"Timothy!" Cara gasped in horror, the tray crashing to the floor as it fell from her hands.

Hearing the sudden crash, everyone in the booth looked up at her, but her eyes were stuck on just one person. He hadn't seemed to realise she was the one yet, as he was so occupied with the bimbo sitting on his lap, he couldn't spare her more than a glance.

Cara watched in shock as the man she would be getting married to in a few months time-the man who was supposedly in a meeting with a client-whispered into the ears of the lady sitting on his legs and how she giggled unnecessarily in reply.

Her eyes welled up with tears. Looking around once more, she saw more familiar faces. This betrayal, she felt her entire world come crashing down.

Sitting in the room with Timothy were his friends and their girlfriends-the people she thought were her friends too, but she was wrong. She'd known them for as long as she'd known Timothy and wondered if they only saw her as his girlfriend instead of a friend.

Did everyone know about this?

"Cara?" One of his friends loudly called out, and Timothy snapped his head up in surprise.

"Cara? Where's she?"

Looking away from his friend, he looked her way, and Cara could only stare at him in disgust as she willed herself not to let the tears fall.

Never again. She had promised herself. She'd never again cry over him, and she wasn't going to break that promise today.

"Cara baby. What are you doing here? I thought you worked on the ground floor only."

Rolling her eyes, Cara scoffed.

Typical Timothy.

She caught him cheating again, and all he's worried about is the fact that she wasn't supposed to work up here.

I have to get out of there, she thought.

She wasn't going to stand by and watch Timothy insult her once again. Feeling anger course through her veins, with a firm resolve, she gathered the last of her courage, looking at him with contempt.

"We're over, Timothy. I'm done with you." And then she walked away.

"Cara wait. You don't mean that. I'm sorry." He called after her, but she didn't spare him a glance.

Walking faster, she pulled off her apron, rushing towards the staff room. Behind the little courage was a lot of fear. She had to put enough distance between them both and fast! Cara wasn't sure she could take another beating tonight.

She thought of everything she had done for him. Timothy wasn't always like this. He was there for her at her lowest point when no one was. She was struggling, contemplating giving it all up, when she met him. His love for her got her through it all. When she caught him cheating the first time, she confronted him and got a good beating. Everyone said he was emotionally manipulative and violent, but he apologised and promised to turn a new leaf, so she stayed. When she caught him the third time, they said he didn't care for her, but he apologised and proposed, so she stayed. No one could understand their love, she had thought. Looking back on it all now, all she could feel were regrets.

She had been so foolish. Why blame everyone for hiding the truth from her when they all expected the same result? Well, they are going to get the biggest shock of their lives because she was done.

She was done. Done being a foot mat for everyone. She was tired of working and working with nothing to show for it. She was done taking trash from her sorry excuse of a fiancé. For Christ sake, it was her birthday, and here she was working hard to pay off her father's debts instead of living her life.

"Don't walk out on me while I'm talking to you!"

She felt him pull her back and she let out a small scream, stumbling on her feet.

"Timothy! How dare you?"

"How dare me? How dare you walk out on me? In front of my friends?" He sneered

"Is that all you care about? I just caught you cheating again, Tim. This isn't even the third time." Cara cried out.

"I wasn't cheating. We were just hanging out." Timothy defended

"Hanging out? On my birthday? Timothy, you told me you had a meeting. I have had a rough day, and I just wanted a break with my fiancé. You know what? I don't care anymore; we're over." She declared, trying to free her arm of his tight grip.

"You can't break up with me!" Timothy gripped her wrist tighter, ignoring Cara's painful pleas.

Pulling all her weight, she pushed him back and ran for the staff room door.

If she could just get in, she'd be safe on the other side, she thought.

As she made a move to open the door, it was thrown open, almost slamming into her face. In a fit of shock, Cara lost her footing, her eyes closing automatically as she anticipated the fall, only to be stopped by a firm arm around her waist.

The first thing she felt was how strong the arm was as it held unto her waist tightly, and then she smelt him.

His cologne was enough to have any woman sway on their feet. She felt as though she could get drunk on the scent alone.

"Are you alright?"

She heard his deep, baritone voice ask and felt shivers run through her spine. Never in her entire life has she heard anything that could make her feel so pleased and fearful at the same time.

Opening her eyes, she was met with the deepest grey ones she'd ever seen, staring into hers as though he were trying to see through her soul.

Cara glanced over his facial features and wondered how a man could look this beautiful even with a stoic expression on his face. Giving him a once-over, she could see his muscles straining against the fabric of his shirt and the tip of an elaborate tattoo as it peaked out from the turtleneck he was wearing.

"Cara! What are you doing? Get over here now!" Timothy bellowed, reminding her of his presence behind them.

Suddenly, an idea struck her mind. If she's going to escape leaving with Timothy tonight, she couldn't do that by herself. Even if she did, he'll be back at the house when she goes to pick up her stuff. It had always been like that. The same vicious circle repeats itself whenever they have a fight.

Cara shot one last icy glance at Timothy before she slipped her hands around the strange man's neck.

Holding onto him tightly as a big smile stretched across her face.

"Babe! You're here." She said in faux surprise.

And then she kissed him.

Pulling back a little to search his face for any sign of reluctance, she noticed a brief moment of shock flash across his face then he went back to his typical stoicism. Bringing her lips back to his, she whispered

"Kiss me back, please."

Timothy stood fuming with rage as he watched Cara break off the kiss with the unknown man, reflecting on her last words.

Babe. You're here? Babe. You're here?!

His hands balled into fists as he simmered in anger.

"You've been cheating on me?" He spat out distastefully, and Cara let out a cold laugh.

"I guess we can call it even then." She entwined her fingers with that of her pretend boyfriend's. "...or maybe not. This is your fourth time, right?"

Timothy, visibly annoyed, took a step towards her.

"Are you crazy? Come over here while I'm still being nice, and let's go home."

Cara let out a hollow laugh.

"Home? You mean the apartment I paid for?"

"I never asked you to! You did that on your own." Timothy replied with a snarl.

Cara felt foolish once again. After everything she had done for him, he was just going to brush it off like none of it mattered. Like it didn't cost her a lot.

She was always the one giving, even with the little she had.

Was she really foolish?

Memories of the time they've spent together flashed through her eyes. She was the one who always offered to pay whenever they ate out. She was the one who offered to pay the lease of his apartment. She also did all his cleaning and cooking.

God! She felt pathetic!

Did she really have to do all that to keep him? He wasn't even worth it!

"You never really loved me, Tim. If you did, you would not have treated me badly. I'm done." Cara replied unfazed. Still holding onto the hand of her surprisingly quiet pretend boyfriend, she turned around to open the staff room door when Timothy's next words stopped her.

"Well, how do you plan to pay back the thirty grand your father owes?"

"What?"

Cara turned back to him.

"Come with me, and I'll help you."

Cara's face remained cold and distant. To say she was surprised would be a lie; she had suspected it all along. Whenever things started to get better for her, a problem greater than she could mentally handle on her own would occur. That's how he has been able to keep her by his side-he'd make her believe the entire world was against her and he was the only one who cared. Moreover, her father once mentioned how Timothy promised to give him some money to make their lives better during one of his drunken shows. She suspected but decided to believe it wasn't her Timothy. Now, everything was starting to add up together. She had once wondered where her father got the funds to fuel his gambling addictions. Now she knew.

What a psychotic bastard!

Cara stood up straighter, her cold and proud demeanour totally contrasting how she felt within. She wasn't going to let him see through her, and this clearly irritated Timothy who took another step closer.

If she wasn't going to come back to him, then no one else can have her.

He made a move to reach for her when the stranger, who had quietly been watching it all, pulled her behind him. Stepping out of the dim light, he stood in front of Timothy, staring him down.

Timothy was a tall man himself, but he had nothing on the six-foot-three-muscle man who stood in front of him. The man seemed to be struggling to hold himself up, and his once deep grey eyes were now bloodshot, but Timothy would recognise him anywhere.

"Adonis." He whispered softly, unconsciously taking a step back.

Adonis squinted his eyes at the mention of his name. He was correct to think that the lousy guy whose voice had been aggravating his headache had a slight pinch of Italian accent. From the look on his face, Adonis could tell he recognised him. He tried to recall where he had seen his familiar face, but he couldn't will his brain to.

He felt hot! All he could think of was getting a release, and the kiss from earlier only fuelled his desire. He still hasn't figured out if it was in the beer or water he drank earlier, but he was sure that once the culprit was caught, he/she would paid dearly.

Tainting his drink with an aphrodisiac was a low blow.

Adonis let out a small groan, thick beads of sweat running down his face, as he ordered

"Leave."

Timothy didn't need to be told twice; throwing a final angry glare at Cara, he stalked away. If the rumours were true and Adonis is who they've described him to be, it was better he addressed Cara another day.

Adonis swayed on his feet, placing his hands on the wall just in time to stop himself from collapsing, and Cara rushed to his side.

"Oh my God, are you fine?" She searched his face frantically, watching in confusion as he recoiled from her touch. He stood to his feet, taking a step back from her.

"Go. Leave here."

"No. I can't do that. You clearly don't look well." She stubbornly refused.

Adonis let out a painful, loud groan, wiping his hand down his face.

"You have to get out of-" was all he could say before he swayed once again. In an attempt to save him from falling, Cara placed a hand on his bicep, earning a soft groan from Adonis as his head fell to her nape.

He littered light kisses all over, taking the skin between his lips as he sensually sucked at it.

Cara let out a small embarrassed moan, wetness instantly pooling between her legs. As much as she was confused, she felt extreme desire.

Is it possible to feel desire for a man you just met?

Momentarily snapping out of it, Adonis pulled away from her. Gripping her shoulders tight, he spoke with the little strength he had left.

"Leave bellissima, or I won't be responsible for my actions."

Cara remained unknowingly adamant.

"I know we're strangers, but you just helped me. You're sick, and it's my turn to return the favour. I want to help you."

Adonis chuckled darkly, pushing her against the wall.

"You want to help me?"

"Yes." Cara replied in a breathy whisper and wondered if that was her voice. She was meant to be helping the sick man, not getting turned on by his little touches and groans.

It was as though her reply broke the last restraint Adonis had left. Tapping her butt twice, he whispered.

"Jump." As he bunched up the material of Cara's skirt around her waist, her thick legs clinging tightly to his.

"Wait!" Cara tried to stop Adonis; the realisation of what was about to happen was just occurring to her, but Adonis was long gone.

Pulling his trouser just low enough to free himself, he gripped her chin in between his hands. Staring into her eyes, he instructed.

"Try not to make a sound."

And then he took her.

Bernardi Hotel

Cara let out a small moan as she rolled over on the bed, taking in the unfamiliar room. She felt her ears prickle at the sound of the shower running in the other room and came to the conclusion that she wasn't alone.

Glancing at the bedside clock, it read 8 a.m. She sat up suddenly, which wasn't the best choice at the moment, as she felt a slight twinge of pain in between her legs.

She was late for work.

She moved to get off the bed when memories from the night before flooded her mind.

Adonis taking her on the wall of the club. In the car. In the elevator. At the door of the hotel room. On the bed. When she cried out she couldn't take anymore, he took her on the bed again. In the shower... and finally in the early hours of the morning.

He was a beast in bed, unravelling even the deepest fantasies she never knew she had.

Cara felt her face flush red with embarrassment; she couldn't believe she just had a one-night stand with a man she barely knew-not even his name.

She heard the shower go off. Assuming he was done, she hurriedly picked up her clothes, which were scattered all over the floor, and threw them on. Cara didn't think she could face him after last night.

What if he thinks she's a whore? She basically started it first with the kiss. What if he expected her to be gone by the time he returned to the room?

Enough with the what-ifs. She wasn't going to wait to find out. Just then, she heard the soft pitter-patter of his feet as he drew closer to the door. Cara, still in her underwear, glanced at the clothes in her hand. She dove back under the sheets, pretending to be asleep as the door was pulled open.

Catching a glimpse of her jumping into bed, Adonis walked past without uttering a word. Moving over to the table at the other side of the room, he picked up a brown file, then returned to take a seat on the sofa.

"Open your eyes." He instructed, his words laced with its usual Italian accent and so much authority, Cara couldn't ignore.

She was so caught up yesterday, she didn't notice until they got to the hotel room. He had that sexy, barely there Italian accent she can't help but swoon over whenever he speaks.

Slowly, Cara popped one eye open, and then the next.

"Good morning." She squeaked out nervously.

"Hmm."

Adonis hummed. He was never one to engage in silly chit-chat, and he had far more important things on his mind.

Like finding the bastard who tainted his drink.

He had gone for his biweekly checkup at the club last night, when he got some information about a snitch amongst his staff. He was sure that news of how he dealt with betrayals would've gone around, but some fool still decided to cross him.

Normally, going after a petty betrayer was beneath him, so he usually sends his best men instead. But Adonis has been on the edge lately. The time he has waited for his whole life was finally here.

He was going to be crowned Capo in two weeks.

It's old news to anyone who knows the Bernardis. They were one of the most feared and respected mafia families in the world, ranking second out of the seven. Everyone knew Adonis was next in line for the throne. With his father being long dead and his runaway gold-digging embarrassment of a mother,

He was the only heir anyway.

He had been trained and groomed from birth to be Capo. It's all he had ever been told. His entire upbringing revolved around being the head of the family. It's all he had ever known-he was more than ready. But with the recent clause attached to it, Adonis wasn't so sure anymore.

No one could imagine how surprised he was when his grandfather told him that the people weren't sure he was going to be a good Capo. All because he did not have a family of his own.

Where was he to get a wife in two weeks?

Adonis placed a finger beneath his chin in deep thought as he stared at Cara, who was still hiding beneath the covers.

He had never thought about settling down. Yes, his mother had a role to play in that, but to him, family meant weaknesses. He had a lot of enemies.

Hell! The aphrodisiac situation was just a glance into his everyday life.

He had a lot to worry about and manage as the head of the family; he didn't want to add a wife and child to that pile.

Adonis drew in a deep breath before speaking.

"I apologise for the night before; I had a situation and wasn't in my right mind." He started. Cara gave him a shrug in reply.

"I also apologise for kissing you without your permission. I'm sure you'll understand why; you can conclude that much from last night."

"I believe all is settled then... and I'm sure I was worth your time."

"You were more than worth my time." Cara murmured, giving him a once-over.

The corner of Adonis lips lifted in reply. If he heard her, he did well to hide it.

"I would not explain my actions last night, but I have a proposal for you."

Cara ran her fingers through the tangled mess of hair on her head, trying to hide the smile on her face.

Was he thinking the same thing she was thinking?

Though it's embarrassing to admit to herself, she felt a small flutter of hope at the thought of having a repeat of last night.

"I want you to marry me." Adonis deadpanned.

The silence in the room stretched on until Cara burst out in uncontrollable laughter. When she was done, she returned her gaze to Adonis, who had been watching with an unamused expression.

"Oh my God! You are serious!"

"I never joke bellissima," Adonis replied.

"I don't know anything about you."

Adonis raised the file in his hand, "I have every piece of information about you here, so it's only fair I tell you about myself. What is it you want to know?"

Cara sat up in all seriousness, her underdressed state long forgotten.

"I thought you said we were even. You can't force me to marry you."

"Who said anything about forcing you?"

Cara raised an eyebrow in question.

"So you want to use me?"

"No. You get something in return. Like I said, I know everything there is to know about you." Adonis waved the file again.

Cara grumbled. "That doesn't mean I can just decide to spend the rest of my life with you."

"Not the rest of your life. Just a year."

She quietly watched him for a minute; he seems to have given this a lot of thought. She wondered if she just had a one-night stand with a mentally ill person.

"Look here, Mr.-"

"Adonis."

"Sorry?"

"Adonis Alessandro Bernardi."

"Well, look here, Mr. Bernardi. This doesn't make any sense to me, so I'm going to leave now." She pushed the covers away, pulling on the skirt she had picked off the floor earlier as Adonis approached her.

"It doesn't have to, bellissima. How about this? Agree to marry me for a year, and I'll f*ck you into oblivion after."

Cara's mouth fell open.

Holy shit.