Breakfast is a funny affair. As Alex and the girl didn't leave the ballroom until the event ended, Hal decided neither of us won, and we agreed to go fifty-fifty on the bill.

It's held in the Sun Room, a classy place with huge windows lining the entire room, reminding me of a grand conservatory. Red drapes hang on either side of every window, adding some elegance to the image, and two glass doors sit at either end of the room, leading out onto open-air terraces with extra seating outside. Light is streaming in, illuminating the entire area and decorating the wooden flooring with golden spots from the early morning sun.

I spy her at a table in the far corner, away from the light, instead claiming a seat in a darkened spot with a ceiling fan twirling above her, no doubt due to the amount she drank last night. I wave, making my way over and sitting down opposite her in a red-cushioned seat before she gestures for a waiter to bring us some orange juice.

He swiftly returns, drinks and menus in hand before placing a fruit bowl between us. My eyes nearly fall out of my head at the prices next to the bacon and eggs. Glancing around to see whether they're served in a golden bowl, I witness breakfasts being served like I've only ever seen when Bethany orders for me. What happened to good, old-fashioned toast anyway?

I quickly order avocado and poached eggs before thanking my lucky stars for Bethany's credit card. The waiter nods before disappearing through the criss-cross of tables, leaving us in our secluded spot.

'So,' Hal says suddenly in a singsong voice, crossing her arms over her chest. 'You didn't tell me your surname was Dalton.'

I nearly freeze. 'I didn't realise it was such a big deal.'

'A big deal?' she exclaims. 'No one's seen you since you were twelve!'

I shrug. 'I'm here now. How did you find out?'

'Word spreads fast.' She shrugs, and I purse my lips, knowing that the only person I told was Alex. Then again, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Either way, Bethany would probably be pleased to hear that her name is getting out there.

'I ran into Alex last night,' I admit to Hal as I pick a strawberry from the bowl in the centre of the table.

'You did?'

I nod. 'After I left your room. He was with that girl.'

'We knew he would be. I just wish it had been earlier so I could benefit from a free breakfast,' she says with a grin. 'I can only dream that a boy like that will take me for a spin.'

'For a spin?' I nearly choke on my fruit, chuckling slightly.

'Sure,' she agrees. 'Obviously it's not the proper thing to do, though. Not for us ladies anyway.' She smirks, rolling her eyes.

'Obviously,' I choke out with a nod.

'Have you?' she asks suddenly.

'Have I what?'

'Done it?'

'Hal!' I hiss. 'Voice. Down.'

'Sorry,' she whispers, giggling.

'I have,' I admit, and she grins.

'One day I'll find the man, I just know it... he'll have eyes only for me, making his way across the...'

I zone out as Alex enters the room, wearing a white polo shirt, his entire Aztec-style tattoo showing on his right arm. I'm shocked – I'd never have imagined that the ink on his wrist would lead to such a piece of art. I always figured tattoos would be looked down upon in high society.

'He has a sleeve?' I question quietly, Hal's eyes widening before glancing around.

'A sleeve?'

'His tattoo.'

'Oh!' She nods. 'Yes, his father wasn't pleased when he got that. It earned him a trip to France for the school term. Not that I think Alex minded.'

'He got it when he was still in school?'

Hal nods. 'Straight after he turned eighteen.'

'Wow,' I breathe, unable to stop myself from admiring the artwork – and the rebellious nature that apparently goes alongside it.

His eyes suddenly meet mine, catching me mid-stare, and I inhale sharply as I drop my head to look at the table. Busted.

'I know,' Hal replies. 'I wish I dared to act against my parents like that.'

'Me too,' I tell her. I can sympathise with her far too much – I'd regretted deciding to do whatever my mother asked ever since I'd turned twenty-one and she'd forced me to change my job for one with better pay. Maybe if I hadn't let her dictate my life, I'd be in a better position financially. It's always easier said than done, though – she's still my mother, even if she did very little to actually raise me.

Reaching for my orange juice, I take a long sip, reminding myself that Mum is nowhere to be found. I made this decision. I accepted this job. This is my opportunity.

On the other side of the restaurant, Alex steps towards a table of older couples, flashing them his brilliant smile, all of them turning their attention to him as he speaks. It's kind of spectacular how he can influence a room by simply opening his mouth and letting a few words fly out. Is his family really that important? Or is he just that much of a charmer?

'Beth?'

'Sorry!' I turn back to Hal and give her a tight smile. 'I guess parents are a sore subject for me,' I admit, and she nods. I don't even have to lie here – Bethany's parental relationship is as strained as mine.

'I understand that,' she replies. 'I mean, because of what I heard following Katherine's... departure.' She visibly gulps, clearly regretting her choice of words.

'Don't worry about it,' I assure her, instantly wondering how much she knows of the scandal and whether I should be digging. 'Do you get on well with your parents?'

'I do.' She smiles. 'I'm lucky.'

'Agreed,' I answer, placing my orange juice on the table, just as the waiter reappears, two plates in hand. He sets them down in front of us and we both thank him, Hal slipping him a quick ten-pound note as a tip. I smile at the sight of her generosity.

'Oh my God,' she moans as soon as she puts the food in her mouth. 'This is amazing.'

'It is?' I quickly stuff my knife and fork in, scooping up a mouthful and shoving it past my lips. 'Wow,' I agree.

'Why can't men be as interesting as food?' she mutters, and I giggle, wholeheartedly agreeing. We descend into an easy yet silly conversation as we try to come up with an answer to her question. With none coming to mind, we're soon laughing about the time she accidentally threw an entire plate of eggs over her mother.

Only too soon my plate is empty, and I sit back, resting on the armrests of the chair as Hal digs out her purse and shoots me a grin. 'I'll pay.'

'But we agreed—'

'Call it a "let's be friends" gift. Next time, you're paying.'

'Deal,' I say with a smile, then ask, 'What are you doing today?'

'I was thinking we could check out the hotel's facilities? Squash, tennis, maybe golf?'

'Sure,' I agree, smiling honestly, yet slightly terrified by the prospect of the complete uncertainties that are squash and golf.

'Great,' Hal exclaims, clapping her hands together. 'Maybe later this afternoon we can hit the spa too?' She wiggles her eyebrows at me, and I laugh before she stands up, collecting her jacket from the back of the chair.

I'm excited. It's hard not to be with Hal's excitable energy, but there's a cluster of nerves alongside it. There has been ever since I started playing this role.

Is now a good time to tell Bethany I quit?

*~*~*

Hal successfully piqued my curiosity with talk of the London season, something I knew nothing about before yesterday. A huge thing of the past that Queen Elizabeth quelled after corruption swept through London in the 1950s; my quick Google search reveals that the season is now only deemed to be a few social events that take place across England throughout the year, along with a small organisation who still hold debutante balls, by invite only. I can only assume Hal has never been asked to take part.

As far as I know, neither has Bethany.

I tuck my phone back in my pocket, not satisfied that I understand this world any better, and slouch back on the bench, closing my eyes and exhaling slowly, thankful for the brief peace and quiet. Birds are chirping, and I can hear the slight rippling from the waves on the lake only ten metres away. Every so often, calls from numerous sailors reach my ears.

Having spent the morning learning the ropes on the golf course with Hal, she then suggested we head out for some sailing. Not willing to admit that I don't have a clue how to stop a boat from sinking as soon as I step onto it, I dodged the issue by somehow convincing the beautiful blonde that my head was pounding from the night before.

She offered to throw in her entire planned afternoon, suggesting both of us go to the pool instead, but I declined, insisting she went out on the lake with a friendly-looking boy who'd approached her. All the while, I've sat on this white bench, breathing in the fresh air and soaking up the normalcy. It reminds me of Hackney Downs Park, whenever I used to walk that far to enjoy some time away from my miserable flat. I'm worlds away from that now, and sitting outside on the bare, immaculate white bench, I feel I could never get bored with this life.

Every single minute is another wad of cash I'm earning. With that kind of money, I can finally get out of London, leave my dysfunctional, unfulfilling life behind and start fresh. It's all I've wanted since my brother disappeared three and a half years ago.

'Bethany?' I'm disrupted from the serene moment by the call of my friend's name. Really? Now? Will I ever catch a break?

'Alexander.' I paint a smile on my face as I look up at him. 'Did you have a nice night?'

He smirks. 'Honestly?'

'No.' I hold up my hand. 'I actually don't want to kn—'

'It was pretty shit,' he announces, cutting me off as he sits down next to me. 'My mind was elsewhere.'

'Oh?'

'Your parents aren't here?' he asks, changing the subject, and I shake my head.

'A last-minute trip to New York,' I reply, spitting out my well-practised line. 'My father's business had a bit of a hiccup.'

'I see,' Alex says. 'Mine are busy at the moment as well. I had to attend alone last year too.'

I choose not to respond, knowing that Bethany wasn't here last year. Even her parents steered clear, the scandal from Katherine lingering like a bad odour.

We descend into silence, his mere presence setting me on edge, something stirring inside me. The sight of his hands gripping the seat causes my thoughts to wander down a dark—

'Why are you sitting out here? Join me for a game of squash?' he says suddenly, disrupting my adventurous thoughts.

'I'm not a huge fan of it,' I lie smoothly.

'What?' he exclaims. 'Come on – one game!'

'I don't think—'

'It'll be more fun than sitting here,' he cuts me off, clearly attempting to charm me as I shake my head.

'I...' I trail off, unable to come up with any reason other than the truth.

'Give me one good reason why not,' Alex says, grinning. 'It's about to rain.' He points at the sudden cloudy sky.

Just perfect. I should have known the weather wouldn't be in my favour.

'I don't know how to play,' I finally admit, praying he's more playboy than interrogator. I bite my lip as soon as the words are out, terrified that Alex will instantly know I'm an imposter.

'You don't?' he asks. Freaking hell, I've really messed up. 'Well, come on. I'll teach you.'

'You... you will?' I ask, eyes wide as he stands, grinning at me.

'Let's go, Ice.'

Ice? Is that what he used to call Bethany when they were kids?

I'm silent as I follow the rich, handsome man into the modern sports hall beside us, trying to ignore the grin he shoots me over his shoulder. I have no idea why I let myself be talked into this.

*~*~*

An hour later, I whack the ball towards the white wall, grinning as it bounces between the red lines before flying back, Alex sliding in front of me to return it.

I'm having more fun than I thought I would, squash being a surprisingly simple game. Although I definitely require more practice. The majority of my hits don't even make it back to the wall, my face screwing up in dissatisfaction every time. Alex hasn't laughed once, clearly taking it easy on me, for which I'm grateful.

Despite my worry, I don't feel as though I'm back in PE. Instead, Alex has made every second of it enjoyable, teaching me the rules within five minutes and letting me practise for ten more as he observed from the back of the room. I was embarrassed as hell by the idea of him watching, begging him to join until he finally relented and stepped forward, engaging in the game with me.

'Good.' He grins, my instant reaction being to return the warm gesture. 'You're a natural.'

'Don't lie,' I scoff, inspecting my racquet and turning it in my hands as my cheeks redden. Seriously? Maybe I was wrong – I am back in PE, letting the popular boy feed me compliments. 'Maybe I'm just better than you,' I bite back, and he grins again, shaking his head.

'Alright.' He smirks, and I bite my lip at the sight. 'Challenge accepted.' And I shake my head before he hits the ball at the wall.

Cursing internally, I dive for it, managing to swing my racquet in time to send it back to Alex. He moves effortlessly, and I ungracefully dive for the return, wishing that we could instead be playing tennis – something Bethany actually taught me.

She made sure to help me perfect my language, ensure I sat straight at the table, walked around like I owned the place and dressed appropriately. I had to be Bethany's adequate replacement, one that would be able to fool every single person at this retreat. It would keep Bethany in her parents' good books and allow me to finally leave London with a substantial pay packet.

But only if I manage to fool everyone into believing Bethany is a respectable representative for the Dalton family.

The ball suddenly flies back from the wall, straight for Alex. He attempts to slide out of the way as I jump for it, managing to hit the ball before I collide with him, the two of us smashing against the wall behind. The air is knocked out of me, both racquets clattering to the floor from the impact, my hands landing on his hard torso.

'Sorry,' I say breathlessly, his captivating eyes staring at me through his long dark lashes. I can feel his muscular chest underneath my hands and the proximity has my breath speeding up, lust curling in my lower stomach.

'If you wanted us in this position, all you needed to do was ask.' He grins, his voice slightly husky.

I roll my eyes, forcing myself to look away from him as I step back.

Gently, he grabs my waist, pulling me back against him. 'I'm kidding.'

'You're not, though,' I retort, attempting to ignore the feel of his warm fingers on my hips. 'If I had asked, you would have accepted.'

'Well...' He trails off, a cocky smile on his lips, completely giving away his answer. My heart skips a slight beat at the sight. It's definitely just nerves.

'If I want you in my bed, you will be,' I say, shrugging. 'It's not up to you.' Whoa...where the hell did that false confidence come from?

Maybe years of Bethany's influence are finally paying off. I smirk slightly, more so over the apparent charisma I now possess than the effect I'm having over him. Yet I don't miss how Alex is frozen, clearly watching my every move with surprise and... amusement?

Stepping back, I turn away, not letting his gaze tug at me any longer. I'm immensely affected by one of the elite, wealthy boys, and I don't have a clue why. There was nothing about this in Bethany's freaking handbook on how to survive here.