Merry Deception: A Daughter's Revenge

An Unlikely Alliance

Soraya:

Yesterday, the worst Christmas of my life, had passed in a painful blur, and while I was really glad it was over, I wasn't so sure what to say to this stranger sleeping beside me.

I didn't even know his name.

Was it even necessary? I had to return to my suite. I knew it was the last thing I wanted, but I had no place to stay and thankfully, my mother had her own private suite. I could chase Tristan there and be alone for once in my life.

My eyes brimmed with tears, but the cold wind coming in from the window dried it off. Slowly, I pushed the covers to the side, but a shrill ring from the bedside table startled me.

The dark haired stranger turned and grabbed his phone, tapping against the screen before he turned to me.

My breath hitched at the sight of him.

How could anyone look so angelic in the morning? His hair, though dishevelled, made him roguishly handsome. His eyes, though sleepy, looked bright under the sunlight.

"Leaving so soon?" He asked, sitting up.

"I need to go back to my suite." I replied.

"That you share with your ex-boyfriend? Got no respect for yourself?"

His words stung. "That's none of your business. I shouldn't be here."

He grabbed his phone and showed me the text I wrote last night. "You remember this?"

My head ached badly, but I nodded. "Yes, I do. I am only leaving because this feels so wrong."

"It doesn't feel wrong to me. In fact, it was the best night I've ever had in a while."

"I don't care, Mr Whatever your name is."

"Maxim," He replied. "My name is Maxim."

"I don't care," I repeated and rose to my feet. "I need to go."

"Don't you want to make them pay for what they did to you?"

I slowed down and turned to him. "Why are you so concerned about me?"

"I am not," he rose to his feet, the sheets falling from his body. He stood in his naked glory, not even ashamed a bit. I tore my gaze away from him. "I am only disgusted by what they did and I think they deserve to pay for what they did. Especially your mother. She's a disappointment."

I couldn't agree less. My mother was an utter disappointment. She had always been, and yesterday was the last straw.

"And what do you think I should do?" I asked, my jaw trembling as tears ran down my cheeks.

He grabbed a sheet, tied it around his waist and made his way over to me. Brushing my tears away, he sucked it off his thumb and sighed. "Firstly, you would need a new boyfriend. It doesn't have to be real. They need to see that you weren't at all affected by what they did last night. And after that, you'll obviously make them pay. And I can do that for you."

I burst into laughter. "You're joking, right?"

"No, I am not. I am here on a holiday and looking for something fun to do. I'll invest all I have in making sure they pay. What do you think?"

I contemplated his words. It sounded like a good idea. Yesterday, all I had wanted to do was kill them both, but if he was willing to help, then who was I to say no.

"But we won't be dating for real, right?"

He nodded. "It's all going to be fake, don't worry. And once it's over, we can both go our separate ways."

I heaved a deep sigh. "Uhm, alright then. Where do we start? I don't even know how to pretend around my mother. She's my mother. She knows everything about me!"

He grinned wickedly, rubbing his hands together. "Luckily, I have a really nice breakfast dress. Why don't we get ready for the debut of our fake relationship?"

"Okay..." I replied. "But we have to pretend to be in love. How are we going to do that?"

He grabbed the back of my head and kissed me so deep I almost melted. When he pulled away, I took a step backward. "It's not going to be hard. You're an attractive woman. I know you think the same about me. Get dressed, breakfast will soon be over."

Nodding, I took a quick bath and slipped into the dress he provided. It was a cream colored breakfast dress, the perfect fit for my body.

I was still unable to wrap my head around everything that had happened yesterday. From walking into my mother and ex, to having a one-night stand with a stranger.

"You ready?" He asked, looking impeccably dressed in a simple pair of linen shirt and pants. It didn't stop him from looking like a model that just stepped out of a magazine.

I nodded and took a step towards him. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he pulled me to his side and pressed a kiss on the side of my head. "Don't forget, we're putting on an act. You have to be believable. I don't have a problem with that because I am an actor and very good at separating my emotions. Don't fall in love with me, beautiful woman."

"My name is Soraya," I replied in an annoyed tone. "And I just got heartbroken, I don't think I am capable of falling in love with you...or anyone else."

He nodded and we made our way out of his suite. My heart thumped against my chest as soon as we got to the breakfast hall.

I noticed the eyes on him. It wasn't just women fawning over him and looking like they were starstruck, the men were also staring and smiling in recognition. I could also see that they were struggling to remain in their seats, like all they wanted to do was flock around him.

Who was this man?

"My, my, if it isn't my beautiful daughter, Soraya," my heart sank as soon as I heard her voice. I was filled with rage, so much pain I couldn't even contain. But I was ready to attack.