"Good morning, Mr. Monteiro."

"Good morning Mrs. Shelby. You're looking younger every time I see you." I greeted back the hotel manager, Mrs. Shelby a sixty year old woman, a very trusted and loyal employee for many years.

"Thank you." She flushed shyly, then guided me to the restaurant where I would meet the representatives of International Society of Art Appraiser.

The Monteiro Grand Hotel was the first hotel that the Monteiro's built in New York and still the biggest, grandest and luxurious hotel in New York City.

My dad, Iñigo Monteiro managed this hotel now that my grandfather already retired. He renovated the place, making the architectural designs more modern, hi-tech in facilities, complete amenities and very elegant ornaments.

When we passed by the pool, I heard a shrill sound of laughter from girls. I looked at Mrs. Shelby, raising my eyebrows questioningly.

"There's a photoshoot by the pool for a fashion magazine. They've booked for three days, shooting at the beach and different areas of the hotel. This is their second day."

"Ah- okay." I nodded and dismissed Mrs. Shelby.

I stopped across the pool area and saw a bunch of girls in bikinis, photographers and cameramen. My eyes caught the attention of a model in blond hair wearing a white two piece bikini. She was standing at the side, waiting for the instruction from the camera man.

At first look I thought she was Athena.

No way. Athena is brunette. That girl is blond.

Athena always held her head high, showing too much arrogance and confidence, whereas this girl, there was this aloofness and patience that I found very mysterious. Maybe the hint of sadness that showed on her face.

I stood there for two minutes watching the girl. I was instantly mesmerised by her.

Who is she?

I don't usually get affected with any girl I meet. In fact, meeting too many pretty girls made me so immune by them.

Being a Monteiro and known to be loaded, I had many girls, some in a gentler manner, others very aggressive, inviting me out for a date even before I reached puberty. There were girls flaunting in front of me almost naked, luring me to their bedrooms. Even new young female employees, they worked in my hotel just to get into me.

"Let me suck your big cock Mr. Monteiro." My new female chef whispered as she licked her lower lip. I thought it was unintentional when she bumped her behind against my manhood.

"What's your name?"

"Cheryl Case." She responded with a sultry voice while battering her eyelashes. "But you can call me whatever you want."

"Okay, whatever you want, You're FIRED!"

Playing with girls was not my thing. I did not want to waste my time dating different girls every weekend. I had high regard on women, dating and relationship. I strongly believed in love, commitment and marriage.

Whenever I'd date a girl, that means that I like her a lot and I want to get to know her better. If we get along, then I'm willing to enter into a faithful loving relationship with her. I would treat her very special like a princess.

The date I had with Jenna Justice lately, it did not go very well. She got the beauty and brain, but she kept on mentioning her PhD all the time, and naming too many influential people especially coming from politics. She manipulated the conversation talking about the lives of people that I hardly know. A personality that I did not find it too attractive.

"Good morning, Mr. Monteiro."

I turned around and saw the hotel bar and restaurant supervisor, Dilton Chu.

"Good morning, Dilton." I greeted him back and summoned him closer. "See that blond girl over there in white bikini?"

"The model sir?"

"Yeah, the one holding a blue towel."

"What about her, sir?"

I gave him my instructions and he listened intently, writing on his notepad every detail I said.

"Got it sir. Is that all?"

"Yeah, that's all, thanks."

I was on my way to my appointment at the restaurant, happier and looking forward for tonight.

"What's the name of this drink?"

"It's called Mona Lisa. Our best lady's drink here in the hotel, madàam." The man who introduced himself as Dilton, the supervisor of the hotel bar and restaurant said.

I smiled, I did not want to offend him and Mr. Iñigo Monteiro - the owner of the hotel who gave me this complimentary drink, but I really did not like it. The alcohol mixed with the fruit juice was too strong for my taste, and for heaven's sake, it was still eleven in the morning.

I shared it to Chelsea, my closest friend among the girls here, and who was too excited to take a sip of the drink.

"Hmm... I like it. Is this cherry?" Chelsea giggled and took another sip of the drink.

"Yes, it is." Dilton answered politely then turned back to me. "By the way, Madaam, Mr. Monteiro would like to invite you for dinner tonight in the restaurant at seven."

Dinner with Carter's dad, Iñigo Monteiro? Maybe he would be with his wife Chloe Petrakis Monteiro - Zion's aunt. Why not? They would be my family soon when I'd marry Zion. The only thing that I was not looking forward to, that I would be related to Carter.

"Of course, I'll be there." I answered and saw the sudden relief on Dilton's face.

It was six in the evening and I was in my suite blow drying my hair after a long shower. I swear, after this project, I would instantly dye my hair back to my normal colour.

I did not have a choice but to color my hair in blond. This client, a new high-end bikini company demanded that all models should be blond. I suggested wearing a wig, but most of the photoshoots would be in beaches or pools. The hair stylist even added hair extensions on my hair, making it longer and wavy.

There was a knock on the door. When I checked at the peephole, it was Dilton holding a boquet of flowers.

"Hi." I said when I opened the door.

"This is for you madaam, from Mr. Monteiro."

"Oh! Thank you. That is so kind of him." I smelled the fresh rainbow of roses, they were so beautiful.

There was a note inside and I opened to read it.

Aww... Zion's aunt - Choe Monteiro is so sweet.

She and her husband knew I checked in in their hotel and they wanted to welcome me here. It was really nice of them. The heaviness in my heart lifted a little.

I wondered if they knew about my engagement with Zion.

Zion did not mention about having an engagement party or announcing our engagement to our families. Sometimes I became doubtful. Are we really getting married?

I became busy with my new assignment, while Zion was still busy with his business. What bothered me much was his business dealings with Claire.

The jealousy I felt was so intense. I've been so sad and oftentimes cried on my sleep. I knew I could not compete with his feelings for Claire. She was the only girl that he'd ever loved.

But wait... Zion loves me. He said he loves me. But what kind of love? I'm certain it's not a romantic love.

I never experienced being love by him in a romantic way. In our four months together, he'd never kissed me on the lips, or hugged me intimately. Always a kiss on my forehead, or my cheek when he bade me goodnight. A quick hug and a tap on my shoulder. Sometimes, I felt like he could not wait to get rid of me.

He's treating me like his younger sister. The same way he's treating my best friend, his younger sister Emerald.

I groaned aloud. The hurt was too much. Why did they have to meet again?

I remembered during dinner at New World Hotel in L.A. with Zion and Claire. They could not deceive me. The hurt was evident in each other's eyes. And when they held eyes, it was so gluey that it was hard for both of them to let go.

They still affected each other. The feelings was still there.

Tears suddenly fell on my cheeks. I looked at the beautiful bouquet of rainbow roses in my arms. I realized, Zion never sent me roses.