The hotel gave a magnificent view of the beach. Brielle looked out of the window to see the clear waters of the calm sea. She couldn't wait to get her feet wet. Arthur was in the bathroom enjoying the jacuzzi. He'd been inside for over an hour and Brielle didn't think he was coming out before lunch.

Jack was busy talking on the phone. One day I'll throw the damn thing. He was pacing in the living room wearing nothing but a bathrobe and white slippers. He'd just taken a shower. His chiselled chest kept catching Brielle's attention as she found herself blushing. His smooth wet hair stuck to his neck, as rubbed a towel over his head, while balancing the phone on his shoulder. His voice was huskier than usual and everytime he spoke, Brielle's stomach did an unexpected flip.

"Axky any update on Zachary's location?" said Jack finally sitting down on the couch beside Brielle and setting the phone on loudspeaker mode.

"Gimme a few more minutes." said Axky's boyish voice. "OOH! I'll need another fifteen minutes Jackie, I just got pinged by this hot babe online."

Brielle looked at Jack quizzically. Jack sighed and gave her a "For -the -love -of -God- I- can't -deal- with -this- right -now -so- don't -ask" look.

"Leslie." growled Jack threateningly.

"Dude, chill. You don't have to get jealous just because you haven't had any action in over a year. I can set you up with her if you like, she'd be more than willing---"

Jack cursed as colourfully as he could. Brielle's eyebrows shot up so high in shock that Jack actually looked embarrassed.

"Axky, please just help me out. The city of Bangkok is huge. I can't find my uncle and cousin without your guidance." said Jack gritting his teeth. The last time he had pleaded to anyone was when he'd asked for money from his uncle and signed that wretched contract.

"Of course. The magic word always helps. I'll tell the girl I'm busy and that you were always my first love." said Axky joyfully. Brielle couldn't contain her giggles. "Take the phone off loudspeaker, Jack."

Jack was startled and did so immediately.

"How did you know that?" he asked.

"I just do." said Axky seriously. Jack tensed. The last time he'd seen Axky tense was when his own mother had been very ill.

"What is it?" he asked preparing for the worst.

"I found Zachary's location, but Jack you can't get close. You have enemies around there." said Axky.

"Enemies? You mean the Kormin twins?" said Jack getting up and standing in the seclusion of the balcony.

"The same. It seems they've struck a deal with the estranged uncle of yours." said Axky tentatively. The strain in his voice was unmistakable. "They are staying at one of their cheaper hotels. Either they are lying low or are short on cash. I don't know what's going on Jack, but I don't like it. They are planning something. I think you should take a flight back home. Take Brielle and Arthur with you. I'll see what I can do about the tape."

"This isn't just about the tape any more, is it? Its got a lot more personal now. Do you really think the Kormin's still hate me from school?" said Jack with a laugh. "I did nothing to them that they didn't deserve. They thought they could insult both our families and I'd take it all without as much as a retort? I did not even touch them till they hurt you. I didn't kick box for nothing all those years."

"You hurt their egos more than the simple broken nose. The Kormin brothers are also good businessmen. Zachary Jones must have offered them a share in your company once they gain control of it."

"They are lucky if they still have control over they're bowel movements once I'm through with them." said Jack in a steely voice. "I'll send Brielle and Arthur back, but I'm staying."

"It's not a good idea. Who knows what they've planned?" said Axky. "It's risky, and its not high school anymore."

"Axky, when I made it big as a businessman, I knew that having enemies was part and parcel of the job. The thing is, even if I'm willing to give my company over to someone else, I need to first make sure they are capable of looking after the welfare of the 30000 employees of mine. As far as I know, the Jones or the Kormins are the worst candidates possible."

"Fine." sighed Axky giving up. "Do what you want. I'll send you the details."

"Thanks." Jack scanned his e-mail and went back inside.

Just then Arthur came out of the bathroom, skin flushed and wearing nothing but a towel around his waist. He looked at Jack's physique and then his skinnier self and let out an audible sigh.

"What do I have to do to look that good?" he asked Brielle covertly. She smiled.

"Jack is everything all right?" she asked concerned.

"Yes everything's fine. " he said breezily taking off his bathrobe as though he was all alone in the hotel room. Thankfully he was wearing boxers beneath. Brielle blushed a deep red and tried to look away. Jack's muscles rippled as he pulled on a pair of blue jeans and stood bare chested in front of his enthralled audience.

"Man I'm so jealous right now," said Arthur looking at Jack's abs and comparing it with his own thin stomach.

"What are you both staring at?" Jack asked irritably.

"At least have the decency to change when people are not sitting in front of you, sheesh." said Brielle rolling her eyes.

"If you don't like it then don't look. Anyway, I need you and Arthur to head back home as soon as possible." said Jack busily putting on a black T-shirt.

"What?" said Brielle sure that she had misheard.

"But we just got here!" protested Arthur. "There are so many cool places to visit."

"I'll bring you both some other time. Please, I need you both to head back." said Jack looking at Brielle. She knew at once that something was wrong.

"But you're staying?" she asked.

"Yes." he said curtly.

"Can I ask why?" asked Brielle.

"No." said Jack as his phone buzzed with a message. He checked it immediately. "Your tickets are ready. Flight leaves in 4 hours."

Brielle sighed. What was going on? Would she ever be worthy enough of a timely explanation?

"All right." she said. "We'll go."

"But, but, but..." spluttered Arthur clearly wanting to stay.

"It's okay Arthur. He probably has his reasons. Don't worry I'll needle it out of him later." said Brielle giving him a wink.

"Okay." said Arthur visibly disheartened. "I'll go repack."

As soon as he left the room, Jack walked up to Brielle and pulled her into a tight hug. She was too surprised to move.

"Can I kiss you?" he asked, pulling back ever so slightly.

She looked at him, her eyes drinking him in. "Since when did you start asking?" she said unable to refuse.

He gave her a genuine smile, his lips claiming her own, his tongue finding an easy way into her willing mouth. Their bodies moved in sync as he pushed her up against the wall, his hands sliding down her back and pausing at her waist.

Brielle found herself wanting him to hold her even closer. She was getting aroused, was something going to happen?

"I need you to be my wife." he said suddenly lifting her chin up, forcing her to look at him.

"But, we don't love each other," protested Brielle as he crashed his lips against her own.

She couldn't think as she kissed him back, intoxicated by his scent and the skillful way his body moved against her own.

"Please." he said huskily looking into her eyes. "Say yes."

"Yes." Brielle found herself saying as a ring slowly slipped onto her finger. After all she never had a choice when it came to him.