It's been a month since the party and I've been so busy with work, balancing my job at Paradise with my other part time jobs. It's not easy at all but a girl's got to eat after all.

Today, my job at Mona's Café ends at 3pm. I was cleaning the tables when my phone rang. I pick up my phone immediately, supporting the device with my shoulder before going back to cleaning tables.

"Hi, I'm currently at work. Call me back later?"

"Ria?" The voice from the phone asks.

The voice sounds really familiar but I'm way too tired to start processing who it could be.

"Yes, that's me."

"It's Jamie. I'm in town this week and I was wondering if you were free to hang out."

Jamie freaking Parker. Holy shit! How the hell did she get my number? Oh, yeah we did exchange numbers at the party.

"Oh my God, it's you." My lips curve into a big smile.

I stop cleaning, sitting in one of the free booths.

"Yes, Ria. I'm in town this week, will you love to hang out with me?"

"I would love to but thing is-"

"Are you busy? We can do that next time when you are free."

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, Ria. You can't miss it.

"You know what? I'm currently at work but I'll be done by 3."

"Great, I'll pick you up. Send me the address?"

Jamie Parker's mode of hanging out may be a bit different than I thought because here I am, standing in her condo. Her place is so beautiful. It is well-furnished with its walls painted in white. Her pictures hanging pretty on the wall are all in white and black. She looks so beautiful and everything about the setting of her place seems perfect.

"You have no idea how happy I am to see you again." She smiles, gesturing for me to sit.

I sit down beside her on the comfy couch and mutter a thank you. I'm more than happy to see her again.

You know the real definition of being beautiful in and out? Well, that's Jamie. Such a beautiful soul with a heart of gold. She's really warm and extremely humble. I wish every other celebrity was just like her. That way, maybe the world would have been a better place. But you know, the world we live in, those big fishes prefer having nothing to do with people without the wealth, fame, connections... like them. Jamie Parker is just different.

"Me too. I'm glad you called."

And I mean it. Jamie Parker has always been my girl crush. It's always been my wish to meet in her in person. Who knew it was really going to happen?

"Trust me, I would have called earlier but I've been oh, so busy. Two weeks ago, I was in Korea shooting for Vogue magazine." She continues. "I'm Vogue Korea's October cover girl. I got back to LA on Monday and knew I had to see you."

Wow. Vogue as in Vogue magazine? Damn girl!

"You mean you are Vogue's cover girl? That's a big deal Jamie, congratulations." I tell her sincerely.

She deserves it. I mean with that kind of face, body and heart, people would really love to work with her.

"Thank you, Ria." She places my hand in hers. "In this line of work, it's really hard to find someone to call a friend. Most of these models see me only as competition. The last time I had a real friend was back in college, I'm really glad Shawn introduced us."

"Oh, me too. You are so fun to be with."

Jamie is really fun to be with and that's just the truth.

At the party, she told Kay and I funny stories about her trips to China, Iceland and many more places she's traveled to. I enjoyed every bit of it which may be because I love traveling so much, though I haven't been able to because of work and of course the fact that I don't have enough figures in my account. But one day, I want to travel and see the world too.

"Says the fun girl herself." She laughs. "I still remember that story you told me at the party. The one about your fight with fat Ana, when she sat on you and you couldn't breathe."

Ugh! Can the ground open and swallow me please?

Fat Ana was this big bully back in high school. We had a fight one day and she dragged me, pushing me to the ground before sitting on me in the presence of the whole class. As if that wasn't embarrassing enough, I couldn't breathe and fainted making me an object of mockery before the whole class. Everyone of them laughed at me, calling me all sort of names. Unlike Ana that was fat and huge, I was so small and tiny. The kind of demon that possessed me to pick a fight with her, I guess I would never know.

"Fat Ana was one big bad wolf, I wonder how she's doing now." I rub the back of my neck, a small smile forming on my lips.

"Well, this is supposed to be a fun day." Jamie says, flashing me a big smile.

Hell yeah, it's fun time!

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"We are staying right here. We will be doing some cooking." Getting up from her seat, she makes her way to the kitchen and I follow suit.

Not what I had in my mind but duh it's even better. I love food!

"Oh, I love cooking." My lips break into a huge grin.

Cooking with Jamie was fun, filled with talks and laughter. When the food is ready, I do the serving while Jamie goes to grab the wine. I can't even deny how happy this made me after several weeks of constant work and stress. This is exactly what I need.

While eating, we make small talks and get to know each other better. Talking about her mom, her two siblings and her step dad, the way her face lit each time she mentions her family makes me feel a little pang of jealousy. I don't have that, a family to call my own. Mr. Tim, his wife and Kay are the closest to family.

My phone rings, bringing me back to reality. An unknown number flash on the screen. Who could it be?

Jamie smiles, gesturing for me to pick up my phone while she continues to eat.

"Hi, Ria speaking." I say into the phone.

"Hello signorina, miss me?"

No way! Dante.

It's been a month since the party, since I last saw him. I thought he was done playing games and moreover, I don't remember owing him a damn thing or two so I do the first thing on my mind. I drop the call. Whatever plan he's cooking this time he can keep it all to himself. Unlike him, I don't have the time for games.

"So your boyfriend is a rock star huh?" I smirk, going back to having conversations with Jamie.

"I'm still surprised you don't know Jace Hunter." She looks at me like I'm an alien from space.

"Please, tell me you know Nicki Minaj."

"Nicki who?" I ask.

"You've got to be kidding me." She gasps.

"Come on, Jamie I've been busy working but that doesn't mean I've not been living." I roll my eyes.

"Of course, I know Nicki Minaj. I'm a fan duh and I'm hundred percent sure Kay knows Jace Hunter."

"Kay must really be a lover of music." She says, smiling.

"Or let's just call it exactly what it is... she's a celebrity stalker." I laugh. When it comes to celebrities, Kay loves being up to date.

My phone rings again but I ignore it.

"I absolutely love that girl. The three of us need to hang out soon." Jamie speaks excitedly.

The rest of the day went by so fast. My phone kept ringing and I kept declining his calls.

Why can't he just leave me alone? It got to a point I had to lie to Jamie that it was Mr. Tim calling. She wondered why I wouldn't pick up his call and I had to lie again, telling her he was probably going to start ranting about wanting me to work permanently in Paradise. No way am I telling her it's the devil on my neck. I honestly feel horrible lying to someone who considers me a friend but it's not like I have a choice.

Ugh! Dante Moretti just doesn't know how to stop.

"Thank you for today Jamie. I needed it, believe me."

I thank her immediately she drops me off at my residence. I needed to de-stress and that was exactly what Jamie helped me achieve. It's so late at night and we are both standing beside her white car. She really has a thing for white.

"I should be thanking you, Ria. It's been a while I had someone to call a friend and just when I need one, here you are." She smiles, holding my hands in hers. "So friends?"

"Friends!" My lips break into a big grin.

We hug and say goodbye. I watch her drive off the street, making sure her car is no longer in sight before heading to my apartment on the second floor. I unlock the door, walking inside. It's so dark, so I turn the lights on and shut the door.

"You've got to be kidding me."

The sight before my eyes is one I never expected. Dante's arrogant ass is sitting pretty on my couch with his legs crossed. He had the audacity to break into my house. This nonsense or whatever it is needs to stop right now. I'm starting to lose my mind for goodness sake.

"Well, hello to you too signorina." The devil smirks, standing to his full height.

"What the hell are you doing in my house?" I ask, my voice coming out louder than I thought.

"You do have the habit of not answering your calls, so why not just pay you a visit I thought." He shrugs.

I groan inwardly. I should have answered the damn call. The last thing I need is to start bickering with him like a fucking kid after having a good day.

"So you decided to break into my house?" I glare at him.

"Now that's where you are wrong, Ria. You opened the door with your key remember?"

That's right, I did open the door with my key meaning the door wasn't broken. Then how did he get the key to my apartment? None of this makes sense.

"How did you get the key to my apartment? How did you even get my number? Because the last time I checked we didn't exchange numbers."

"Let's just say, I have my sources." He speaks, making his way to where I am.

With each step he takes, I take a step back until I feel my back pressed against the door. His body is so close to mine. That devil! I hate him so much and I don't even know why. I just hate him. I hate his guts and everything about him especially his stupid face. Never knew I could hate someone this much.

"What the hell do you want from me, Dante?" I glare at him, my chest heaving heavily.

"I find you interesting, Ria." His voice comes out low, deep, and his breath fans my face.

"Well then go to the damn movies if you want something interesting because I swear to God, you won't find me interesting when I strangle you with your freaking necktie." and I tried to but that's when I realize the thought seemed a lot easier in my head, not when put into action.

He caught my hands, placing the two above my head and pinning them there with just one of his. His grip is firm but gentle. Why did I have to be so reckless? Now I'm even at a bigger disadvantage, just how unlucky is that?

"Violent now are we? I like it, you are fierce." He chuckles lowly. "Back to your question, I don't know what I want from you—- at least not yet."

"Just leave me alone will you?" I try fighting his grip but that only makes him close the little space between us.

My back against the door and now my front pressed tightly to his chest. I can feel my heart hammering loudly against my chest and I know he hears it too. Dante is oh, so evil!

"You won't be getting rid of me anytime soon, Ria." He smirks, whispering into my ear. "For unknown reasons I find you interesting and I plan to find out exactly why."

"You are so annoying. I hate you." At a loss for words, I say the only thing that comes to my mind.

"And handsome, sexy, rich, bold, smart, hmmm... tell me more." He says playfully, his lips forming into a cocky grin.

"You are so full of yourself. I don't find you handsome at all. Sexy? You must have been fooled your whole life by a lot of women." I scoff.

Deep down in there, as much as I hate to admit it I know he's right. Everything he said is nothing but only the truth. You know to be honest, Dante Moretti is the real definition of being good-looking and damn I can feel his hard rock chest against mine. He is indeed sexy and handsome than any man I've ever seen but that stupid confidence of his isn't just it at all. He's way too bold for my liking and very annoying. I don't know why it seems so hard for him to get lost and leave me the fuck alone.

"You've seen it all signorina... I'm sure you meant the opposite of what you just said." He smirks.

"You pervert." I glare at him.

It would be a different thing if I had no memories from that night but I do now and if I'm being honest, I didn't hate it. I enjoyed it even than I should have. This probably isn't his first time going after women he found interesting. When it comes to Dante, it just feels like playing with fire and I don't want to burn.

"Playing hard to get, are we? I love it." He chuckles lowly.

"I seriously don't know what your problem is but if you came all the way here for a booty call then you've got the wrong person." I say firmly.

"Really though?" His grey eyes shine with mischief.

Dear God, what's he planning in that hard coconut head of his this time?

"Yes." I stand my ground.

"You are not affected by my touch?" His fingers hover on my lips, barely touching them.

"At all." My voice comes out in a whisper.

Ria, no! Where's your control? Ria, self control for goodness sake.

"Are you sure?" He whispers into my ear before placing a lingering kiss there.

He starts to place wet kisses on my neck, moving down to my jawline. My eyes shut itself to my very own surprise. I am responding to this man's touch and that is exactly what he wants.

"Dante, stop." I shout.

"It's funny how you say one thing but your actions say another, signorina." He looks into my eyes, his lips curving into that annoying cocky smile.

I'm so done with his bullshit. Who the hell does he think he is?

"You know what I find funny? It is how vulnerable I remember the man from that night to be and how the man in front of me right now is acting like a jerk, a complete asshole." I spit out. "Maybe the vulnerable man from that night is the real you and this, or whatever you are pretending to be isn't."

"Stop." He groans, anger evident on his face.

"You know, I thought you were a good person by how you were hurting when you told me about your fiancée and how she cheated on you with your best friend." I scoff.

"Stop." A deep groan rumbles from his chest, this time I almost jumped but I keep going.

"What she did was evil but with how you've been portraying yourself, you are no different-"

"Enough!"

Before I could say another word, he cut me off. My eyes widen once his lips come crashing down on mine in a bruising kiss. I struggle beneath him, trying to break free but his hold on me is just too strong. His kisses become deeper and harder. His insistent mouth parting my lips, sending wild tremors along my nerves. Before I knew, I already started kissing him back. I stopped fighting.

He pulls me tighter against him, releasing his hold on my hands that instinctively fly to his hair. These are hands that's been itching to touch his beautiful dark hair. We are kissing like crazy, like our lives depend on it. Parting my lips for air, his tongue slip inside, demanding, and it's nothing like I've ever experienced before. I am melting and shit, I want him. I want the devil himself.

With his bodyweight on mine, I can feel him, all of him pressed tightly against my body. I've never wanted anyone this way, and God, he smells so good. How am I noticing this just now? I want to breathe him, lick him and do things to him. Having him this close feels extremely wonderful. His hands are everywhere, touching me but I really don't care. I feel my control snap the moment his lips landed on mine. Nothing matters anymore, just the feel of his touch... nothing else.

Suddenly, his mouth leaves mine and it took a whole lot of control not to pull him back to me. He steps back, his beautiful grey eyes already turned a darker shade with lust. Our breathing fill the room, and we are both gasping for air.

What the crazy just happened?

I can't even bear to look at him. My cheeks flush with embarrassment as I replay the hot scenes that just transpired between us. Oh no Ria, what have you done?

"You say one thing but your actions say another, signorina." I raise my head upon hearing his words, my eyes landing on Dante.

His arrogant self is back now in all his glory with a cocky smile playing on his lips. I take steps away from the door, pointing my finger at him. I'm just about to speak but he reaches for the door instead, leaving me all alone in my apartment.

"What the hell just happened?" I mutter to myself, frozen on the spot.