TARA

I twisted and turned in bed for hours as I couldn't shake the thought of the threat out of my head. Knowing it came from Alessia, I knew she would do it in a heartbeat. 

I got up from bed and sat in my kitchen in front of my laptop for two hours, trying to write an outline. Every time I put my fingers on the keys, I came up with nothing. All I could think of was my face flashing over the internet with a horrible headline and vile comments on social media.

I still ended up with nothing. I finally grew tired of staring at the black page and yawned at three in the morning. I barely slept and woke up with anxiety.

 Here, I was back to work, trying to squeeze the idea out of my head for another commentary. As they say, easy peasy lemon squeezy. I finished it within an hour, proofread, and submitted it to my boss. But when it came to my next book, I got nothing. I didn't even believe in writer's block, but right now, it felt like it.

 I checked the time on the screen. The 24-hour ultimatum was over. Simultaneously, my phone vibrated.

 I picked up the call with my heart pounding hard in my chest. "Hello?"

 "You have five seconds, my dear." I instantly recognized Alessia's voice and rolled my eyes. "Call the number, or you're a click away from being famous again." The line went off.

 "Bitch." I picked up the calling card and dialed the number. The line answered right away as if someone was expecting a call. 

"Vysper Rowe."

 "Ms. Rowe, I'm Tara."

 "Great," she replied chirply. "Meet me at the address I'm sending it to you right now. I'll send a car to pick you up."

 "I'm sure I know how to get there." My phone just pinged. "When?"

 "Right now, if you're free."

 "Okay." I drew a deep breath when the call ended.

 When I thought my life would be a little bit better after I got my first book published, received the royalties, and the readers loved it, I was wrong. I had a good life away from scrutiny, and the reason why I preferred to be anonymous in the first place. 

Since that incident, I hated to be the center of attention. I'd been able to acclimate just like an ordinary person, and yet, here we go again.

 My identity remained unknown because I'd rather have my fans love the book and the characters than the author. Fortunately, my publisher had agreed to my terms until Alessia threatened me.

 My drive to the address was filled with silence and uncertainty. I didn't even know what I would do if I didn't do as she said. I had a feeling that I might have to sell my soul to the devil.

 The Shanewood Tower, a high-rise complex building located in the central financial district in New York, soared higher in front of me upon parking my car. Before I could inquire at the reception, someone called my name.

 "Yes?" I turned to a thirty-ish-tall man in a dark suit. "That's me."

 "I'm Rey Nites. I'll take you to Ms. Rowe." He gestured to the elevator.

 "Mr. Nites, may I ask what this is all about? I'm kinda in the dark here," I said as I followed behind him.

 "Call me Nites, ma'am. I'm sorry, I have no idea." He used a key card to access the private elevator. "I'm sure Ms. Rowe will explain it to you. Lady's first."

 I walked in. "I get it. You're not at liberty to discuss it with me."

 He briefly looked at me and smiled.

 As the elevator brought us up, I counted numbers in my head to calm my rising heartbeat. Rey Nites hadn't said a word. The floor number kept rising and stopped at floor PH.

 Penthouse?

 My heart sank. I still didn't know what I was doing here, and it felt like I was thrown into a crocodile pond.

 I managed to enter through the fancy door of the luxurious penthouse without collapsing. I released a shaky breath that I didn't know I was holding for too long.

 The stunning architectural design had achieved an expansive interior like a space in the sky with an extraordinary level of sophistication, yet it was more than just a residence, but an element of home. But what truly captivated me was the view behind the floor-to-ceiling window- it was spectacular.

 "Do you like it?" The woman must be Vysper, who just appeared out of nowhere as I was too caught up checking out the captivating skyscraper from the window. 

"Sublime." Still in an American accent, I smiled and offered my hand. "It's nice to meet you, Ms. Rowe. I suppose you and Ms. Hearst are friends."

 "Yes, we are." She shook my hand and offered me to sit. 

I took a seat just to be polite. "Thank you. I have to get back to work. So, why am I here?"

 "Alessia told me about you." She sat across from me, studying me candidly.

 "And you believe her? As to why I am here, I'm still clueless."

 "I didn't believe her until she showed me proof." Her smile was practiced as if she were trying to impress someone. I knew it because I was trained to act the way she just did.

 "She threatened to expose who I am. And you? Am I here to be blackmailed by you, too?"

 "Quite the opposite. I'm here to offer you and give you a chance."

 "I suppose there's always a catch." I also wondered how deep she knew about me.

 "Aren't you tired of hiding the truth, of who you really are?" Agh. That crap again. I wanted to roll my eyes. "If you can do something good, wouldn't you take that opportunity?"

 Still confused, I stood up. "I did something good, and look where it took me? And besides, if you do something out of the goodness of your heart, the best reward is to do it in private. So, just tell me already, or I'll walk out. "

 Before Vysper could answer, I heard strong footsteps behind me, and she rose and smiled.

 "Vysper," said the deep baritone voice that instantly caught my attention- the kind of voice that hypnotized me to turn around and face him. And by that single word, it was awfully familiar, like it was fresh in my head.

 All of a sudden, I could feel my heartbeat drumming in my chest as I turned around. The world seemed to have stopped spinning- time struck a halt. 

His strides were long and confident. His hands were stuffed in the pockets of his dark pants. He met my gaze with his hazel eyes, surrounded by natural, thick, long lashes.

 Hazel eyes. The same hazel eyes that hypnotized me. No, this wasn't real. This wasn't happening.

 You've got to be freaking kidding me! 

This was not a coincidence.

 I tried not to stumble over my feet as I shut my mouth. The closer he got, the more familiar he became, like I'd seen that face somewhere. 

Shanewood Tower. 

Penthouse.

It took me seconds to realize what this was all about.

Of course, the condescending Playboy Mad Shanewood, and I were here for him, not for Vysper, and this was his penthouse where he hooked up with that poor girl who tried to take her own life livestream.

He stopped before me, offered his hand, and smiled that didn't reach his eyes. But what was more humiliating? He didn't recognize the sapphire- the birth freaking stone- the woman he kissed two nights ago.

Well, that was a bummer.

"Hi. I'm-" 

I looked up at him. I was viscerally aware of how tall he was, with a powerfully built body, almost making me look fragile before him. And not to mention that long, thick, and- crap!

 "Why am I here, Mr. Shanewood?" He didn't even recognize my voice, or maybe the accent confused him. For a second, I thought he was drunk or maybe had hit his head before he left two nights ago.

 For God's sake, Tara. He's a manwhore.

 Instead of answering me, he looked at Vysper. "You haven't told her?"

 "Told me what?" I bounced my gaze between him and Vysper. "To work for him? I have a job, and I'm not currently looking for a new employer. I'm sorry to have wasted your time. Obviously, there's been a mistake."  I walked past them. 

Before I made another step, Vysper called my name. "Do you know your brother mediated a deal with a billionaire that can destroy a mountain in your country to build a luxury resort?" I know you're an environmental activist-"

 I turned around. "That's not possible. And I hate to break it to you, Ms. Rowe, but you approached the wrong person. I can't help you."

 "Listen to me, Tara. This offer is once in a lifetime. I know deep inside you, you still care about your country and who you are. You still carry your family's blood in your veins. You don't need those fancy titles anymore to help other people. All you need is an influential husband to make a difference."

 My heart stopped. I felt like my world just turned black. "Did you just say husband?"

MAD

When Nites informed me that the woman I picked to be my wife had just arrived at my penthouse, I was nervous and excited at the same time. 

Don't get me wrong, I was still pissed at my father, but I wouldn't allow him to win and take over my position, the same position he offered to me three years ago.

 I wasn't perfect. I doubted if I was even a good person, but I tried my best to be a good son. In return, all I got was judgment and scrutiny from the people I didn't know and had never met. 

But when there was wealth and power in you, and being Vanderford and Shanewood, apparently, everyone had their own opinion about you.

 The woman talking to Vysper had a soft, calming voice, as if she were used to conversing with a lot of important people. I hadn't seen her face, yet her voice alone sounded lovely already. And awfully familiar.

 She was standing, and I could tell she was of average height compared to most of the women I preferred. She had long, wavy caramel hair, cascading down her shoulders. I hadn't seen her face, but she had an elegant hourglass figure in her white blouse tucked into long pants. And that posture, I wished I wasn't wrong. 

I stopped before them the moment they noticed my presence. When she turned to me with the same judgment from the strangers, I felt an instant stabbing pain in my chest. 

I learned how to have a thick skin and masked my discomfort and pain, yet somehow the woman whose name I didn't even know affected me.

 Those eyes though. I wanted to laugh and scream at the same time. A coincidence? Hell no. But since she judged me first, fuck it. Let us make this more interesting.

 She didn't even bat her eyelashes the moment she recognized me, and it hurt me, shockingly, not my ego, but me and my feelings. And she just walked away.

 "Tara," I muttered under my breath. So, my Juliet was Tara. Beautiful.

 Vysper said something that confused me even more, and I just listened to them discuss while I felt like I was in the dark the entire time.

 Who was this woman who supported the same cause as I did?

 "Yes, husband," Vysper said.

 Tara stared at her for a moment before pointing her finger at me. "Husband?" Then she suddenly burst to laugher. "Husband? This guy?" She laughed some more.

 "Yes. He's looking for a wife, and he chose you."

 I inwardly groaned. I felt like I could handle this situation better than Vysper. I was a strategist, and I closed deals as many times as I could count. While Vysper handled difficult scenarios, she also wanted to get the job done with less involvement just to get paid.

 "You will be well-compensated."

 "I want you to stop right there, Ms. Rowe. I'm not looking for a husband. And if I were, I shouldn't have run away the first time I was arranged to be married."

 What the fuck? My eyebrows furrowed. At the same time, it shouldn't be surprising because she not only had gorgeous eyes, but she was stunning now that I saw her entire face in broad daylight.

 "So, tell me what's so different between my situation before and now?"

 "First, he's handsome and young-"

 Tara snorted. "Also, reckless, playboy, emotionally unavailable, commitmentphobic, who changes women the same way he changes his clothes. No, thank you. Why don't you tell your client to be responsible so that he can avoid the same situation that happened months ago that traumatized the entire world?" Wow.

 "It was not his fault," said Vysper, less convincingly.

 "Tell that to the poor woman."

 "She got the wrong impression, and I wasn't aware-"

 When she turned to me, I met her gorgeous, big, almond sapphire blue eyes. Damn, she had the most expressive eyes I'd ever seen. She was obviously angry, her heart-shaped face flushing, which made her even hotter.

 Okay, Mad. Focus.

 "What made you think I'm not crazy? You don't even know me to marry me? And why me?"

 I was lost in words. I was lost in those deep blue eyes.

 Unimpressed by my lack of action, she shook her head. "You're disgusting, Mr. Shanewood. Donate your money. I'm not interested."

 "You don't even know me to judge me."

 "I think I know enough that we're incompatible." She walked right to the door, and my hopes were slowly vanishing into thin air. When she paused, I held my breath. "And Ms. Rowe, tell Alessia that her threat won't budge me. She can expose me, tell the world why I did what I did. I still stand by my ground. I won't let her control my life the same way my parents did to me. Enough that her family stole a piece of our land, but never a piece of my soul." 

I blinked and shook my head, still puzzled by everything that happened. "Well, that went well. And who's Alessia?" 

"This is not the end. I'm not giving up. Let me handle this." She grabbed her bag and left, leaving me more confused.

 I went to my home office and grabbed Tara's profile. She was really beautiful and young in the picture, with a heart-shaped face, full lips, and a cute, small nose, but what was stunning was her eyes and long, elegant neck.

 Juliet. I pulled my drawer. The glittering white flower that I took from the mask was still here, mocking my poor behavior.

 A soft knock distracted me from her picture. Seconds later, Nites stood before me.

 "Can you call your boss? I need to meet him personally. And tell him it's urgent."

***

I was assaulted by savory melted butter and garlic aroma as the waiter placed a plate full of creamy pasta with seared scallops on the table.

 I only took a forkful of my dinner when a tall man with a great physique sat across from me.

 "Mad." Gabe Linden extended his hand. "Sorry, I'm late. Something came up at Osmium."

 "No worries." I shook his hand and gestured. "This food is great. I commend the chef."

 He smiled and told the waiter his usual order. "Pops would be glad to hear that. Show some love, Mad, and give a five-star review online."

 I chuckled. "Will do it."

 Before I could talk about my purpose, Spade Kolby was just leaving with his wife, Robyn.

MAD

"Kolby," Linden called him.

 The couple came, smiling.

 "Aren't you everywhere?" Spade chuckled. I knew what he meant. "You were at the masquerade ball and later on, at Sawyer Porter's party. And the next morning, your face was all over the internet."

 "I wish people knew about the ball rather than the birthday party." I stood up and shook his hand. "How's Lex?"

"Lex is great. We should catch up this weekend. I'll allow you to win." He smirked. Lex always won the golf.

"I'll look into my schedule."

 "He's famous," Robyn said, hugging me. "You should try his omelet."

 "Yeah. It's the best." Spade looked at Linden. "Make him an omelet and convince him to join the club."

 "I'm planning to, without my omelet." He smiled and kissed Robyn on the cheek. "How are you, Robyn?"

 "I'm good, thanks." She took her husband's hand. "Let's go, babe. I think they have important matters to talk about."

 "See you soon, both of you. Tell your parents I said hi."

Smiling, I nodded at him.

 Once the couple left, Linden asked, "So, what's the emergency?"

 I sat down to pull the paper from my jacket pocket and give it to him. He hesitated at first before opening it. Without a word, he beamed at me as if he had just hit the jackpot.

 "What?" I continued eating. I've met him a couple of times at events and parties. My father, he, and even Moses Braddson knew each other. Since my cousin, London Vanderford, married a Braddson, the circle of friends had expanded.

 "How's Clem?" he asked.

 "He's fine. Are you gonna tell me why you're smiling?"

 "Two months ago, someone approached me to find someone. It's not a coincidence that we're here, giving me a profile of the same woman. Who's she to you?"

 "So you know her?" I studied him.

 "Personally, no, but I know someone who knows her family." His food arrived, and he started digging in. "And boy, you don't wanna mess with these two families."

 "Let's say I'm in the dark with all of this, Linden. Care to spill the tea?"

 He paused and looked at me without judgment, but he seemed to have known something more than he let on. "A cup of tea to spill isn't enough."

 "Huh." I put my silverware down and sighed. "I'm sure you are aware of my issue."

 He smiled knowingly. "You're famous, but your cousin believes you're a good person."

 "Come on. What's with the smile? It's creeping me out."

 "You're not the first man who approached me with this kind of issue. In fact, I already lost count," he continued to talk in cryptic terms, which hurt my head. "And we've formed a club."

 "What?" I stared at him before he barked out laughing. "What club?"

 "You'll find out soon enough." He quickly switched the topic. "What do you wanna know?"

 "Everything."

 "Will she be in good hands? I'm sorry, Shanewood, that I have to ask this. I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt because I know your father and London. I can't vouch for Linus. That old man is still a dick, and I also know you're a good man who wants to have fun before settling down."

 "Whoa. I'm paying for your company's service. I just want an extensive background check on Tara Montimer."

 "Alessia Hearst came to me two months ago. I know her family," Linden said. Why was this Alessia Hearst so popular?

 "What do you know about Alessia Hearst?"

 "A lot. She's the half-sister of the current king of Capria. The King of Capria's daughter married my best friend, Rome Langston." I'd heard about Rome Langston. 

 "What? You're kidding." I stared at him in shock. "The country in Europe? Then what's her connection with Tara Montimer?"

 "Good question."

***

"You're trending again." Sawyer's voice echoed in my home office. "I'm sorry, Mad. I shouldn't have invited you."

 "You're my best friend. Whether I received an invite or not, it's your birthday, bro. I would still be there. I just have to compromise a little. This issue will die down."

 "How's your father holding up?"

 "Not good. In fact, he and the board have decided that I should step down or settle down."

 "That's harsh. So, are you stepping down or settling down?" He scoffed.

 "I don't know. I haven't decided yet."

 "Man, that's what got you in trouble in the first place, because you're not ready to settle down. I mean, I know there are millions of women out there who want to have a piece of you and your stake in the company. But the question is, do you have someone in mind?"

 At this point, I couldn't tell him knowing that Tara was about to decide, so I said, "No. Since it's my father's idea, then it's his problem to find someone suitable for me."

 "You're kidding. First, you're grounded. Now, a contract marriage? That's even worse. What's next? An heir?" He sounded even amused.

 "I know, but I worked hard for this position. One or two mistakes can't take the seat away from me. I'll fight for it with everything I have. Let's not even talk about birthright. I'm still a majority shareholder." I blew a breath. "But I'm failing to put things together. Every time I did something good, something blew up that ruined everything I put my effort into. So I agreed, if in the end it will justify the means."

 "Hey. Don't be too hard on yourself. Man, you're brilliant. Maybe you should just stay away from the public attention for a while." And then he joked, "And maybe, it's my time to shine, not always behind Mad Shanewood's shadow, right?"

 "Hey. What are you talking about?"

 "Nothing, bro. I just want to lift you up."

 "Thanks, Sawyer. You already have."

 "Have you thought about the investment I talked to you about?" He mentioned about me investing in a start-up company while he was drunk on his birthday, I thought he would not remember it the next day.

 "I'll check it out."

 "Well, if you need anything, I'm just a call away. I'll come and throw a stone at your window."

 "You're crazy." I laughed as I hung up the call.