me up and I accepted even though I preferred driving myself to work.

BEN POV

With everything that was going on in my life I was on the verge of losing my mind and I was caught between two men who were related.

The other despised my entire existence and he probably wished that I was never born while the other one made my heart flutter in a way I couldn't even understand.

Was I falling in love with Nolan?

I sighed deeply and pulled out my phone to call my best friend.

Luckily he picked up on the first ring and I moved the phone from my ear when I heard the blaring music from the background.

Okay who seriously gets wasted in the morning?

I rolled my eyes at the mere thought.

"Hello?"

He definitely sounded off.

"Where are you?" I asked curiously even though I already knew the answer to my question.

He chuckled softly.

"I'm sorry Ben, is it a crime to get drunk? I am going through a horrible breakup and the only thing you fucking care about is my location?"

He sounded pitchy as usual.

It makes me wonder how we are still friends.

"Stop being dramatic Clay and just send me your damn location because I could really use a drink as well and I'll probably need a shoulder to cry on."

He remained silent.

"What did your grandfather do this time?"

I groaned deeply.

"I'll tell you about it later, just send me the address."

A few minutes later Clay sent me the location and I was driving to the bar that seemed brightly decorated with rainbow flags.

I was the only one wearing a suit and at the far back Clay waved at me and I began to walk towards. Once I reached I sat down and took a sip of whatever he was drinking.

He cocked a brow at me.

"Rough day at the office?"

I shook my head negatively.

"Do you remember the day of my engagement?"

He grinned at me.

"How can I forget it's the one time your grandfather actually called me to ask for your whereabouts but unfortunately I didn't know your location either and when I tried calling you never picked up."

I nodded quietly.

"So the night my grandfather had proposed that contract marriage with Nolan I was angry and it just hurts to know that the only thing I'm good at is sacrificing my happiness to get my family to approve of me."

Clay had ordered another drink when I took off my jacket and rolled back the sleeves.

"I went to a bar that night and I met this man who just wouldn't leave me alone no matter how much I tried to ignore and when our eyes finally met it was just a moment of silence where you just go like shit."

I found myself smiling recalling how I met Ambrose for the first time.

"He was older than probably the same age as my dad but he looked too good for his age and we just connected and the next thing I know he took me to the dance floor and my eyes I wrapped around his neck."

Clay arched an eyebrow at me.

"I didn't know that you had a fetish for older men" he teased and I rolled my eyes at him.

" So I asked him to kiss me and he said no because I was too drunk so I felt a little humiliated and stormed off and of course he followed me and...he pinned me against the car and he took my breath away with just one kiss."

"He calls me little flower in Italian and the next thing I know we are both in his car practically half naked having sex."

I could feel the heat in my cheeks.

Clays eyes widened in shock.

"Girl you had a one night stand with some random old man you just met at a bar?"

It was a little shameful.

He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Did you guys even use protection?" he whispered so that no one would overhear us.

I shook my head negatively.

"But I took the pill the next morning and I'm expecting my period in a couple of days."

I gulped my drink.

"You need to slow down."

"So the next morning I receive a frantic call from grandfather because I am about to miss my own damn engagement. I left without saying goodbye since he was asleep but I didn't expect to meet again at my freaking engagement party."

Clay looked confused.

"Wait what?"

I took a sip of my drink.

"That man turned out to be my future father in law and Nolan's dad."

Clay immediately spit his drink.

His eyes widened in shock.

"No fucking way?!" he yelled loudly as the people in the bar turned around sending daggers at us.

I placed my finger on my lips and he got the hint.

"So how did he react when he saw you?"

I shrugged carelessly as the bartender refilled my glass and Clay's glass as well.

"He seemed just as shocked as me and he looked angry and called me a gold-digger because I was marrying his son for the money he offered to invest at my grandfather's company."

Clay smirked at me and I frowned at him.

"What?"

He seemed amused.

"I think you still feel something for your father in law and those feelings won't go away unless you address them."

Everything just seems complicated.

"I am engaged to his son Clay. Having feelings for him is out of the question besides I can't stand him because he constantly insults me because of that damn night."

I swallowed hard.

It was a mistake.

Clay grasped my hand.

"Do you even like Nolan? You can't let your family continue dictating your life. You need to take a stand for yourself and explore the possibility of having a future with the man that stole your heart in one night."

I faked a gasp.

"When did my best friend become so wise?"

He gave me the middle finger and smiled.

"So what are you going to do?"

Nolan and were already legally married and it was already too late to walk away from it.

Our eyes locked in a frenzy and I forced a smile.

"I'll get married to Nolan and if I don't fall in love within a year I'll pull out of the contract and bear him a child as agreed."

The words sounded foreign to my own ears and I hated the fact that I was sounding like my grandfather.

Clay looked sad.

"What about your book, how's it going?" he asked, trying to change the topic.

I gave him a small smile.

"Well you'll be happy to know that I already have a title in mind but I don't have a storyline yet."

"So what's the title?"

I took a sip of my drink and grinned.

"Love for sale."

AMBROSE POV

I couldn't get this issue off my mind, and it was clear that the fire that had happened at the vineyard was an accident.

Something was definitely fishy, and I couldn't seem to shake off the feeling that the past had come back to haunt me.

I hadn't even had the chance to face him and tell him about the night I spent with Ben. He was going to be broken when he learned the truth.

I groaned deeply and stepped outside for some fresh air because I was on the verge of losing my mind.

Maybe leaving New York for a few days would do me some good, and maybe I could finally get rid of the image of Ben and Nolan kissing.

I pulled out my phone and decided to call Matteo.

He picked up on the first ring.

That's what I liked about him. He was always reliable, and I could count on him.

"Ambrose, what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"

I desperately needed his advice.

I chuckled softly.

"There's a situation, and I don't want to lose Nolan in the process."

There was silence on the other end of the line.

"What did you do?" he asked curiously, and I didn't even know where to begin.

It was probably best if I met him in person.

"I'm booking a flight to Italy, and it's best if I tell you in person."

He hummed in response.

"Is this about a woman?"

I frowned deeply.

Why did he have to know me so well?

When I didn't answer, he chuckled, adding to the humiliation I was feeling.

"You actually like her, because you wouldn't be so worked up over a random woman."

That was the point; Benedykta Rebel wasn't just any random woman.

I closed my eyes and opened them again. It brought back memories of the night we met.

The chemistry was evident, but now it felt all wrong.

That night shouldn't have happened.

It was a mistake, and the guilt would always eat me up each time I saw her.

"Ambrose, are you still there?"

I had completely zoned out.

I sighed softly, staring at the building in front of me.

"I can't have her, even if I wanted to."

Before Matteo could ask any more questions, I hung up on him and resumed my tasks.

An hour later, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Nolan walked in, and he had this grin on his face.

I closed my laptop and turned my attention to him.

"Someone looks happy," I taunted, and he rolled his eyes at me and pulled a seat across from me.

"Well, that's probably because I went on a date with my future wife, and I think Ben and I are making some progress."

I forced a smile.

"I am happy for you, son."

He beamed at me.

"I think I really like this girl, Dad. Even if this whole thing is just a contract bound to expire, I might be falling for her."

It felt like my heart had been pierced with a dagger.

The pain was unbearable, and Nolan was only making things worse.

I raised my hand to stop him.

"Are you okay?" he asked in a worried tone.

I stood up, running my fingers through my hair.

I was getting frustrated because Nolan deserved to know the truth.

"I'm sorry, but I-"

Our eyes locked in a frenzy.

I couldn't do it.

"I'm going to Italy for a couple of days because there was a fire at the vineyard."

The words left my lips before I could stop them.

The color drained from his face.

I felt like a coward for not telling him the truth.

Nolan looked puzzled.

"What happened?"

"Matteo said that the fire started from the wine cellar, and half of the vineyard is in ashes. He also suspects that the fire wasn't an accident. That vineyard meant so much to your grandfather, and I promised him that I would always take care of it."

Nolan looked conflicted.

"When are you leaving?"

"Tonight."

"Let me come with you. If you suspect that the fire was intentionally started, then we need to involve the police and figure out who did this."

I shook my head negatively.

"No, you need to stay here and look after the company, and most importantly, take care of Ben."

He nodded quietly.

"I'll be back in a few days, and after that, we need to find you the perfect suit for your wedding so that you look dashing."

He smiled.

"What does Ben feel?"

Nolan couldn't hide his smirk.

"I think we share a mutual feeling; otherwise, she wouldn't have kissed me at the engagement party."

I remembered that moment very well.

I nodded.

I smiled and placed my hand on his shoulder.

"I need to get ready; my flight is scheduled in a few hours. I'll just take the private jet to avoid any disruptions."

After bidding Nolan goodbye, I went back to my apartment to pick my luggage, and soon enough, I was on the jet heading to Italy.

When I finally arrived, Matteo was already waiting for me at the airport.

I breathed in the morning air in Italy, and it felt good to be back home.

My home.

Matteo offered to carry my luggage, and I let him.

A few minutes later, he was driving to the other side of the vineyard where my father's mansion was located.

The place looked the same, and it brought back memories of my childhood.

I wanted Nolan to be born here, but Katherine went into labor early, and we were in New York by that time.

But before my father died, he took the liberty of teaching Nolan everything he needed to know about his true origin.

I was welcomed by my staff.

The first thing I did when I reached my room was take a hot shower, and after that, I was served breakfast in the dining hall.

Matteo filled me in on what was going on while I was away.

"Despite recovering the footage from the burned-up cameras, we caught a glimpse of the man who started the fire."

My ears perked up at the new information. Matteo handed me a brown envelope, and I opened it and took out a few pictures that looked very blurry.

I narrowed my eyes at the picture and noticed that there was a man with a nasty scar on his cheek.

I sighed deeply.

"I've already given the police his description, and they assured me that they would look into it."

Maybe it was time I took things into my own hands.

"We need to show these fuckers that no one screws over Esteban and gets away with it."

Matteo nodded in agreement.

"What do you have in mind?"

"Arrange for some people to start working on the vineyard because nothing is going to stop me from carrying on my father's legacy. Our wine is the best in Italy for a reason, and that will never change."

Matteo smirked.

I cocked a brow at him.

I already knew where he was heading.

"So about the woman you helplessly fell in love with..." he taunted.

I glared at him.

"Firstly, I am not helplessly in love with that girl."

His eyes widened in shock.

"She's a younger woman?"

I remained silent.

"Come on Ambrose, don't leave me in suspense because this is the part where you tell me how you guys met."

I rolled my eyes at him.

"We had a one-night stand, and there's nothing much to it. In fact, it was a mistake that should have never happened in the first place."

He cocked a brow at me.

"I don't think it was a mistake since you seem angry and almost jealous."

Matteo was only adding salt to my wounds.

"The woman I had a one-night stand with is Nolan's fiancée."

His eyes widened in shock, and he stood up, staring at me in disbelief.

"Che cazzo?!" he yelled.

He sat down, covering his mouth.

"Before you judge me, Ben and I didn't know each other that night, and we only found out the truth the next day during the engagement. You can only imagine how I felt when I saw her being introduced as my future daughter-in-law."

"I haven't really craved the attention of a woman ever since Katherine passed away, and when I met Ben for the first time, she stirred these new emotions inside me, and when our eyes locked, I knew that I had fucked up."

This whole situation is just complicated.

"Does Nolan know?" Matteo asked.

I shook my head negatively.

"No."

"He's smitten over this girl, and I just can't tell him the truth. He's falling in love for the first time, and I don't want to ruin it."

Matteo stood up and began pacing around the room.

"You need to forget that night for Nolan's sake. Get rid of those feelings because you are going to lose your son when he finds out that you screwed the woman he's in love with."

He turned to look at me.

"Let her go."

That night, I couldn't get much sleep as Matteo's words kept replaying in my mind.

I pulled out my phone, dialing Ben's number.

If I was going to erase her entire existence from my memories, then I needed to hear her voice for the last time.

She picked up.

"Ambrose?"