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.

All heads turned at the ding of the doorbell. They watched the young woman, who could easily pass for a high schooler, hold tightly to the tote bag on her arm as she skipped into the cafe with a big smile on her face.

Multiple faces tried to stifle their laughter as she walked up to the counter in clothes that looked to be three times her size, but she couldn't be bothered. It hadn't even occurred to her that she was the centre of attraction.

"Good morning. Two cups of caramel machiatto and one walnut pie, please." Cara ordered as she thought back on the last time her family had walnut pie. It used to be a tradition. Whenever there was good news to share, they always had walnut pie.

She decided it was time to renew the tradition. It seemed like only good things would happen from now on.

"Your coffees and walnut pie." The attendant said, and Cara received them with an overly excited thank you.

She pulled up the tote bag on her shoulder for the third time since she'd reached the cafe as she tried to balance the coffee and walnut pie box in her other hand. Waddling out of the cafe, she turned away from the cafe street, heading down the street to her home.

She couldn't remember if she had ever felt this peaceful since the death of her mother. She had never been this spontaneous, but to her, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She recalled her conversation with Adonis...

.

.

.

"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."

As much as she loved his proposition-mainly the bonus, but she wouldn't say that to his face-Cara didn't think it was a sane thing to get married because of hot sex. She had reluctantly refused and was all set to leave when he read out information from the brown file.

Cara Camila Rodriguez

5'5

Age: 22 years

Spanish-American

Third Generation Immigrant

College Dropout

Lives in a moderate-sized family house in the middle part of town-Washington Street, to be exact.

Works part-time as a dishwasher during the weekdays, tutors high schoolers, and serves as a waitress every weekend.

Dead Mother due to Stage Three Lung Cancer

Father used to work as marketing team manager but is now a chronic drunk and an addicted gambler.

Only acquaintance is a coworker known as Augustina Brooks.

Current debt: fifty-five grand, and 95% is from your father's gambling addiction.

Adonis took a pause as he viewed the next line but decided not to read it out. Beside a picture of her ex-fiancè was the name, Kane Roberts. His guts told him something was fishy, as he could clearly remember Cara calling him Timothy the day before. Making a mental note to have his men look him up, he looked up at Cara.

"I can continue if you want me to."

Cara felt anger at the intrusion of her privacy, but that was secondary.

How the hell did he get all this information in less than twelve hours? He never even left the room. More importantly, what did he need the information for?

Cara inhaled before taking a seat on the bed. "Who are you?" She asked, and Adonis placed the file down.

"Adonis Alessandro Bernardi."

"No. Who are you? What do you want? Why do you have information on me and my family?" She questioned with a frown.

"You can say I'm your Savior. You need money, no?"

Cara felt her nostrils flare. "You want me to sell myself to you."

Adonis exhaled in frustration. "La ragazzina arriva sempre alle sue conclusioni. No. I'm telling you what you stand to gain. Look, I need a wife for a year, and you might just be my best fit at the moment. Agree to sign the contract, and I'll pay off your debts. You-

Cara cut him off.

"That's it?" Adonis replied with a glare.

"Cut me off one more time, and you'd be screaming my name as I leave my handprint on your butt cheeks." Cara gulped.

"Now, your father needs help; I can get him the help he needs. I'll clear your debts, and you get a million dollars every month till the end of the contract."

Cara struggled with herself as she gaped at Adonis with her mouth opened for the second time that day. She always liked to view reality as it is, and right now, his offer seemed like the best option. She gets to clear her family's debts and send her father to rehab. Most importantly, she can go back to school and start a new life with the money he'll pay every month.

The deal sounded too good to be true. Was there something he was hiding? Or does he just have a lot of money lying around?

She was conflicted.

Yes, marriage shouldn't be taken lightly, but if she failed to pay back the money her father had recently loaned within a week, she doubted she'd be allowed to live to even get married at all.

"Tell me about yourself."

"Adonis Alessandro Bernardi. I'm thirty-four. Italian. I own businesses." He gave monotone, carefree replies, and Cara rolled her eyes.

If only she could afford a private investigator too.

"Is that all?"

Adonis hummed.

"That's all you need to know. The rest won't matter anyway; this will be done in a year." He gestured between them.

"Why me? Why not fall in love and get married?" She asked suspiciously, and Adonis chuckled dryly.

"I don't do love, and I need a wife. I have limited time, and like I said, you're my best choice at the moment."

Cara nodded. At least he's not as psychopathic as she thought.

"Why do you need a wife?"

"To inherit the family business."

"What's the family business?"

"This hotel. The club, amongst many others." He shrugged.

Cara eyes widened as it dawned on her. He was rich. Like rich rich. And he owned the club. She just slept with her boss's boss's boss! How was it she never suspected? The hotel was named after his family's name for Christ sake. A million thoughts ran through her head, and she contemplated her choices.

Was this one of the scenarios she usually reads in her romance novels? The one where the billionaire needs a temporary wife to take over the family business?

She was in deep, careful thought when her phone began to ring.

Absentmindedly, she pulled it out of her bag, staring at the screen as she saw Timothy's name pop up. That was the deal sealer. The thought of going back to the life she had before became scary; she was going to leave it all behind, and Adonis was her ticket. Looking up at him, she nodded.

"I'll do it."

.

.

.

Cara smiled as her small bungalow came to view. Adonis had given her his spare sweatpant and shirt to wear instead, before promising to send his driver over in the evening. He had offered to drop her off, but Cara needed time to take it in; she wanted to be sure about her decision, and till now, she hadn't wavered so that was a good thing.

They had agreed to finalise and sign the contract over dinner; they also needed to get their stories straight. He mentioned how clever his grandfather was and that it was going to take a lot of acting to convince him.

Cara had thought about how to deliver the news to her father. Tonight, she was just going to tell him that one of her old friends had offered to pay off the debts. She'd think of a way to break the news of her marriage and him going to rehab later. Cara didn't want him to feel guilty that she was getting married to provide them a good life.

Cara arrived at her home porch,

"Dad! I'm home!" Her words were laced with so much enthusiasm until she saw the door was slightly ajar.

Cautiously going in, she wondered if he got home drunk last night as she stepped into the living room to the greatest shock of her life.

The coffee and walnut pie fell to the ground, the hot liquid spilling around with a splash.

Casually sitting on the sofa were two men she was sure she'd never seen before, one with a bloodied knife in hand. Just behind them were two other men, one she didn't recognise, but the other was her bastard of an ex-fiancè.

But that wasn't the main cause of her shock.

At the centre of the room, lying lifeless in a pool of his own blood was her father.

Cara lost all sense of reasoning.