My driver takes me to the airport. To my utmost horror, a navy-blue Aston Martin is parked in the middle of the area. The figure leaning to it... I can recognize it even in impossible situations.

Just as the car halts, I throw open the door and climb out.

Spencer doesn't even bother to push himself off the hood of the car, only looks over his shoulder and a smug smile curls his lips as I storm to him.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I stand in front of him and cross my arms.

He shrugs. "You're five minutes late."

My mouth hangs open as I silently fume.

"I believe I told you I'll be joining you," he pointedly adds.

I close my eyes and inhale deeply to get a grip over my temper. "Why are you making things ridiculously hard for both of us?"

"Am I?" he feigns surprise, drawing his brows together and tilting his head to one side. "I'm just ensuring you don't cause trouble for us."

I grind teeth and fist my hands, inhaling slow deep breaths through my nose. "I'll make you regret messing with me," I mutter, jabbing my index finger at him.

Spencer, at last, pushes himself off of the car's hood and locks his eyes with me. Taking a large stride towards me, he closes the space between us. "Do your worst, though don't expect me to be surprised, because I wouldn't put past you to do anything. But don't forget, if you punch me, I'll throw a harder punch."

He walks past me. "You think I don't know you'll try to dig up William's dirt too? That you'll try to figure out how he reached this information?"

I spin on my heels and stare at his back as he heads straight to my jet.

"Gracie, you're too predictable. It's almost boring," he pauses and turns around. "Why are you standing there? Did you change your mind now that I ruined half of your plan?"

I press my mouth into a thin line and march past him, but not before declaring, "Anything is fair in war, and you asked for it yourself."

He chuckles as he follows, staying one step behind me.

With my chin held up, I climb up the stairs leading to the jet. It's a lie if I say I didn't think about finding connections between these shady people we're about to meet, and William.

I hate how well Spencer knows me. I have to change tactics. He's serious about not letting William suffer any losses because of me... but if I don't make him my shield in the battle between me and Ben, it might cost me too much. Not to mention I'm damn sure once this is all over, William will come after my business to ensure I don't become a prominent rival, a threat to Judy Corporation.

I take the seat furthest away from the door and buckle myself up, fixing my gaze out of the window on my side.

Spencer chooses a seat on the other side of the jet, the one facing me.

With a huff, I roll my eyes and fold my arms over my chest. This trip can't end fast enough.

For the five long hours of the plane ride, we successfully ignore each other and don't get into another round of argument. I busy myself with going through my company's documents and contracts, profits, and losses while Spencer does whatever the hell he wants on his laptop.

I sense his gaze on me from time to time, and I can't resist not looking at him either. Sure, now I hate his guts and everything, but damn. These years have only made him hotter. In the past five years, Spencer has aged like fine wine. He was handsome five years ago, he's breath-taking now.

Not that I should notice these sorts of things about him.

He's the man who left me, who didn't even bother to understand and try to forgive me. All because of his stupid ego.

When the jet lands, it's five in the morning, the sun has climbed its way up past the horizon.

Once we're off the jet, a silver Porsche is parked in the area. I survey the grounds of the airport as I descend the steps.

"Why aren't there any drivers? Where's my car?"

"I canceled yours," Spencer nonchalantly says just as we reach the ground.

Gaping, I spin and face him. "What the hell!"

He shrugs and walks past me. "Stop being so dramatic," he mutters as he opens the car's door.

"You had no right to do that!" I yell, throwing my hands up, not caring that the man carrying my suitcase is already throwing an odd glance at me. Well, fuck him.

I tap my foot, waiting for him to answer. Instead, he bends into the car and pushes a button. The car trunk jumps open.

"What am I supposed to do now?" I huff, gripping my clutch as I march to him.

He stares at me blankly, slowly pushing his glasses up his nose, never looking away from me. The movement reminds me of the hundreds of times I've seen him do it in front of me five years ago. My heart clenches painfully. A sudden wave of sadness and longing washes over me, but I hold on to my glowering expression.

"Are you stupid?" he asks at last.

My mouth opens and closes with surprise.

"You can get inside the car, or even better, you can hop back on that jet of yours and go back. The choice is yours."

I ball my hands and glare at him. "I'm going to make these two days a living hell for you. Mark my words," I snarl and saunter to the passenger side, aggressively pulling the door open. I get inside the car and slam the door shut. Huffing, I pull out my sunglasses from my bag, wear them before crossing my arms in front of my chest.

The trunk softly closes and a beat later, Spencer rounds the car and gets behind the wheels.

"The address." He throws a sideways glance at me as he brings the engine to life and sets the car in motion.

Cursing him under my breath, but loud enough for him to hear me over the soft hum of the engine, I fish out my phone and give him the address. As he enters it into the GPS, his gaze keeps flicking to my hand, more specifically to my left hand's empty ring finger.

Long minutes of utter silence tick past us. Until we're far away from the airport, I can no longer see my jet.

"Aren't you supposed to wear that ring at all times?"

"Now you're going to snitch on me? Tell William Gracie didn't put on her ring?" I fire back.

He lifts a shoulder. "No, not William. I have someone better in mind." A small smirk tugs the corner of his mouth, and my brows furrow.

"Who?"

He glances at me before focusing on the road ahead. "Amanda... or maybe Kristian, and Amanda."

I purse my lips. "Asshole." I shift on my spot and face the window on my side in a feeble attempt to turn my back on him, and not see his stupid face. As if that's possible while being inside a car.

Intentionally, "I forgot," I grumble.

The ring is too big and heavy... well, not physically. The weight of responsibilities and the promise of a not-so-bright future it carries, is suffocating.

I'm tempted to inquire if he's truly planning on telling them, but my pride is not letting me. I refuse to show any signs of weakness to this asshat.

I shift in my seat and readjust my position. I've been to Vegas a few times and there's nothing to see at five in the morning. The highways are empty. Spencer is quiet. I didn't sleep last night and I have nothing to do. Most certainly, talking with Spencer is not even an option. No matter how hard I try, eventually, my eyes grow droopy and I slip into a light sleep.

Once the car halts, it wakes me up. Blinking with confusion, I look around, taking in the hotel before us. I rub my forehead and stretch my arms in front of me.

From the corner of my eye, I study Spencer's furrowed brows as he remains focused on his phone.

Not able to contain my nosy brain, out of sheer curiosity, I question, "Is everything okay?"

He curtly nods and tabs a few times on the screen of his phone before pressing it to his ear.

I shake my head and survey the entrance of the hotel, hoping to spot my lawyer, Sophia, but she's nowhere in sight. My lips tug downwards. She's the one who told me to be here early and now she is late. Ugh.

"Hi-" Spencer abruptly stops, his feature twist with annoyance. I can't help the ghost of a smile appearing on my face.

Unabashedly, I turn and watch him.

"Okay. No. I told you... yes, I'm on a business- why the hell would you ask William?"

I bite my bottom lip, trying hard to hear what's going on at the other end of the line, but it's useless. Though, I'm sure it has to be Julia.

"That makes no sense! Don't you trust me?" he irritably counters to whatever she's saying.

I snort and bite my bottom lip, earning a death glare from him.

"No, why would I lie to you? I told you she's out of the picture."

She? Who?

"No, I haven't," he grumbles and leans to his seat, pinching the bridge of his nose with his free hand. "Because it's a business meeting! Have I ever asked you to join yours?" Spencer presses his mouth into a thin line. "You're being unreasonable. You know what? It's too early in the morning for this. I'm done. I'll talk to you when you're ready to communicate like a fucking adult." He hangs up his phone.

"Ooo." I plant my elbow on the dashboard as I grin at him. "Trouble in the lovely era of being engaged?"

"Shut up, Gracie." He clenches his jaw, fixing his glacial gaze straight ahead of him.

I giggle and lean slightly to him. "Who is this girl Julia is worried about? So, you did turn out to be a player after all." I wiggle my eyebrows, and he glowers at me.

"Why do you care?" he lifts a brow and turns to me. His dark blue eyes set on me, glinting with challenge.

I shrug. "I'm just curious."

He nods in an exaggeratedly slow manner as though saying 'don't lie to me'.

I hold up an index finger. "I have a trillion more important things to do, think, and care about than giving a flying shit about who you sleep with. Because, unlike you, I have a life of my own."

He scoffs. "You sure about that? Because marrying someone for some stupid business contract doesn't seem that much of a 'having a life' to me."

I narrow my eyes. "At least, I didn't get back with my ex just because one relationship didn't work out. That, is a different level of pathetic." I plaster a fake sweet smile at him before throwing the door open and climbing out of the car.

Spencer follows suit after a long moment and once he's out, I glance at him from the corner of my eye. His features are pinched together in anger and I can't help but be satisfied. He's the one who started it after all. What else did he expect? He'd question my life's decisions and I wouldn't do the same?

Slowly, I make my way to the hotel's building. It's considerably small, the walls are washed out beige and it's easy to guess it's way below five stars. I curse Sophia for choosing such a third-class place. Silently cussing out my luck, I ascend the few steps leading inside. I scrunch up my face as I scan the depressing lobby, with ugly brown armchairs on one side and a lone desk with millions of cracks on its surface, on the other side. The receptionist is half asleep, with her bleary eyes glued to her phone's screen.

With a huff, I slide my curled hair behind my shoulder and bring out my phone.

Spencer watches me with amusement, his arms are folded in front of his chest, showing off his toned forearm muscles.

I shoot him a glare before unlocking my phone and scrolling through my contacts. Just as I reach her phone number, a squeaking sound against the ugly brown tiles halts me as Sophia saunters inside the hotel. Her dark brown hair is pinned atop her head in a tight bun and she's opted for dark blue jeans and a black short-sleeved shirt. Now I look ridiculously overdressed, with my white loose pants, silk top, and a Prada bag. Internally, I facepalm as I shuffle my feet.

"Rae!" She waves at me and I narrow my eyes on her. Ignoring me, she plasters a wide smile and stops a pace away from us.

Her gaze darts between me and Spencer a few times before finally settling on me. "You made it," she cheerfully starts, making me glower at her. "I'm Sophia." She offers her hand to Spencer and they shake hands.

"Spencer," he mumbles, retreating his hand.

Sophia arches an eyebrow and throws a confused glance at me and I subtly raise my eyebrows, as though telling her not now.

Sophia shifts her weight from one foot to another. "You told me you're coming alone and don't look at me like that. This hotel is the closest to all the places we want to go."

"I thought I was coming alone," I grumble, sideways glaring at Spencer.

He ignores my comment and shoves his hands into his trousers' pockets.

"It's okay, but the only problem is, apparently there's a game or something, and they only had one room here. And I had to book my room in another hotel," she pauses and glances at Spencer. "Which, again, had only one room." She turns to me and presses her lips into a thin line as her brows furrow.

I blink a few times at her and glance at Spencer before fixing my gaze on Sophia. "One room here and one room there." I wave my hand at the entrance door, indicating the other hotel.

Sophia nods.

"Well," I begin and face Spencer. "Looks like you don't have a room, bye." I grin at him.

He only stares blankly at us as though thinking of what to do. After a long beat, he pays me no heed and asks Sophia, "Under what name did you book the room?"

"Gracie's."

He nods and walks off to the receptionist's desk. I roll my eyes and tighten my fingers around my clutch.

"Don't ask," I mutter under my breath, making Sophia giggle.

"He is William Wright's older son?"

I nod, not taking my eyes off Spencer as he talks to the receptionist.

"He's hot," she whispers with a smirk, as her gaze zooms in on him.

For a flash, irritation flares up in me, so strong it tempts me to snap at her and gauge out her eyes for ogling him. I grind my teeth and lift a shoulder, desperately trying to hide my unjustified annoyance. "He's engaged," I utter through gritted teeth.

Her smirk vanishes, and she heaves a sigh. "Too bad, otherwise I would have offered him to sleep with me," she titters, and I force a smile that only turns into a grimace while my blood boils.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

He's engaged to Julia and he can sleep with anyone he wants, I don't give a flying shit about him. He's not the man I used to know. He's only a pain in the ass now. Then why am I being so bothered by Sophia's comment?

Lack of sleep!

Yup, that has to be it.

Spencer returns with a key, and I raise my eyebrow. "Got yourself a room?"

A smug smile curls his mouth. "No, I got you a spare bed in my room."

My nostrils flare as I push down my nails into my handbag's strap, trapping the screaming building up in my throat with clenching my jaw.

"You what?" My voice shakes with rage as I mutter.

The smugness in him only grows as he raises his eyebrows and holds my glare with ease.

"Well, that problem is solved, at least," Sophia awkwardly says, making me look away from Spencer, but not before cursing him out and earning a harsh chuckle from him.

After a hotel staff takes out my suitcases from the car and leads Spencer and me to our considerably small and shitty room, the three of us head to the center of the town for a quick breakfast.

During breakfast, Sophia runs us through her plan. Which consists of visiting all the places William has found to be connected to Mason's accident. Hopefully, one of them should have valuable information.

The only good thing about this two-day trip is, I won't have to suffer being with Spencer alone. Sophia will be with us and it should prevent us from further arguments. This damn trip really can't end fast enough.

❦ ♥︎ ❦

I hope you enjoyed this chapter (vote if you did), the next one is going to be interesting, obviously xD and comment your thoughts! =)

First off, happy holidays, I hope you had a lovely Christmas. I'm sorry for not updating. I think the phrase 'double updating' has been cursed for this book lol.  Allow me to explain myself:

I wanted to stop writing Color me Cerise because no one was reading it and I thought it'd be wiser to focus on this book only. But exactly 1hr afterward, 3 people began reading it :') yes, the irony XD so I kinda have to manage these 2 together :')

My second reason for not updating is, a plotline I had been putting off ever since halfway through The Solution wouldn't get out of my head to the point, I couldn't focus on any other story of mine, I love the plot and the characters of that story (it's bloody fantastic, everyone cheats on everyone lmao, and the ending? fucking epic!):") Cherry on top of everything, I came across this song (you guys probably know it, especially those of you who have TikTok), and I was like, hey I want to check out the lyrics =))))))) Not 1 verse over and I was hit by this fan-fucking-tastic romcom story idea! The inspo was sooo damn hard, I came up with a title, a blurb and chose the name of my MC :") I'm gonna be frank with you guys, I love these 2 ideas, but I can't start them. So I'm really struggling with focusing on my WIPs. 

And 3rd: if you missed my announcement yesterday, I do not live in a country that celebrates NY and Xmas :) I have a midterm and a final tomorrow and my actual finals start in about 10 days :") so I really can't make any promises for the next updates.

Well, that's about it. I hope you guys are having an amazing time. Thanks for reading this story, it means the world to me <3

Stay safe, lots of love, happy reading ♡