The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.

-Ernest Hemingway

Skyscrapers.

The towering, shiny skyscrapers of the manhattan island were surrounding me like gargamel did to the tiny blue smurfs. The only difference was these skyhigh glassy gargamels were hundred times beautiful and thousandth times taller than the real one.

And I, the little smurf was circling my head to see them from inside the space, the white audi provided as if I had never seen these structures in my life.

Ofcourse, I had seen them. Living in manhattan city, hardly making my ends for the past five years hadn't deprived me from seeing its beauty. But never in my life had I thought my feet would get to stand over the prestigious floors of one of these.

Barely twenty, I was just a young girl rushing to the big city with hopes and dreams to accompany me. After the first week of living around the dreamland, my eyes opened and reality slapped me. It wasn't that easy to survive here. It wasn't that easy to enroll in colleges without the right amount of money. Even if I had moderate scores, it wasn't enough to get a scholarship. It wasn't even enough to get me a decent job.

That was when the realisation dawned on me that there were many youngsters like me, packing away their whole life in few boxes and starting a journey that didn't guarantee the exact destination.

After five years of constant studying, doing random jobs, struggling with social life, I was here, sitting on the leather seats of a Audi beside a billionaire with his ring on my finger, declaring the whole world that I was his fiancé, soon to-be bride.

How did I reach here that easily? Oh yeah, a little red-haired fairy godmother did it for me.

Remembering the luxurious life I had been living for the past month and visioning the ten times more luxurious one in the future didn't sway my heart to the wrong direction. All these belonged to Tyler and I would never take this wealthy life for granted. I would forever keep on making Tyler and Lydia happy, and doing good stuffs for others to not let the guilt take over my body.

Many helpless people were in the twenty year old Claire Bishop's place and here I was, easily getting access to the elite life. It wasn't fair.

Oh hell, the guilt is back.

No. If I kept doing this then I wouldn't be able to enjoy the chance God had given me. I would do good for everyone. I would help those in need. I would do anything to not let it be unfair.

"Claire?"

My eyes snapped open and I didn't realise I had them closed.

"You okay?" Tyler asked me, warily as if I was a snake posing to bite him.

I rolled my eyes and clasped my palms, rubbing away my daunting thoughts. "I'm fine. Just nervous." I lied, sneaking a glance out the window, noticing the wide underground parking lot. When did we reach here?

A warm, strong hand caressed my cheek and pushed away a brown streak. "Don't be. If anyone says anything you tell me, okay? I'll fire them right away!"

Abruptly, I slapped away his hand with a gasp even though my skin was aching for his touch.

"Don't you dare! When did you become so unfair?!"

Just because someone would voice their opinion didn't mean they would be fired. Talk about being a unfair businessman.

He sighed, killing the engine and walking out the door to open my side of the car door. "Unfair or not, no one gets to say anything against you. I would not have it." He vowed, hypnotising me with his stormy eyes.

How could he get so angry in just a minute? He was like a walking, talking hulk. Minus the green skin and abnormal size ofcourse. This alteration of emotion suddenly created a image of a certain pair of eyes with sunrise in them and head full of dark messy blonde locks.

That man and I had some unfinished business. There were thanks and sorry waiting for him. He better appear before me soon or else I would have to take extra measure to track him down but with his devil look and wealth, I bet it wouldn't be too hard to track him down.

A sudden force on my lips had me staggering back. I widened my eyes when I realised Tyler's lips were mauling my lips with his hard eyes set solely on me.

Before I could even think to move my lips, he leaned back with a grunt. "Stop pacing out! You always do that!" He accused me and then narrowed his eyes. "What was so important that has you wrapped up in your pretty little head?"

Pretty? Little? Was he complimenting me or insulting me? Nevertheless, I wasn't going to tell him about my curiosity for a certain golden boy. Feeling the anger radiating off him in giant waves, I would be a fool to tell him I was thinking about a man and after his show of insecurity about our relationship yesterday in his study, it was a must no.

"Claire....." He drawled out in warning and I instantly pouted.

"Why are you so angry? I thought you were trying to be playful." I reminded him as he froze and gestured his whole body with a huff. "As always, all stiff and serious!"

I didn't wait for his reply and started for the elevator but his hand on my arm stopped me. "Wait! I just don't want anyone to hurt you."

I crossed my hands over my chest, to stop the little jump my heart made at his caring words. The bodice of the dress tightened around my chest causing his eyes to flicker there once and I didn't let that falter my mind. "What makes you think they'll hurt me? For all you know, they might already like me." I hoped they did. I wasn't sure though. "But I'm tougher than I look. So stop it."

Tyler took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose then relaxed his body and with that, a delicious grin appeared on his lips. "Okay. Then let's go." He said, smacking my butt gently before wrapping his hand around my waist.

"Tyler!"

"What? You told me I'm being too serious." He shrugged but his eyes were full of mischief. The boyish look on his -too intimidating- face was a sight to remember.

I shook my head and walked ahead. I didn't know whether I should be excited or regret ever calling him too serious. One thing was for sure, Tyler was someone who never let a matter go unattended. I bet he had lots of tricks up in his sleeves...lots of playful tricks.

After standing before an elevator, he pressed his thump on a sensor and the door opened with a tink.

"A private elevator?" I asked him, placing myself inside the steel box.

"Yeah, I need to set up your print as well." He said as he pressed the designated button.

"You'll give me access to this?" My wide eyes set upon him and he looked at me unimportantly while nodding. "So...you trust me?"

I bit my lip to stop myself from smiling big as I awaited his answer. He cleared his throat, his eyes set on the steel doors, his hands in his pockets. "Well..ah, yes..."

I couldn't stop it. I couldn't stop the big and bright smile gracing on my mouth. My heart fluttered as he avoided my eyes.

Even if it was just a access to a private elevator, it meant a lot. He was giving me a way to enter his office without any inquiry and that was saying something.

With a smile, I walked before him and palmed each side of his head. "Lean down." He hesitated so I added. "Please." Since I barely reached his chest, I couldn't be in his level without a help from him.

When he complied, I pressed my lips to his firm ones softly before I could lose my courage. I gazed in his eyes and seeing the hunger in those grey eyes, I suppressed a shudder. Before I could lose myself in the thick, velvety air inside the closed space, I took a step back and breathed a sigh of agony.

Still having eye contact, I let myself smile yet again. "I trust you too."

The elevator doors opened and I walked out with a grin. When I realised he wasn't beside me, I turned back. Tyler was frozen inside the elevator and his eyes kept on blinking. Did I shock him that much? For God's sake, it wasn't I love you. I wondered what he would do if I actually said that. Seeing his reaction to a simple I trust you, I bet he would just faint right there and that after hearing my declaration of love. I knew I felt something deep for this single father but I wasn't sure I could name it love just yet.

A man ran past me, bringing me out of my twisted love thoughts. A young man probably my age was holding the elevator door from closing, hesitantly looking at Tyler who finally decided to unfreeze. "Go-oood morning, Si-iir!" The poor man was sweating buckets suddenly, even though the whole building was air conditioned. Was Tyler that scary-looking to his employees? I guess he was kind of intimidating. I bet it was because of those business suits...Ah hell, who was I kidding? His whole face, body screamed intimidate.

I decided to take away Tyler's attention from the poor sweating guy before any puddle formed on the floor. "Tyler, are you coming?" I extended a hand and raised my eyebrows impatiently. "If not then I could ask this gentleman to give me a tour of the office."

Instantly, Tyler glared at the man before reaching me and seizing my waist, sticking my body to his side. His possessiveness couldn't be more obvious. "No one gives you a tour of the office but me!" He all but growled out. What was with men and their growls? They were more animal than men.

Suddenly an eerily silence swapped over the floor and multiple sets of eyes dawned on us, specifically me. The intimidating presence and booming voice of the man beside me might have bewared all the working employees.

The private elevator brought us to a large rectangular room. To the side, the wall had metals hanging in each shape of the alphabets SANDERS. INC with small letters of inscription under it. In front of it stood a high reception desk with a wide eyed, beautiful woman leaning over it. She straightened up and smoothed out her professional skirt and shirt when my eyes met hers.

The opposite wall of the elevator had glass windows lined up so I could see the neat and clean office room which I guessed was Tyler's. There was a plush L shaped sofa that started from Tyler's office door and ended on another wall of glass. Many cubicles were stretched out as far as I could see. They were large and modern giving every employee their own space but not taking too much space around the floor.

Men and women in professional attire were standing and murmuring something that I couldn't hear and I swallowed. Tyler tightened his arm around the waist and stepped forward to open the door, letting me hear the slight buzzing their little murmurs created but that instantly stopped as Tyler raised his hand.

"Good morning everyone. I am going to take only a minute from you all to introduce someone who will be a constant presence in my office from now on as well as my life." He started, sneaking a glance toward me before addressing the crowd once again. "She is Claire Bishop soon to be Claire Sanders, my wife. She will get the same importance as me in this office." His hard eyes dared the onlookers to deny his words. "Now anybody has anything to say? No? Good!" Before anyone could say anything, he turned away with me in his arms but he stopped short when he noticed everyone standing still. "What are you all standing for? Get back to work! Time is the essence people!"

Before even my soon-to-be husband finished, people scurried around to get back to their cubicle and start working but not before murmuring congratulations to me and to which I smiled.

On the way to his office room, I mumbled. "You could have atleast let me say my thanks properly."

"Time is the essence, woman." He scowled at me playfully. "They have works to do."

I sighed. "You and your work."

"Yeah, me and my work." He agreed, with a rare smile that made him ten times more handsome than he already was. "You already know me so well."

Slowly, my fingers glided over his suit lapels as I softly murmured. "Still not enough..." My eyes met his from under my lashes but he broke the contact to look at the woman standing behind the reception.

"Hold my calls and change the Johnson's Corp meeting for tomorrow."

The blonde nodded stiffly, avoiding any eye contact with me. Had I done something to her?

Tyler led me to his office and pulled the shades over the glass windows to give us privacy. Without giving me enough time to survey his room clearly, he tugged me around the dark, heavy desk to the gigantic chair behind it.

The chair seemed comfortable but it couldn't have been more comfortable than its owners lap. Tyler sat himself down before placing me over his lap, without any hesitation.

How did we get so comfortable? The kisses probably had a hand in this.

Setting those mesmerising grey eyes on me, he gave me his undivided attention. "Now tell me, what do you want to know more about me? I'll tell everything."

He and I both knew what was the major thing I wanted to know about him. He knew I was referring to his late wife and now, knowingly with the full intention of answering, he gave me the choice to know more about him. But this wasn't a place to venture into that topic and moreover I didn't know why...but another thing was clouding over this, urging me to ask what I knew would sooth my heart.

I knew he desired me but was there a chance for love? Badly, the questions were making a riot inside my head. I didn't know I was so deep in my feelings for him until the urge to know more about his feelings hit me.

I opened and closed my mouth, unable to form my thoughts into words. His hand sled over my thigh, turning my insides into hot lava. His other hand rose and trailed a finger over my cheek to my neck. He really wasn't helping my situation.

"I am waiting, Claire."

His deep voice was the last straw. Nothing could have stopped me from crushing my lips to his and without any hesitancy, he kissed me back with the same urgency. His hand on my thigh gripped me tight before he skimmed the skin under the rim of the dress, fondling the laces of my newly brought Victoria's secret. His other hand holding my head still by the neck as his tongue made a slow dance with mine.

My hands found the top buttons of his crisp shirt and soon, two buttons were unhooked letting me feel the hard collarbones. This was getting too steamy and hard for us to stop ourselves from touching each other.

How could we survive the whole week? I wasn't sure if I wanted to anymore.

"I didn't know we were shooting porn in here."

We both jumped apart, hearing the cool voice and earning my back a smack with the heavy desk.

Damn, the desk smacks hard just like its owner.

Neil Harris was standing on the open doorway with a wicked grin and the blonde receptionist just a step away from him, stuttering with her cheeks growing red by the second.

"I--I am s-sorry, Si--ir. I tri-ed to s-stop hi--him."

I was sure I looked far worse than her. My cheeks felt warm and heavy, my chest heaving from the thrill I just experienced.

"Not you again." Tyler groaned, blazing fire through his eyes at the grinning man. I tried to get on my feet but Tyler wouldn't have it.

"Great to see you, too." Neil replied and with a wink, he looked back at the embarrassed blondie who still wouldn't meet my eyes. "That's his way of greeting, so see? He doesn't mind. Now let's give them privacy. Shoo, shoo."

And he closed the door on the poor, wide eyed woman.

"Ofcourse, I mind and we do want some privacy so get out, Harris." Tyler scowled.

Harris as Tyler called him, shook his head mockingly as he took long strides to take a seat at one of the two chairs placed before the desk. "Really? Get out? Isn't this getting old already? And please, please do continue. Don't stop on my account."

Even though Tyler wouldn't let go off me, I forcibly leapt off him, saving myself from any upcoming ludic comments but his eyes held so much wickedness that he made me feel like we were doing something more than kissing in here.

Huh! I wish!

"Why are you here again? Wasn't yesterday enough?" My partner in kissing frowned, clearly displeased at the interruption and the presence of a new guest.

Before the golden boy could say anything that would piss my frustrated fiancé off more than he already was, something clicked in my head. "Wait, yesterday? You guys meet often? I thought you didn't like him." I flunked at Tyler.

"Ouch, bosslady. Could you be more hurtful?" Neil pouted, pressing a hand over his chest. It looked very comical for a grown man to pout like that and I tried to ignore the new nickname. What was with him and nicknames anyway?

"It was purely business." Tyler informed then throwing a hard look at Neil, he added. "And I still don't like him."

Slowly, I cracked a teasing smile before glancing at Neil. "You guys are meeting behind my back. Should I be worried?"

He popped his fingers before lazily leaning in his seat and smirked. "I woke up from a night full of banging on the bed, the table, wall..." He winked. "and so on...if you know what I mean."

I raised my hand immediately, making a disgusted face. "I know what you mean and I don't want to know any further!"

"Neil...watch your mouth or get out." A warning came from my right side.

"Get out? Again? Come on, man!"

Before Tyler could retort back, I intervened. "It's good that you're here already. I've been meaning to see you." Walking around the desk, I took a seat on the vacant chair.

"Why do you wanna see him?" My dear fiancé, made a face, clearly not happy with the turn of events.

"I guess she prefers my company over yours." Neil winked, not helping the situation at all. "Now, it's been a while. How are you, lady?" He said, taking a hold of my hand to press his lips over it, in greeting.

Tyler growled and was about to say something when his phone rang up. Standing up, he turned away and walked to the other side to answer it but not before throwing sharp words at the charming gentleman. "Hands to yourself!"

I suppressed a smile. Who wouldn't like being treated as a lady? I must agree Neil knows how to woo a woman more than Tyler. I turned my attention to him and answered. "I am fine. Better than fine."

His golden eyes looked between me and the busy man talking someone's ear off on the phone. "I can see why. He's a lot relaxed than he was yesterday."

Remembering the many twist and turns from yesterday, my eyes casted down. Yesterday was so messed up. Probably guessing my sudden change of mood, Neil brought out his charming personality. "So I know you always find excuses to meet me and all, bosslady but I really don't want to compete with that brute of yours." He joked, lifting his side of the mouth. "Anyway what is it that you wanted to see me for?"

I laughed slightly at his sense of humour then remembered my urge to talk to him. "Thank you."

His eyebrows furrowed. "What?"