"Roxanne, take your seat soon."

The sound of her coworker snapped Roxanne out of her shocking thoughts. It was her workplace, she should be professional no matter who their client was.

Roxanne reminded herself as she headed to her seat.

"Everyone is present, shall we begin, Mr. Laurent?" Her boss politely asked Lance and the latter just nodded his head.

Somehow, Roxanne could feel his aura today was totally different from what he used to have. More abstinent but more charming.

'Charming? Keep your head, Roxy. You two only had a two-night stand. Let it go and focus on your work.'

Shaking off those messy thoughts, Roxanne forced herself to focus back on the meeting while not noticing Lance's face turned colder when she ignored his new message again.

The meeting lasted for several hours before it ended, mainly because of a picky assistant beside Lance. For some reason, Roxanne could feel that it was not that woman hate her design but hated Roxanne the person instead.

Several times, Roxanne couldn't help but glance at Lance to see if it was his idea but he didn't look at her anymore.

Weird. But it might be a good signal that he started losing interest in her.

Roxanne encouraged herself to think positively but the assistant suddenly blocked her way after the meeting.

"Long time no see, Roxanne. Hope we have good cooperation." The woman said to her with a provocative smile and then Roxanne's eyes widened as she remembered who the woman was.

***

"What? Do you mean Julie Curt, your nemesis in college? She is your client now! " Iris exclaimed after Roxanne shared her meeting with Julie that morning. Now, they were at a bar where they usually gather after work.

"Yeah," Roxanne sighed as she took a sip, "But she looked a bit different from before so I didn't recognize her at once."

"Well, good luck, sis." Iris hugged Roxanne and changed the unpleasant topic, "Putting that aside, how are things with you and Chris? "

Roxanne's fingers had curled up around her glass and froze there. Iris barely knew all that was going on. She had left her in the dark for so long and was now feeling guilty. But just as she opened her mouth, the sound of a loud chanting from the dance floor interrupted her.

Iris along with Roxanne turned their heads around slightly and saw a woman who was dressed in a red short gown actively swaying her hips to the music and dancing wildly on the dance floor, attracting the attention of many horny men.

With her red short dress, black heels, and loose blonde hair, the woman was without a doubt, pretty.

"Wait, that woman seems to be Julie Curt." It didn't take Roxanne a few seconds to recognize that face and Iris then squinted her eyes to get a better view.

"She changed a lot," Iris commented and a thought hit her when her eyes fall back on her best friend, "Don't you even realize that the face of Julie Curt now resembles yours."

"What?" Roxanne frowned to hear that. Was Iris mean that Julie got a facelift to look like her? What kidding. They both knew how much Julie Curt hated her.

Roxanne wanted to argue but suddenly noticed that Julie was straight up rejecting any guy who had come up to her as she walked seductively towards the VIP section, swinging her hips at every step.

Then the duo caught a dashing-looking young man there with a glass of whiskey in his hand. It was Lance Laurent.

"That sly little witch." Iris sneered as she watched Julie practically throw herself at Lance.

Iris had never liked Julie.

Not when they had been course mates during college and definitely not now when she was trying to use a face resembling her best friend to seduce her college senior.

No way in hell was she going to allow a leech-like Julie to have her way.

Without saying a single word, Iris stood up and approached Lance in the VIP section before Roxanne could say a single word.

She was stopped at the entrance by a few bouncers but once Lance recognized her, she was allowed in.

"Well if it isn't Lance Laurent." Iris greeted with a genuine smile happy to see her college senior after quite a while.

"Iris," Lance addressed her with one of those his usual bachelor smile. "You've grown."

"Right back at you," Iris said and turned her gaze to the leech seating beside Lance. Her smile dropped as she eyed her viciously and without acknowledging her presence, turned back to Lance.

"When was the last time we met like this, off work I mean?"

Lance chuckled and took a sip from his glass as he remembered the last time he had hung out with Iris and ended up spending close to a million dollars on drinks. "Three years if I recall correctly."

"Well, care to join this junior for a drink?" Iris said and pointed towards her table.

Lance's eyes followed the direction where she had pointed and when his gaze landed on Roxanne who had been watching them and she instantly avoided his eyes, he chuckled.

"I didn't realize you now went for fake copies, Lance." Julie cut their talk while having craftily wrapped her arms around Lance's upper ones.

Iris' smile faded at once. God she really can not stand Julie using that low version of Roxanne's face to do such disgraceful things.

She looked back at Lance. "I didn't expect your taste to diminish so much."

Before Julie lost her temper, Lance just chuckled and stood up, "Let's go for some drink."

Roxanne was nervous while watching them approach. Before Iris had her seat with Lance, she rose from her and dragged Iris by the arm.

"Please excuse us for a minute." She faked a smile at Lance but barely looked him in the eyes before rushing off.

In the restroom, Roxanne made sure they were both alone before asking. "What are you doing?"

Iris seemed confused. She didn't see anything wrong in what she had done.

"Inviting a friend over to join us and drink? Why? What's wrong?"

"A friend?" Roxanne asked and barked a laugh like she was some crazy person. "Unbelievable."

Iris was truly confused at this point and asked. "What's wrong? Roxy, did you do something that you're not telling me about?"

That question was all it took to make Roxanne burst.

"Yes. I slept with him." She admitted and felt like a lump had been removed from her throat, while Iris stared at her silently with wide eyes.

"You. you slept with Lance Laurent?" She had nearly screamed but calmed herself down at the last moment. "Wait, doesn't that mean you cheated on Christopher?"

Roxanne shook her head and pulled Iris closer before explaining the entire situation. By the time she was done, Iris's nostrils were flaring with anger toward Christopher.

"That douche bag." She gritted out. "I swear to God I'd kill him when I get my hands on him."

"Don't." Roxanne objected. "Not yet at least." She added seconds later.

Iris snickered before asking. "So, you and Lance?"

Roxanne felt heat rush to her cheeks and was about to dismiss the topic but before she could, Iris asked.

"Was he good in bed?"

Roxanne thought back to the night they had sex and licked her bottom lip. He had been more than good, fantastic was the word to describe his skills, but obviously she wasn't going to admit that.

"He was average." She told Iris with a shrug. "A bit disappointing if you asked me."

Iris laughed out loud. She couldn't believe what her friend had just said.

"You are crazy, scratch that, insatiable."

Roxanne swatted her teasing aside and leaned against the wash hand basin with a huff.

"Well now that you know, best keep that big mouth of yours shut." She warned.

Iris raised her hand in the air. "You can trust me, this secrete goes to the grave with me." Then she added in. "Shall we head back now?"

Roxanne glanced in the direction of the restroom door and shook her head. She felt like she needed to sober up a bit before going back out. She didn't want to face Lance right now as she seemed to have drunk a bit too much before.

"You go ahead; I think I need to clean my makeup up a bit."

However, when she stepped out of the restroom a few whiles later, she was suddenly picked up and thrown over a shoulder.

A harsh smack on her butt caused her to yelp and her movement to come to a standstill when she heard that familiar voice.

"Some little birdie told me you were quite disappointed with my bed skills. Then let me show you something tough tonight."

Lance entered Roxanne's apartment with the password that Iris sent him.

He was planning to give Roxanne some punishment in his car but this woman really fell asleep while they were kissing.

Carrying her towards the first bedroom that seemed like hers, Lance sighed as he placed her down on her bed and tucked her underneath her duvet.

He was about to step away when he felt Roxanne's fingers curl around the hem of his shirt. She stirred in her sleep almost as if she was having a nightmare, muttering incoherent words in the process.

Lance glanced down at her tiny yet slender fingers and tried prying her fingers off but failed on the first try. Just when he attempted a second try, a silent sob broke through her lips, startling him in the process.

"Don't leave me alone... Mom, Dad."

His heart suddenly softened to hear her murmuring. He gently hugged her in his arms as he comforted her, "Don't be afraid. You have me here."

His eyes lately fall on the family photo on her bed table and beside it, there was a bottle of wish sand, which brought some annoying memory back to him.

His eyes narrowed but when he was about to leave and calm himself down, Roxanne suddenly vomited all over his shirt.

"Fucking hell," Lance grunted out in annoyance while Roxanne quietly went back to bed, unaware of her actions.

Lance glanced at her and his jaws tightened. Exhaling through his lips as he unlatched Roxanne's finger from around his shirt, he walked towards her bathroom.

After everything he had done for her this night, the least she could offer him was a hot shower before he left.

Sooner or later she must have to pay for all these things she had done to him.

** ** ** **

Roxanne woke up sometime in the night feeling sticky and sweaty. Hearing the shower run in her bathroom, she believed it was Iris who sent her home.

She stripped from her stuffy clothes in her hazy state of mind and without any form of cautiousness, walked into the bathroom.

The hot water from the shower descended on her body almost instantly when she pulled the door open. Yet Roxanne just closed her eyes and moaned out in relief, unaware of the person who had been watching her from behind.

With his hands on his hips and body wash foam plastered all over his body, Lance quietly watched Roxanne. The storm was gathering in his eyes.

Even though it wasn't the first time he had seen her fully nude, he still found his stare lingering and her body. Easily aroused his desire.

"Ah!!" A surprised yelp escaped her throat when she turned around to reach for her body wash. Finally, she noticed his presence as

"Hello sunshine, sleep well?"

Roxanne stared on with wide eyes and became half sober at once.

"How. what are you doing here?" She questioned with her cheeks flushed cherry as she quickly tried to cover her body up.

"No need in trying to cover it up, I've seen all that there is." He teased with his eyes locked directly on hers.

Roxanne felt her cheeks heat up all the more and quickly averted her gaze. "You need to leave. Now."

However, when she began heading for the door and out of the shower, she was caught simultaneously by Lance.

"Is this the thanks I get after all I've done?"

Cracking her head up, Roxanne felt like she was being dragged into his game once more the moment she locked her gaze with him.

"You'd get your 'much-deserved thanks' but right now, you need to leave."

"And what if I say I don't want to?" Lance asked as he held her tightly in his arms.

"Lance." She called out in a warning tone but he ignored it and pressed her against the cold walls while the hot water poured down on their bodies.

"That's enough, Lance. This has to stop." Roxanne tried to remain firm but the moment his fingers danced along her skin, she felt her mind blur for a few seconds.

Why did he always have such a damn effect on her?

A single touch was enough to send her mind into Havana.

"You want me to leave, but your body says otherwise. So tell me, Roxanne. Do you really want me to leave?" While trailing his finger up her tights, Lance whispered in her ear and watched as she shivered from the sound of his voice.

"Words Roxy, I need words." He coaxed on and ran his finger against her exposed nipples

Roxanne shivered from the sudden jolt of pleasure and felt her mind sway all the more.

"See? You got so wet for me down there in seconds despite telling me to leave. What a naughty girl." Lance coarse as he pumped both his fingers into Roxanne's pussy and she moaned out in utter pleasure before she could stop herself.

Another wave of pleasure hit Roxanne hard as he inserted yet another finger and sped up his pace, pumping his fingers in and out of her at a mad pace that made her sense blur completely as her eyes slowly began to roll toward the back of her head.

"That's it, sunshine. Moan out and remember you are mine."

** ** ** **

Roxanne never expected that her one-night stand with Lance would turn out to be two nights and then three nights.

She hoped there won't be more, or things would get more and more out of her control.

She sighed as she finished her work and at that moment, Christopher's message popped out.

「I'll pick you up to have lunch together, babe.」

She couldn't help but sneer. Christopher was really a born actor. She had no mood to cooperate with him to play this love game. As long as she transferred her money and resource back, she would dump him at once.

Having no expectation to see his disturbing face anymore, Roxanne was going to make up a random excuse to reject him but Christopher seemed insistent.

By the time they met at the restaurant, she understood his intention at once as he pulled out the medicine soup.

"Mother did these medicinal cuisines specially for you. She was awfully worried that you left early from the party that day."

Worried? If Grace truly that cared about her, she should have called her to confirm her safety that night so that she wouldn't catching her son cheating on her and made the mistake with Lance again.

As she thought, Christopher had screwed the lid open and one whiff of scent had her face contorting in dislike.

She knew what they were planning. If she could have a baby with Christopher, they thought their marriage would be foolproof.

Too naive. Even if she really carried his baby, she would still kick him off as long as she found out Christopher was just a rotten man.

"...babe?" Roxanne flinched when Christopher called her while holding her hands. Geeze, she was getting more and more sick of his touch.

"Sorry, what were you saying? I was thinking about my new design." Roxanne faked a smile as she pulled her hand out.

"I asked if you would like to try the cuisine? Should I plate it?"

"Uh, sure." Roxanne blurted but soon regretted when she had the soup within her grasp. She hated this scent.

Pretending to check the new message from her phone, she excused to leave early. "Sorry, Chris. I have to go now as we just got a meeting on the fly."

She bowed apologetically as she got up and left the table. With that, she noticed the bag beside her seat.

"Oh, here is the jacket you asked me to bring this morning." She said as she handed the bag to him. "I should go now. Bye~"

Christopher had expected her to at least give him a kiss on the cheek as she stepped out, but she didn't. It wasn't the first sign of indifference she had shown him as of late.

There must be something wrong, but Christopher couldn't find the answer at a moment.

But when he later arrived at home, dipping his fingers inside his coat pocket to check, he was stunned to see the thing he pulled out.

A freshly used Condom!

Christopher could feel anger burning in his chest as he realized the truth.

Roxanne had sex last night but it was not with him.

She was cheating behind him with another man!

Her heart was in her throat when Roxanne met Christopher again as she stepped out of the elevator after work.

Didn't he tell her that he had to work overtime tonight? What made him change his plan?

"A surprise." He grinned widely as he gave her a big hug. Many passersby casted envious glances towards them, thinking they were a couple in love.

Yet Roxanne was keenly aware of something strange. Christopher was a bit too clingy today. That was not him.

Even though he was smiling, she could feel there was something hiding behind that.

"Sorry for being busy these last few days. I'll make it all up tonight." He said gently but somehow gave her a shiver.

"It's okay." Roxanne answered as she slipped into the passenger seat.

The rest of the ride, Christopher consisted of his one-sided conversation regardless that Roxanne had told him that she was tired and needed some rest.

By the time they had arrived at Roxanne's house, she didn't hesitate to jump out of his car the moment he had parked it well.

"Thanks for the ride." She said as she took fast strides towards her house, leaving Christopher clenching his teeth in anger.

She didn't even invite him inside. She must have an affair!

Jumping out of his seat, Christopher chased after her and caught her wrist before she could step into her apartment.

"Roxy, wait."

"Yeah?" Roxanne answered and his hand around her wrist made her feel utterly revolted. "What is it?"

"I was thinking that...maybe we could watch a movie tonight. Like old times?"

Ah, so that was his another trick to make her pregnant soon. Roxanne thought as she forced a smile on her lips.

"Sorry, Chris, I'll have to throw in the towel for tonight."

Christopher's eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"Work, tons of it piled up." She lied with the sweetest smile on her lips and with everything she had, placed a peck on his cheeks. "Some other time, okay?"

Christopher was not about to give up but the sound of his phone ringing went off.

Christopher was a little panicked when he saw the name on his screen. It was Amber, Roxanne had also seen it.

He told her that he needed to work overtime before. Roxanne guessed it should be their cheating date tonight. But some unknown reasons drove him to change his plan. So, his little mistress felt uneasy now.

"Call from work?" She asked as she sneered inside.

"Y-yeah." Christopher lied. "I'll finish this soon and be back to you."

But when he hung up the phone and returned, wearing a saddened expression."Roxy, babe..."

"You have to leave?" Roxanne cut his words, already knowing what he was about to say. She had experienced it too many times.

Christopher solemnly nodded his head and Roxanne pressed her lips into a thin line. Though she already knew his choice, Roxanne couldn't help but feel bitter.

After a long silence, she nodded and forced a smile. "It's okay."

"You are always the best, babe."Christopher gave her a hug before rushing away.

Disappointedly watching him leaving her for Amber again, Roxanne gave herself a bitter laugh and turned to open her door. However, someone forcefully sneaked in before she could lock the door.

With her only source of light gone and the light switch feets away, Roxanne felt her heart pound as many unpleasant possibilities flew through her mind.

She tried to scream and run, but was pinned against the wall with her mouth covered by the man.

"Stop screaming." Only after hearing his voice did Roxanne realize that it was none other than Lance.

Anger rose in her chest and without thinking, she bit his palm painfully.

Lance hissed and instantly unlatched his palm from her mouth.

"You fucking lunatic." Roxanne cursed out once she had regained her ability to speak. "What right do you think you have to waltz your way into my house? Leave, right now!"

"Do you really want me to do that?" Lance asked and took a step forward and Roxanne stepped backward to keep a safe distance from him.

"Picture this," Lance uttered as he continued taking steps towards her. "What do you think your fiancé would think when he sees his stepbrother coming out of his fiancee's house?"

"Only a few minutes after you had just rejected him spending the night."

Roxanne's brows knitted. How exactly did he know of this? Was he stalking her?

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. That I accidentally left him a little gift this morning." Lance shrugged his shoulders as he smirked.

"Gift?" Roxanne felt herself more confused.

"Nothing much, just the condom we used last night. I 'accidentally' left it in that coat of his I guess."

When Roxanne finally realized what he had done, the panic she felt before turned into anger directed at Lance.

"Are you fucking crazy?" She raged, taking a threatening step towards Lance and he just grinned.

"What fun is a game of revenge if your opponent is simply clueless?"

"Game?" Roxanne asked and scoffed. "This isn't a 'game'. This is my life you're toying with."

"Easy sunshine. Obviously with his three percent IQ brain power, Christopher would never be able to think that your cheating date is his stepbrother."

"What?" Roxanne's eyes fluttered in disbelief. Her choice in men really was awful.

"Come on sunshine..." Lance continued to say, "I'm helping you here, the least you should say is thank you."

"You, helping me? And I should say thank you?" Roxanne felt her hand itching to slap his face but held herself back.

"I'm not interest in your stupid game but this draws the line." She told him and was about to kick him out from her house but he held her wrist.

"I'm serious." The tone of his voice made her stunned and he continued, "I'm sure as hell that you can't finish this without me."

"You need me." Lance said as he reached forward, took a tiny batch of her hair and rolled around his finger.

"Don't delude yourself." She told him as she smacked his fingers away. "I've told you that you're never in my plan. I was just looking for a random one-night stand. There will be others if not..."

But before she could finish her words, Lance had closed the distance between them and crashed his lips against her.

"You dare not have others!"

Roxanne struggled against his kiss but Lance placed his hand behind her head and waist and pulled her closer, holding her in place as he successfully gained access into the fortress of her mouth.

Knowing she would easily be controlled by him if she let him continue, Roxanne was going to bite and force him to stop, and a familiar voice graced her ears.

"Babe, what's up?"

Roxanne's eyes widened when she realized it was Christopher. She nervously searched around and finally spotted her phone in Lance's right hand.

"Are you fucking crazy!" She yelled with fuming ears after grabbing her phone back and hung up at once.

How could he be so keen on such childish tricks? Calling her fiancé while they were kissing. Did he think that she hadn't got enough troubles now?

She was about to lash out on him once more when the sound of pounding against her door caught both she and Lance's attention.

"Roxanne, Roxanne, open the door. Open the door right this instant, Roxanne!"