He told me he was filing for divorce and that I was the only one he wanted to be with. Stupidly, I believed him.
One night we were messing around and decided to make a sex tape on the private rooftop of the hotel we were staying in. It was no big deal, just a little fun.
About a month later, our affair was revealed. Even though I didn’t know it was an affair at the time. His wife showed up at my parents’ house where I was staying. She had found the video in Mark’s Cloud drive. I had no idea he never actually left her, let alone that they were still living together and carrying on with their normal lives while he lived another life with me.
Needless to say, she divorced him and took half of his money. Then, she sold the tape to someone who put a hefty price tag on it. It wasn’t about the money for her; it was all about getting Mark and me back for what we’d done.
My face was hidden in the video and I no longer have the bleach blonde hair I did then. Only my backside and nether regions were shown on-screen, but it was me—stark naked in six-inch pumps with my last name blasted all over the place, alongside the headline ‘Floyd Glasson of Glasson Waters’ daughter has affair with Billionaire, Mark Fenwick.’ It was shared everywhere. And by everywhere, I mean every social media platform, newspaper, and magazine.
Dad’s company and reputation really took a hit and it was all my fault. Well, somewhat my fault.
I’m almost positive that Niles Tanner, son of the infamous Richard Tanner, bought the tape from Betsy. Tanner Enterprises has viewed Dad’s company as competition ever since Dad refused to give my hand in marriage to Niles. I could never prove it was them because Mark’s wife refused to speak to me. I was obsessed with trying to prove it was the Tanner family behind this, so I tried to talk to her any chance I got. I went to her work, her home, and even her parents’ house. Eventually, she had a restraining order put on me. I didn’t blame her. I don’t blame her for anything she did. What Mark and I did was wrong. Even if I was under the assumption they were getting a divorce.
That’s when I left. I had no choice. Me being here only caused more of a rift in my family. Dad spent his entire life trying to keep his family out of the limelight, and because of me, I put us all front and center. My face was never exposed, thankfully. I can still walk the streets and most people have no idea who I am. I don’t need security at my side, and I never wanted it. I want to live a normal life.
In reality, I should have stayed away, but I can’t do that any longer. Dad needs me. This company needs me. And, I’m fully prepared to take whatever negativity is thrown at me for the sake of my family.
I continue on my way to the bar but stop when I notice a gentleman staring at me. He’s gorgeous. Tan skin, jet-black hair, and eyes that match. That’s not what catches me off guard, though. It’s his black fluffy eyebrows that are dipped into a v and the scowl on his face that leads me to believe I just did something to offend him. “Can I help you?” I ask with a crooked smirk.
He doesn’t respond. Instead, he turns back to face the bar on his swivel stool, picks up his small glass of bronze-colored liquid and swirls it around, clanking the ice against the glass.
Weirdo. A devilishly handsome one, but still weird.
I opt for a seat on the far end of the bar, where I’m not invading Mr. Groucho’s personal space. Unfortunately, it gives me a bird’s-eye view of him as he sits directly across from me on the opposite end.
“What can I get for you?” the bartender asks.
“Mojito, please.” I slide my card across the bar, but she leaves it sitting there, likely waiting to see if she needs to just run a tab.
Without a word, she walks away to make my drink.
The place is pretty empty tonight, aside from a couple having dinner at one of the tables and a few ladies having drinks on the couch on the south end. The jazz music gives the place a calming vibe, which is exactly what I was looking for.
I thank the bartender when she slides me my drink. Just as I lift the glass, bringing the straw to my mouth, I notice Mr. Groucho staring at me over the brim of his now empty glass. Old me would call him out. New me is going to just sit here and keep my mouth shut.
He orders up another drink then looks back at me. He makes no attempt to hide his gawking. Biting his lip, drumming his fingers against the dewed glass, he flashes me half of a smile.
Normally, I don’t fall under the spell of mystery men who flirt, but there is something about this guy that makes my heart flutter. Not just because he’s so attractive, but his smile. It’s seductive and sexy.
I take another sip of my drink then glance at my phone, wondering what’s taking Robby so long. I guess it’s only been fifteen minutes. I tap the side button to lock my phone and when I look back up, I notice the guy has fixed his gaze back on me. I quirk a brow, inviting him to say whatever’s on his mind. But he doesn’t say a word.
When a sliver of light breaks through the cracked door, the mystery man’s eyes slide away from mine. But I keep looking at him, waiting for him to steal another glance.
“Hey, pretty lady. You got plans tonight?” A voice comes from behind me.
It’s not an unfamiliar voice, though. “Robby!” I jump up and throw myself into his arms. “Wow.” I smirk, stepping back and taking in the body in front of me. What once was an overweight teddy bear, now stands before me as a fit, clean-shaven man. “Damn, Robby. You’re all grown-up.”
“Mmhmm, you’re just trying to butter me up since you never answer my calls.”
He drops down on the stool beside me and calls over to the bartender. “Scotch on the rocks, and whatever she’s having. Keep them coming, please.”
“I see that your business is doing just as fine as that body of yours.”
“Oh, stop it.” He blushes, sweeping a hand through the air. “But, if you must know, business is going great. As for the body, I’ve simply started a daily workout routine and cut out potato chips.”
“No, not potato chips,” I tease.
“Hey, it’s working so lay off.”
One of the things I love about my friendship with Robby is that we can go a year without talking and then go right back to where we left off. I also love that he doesn’t have a serious bone in his body. All my life I’ve been surrounded by people who are all work and no play. It’s part of the reason that all I wanted to do was play. It was boring being so well-behaved all the time. Still is, but my priorities have changed.
Chapter Two
Mira
I’m three drinks in and starting to feel the effects of the liquor that’s coursing through my veins. My eyes have been flirting with the stranger across the bar all night, but I’ve been so distracted by Robby while we catch up, that I failed to notice the guy left.
Robby excuses himself to use the restroom before we leave and I finish off my final drink. My head begins spinning, the booze hitting me all at once. I’ve learned that I have limits when it comes to alcohol and I’ve reached it. The last thing I need is a repeat of ‘the sex tape scandal of twenty-twenty.’
I call over the bartender, wanting to pay the tab before Robby arrives because I know he’ll try to pay it for both of us. “Could I get our bill, please?”