Mason Browne ranked amongst the richest business tycoons in the country. I'd worked at Brown Industries for three years and the closest I'd come to him was a glossy poster in the breakroom.
I didn't know much about the elites' world, but I knew he was a philanthropist known for changing lives.
I couldn't believe someone like him had an affair. Then again, was I really one to judge?
I didn't even know Drake was his son. Everything I thought I knew turned out to be false. But one thing was certain---I wanted nothing to do with the Browns.
"Meet Aria, my fiancée."
My body stiffened as soon as the words left his mouth. What was with him and declaring me his girlfriend---or now, fiancée---without asking?
I jerked his arm away from me with a glare.
"Mr. Brown, I am not his---."
"It's nice to meet you, Aria," Mr. Brown said, offering his hand.
"May I call you that?" he asked.
I shook his hand reluctantly and forced a polite smile. He had enough power to blacklist me in twenty-five countries. He could call me anything he wanted.
"Yes, you may," I said.
"Why didn't you tell me you were seeing someone?" he asked, facing Damien. "After what happened the last time, I thought---."
"Dad," Damien cut in.
My brows rose in curiosity. It's none of your business, I reminded myself.
"Mr. Brown, it's great to meet you, but it seemed I interrupted something so I'm just gonna leave this here." I dropped the bag and shot Damien a look.
"And take my leave."
"Nonsense," Mr. Brown said and I paused.
"Excuse me?"
"It's the first time Damien's introduced me to his partner."
"Oh, you seem to be mistaken, sir. I am not---."
"Come over for dinner," he said.
"No." The word left my mouth before I could stop it.
Still, I had no intention of taking it back. There was no way I was going to dinner with my ex's and fake boyfriend's family.
"What?"
"Mr. Brown, thank you for such an incredible offer but I'm not Damien's---."
My eyes widened in shock when Damien's lips clamped down on mine. He pulled away and smiled, leaving me speechless.
He turned to face his dad. "We'll be there."
"Great!" Mr. Brown yelled happily. "Then, I'll see you tonight, Aria."
The second the door shut, I swung my fist, smacking Damien across the face.
"Why the hell did you kiss me?" I hissed.
He sighed. "I'm sorry."
"Did you have any idea the morning I've had?" I asked.
I closed the gap between us slowly, my eyes blazing in anger. "There are rumors spreading like wildfire that I was the one who cheated on Drake."
"What?"
"Apparently, someone heard you call me your girlfriend at the café---and now, people are saying I cheated on Drake with you!"
It was hard to keep my voice from rising so I took in deep breaths to calm myself.
"That's not true. He was the one who cheated," he said.
"Exactly!" I snapped. "So, why am I the one being called a slut?"
His eyebrows furrowed. "Name."
"What?"
He walked towards his desk and picked up the receiver. "I need the name of whoever called you that."
I grabbed the phone from his hand and plopped it back in its place. "You think that's gonna solve anything?"
I paused, staring into his eyes. "What, you're just gonna fire everyone who insults me?"
"Yes."
I stepped back in surprise at the serious expression on his face.
He meant it.
"No one gets to call my fiancée a slut," he said.
"I am not your fucking fiancée!" I yelled.
Why wasn't he getting this? What was so difficult about the simple words I said?
He walked towards me and stopped, his face barely inches away from mine.
"I need you."
The expression on his face made me pause. There was something haunting in his eyes. Desperation. Sadness. A flicker of something I couldn't name.
"What?"
He ran his fingers through his hair, as his jaw clicked. "I can't go into details with you, but there's something I need to find out."
There was something he needed to find out? What did that mean? Did it have anything to do with what Oliver said?
"What does me being your 'fiancée' have to do with it?" I asked.
"I need Father's trust," he disclosed.
"I still don't understand what that has to do with me."
"Because…" I could see the hesitancy behind his eyes. "He's only going to trust me if he sees I'm in a relationship and have plans to take over the company."
I scoffed. "Aren't you already the CEO?"
"Not officially," he grimaced. "Not yet."
Hmm.
"So, to summarize, you need me to gain your father's trust to take over the company?" I asked.
"I knew you'd get it."
I wanted to walk out in that moment but there was something else I needed to know.
"What's the thing you need to find out?" I asked.
I knew I shouldn't be intrigued, I had my own shit to deal with and my life was more than complicated enough but a part of me couldn't help but be curious.
He shook his head. "I can't tell you."
"I see."
I had no more questions to ask. I'd come to the conclusion that he was crazy. There was no way he'd expect me to go along with his ridiculous plan. I had nothing to gain from it---if anything, I had more to lose than he did.
I was already branded a slut, I didn't want to be called a home destroyer. I could only imagine the contempt I'd face when people realized he was Drake's brother.
"Good day, Mr. Brown."
I turned and walked to the door.
"You owe me."
My hand froze on the knob. "What?"
"I said you owe me," he repeated.
I turned to him slowly in disbelief. "I owe you?"
"The hotel we spent the night together," he stated.
I walked towards him quickly and placed my hand on his mouth to shush him.
"We agreed to never speak of it again," I hissed.
"And I have…so far."
His eyes lit up as he leaned closer. His warm breath fanned my palm and I hated the way my pulse responded. He was too close---so close it made my heart pound loudly in my chest.
He licked my hand and I pulled away, wiping my hand on my pants. What the hell was I thinking?
I stared at his face. "Are you threatening me right now?"
"I'm offering a proposition," he said.
"A proposition?"
He nodded. "All you have to do is show up for dinner and our 'experience' at the hotel never see the light of the day."
The last thing I needed was him going around and blabbing his mouth that we had sex. It'd completely ruin the little reputation I had left.
"Just dinner?" I asked.
He smiled, a mischievous look on his face. "Just dinner."
It seemed dangerous and I already had enough on my plate. But the last thing I needed was another scandal.
"Deal."