" What the hell! A booming voice echoed in my office.

I flinched and got startled for a second. I turned around and saw carter looking at me with his eyes narrowed and his hands on his hips.

He could have replaced an over dramatic mom right now.

I raised an eyebrow looking at this over dramatic mom and he pointed towards my hands. My gaze traveled to my hand he was pointing at.

Fuck.

I internally groaned, banging my forehead.

I forgot to do the dressing after boxing, now he will give me a big long ass lecture and believe me it's not easy to hear all that, OK!?

Your ears could bleed, you might have to take an appointment with doctor as well, then he is going to make a long bill and not to forget his handwriting which no one..... I repeat no sane person could understa-

"  Miss Alaia Cooper, may I know the reason why your knuckles look like you've beat the shit out of someone? " he asked, breaking my thoughts.

He looked at me with eyes narrowed and I stretched a little, scratching back of my head.

Uh...well I didn't got the golden opportunity to beat someone but I did beat the punching bag.

" Uh actually -" I was cut off by this jerk.

" Shut up " he said and I gaped, nerve of this guy!

If not for his caring teddy bear nature, he would have been the next victim instead of my punching bag. I sulked, when he didn't wanted to hear me then why in the world did he even bother to ask?

He walked near me and took out a box from 3rd drawer making me gasp. Woah I had a first aid kit in my office and I am not even aware of. Wow!

" If you are thinking that how come you don't know about this then answer to your question is that I kept it here knowing how restless and wicked you are " he mumbled and my jaw dropped, did he just call me wicked?

" Close that little mouth of yours or a fly will find its way to your stomach " he said and I eyed him furiously, this piece of shit. I wish I could use him instead of punching bag.

I hissed in pain as he applied ointment on my knuckles.

" Now will you tell me that whom did you kill?" he asked, his eyes still on my wound.

" Punching bag " I murmured, slightly embarrassed and turned my head to the other side.

" What! " He exclaimed and looked up at me as if I did some kind of crime.

" Do you know boxing ?"

" Of course, I do. " I stated proudly.

He gave me a wierd look which was slightly unknown to me.
He looked different.

Wait, is he scared!?

" Holy shit, wait a second, are you scared that I will make you my next punching bag? " I said, amused and he looked at me wide eyed, clearly at loss of words.

" No of course n-not, why will I be scared? C-can you see these muscular arms when will t-they come in work, huh? " he stammered, showing his biceps nervously

I leaned closer to his ears with a sinister smirk playing on my lips.

" Now if you are done dressing and don't leave this cabin under 10 seconds then I might think of turning my idea true. You know, of a new punching bag..... " I whispered in his ears and his face turned pale.

" Wait I have to make a file and here you can keep this box. OK bye. "he said and literally ran off from my office, I shook my head and focused on my work again.

♥

" Alaia I want you in my office right now " I heard a voice through my intercom.

I groaned, his voice was dangerous and cold, it seemed like he is super angry and won't hesitate to eat me raw the very next moment.

I got up with a grumpy look and walked into his office where he was standing with a frustrated look on his face.

I gulped slightly.

" Do you need something, sir? " I said, fidgeting with my fingers.

" Of course I do! I want to know that I asked you files of hotel star pearl not star diamond and I had a meeting today at 10 am how could you forget that Alaia? And where the hell are the blueprints of building I had asked for." He shouted, throwing the files on floor.

I looked at the files which were lying on the floor and then at his red, furious face. I took a deep breath.

OK so 1 2 3 go.....

" Sir the files which I gave you is of star diamond not star pearl because star pearl owner sold that hotel under the name of star diamond.

"And about the meeting, that meeting is tomorrow if you're talking about meeting with Mr Spaniel. And the blueprints you asked for are in the file which you just threw. " I said picking up the files which he had thrown on the floor.

His mouth formed into an o, clearly not expecting it.

" I want my coffee " He ordered and sat on his chair again, rubbing his temples.

I knew it so I already brought it along with me, I kept the coffee on the table and he eyed the cup.

" I want black coffee" he mumbled, I smirked internally and showed the cup to him, it was black.

" I want coffee without sugar " he said arrogantly.

Wow, generally he loves sugar but today he wants no sugar. Wow.... But I am smarter than him, I didn't put sugar till now.

" It does not has sugar " I said, with an over sweet smile making his eyes wide.

I heard some clapping behind me, I turned around and saw nick and Jake slowly clapping with proud expression on their faces.

" You're the best person to handle this asshole Alaia, proud of you " Nick commented and I just smiled slightly.

" I agree! He is such a demanding jerk and you are literally the perfect person to handle him" Jake said, eyeing Ashton.

" What the hell are you guys doing here? " He asked and I could make out from his voice that he was clearly annoyed, uh.... maybe because of me as well.

" Sir if you don't have any other work may I take my leave? " I asked, rather impatiently.

" Yes you ca-" Ashton was about to say but was cut off by Nick and my attention snapped over to him.

" Actually no, we are going to club today and we want you to come with us " Nick said and my eyes widened.

" Who said that I am coming with you? " Ashton piped in our conversation.

" We didn't asked from, you we informed you" Jake said eyeing him with his narrowed eyes.

" Sorry guys you all continue I have some work to complete " I said, politely, making up an excuse.

I was in no mood to go clubbing, I hate clubs. No wait, I despise clubs! I don't have any interest in drinking or dancing between sweaty people.

" Alaia please...." Nick tried giving me puppy dog but he rather looked like a pit bull dog.

" I am really sorry but no.... " I said and mumbled a quick apology.

I literally ran away from there, I wanted to ask Jake about Laura but forgive me that I hate parties. I would rather waste my time in doing horrible makeup than going to club or parties.

" Clubs and me, really bad pair " I mumbled to myself and focused on my work again.

I was engrossed in working when I sensed someone behind me, I turned around. Oh it was Ashton, Nick and Jake.

" Yes sir, do you want something? "

" Yes, please come with us " Nick fake pleaded with a fake smile.

" I guess I already said no and I am in no mood of changing my decision " I said sternly and I hope they got their answer and just leave me alone.

" So you won't? " nick said, raising his eyebrows.

I shrinked back in my chair, OK....I am feeling something wierd in his gaze.

" No" I said, rather scared a bit.

" Well I am already sorry for it " he said, huh? I was confused. What's going on in Nick's pretty little brai-

" WHAT THE HELL! " I shouted as this bastard picked me up in his arms.

" Now until you say yes, he won't keep you down. So say yes" Jake demanded, crossing his arms.

Ashton was just looking at us amused, clearly enjoying the show. It seemed like he just needed a bag of popcorn to enjoy it to fullest.

" Why in the world do you want me to come, when I don't want to? " I asked frustrated, trying to wriggle out of his grip while his hold around me tightened.

" Because we have never spent time with you and we want to know you better because you're a really nice company. So you better say yes or I will roam in whole office like this " he threatened.

Fuck off man!

" It is not fair " I whined, wriggling in his arms.

" It is! Either you say yes or..... "

" OK OK 'yes'. Now put me down idiot " I almost yelled.

Can I just jump off a cliff or something, Ugh! he's so annoying.

" Yes now that's like a good girl " Jake commented and I gritted my teeth, if only I could punch him instead of my punching bag.

Nick set me back on the ground and I shot three of them a glare, they gulped visibly.

" Be there on time " Nick and Jake said in unison, exiting my office.

They seemed like those kids who were told that ask anything from Santa and you will get that. My gaze travelled to Ashton who was still standing there with a bright smile on his face.

" Now, do you want to say something too?" I asked, my eyes narrowed.

" Nope, definitely not " he said, grinning ear to ear.

I looked at him with my eyes narrowed, wait, why do I smell something fishy here? Or I am overthinking?

Ugh....whatever.

But why was he grinning like an idiot?

♥

I just had an innocent question in mind that if I dared to kill someone, will anyone come to bail me?

Because I will seriously do it today. Due to these idiots I am going to a freaking club which I haven't visited in years. I guess the last time I visited was when I was 23.

My best friends had dragged me there to celebrate my first deal which I made as a CEO. I have to get ready or they gonna chew my brain out for getting late.

I wore my black dress which I think is quite decent for a club but I don't give a damn to that. I just want this night to be over.

With my black smokey eye makeup and nude lipstick I was ready to step upon death. Of course black heels.

God save me.....

" I hope, I make it out alive though " I mumbled to myself.

With a sigh, I drove to the club.

.....

" Ah! finally you're here " Nick excalimed as soon as he saw and pulled me into a bear hug, it was a warm brotherly hug.

" I thought that you changed your mind about it" Jake said from behind.

" If I would have, then I think tomorrow would have been my last day on this planet " I joked and Nick laughed, nodding his head.

" OK let's get inside " Ashton said.

Woah he was standing so far that I had not even noticed him but he was looking handsome....

OK he was definitely looking hot!

Holy shit did I just call him handsome, What the hell is going on with my mind?

I mentally smacked my head and tried to fight back a blush that just creeped on my cheeks and followed them inside.

♥

We were sitting in VIP lounge, there were people dancing, drinking and some even making out.

Gross to be honest.....

"Ugh! why are you so boring Alaia? Come-on it's just one drink. Ian you explain her "

" Macy leave her if she doesn't wants to. It's her choice to get drunk or not" Ian said, defending me and wrapped his arms around my shoulder.

" Even if she is your girlfriend, it does not means that you have to always take her stand! "

" If I don't take her stand then I will become her punching bag and believe me, her punch hurts "

" Hey! I had just punched you once on our first meeting and that too because of your flirting " I piped in their fight.

" How the hell was I supposed to know that you're this serious at work and can't stand only a little bit of flirting. "

" Alaia " someone shook me out of my flashback journey, I saw Ashton looking at me intently.

" Yes sir "

" You can call me Ashton outside the office " I nodded still lost in his thought.

I looked around and saw Jake on a phone call and Nick dancing with some chick. Ashton was just sitting with a fruit punch in his hands.

" Are you not drinking? " I asked out of curiosity.

" No I generally do not really drink and I am the 'DD' So no chance to drink at all" he said, shrugging and I nodded.

" What about you? You are also not drinking " he asked, sipping his drink.

" Well there are two reasons. First, I despise drinking second I have to drive myself home " I said, chuckling.

" Oh..." he wanted to say something more but was cut off by a man who approached me.

" Hey beautiful, you mind having a dance with me? " he asked, grinning ear to ear.

" No.... sorry " I fake smiled and turned down his offer.

" Hey please don't say no, I promise we can have some fun. " he winked, how much I controlled punching his God damn face.

" I said 'NO' " I repeated.

" Uff fierce. I like it! Where have you been my entire life? " he tried an awful cheesy line. Did he seriously think that these lines will work on me. Like really?

I stood up and gave him a tight lipped fake smile.

" Well I was on the clouds where your filthy ass can't reach " I said, crossing my arms.

I guess it should be enough for him to not bother me anymore but maybe I was wrong...

" Come on" He snaked his arms around my waist and I did the best thing.

I stomped my feet on his foot, these are the times where I don't regret wearing heels.

He yelped in pain and I smiled in satisfaction. Finally I let go of his leg and sat down again, taking a sip from my fruit juice.

He walked away and I sighed, slumping back into my seat.

" Wow! Now that was a show " Ashton complimented, trying to control his laughter.

" I am not like other girls who will wait for a Prince Charming to come and save me. No fairytale exists in real life, we all have to face our issues all alone " I mumbled absent mindedly.

He looked at me with a frown, I then realised that I spoke way too much. My damn mouth.....

I sighed and turned around from him, I could feel him boring gazes at my back but I cared less at the moment.

I leaned down against the table. looking at the swirling orange drink in my hands.

....

When you lose someone you love, it is like losing your part too. That person takes a portion of your heart and never returns it, you keep living with that turbulence forever.

When you think you finally got someone who loves you as their first priority, and that is when reality hits hard that every damn thing was a lie.

How much I try to forget those night mares, the more they come back haunting. All we ever want is honesty in love but we never know what's destinied in our love, all I ever wished for honesty but I never knew that my destiny had some other plan.

The hardest thing in life is removing someone from your heart, when you loved him the most. I wish I could do it, I wish I could just forget him and erase those memories.

Betrayal hurts so badly, it is one of the most devastating experiences in life and one's that difficult to understand. It shatters the trust you had in others and leaves you feeling like you're all on your own.

It shatters the trust you ever had in love, your heart changes. The belief that you will find someone to love changes, it just changes you completely.

Loving someone is as similar as giving your enemy a gun, aiming it at your heart yourself and expecting them not to pull the trigger.

Love is BETRAYAL.

♡

Her experience on love is something drastic, it scares her, gives her shudder.

Will someone be able to get her out of this dark world and show the light of hope?

~♥~

Hello people, my first update of this book in new year. Hope you all enjoyed your new year eve to fullest, so from this update you got that Alaia is somewhat betrayed and doesn't believe in love anymore and she entered Ashton's life for a motive.

She's not who she pretends to be. I know you all have some questions in mind and for their answers you need to wait for next update.

Till then stay safe and stay healthy.