Hera slipped on her silver heels that went well with her pale pink tulip style wrap dress. She loved how the colour contrasted against her brown skin and she left her curls natural. She took some time to pamper herself in the shower after work today and it always helped her feel good.

It was a pleasant Monday thus far not having to encounter the queen or the princess that much, although Chardonnay at work was giving Hera a hard time. Hera only saw the duke in the morning when they were leaving for work, and even then they didn't utter a word to each other.

She didn't have any plans to attend the party with Daman tonight but she had an inkling that Adam would have invited him as well. She wasn't proven wrong when she went downstairs to the living room and saw the duke decked up in a crisp white shirt and some midnight black slacks paired with some designer loafers. His hair was sleeked back and his beard was neatly kept. She couldn't deny that he was so handsome.

When Daman's eyes raked over the pretty pink dress that adorned Hera, he was stunned. She was again a sight for sore eyes. Clearly she had a hold on him but right now, both of them being stubborn decided to not voice out their compliments.

They hadn't even taken a chance to talk to each other about their supposed wedding.

Hera walked up to the duke and stood in front of him as he looked down on her because of their height difference. He really wanted to say something. He was literally on the verge of caving and praising her on her beauty however the Princess of Ajmal sauntered in disturbing them just as Daman parted his lips to talk to his qiTa.

"I'm ready. Sorry to keep you waiting, habibi," Amaani sweetly said to Daman clearly making it an effort to emphasize her endearment. "How do I look?" she smiled. (My love)

Amaani twirled around in her bodycon gold sequin dress that made her look like a supermodel. Her eyes were foxy littered with gold eyeshadow and her light brown hair cascaded down her back in lovely waves. As much as Hera disliked the snob, she had to acknowledge that she was absolutely gorgeous.

Daman politely smiled at the princess and took her hand when she offered it to him. "You look beautiful," he complimented her although his eyes went to Hera. He wanted to tell her that she looked even more than beautiful, that the word beautiful wasn't enough, that there were no words to describe how beautiful she looked, but he kept mum. Sure the princess of Ajmal was glamourous, but the universe could never compare it with Hera's natural beauty.

Amaani let out her famous childlike giggle which only made Hera roll her eyes. The princess made an active decision to not acknowledge Hera because tonight was going to be all about her and Daman. Hera could go fly a kite for all she cared. Daman had asked her to attend with him and not Hera. Amaani had concluded that she Hera was only invited because she worked there.

Amaani proceeded to compliment the duke and place her hand on his chest leaning into him as she adjusted his collar which didn't need any adjusting. Daman was aware that she was being clingy so he shoved his hands in his pockets to tolerate her.

Hera glanced at the duke and princess and took that as her cue to leave. Clearly their closeness constituted for something. Hera began to angrily walk away at the speed of light and into the elevator before Daman even had a chance to call out her.

Damn it, he cursed under his breath. He didn't want her guns out angry now.

Hera yanked the car door opened before Johan even had the chance to round up to her side. She almost took a seat in the back seat because it was her usual spot, however she opted so sit in the front this time. Daman could have Amaani for all she cared.

The car ride was unnerving for Hera and even Johan stole some glances at Hera worrying about her mood. He'd grown fond of her, especially when they'd converse on her way to work every morning. Johan glanced at the rearview mirror scrunching his face when he saw the Princes of Ajmal grab Daman's face and place a kiss on his cheek.

When they had arrived at Raffles, the party was already in full swing. Hera immediately opened her door and walked out in relief because even the scent of Amaani's perfume was making her head hurt. Looking around for a familiar face, Hera found the locks of red and made her way to Kristin but not before casting a glance at Chardonnay who looked distastefully at her.

Kristin and Hera were by no means friends or any of the sort but they were colleagues and anything seemed better than being with Daman and Amaani right now.

"Hey you," Kristin greeted Hera and then introduced her to the law clerks who worked on the 15 floor. To be honest, Hera wasn't even paying that much attention. Jasmin, Luke, Niko, Tash... and whoever else Kristin mentioned. Excusing herself, she walked to the bar to ease her mood.

Hera ordered for a vodka martini hoping for the alcohol to infiltrate her inhibitions so that the princess turned into a fat ugly frog in her mind.

It was then that she caught the attention of Adam who was striding along from table to table welcoming the compliments that reached him. His polished shoes made a beeline for the oh so gorgeous Indian beauty who sat alone by the bar. That dress was making her look delicious with her breasts outlined perfectly and her curvy hourglass figure defined. He'd ravage her had she been not in her arrangement.

Adam slightly waved at her as she locked eyes with him. "Do you have an inhaler?" he asked ever so serious as he took seat next to Hera.

Hera looked up but she was confused by his question. He seemed fine. "Why would you need an inhaler?"

"Because you took my breath away."

An angelic laughed wafted through the bar because it was such a cheesy pick up line that she didn't even see coming. "God, that was awful," Hera smiled and took another sip of her drink.

Adam ordered a beer for himself and genuinely smiled at Hera. Fuck, Daman had it good, he thought to himself. Imagine waking up to such a pleasant sight every single morning. "You are the prettiest lady here tonight. I hope you've been told that a million times already."

Hera scoffed out loud and pouted. "Not even once," she said and turned around on her stool to face the crowd.

Her eyes searched the room for the duke and she caught sight of Daman conversing with a group of men as Amaani clung onto his arm.

"She's worse than a leech I reckon," Adam began referring to the princess when he saw Hera's attention there.

"She grates my tits!" Hera growled out seething. "She should have just stayed wherever she was, or better yet, Daman should take her as his wife."

Adam leaned on one elbow against the bar counter watching Hera get worked up. Her spunky side was really shining bright and he was sure she had a lot more to offer in some other places that were currently off bounds for him.

"I truly wonder why Daman decided to bring her," Adam said feigning oblivion. This. This was exactly why he wanted him to bring her. So that he could have some time with Hera while Daman would be entertaining the princess. The jealousy on Hera's part would only create more tension between Daman and herself and he honestly was fascinated to watch from the sidelines.

Adam didn't care if the duke and Hera married. All he wanted was a taste and maybe tonight he'd get lucky. Knowing that this whole thing was an arrangement only made things better.

"Even if everything is fake, he should at least respect you enough to not bring her with him. Amaani was after all everyone's first choice for him."

Adam looked tentatively at Hera wondering where his words would take her.

It came as a surprise when she abruptly stood up and took a deep breath. "I'm going to dance. I like this song." Hera secured her clutch against a free table and walked up to the dancefloor.

Never missing an opportunity, Adam was quick to stand up as well. "Let me join you," he stated and placed his hands on the low of her back. Hera welcomed the company and walked to the dancefloor with her boss in tow and both started grooving to One Dance.

Adam made it a point to keep Hera close to him as they danced. He also made it a point to garb as much attention as they could. Any man would be proud to have the luck to dance with a woman like Hera therefore he was taking full advantage of it.

Adam and Hera enjoyed themselves on the dancefloor as other people stopped to watch them as others joining on the perimeters. Adam's lips curved shrewdly as he caught the duke staring at them with fury in his eyes.

Hera bobbed her head to the side, swaying her hips all the while Adam's hands caressed her waist. She didn't think much of it. It was simply dancing like all the others were doing.

Daman was so relieved when the song came to an end and he saw the duo walk off the dancefloor to a free table. Adam quickly ushered for drinks to reach their table seeing that they both were a little thirsty.

"Here comes your duke and the leech," Adam signaled to Daman who was walking with a purpose towards their table. Amaani was obviously still clinging to his arm as if she'd get lost.

Their drinks arrived simultaneously as the duke did and Hera sipped on her red wine unbothered by the presence of Daman.

He can go to hell

"Mmmh... this is good," Hera said and looked at her glass intently. "Taste expensive."

"Well off course, you must be used to cheap," Amaani scoffed out nastily and looked the other way.

Before Hera could even comprehend what she was doing, the contents in the glass was thrown furiously in Amaani's direction and the piercing scream that left the princess was enough to make the whole club come to a standstill.