champagne in silence. She didn't quite have an appreciation for the taste, but after everything she went through the last week, she thought she deserved it. White wine was what she preferred. The citrus flavours and strong dose of alcohol made it the ideal companion for a night in—or out.

Her eyes wandered the room, drinking in the sight of the New York's most influential people gathered there. Multiple people approached her throughout the evening and finally, after being introduced to the twentieth person Nyla had decided to plan her escape. Her hair was pulled into a tight bun which was making her head throb. Normally, she was used to the pain but the added stress of what she needed to do was the beginning of a migraine.

Out of the corner of her eye, Nyla saw the flash of a black tuxedo and she knew she had found her target—Marcus Reed. Black buzzed off hair, dark skin, shiny shoes, devastatingly handsome—it matched the description her assistant provided her perfectly.

Now, all she needed to do was find a way to introduce herself and make a statement. The man was surrounded by dozens of people and if she went to introduce herself right now, he would surely forget her.

"He's taken," a voice said from beside her, startling Nyla to the point in which she almost dropped her champagne glass.

She turned around to face a pair of stunningly greyish-blue eyes which looked almost white in the current lighting.

"I'm not looking for a date," she replied calmly.

The man beside her snorted. "Said every girl before they go for the kill."

Nyla didn't like his condescending attitude, but she let it go. Her patience had grown exceptionally in the last few years—especially with men. She could handle him just fine.

A waiter came, and Nyla placed her now empty glass on the tray. "I have other business with him."

The man looked at her slowly and Nyla knew her was checking her out. She stood frigid while he did so, knowing that she looked her best this evening. Then, he made a point to glance at all the other women surrounding her target. "It's a tough competition, but I think you could get a chance."

Nyla gritted her teeth. "I appreciate the unwanted advice Mr..."

"Giordano, Darius Giordano." The man supplied before starching out his hand.

Nyla took it and that's when the truth hit her, and she began laughing.

Darius raised an eyebrow. "I'm pretty sure my name isn't that funny."

"No," Nyla said. "But that way you were talking all makes sense now. Your Darius Giordano, CEO of G Health."

It had taken her a moment to recognize him since they weren't technically in the same industry, but she'd seen his face plastered on enough magazines the past year.

Darius looked at her in an annoyed manner. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Nyla shook her head, "nothing, just forget I said anything."

She tried making her way out of the conversation, but Darius blocked her way. Nyla took a deep breath, "I'm going to give you ten seconds to move out of my way before I bring you down."

Darius' face didn't move an inch as he took in her threat. "I want to know what you meant by what you said earlier."

Nyla sighed. It appeared as though she would miss her chance to talk to Marcus if she didn't answer Darius question. "Nepotism. Your father handed over the reigns to his company after he died. You didn't have to work for anything, everything falls at your feet. Women throw themselves at you, and you clearly believe that I'll do the same. You talk how you want to, act how you want to, and clearly don't give a shit about respecting others."

Darius' eyes turned a stormy grey and his face hardened. "You don't know anything about me, so I would appreciate it if you didn't try to psychoanalyze me. I approached you because I thought you looked tired and lonely-"

Nyla felt her body loosen when she heard that, but the next words hardened her heart right away.

"-but if I knew I was coming near a bitch I would have stayed in my place."

Nyla tried pretending that the words didn't pierce her heart, but it was hard. She'd heard the word bitch whispered behind her back for most of her career and was used to it. Still, it was different to hear it right in front of her face—more personal. Before she could do something stupid like pour a drink on his head, there was a tapping of a microphone that made them both wince.

"Sorry about that," Sona, Nyla's good friend and organizer of the event said with a small smile. "Thank you all for coming. I hope you enjoyed meeting some off New York's finest people but now it's time for everyone to find their tables and the auction will being shortly after dinner."

Darius was the first to turn away and move towards the dining area which left Nyla to her thoughts for a few more minutes. She clearly made an enemy of someone she shouldn't have. Darius had contacts, and while Nyla did also—Darius' probably trusted him which couldn't be said for Nyla's. She was usually less rude but something about him rubbed her the wrong way.

He had everything delivered to him on a silver platter and he didn't know it. His rise to the top had been all through a signature—and it wouldn't change anytime soon. He was clouded with security, and here she was, going insane, trying everything she could do to keep her own company afloat. It wasn't fair. Nyla nearly laughed out loud at her thoughts. Of course, she knew life wasn't fair. The was one of the first lessons she had been taught at an early age.

One of the waiters approached Nyla, "Madame, dinner is that way."

Of course, she knew where dinner was being held. She had attended this gala countless number of times, but she merely smiled and thanked the waiter before heading towards the dining hall. Nyla confidently walked towards the table near a front and took a seat where her brass name tag was placed.

Every year, Sona made sure Nyla was seated in the same place and this year was no different. She was able to see the stage clearly and that's when she took the moment to look around. As usually, the place was decorated spectacularly. Gorgeous flower bouquets were placed at each table and the stage had an entire frame made of flowers lining it. White sheets were draped artistically from the ceiling and the low lighting made the atmosphere look more professional.

The rest of her table was empty, but Nyla knew in a few seconds everyone would take their place. She shifted her magenta dress and fidgeted with the gold clutch in her lap. A few seconds later, she heard the chair next to her shuffling and low behold, Darius Giordano settled in next to her.

This night couldn't possibly get any worse Nyla thought. They had an awkward exchange minute ago and here he was again.

It seemed like Darius was doing his best at pretending that she didn't exist which suited her just fine. The two of them sat in an uncomfortable silence before other members of their table took a seat. Nyla immediately launched into a conversation about the gala with the light-haired women beside her.

Dinner was served soon after and Nyla began tucking into the filet mignon on her plate. The only issue was that the chairs were so closely packed, and every time Nyla lifted her knife, her fingers would accidentaly touch Darius.

The first time it happened, the two of them shared a brief glance before looking the other way but now Nyla was struggling to eat her meal. Very discreetly, Nyla moved her plate more towards the right side. That would allow her some more room.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am very thankful for you all joining us this evening."

Nyla looked up and Sona was once again on stage holding the mic. "It means a lot that you all took the time out of your busy schedules to support the kids of New York. All the donations made this evening are appreciated and will be used to better the lives of our kids. As is the tradition, we have a painting up for auction this year. All proceeds will go to our charity of course."

With a dramatic flourish, Sona opened the drapes to unveil the painting behind her. It was a huge canvas with a beating heart placed in the corner. Quirky, bright, and not at all something that Nyla would buy. Yet, something about the painting called her. She could almost feel what the painting meant to the artist. The heart was isolated, but it was reminding the observer that it was alive and beating even if nobody was surrounding it. She knew that she was going to be bidding even before the start of the event but now Nyla was bidding to win.

"We will start the bidding at $1500," multiple people raised their paddles.

"Do we have any takes for $5000?" A smaller number of people raised their paddles.

"10,000?"

"$15,000?"

"$20,000?"

By now most of the people had backed out of the auction and if Nyla could see correctly, only five of them were in it seriously, including the man next to her—Darius.

"$22,000!" A woman in a sharp dress spoke from the back.

"$25,000," Darius spoke quietly but it was enough for Sona to hear.

The woman beamed. "Going once, going twice..."

"$25, 500." Nyla said.

She could feel Darius's gaze pinned on her and an uncomfortable heat pass through her body.

"$26,000" Darius said in a firm tone.

The price was getting ridiculous at this point. They both knew that the painting wasn't worth what they were ready to pay for, but Nyla knew she didn't want Darius to get the upper hand. It seemed like he was thinking along the same lines because it did not see as though he would be stopping his bidding anytime soon.

"$27,000" Nyla countered.

Everyone in the room was watching them go back in forth as if they were a ping pong ball that was being tossed across each side.

"$30,000." Darius said with a clear smirk.

Nyla knew that Darius believed that he had won. But if she wanted, she could top his bid. After all, her company hadn't used up their charitable donations for the year. But something told her it would be better to keep quiet rather than cause a splash in the news—which she knew she would already be doing by bidding on a painting that was worthless in the eyes of the critics.

So, instead she made eye contact with Sona who understood that she was officially bowing out.

"Going once, going twice, gone to Mr. Giordano."

Nyla shook her head in frustration as she watched Darius go onto stage to collect his painting. As if he knew how annoyed Nyla was, he looked around the room before smiling at her, then he picked up the painting, acting as if nothing had occurred. When he returned to the table, everyone congratulated him as if he was a hero.

Which, he wasn't. Nyla sat and watched the scene in anger and frustration. She wanted that painting, and it sucked that Darius got the better of her. Music filled the room and people slowly began getting up and heading to the dance floor until only her and Darius were left at the table.

"You should be glad I saved you." Darius spoke in a raspy tone.

Nyla nearly spit out the water she was drinking, "what do you mean by that?"

He looked at her as if she should know the answer. When he surmised from her face that she was confused, he explained. "You clearly went too high with the price and wouldn't be able come up with the money. As much as I would enjoy a scene like that, I didn't want Sona to feel embarrassed."

Nyla wanted to pull every single pin from her bun and stab Darius with it. He clearly still didn't know who she was. It was sad, but she accepted the truth. Unfortunately, as much as she tried gaining exposure, she was relatively new at her job and she knew it would take a few more years for her to build the contacts and become more established.

She couldn't let him get the upper hand here either. "I'll pay you another $5000 and how about you ship that painting to my condo instead."

Darius raised his eyebrows. "Bullshit, there is no way you could afford it."

Nyla laughed. "Oh, you don't know what I could afford."

Darius seemed to look at her for a long time but finally he spoke. "Who exactly are you?"

Before she could answer Sona took a seat beside her.

"If it isn't my two-favourite people on the planet." The silver-haired women said with a smile.

"We're only your two favourite people because we made the painting go for a higher price than it was worth." Darius retorted.

Sona patted his hand affectionately. "Ah, the truth comes out. But think about what I did for your image. Darius Giordano—philanthropist extraordinaire will be splashed across every newspaper in the city. I can guarantee it."

Darius shook his head before sighing, "I'm not going to argue with you on that one because I know you'll print the headline yourself if you have to."

"The struggles of being a billionaire," Nyla said sarcastically.

Sona grinned before pointing at Nyla affectionately. "This one understands." Nyla watched as she fixed her black dress. "On a more serious note, I'm very thankful for your donation tonight."

"It was nothing," Nyla said sincerely.

"How much did she donate?"

The two of them turned to look at Darius. Nyla knew that after she offered him an extra $5000, his suspicions had been aroused.

Sona raised one of her famous eyebrows. "I believe that is confidential." she smiled in a way that said I'll clearly die before telling you.

"It couldn't have been more than me," Darius pressed on.

Sona pursed her lips. "I like you boy but if you continue hassling me, there will be another headline in the newspapers tomorrow—one you won't like."

Darius raised up his hands in surrender, "forgive me."

Sona nodded before returning to her light smile. "Now, I needed a favor from the two of you."

Nyla kept silent urging Sona to continue.

"Unfortunately, I need to be out of the country for a few weeks and I have an annual event for the lower income kids of New York. I was hoping that the two of you could organize it and get big donors from your—"

Darius stood up, "Absolutely not."

"Sit down, I'm not done!"

"As much as I hate to agree with him, I agree with Darius." Nyla added. "I don't think I can do it, I'm very busy."

Sona gave them both a sad smile that usually had most of the world doing what she requested—including Darius because the next second, he was sitting down in his seat, clearly in a foul mood.

"This event means a lot to the kids. It's something they can look forward to all year. As much as I would love to do it, I have an emergency that I need to attend."

Darius ran his fingers through his jet-black hair and sighed. "Why don't you ask someone else?"

"The truth is, not everyone is willing to do this much charity work. Between the two of you, there are many connections and resources and I trust that you would be able to pull this off." Sona explained.

Nyla was heartbroken. Between the company, her board of directors, and her own volunteer work she didn't have time for something else to be added on the plate. It was frustrating—and genius that Sona knew her weakness and she was utilizing it against her.

As if noticing Nyla's hesitation, Sona spoke again. "Please Nyla, I would owe you a favour, just give these kids a chance." She turned to Darius and gave him a pleading look as well.

Nyla shook her head and the words were out of her mouth before she could comprehend what she was committing to. "Fine, I'll do it."

"I guess I'll have to do it as well." Darius added.

Sona smiled at them both, "Thank you so much, you don't know how much this means to me."

Nyla smiled softly, "Yeah we do. Don't worry about it, we will make sure that this is the best event New York city has ever seen."

Sona nodded before excusing herself from the table. That left only Darius and her.

"I guess we're partners now," he said smirking.

Nyla stretched out her and he grasped it. "Make sure you don't pull the team down because I'm not going to be covering your ass for anything."

Sufficient to say, Darius was not amused at her comment.

Welcome to the first chapter of the book! Please vote or comment to let me know what you think so far?What are you're feelings after seeing the characters briefly? We will be seeing the two of them together more often ;)