Chapter 2

• "Mrs. Hill seeks your attention, ma'am," an attendant relayed to Kate. She nodded and walked away instantly, no doubt, she looked troubled.
• "My minister," Kate called Melanie Hill, Harold Austin's mother, a distinctive minister in the state, a woman of great aging and a body fully in shape. There's no doubt money sparkles wherever she is.
• "Oh, yes, Kate, get the cake done in an instant. As you can see, my visitors are all around, and my son will be here in any minute," Melanie exclaimed, looking over the crowd and not minding the troubled look on Kate's face. Melanie isn't someone to worry about anyone else's problems.
• "Don't waste time, Kate, do it now," Melanie summoned, rushing off to meet one of her prestigious visitors.
• Kate walked warily to the store, the cake gazed beautifully at her. She had no doubt about Annie's talent, but hadn't she promised to be on time?
• "Get here now, Nick, and tell Lee to come with you. We need to move Mrs. Hill's cake downstairs," Kate said over the phone. Her other staff agreed to be there in a minute, and she patiently waited for them.
• They arrived in a few minutes, preparing to move the cake.
• "Have you checked her room?" Lee asked Kate, whose only concern now is obviously to get the cake down in good shape. If Annie had been here, it wouldn't have been an issue; she's good at things like this and can instantly correct a little scratch on a moved cake.
• "I checked, she's nowhere to be seen. The dresses I left her to change into were also untouched," Kate answered, helping in pulling the cake gently on the wheel mover.
• "She probably went out, hoping to be back before the event starts and got stuck. She's not someone to leave without informing others," Nick said, making a great effort to pull the cake.
• "I know, of course, I know, and she better have a good reason," Kate said, her tone threatening.
• Within a few minutes, the cake was moved to the front space, and luckily, it turned out well. Kate noticed the awe in the people's eyes. As usual, Annie's handiwork had earned her another prominent client. She walked away with satisfaction plastered on her face.
• "Where are your manners, Harold?" Melanie said, standing in front of Harold's table, her look concealing longing, proudness, and annoyance.
• "Hello, mother, hope you're well," Harold said, bowing his head slightly in respect.
• "Oh, well, I am still breathing. Now come over to my table, let me introduce you to my Irish friends. They're prominent individuals who can help you with one or two things. We can't be sure," Melanie said, laughing softly, walking ahead as Harold followed.
• "Missus, remember this big boy here?" Melanie chitchatted. Harold remembered the time his mother would play so hard with him and even have tears in the corners of her eyes. He is so happy his mother got herself back, but he's yet to get himself back. He wished it were as easy for him as it is for his mother because it has been a long time since he got to see this side of his mother. And now, as a thirty two year old man, he's contented to see her like this.
• "Definitely, Melanie, this is the man of the time, Harold of the great Vegas. Who doesn't know him?" one of Melanie's friends remarked.
• "He's the Lord of biceps," another one said, laughing hysterically. Harold faked his smile. he hadn't figured he would have to stoop to this level for the sake of his mother. At least, they're wives of prominent men, and as his mother said, they should be able to do one or two things for him.
• After what seemed like eternity with the women, Melanie took Harold to some men she regarded as chiefs. How awful he was forced to drink some alcohol, and his alcohol limit is equal to staying away from the bottles.
• Amidst the boozing party, Harold's PA uneasiness grew seeing his boss been cajoled into taking alcohol, not one or two bottles. But what can he do? Mrs. Hill gets everything she wants, and Harold freely allows it.
• By the time Mrs. Hill appeased the men to allow Harold to rest in his room, he was already a wasted man. His PA supported him as he staggered, the men's teasing continued as his PA carefully took him upstairs.
• "Alright, alright, I'm embarrassed," Harold said on getting to his hotel room doorstep. He tried so hard to control his balance, holding his hand out for the room card or probably key.
• "Here, sir," his PA handed him both the key and card, knowing how much his boss hated showing his vulnerability.
• "I will be close by if you need me, sir," his PA said and walked away.
• Harold struggled to keep his balance as he inserted the key with a swift switch, and the door came ajar. With his throbbing head, he struggled out of his suit and shirts, tossing them away to a corner of the room, and fell helplessly on the bed.
• He groaned as the disgusting smell of the alcohol hit him, moving slowly towards the other side of the bed. His eyes bulged out unconsciously as his hand collided with warm flesh. His eyes were forced open halfway, turning the electric light on and taking a glimpse at the little doll sleeping beside him.
• In his alcohol state, his mind wandered off. Has his mother sent the girl to his room, or was that his PA's doing? He questioned himself, his hand moved slowly to her face, brushing her hair away gently.
• Her irresistible eyes captured his attention more. How can a girl make him feel this weird, even in his drunken state? He wants her, he wants her to open her eyes to him, thrusting inside her. The way she would sound makes him curious.
• His eyes roamed her half naked body as she tossed on the spot. Harold held back, he's not going to do anything to her while she's not aware and unconscious. But when she wakes up, he's going to have her. He's going to fill her up, he vowed, relaxing his head on the pillow, not minding his hardened part that seems ready to sprout into action anytime.
• Early morning as the sun rises, Annie groaned. Her head hurt, and her eyes felt heavy. She forced herself up on her toes, not glancing beside her for once. She yawned tiredly, picking up her phone where she had dropped it on the table to find the strange cocktail.
• "Oh no!" She screamed, checking the time and realizing it's the next day when she was meant to be present at the event that took place the other day.
• "Kate is gonna be mad at me," she mumbled, getting into her dress before her eyes caught a glimpse of a figure on the edges of the bed she had just awakened. The strange smell that lingered on her body confirmed something was wrong.
• "How on earth am I smelling of a man's perfume?" She fussed, treading slowly to where Harold was sleeping.
• The face wasn't one to go unnoticed and yes, she realized what a beautiful man he was, but not only that, she knew Harold.
• "Jesus! Austin Harold!" she screamed, finding the hottest young billionaire in her room and on the same bed was far from her imagination. She reluctantly touched his body to feel if he was real or just one of her wild imaginations. She gasped as realization dawned. How on earth did this happen? She questioned herself, perceiving that the same smell lingered on their bodies.
• Anny failed to recall whatever it was that took place, thanks to the damn cocktail. But there is a firm resolve in her mind that believes something must have happened between them. Her body confirms it, she reeks of him, and smelling like Austin Harold's cologne is no doubt most ladies' dreams. She probably can't dream of such luxury. He's simply off limits, Anny concluded.
• Ashamed of herself, she fled the room, regret gnawing at her heart. She knew she had to go face Kate. How can life be so unfair to one person? she thought, as she found her way through the hotel exit.