Chapter 2
Selena's POV
He grabbed me and kissed me again.
This time, the kiss was different.
It was deliberate, deeper and slow enough to set my pulse racing. His hand was firm at my waist, pulling me closer.
Then, click.
A blinding burst of light shattered the moment. How could I forget the—
"Cameras," I hissed, jerking back. My eyes darted to the far end of the hallway, where a cluster of paparazzi blocked the exit.
"We're cornered," I whispered, frozen.
Before I could move, a man in a black suit cut through the chaos, took my arm, and guided me to the service exit.
A sleek black car waited outside. The door opened, and I was ushered inside.
Pure leather, cologne, silence. And then,I saw him properly.
The stranger from the kiss.
Dark hair perfectly disheveled, sharp jaw, sharper eyes.
He didn't smile. Didn't apologize. He just looked at me, intently and unreadable.
Then he stepped out.
"Take her home," he told the driver. And just like that, he was gone.
I sat stiff, pulse hammering.
No apology? No explanation? Was he that arrogant? Or was he… flustered?
"Was it a mistake or was I just a stand-in for the woman he actually meant to kiss? Was that why he went in for another?
"Your address, ma'am?" the driver asked cutting into my thoughts.
I rattled off my street, then sank back into the seat with a stiff spine.
Jayden's POV
I wanted to follow her, to make sure she was okay. Every part of me screamed to.
But if I did, I'd only make it worse.
And tonight, I couldn't.
My parents had made it clear: stay at the benefit until the last glass of champagne was poured.
And I had already given them my word.
So instead, I signaled to my assistant. "Cameron Vale to drive her home. Make sure she gets there safely. Don't let anyone follow."
He nodded and left.
I stayed behind, champagne in hand, my mind nowhere near the glittering ballroom as her lips still burned in my head.
Selena's POV
The door slammed open.
"Selena Grace Kane, if you're not dead, you better start explaining!"
"Riley…" I groaned, yanking the blanket over my head. "What time is it?"
"Time to panic." She marched in, walking fiercely in leather pants.
"Dude,you're viral."
My stomach dropped. "What?"
She shoved her phone in my face.
There it was. The kiss. Everywhere.
The one I'd been trying not to replay in my head since last night. More intimate than I wanted to admit. I'd been completely swept away… and apparently, it had been the perfect show for the cameras.
I slapped a pillow over my face. "No, no, no…"
"That little red dress did you proud," Riley teased, plopping down beside me.
"Now spill. Who is he?"
"I don't know who he is. I have no idea".
"He kissed me by mistake, mistook me for someone else or something." I said sharply.
"Uh-huh." She smirked. "Kane, that kiss had plot,it was mutual and—
"Rileyyy—" I interrupted her.
"Steamy as hell." she hit back.
"Steamy? Please." I said eye rolling.
"Well, the internet disagrees." She scrolled.
HEADLINES: Jayden Ashford makes up with mystery woman with a steamy kiss after a fight.
Comment: "A man that knows how to handle his woman's emotions, even after the slap... PERFECT". She read aloud.
I froze. "Did you just say Ashford?"
"Yep. Page Six, baby."said Riley
"So I kissed—Oh God. I kissed an Ashford. That explains the cameras." I whispered, clutching the pillow.
"Bingo." She said excitedly.
"Not just any Ashford, but the only Heir to the Ashford Empire.Business tycoon and Billionaire tech.Not to mention the Ashford Industries which he owns practically runs half the city.".
And he's one of Preston & Moore's biggest clients," I muttered, dread sinking in.
"Shoot"
I lunged for my phone.
Twelve missed calls.
Three voicemails.
One from Vivian Monroe.
My blood ran cold.
My phone buzzed in my hand — a new message:
Vivian Monroe:
"Conference room. Ten sharp. You better be early, Mystery Woman."
"She's going to kill me." I swore under my breath.
"Let me guess, she doesn't love accidental make-outs with billionaires on company time?" Riley said.
"Nope she doesn't like that, at all".
Jayden's POV
Cameron flipped through headlines, voice tight.
"The media's spiraling sir. The kiss with your mystery woman is the talk of Manhattan.
"You need a statement before your parents get a hold of this sir."He added.
As if planned, my phone lit up. Mother.
"Good morning, Mrs. Lucille," I said.
Her voice was sharp.
"So,now you bring one of your flings to the gala? And put up a show, in front of Cynthia? Really? This is unlike you, Jayden.
I'd advise you put an end to it quickly to silence the noise before it gets to the board".
The thought of Cynthia's name on her lips made my chest tighten.
My mouth moved before my mind caught up. "She's not a fling Lucille she's— she's my fiancée."
Shoot. What did I just say.
"Your what— fiancee? Lucille said in disbelief.
Actually… I needed something to cover up the scandal.So… the fiancée. Perfect
I continued. My voice faltering a little.
" Yes. We've been dating for a while now.I didn't want to say anything until I was sure."
"Sure? When will that be? You already even proposed?"
I clenched my jaw.
"How about you introduce her to us. Invite her to dinner. Tonight." Lucille said.
I paused in shock. "Ermm".
This was the only way Lucille and Derek would finally let this issue die.
"We'll be there tonight, then." I said reassuringly.
"I'll prepare for your arrival". She said excitedly.
I stared at the dead line, pulse hammering. What the h*** did I just do?
"Cameron," I muttered, forcing steel into my voice. "
"Get me every single detail on the red dress girl now".
"Whatever happens…I must make her my fiancee tonight."
Selena's POV
Walking into Preston & Moore was worse than death.
Heads turned. Whispers followed me.
"That's her, the mystery girl".
"She kissed Jayden Ashford."
I kept my chin high, but my hands trembled as humiliation burned hot down my spine.
Vivian's office door loomed. I pushed it open.
"Good morning, Kane," she said sweetly. Too sweet. The kind of tone she used before firing someone.
Words spilled out of me. "Please, Vivian, I didn't mean to cause a scene or jeopardize our clients. He mistook me for someone else. The kiss was just a
stupid mistake."
Her smile didn't falter.
"But you kissed me back, didn't you?"
The voice came from behind.
The chair at the end of the room spun around.
And my heart nearly stopped when I saw who it was.