Saturday morning, I woke up and my eyes are swollen and red. Stretching my arms in the air as I looked around.

I slept at the couch last night.

I didn't even noticed that I cried to sleep. When I got home, I threw my bag God only knows where and jumped on the couch. My phone rang and rang yet I didn't bother to stand up and answered it.

Right now, I just want to be alone.

Cry alone.

Then now, I turned to look at my digital clock on the small table next to my cough.

10:03 am.

Cliff must be arriving any moments now.

I don't know if I should confront him already or wait for more information. Because I don't have much evidence right
now and he probably will just deny it. I have to act cool...for the mean time.

I stood up, grab my towel that was hanging on the rack then went towards them bathroom to have a cool shower. I know taking a wash will lighten up my mood a little bit. A few minutes later, I heard my phone ringing once again.

I hurriedly dried myself first then put on a robe. My bag was lying on the floor in the living room. I searched for my phone and saw whose name lights on the screen.

It's Cliff.

"Hello?" I cleared my throat and tried to sound normal.

"I've been calling you since last night, Ariana. What have you been doing?" His annoyed tone welcomed me.

I rolled my eyes "I was the one who kept on calling you, Cliff. It just happened that I'm busy last night that I forgot to call you back."

"And what have you been doing?" He asked, suspiciously.

Wow, he dared ask me that while he was having fun with Jane the not virgin.

"I was busy with the shop the whole day and fell asleep as soon as I got home." I roared, the anger in my voice was coming out. I can't hold it anymore.

I heard him sigh on the other line. "Whatever then. I'll be home tomorrow morning or afternoon. I had so many things to take care here. I'll go straight in your condo once I got back."

Don't bother.

"Okay." I just replied. Shit, I'm not in the mood to talk to him. I want this call to end.

"Ariana, is something wrong? I'm sorry about last night, okay?"

"Nothing is wrong, Cliff. I'm just tired." I excused, scratching my head and bit my lower lip. "Do you have anything else to say? Because I have important things to do at the shop, Cliff. I'll end this call.l

"Alright. Call me if you need anything." He sounded defeat and weak. "See you later. I love you."

"Bye." I just responded then ended it right away. I don't want to be so sweet to you while you are with your Jane.

I inhaled deeply as I ran both of my fingers through my damp hair and messed it. I really am going to be crazy. My closed my eyes and tried to think of a way on how to know the truth.

Of course, asking him in his face is an option but it's in the last part of my list. There is no way I will do that because that will make me look crazy.

I'll just call the private investigator of my family. That's the best way. Besides, I have the money to make her do whatever it takes to know all Cliff' tactics.

I searched my contacts to call her.

"Hello?" She answered after a few rings.

"Snow." I responded. She is a private investigator and a detective as well. But she's a friend of mine since kids so we know each other a lot.

"Ariana, girl why did you call?" Snow asked, looking surprised.

I head over to my window and leaned on it as I held the phone to my ear. "Snow, I kinda need your help right now. Can you help me?"

"Sure, that's no big deal. What can I do for you?"

"Can you do a little investigation about my fiancé, Cliff Jackson?" I told her, crossing my arms as I held on tight on the belt of my robe. "He's the surgeon."

"Oh Cliff. Why did you want to investigate your fiancé? Shouldn't you both know each other already, especially now that you're getting married." She wondered, his voice held confusion.

"We know each other well, Snow." I sigh "Just do it please."

"Alright, I'm doing it right now. Searching for a Cliff Jackson." She murmured, as I hear some typing sounds on a keyboard. She must be doing it already.

This woman is amazing, honestly. She received a scholarship in Harvard and attained the highest grades in her course which is Criminology. Snow is a genius, I tell you. And had very good skills in hacking codes, passwords and in any other forms of technology that you can break into.

"Hm...strange but there is no such thing as Cliff Jackson here." She told me that made me go nuts. Is he really cheating on me on something?

This is actually more like he's fooling with me.

"What's his real name?"

"Clifford Jackson." I answered, biting my lower lip. My heart is beating fast because of nervousness. My skin and palm is sweating cold and I feel like my stomach is so light that I can vomit.

I just don't know what to do. My mind is so clouded and it feels like everything was a lie. That Cliff that I know is not real. That he has been fooling me all over.

"Nothing in here." Snow spoke on the other line. "There is no such thing is Clifford Jackson here, Ariana. That is very strange. I'm shocked to know this too, dear."

I tried to hold back my tears and keep it together. I'm not crying again. "W-What does this mean, Snow? If y-you can't investigate...um...certain...person?" But my voice is not cooperation. I'm shaking! My voice is breaking.

"That means two things, Ariana. It's either, the person is dead...or..." she stopped in midpoint, breaking it there.

"Or what?"

She sigh before continuing her sentence. "That person doesn't really exist."

That made me gulped and throb. I feel like my world just crashed down before me. My hold on the phone loosened as it fell down on the floor and didn't bother to pick it up. I can hear Snow'a voice calling for me but I was not in the right mind to pick it up.

There must be a way.

A way to know the truth.

I have to find out.

Stephan.

Yes, Stephan knew about this.

I have to call him. I quickly rang him and he picked it up as soon as it rings. Guess he was waiting for my call.

"Ariana?"

"Stephan, are you back?" I asked.

"Yes, actually I just got down from my private jet." He replied, oh so that explains all the noise at the background. "Is something wrong? I kept on calling you."

He just got home from Bahamas. I walked to my room and searched for some
clothes to wear. "How is your Mom?" I managed to ask.

"She is taking chemo." He answered. "I'll be returning in Bahamas in a few weeks. I just need to visit my restaurant...." there was a short pause then added. "And of course, I want to check how you are doing."

Inhaling deeply, I quickly felt like my mood lightened up and got comfortable hearing his words. "I'm not a kid for you to check." I was able to put a little humour in my voice.

Stephan laughed husky "You still can't take away my concern from me."

I rolled my eyes. "Shut up. I called you because I need you right now."

Then silence.

"Oh doll, I need you too. Didn't you know I haven't slept with someone since—"

"Not that, you idiot!" I snapped, couldn't help but to raise my voice then sigh to calm my self down.

"So you are saying you don't want me?"

"What? That's not what I meant." I snarled, my eyebrows are now frowning.

"So you want me?" He continued to tease me and I can sense the mischievous smirk in his lips right now.

I rolled my eyes. "Stephan, this is going nowhere."

"Just answer it, Doll. Do you want me or not?"

"Of course I want you!" I blurt out and I finally said it when o realisers that I want to take it back.

Jeez, wrong, Ariana. That's very wrong. This man is messing up with you and you are letting yourself be swept in the river.

"And you don't know how much I want you too, baby."

I mentally slapped myself and cleared my throat. "Stephan, I will be straight to you. The reason that I called because I want to meet up you."

"Why? Can't wait for me to reach you?"

"No. Just come to my shop before noon and I'll be waiting for you." I stated seriously and ended the call.

I have to put my feelings aside first and arranged this thing with Cliff. I have to find out what's going on then God knows where my life leads to.

I manage to style with myself a simple wide neck crop shirt and a baggy denim jeans. I want to keep it simple for today since I'll be busting someone out.

I didn't put too much make up but I just put on my favourite nude coloured matte lipstick and put a little foundation.

Then for my hair, I just kept in natural and loose.

I think I'm done so I grabbed my bag and left my condo to head off towards the shop. Stephan will surely be arriving in an hour so I better wait up for him there. That man is very impatient when it comes to waiting.

"Good morning, madam." My staffs greeted me as I entered my shop. There are many customers already so I just arrived in time.

"Good morning, everyone." I greeted them back as I walked towards my office to do my work as I wait for Stephan to come.

I received so many voicemails already. Some clients I have that wanted an appointment. Actually, I am supposed to be meeting an engaged couple tonight and they want me to make their wedding cake.

But I guess I have to cancel it.

An hour passed, I was doing something in my laptop when someone knocked on my door. It opened even if I didn't say it, revealing Stephan looking hot as always wearing a simple white printed shirt, that says Bahamas  and the sleeves were folded, making those arm tattoos be emphasised and black torn denim jeans.

"Now, why do you need me?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at me, walking towards my desk.

"Hello to you too, Stephan. You look handsome." I replied, sarcastically.

Stephan looked like he had seen a ghost at what I said. "Never in my life that I would imagine that you will say those things to me."

I groaned and stood up. "Cut the drama, Stephan."

Stephan just laughed. "Okay, fine." He raised both of his hand playfully then dropped them on his side. "What can I do for you?"

There is no more beating around the bush now. "No more games, Stephan. I know Cliff is hiding something behind my back."

The smile in his face got replaced by a scoff as he buried his hands inside his pockets. "You finally realised it."

"Do you know where he is right now?" I asked.

Stephan glanced at me. "Don't tell me you are planning to barge in wherever that asshole is."

"The heck I'm doing that." I snapped.

"Oh, feisty." He murmured, letting out a small laugh. "No, I don't know where he is right now."

"But you know where Jane could be."

Stephan frowned. "So you finally know the Jane part."

"What do you mean?" My head tilted on one side. "Wait, so you already know this? That Jane is in involved in this."

Stephan nod his head, avoiding an eye contact. "How much did you know?"

"I just found out that Cliff is not really in Morocco and he's just in the city." I blurt out, inhaling deeply as I recall the scenes that I saw.

"I tracked his phone but eventually, I was tracking Jane that time. She had my fiancé's phone in her hand then she even handed it to him personally." I explained, my voice was not as strong as I want them to be but I'm so close on stuttering. "Why Stephan? Why are Jane and my fiancé together? What are they to each other?" I asked, holding both of his arm, like I'm really begging him. And before I know, I'm already crying in front of him.

Stephan was just staring at me the whole time that I'm explaining. Like he is watching what my reaction is gonna be. But they softened as I begged him. Stephan sigh as he placed a hand on my cheek, using his thumb to wipe them my tears then gave me a heart warming smile like he was telling me that everything will be okay.

"Come with me." His voice was so smooth and gentle.

I gulped as he stepped back. His hand travelled down as his fingers brushed through my neck, down to my shoulder, arm then intertwined our fingers together.

"Ariana, I know this is not a good time for the both of us and for me to say this but..." he looked down at our hands and kissed my knuckles. He kissed each of it with tender as his lips stayed there for seconds before transferring to kiss the others. "I will make sure that you will worry no more after this. If I can just take away all those people that worries and bothers you, I will do it in a heartbeat."

I quickly felt the familiar tension and warmth that he always make me experience. My heart feels like it's burning from the intense fire that we are feeling. No one ever made me feel like Stephan is making me feel right now but,

I also loved Cliff. But not as strong as for Stephan. Cliff just made me feel safe and helped me recover. He also made me experience something that I have never experienced. Therefore, I am grateful that I had him in my life. In exchange, I accepted his proposal.

"And if Cliff is one of your worries...Doll, I will dispose him right away in any ways that I can." He whispered to me as he slowly leans his lips to my forehead and kissed it. "Listen, Doll. Once we are settle and no more Cliff and Jane in our lives, I want you to marry me."

.
.
.
"What?"

Is that a proposal? While I'm still engaged?

"But now is not the right time for me to go down on my knees and ask for you hand." He grinned happily yet still holding my hand then in an instant, his evil smile came out. "Now, come with me."

Before I could say anything, Stephan, takes my bag that was on the desk then grabbed my hand and dragged me away from the shop.

Now, where could this be leading?

To be continued

Hi I everyone! Before I could close this chapter, I just want to tell you that Jasmine and Rune will also be a part of the Dangerous Series. They might be Series 3. I'm still not updating Dangerous Series 2 but I sure will update it once this story is finished. So please wait for more and there will be bonus chapters as long as you support my story and keep on voting. Thank you so much for everything!