Fake Marrying The Billionaire

Chapter 6: What's Your Poison?

When I called Charlotte for a quick makeover help, I didn’t expect her to come over with ten different dresses, a bag of different brands of makeup, and a determination to make me look like a completely different woman that would, quite frankly, turn heads.

“Charlie, are we going to take any longer? If you take another five minutes staring at me in this dress, I will probably have no more party to arrive at because it will be over.” I told her and she quickly shushed me.

“Stop disturbing my creative process, Sinclair!” She rebutted, using my last name so I knew she was serious.

A few seconds later, she clapped her hands together and finally looked up to meet me in the eyes. “You’re smoking hot. Like a goddess that has blessed us with her existence.”

First of all, I was mostly relieved she was finally done with her transformation of me. Second, there was absolutely no way I looked like what she was saying.

I didn’t know that the second I turned around to face the mirror, I would be eating my own words.

“Oh my god… who am I?!” I asked myself as I stared at my own reflection, shocked and completely in disbelief.

There was just no way that the person in front of me was myself, but at the same time, it couldn’t be anyone else.

“Impressed, huh? Next time I should charge you for my services,” Charlotte commented with a chuckle but I was too in awe at my transformation to comment on it.

We tried on nine other dresses, but I knew that this was the one. It was a simple long white dress with braided details on it such as the strap and the belt on the waist giving it a slimming effect and the open shoulder revealed just enough skin as well as the cut in the middle of the chest.

It was so simple yet so captivating especially paired with a silver necklace and my hair kept down with wavy curls and two braids at the side of my head.

Charlotte was right. I did feel like a Greek Goddess of some sorts.

“And the final touch…” My best friend went behind me and tied a white masquerade mask with lace details around it on my face, using the silky white rope.

“Now I really don’t look like me.” I commented, my hands coming up the edge of the mask as I stared at myself with my mouth agape in disbelief.

“Well, isn’t that the whole point of your festivities tonight? Be in disguise?” Charlotte asked rather rhetorically as she looked at me with a grin.

“You’re right and I owe you big time for being so quick to come here and help me. See you tomorrow for brunch?”

“You’re paying! Also, spill every little detail of tonight and your steamy weekend that you have kept secret from me this past week! I want details, Sinclair!” My best friend demanded just before she left.

Now it was just me and my new identity left in the comfort room.

Suddenly, my phone rang so loud I almost had a heart attack.

“Lily, where are you? I’ve already drunk like four shots and I need someone to trash talk about the moss monster with!” Elliot said on the other side as soon as I picked up.

I let out a light chuckle. “Be right there. I needed a quick makeover because I was informed at the very last minute that I was even invited.”

Elliot quickly denied blame. “Hey, you should be honored. New employees don’t get to enjoy this perk until they’re out of probation.”

He had a point. It’s exactly why I was very surprised I was suddenly allowed to go and Elliot wouldn’t say what changed. All he told me was that I was to go, no questions asked.

And man, the second I stepped into our floor, I was glad I was invited because the place looked spectacular. I thought I was transported to a club with the lights, the music, and even the mini bar.

Olympus goes all out, and I can definitely see that now.

“Hey, El. What drink is that?” I asked Elliot who was standing beside the bar with a glass.

He had changed into a dark blue suit and was wearing the same colored mask. Amidst the disguise though, it was easy to spot the most energetic-looking man with blue eyes and light brown hair in a crowd of not-so energetic people in their thirties and up.

“Uh, do I know you?” Elliot asked as he stared at me utterly confused. “Do you even work here? You are way too hot to be an employee. Are you a model?”

Wait a second. Did he not recognize me? Oh my god, Charlotte, what kind of black magic did you do to me? It’s amazing.

I punched Elliot gently on his arm. “Model, my ass. It’s just me – Lily.” I told him and it didn’t take a second for his eyes to become so wide, you could see his bright blue eyes pop from his mask.

“What the hell?! Lily?! You– you look… not like you!” He exclaimed in shock.

I feigned offense. “Oh, wow, thank you. That’s the kindest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

Elliot shook his head. “No, I mean– you look like you, but magnified, you know? Man, you took this disguise thing to the next level, didn’t you? How wasted are you planning to get really that you don’t want people to recognize you?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I didn’t really think about it like that. My friend just helped me and here we are, but now that you mentioned it, are you going to get me a drink or what?” I raised my brow at him and gave him a smirk.

“Your wish is my command, Goddess of the night.” He teased before ordering me a drink from the bartender that looked like she had forgotten to wear more clothes than her underwear.

A few minutes later, the music volume was lowered and everyone’s attention was turned to the man standing on the platform. The man being our boss, to be exact.

He looked… ravaging. Or was it just me that felt like ravaging him in that matte black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing every bit of muscle and vein on his arms?

It didn’t help that the plain black mask he was wearing gave him more of a mysterious vibe and something about his whole look just screamed danger.

Oh god, I already feel myself getting wet just looking at him.

“I want to thank the development team for being able to successfully finish Project Ace. Tonight is for you as well as everyone on this floor right now. Drink and eat as much as you want, but if you’re going to puke, please do it in the bathroom. If I see anyone ruin the grass carpet, I suggest you start finding a new job while you’re walking to the comfort room.”

Well, that went from kind boss to bosshole real quick.

Did I just come up with a new word? Hah. Bosshole, a mix of asshole and boss. That does seem a bit like him.

Not that weekend we spent together, though. He was definitely far from being an asshole then, but after that, in the office, he was truly ruthless. It was terrifying that it also became one of the reasons it was best to steer clear from his path as much as possible.

After our ever-so joyful boss’ speech, I turned to Elliot who looked to have already had more drinks than he could take. “Hey, when did Mr. Ares become so… cynical?”

Elliot shifted his head to me so quickly that he almost lost balance on the bar chair. Luckily, I was able to steady him as I held on to his shoulders.

“Ah, the million dollar question, is it? Why so curious, Lily?” He asked in a rather taunting tone as if he was trying to insinuate something.

“You are so drunk,” I commented and he giggled.

“Not enough,” he exclaimed before asking for another glass.

I know the alcohol was free and all, but a person has got to know their limits. Although I wasn’t the type to interject myself into someone else’s affairs so I kept quiet.

“You’ve never heard of Mr. Ares before, have you?” Elliot asked as he put most of his body weight on the bar table, thank god because then I wouldn’t have to be scared of him tipping over again.

“Before?” I asked.

“Before you joined Olympus. Sure, you heard there was a CEO, but you never knew who it was specifically, didn’t you?” He continued to ask and although his face was red from all the alcohol, he seemed like he knew exactly what he was asking me, giving off this pensive mood.

What was he about to tell me? Was he about to go into full detail on who Ares Callisto really is? Frankly, I was already all ears. Even after sleeping with the man twice, I didn’t even get his name that night. All I knew was that he was delicious from top to bottom and was a damn beast in bed.

I nodded slowly.

Elliot downed his other shot then slammed it on the bar just enough to make a loud sound, but not break it, making other people turn to us and I had to nod my head in apology.

“Dude, chill.” I cupped his hand with mine so he would stop pulling unnecessary attention to us.

He didn’t even seem to notice as he continued with his story, rather drunkenly at that.

“Rumor has it…” He whispered and I leaned in closer to hear him against the music on the floor.

He was actually a mob boss? A drug lord? Enslaved ten of his wives and twenty of his kids?

“Someone once broke his heart so terribly, he was never able to recover. Now he’s got all that angst and if there’s one type of man you don’t get in the way of, it’s a heartbroken one. Trust me, I’ve been there. I was left on the altar a few years ago and it may have been a stupid young adult impulse decision to get married, but god did it take me years to finally move on. Before that, I was just a mess. And not even the hot kind.”

My eyes blinked a few times as I stared at Elliot who I think just confessed something so deep and personal to me yet in a second, he was already acting as if he didn’t, getting another shot and drinking it in one go.

“Oh, oh, El!” I panicked when he tipped his head a little too far behind and I had to pray that my reflexes would be fast enough to catch him.

Just when I thought I would have to drag this man to the clinic, someone appeared right on time and got a hold of Elliot and managed to push him back onto the bar counter, his head nestling on his arms as he closed his eyes and somehow, fell into slumber in seconds.

“Mmm, Chrissy…” He mumbled barely audibly.

“Chrissy?” I repeated, confused.

“His ex fiancée,” the man that was able to help me replied and when I looked up, I froze as I was not expecting it to be him.

Fuck. s**t. Don’t panic, Lily. He can’t recognize you because even Elliot who saw you everyday didn’t. Charlotte did a great job hiding your true identity so there’s no reason to freak out.

Just act normal.

I cleared my throat and mustered a small smile, all while still stopping myself from getting into eye contact with him. “His ex? But he said he was over it? Over her?”

There was a light chuckle that escaped his lips. Not the kind that meant happiness. This one was… cold.

“Getting over someone and forgetting them isn’t the same thing.”

I swallowed nervously.

There was something about the way he said it and although I wasn’t looking at him, I could almost feel his gaze straight at me, so strong and so intense as if it would burn a hole right through me.

Suddenly, Elliot’s story about Mr. Ares didn’t seem so impossible now. The way he talked about how a woman could have broken his heart sounded unlikely for a cold man like Mr. Ares but what Mr. Ares said about getting over and forgetting felt somewhat… personal.

Maybe he wasn’t always this cold and cynical. Maybe… he was still a nice guy deep down.

“Mr. Ares, we have your special drink right here.” The bartender spoke up, pulling away his focus as he walked straight towards her.

I watched, not so obviously, as he walked with so much confidence, back straight and chin up, and talked smoother than a criminal.

“You must be the Angel of the night Nate was talking about.” Mr. Ares exclaimed as his eyes wandered from her eyes to her bottom, seemingly analyzing her whole body.

Wow, way to make him checking her out look subtle. He flat out eyed her up and down and if I’m not mistaken, took a second longer on her boobs.

Did I say he was a nice guy? I take that back. This one was a definite player, from head to toe.

The bartender quickly giggled at his comment. “Yes, my name is Angel. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ares.” She let out her hand to shake his, making sure to flip her cherry-colored hair and flutter her brown eyes at him seductively.

I’m sure it wasn’t hard for her to flirt with men and get what she wanted. With that body and her stunning looks, it was clear she was used to it. Mr. Ares was going to be a part of her adventures, just as she was going to be his.

I looked away, no longer interested to see where the night would go for them because it was obvious. I instead focused on the five foot nine man named Elliot that I would have to sober up before the night ends.

“Pst, El. Elliot. Wake up,” I started shaking him but he just waved his arm in front of me as if saying to leave him alone.

I let out a frustrated groan, realizing I was stuck with babysitting him. So much for that fun night I was expecting.

At least one of us was going to end up in bed with a handsome man.

I couldn’t help but steal a few glances while Angel continued to flirt with Mr. Ares. Was it curiosity? Or was it jealousy?

I bit my lip and crossed my legs as my mind flashed back to moments of my boss holding onto my wrist tightly against my bed as he thrusted into me, hard and soft, fast and slow. All of the above, pleasure building up more and more. I’ve never felt anything so good.

Hell, Damian never made me feel that good and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t craving more of what I had with a stranger back then instead of the man I had dated for two years, as much of a cheat he was.

I couldn’t deny it. I wanted more of… my boss.

Shit, snap out of it, Lily. How are you desiring a man that was blatantly flirting with another girl right beside you?!

He may be handsome, may be extremely attractive and smoking hot, but he’s trash. He’s–

“Next time wear more than just a bra and panties in my building. You may be bartending, but this is still a respectable place for work and I expect you to look presentable, too. That is if there will even be a next time.”

Out of nowhere, Mr. Ares turned cold and harsh, passing a long towel to the surprised bartender all while speaking in such a direct tone. There was no wonder the bartender looked so embarrassed because she must have thought she was already on the way to his arms. I thought the same.

Suddenly, Mr. Ares turned to me on the bar table and taken completely aback, I just panicked and froze as we looked at each other.

Oh, f**k. This was it. This was absolutely it. He’s definitely going to know who I am now. He was staring right at me!

Deep inside, in the middle of the acceptance of my doom also known as losing my job in a week, he did something I wasn’t expecting at all.

He took two glasses and raised them up in front of me, those striking gray eyes of his staring directly at me that I was easily mesmerized.

“Whiskey or vodka? What’s your poison?”

Oh my god, is he asking me to drink with him? Does that mean he didn’t recognize me?

Either way, you have to say no, Lily! You can’t drink with him. He may not have figured out who you are now, but he will if you stay around him. Don’t do it, Lily!

I knew it was a bad idea. I knew accepting his invite was digging myself a hole a little deeper.

But when he licked his soft and pink lips and bit it as his eyes pierced into mine, I think my carnal urges spoke faster than the logical side of me.

“Vodka… with a little bit of lime.”

He grinned, seemingly pleased.

-

Ares Callisto found it rather difficult to stay far from a certain employee of his.

Try as he might, it was as if turning to her desk and looking for her had just become his habit in the past four days she had been in his office.

And what a bad and dangerous habit it was.

Ares didn’t want to find himself curious about another woman. He didn’t need that distraction. To him, women were just a one night stand. A pleasure for a few hours and then nothing more after.

He had already broken three rules because of her –

One, when he slept over and had s*x with her the next morning. It was only called a one night stand for a reason.

Two, when he hired her. It was a risky decision, but somehow he still hasn't found it in him to regret making it either.

Three, when he had her invited for a company party. Contracts of new employees clearly state that they are only allowed to join company events after probation.

But all of it be damned because she was really, really making it hard for him not to break another one when she looked like that.

He had only arrived a minute ago on their floor, but it was not hard for his eyes to instinctively travel right to Lilith Sinclair.

Even with a white mask on her face, he was easily able to distinguish it was her. How? He doesn’t know either. Was it because his heart skipped a beat the moment his eyes landed on her?

Said action was definitely involuntary. Or at least that’s what he kept telling himself.

But there was no denying that she made that simple white dress look more stunning than any branded dress he has ever seen a woman wear, and the way her brunette hair flowed wavily behind her just did something to him.

Something very much should only be done after dark, or in the morning inside a less bright room.

“The All Ways dilemma has been solved, by the way. The cinnamon rolls did the trick,” he was informed and this pleased him greatly.

“Good. I expect the contract by Monday,” he replied to one of the managers in his contract department.

If things go smoothly as he expects, next would be another reason to have a party like this.

Simultaneously, an excuse to see one of his employees all dressed up again.

Speaking of which… Ares couldn’t help but look around, his eyes wandering the floor like an eagle searching for his prey that had left his sight momentarily.

And then he heard a loud thud on a table. It was Elliot, and her.

He didn’t take a second to make his way to where they were, but instead of sitting next to them, he chose to stay at the side. Not too far, not too close, just enough to hear what they were talking about.

Something about it made him feel his actions were slightly stalkery, but he kept telling himself that he was just deciding what to drink and coincidentally was hearing a conversation of two people in the bar area. That is all.

The mention of his name instantly heightens his hearing senses but it was what they said about him that made Ares harden up, like the said rumors triggered something in him.

He took a deep breath, counted to ten, and was back to normal. It was this method that had helped him avoid altercations for years. Fortunately, it worked every time. Who knows what would happen the next time it didn’t, though?

Ares was just meaning to stay silent, enjoying his employees talking about him at the side, but when Elliot, oh Elliot his ever so eccentric assistant, decides that gravity was not his thing tonight, Ares found his body just somewhat automatically stepping in to help.

He noticed the moment Lily realized who the man was in front of her, she panicked, freaked out, went nuts, all deep inside.

It was… cute. But Ares would be damned if he was to admit it.

Not wanting to seem all too invested, he quickly averts his attention towards the bartender whom his best friend mentioned to be a showstopper and of course, he was right. His best friend did know exactly what his type was.

A woman with double D’s, slim waist, thick behind, and lips that would be good for sucking. She was perfect for bed.

But not for him. Not tonight when he hasn’t stopped thinking about the other woman next to him instead.

Fuck, he thought. This has never happened to him. This wasn’t supposed to happen to him.

Years ago he made it clear that he would never be invested in any woman again. They were going to be merely a hobby, for lack of a better term. One that was only to be encountered during pastimes, but never to take up more of his time than it should.

But Lilith Sinclair was starting to get on his nerves for being so goddamn hard to forget and hard to resist all at the same time.

Before he knew what he was doing, he had dug himself a deeper hole as he turned to her and asked.

“What’s your poison?”

Ares saw the flicker in her eyes, the indecisiveness, the thinking behind her answer, but the moment she responded positively, something sparked inside of him.

He wanted her tonight; naked and moaning his name over and over again.

And he was going to get all of that.

No matter what.