eye lids to see Darius' glacier blue eyes peering at her.

"What?" she asked, masking the words between a yawn.

Darius said nothing but simply smiled at her. Nyla felt a bit self-conscious. She had washed her hair last night, so her hair was no longer straight but probably a curly mess.

"Your so beautiful," his fingers traced her collarbone, down her arm, to capture her hand.

Nyla felt herself blushing. She gazed at Darius, knowing that she was in love with him but too afraid to say anything else. Her phone beeped and she turned her gaze to glance at the date.

"It's your birthday!"

Darius scowled at her loud volume. "Are you trying to wake up everyone in the house?"

She gave his shoulder a nudge. "Don't be ridiculous, this house is massive. There is no way anyone is going to hear me."

Darius cocked an eyebrow. "And is that why you keep sneaking out of my room in the mornings?"

Nyla didn't say anything. It was true her and Darius shared a bed at night but in the morning she would flee to her room. She was already on Helena Robinsons' bad side and she did not want to fall further from her good graces.

"Stop distracting me, I have to give you your birthday present now."

"You didn't have to get me anything." Darius' arms snaked towards her waist and pulled her in close. His breath tickled her ears. "You wrapped in a bow would've been enough."

She ignored him because he was being foolish. He was her boyfriend. Of course, she needed to get him something for his birthday. She pulled up her phone and showed him the screen.

Darius' eyes nearly popped out of his socket. "Did you buy me another kitten?"

Nyla looked at his expression, unaware of whether he was pleased on not. "No, your going to be fostering her for the next few weeks but after that if you want to adopt her, you can."

She swiped to the next picture in which she was holding a cheque in front of a symphony orchestra. "I know how much music means to you, so I donated $15,000 in your name to a foundation that helps new musicians find their way."

Darius' grinned took Nyla's breath away. He leaned in to kiss her and Nyla forgot all about her morning breath in that moment. "Thank you so much, those are very thoughtful presents."

Nyla ran her fingers over his beard in a soothing motion. "I'm glad you liked it." Her fingers paused after she heard footsteps in the hallway. It seemed like people were up.

"I need to head to my room now," she whispered.

"Stay," Darius said softly.

Nyla shook her head. The last thing she wanted to do was to run into anyone exiting Darius room. She leaned in and kissed him. "Happy birthday, I'll see you at breakfast."

She opened the door, checking that hallway for anyone and scampered to her room, shutting the door lightly. Nyla leaned against the door, it seemed like she was safe for now.

♠♠♠♠♠♠

Nyla finished sending the last email before yawing. She glanced at the clock. She was tired but didn't have time for a nap. Darius' birthday gala was set to begin in three hours. Frowning, she located her phone to see if Darius' had texted her back after she'd ask him when they were leaving.

She was a bit disappointed when she saw there was no response. Right after breakfast, Darius' mom had whisked him away saying that she needed help with a few things for a gala. Nyla had kept her mouth shut but she'd wondered how a person could be forced to help for their own gala.

Ever since then, she hadn't seen him, and she ate lunch alone as well. The only bright spot in her day was when she went to see Lily. The girl remembered her and the two of them had played for a couple of hours until it was time for Lily to take her nap.

Feeling bored with anything to do in an empty mansion, Nyla spent the last few hours checking emails and ensuring everything was running smoothly back in New York. Now, she guessed it was time for her to get ready for the big event.

Hoping off the bed she moved to the vanity and began doing her hair. Normally, Nyla got her hair done by someone but because she didn't know anyone in Houston, she had to do it herself. She played around with a few styles before settling with a low chignon bun. Just as she was placing the last clips, there was a knock on the door.

"Coming," she called, placing the bobby pin into place before swinging the door open.

"Joseph," she said in surprise. "I wasn't expecting you."

The elderly caretaker smiled at her. "Your hair looks beautiful."

Nyla smiled right back at him.

"I wanted to inform you that Darius and Mrs. Robinson are back. I know you were quite worried."

Nyla sighed in relief. She had been quite worried when the two of them hadn't showed up.

"The limousine is set to come in about an hour and half so I would suggest that you finish getting ready dear."

"I will," Nyla said but before she could close the door, Joseph passed her a box of candies. "This will help calm the nerves."

Nyla thanked him before taking the box. She popped in a sweet lemon candy into her mouth before getting started on her makeup. It was clear that she needed to make a statement, so she took extra care in everything she put on her face from the foundation, to the liner and fake eyelashes. She finished the look with a matte red lipstick that went wonderfully with her skin-tone.

Setting her look with a mist to finish it off, she stepped into the dress hanging from the closet. Nyla looked into the full-length mirror to make sure she looked decent. Out of everything, the dress was her favourite. An Elli Saab creation, the midnight silk gown almost looked black. It had one strap going around her left shoulder, while leaving the other one bare. An intricate flower design hugged her torso and the dress shone and it reflected light. She put on her black Louboutin shoes and grabbed her gold clutch. Looking around the room once more, she made sure that she hadn't forgotten anything.

Feeling satisfied, she left the room and made her way downstairs. Darius was already present, wearing a black tuxedo that made her heart skip a beat. He was fussing around with his cufflinks when he turned to see her.

His mouth opened slightly before recovering and shutting it immediately. "You look stunning Nyla."

There was heat behind his words as he stepped in closer until Nyla could smell the wood and citrus cologne. He went in for a kiss, but Nyla stopped him.

"You're going to have red marks all over your face."

"I don't care," he growled before placing a small kiss on her lips which was broken by a small "ahem."

They both stepped away to see Darius' mother gliding down the staircase, much like she'd done the first day Nyla and come. Dressed in a champagne coloured gown, she didn't look a day over forty-five.

Her eyes cruised over Nyla and Darius, but she didn't say anything. Awkward silence enveloped the three of them before Darius broke it with a light cough.

"The limousine is here, shall we go?"

Nyla nodded and he took her by one elbow, and his mother with the other. Nyla was seriously impressed at how Darius was handling this situation but then again, he had years of experience being in the middle of conflict and knew how to navigate the treacherous waters. The three of them sat in silence during the car ride.

When it was time to get out, Darius helped out his mother first, and then turned towards Nyla who graciously accepted his hand. She looked up to see the ancient architecture of the building and immediately knew this place held history. Couples were arriving to the event already—it seemed like Helena Robinson had purposely arrived late to make an entrance.

When the ballroom door was pushed open, suddenly Nyla wanted to go in a corner and hide which was ridiculous. She was used to being the centre of attention however, these people were not here to judge her brain her business, but her relationship with Darius.

Eyes swung their way curiously as Nyla walked further into the ballroom. She did a quick scan to see that yes, she was the only brown person in the entire room. Extravagant dresses and finely pressed tuxedos seemed to be the norm. She was glad that she'd worn her designer gown, because it seemed like everyone had gone all out.

Helena pulled on Darius arm. "Darius darling, there are a few people I want you to meet. I'm sure they will be more than willing to donate to your charity event if you give them a moment of your time."

Darius looked hesitant to follow his mother, but Nyla gently shoved him. "Go, we are going to need the money for the carnival." She pointed towards the buffet. "I'll be over there, gathering a few snacks."

Darius nodded and squeezed her hand gently before trailing his mother. Nyla watched from the corner of her eye as he shook hands with various affluent people in the Houston society. She watched as somehow, every person that Darius' mother introduced him to, somehow seemed to have an eligible daughter. Nyla stomach ached. Darius' mother wasn't trying to help him raise money, she was parading him around, hoping that someone other than Nyla would catch his eye. She trusted Darius—but it was still disgraceful to see that her presence was being ignored.

In another time, this would be the perfect opportunity for networking however Nyla did not feel as though these people were welcoming. She felt like an outsider, looking in. She'd felt like that many times before, but she couldn't put her finger around what was so different now—why it mattered more.

She weaved around the crowd but just before she made it, she was stopped by a handsome blond man.

"Nyla, right?" he asked, his voice low.

Nyla looked up into his sparkling green eyes wondering who he was. "Do I know you?" she asked, clutching her bag tighter to her body. She didn't like the look he was giving her.

He stretched out his hand. "My name is Michael, I'm one of Darius' old friends from private school."

Nyla shook it, keeping the polite smile plastered on her face. "Nice to meet you." She glanced at him and he looked very much like the hundreds of preppy boys she'd seen at the college. No doubt his family came from wealth. His eyes glittered with something dangerous that made her hesitant.

"Would you like to dance?"

Nyla winced at the question, making sure she was careful in how she answered. Something told her that this man wasn't used to the word no. "I'm sorry, I'm not much of a dancer." Her eyes moved around the hall. "I see someone is waiting for me by the buffet table." She gave him another polite, distant smile. "It was nice meeting you."

Before he could say anything else, Nyla picked up the hem of her gown and made her way to the buffet table picking up a deliciously looking bruschetta. She plopped it into her mouth, enjoying the taste of the fresh goat cheese. Just as she was finishing the last bite, she heard her name being called again.

Sighing, she spun around to see someone whom she had not contact with in months—Marcus.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice was cold and foreign—a part of her hadn't forgiven Marcus for deceiving her. He'd lead her to believe that he would be investing in her vitamin line before pulling out last minute and letting her act like a fool in front of the board of directors.

"Darius is an old friend of mine from Harvard. He invited me tonight."

It seemed like everyone was friends with Darius these days. Nyla was shocked at the statement but didn't say anything. Instead, she moved towards the next appetizer quickly making the intention to fill her mouth with food so she wouldn't have to speak.

Marcus watched her fill her plate. "You're still not holding the vitamin investment against me, are you?"

She shoot him a look that made it clear that yes she was.

Marcus huffed. "You do know that the only reason I shot down your investment was because Darius called me and asked me to."

Nyla dropped the fish back on the plate and spun around so fast that she feared she might get whiplash. "What?" Her voice was at a much higher octave than normally and a few people turned around to glance at the two of them curiously.

Nyla ignored them. She was much more interested in hearing what Marcus had to say.

Marcus shot her a curious glance. "I thought you knew. Darius heard about the vitamin line and you shot him down. He knew the only way to get you to agree was by leaving you with no choice but to partner with him."

Nyla felt a sense of betrayal crawl up her body. All of a sudden, the bruschetta didn't taste so good anymore. She felt as though she was going to be sick. She couldn't believe that Darius had done something like that. She'd always been honest with him at every step of the way but to find out that he'd swooped so low in order to corner her made her sick. She'd trusted him, and all he had done was try to get the best financial gain possible.

Her head was spinning, and she mumbled, "Excuse me," before brushing past Marcus.

She couldn't breath. She felt claustrophobic in the gown with all the noise surrounding her.

She needed fresh air.

Stumbling past a few guests, she heard a few names, but she didn't stop. She walked all the way out of the venue and leaned against one of the pillars at the front. The air was humid outside, but she didn't care. She needed to think.

"She was such a fucking bitch."

Nyla was startled at the words as she thought she was alone outside but that wasn't true anymore. Still hidden behind the pillar she slowly turned to see who was outside to see a group of young gentlemen standing and smoking cigarettes. She recognized Michael from earlier.

"I asked her to dance and she stuck up her nose. Who does that bitch think she is?"

The group of boys laughed at their friend.

"Michael, you just got told off by a curry eating bitch." He leaned in close. "Be honest, did she smell like it?"

At that moment, Nyla knew they were talking about her. As much as she'd like to march up to them and straighten the record, she remained behind the pillar. Her confidence had taken a beating here. Darius mother didn't like her, the society didn't accept her, neither did Darius closest friends. She didn't belong in this world. She was tired of trying to carve a place in which the rocks kept tumbling over her.

"I don't know why he's dating her. Her face is the colour of dirt, must be her skills in bed. Megan's been trying to get together with Darius—they'd make a much better couple."

"Shit, I'd tap Megan myself if she wasn't so hung-over Darius."

Their conversation continued for a bit more before they walked inside. Nyla exhaled the breath she was holding before ordering a taxi to the airport. Her heart had been crushed on a day she'd been excited about for weeks. She didn't care if Darius wondered where she went. He had lied to her. She'd only come for him. She knew when she was wanted, and this place—it did not want her and neither did he. So, she was return to the place she called home, New York.

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Poor Nyla. Do you think she should forgive Darius? Thank you for getting this book to 3k reads!