Tito had always heard that 'Divine Grace is unlimited and bountiful.' He had heard it from the priest at the temple who gave him free food. He had heard it from the volunteer teachers who used to come teach once in a blue moon. He had heard it from the grandma next door who was blind and abandoned by her own kids. He had heard it from many people.

The only problem was, Tito never believed it.

Because in the end, the priest who took pity on the poor and fed them was put to prison under false accusation. The teachers he thought were his friends left him once they put it on their social media. The grandmother next door tripped and died waiting for her kids who never came.

So why would Tito believe in something he couldn't see, touch or smell.

After all, Divine Grace didn't think twice when he got abandoned by his own mother and was left to fend for himself. And his drunk father sure as hell never looked after him. Tito had lived on his own from day one. He knew he wasn't like most kids his age. He understood that he wasn't blessed.

Hence he never thought twice that he would ever believe in things like fate or destiny. Not until today.

Today was somewhat different.

It was almost as if his luck did a complete U-turn the minute he decided to slip his hands around the wrong purse. Pickpocketing was an art. And Tito loved to think of himself as an expert; someone who excelled at pulling out other people's purses with ease. While he was highly skillful, there were still few instances where he got caught in the act. Instances like today where he could feel his heart leap out of his chest when the stranger's hand snaked right around his palm when he tried to take out the wallet.

For Tito, the aftermath of theft mostly involved getting thrashed by the police or a night in jail. So it came as a shock when he was allowed to go. Not only was he offered to walk free, he also got invited to grab a quick snack. 

Think about a thief getting invited to eat. Crazy, right?

Never in his wildest dreams had he thought that instead of getting punished, he would get the offer to walk inside a café. In a way he felt like he was getting rewarded for doing the wrong deed.

Tito smiled to himself in mock humor.

He couldn't believe he was sitting at a posh café with floor to ceiling windows, sipping iced tea for snacks. All his life he had only stared from the other part of the glass. Not for once had he thought that one day he would be the one inside while people on the street would pass him by.

This was all thanks to the stranger who brought him here. Dressed in a crisp gray suit and chinos, the man looked to be in his twenties or maybe older. A branded watch hung from his thin wrist while an iPhone lay silently on the table. His face looked familiar. Tito was sure he had seen this person before. The question was where.

"Why am I here?" Tito asked carefully, eyeing the stranger in question.

The man didn't smile or frown. Instead he pushed a menu towards Tito. "If you are not full, we can get something to eat. What would you like?" he asked. Or more like stated. His tone carried no emotion just like his face. This felt like another formality coming from him.

Tito pursed his lips. He had no idea what the man was thinking. "I don't have money to pay for it. Are you the one paying?"

The man gave a curt nod.

No words were exchanged further but it made Tito curious. Why would someone treat him to free food? Was it out of charity? Was it out of pity? While this wasn't Tito's first time being treated as a charity case, something told him the man wasn't here for charity alone.

Tito wanted to ask why but decided against it. Better get the food first before getting into business. His stomach was flipping left and right ever since he stepped into the café. The sweet aroma of cakes and coffee wasn't helping either.

Feeling extremely hungry, he eyed the beautiful leather style menu at hand. Rich cursive letters adorned its cream paper. With the little English knowledge that Tito had, he made out the words prawn pasta and white sauce. His senses were immediately hit with an image of jumbo prawns swimming in white sea. Tito couldn't help but drool.

"I will have this," he pointed at it, "And this," he pointed to a random name that looked expensive. "Also one more iced tea, please," he added cheekily.

The man opposite him didn't say a single word in protest. He only nodded and handed the menu to the waiter before ordering for both of them.

Now that was out of the way, Tito rested his eyes on the stranger. Raven black hair, chiseled chin, sharp midnight eyes, olive skin and a defined build. The stranger was attractive. Tito would give him that. Maybe fairly more attractive than all the men Tito had seen in his life.

"So why did you bring me here?" Tito circled back to the question he had initially asked in the beginning. He had no idea why someone would buy him free coffee, especially when he tried to steal from the other person and also had the luck to get caught in action.

"I need a favor from you," the man said, his voice as calm as water.

Of course, Tito thought bitterly. Nothing was free in this world.

"What do you want?" Tito said, garnering as much politeness as he could without showing any disgust.

The man in question produced a thin slip of paper from his inner pocket. Tito gazed at it curiously. It was a blank cheque. A signed blank cheque. Suddenly Tito had a feeling that his visit to the café wasn't as simple as it seemed.

"This is going to sound strange. But I need you to act as my brother for a year. The terms are quite simple. Act as Tito Acharya for a year and walk out with the quoted amount you fill in that cheque."

Did I hear that correct or did I just imagine it? Tito thought incredulously as Mr. Acharya continued to speak.

"Of course if you want more later, we can always negotiate it. And if you are not okay with using your real name, we can go with something you are comfortable -"

"Let me get this straight, you want me to act as your brother?" Tito interjected, "Not for a day or week but for a year?" He didn't mean to sound rude but his voice sounded more disrespectful than he intended.

"Yes," came the short answer.

Tito slid back in his chair, his brain still processing what he just heard. This has got to be a big joke, he laughed inwardly. Fate played a trick on him and now it was finally revealing its ugly side.

"I can assure you I am not joking," Mr. Acharya pressed, his eyes unblinking and his face serious. It was as if he could read what was on Tito's mind.

Tito could only smirk in return. He still didn't believe a word the guy just said but he was aware of the phrase 'Rich people have rich problems'. Plus it wouldn't hurt to humor the guy for a minute. Might as well squeeze some money out of it.

"Then give me the truth straight. Why are you doing this?" Tito asked rudely, not giving a shit what the other person felt.

"Like I said, I need you to act as my brother."

"I asked why, not what."

"I have told you all you needed to know."

Tito smiled wryly. Bastard.

"So you are not going to answer what I asked?" Tito asked, his eyes traveling the length of the expressionless face of the older guy. As compared to Tito's confused emotions, the other person looked perfectly calm. Like a stone in the river.

"I never said I would," the man replied, his eyes never leaving Tito's.

"I will tell you beforehand if this turns out to be some kind of twisted role play, then I am not your guy."

"Don't worry. You are not exactly my type."

~~~~~~~

A/N: Hey guys, I hope you like the first chapter. Don't forget to comment what you think about out Tito and his mysterious stranger.

If you find any mistakes, then I am open to suggestions.

Add this book to your library for future updates <3