"Is there anything I need to know before we go inside?" I asked as Nikolas cut off the car's engines after parking the car himself.

"Don't embarrass me," he simply answers making me raise an eyebrow at his nonsense.

It is my job to promote my client's image and he tells me to not embarrass him? What does he take me for?

"Same to you," I simply answer as I open the door.

I wait for the man to get out and walk next to him. As we walk past some other guests and photographers, each and every one of them looked at Nikolas with admiration. Since it is a business party, it isn't a surprise that everyone knows who he is. He practically is the CEO of the companies already. Once we enter the room where the announcement will be made, people immediately come to greet the big man next to me. Flatteries are exchanged hoping they can get something from it. I let Nikolas do all the talking as I stand next to him with a smile plastered on my face. But In fact, I'm already bored. I need to look proud of him, like a lover would be.

"If I may ask, who is the man standing beside you?" a man in his mid-forties asks as everyone's attention shifts on me. I bet every single one of them is dying to know.

I give a quick glance at Nikolas and since he is also looking at me, I answered for myself, "Nice to meet you, my name is Micah."

I extend my hand for a handshake, but he ignores it. Instead, the man looks at me from head to toe before asking, "Is he your secretary?" There is a long and uncomfortable silence before he adds, "In fact, as business partners, are you interested to meet my beautiful wife and daughter? She is-"

"How disrespectful," answers Nikolas without caring that he just interrupted the older man. "Know your place as you talk to my partner. Get away from my sight."

The old man's face grows pale as he tries to stutter an apology which fell on deaf ears. For a few minutes, he tries to redeem himself, but security is already here to escort him out. Once he is out of the way, people start to include me in their conversation.

Now that they know that I'm someone important to him, they try to reach Nikolas through me. Before I can even answer one of them, my client starts to walk away and since I am personating his lover, I follow him like a diligent puppy.

"Are you thirsty?" asks Nikolas once we are finally alone with the exception that everyone is still staring at us.

"I would like a glass," I accept his offer as we reach the bar.

"Any preferences?"

"Surprise me," I smile as I turn to lean the base of my back on the counter.

"Two Riesling," he ordered and the bartender nods before going to take a bottle.

He shows it to Nikolas as the latter gives his approval. Then two wine glasses are put in front of us. Watching the man on the other side of the counter open the bottle, a shiny yellow liquid is getting poured into their recipient. I take the glass in my hand and we clink them together. Before tasting it, I bring the cup to my nose and sniff it. Then, as soon as the wine hit my tongue, a sweetness invades my mouth. I really wasn't expecting this flavour, sweet wine? Okay, it tastes awesome, but I wonder if he already knew that I like sweet things or it is only a coincidence?

Not even halfway through our drink, a man appears and whispers in my client's ear. I take a sip of the wine as I inwardly roll my eyes. As they whisper to each other, I look at the crowd. It is easy to recognize most of them since they are the one percent of the population that have been born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Then I notice the person I have been dying to see for the past few days.

"I see that you two have met," she smiles as she walks over with her perfectly manicured fingers trailing on the bar counter.

"Katie," I give her a charming smile, "It is a pleasure to see you."

"The pleasure is all mine," she chuckles as we kiss each other's cheeks.

"You are a sight to behold," I compliment her as I look at the gorgeous outfit she is currently wearing.

"Thank you, it's from the new collection made by Magnolia's designers," she elegantly poses to complement both her dress and body assets. She makes you feel like the dress has been specifically made for her and no one else. Which may have been the case.

I have been expecting nothing less from them. Magnolia is the fashion company that Nikolas and Demetrius have founded together. Now that I see one of their newest products, I am most impressed. No wonder that they have gained popularity so rapidly.

"Do you want something to drink?" I ask as she politely refuses.

"Thank you, but I will have to refuse, or else, my brother will cause a tantrum," she chuckles before kissing my cheek. "Hope to see you again."

She walks away as fast as she came. To be honest, I'm disappointed since I want to know more about her. But why am I even so fixated on her?

"I see that you have a good relationship with my sister," states Nikolas from behind startling me.

"Jealous?" I tease, but I did not expect him to actually nod his head. "You... Are not joking right?"

"I don't think I have ever made a joke before," he frowns making me look at him in the eyes.

"What kind of childhood did you have then?" I mumble to myself as he does not seem to hear it.

We take our glasses with us as we go mingle with the workers of his company. This time, I am always included in the conversation as if I am someone important too. The respect or consideration they give me is despicable. Soon, everyone has been asked to sit at their respectful seats because the main event is about to start. I have been informed that my seat is the one next to Nikolas.

Before taking my seat, I turn to the man, "Well, good luck."

He raised an eyebrow, "Luck has nothing to do with it," he answers making me roll my eyes.

"Good success then," I correct myself as I get on my toes to give him a quick kiss on his lips, just to make everything more credible.

Without any explanation, I turn around and as I go sit in my designed seat, I can still feel my lips tingling and burning all at the same time. When I look up, only the lectern is illuminated. Everything else is in complete darkness. We all silently watch as an older, but still, a handsome man walks on stage. He gets behind the lectern and tests the microphone by slightly tapping on it. The man has dirty blonde hair with some familiar piercing gray eyes. There wasn't much resemblance, but he could only be Nikolas' father. They have the same aura around them, plus their scents are similar, yet quite different. Nikolas' father scent doesn't have the musky feel, it was plain and unattractive. This is how a man scent should be, unattractive and boring.

After a few seconds looking at the crowd which I doubt he actually can see something since it is pretty dark, the man starts to talk. He isn't quite how I imagined him. He gives off a serious vibe, but as soon as he starts to talk, he smiles and gives the come talk to me vibe. Michael, Nikolas' father's, is the exact opposite of his son. So when he called him up on stage, the difference is quite shocking. Everything except for the eyes are different, they have nothing in common.

"With that said, please welcome your new chairman!" Michael said enthusiastically as everyone, including myself, start clapping their hands.

I watch Nikolas confidently climb the stairs to join the man behind the lectern. They exchange a handshake before the younger man goes behind the microphone.

"I am honoured to take over the position as the CEO in my father's stead. I am confident that I will be able to meet everyone's expectations and if not more. As you may already know, a new partnership has been formed a while ago. With the cooperation of Demetrius, the CEO of Seamless Company, we were able to create a new clothing brand named Magnolia."

The lights suddenly open and music starts to fill the entire room. Models start to walk in one at the time with original clothing. Photographers that I did not notice until now, rush at the front to take some pictures. Then I notice Katie coming in with a surprising grace and elegance. She is owning the stage. Each time she comes in with a different outfit, everyone else's presence disappear. No wonder she is wanted by so many fashion companies.

Thirty minutes later, the lights go off and everyone gets back in their seat. Nikolas comes back to the microphone and says, "I hope you have all enjoyed the fashion show. Please know that all of the clothing you just saw are now for sale. Feel free to come and take a closer look. Before I conclude, I want to add something," the man pauses as we make eye contact. My stomach churns as I get a bad feeling. "As you all noticed, I came accompanied. Today, I want to officially announce that Micah," a spotlight appears just on top of my head, momentarily blinding me, "And I are engaged to each other."

Before I can react, the photographers surround me with their camera as they start taking pictures. WIth my enhanced hearing, I can clearly hear the gossips going around the room. I have not been notified about this detail and I really do not like it. The noise and the clicks of the cameras don't help my anger to calm down. But since I am still working for that frustrating man, I stand up and give my best smile to the cameras as I walk through them to reach my fiancé on the stage. Once we are face to face, I roughly grab his arm and his neck as I pull him into a quick kiss. Before we separate, I deliberately bite his tongue. I have bitten him so hard that I got a taste of his blood.

I do not like how my body has reacted. It starts trembling as I can feel my blood boiling. Even my ears have started to ring. It is as if one drop isn't enough. I need more and more.

"We will talk about this later," I grunted angrily and hungrily next to his ear before untangling myself from him.

This little announcement is going to be troublesome. The media is here and tomorrow, our relationship will be in every newspaper and magazine. After that, how can I get new clients?! My face will be known by everyone and since I am taken by a powerful man at that, no one will want me. I will only cause trouble if I do. I even remember that some of my clients are homophobes. Getting out of this country is also not a possibility. This company, NorthStar Imperial, is known internationally and so are the faces of the men owning it.

The rest of the night goes without any additional problem, but before Nikolas and I could leave, we get intercepted by Michael and his wife. As expected, Nikolas took all his mother's traits. Alice's eyes are green like Katie. I guess they all took the good genes, not that Michael isn't good looking, just not enough.

"You are not leaving without even saying goodbye. Are you?" smiles the woman as she comes to give a hug to his son. "Congratulations."

"Thank you, mother," he thanks as they separate from each other hold.

Then, she looks at me with the same smile she just gave to her son, "You must be Micah. Imagine my surprise when he told everyone that he has been engaged," she glares at her son before looking back at me. "I'm Alice, Nikolas' mother. This is my husband, Michael."

"Nice to meet you," I smile as I exchange a handshake with both of them. "I'm Micah, but you must already know that."

"Yes, I have been dying to meet you, but since you were always surrounded by the other guests, I didn't want to interrupt," she says as I can see her looking at me from head to toe.

"I wonder whose fault is that?" I tease with a glare in the direction of my client.

Both of Nikolas' parents chuckle before the older man asks, "How long have you two been together?"

"You have been awfully silent. Are you nervous because I am meeting your parents?" I ask Nikolas with a frown.

"More like delighted," he answers as he takes my hand in his.

"Then you wouldn't mind answering your father's question, right?"

"We have been going out for a little over a year," he answers at Michael which made my eyebrow twitch.

"I see..." the ex-chairman answers as if deep in his thoughts.

"Well, nice to have finally met you, Micah. Please come by for dinner one of these days," added Alice before the older couple finally walks away to their waiting car.

We silently follow them since Nikolas' car has been parked next to theirs. Once in the vehicle, I wait for the other man to get in. When we are finally alone, I ask through my gritted teeth, "What was that about?"

"You are mad," he states as if it hasn't been obvious.

"Of course I am mad! You didn't tell me about this!" I argue angrily as he stops at a red light.

"I have bought you as my personal escort. I thought it will be easier if we announce our relationship instead of creating some unwanted rumours by hiding it."

"You didn't buy me. You bought my services. Plus, tonight was a trial to see if you are satisfied with my services before having me as your exclusive escort."

"Yes, and I am satisfied. That is why I said we are engaged. I will add a few thousand to the check if it can appease you."

"You..." I start to argue back before swallowing what I am about to say. "Enough, drop me at my apartment."

"No need. Everything has already been transferred to my house," he explains as we stop in front of a metal gate. "This is your house now as specified in the contract."

I try not to look amazed by the property. There is a waterfall in the centre with two stone staircases surrounding it. Up there I see a glimpse of the mansion with what seems like a pool in front of it.

Instead, I ask, "What about my apartment?"

"Someone rented it. That way you can make money without having the need to escort other clients."

After he has parked his car with the others, I notice that my Tesla is also here. I follow the man up the stairs and take in the view on the front side of the house with the humongous pool. I have known that he is rich, but not this wealthy. It will even be more difficult to break the contract. I have discovered by experience that rich people are more stubborn than usual.

"Welcome home."