When I woke up, Dimitri was gone. The bed was cold, blank and very lonely. That's not the good morning love I wanted to receive as Dimitri showered. In the time he was gone, I thought of several scenarios all with last night's hazy act on replay.

Dimitri's hand caressing the deepest parts of me, my hands twined in his hair, our names the only sound in the room. It's all sending my cheeks blooming pink and I'm merely thinking of it. As good as it felt and as good as he treated me, I've crashed down with regret. I was drunk from the post alcohol, buzzing with euphoria and Dimitri was being sweet.

That's it.

This is bad. This is wrong. The time makes me wonder, the time adds panic, the time makes me regret it all. No, no, no. This cannot happen again. Was this even a part of the contract? Did I break the rules?

Just when I think I'm getting some answers, the door opens and out steps Dimitri. I strike up, propping myself straight and covering my body with the duvet. It feels slightly absurd that I'm suddenly hot and embarrassed around him when he's literally seen every inch of me. He's clad naked with a towel around his waist, his other hand rubbing a towel over his wet hair and his skin sprinkled with water.

"You're awake," he comments. He seems surprised before his lips tug into a small arch. "Sleep well?" He asks after I don't reply. I'm too busy ogling a rolling water droplet that streams down his tan skin. Slept well? I slept more than well and the bastard knows it.

"Morning," I mutter back sheepishly and rub my eyes as a front. He places both his hands on the back frame of the bed, the grip pulsing his bicep and contouring it.

All the air in my lungs evaporates and when he leans over, I almost think the towel is going to fall but it doesn't.

"Are you alright?" His voice is filled with concern and curiosity. For a second, I'm confused as to why he's asking me such a question. Sure I'm sore but that's expected. "You don't remember," he sighs a deep breath just as I'm about to open my mouth asking him to clarify. "You talk, Bella."

"What does that mean?"

"You talk in your sleep. You were mumbling something about your mother and screaming." panic swarms me immediately, my neck is hot and for a second I feel woozy. The nightmares were back and I wasn't denying it but Dimitri was never supposed to find out about it. It's no lie that Mama's death has impacted me in many ways. Shit, her death was a turning point in my life and opened my eyes to all the cruelty there is.

I simply gaze down at my folded hands in my lap, losing my tongue in my mouth.

"You can tell me," he trods on, trying to wedge the answers out of me. His voice is so sweet, so understanding like he knows this is difficult for me. I want him to stop.

He passes me a flirty grin, trying his best to disarm me. My eyes wander down his body. The same body that was underneath me last night. His abdomen was on full display and I'm caught up in the lurking... the deep craft of gym workouts and the peaking of the v that leads to the hemline of his dangerously tied towel.

It would be so easy to tell him to drop his towel on the floor, let him kiss me again– "C'mon, I thought we were friends." He dwells on, his voice sweet like dark cherry liquor. The comment from him snaps me from my thoughts.

"We were never friends."

He measured my answer. His hooded eyes regarding me candidly before he quips, "Yeah you're right about that. We're more than friends," His gaze is fixed on me. His eyes are heated molton. Bold words from someone who was over me last night. "So about last night–" he begins. He steers the conversation away sensing my deflating expression. Yes, anything to get rid of this disastrous conversation.

"You're right we do need to talk about last night," I chirp up finally finding my voice and drawing my prying gaze to his face.

"Okay, you go first," he measures my reaction. My cheeks are flaming. How did I tell him that he's been wonderful but this – whatever this is cannot continue. It's simple, just say it and gauze his reaction. I doubt he'd be surprised or upset, this is an agreement between us and neither us can violate the contract.

"It can't happen again." I burst out with the news. A bubble of any ties or entanglements that swarm up I've just bursted with a sharp pin. Pop! It pains me to watch his megawatt smile begin to fade from his lips.

"Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt you?" He sounds so unsure of himself, his eyebrows beginning to dip with concern.

"No, no, no. It was good, it was really great. It's actually been a while since I've been intimate with anyone... and uh, yeah. I'm still sorta sore but you were great," that's the problem. He's too good and this feeling is growing deep in my veins and becoming addictive. Dimitri is addictive, and it's better to put a stop it now before it becomes worse.

"I was good?" He blinks, confusion scores his face. Then just when I catch his slipping demeanour, he props himself up right, fixes his throat and it's like nothing has happened at all. His lips are pressed into a flat line, he regards me coldly.

"We should keep it professional between us." I add. Great Bella. Add more damage while you're at it.

His expression and demeanour changes so instantly that I think I might've been dreaming about the whole slip in his voice. "You're right. We should keep it professional. I completely agree with what you're saying," he complies. The blue in his eyes no longer sparkled.

For a second, I regret everything that slips out of my mouth and all I want to do is walk up to him and kiss him again. But it can't happen. I have no rooms for feelings, cords nor screwing. This is a plan that he's crafted to every single detail and we cannot afford for him to screw it up.

It's better this way, I remind myself.

"Glad we're on the same page," I throw a polite smile his way and he matches it. He shifts away, walking over into an adjacent room leaving me to prance around naked. It's fine, it's fine, it's fine. This is a fever – a post Dimitri love-making rejection from my system and I'm filled with numbness. I know it will wear off soon.

Dimitri slips his warm hand into mine as we greet his family. Theodore grins brightly at me. Most of our guests are still hungover from last night. I quickly catch up with Quinn, she narrates getting lucky with a hot employee from the hotel. Looks like I wasn't the only one who found someone underneath them last night. Aisha pulls Dimitri aside to speak about business matters, and flashes me a wink.

I prance about greeting Eleanor and Matthew, and finally hugging Theodore and Christian. The boys update me on latest gossip from school, about friends and how they suspect two teachers are dating. Grandfather Asterio seems to be in a somber mood today. Maybe it's the weather. He greets Dimitri reserved and candidly. It's painful to watch the interaction between them. I push it to the back of my mind, focus on the buzz of the conversation and remind myself this only lasts an hour.

The truth is: it's all becoming painfully unbearing and the fact that Dimitri is sitting across to me, makes it worse. Eleanor is a natural entertainer and she knows how to keep the conversation flowing on the table. Without her, I'm frankly quite screwed. Right now, she's filling in the table with embarrassing stories from Dimitri's childhood.

"Hey we haven't officially spoken yet but I'm Aisha," she props herself next to me, simpering gently. Her black hair is wrapped in a bun at the back and she looks dazzling in her pink dress. We exchange pleasantries, talk about the weather, add each other on Instagram and text. Hm, maybe a new girl friend is all I need.

She leans forward, her oud perfume flooding my nose. "Listen Bella. I'm so happy for you and Dimitri but I wish it could've happened under better circumstances."

I snap my head in her direction, asking her what on earth she means. "I know the relationship between you and Dimitri is fake." She whispers.

Heat pricks the back of my neck, the air turns humid and the world is spinning around me. What? This is bad, this is bad! I've signed a NDA, I've had my lips locked this whole time and someone already knows about our charade? Oh no, Dimitri and Nav will sue me.

I glance about, gawking at the everyone's expression on the table but their attention is captured by Elenanor's narrative. Thank god we're not earshot.

"Hey, hey. It's alright," she senses my falling expression and props the water glass forward. I drink, trying to moisture my parched throat. "I'm his personal assistant, I know everything Bella. He's told us this and don't worry, this conversation stays between us. Girls need to stick together," her brown eyes turn hazel in the sunlight.

The revelation does not bring my thunder heart any comfort. "Better circumstances?"

"I've known and worked for D forever now. He's a good guy, but he's too ignorant and selfish to realise marriages, unions and vows cannot be rushed nor brought. Yet here you are." This is like a knife jabbing into my skin. Blood is pouring out and I'm exposed for the world to see.

Yeah, I'd like to imagine that perhaps Dimitri and I could've met under better circumstances. Maybe if I was back in Avondale and Dimitri was a close business associate of the company. Maybe if Dimitri and I fell in love naturally, over time with lots of learning and commitment.

Maybe he would have pawned me off to Dimitri for a business alliance. I pop the thought before it bubbles further. I can't change anything now, I've got his last name and a ring.

"Maybe you're right." I whisper back to Aisha. Dimitri whispers something to Anwar. He passes him a dazed look before a huge smirk plasters across his face and he's amused by the revelation. Dimitri cranes his neck and we lock eyes. Intense heat encapsulates the iris.

"Everything will be fine. Just don't let him get under you."Aisha states. The problem is I already am.

_____________

It's hardly been four weeks and Dimitri and I have settled into a routine. He comes back from work, kisses me on the cheek and takes an hour to finish up his work before we both choose a movie to watch together. We don't sleep in the same bed yet... but this is progress regardless. It's a miracle we've managed to keep our hands to ourselves. But Dimitri's never been the type of break the law nor the contract.

Yet, over the weeks he's stopped kissing me. He's stopped coming to watch movies and he's been busy locked away in his office. There are many late nights, many angered phone calls about incompetence from his employees and very angry emails to Anwar.

And me? I'm still jobless. I've sent in a few applications here and there. Updated my CV, painted my toes all the colours of the rainbow. Hell, I've even counted the stars in the night sky and still no reply.

The monthly payments from Dimitri transfer at the beginning of the month and it sits there in my account, accumulating over time. I don't have the heart to touch it nor look at it. It slowly makes me sick.

Dimitri is driving us back from our dinner date - in all honesty, we were too lazy to cook and it was an impromptu visit. He booked us a table at Piccadilly's Benihana. The chef's table tricks were my favourite and the food was to die for. He parks in his usual spot and walks around to open the car door for me. Since I left my overcoat at home, I nestle myself closer to his arm as he guides me through the double doors of the lobby. The bright lights make my eyes hurt and my soles are hurting from the extra six inches.

"Mrs Asterio?" Adam bobs up from his chair and smiles warmly at me. He motions his co-work a command and he runs into the back and slowly walks forward with a giant bouquet of pink peonies and a tiny pink box. "This was delivered for you." All the sleep evaporates from my body when I see the sight. The bouquet is larger than Dimitri and I'm smiling like a numsuckle.

"That's pretty," I comment as I shift away from Dimitri and retrieve the flowers. The box is wedged awkwardly between my elbow. "Who's it from?" Dimitri is staring at in contempt. He props the little note free from the petals, opens it and reads out loud.

"Isabella, congratulations on your marriage. This is a small present from me to you. I hope we can meet each other soon."

"Who wrote it?"

Dimitri's lips split with a grin. "Hugo Antolin."

I'm not quite sure what happens but all the air in my lungs fade and I stop breathing. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, heat pricks my body viscously and I'm so very hot underneath the chandelier in a vast room. I'm growing pale and no one has noticed yet.

"That's thoughtful of him," Dimitri states. "You know he happens to be one of Asterio Industries biggest competitors and now it's sort of ironic that we're friends. The day after I gave you the ring at your flat, I had dinner with him." The revelation drops my heart six feet under, buried with dust. "Did I mention, he was supposed to come to our wedding, but he couldn't make it." Dimitri folds the note and cranes his neck toward me.

His arms begin to snake around my waist, "Hey, Bella? Are you alright? You're paler than the snow." I'm breathing it erratically. My heart is going to burst.

"I feel a little sick and tired." I manage to state.

Dimitri motions to Adam who's taking the flowers off me hastily. I'm going to drop to the ground any second now. Dimitri's hands are gripped tightly onto my waist as he guides me into the elevator. The memories grow like a wildfire in front of my eyes. I'm not focusing on the surroundings.

"I told you to take your coat with you." His voice is a tiny reprimand filled with adoration. Like a mother scolding her child. "I don't want you getting ill."

I'm ill from the flashbacks, the pain, the numbed pain that I've suppressed years ago. It's all back. I'm still holding onto the tiny pink box and I haven't realised. I frown at it, the pink ribbon just reminds me of my mother. My throat constricts as if someone is squeezing it mercilessly. The tears are flooding my eyes.

"I'm fine," I narrate to him. I'm really not. He pulls me across the foyer, not once leaving my side. I just want him to leave me alone. I need time to process this.

"I'm fine, Dimitri. I just want to be alone," my voice comes out harsher than expected. I regret it instantly.

His lips set into a firm line, he swallows dry and takes a step backwards creating distance. "I'l check on you later," it's a promise.

My phone rings. It's an unknown number and I ignore it. It rings again. "Take it," Dimitri motions and starts treading up the stairs to his office. He's already busy viewing a spreadsheet on his phone.

I frown at the unknown number. What if it's him? What if he's trying to get to me through Dimitri? I'm never going to have any peace and quiet. I've hid for so long and it's all crumbling apart.

With a shaky breath, I pick it up in my ear. "Hello?"

"Isabella Romero?" comes a voice that I've grown to dislike a lot. I sigh a visible breath.

"Mr Asterio." It's Dimitri's grandfather on the line. And where the hell did he get my number.

"I want you to meet me tomorrow. 8pm sharp at Ivy's. There will be a table underneath my name and don't tell my grandson about this, Isabella. Otherwise, there will be consequences." The line goes dead.