t what favor her father might ask of her. It couldn't be anything too bad or harmful, could it? She knew her fat

at to wear. It was already eight in the evening, and Rona had texted, saying they were already at the party. She was the only one

d I get the address wrong? She checked again, but no, this wasn't it. The thought of being lost in an unfamiliar place made her stomach churn. She turned her car around,

. It was Rona, c

ice blared through the call, drown

r phone and realized her battery was nearly dead. Panic set in. She couldn't ask for help. She couldn't even reach

to wait-hopeful that

driver's attention. But the car sped past without slowing. She sank back into her car, feeling the minutes drag on, the silence deafening. Another hour went

this time, the car slowed to a stop. She ru

yes caught the car-an exquisite McLaren Speedtail, sleek and powerful, its value beyond anything she could imagine. A $2.24 million price tag for a car that could reach 250 mi

hrough her thoughts. "W

ice trembling. "I... I need a

man put the car in motion. She tried to steady her breathing, still unsure of who this stranger was or what his intentions might be. But at that moment, all she wanted was to le

mask?" She couldn't s

business," he

ankful that he had helped her. Before she realized it, they had already arrived at her house. She n

? Get out. We're here," h

en for a moment, confused. Why was he entering her house? She hadn't invited him in. Was he going t

f her parents and several guests. And there, in the middle of the c

rby noticed her. She smiled at Gyp

darken. His eyes swept over her-from head to toe-before narrowing. She suddenly felt self-conscious. Her outfit, which had seemed fine for a casual

here," her fa

e grabbed her arm and led her away fro

k at your outfit-what will the guests think? They'll think you're not a pro

e best for you. You need to settle down no

spered, feeling a kno

that, come down and join the guests," he said

ide her. She headed to her room to change into something m

earance more dignified, and joined th

he best choice for the future of our c

ed and filled with laughter. The two of them seemed to be enjoying

motioning for her to sit beside her. Across from her,

about you. And you're so pretty," she complimented her. She didn't know if sh

he takes after me," her mother proudly

Lily Mortel, your future mother-in-la

dropped. She turned to her mother,

n, Mom?" she asked,

rld. The joy was evident in her mother's expression, in the way her face lit up. But Gypsy was fr

parents in front of their guests. So, she hid her confusion behin

this. She wasn't ready for marriage. And yet, she couldn't bring herself to

e was hidden, his presence was overwhelming. There was something about him-his posture, his demeanor, his aura-that screamed

react, she couldn't deny the pull she felt tow

ring? She was beautiful, after all. No one could resist her charm.

tel, your fiancé," Mrs. Mortel

th embarrassment as he just looked at her coldly, raising an eyebrow. The nerve of him. Was he angry because of the lies she ha

e tension, and it seemed like she was

ed and acted like n

tel said reassuringly, but Gypsy could tell from Drake's actions that he wasn

forced into this, pushed to marry her for the sake of business. If he didn't want her, then fine.

ened, and during that time, she had learned a few things about her family's past dealings with the Mortels. To her shock, her father and Drake's father were close friends. They had arranged the marriage years ago, but when the Mortels suddenly di

e "settling" he had been talking

to happen so late at night. She excused herself, saying she needed to get some air. She couldn't relate to the

rms brush against her. She turned around,

sked, her voice betraying

agnetic about the way he spoke, something that sent a shiver down her spine. His gaze was intense, and

ced this before with any other man. His presence alone made her feel things she had nev

ciprocated, his hands roaming as their kiss deepened. It was intense, passionate. The cold night air seemed to disappear as their bodies grew warmer. She could

ve. But, surprisingly, she didn't regret it. If anything, she was proud of herself for taking control. And the fact that Dr

her would stay in the Philippines for a month, but since everything was settled, they changed their pl

hari, was a blur. It wasn't physically tiring, more like an orientation, so s

cus on her modeling career. Melissa could easily fake the number of hours she worked, but Gypsy was determined to learn. She re

d, but he hadn't made any effort to contact her since then. She wondered when she would see him again. Night after nig

time she heard his name at Jed's party, and since then, Drake had been on her mind constantly. She even asked her parents why he hadn't contacted her. They sim

s she used to date. She was used to getting whatever she wanted, and she had plans to make this relationship work. Drake

s, and it would be tough, but she could handle it. No boyfriends. No hanging out. Jus

Maybe it was time for Gypsy, the playgirl, to