Charlotte's POV

"Is it true? Are you back with Nathan?" My father asked as soon as I picked up the phone.

I bit my lower lip, thinking without knowing what to say. If the paparazzi didn't catch us, I would prefer to keep it a secret for a while. I didn't want to tell anyone about us before we got serious. If they knew that we got back, our families would put pressure on us which I didn't want. Actually, I was afraid of Nathan's behavior if our parents insisted that we took our relationship to the next level.

"No, Dad. We are just friends." I lied. Actually, it wasn't a total lie; Nathan was my friend as well, and our relationship... it was another story.

"Are you sure?" He asked, unconvinced.

"Yes." I mumbled and nibbled my lower lip nervously.

"Look, your mother's family with my family were almost enemies, but now we are married and have two children." He stated ironically.

"Dad!"

"You still love him, don't you?" He asked in a serious tone.

I bit my lower lip, thinking, and sighed loudly. "Yes. Are you angry?" I asked uneasily.

"No, he is a good guy. I like him, but I won't wait for a minute before getting my hands dirty if he hurts my precious daughter." He stated firmly.

I grinned, amused. "I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, my princess. Invite your boyfriend to the mansion for dinner. I want to talk to him man to man."

"Dad, please, don't scare him." I warned him as I understood this conversation wasn't going to be easy for Nathan.

"Don't worry. I will not kill him." He commented sarcastically.

"I know you, Dad."

He sighed. "Fine. I promise. I have to hang up now. See you later."

"Take care!"

After hanging up my phone, I went to the agency to grab my files before going home. This evening Alexis and I were attending a gala together. So I had to get ready.

Alexis's POV

I smirked cockily, resting my hand in my pocket as the door opened.

I traveled my eyes from head to toe and commented provocatively. "Such a sexy welcome."

She grinned as she grabbed my tie and pulled me inside, smashing her lips against mine.

I was leaning against the headboard, lying in the bed, running my finger up and down Rebecca's back.

She and I met at the nightclub when I came to New York three years ago. After going back to Athens, I kept in touch with her and visited her every time I visited New York. However, there was nothing serious between us; she was just my mistress.

I grabbed my wristwatch and checked the time. I sighed as I pulled back and got up. I had a meeting in an hour.

"Why did you buy the modeling agency?" She asked, wrapping the cover around her body as she sat up on the bed.

"I wanted to do something new. And this opportunity looked good. And I often use models in our advertisements. So it was killing two birds with one stone." I replied nonchalantly while putting on my suit shirt.

"She is beautiful." She commented uneasily.

"Who?" I asked, confused, looking at her.

"Your co-partner, Charlotte Wright."

"Hmm." I kept buttoning my shirt.

"Umm... Do you often see each other?" She asked uncomfortably.

I sighed and nodded, grabbing my jacket. "Yeah, we work together."

"Do you like her?"

He lifted my head up after putting on my jacket and frowned. "What are you getting at? Don't beat around the bush."

She sighed and resumed. "I saw your photo with her at the gala. You two looked so close."

I remembered how stunning Charlotte looked. She was so beautiful in her long red gown. She took my breath away when I saw her for the first time that night.

I cleared my throat and frowned. "We are just co-partners. Nothing more." I stated firmly and adjusted my tie.

"Good." She smiled brightly. "Nothing can happen between you two. She dates Nathan Carter. They were high school sweethearts, but they broke up. However, now they are back together." She added and gave me a knowing smile.

"Carter?" I raised my eyebrow after clearing my throat uncomfortably and ruffled my hair. "Carter... it rings a bell, but I can't remember." I rubbed my chin, thinking. "Is he Chad Carter's grandson? I met him at my father's office at the company when I was still in high school. They did a project together."

"Yes, he is." She nodded.

I cleared my throat and asked uneasily, rubbing the back of my neck. "How do you know she dates him?"

"There is a lot of news about them in the magazines. He is the heir of the most wealthy and influential family in the world. They call him a bright young heir." She replied, excited. "Didn't you really know about their relationship? Everyone knows about them. The paparazzi call them a golden couple." She added, raising her eyebrow.

"I don't read gossip." I stated dryly and frowned. I didn't know why, but I suddenly felt angry.

"Yes, you just read business magazines." She smiled as she got up and approached me, dropping the cover to the floor. She rested her hand on my chest and placed a chaste kiss on my lips. "I love you."

I sighed, pulling back. "Rebecca! We talked about it." I reminded, annoyed.

"I know. We aren't in a relationship, but I can't order my heart to stop loving you." She said sadly and stroked my cheek tenderly.

"Rebecca!" I heaved a deep sigh.

"I don't force you for anything, Alex. Your presence in my life is enough for me." She resumed and kissed me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

***

I placed my jacket on the couch and poured a glass of whiskey for myself. Finally, I was home. I felt so exhausted because my schedule was hectic today.

I sipped my whiskey, walking towards the couch, taking off my tie, and unbuttoned two buttons of my white suit shirt.

I sat down on the couch, grabbing my iPad, and  searched Charlotte and Nathan's name on the Internet, trying to find the article Rebecca mentioned.

Golden couple

I clicked on the article while sipping my drink. There was her photo with him while leaving the nightclub, his arm around her. Meanwhile, she was snuggling against him.

I breathed deeply and drank my whiskey, lost in my thoughts as I remembered the first time I saw Charlotte.

Flashback

A few years ago

Mykonos, Greece

I was talking on the phone with my friend, Omar, while walking towards my childhood friend, Markos' hotel. Omar and I were planning to build a luxurious resort in Dubai. It had been on my mind since I visited him there. It was a beautiful city which became one of my favorite cities.

While staying in Dubai, I met Omar's family, and they helped me to explore their culture and traditions. His family was the most well-known and influential family in the UAE. Omar was the Crown Prince of Dubai.

We met at our mutual friend's party five years ago and became friends. We got along well. He was one of the most trustworthy and compassionate people I had known in my life. I knew I could trust him blindly, and he would be beside me when I needed him.

After hanging up, I walked into the hotel. It was one of the best hotels in Mykonos with the magnificent sea view.

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion as I saw there was a fuss in the hotel; cameras, the people walking in a hurry and loud voices.

As I saw Markus far away talking to some man, I approached him, walking away from the bustling lobby as much as possible.

"Good morning." He gave me a warm smile and hugged me, tapping on my back.

"What is going on here?" I asked curiously after greeting him and placed my hand into my pocket.

"They are shooting a campaign for Bulgari." He informed, running his hand through his hair. "You have to see models. They are freaking hot." He added, smirking devilishly, and winked at me.

"You are hopeless." I shook my head and gave him a smirk.

"What can I do? I am a healthy man, and there are a lot of hot chicks in the world." He commented arrogantly.

I chuckled in amusement and shook my head.

"Who is she?" I asked as I saw a girl who was in a white robe. She had long brown hair and beautiful blue eyes, making me lost in it.

He looked in the same direction where I was looking, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Oh, she is Charlotte Wright. She is a model." He replied.

"Charlotte." I repeated her name without managing to take my eyes off her.

"I will be back in a minute." Markos informed me, tapping on my shoulder as the hotel manager called him. I nodded absently.

I was watching the girl, enchanted by her. She was so beautiful. Her angelic face, her smile. I couldn't take my eyes off her.