The sound of the steady rush of the shower coming to a stop could be heard as the man behind the sheer curtains stepped out, water he bothered not to dry slid from his hair, tracing lazy paths down his temples and along the strong line of his jaw.
Wrapping his towel around his waist, he slid his hand through the long fallen strands of his spiral curls over his head, letting them fall gracefully on his shoulders from behind.
His skin glistened, damp and warm, catching the light as water clung to him in small, shining beads.
His chest, his abs, his muscles all danced to his reflex movements as he made towards the dresser. He reached for the bottles lined on the counter.
Deliberately, he walked it over his skin. And when he was done, the mirror reflected someone composed, skin cared for, scent lingering quietly in the air clean.
Done, he poured himself a warm soothing tea.
After the first and second sip, he licked his tongue over his teeth, wiping clean every trace as he took a look at the brand name again, acknowledging the efforts they put in giving his muscles a new strength.
"Come in," His deep octave ordered on hearing a knock at the door.
Melvin in his classic casual look, slid through the door keeping his head lowered in a bow at his master before he barely held himself from ogling his features.
If he were gay, he sure would have done wild things with this guy whose framed chest could send even a man drooling over a thousand times.
"I can see you sold your tongue that you forgot to speak." Owen's sharp tone finally cut the drooling man out of his trance. "What did you find out?"
Melvin swallowed a sudden lump in his throat before getting his act together to speak. "Boss, your soon-to-be wife is ready to put up a scandal for herself just to make sure she doesn't get married to you. Right now, she has hired a man whom she's going to play the game with." He relayed immediately and watched a knowing smile appear on his boss's face.
Owen Vitmoz let the remains of his soothing tea sit in his fingers for a while before he began twirling it, letting the liquid play in the glass.
He knew Elowen Walker. He wasn't surprised to see her diverse ways to stop the marriage from happening. This was making the game more interesting.
"Who is this man?" He questioned, not letting his gaze slacken from the tea as if desperate to refill his cup till the brim, perhaps someone was going to help him achieve that.
"He is a nobody, boss. A random guy from the studio, probably must have been paid a million for him to agree to do that."
More smiles appeared on Owens' face, one that turned into a smirk. Hookers never minded the problem they might be getting themselves into, as long as money played the vital role.
Anyway, someone was indeed stirring a hornet's nest. And he will definitely enjoy it this time.
Melvin studied his boss's face for a while, it was on this kind of occasion that he had a mouth like a loose cannon. He forgot to pinch his mouth when it began rolling.
"I believe Elowen is not going to let herself be a bargain for the debt her father owes. Again, according to stories she had heard about you, stories you made the father and daughter believe in, she believes you to be someone the world is afraid to speak about.
I'm sure she is not going to back down in making sure she stops the marriage with someone like that. Ugly and scarred isn't a sweet description you know," Melvin was saying when glasses shattered in front of him, spilling the contents on the floor, one that brought goosebumps on his skin.
"If her father were a good man, she wouldn't have perhaps heard the stories. And most of all, she wouldn't have gotten herself into the marriage deal in the first place. However, there are sweet ways of paying the ruthless, and I'm going to use those ways on the Walkers." Owen probed, casually stepping over the shattered glasses as if nothing had happened. As if he had not purposely let those glasses slip from his hand.
Melvin tugged on his shirt smoothing it like it were in disposition in the first place. He knew his boss could be very dangerous with things even when he looked nonchalant at it.
"So how are you going to stop Elowen's plans from happening. The moment she does it and the news is out, that would be the end of her marriage with you."
Up till now, Melvin still doesn't understand why his boss chose to marry his enemy's daughter, of all people in the world. He would have chosen to punish the man in other ways. But he chose not to and decided on a marriage with his daughter Elowen instead.
Not just an ordinary daughter. One of the country A A-list actresses.
Melvin could only imagine the ruin it would bring to Elowen, one that would destroy her career if she imposed the scandal. He couldn't believe the lady could put up such a fight just to save herself from this marriage few days after her father had taken to his social media handles with millions of followers to announce the sudden engagement of his daughter and the wedding date already set to be in a few days.
But does she know that her actions instead of saving the Walkers, could only put them in more danger than she thought to save them?
"Who said I was going to stop the scandal from happening?" Owen stated, putting Melvin in shock at his boss's words.
If he let the scandal happen, then how was he to bring the walkers to their feet and make them pay for what they did to him?
"What...what do you mean, boss? You're letting her do it?"
Owen scoffed. "Letting the Walkers go is like letting the cheat slip through the cracks. The scandal will happen, but let's see who this is going to turn out to be in his favor."
Melvin's brows shot together as he tried to pinpoint what his boss meant.
No one in this world could surprise him more than Owen Vitmoz. He knew ways of dealing with his prey.
"Let me have the location," He ordered.
Melvin brows etched in surprise as he barely tempered his tension. There was no way Owen was going there himself. "Haven hotel. 340 Sand Hill. Time 9 pm. Room 1001. She had also planned to record the scene and put up the video as a leaked video later." Instantly, Melvin gave all the information to him.
"Interesting," Owen muttered as he processed the information.
It was time to have some more fun playing with his prey.
"Let's see who enjoys this game more." He checked his time, it was almost an hour to 9 pm.
"Bring the maid to clean the mess on the floor. I'll be home late." He ordered Melvin as he flipped off the half piece of clothing keeping the rest of his skin covered as Melvin almost snapped out of reality.
This man! He was indeed a god of beauty. Melvin's tongue flipped over his lips and thought that wetting them on those crystal backside would be splendid.
"What are you still waiting for?"
Owen's authoritative voice pulled him back to reality. "I ...will go get the maid now. Do enjoy the rest of your evening." Melvin hushed as he saw Owens now dressed in a gray shirt. Unbuttoned at the collar, it peeked out from beneath a long, dark jacket slumped casually over his shoulders, sleeves dangling empty like limp wings.
His trousers, a matching dark hue, broke neatly at the ankles, revealing scuffed leather shoes.
~~~
If Elowen had even gotten the chance to see the face of her arranged husband, then maybe she would have had a second thought about dooming her career.
But she hadn't. Not for once.
She only relied on stories she heard, stories that brought creeping fears to her since the day her father told her she was getting married to Owens Vitmoz. A man whose name made any ear that heard it tingle.
Stories had it that Owens Vitmoz was a man who barely showed his face to the public, living in a secreted mansion and doing deeds that up till now seemed mysterious to the people. Those who had seen his face, the story was never a pleasant one to tell.
Despite the scaring stories about how he looked, the man had kept his slate clean. No scandal. No dirty politics. No crime seemed to be recorded, yet whenever his name is mentioned, fear manages to creep down the neck of the people.
Owens Vitmoz.
The name alone brought crawling irritation on her skin.
There was no way she was going to be a toy to pay his father's debt by accepting a marriage with such a man.
She would rather end her long career than spend the rest of her life with him.
"Are you sure of this, Elowen?" Emily's eyes held doubt as she couldn't tear her gaze off her broken friend Elowen.
They stood in front of the Haven Hotel.
Ever since her father told her she would be getting married to the Vitmoz, her days have turned gloomy.
"I have made my decision, I'm going to proceed with the plans," Elowen said in a strong tone.
"But how sure are you that this is going to stop the marriage? You know how dangerous this could be. You know Vitmoz, what if he comes back for your parents and..."
"I'm sure of what I'm about to do, Emy. There's no way after the scandal he would push for the marriage. He was one proud man who kept his flawless reputation, clever enough to stay under the radar. If he ends up married to a woman who everyone believes sleeps around with several men, then his reputation would be tainted which I believe he would never let happen."
"But Elowen I'm scared. You just got into a new important debut, this will destroy your reputation, your lifelong career you had built."
"Well then, since there is no other way to save my family from the hands of this man, I will end his plans myself and bear whatever consequences it may bring." She said in an air of finality before taking a last glance at her friend.
"Don't worry, Emy. I will conquer this. The man must be waiting for me by now. We'll talk later." With that, she left her friend who watched her walk into the hotel. Elowen could see the pity and fear in her friend's eyes.
Emily was scared for her friend. Elowen was a woman who respected her dignity. But to do that which she hated just to save herself and family, it brought tears to her eyes.
The moment she stepped into the front office of the hotel, the receptionist lowered her head on seeing her while others ogled their idol.
She went to the particular lady. "I have a guest in room 1001?" Elowen spoke in a lower voice.
"He arrived a few minutes ago." The receptionist informed her, handing her the access card to her room. The moment she left, the doubt in the eyes of the lady did not go unnoticed by Elowen.
But she did not care.
She made for the elevator and in a few minutes, it dinged to reveal the five-star decor of a luxurious hotel corridor.
She identified her room and used the card on her door which unlocked at first touch.
She met him standing at the window side facing out the window.
Without hesitation, Elowen tossed her shoes and purse, but the man at the point was not making any move yet.
"Aren't you going to let me see your face?" She asked, not that she had the time for formalities or wanted any. She didn't care to know his name either but at least, it was important to know the face of her one-night stand to make sure to stay clear of him in the future.
The man finally turned to reveal his face.
At this point, Elowen could swear she lost her breath.
Broad-shouldered, his tousled brown hair falling just enough to shadow the smoldering silver-gray of his eyes, adding a casual yet sophisticated charm.
Face sharp and symmetrical, with a chiseled jawline, high cheekbones, and a straight nose, creating a classical, almost sculpted appearance.
At least, he was not bad-looking. She would rather sleep with this handsome stranger than marry that man.
"Let me see it," She said, voice coming out more like an order. However, he started taking commanding steps towards her. Surprisingly to Elowen, he tipped her jaw with his fingers and brushed the corners of her lips with his thumb.
"Are you sure about what you are about to do?" He asked, as if he had the authority to ask her such a question which made Elowen's brows knit.
"I'm paying you to have me for the night. Not to ask a stupid question. I'm not a kid to know what I want, so go ahead and do your job well." Slowly, she removed his hand from her face which his lips now pulled into a smirk.