Caden's Pov

 Irritation stabbed at me like a sharp knife.

 Why was this asshole my bodyguard? He's so rude. Stupid American. He doesn't even deserve his looks. Not his stupid sculpted muscles or his curly black hair or his gunmetal-gray eyes. He's very... ugly on the inside.

 Why did grandpa have to hire him?

 I sigh for the umpteenth time that evening and stare at my empty glass.

 "Are you sure he's not a robot?"

 Gatsby gave me a light nudge in the shoulder.

 I shrugged. "How do I know? Go ask him yourself."

 Gatsby stared at Asher who was busy scanning the living room of my, fireworks emoji, new home.

 She turned to me and shook her head. "Hard pass. He looks like he'll kill me."

 When we arrived at the penthouse an hour ago, I'd called Gatsby over but Asher gave me a hard NO, saying stuff about security measures and knowing your enemy bullcrap. I didn't listen to him. I called her right over and here we are.

 Gatsby tried to lighten the mood but it didn't work out.

 "So..." she began. "Why don't we get to know each other?"

 "There's no need for that. I'm sure Gabriel has told you all about me." He said in a brisk tone.

 Now that I think about it. He was the exact opposite of what Gabriel described. Experienced? Well, yeah. Those muscles could pack a punch but top-notch recommendations? This bloke lacks manners and is basically an animal. Sought-after professional my ass.

 Gatsby lounged around for an extra hour before she left. I'd begged her to take me with her but she'd scurried off. Traitor.

 A yawn escaped me and I covered my mouth with my good hand. I must be exhausted.

 "Going to bed early?" Asher asked like the noob he was.

 "What's that to you?" I rolled my eyes and turned towards the stairs.

 I expected a retort but didn't get one. Nice, that'll teach him to shut up.

 I crashed on the floor the second I entered my room, too tired to even move. Maybe, I'll just sleep on the floor.

 The cold, tile floor was replaced with a familiar warmth I never thought I'd feel ever again.

 Leather and sandalwood filled my nostrils as I floated, I believe, towards my bed. I didn't need to open my eyes to know that it's HIM - the man from 5 years ago.

 I knew this was obviously a dream. I always see him in my dreams, watching me, touching my hair and my hand, and sometimes, kissing me. I never asked him his name after we hooked up but my therapist told me to ask him whenever I saw him in my dreams and so I did.

 "What is... your name?" My words came out slurred. When he didn't reply, I tried to open my eyes but he placed his hand over them.

 "Go to sleep, amore." He said in his lovely deep voice.

 That's right. He also called me "amore" 5 years ago and told me he loved me. It's actually him.

 "Don't go, Grey." I mumbled and snuggled into his arms. I never got to know his name so I called him grey because of his eyes.

 I remember his touch, his kisses, the way he pounded into me like a madman, but I didn't remember his name.

 I never do.

 The following day, I woke up to emptiness.

 The side next to me was cold, reminding me everything I felt last night would always be a dream. Fate, you fucking bitch.

 I kicked off the bedcovers when I suddenly realized something. How the hell did I end up in my bed? I remember passing out on the floor.

 I'd barely gotten my answer when the door suddenly opened and the grumpy American walked in.

 "Don't you know how to knock or did your parents not teach you any manners?" I chucked a pillow at him, one he was quick to catch.

 "My parents are dead," he said dryly. "Come downstairs for breakfast."

 That stopped me. "You cooked?"

 "No. I'm not your chef. Get your ass out of that bed and come make your own breakfast. Your physiotherapist will be soon." He scoffed and turned to the door, walking the way he came.

 I clenched my knuckles so hard my fingernails cut into my palm.

 I'm going to murder this asshole.

 After a quick shower and a change of clothes, I went downstairs to the kitchen, only to be greeted by the smell of bacon and eggs.

 He made breakfast after all.

 "Morning, Caden." Gatsby beamed at me.

 Of course, she made breakfast. The asshole lounged at the head of the dinner table with a cigar in his hand and a wine in the other.

 "Cigar and alcoholic wine in the morning? I see you're hungry for death." I glared at him as I took my seat.

 He blew smoke in my direction and I coughed.

 "Please, smoke somewhere else. Caden hates the smell of smoke." Gatsby said in a semi-polite tone.

 Asher doesn't move from his spot and only keeps smoking. He looked at me, mischief dancing into his stupidly attractive eyes. Does he know something I don't?

 Suddenly, memories of the past flashed through my head - The grey-eyed man smoking a cigar and passing it to me while we drank more wine, smoked more weed and fucked.

 Jesus. I hope my cheeks aren't red.

 I cleared my throat. "Don't worry, Gatsby. I'll just have breakfast in my room."

 "I'll let you know when the physiotherapist comes." She said, patting me lightly on the shoulder.

 Thank God she read the air. There was clearly no point addressing the mountain-size elephant in the room.

 I was used to eating breakfast alone so this shouldn't be too hard. But when I tried to eat, I couldn't.

 Why did Asher stare at me like that? Does he actually know something about me that I don't? Or... oh no. Did he hear me call Grey in my sleep? God, that must've been so embarrassing. Of course, he'd heard me otherwise he wouldn't have been staring at me like that.

 I pushed that thought to the back of my mind and started eating breakfast.

 By the time I was done, I took the tray and reached for the door.

 My stomach flipped when I saw who was standing on the threshold.

 "The doctor's here." He said.

 Those three words were my very undoing.

 I stared at his eyes, grey, almost dark like two little storms waiting to break loose.

 Where the hell have I seen those eyes and why can't I remember?

Asher's Pov

I love watching Caden shiver uncomfortably in his seat. He knows I'll always be watching him.

 Ever since I knocked on his door and told him about the doctor's arrival, the little blonde prince has been avoiding me like the goddamn plague. The worst was when the treatment was over. He walked right past me like I was air.

 Ouch.

Not that I cared about his attention anyways. His life is about to end soon.

He spent the rest of the afternoon discussing with Gatsby. I didn't get the chance to hear them because I hate eavesdropping so I let them be.

Then, I spent the rest of the day in my room, polishing my weapons. Each one I wiped gleamed against the light and made me, the owner, fucking proud of myself. But when I heard Caden and Gatsby's giggles, that happy feeling I felt crawled into a hole and died.

Why was he laughing with her?

What was so fucking funny?

After what seemed like hours (it wasn't), I decided I was done hearing them laugh.

 I marched straight to Caden's room and threw the door open.

 A muscle ticked in my jaw and I dragged my hand through my hair.

 "I swear to fuck if that blonde prince doesn't stay put, I will kill him faster than I'd already planned." I hissed.

He and his little secretary had run off to God-knows-where. The laughter was just a decoy - a recording of their laughter they'd put in repeat.

 That scheming little -

 I dashed out of the room and grabbed my gun. "Get ready, Caden because you're so fucked."

 I got into the driver's seat of the SUV and checked my iPad. Caden wasn't smart enough to notice I'd put a tracker in his phone last night. Well, how would he notice when he was too busy calling me "Grey?"

 The memory of my nickname on his lips sent blood rushing to my groin and I hissed. Not now, buddy.

The beeping red dot (Caden) stopped moving at a specific location. I checked the city's map on my phone and found it. The idiot went to a freaking bar.

I drove past my regular speed, traffic laws be damned. I needed to get to Caden.

Why the heck do I sound desperate? I despise the guy. God, this is driving me crazy.

At exactly 10 minutes later, I arrived at the Sunset Raven bar but it looked different on the outside. There were lots of people yelling with their cameras.

Lots of people.

Cameras.

Fuck!

I park the car and practically jump out of the driver's seat.

 A few of them got out of my way as I approached the door.

I pushed the door open without a care in the world and entered, my eyes searching the space for a familiar blonde.

My eyes zeroed on him and he froze.

 "Shit." He hissed and rose to his feet in an attempt to run.

"Oh no, you don't!" I grabbed him before he could run and pinned him against the wall.

He wriggled against me. "What the fuck are you doing? We're in public."

"So now your brain is working? I'm surprised because it doesn't look like you used it when you snuck out of the house."

 "Don't fucking touch me!" He hissed. If I let go of him this instant, he'll bite me. Not that I'll resist.

Okay. What the hell am I doing?

Gasps and whispers began to echo around the bar. Now, people are talking.

I grabbed Caden's wrist and dragged him out of the bar with everyone watching. They can go to hell for all I care.

I didn't let go of him till we got to my car and I shoved him in the passenger side.

As soon as I got in, I locked the doors.

"Don't fucking move!" I ordered.

"Who the hell do you think you are to give me orders, stupid American?!" He hissed.

"For the last time it's Asher," I scoffed. "And where's your shadow? I don't see her around."

"Gatsby's whereabouts are none of your business!"

"Everything concerning you is my business. Maybe I'll ban her from coming to the penthouse and we'll see who's the stupid one?" I copied his posh accent but it sounded nowhere as hot as his.

Caden grabbed my collar and I could smell his cologne. "When I hired you..."

I cut him off. "...Your grandpa did."

"Shut up!" He squeezed my collar, leaning his face closer to mine. "When you first came here, I gave you 3 rules : You don't touch me! You don't tell me what to fucking do! And you don't come near me! So you better stick to those rules or I'll cut you off!"

 I didn't think when I made my next move. I wrapped my fingers around his throat and tugged him even closer, his whiskey breath fanning my face.

 "And I remember that I gave you 3 rules myself, little prince : you don't run from the house, you listen and do everything I tell you to, and you don't break the rules. Pull this stunt with your secretary again and I'll break your legs."

"Not if I break yours first." he hissed.

 I let go of him and he massaged his neck.

 "We're going home," I clenched the steering wheel. "And this time, I'm tightening security. We'll see if you'll escape now, little prince."

And I wasn't kidding. I hired 6 of my best guys from the company and had them surround the entire penthouse. Caden won't leave without them noticing.

When he first saw them, he didn't like them at all and I was glad. He doesn't get to like anything after what he did.

Memories of the past still cling to me and whenever I see him smile at something, I want to take that smile and shove it all the way to hell.

 I'm not a big fan of the news but this time, I decided to indulge myself. And Holy hotness, you will not believe what I just saw.

Caden reads the headlines before me : "CADEN BOOKER, CEO OF THE BOOKER LEGACY GROUP GOES OUTSIDE WITH BOYFRIEND FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE ACCIDENT."

"Boyfriend? What the hell?!" We both hiss at the same time.

"What is the meaning of this?" Caden had one hand to his hip as he pointed at the picture of me and him holding hands.

 "You tell me. I'm just as surprised as you." I scoffed. Who the hell is behind this shit?

 I gripped the remote and changed the channel immediately. This time the headline was fucking worse.

"YOUNGEST BILLIONAIRE, CADEN BOOKER, HAS HIS FANS COMPLETELY SWOONED AFTER FIRST APPEARANCE WITH HIS LOVER."

 And that was not all, a group of students both male and female gathered outside the company's building with placards and wrapped gifts.

The reporter was still reading out the news when a student came up behind her and yelled :

"Caden, we love you!" The young brunette squealed.

Her friends joined her in the same happy squeals. "Us too. Your boyfriend is so handsome. We approve of him!"

The reporter beamed them a smile and was about to continue when a younger woman in a daring red dress grabbed the mic.

"How could you do this to us, Caden? I thought we had a thing! Now, you're into men now?!" Her mascara ran as she cried.

 Caden pinched the skin between his brows. "Jesus Christ."

"You know her?" I asked.

"Yup. She's Nessa Thompson," Caden sighed. "And I'd rather be gay than have anything to do with her."

"So you're not gay?" I asked, raising a brow.

"Obviously not." Caden crossed and turned to walk away.

It only made me laugh. He's not gay yet he slept with a handsome stranger 5 years ago. How amusing.

Just when we thought that was over, it got worse.

On every social media platform, people started shipping me and the blonde prince.

"Where did Caden get such a bad boy? His man is hot."

"Me thinking I've seen it all then BOOM! Caden Booker comes out of the closet. I'm so happy for you, pookie!"

"What's your man's name @Caden_Booker?"

 These comments were fucking hilarious. I wonder how Caden's taking it.

"That's it! I'm uninstalling every single app on my phone!" I hear him echo upstairs.

 I couldn't help but laugh.

That night, I laid on my back while staring at the ceiling.

 It was less than 3 days till the D-Day. The day Caden dies.

A wave of adrenaline rushed through me and I fisted my hands. I was too busy trying seething when a familiar sound echoed through the house.

Caden!

I jumped off the bed and rushed downstairs.

 He was standing in the kitchen, holding a bleeding finger. The fucker couldn't cook but he's still trying to?

I had barely made a step towards him when Joakim, one of my guys who's openly gay, made his way towards him.

"Are you alright?" Joakim asked, taking Caden's hand in his.

"Yeah. It's just a small cut." Caden winced.

My gaze zeroed on their hands and a boiling rage surged within me. I had never felt so murderous in my life. "He said it's just a small cut. Beat it." I said before stopping myself.

They both turned to me. Caden, surprised and Joakim, grinning like a fucking idiot.

 "I'll get the first-aid." His grin widened.

"Don't bother. Leave." I bit out.

"Okay, boss." Joakim didn't stop grinning till he left the kitchen.

Caden rolled his eyes at me and turned to the sink. "I don't suppose you're here to cook."

"Give me your hand." I said briskly.

"What?"

 I grabbed his fingers and ran the tap, letting the water wash through the blood then I squeezed it.

 Caden whacked my arm. "What the fuck was that for?!"

 "Escaping earlier." I grinned.

 "Asshole." He mumbled.

 "I've been called worse." I smiled.

Why the heck was I smiling?

 I heard a knock on the door. The only people I told about the location of this penthouse were Caden's secretary and those board members. Gatsby was busy with work so it's gotta be those sleazeballs.

Cody entered and nodded at me. "They're here."

So it was them.

 "Let's go." I whipped out a bandaid from one of the kitchen drawers and put it on Caden's wound.

"They asked for just Caden, sir," Cody said. "They want to see only him." Caden heaved a sigh.

"Fine."

He walked by without sparing me a second glance. Rude much?

While they occupied the room downstairs, I lingered in the hallway for security reasons and not for eavesdropping.

"What kind of stunt was that, Caden? You're gay now?!" A gruffly voice barked.

 "I'm not gay! That's some messed up shit the media cooked up. For a second I thought it was the company's idea to divert the people's attention from the assassination attempt." I hear Caden reply with a stifled yawn.

 He was hungry. Remind me to cook him dinner later.

"Pubicity stunt? If we wanted to do that, it'll be with Nessa not a man. Your grandmother is homophobic!" Another voice hissed. Obviously Gabriel.

 "Don't you think I know that?" It was Caden's turn to hiss. "Look, we'll just release an official statement and tell the people this was a huge misunderstanding."

 "If this keeps up, we'll have no choice but to follow-up the second clause of the agreement."

Second clause?

Caden scoffed. "Second clause? What the fuck is that supposed to be?"

"You're not supposed to put yourself out there. The killer is still on the loose. Our plan was to make him or her think you're still dead but you blew that off by running around with your boyfriend."

 "First of all, that asshole is not my boyfriend and second of all, how is it my fault?" Caden scoffed. "You three clearly planned this behind my back!"

 "Caden, your life is at stake here and if the threat persists for 30 days, we will have no option but to deal with it permanently!"

Caden pushed. "And how will you do that?"

 "You will get married."

What?

Caden's POV

 "Say that one more time.

I didn't quite hear you the first time." I said, uncrossing my arms.

 Casa shook her head as if disappointed. "This isn't a joke, Caden. You will be getting married if your life is threatened again."

 "Like fuck I will!" I scoffed. "You expect me to arrive when my life is in danger? What is marriage now? Some sort of life insurance?"

 Gabriel made an attempt to speak but I cut him off.

 "Not another word from you. The last thing I want to hear is your shitty American accent." I spun around and picked at the hairs at the back of my neck with my good hand.

 "Caden, this is what your grandfather wanted." Jonathan began softly.

 "What about what I want?" I tilted my head to meet his gaze. "Did any of you stop to ask me that?"

 "It's not in our power to do that, Caden," Jonathan sighed. "Your grandfather clearly stated in the second clause that if a threat to your life is deemed persistent beyond 30 days, then you'll have to get married to someone vetted and approved by the board."

 "Why?" I asked, still picking at the hairs till they stung like a bitch.

 "Your grandpa was obsessed with legacy and stability. And a single, reckless CEO with a death wish isn't exactly stable in the eyes of investors." Gabriel added.

 "Investors are what you're worried about when my life is in danger? I should fire you!" I hissed. "And marriage? Who, pray tell, is the saviour I'll be getting married to."

 The trio exchanged quiet looks, giving me the answer I needed to know.

 I slapped my forehead."Jesus Christ."

 "Having a bodyguard follow you everywhere 24/7 will only spark suspicion among the people so to avoid that, your grandfather decided we have a bodyguard pose as your partner, thereby reducing the risk of your life falling in danger." Casa explained like this was one of those shitty lectures she attends in Cambridge.

 I sum everything they've told me and sighed. "So you're telling me if I don't marry my bodyguard, I lose my entire company?"

 The trio exchanged a resigned look before looking at me.

 "Yes." They chorused.

 That word did enough damage.

 I stuffed both my hands in my pockets and turned to the door.

 "Caden, where are you going?" Gabriel called behind me.

 I clutched the doorknob and twisted it open. "To my room to get some sleep.

You know, to sleep on the bomb you three just dropped on my lap."

 "You know this marriage will still hold without your consent." Casa added.

 "Like hell it would." I walked out of the room, not forgetting to slam the door on my way out.

 I didn't even bother to return to the kitchen. Those three had successfully ruined my appetite like they do every time.

 "Dinner is ready, sir." Joakim said the moment I stepped into the living room.

 I dismissed him with a light wave. "I'm not hungry. Thank you."

 "You sure?" He arched his brow.

 "Are you deaf?! I said I'm not hungry!" I snapped.

 Shit.

 I palmed my forehead and sighed. "Look, I lost my cool and I'm sorry but please, I'm not hungry. You can share dinner with the rest of the team. Goodnight."

 With that, I paddled to the direction of my room. A good night's sleep would fix this nightmare. I'm too young to be depressed.

 "Depressed huh? That's a common word teenagers use nowadays." Those words flashed through my head and I stopped dead in my tracks.

 It was HIM. Again. Why does he keep running through my mind after all these years? What gave him the right to just punish me with the memory of his eyes and his scent?

 Fuck. I think I'm obsessed.

 Another sigh escaped me and I took a step forward but I bumped into a wall. Since when were walls built with chiseled muscles and 6 packs?

 "If you want to feel my abs, you could just ask nicely." A familiar gravy voice caressed my skin.

 I looked up and met full pink lips, pointed nose till they locked on dark-gray eyes.

 Asher was sporting a black T-shirt that clung to his upper body like a second skin. The man was ripped in all the good places. He was the kind of man God had spent time creating. Too bad, the man in question was an infuriating asshole.

 "I'd rather bleach my eyes than touch you." I pulled away from him.

 "You sure? Because you looked like you wanted to." He flashed me a grin and I died. I cannot be attracted to this man. It's Mission : Impossible.

 "Go fuck yourself, Asher." I tried to sidestep him but he grabbed my elbow. "Let go."

 "One of these days, I'll teach that foul mouth of yours a lesson." He growled.

 Okay. What did I find that hot? And why in Queen Elizabeth's name was I looking forward to the lesson he'll teach me. My mouth, I mean.

 Get your head back in the game, Caden.

 I shoved his arm away but he was quick to grab me. This time he pulled me closer to himself. No distance, no space. Just the two of us, chest pressed against each other, breaths nearly one.

 "Don't make my job difficult for me, little prince." Asher hissed.

 "If you don't want me to make your life a living hell, I suggest you get out of my fucking way." I bit out.

 "Watch what you say to me." Asher's grip on my elbow tightened.

 I don't wince. I won't give him the liberty of seeing me fumble. So, I lift my chin and smile. "Get the fuck out of my way, please."

 He murmured a rain of unintelligent curses before he dragged me away.

 "Where the hell are we going?" I asked, trying my best to keep up with his large footsteps.

 "Dinner." He growled again.