The city of New York was drowning in a relentless thunderstorm. Cold rain lashed against the glass windows of the 'Emerald Club', one of the most elite clubs in Manhattan. Inside, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the chaos outside. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a warm, golden glow on the rich and powerful people sipping their expensive champagne.
Ava Brooks wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. Her feet were aching in her cheap black flats, and her waitress uniform felt too tight. She had been on her feet for twelve hours straight. Every muscle in her body screamed for rest, but she couldn't afford a single break.
"Just three more hours, Ava. You need this tip for Mom's medicine," she whispered to herself, trying to find the strength to carry on.
As she was heading towards the kitchen with a tray of empty glasses, she saw a group of men in dark suits rushing through the service entrance. They looked dangerous, their faces hidden under shadows. Panic flared in her chest. She had heard rumors about underground deals happening in the private suites of this club.
Suddenly, a loud commotion broke out near the main entrance. "Where is he? Find Liam Moretti now!" someone shouted.
Ava's heart skipped a beat. Liam Moretti? The billionaire tycoon? The man known as the 'Ice King' of the business world?
In the confusion, one of the suited men grabbed her arm. "You! Did you see a man in a gray suit?"
"N-no, I didn't see anyone!" Ava stammered, her heart racing like a trapped bird. She jerked her arm away and ran. She didn't know where she was going; she just knew she had to hide.
She turned into a dark, secluded hallway on the third floor, where only the VIPs were allowed. She saw a door slightly ajar at the end of the corridor. Without a second thought, she pushed it open and slipped inside, locking it behind her.
The room was pitch black. The only sound was the heavy thumping of her own heart. The air inside was thick with the scent of expensive sandalwood, cedarwood, and something metallic—like blood.
"Who gave you the permission to enter my suite?"
The voice was deep, raspy, and dangerously cold. It sent a shiver down Ava's spine. Before she could turn around, a large, powerful hand grabbed her waist and pinned her against the cold mahogany door.
Ava gasped, her breath hitching in her throat. She could feel the heat radiating from the man's body. Even in the dark, his presence was overwhelming, suffocating yet strangely magnetic.
"Answer me," the man growled, his face leaning so close that his lips almost brushed her ear. "Are you one of them? Did they send a girl to distract me?"
"No! Please... I'm just a waitress. I was hiding from the men downstairs," Ava pleaded, tears stinging her eyes.
A heavy silence followed. Then, the man reached for the light switch. As the dim amber light filled the room, Ava's eyes widened.
It was him. Liam Moretti.
But he wasn't the polished billionaire she had seen on TV. His white silk shirt was unbuttoned at the top, his hair was disheveled, and there was a dark bruise on his jaw. His eyes—piercing, icy blue eyes—were staring into her soul.
"A waitress, huh?" Liam smirked, his gaze traveling down her exhausted face to her trembling hands. "You picked the wrong room to hide in, little waitress. Or maybe... the most expensive one."
Liam Moretti didn't move. He kept his arm locked around Ava's waist, his gaze scanning her face as if searching for a lie. He could smell the cheap soap on her skin, mixed with the scent of rain. It was a sharp contrast to the expensive perfumes of the women he usually dealt with.
"Please, Mr. Moretti," Ava whispered, her voice cracking. "I don't know who is chasing you. I'm just a waitress at the Emerald Club. My mother... she is in the hospital. I need this job. I can't get into trouble."
Liam's icy blue eyes softened for a fraction of a second before turning cold again. He released her suddenly, stepping back. He walked towards the window, looking at the street below where the paparazzi and his rivals were waiting like hungry wolves.
"You need money, and I need a solution," Liam said, his back towards her. He sounded more like a businessman making a deal than a man in danger.
Ava blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
Liam turned around, a sharp, predatory smile on his face. "My grandfather's will is simple. I only inherit the Moretti Empire if I am married. My enemies know this. They are trying to ruin my reputation so the board of directors can kick me out."
He stepped closer to her, his towering height making Ava feel small. "Marry me, Ava Brooks. For six months. I will pay off your mother's hospital bills, give you a luxury apartment, and ten million dollars when the contract ends."
Ava's heart stopped. Ten million dollars? It was enough to save her mother and change her life forever. But at what cost?
"Why me?" she gasped. "You could have any woman in New York."
"Because you are a nobody," Liam said bluntly. "No scandals, no greedy family, and most importantly... no one would ever suspect that the great Liam Moretti married a waitress for love. It's the perfect cover."
Before Ava could answer, a loud bang echoed through the door. Someone was trying to break in.
"Decide now, Ava," Liam gripped her shoulders, his eyes intense. "Either you walk out that door and face the world alone, or you stay by my side as my wife and never worry about money again. Which is it?"
Ava looked at the door, then at the man in front of her. She thought of her mother's pale face in the hospital bed.
"I'll do it," she whispered. "I'll marry you."