Claudia Walter was the heiress to one of London's top business firms. She wasn't your cliché rich girl who only cared about the latest runway fashion (even though she wore nothing but the latest collections) and was rarely seen anywhere near a scandal, which was why when our so-called engagement was announced, it made heads turn.

Claudia was the definition of power wearing classy Loubatons which wouldn't hesitate to kill anyone in their way, so you can imagine her rage when she realized what her father had agreed to and that the man in question happened to be none other than the reckless Ethan Pharaoh.

We made a few public appearances at some fundraisers for some attention but they always included either one of us hurting the other. It would either be her digging her heels into my shoes or me pretending that she didn't exist only to suddenly drown her with affection if anyone caught us.

I knew how humiliated she had felt when the deal was made. Claudia wanted o branch out and start her own line but her Father was against it saying that it wasn't fit for a woman to take on all of that responsibility despite the fact that she had singlehandedly helped raise their place on the market numerous times.

So the only thing we had common was a vendetta against our Fathers.

Austin had mentioned that she'd be home and I took the opportunity to quickly catch her off guard before she got on her private jet to the Maldives. Believe me, it's happened before.

As soon as I was received at their mansion, I made my way outside knowing that she would try to escape. Her room opened to a balcony that had vines growing up them which she sometimes used as her escape route whenever I came around. I carefully hid beneath it and waited for Rapunzel to let her hair, well in this case her foot down the vine and just like clockwork, the doors to the balcony clicked open.

A scuffle of leaves and some grunts helped me understand that she was almost down so I decided to shoot the first round of fire,

'You're getting sloppy', I said making myself known and watched with glee as her head turned so fast that she lost grip and fell facedown.

'Shit, Pharaoh! What the hell?!', she groaned as she got up and I chuckled not even trying to help her up.

'Let's just say we're even for the time you pushed me into the Buckingham fountain', to which she responded with her favorite finger.

'I gave you enough time to escape, what were you doing up there? Oh my, don't tell me you've got someone up there', I grinned.

'What are you here for, Pharaoh? I thought you left the country', she said dusting off her jeans, uninterested at my taunts

'A favor', and she paused in mid-air.

'A what?', she asked her eyes becoming wider but they held suspicion more than confusion.

'One last scandal to put an end to your misery', I grinned.

'The only way my misery is going to end is after we get married just so I poison your afternoon tea and show up at your funeral dressed head to toe in Channel with your inheritance in my pocket', she smiled.

'Is that how you were planning to end us?', I asked putting my hand over my heart to show how hurt I was and even added a small frown.

'That or I throw you under a bus'.

I couldn't help but chuckle at how we both felt the same misery because of the stupid deal.

'Keep your murderous fantasies for the poor bastard who's going to end up with you', I smirked and that caught her attention.

'I thought you were that bastard', she pouted.

'I'm giving you a one-way ticket out of this trap, do you want it or not?', I asked rolling my eyes at her.

'What is the price?', she asked squinting her eyes as if she was trying to actually read my mind.

'You brilliant acting skills', I replied and watched her face light up like the Cheshire cat.

An hour later we sat at one of our usual publicity stunt cafes and as if on cue, I could already spot some paps. I wondered if these people had anything else to do if it meant chasing people like us when we weren't even actual celebrities.

'You're giving me these?', asked Claudia and I turned my attention back to her.

I had given her the file with all my photos with Salome, hoping that she would use them as leverage to get herself out of the engagement.

'I want a way out and this is the easiest one on the list', I sighed and watched as she went through the photos again but this time she looked concerned.

'This could make you a scandal again, Ethan. Your Father would be furious if he found out', she frowned.

'For someone who just talking about poisoning my tea, you actually sound concerned', I scoffed but she shook her head at me.

'I want this as much as you do, Ethan but I also know what it feels like to be seen as a pawn and nothing more, even by your own Father', she scowled, 'Besides, I don't hate you, I just don't want to marry you'.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her confession which earned me a sharp kick from underneath the table.

'Claudia, I appreciate your concern but honestly, don't worry about me. My Dad already knows I'm out to break this and using this won't really be of a surprise to him', I sighed.

'Why are you really doing this? Is it because of the girl in the picture? Are you really dating someone?', she asked still unable to wrap the situation around her head.

'We're not dating but yes, I like her, and I if I plan to date her, I need to make sure that there are no secrets. And, it's not just about her, I want it back', I said and looked up at her.

'Are you actually going to take it back from Nicholas?', she asked stunned.

'It's always been mine. I took a break and now I want it back'.

'I never trusted Nicholas, he's too greedy even though he's brilliant', she frowned.

'I plan to change it as soon as possible, so will you help me or not?', I asked hoping that she would agree.

Claudia sat back in her chair and then after a minute said, 'The second you're back in the race, I want you on my side' and I grinned at how she had turned it into another business deal.

'Spoken like a true businesswoman'

'Says you and the rest of the world', she sighed and I smiled sympathetically at her.

'Your Father will understand someday, just don't stop. You're a worthy opponent for anyone in this sector', I said to which she raised her glass to say,

'Here's to screwed up Fathers', and I happily toasted to it as well.

'I will make sure to blur her face. I don't want her to be used as a pawn in our bloody world', she said as she put the file in her bag.

'I would appreciate that, thank you'.

'But seriously, who is she?', she asked curiously.

'Someone I regret hurting', I sighed.

'Why must you always be a Nicholas Sparks novel?', she scowled shaking her head.

'I am not that dramatic'

'Your first girlfriend-' 'Okay stop', I said quickly and she grinned, 'You must really like her to do all of this'.

'She means everything to me right now', I smiled and she sighed but then shook her head as if she was not sure yet,

'Must I really do this?'

'It's either this or I die from a bus', causing her to laugh but she took me off guard by flinging her drink into my face along with the ice cubes that struck me hard.

'Was that necessary?', I gasped as I grabbed a tissue and tried not to lose my cover because everyone was looking at us now.

'You wanted my skills, drink 'em up mummy boy', she laughed and sashayed away leaving me prey to the numerous pap cameras that I had to pull my shades out due to their blinding lights.

I groaned as I struggled to walk away and ignore their questions along with the stares of the public if this didn't work as planned, I had just humiliated myself for no reason.