Chapter 1 The Beginning

• Three years ago, Tessa Anderson walked down the aisle with her childhood friend and betrothed Alexander Donaldson, and as was expected, she was to bear a child within the first year of marriage, but that turned out to be a difficult task for her. Alex never wanted anything to do with her. Just like a delicate porcelain vase, beautiful but fragile and empty within, so was their marriage—a facade.
• She hoped it would get better with time; Alex would stop cheating and turn his focus to her; he would love her, but that never happened. Instead, fate had other plans for her.
• The Donaldson’s recently secured a $500 million contract to develop a luxury resort and residential complex in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. This was a big achievement for the Donaldson’s, as it solidified their position as leaders in the real estate industry, and for the part of Alex, it silenced those who had doubts about his ability to handle the Donaldson’s empire.
• To celebrate this achievement, a luxurious party was held on the Viva ship. New York’s elite, influential businessmen and women, especially those who were eager to align with the Donaldson’s, were invited to honour this acquisition. Both friends and foes were invited; one of such was Jamie Donaldson, Alex’s manipulative cousin, along with his cunning wife Jessie. Jamie Donaldson had always been competitive with Alex since they were kids, though he was older than Alex. One day, it was believed that his mom Teresa used induced childbirth so that Jamie could come before Alex and be named the Donaldson heir, but the heir ownership was rejected by their grandmother, who is the only surviving elder Donaldson. She believed in natural childbirth and has always been against Teresa and everything that concerns her; she saw Teresa for who she really was, a manipulative gold digger, and her son was no different; his wife was no better; they certainly were a pair made in heaven.
• Jamie and Jessie, aka JJ, were an enigmatic couple, for wherever they went as a pair could only mean mischief, and tonight was not going to be any different for they had plans of their own.
• As they walked into the hall where the party was held, they grinned devilishly. Granny Donaldson, who had caught sight of them, was already enraged.
• “Those devils who invited them?” Granny Donaldson questioned her secretary, Lisa. She was bewildered on seeing them because she had told Granny Donaldson of their trip that same day to Paris for the twentieth fashion show; if they were to represent Donaldson, that was just an excuse to keep them off the party. But here they were in front of her, smiling from ear to ear.
• “Oh dear grandmother, Jessie rushed at her with a cruel smile and sparkling eyes as she hugged her.
• “We weren’t going to miss such an occasion for anything in the world,” she grinned with a broad smile as Paparazzi swamped to take pictures of Granny Donaldson.
• “Smile, Granny, this is a front-page picture,” she whispered in her ear. Granny Donaldson sighed out her frustration, pulled from her, and walked away. Though Jessie was not surprised at her behaviour, she never expected her to display it in front of the paparazzi. She quickly composed herself, still smiling, and called her husband for more front-page pictures.
• “That cruel witch, couldn’t she hold her hate in, even out here?” She talked between her teeth to her husband as she smiled for more pictures.
• “You know very well we’re not welcomed here, Jess; let’s focus on what we came for,” Jamie said as his eyes swept the room.
• Different people had different plans for the party; some had plans to mingle, some came for business deals, those who came to watch the drama that may ensue, and those who came for the exclusive story.
• In a few moments, La Viva transformed into a whirlwind of laughter. The sound of champagne glasses clinking and conversation filled the air.
• Tessa just had a glass of red wine, but she was already intoxicated, being a lightweight drinker. By then, Jessie, who had been watching her stealthy, like a predator watching its prey, approached her to be her companion since Alex had excused himself to change his outfit.
• “Tess, love, it’s been a while.” Tessa smiled softly as Jessie sat next to her.
• Softly but irritated.
• If there was anyone Tessa needed to avoid, it was Jessie; she knew her coming only meant trouble.
• “Certainly, but I thought you’d be in Paris.” Jessie pulled the glass of wine from her lips as she looked at Tessa fiercely, then burst into a loud laughter.
• “And miss tonight; nah, Tess wouldn’t miss tonight for anything in the world, ”she said as she moved closer to Tessa, placing her hand on Tessa’s thigh.
• “You see, tonight entails a lot more than you can see, so why would I miss it? Drink with me, Tess, and let’s watch how it unfolds.” She picked two glasses of wine from one of the waiters she had signaled and handed one to Tessa as she drank the other.
• “Jamie wanted a break, and this seemed like a perfect escape for that; going to Paris was just another business trip since we have to report back.”
• “But there are...”
• “Romantic places to cool off, nah, it ain’t nothing like sailing on La Viva tonight. Can’t find Alex anywhere,” she said as her gaze swept around the room.
• “Oh, he needed to change his outfit, something like that,” Tessa replied casually.
• “Well, that leaves just us. Come on, the night’s still young. Let’s go to the bar and enjoy the moment.” She stood up quickly as she pulled Tessa, who was reluctant.
• “Don’t think I can go with you.” Jessie made a face and pouted her lips as she looked at Tessa, who was slightly drunk.
• “We hardly have the chance for all this due to work; come on, just an hour wouldn’t hurt.”
• Just then Granny Donaldson joined them.
• “You should, my dear.” Jessie was perplexed.
• “What could this witch be planning?” she thought; she wasn’t one to support her in whatever she suggested, but in all, she nodded in agreement with Granny Donaldson, not minding if she couldn’t read her at the moment—like she could ever read her.
• Tessa had no other option than to tag along for just one hour, but that one hour changed her life.
• Apart from Tessa and Jessie, other young women were having the time of their lives at the bar. The party lights in the bar were dim, with the careless whispers playing in the background. Jessie led Tessa to the dance floor soon after they had a drink at the bartender; she wrapped her hands around Tessa’s shoulder.
• “Gosh, I miss this,” she murmured near Tessa’s ear.
• “Don’t you?” She asked looking at Tessa sternly.
• “Loosen up, sweetheart; tonight may be your lucky night.. get into the mood, and you probably can get Lexy into the mood too; that will be a double celebration for the Donaldsons.”
• She cackled as she waved her hand to a waiter on standby. She gave one shot to Tessa and the other to herself.
• “To little Lexy.”
• Tessa responded half-heartedly; she was a little dizzy. She took the shot and flicked her head a little, trying to adjust her eyes to the light.
• “You’re ok, love?”
• “A little dizzy.”
• “We’re just getting started,” she giggled, but Tessa was long done; she could barely keep her balance.
• “I need to go, not feeling too well, she said as she made her way out of the bar. Jessie immediately picked up her phone and texted her husband.
• “She’s on the move, she smiled as Tessa walked out, trying her best to compose herself.
• As Tessa tried to make her way to her room, she felt a surge of heat all over her body. An overwhelming sensation washed over her. She was pretty sure this wasn’t how it felt to be drunk. She tried to fight the feeling, but every nerve seemed to tingle. Her mind was clouded by desire and pleasure, and she was willing to satisfy her desires in whatever way.
• “Alex, she muttered as she bit her lips.
• She was just ten steps away from her door. All she wanted was to take her clothes off and get rid of this feeling. Her heart was beating so fast as she stumbled breathlessly onto the floor; she struggled to maintain her composure, but her body betrayed her; the surge of hormones overwhelmed her senses. With unsteady hands, she unfastened the straps of her flowery gown. She could feel the firmness of her nipples pressed against her gown. Her imagination heightened.
• As waves of emotion flowed through her, a familiar scent floated through the air, prompting her to smile.
• “Alex, she whispered again with pleasure as she gazed upon the approaching figure. His features remained somewhat obscured, sending doubt to her mind about the identity of the man drawing nearer, but the familiar scent assured her.
• Gradually, her smile faded as he drew closer, still appearing blurred. She instinctively shifted her gaze toward the group of men in the hallway, their voices echoing in the background, but their words failed to make any sense.
• “Alex, she softly moaned once more as his fingertips traced the contours of her lips, sending shivers down her spine.
• What was this desire she felt, and who was this man in front of her?