We went to museum and took walks along the infamous street of Manhattan where a row of luxury shops sit side by side. We had fun trying out overpriced designer brands and I was fully expecting some haughty sales clerk would give us the attitude for leaving their store without buying but none of that happened. Instead, we were treated like VIPs with their welcoming smiles and drinks.

In the afternoon, we went back to the hotel and took the two-hour spa treatment that Kade booked for us. I feel so happy and pampered. When we returned to the suite, we were surprised to see dozens of shopping bags in the living room.

Owen beat me to it and grab the card, "Holy shit, Ayla. These are the clothes we tried earlier!"

I walked over and grab the other card and sure enough, our names were written on top of it. "Damn." I muttered in disbelief.

How did he know? Did Silas told him? The price of these clothes are no joke because I balked every time I catch the tag. None of them were less than a thousand dollars. The thought is staggering.

"That's what rich is, babe." Owen stated.

I am so out of my league on so many levels that I don't know what to say. I didn't grow up poor or from the wrong side of the tracks but at the thought of finally owning some of the things I'd only dreamed about before makes me feel giddy with excitement.

Still, holy hell, the money he throws around is insane. And completely unnerving.

God I feel grateful for him more now than I ever had, and I felt that way while Owen and I were preparing for a movie night on our room, having no idea where Kade was or who he might be with. It didn't matter. I was a fool for allowing doubts to plague my mind earlier. I knew I was in his thoughts, in his heart, whether he admit it or not.

I was in the kitchen when my phone rang and I pulled it out of my purse. Seeing his name on the screen, I answered with, "I miss you,"

There was silence on the other end.

Another beat passed.

"I'm coming back."

Everything in me sagged in relief. His voice soothed me, but I tried to argue with him. "No, I didn't mean for you to do that—"

"I have some business in Georgia, but I'll head to the jet right after." He sounded tired. "I miss you too."

Warmth burst inside of me, but I tried to tone it down. I was becoming one of those gushy types. I hated those types, but I whispered back, "We got the clothes. That's a lot of money—"

"Did you like it?"

"Yes."

"Then that's all that matters." He chuckled. His smooth baritone came over the phone and sidled over me, like another caress from him.

"How did you know we were there anyway?" I asked.

"All the stores were informed the moment a shareholder and their companion comes to the city." He answered simply.

My eyes widened. "And they knew about me?"

"Yes, Butterfly," his voice dropped to an intimate tone. "I will parade you for everyone to see if I'll have my way."

Tingles of excitement and nerves soared through me, making my head spin. "Thank you."

"You can show me your appreciation when I return." he drawled.

In the background, another phone beeped for his attention. "I'll see you soon," Kade said briskly.

"Yes."

The line clicked off in my ear, and I instantly felt lonely.

Owen and I ended up binge-watching Jason Statham's movies. This morning we planned to visit my apartment and get familiarize with the area before he go back to his place in the afternoon.

His smartphone rang while we were having breakfast and I heard him speaking to his mother. "What? Okay, I'll be there in fifteen, tops. I'll call you when I get there."

"What's wrong?" I asked after he'd hung up.

He looked paled. "Aunt Mae fainted. I'm meeting Mom at the airport..." he says and jumps up from his chair and rushes over to gather his things.

My heart stopped. "What? Oh my god. Is she okay? I'll come with you," I pushed to my feet and grab my purse before exiting the suite.

I pulled out my phone and texted Silas that we're on our way down. He was there at the curb and immediately opened the door for us. We slid in and I think he can sense the urgency because the car took off right away when I told him to head straight to the airport.

I turned to Owen. He looked restless, worried and it makes me feel terrible.

"What happened?"

He lets out a breath. "She's preparing their breakfast when she just suddenly fainted." Then he stares out the window, "The last time that she had this incident was five years ago. That was the day she had been diagnose. I'm worried that she may get recurrence—"

"No. Stop." I shake my head. "That's not gonna happen, okay? She'll be fine."

He looks down at my face, his eyes bright with unshed tears. "How do you know?"

My heart sinks. I hate seeing him like this. Still, I managed to say, "Didn't you tell me your Aunt Mae is like a combination of Alpacino and Princess Diana? Even if its a recurrence, she's gonna beat it like she always does. She's going to be okay."

That actually makes Owen smile. "God, I hope so." Then squeezed my hand. "You don't need to come with me, Ayla. Mom will be with me,"

"But—" I began to protest.

He shakes his head. "It's fine. I'll call you as soon as we landed. Plus, you can't bail out on Kade. Isn't he coming back today?"

I bit my lip. "I'm sure he will understand." I'm honestly not sure though.

"Stay. It's fine with me. I promise." he said just as the car is pulling up on the airport entrance.

We said our goodbyes and he immediately rushed inside to meet his Mom.

"Where to, Miss?"

I catch Silas gaze from the rearview mirror. Before I can answer, my phone buzzed with a text from my landlord,

Oh, crap. I almost forgot we were supposed to check my apartment. I turn to Silas, "Can you drive me to this address, please?" I showed him the details from my phone screen and he nodded.

And I texted Kade.

He didn't respond right away.

So I sent him another text to tell him that I'm just dropping by somewhere and will come back to hotel right after.

I waited.

And waited. When I didn't receive a reply, I tucked my phone away and didn't think about it.

MY LANDORD, Liz, is a very charming woman with beautiful auburn curls in her mid forties. She's waiting at the entrance of the four storey building when I arrived and immediately guided me upstairs.

We went to the top floor that has been divided to three units and as we walked through the hallway, I could hear the other tenants from the other rooms.

"Those two other units got occupied last month. Both students from university as well." Liz said as she unlocked the door.

My eyes take in the surroundings. Everything looks just exactly in the photos. The walls were a pale shade of green. A small cozy couch in front of a 32" inches flat screen TV. There was a kitchenette area. A medium-sized fridge. A tiny sink. A tiny oven that Selma might've used in the '80s. A table decked out with a blue plaid plastic tablecloth, with two chairs around it.

She motioned to the room at the far corner. "This is the bedroom."

The room was bare. A bed in the corner next to an empty nightstand. A desk was built into the wall behind the door with shelves above that. A dresser was beside it. Another door was attached on the far end of the room. And Liz opened it to reveal the closet.

She clasped her hands in front of her and smile at me. "So, that's it. I hope it live up to your expectations?"

"It's perfect. Thank you so much." I replied.

"Awesome. I'll leave you the key now so you can move whenever you're ready." She said as she handed me the key. Then she looks down on her watch, "I gotta go. I have to pick up my son from school. It was really nice meeting you, Ayla."

"No problem. Thank you again." I walk her to the door and after she left, I shut it behind me. Then I let out a long sigh.

Here I was. A few blocks from my dream school. In a house I've rented by myself. In a state I almost thought that I'd never be able to visit.

Fuuuuuck.

Feeling giddy with anticipation and a lovely surge of feminine power, I jump on my feet a few times before I remember I have neighbors below me.

"Oh My God, Ayla. You did it!" I gushed to myself as I swept my gaze around the room once again.

Then a knock came at the door. Shit. Was I too loud? I braced myself as I pull it open.

A guy with hazel eyes and slicked blond hair was standing at my door. He stared, his lip curled up in a smirk. "So you're my new neighbor." He drawled, flashing me his blinding smile.

He has a classical, golden boy handsomeness. Sharp jawline, tanned skin, and those hazel eyes taking me in.

I waved a hand with an awkward smile on my face.

"I guess I am?" It came out like a question and my brows furrowed. Why do I feel unsure all of a sudden?

The guy frown back, but he's looking at me like he find me amusing. "You don't sound sure." Then he paused, "Freshman?"

I nodded, "I am."

He grinned and his eyes lit up. Then he reached out his hand to me. "That's good to know. I'm Trent. You are?"

And then I heard my worst nightmare happening in real life, and I was frozen to stop it.

"Leaving."

Low. Angry. Irritated. Frustrated. A hint of savage impatience, too.

The guy, who just introduced himself as Trent, swung his head to his side, startled.

I heard his footsteps, and my heart was in my throat when he finally came into view. Kade's face is ablaze with fury, and his body language screams that he's angry about something. With me.

I stood there silently, trying to think of what to say or do. The apartment was stark and chilly, but his body poured angry heat in waves. My stomach tightened as I contemplated whether I should just turn around and close the door.

I bit my lower lip, my heart twisting in my chest. "Kade, how—"

"Get your purse. We're leaving." His voice cuts. He never blinked. The rage in his was barely contained.

I swallowed hard. "I'll meet you—"

"You can come willingly or I'll drag you. I'm two seconds away."

I stopped and stared at him as I fight off the tears trying to push through because I feel humiliated. With one last glare at him, I turn around to grab my purse from the table and stepped outside before locking the door.

I was aware of everything. The muffled voices from the other tenants. The musky scent of his cologne. The rustle of tree leaves in the distance. The presence of my neighbor who had a front row seat of this whole debacle. The angry energy radiating off Kade's body as he towered over my prone one behind me like a vengeful god. The tightening of my inner thighs as I became aroused from his rude behavior. My breath came in harsh gasps as I grappled with the tangle of conflicting emotions.

With the locked engaged, I breeze straight past him, ignoring his stupid broad shoulders and ridiculous tall frame. I heard his footsteps approaching, and adrenaline surged through me. I stepped inside the elevator and he followed right beside me. The doors closed and the elevator began its descent.

Awareness of him prickled across my skin. He was a huge force in such a small enclosure, his energy and sexual tension was palpable that made my breathing ragged, my heart threatening to come out of my chest.

As he stood there with his suit jacket open and his hands shoved into his pants pockets, the sight of him was like running smack into a wall I hadn't known was there. All the way to the lobby, he didn't look at me, just kept his head straight ahead while I stood there fighting not to fidget.

The silence was excruciating.

Tension crackles in the air and goosebumps cover my skin.

All I can breathe is his intoxicating scent.

All I can feel is the anger radiating off of him.

Well, fuck him. I'm pissed too. He just can't fucking wait and let me explain first. I clamped my mouth shut, keeping up with his silence game.

I glanced up to watch the number going down and that's when I happened to look directly into the reflected door of the elevator and our eyes met.

I stopped breathing.

He'd been studying me the whole time.