Jace knew that he was in, all the way in, and was very well bound to make this decision, no matter the consequences.

This was a lifetime opportunity to get their company all the way up, and a chance to prove the worthiness of his title to his father.

He was going to try, try and convince his dad to agree to the contract before him. This was a massive opportunity.

Even ages after Mia had left, leaving a wave of apples and berries in her wake-a deliciously dangerous combination-he couldn't stop thinking about her.There was no denying he felt attracted to her, but if he didn't know any better he'd say that the woman had been trying to seduce him.

What else do you call hot red lipstick and the trailing her hands all over him?

Why, he couldn't comprehend.
The contract was good enough to him,and from his point of view, it wouldn't need that kind of help to get his signature.

He shrugged it away, thinking about how he could not deal with a another seductress in his life.

Mandi was already more than enough.

Mandi.

A shiver went down his spine. Jack had already called to warn him of her return from Venice which was happening in two days time and he had vowed to steer clear of her.

His greatest mistake in life had been to fall into the Mandi trap during his first year in college. Of course he was an hormonal self-conscious boy who kept being teased by his friends, Jack amongst them, about being a nineteen year old 'baby', since he had never had a girlfriend nor had he tried to get one, for fear of his dad finding out.

Anyway, long story short, she became his girlfriend for two weeks straight before he found out they were not exclusive, then they broke up.

But this was Mandi, and she was set on proving she can get anytging she wants, anyone she wants.

So she made it her mission to get him back, no matter how long it took, and show him exactly was he was missing.

***************

Mia was running short of breath by the time she burst into Casey's office and plopped on her leather couch across the room.

"You should really think about knocking sometime, I might be having a serious meeting.
"Casey said, not bothering to look up from her laptop.

"It was horrible. "Mia spat out, "I hated seeing his face, I hated the feeling that came with it, and for a moment there I contemplated murder, but thank God I don't go with my first instinct like you do. "

Casey finally looked up for her laptop and gave the shuddering Mia a sad look.

"My instinct right now tells me you should get out of this before its too late.It's only gonna hurt you Mia, far more that it already has, and you know how I hate-"

"Casey, stop it please. I've waited a long time for this, and am not about to stop now. Are you really trying to say I should just let them slip away with everything that they did? That I should let my parents go unjustified? My dad is lying in a coma right now, a coma he's been in for eight freaking years and I don't know where the hell my mom is. Should I just stop? "

"But-"

"Two hours ago, you were literally pepping for this and know you think I should stop?"

Casey sighed and opted to change the subject.

"You'll never guess what they did today. "

Mia leaned back on her seat and closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm her entire body.

"What? "She said softly, much as she would have liked to scream, but knew Casey was doing this for the best.

"I ordered a couple of the white faux fur coats that are in demand, but instead they bring me leopard prints and an ugly custard colour. "

Mia shrugged.

"I think those are still cool."

"I know they're cool, but right now, the white ones are more in demand. So how do you think my customers are gonna react when they find those there? "

"Maybe you should return them and a ask for a refund. "

"Too much work filing the papers. "

"Well, maybe you should try to convince your customers that the leopards and custards are the new trend. "

"Well, I was thinking of doing a shoot tomorrow to try and promote the ugly things. "

"Who is your model this time, still Cara? "

"Nope. I'm doing the posing. Budget cuts baby. "

Mia laughed, knowing this was so like Casey.

She admired her a little, the way she managed to ease her way through life, and always found a positive side towards everything. She was also a little misery when it came to paying people, but nonetheless extravagant when buying herself things. After high school, Mia had decided to pursue a degree in architecture, while Casey had chosen to be a fashion designer, which ended with her owning a couple of designer shops in the country while Mia was currently differing her fourth year to deal with the issue at hand.

Part of the reason Casey was so successful, Mia suspected, was because she had one of those pretty faces that are just convincing, and a killer body that scored her her first modelling jobs. She also treated her body like a blank canvas, dressing it up and designing clothes around it until she had the perfect gear.

When Mia had first confided her seduction plans, Casey had practically jumped up and down with excitement and had proceeded to plan her outfits for the first thirty days, making them look decent yet attractive enough to make a guy infatuated with her.

"So.. "Casey approached with caution, "you never actually reported to me how hot the guy is in person.

Mia shot her a glare, but even she couldn't deny the fact that Jace Falcon was good looking, even with his cold gaze and tired expression.

She did not want to think about that.

"He's ugly. "She childishly said instead.

"He is sooo hot. Come on, it's not like I haven't seen him in the magazines and stuff.And judging from the way you look flushed, I'd say you think so too. "

"Whatever. "Mia got up. "I'm going home to try and relax a little. "

"Fine. Avoid the conversation. Just remember you are making dinner tonight. "

"Meatballs? "

"Make them spicy this time. "

*****************

Ofcourse it was easy for Casey to decide they were having pasta and meatballs for dinner, her metabolism was way over the top.

Mia knew she would eat senseless the meal, then be forced to spend ample time on the treadmill.

She was currently idling on the couch in her condo, a posh place that always almost smelled like someone had lit incense.

Once again in the course of the day, her mind drifted back to the meeting she had earlier with Falcon Junior and an involuntary shiver went down her spine. One thing was very clear, he was vulnerable, ideal for her plan, but also intense, so intense she thought he would see through her, if he hadn't already. He looked like he knew what she was doing, but was gonna let her do it anyway, because in the end he knew he would win.

Maybe he would.

No, he wouldn't. The paradox of the entire situation was already starting to give her a mild headache. But then again, the contract she had scored, she knew she had, came to mind and she smiled devilishly.

It was too good an offer for anyone in their right mind to refuse.

She had offered Falcon Enterprises trust, with up-to thirty percent stake in her company, at the same time offering to join as cartels to bring down Nuru and on top of that, half-partnership in building the new structure in town that was going to turn into The Sunway Mall.

She was sure he saw this as an opportunity to overtake the market and brand his company as the leading in the continent. Well, he was gonna be in for the biggest shock of his life.

***********

By the time Casey had made it to her house, which she practically lived in, Mia was slowly dozing off cocooned in a blanket by the TV.

She let her take the nap a little while longer, she deserved it, as she heat the dinner and set the table.

Casey was about to wake her when she saw the diary she kept about the things she was planning, or doing, and her curiosity got the better of her.

Don't do this.

Oh, but am about to.

Fine.

Fine.

She opened the leather-cased book only to find it written exclusively in invisible ink.
Shocker.

Mia stirred, making Casey jump and pretend to be doing something else.

"Casey, what's wrong with you? I keep telling you to get out of my stuff but you never listen. Besides, it's not like there's anything there you don't already know. "She said groggily.

"I thought you were asleep."

"I was not, I never sleep. "

"You should try to. "

She moved to the table to take her seat, dragging Mia along.

Mia shrugged her words away, and started to chomp on the meatballs.