Raffy's POV

Osvaldo pulled the limo into an alley. It was dark, and the lamp post was a good few meters away.

Moments later, the rear door opposite me, opened. "Get in!" a peremptory command from one of my securities.

"Alright, alright. Relax, brute!" came an acquiesced reply.

He shoved her inside. She stumbled over the seat across me. She hissed in silence as she cast the man a disgusted look. The door shut, and she mumbled a series of curses as she fixed the thin strap of her dress that slipped down her shoulder. She was wearing a very short dress, and she smelled alcohol. Disgusting.

I don't see anything that was interesting to her. I don't even remember that one sex that happened, that night she overstepped her boundaries. I shouldn't have ignored that presentiment feeling when she appeared into my office one day.

My hands clenched as the scene that day flashed in my head...

"Your Grace," came a sweet, flirtatious voice. I didn't look up as I continued reading a report. I just motioned her to sit with a wave of my hand.

When she shuffled towards the armchairs across my table, I tore my eyes off the paper and looked up. I met with two bright green eyes. Her lips curled into an inviting smile. "Thank you, Your Grace." She batted her lashes as she clumsily bowed, then occupied one of the gray leather armchairs.

After that night, I thought I'm never gonna see her again. "What brought you here, Ms?" I brought down the papers on the table and gave the woman an insipid look.

"Smith. Maye Smith," she smiled, rather a sly smile.

I cocked my eyebrow, leaning my back against the gray high back chair, elbows propped on the arms of the chair. I gave her an inimical gaze, and she looked suddenly stiff.

"What is this important thing you wanted to say? I am a busy man, I don't have all day!"

"I just want to say that I enjoyed our night together. I will never forget—"

Using my low, menacing tone, I cut her off. "As I have said, I am a busy man, Ms. Smith. And whatever happened that night, I have no intention of continuing it. And don't make an arrogate claim that enjoyed it—"

"But you did!" she interrupted as she shot up. She looked offended, but I'm not a fool to missed her eyes glinting with slyness. Just another social climber. "How could you say that, Your Grace?" Her misty eyes accusing me. "You seduced me, and then you just turn your back after?" she shook her head, and it is almost believable.

I clenched my jaw as I scowled at her. Such arrogate claim boiled my blood. I leveled her an inimical gaze. She sat back on the chair.

"I don't remember anything, Ms. Smith. As far as I remember, I passed out. Don't make such unwarranted claim," I scowled, and she just gave me a sweet smile that had my blood boiling in rage.

"But you did, Your Grace. In fact, your drunken stupor didn't stop your desire to take me on all four positions if I may say?"

"I'm not a fool, Ms. Smith—"

"Of course, you are not, Your Grace!" she interjected as she gave me an apologetic look, but I won't buy it. A broad smile graced her face. "But you cannot deny it. You admitted it to me that you never loved your girlfriend—"

Shooting up on my feet, I slammed flat my palms against the table, ignoring the burning pain erupted in my palm and hovered over my table, eyes glinting with rage. My muscles tensed, anger bubbled up, burning from within. My hands gripped so tightly that my nails dug into my palm as I stared at her with a dangerous threat.

"That's scurrilous attack on my integrity, Ms. Smith. I never said anything as far as I remember. So watch your word!"

She flinched in her seat, then quickly conceal her fear with a sneer. "Your Grace, I am not here to make an enemy. I just want to thank you for the time."

"By all means, you may leave!"

I sat back down, struggling to hold my temper at bay.

"Not until I get your yes for this event, Your Grace. Your presence will be of—"

My eyes darkened, leveling her a glowering look. "I have no time for any of your nonsense event, Ms. Smith. As you can see," cocking my eyebrows, "80 percent of the households of Pushkin depends on me. I can't afford to slack. I've got work to do."

She forced a smile. "Well, if you call the event nonsense, Your Grace, I call it, saving lives. It's not slacking." She cocked her eyebrow at me, looking so proud of herself as she pulled out something from her small purse.

She held out a small square card of what it seems an invitation in black and gold theme.

I was interrupted in my brooding when the car moved forward, and Osvaldo rolled up the privacy partition.

I caught Ms. Smith shifted in her seat, making a shuffling noise. My gaze focused on her as she straightened herself. Her gaze lingered on me, I could tell she was trying to adjust her vision to the darkness of the small confined spaces.

When the first street light illuminated the back seat, Ms. Smith's eyes widened. "Your Grace!" she gasped, her hand flew to her mouth, her eyes filled with fear.

"I think you already know the purpose of this talk, Ms. Smith. Do you know what have you done?"

"No?" she shook her head, my hands clenched tight with my jaws, staring at her with ominous contempt.

"Yes, you do!" Each words dripping with a dangerous threat. My face hardened, no traces of mercy. "I don't care about what the people would think of me. I don't care about anything." Only Natalia's acceptance. Pinning her with a dark scowl. "All I care about is the truth. And if you fail to rectify this lies you started, then you just made an enemy," I growled, clenching my jaw as I narrowed my eyes at her, slicing through her "of me. And you know what I'm capable of, Ms. Smith." My voice low, but filled with menace, even death would recoil. "And I have no mercy, especially to those who are a threat to me, and I will make sure, you will crawl on the ground." I leaned in towards her, in a threatening way, and she flinched. My eyes on her, like fire in hell, burning with rage. "You and your loved ones," I growled gruffly.

"I d-didn't s-said a-anything to the...to the media," she stuttered badly, her voice shaking.

I leaned my back once again. She's a damn good actress.

"But I will find out, Ms. Smith. Actually, we are heading now to Ms. Lebediv's house. And you will tell them the real story. If not, start looking for a place where my claws can't reach you."

"Y-Yes, Your Grace," she nodded her head.

Seconds later, the partition rolled down.

"Your Grace, Lazar is with Ms. Egorov. We are heading right now to Ms. Lebediv's house. They are waiting for us. The two lived in the same building, Your Grace."

I just shook my head as I crossed my thigh over the other, and drummed my fingers on my thigh.

.

.

Ms. Lebediv was the new Editor in chief after the 24 years EIC Of the magazine resigned and moved to London, now working in a bigger company. Interesting information, Ms. Lebediv, and Egorov are Maye's friends. Three women, working to ruin my life, and they were wrong to make me an enemy.

Three women cohorts, scheming my ruin.

"Your Grace, what a surprise visit!" Ms. Lebediv said after she recovered from her shock. Then she led us into the small space of her living room in her apartment.

Ms. Egorov was living on the second floor, while Lebediv on the third floor.

"I apologize for interrupting your resting, Ms. Lebediv, but we won't take much of your time," I said glibly. She nodded, fear crossed her oval face. She's about 5'6, with a thick body, mahogany brown shoulder length curly hair, brown eyes. While Ms. Egorov was thin, taller than most women, I have encountered. Almost 5'11 with straight honey blonde hair. She's wearing black suit pants, pink buttoned down shirt. She just probably got home from work, while Ms. Lebediv is on her jeans short and white loose shirt.

"Please, sit down, Your Grace." Her cheeks stained with a shade of pink as she looks away.

She motioned the red three seater couch and two armchairs that match the couch adjacent to each other.

"I won't take long, Ms. Lebediv, but thank you." I just gave a curt nod and motioned the two women behind me to occupy the seat.

They both silently shuffled to the couch and sat. I stood across Ms. Smith and Ms. Egorov, hands in my pockets.

"You might be wondering why I brought these two ladies here." I started, shifting my gaze between the three.

"Yes, Your Grace," came Ms. Lebediv's apprehensive reply.

"Good!" I said, dragging my eyes away from her. "Ms. Smith here will tell you the real story." I pinned Ms. Egorov with my cold eyes, a line etched in between my eyebrows. "And you Ms. Egorov will do the right thing," I said in a flat tone. Clenching my jaw, I shifted my cold gaze towards Ms. Lebediv. "As Editor in Chief, you should look into the legality of every information. I can sue the company for Libel. And you should know that the things I could do, it doesn't end there." Cocking an eyebrow at her. "This probably your last job." My expression hardened, and her terror overtook her face. Shifting my gaze at Ms. Egorov, the color drained from her face. "And so were you, Ms. Egorov."

She visibly swallowed as she traced her gaze at Ms. Lebediv, a haunted look in her eyes. The two shared a knowing look before turning it to Ms. Smith.

"Ms. Smith?" I called, clenching my jaws.

Ms. Smith looked up, she nibbled on her bottom lip. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, looking down on her lap as she ran her palms over her skirt. "I slipped a melanocortin I got from a friend on his drink, then provoke him that night..."

Her words sunk in my head, and I was close to strangling her to death. She drugged me? Though I had thought about it but ignored it later on. I kept my feet glued to the floor, sending her a cold, ominous look.

She shut her eyes, then opened it slowly, avoiding to look at any of us. She trained her eyes on her lap. "I'm sorry, I regretted it. I admit I planned it all. I was so desperate..."

Ms. Smith's words floated in my head as the scenes on that night replayed in my head...

"Your Grace, thank you for coming," Ms. Smith smiled as she handed me Champagne. I just nod my head and accepted the flute as I drifted my gaze to the woman next to her.

"Your Grace." The sandy blonde woman in a long black dress, with white sparkling beads around the low neckline of her dress, executed a clumsy bow. She's in her early thirties. "I'm Elyzabeth Lesia, Your Grace," she stuck her hand out, and I took it for a brief handshake. It was cold. "I am so ecstatic to hear that my friend Maye is acquainted with you, so I sent her to give the invitation. I'm glad you squeezed this event in your busy schedule," she gushed.

"It's an event for a cause, Ms. Lesia. I can't turn it down," I replied genuinely.

One thing I learned from my grandfather, never turned your back on someone that needed your help. We are born to help.

"Thank you," she smiled. She drifted her eyes to the new guest coming in, and she gave me a hesitant look.

"Go ahead, Ms. Lesia. I'll manage," I said, and she nodded her head and made another bow before dragging her feet away.

I took my first sip on my Champagne as I scanned the crowd. I've recognized a few. "I'll see you around, Your Grace," said Ms. Smith. Just then I realized she's still standing next to me. She followed Ms. Lesia, and I was left on my own.

I walked around, talk to a few men I've acquainted with. As the party goes on, a flood of animalistic desire had taken hold of me. My eyes couldn't stop raked up and down every woman in the room. I've noticed of their dresses which I didn't when I've entered the room, and a few hours ago.

"Your Grace," came a sexy voice, and when I turned, I saw Ms. Smith. My eyes rake her body. She was wearing a crimson red dress that complemented her fair skin. Her hair done fashionably, and so her make up. She looked sensational, and my libido increases.

I tried to fight over it. I looked away.

"Excuse me," I said and turned to head towards the washroom. I needed to do something before I lose my sanity.

The call of my libido is unyielding, my body tingled every time my eyes landed on a sexy woman.

As soon as I walked into the quiet room, I noticed that it was empty. I quickly entered the far cubicle end and decided to take a leak. I heard the door open, and I just ignored it.

When I walked out the cubicle and head towards the sink, I saw Ms. Smith leaning her back against the door.

I frowned deeply, but my eyes couldn't ignore her curves that her dress failed to hide. The hem only reached her mid-thigh, and her legs looked sexier on her high heels.

"You need to leave, Ms. Smith before someone walks into us," I warned, struggling to keep my thoughts straight. I washed my hands, ignoring my overwhelming arousals.

"You know, it's a shame that you have all the looks, wealth, but you lack in the bed," she whispered against my shoulder. My body hummed in desire as I met her eyes through the mirror. I saw sapphire eyes, staring at me filled with lust. "I've heard from a friend that you cannot perform. Is an oral enough to please you, Your Grace?" came her sexy voice but filled with mockery. Anger swelled up in me. "Does your girlfriend knows that you're incapable in bed?" her words blinded me with fury.

I whirled abruptly and pushed her against the wall, crashing her lips with mine. The feel of her soft skin had my testosterone reached its peak, and I lost all reasons. I fucked her, against that wall. As soon as my libido calmed down, I left the party, just when the Bachelor Auction was starting—filled with regrets...

My attention was snapped back to the woman yelling, catching severals words.  "...you had all of us fooled, Maye. You put us all in jeopardy!" Ms. Egorov's eyes narrowed at her, her face hard. Anger glinting in her cognac eyes.

"It's your job to dig deeper, perhaps hear my side of the story, Ms. Egorov," I said, patience wearing thin.

She bowed her head and replied in an apologetic tone. "I'm sorry, Your Grace. I've tried to get an appointment, but your right hand refused to entertain me, claiming you're a busy man and very private. I've learned that too from several people working in the publishing."

True.

I am a very private person, and I hate media.

"Point taken," as I nod my head. "But there are some ways to get information. I believed, any person who works in the media should be very resourceful. Are you telling me that you're taking your job for granted?" raising a brow at her.

She swallowed visibly, her cheeks reddened in embarrassment as she looked down. "Yes, Your Grace. You are right. I admit it is my fault. I believed Maye's statement, and so were the two other girls without making my own examination."

She fell into silence after her admission. Her apologetic statement didn't help diminished my anger towards her.

"I'll be making a press conference, and I want the three of you to be there and clean the mess you created," —taking my cold eyes off Ms. Egorov and snapped it to Ms. Smith— especially you, Ms. Smith."

Without waiting for their response, I turned on my heel and strode towards the door. Each stride held fury, I could feel every eye filled with terror, following my back. I smirked.

I could have told Natalia the truth since the beginning, but I decided to take matters in my hand, and now, it's out of control. It became complicated, just because I'm too egoistic.

It will still hurt her. A whisper at the back of my head.

Then Cliffe found out about it. He's Maye's cousin, and though he promised to keep it a secret, he never failed to give me hell about it whenever we met at the bar. And for some ridiculous men's ego, I got psyched from the idea that I can bed any woman I want if I wanted.

.

.

As soon as I got back to the palace, my legs brought me to her door. I slowed down when I saw her and William, too animated that they didn't notice my presence. I watched them as rage fueled me, my hands curled tightly on my sides.

William leaned in and stepped forward instinctively towards them, my body trembling as I stared at William with pure hatred, but come to an abrupt halt when I realized I wasn't in a position to feel angry with her. I quickly controlled my temper and shut my eyes tightly to calm my anger.

When I opened it, William was on his back, retreating. She was watching him with a confused look on her face, and jealousy blinded me.

"Natalia?" I called out as I strode towards her. My jaws tightened, anger roaring through me.

She let out a startled gasped as she swiveled around abruptly, and for a fleeting second, fear crosses her eyes as she met mine. Then, her expression hardened, and I tensed.

Stopping a few inches away, I looked down. "I was drugged," I said without thinking.

"Pardon me?" she asked, and I slowly dragged my eyes to hers. Her eyebrows knitted in apparent confusion.

"Ms. Smith slipped a drug in my drinks, the night I attended the Gala to raise funds for the foundation," I explained.

"So did you mean she raped you?" I flinched inwardly at the tone she uses. An obvious mockery. Of course, who would do that?

"No," I said, shaking my head. She raised an eyebrow. She doesn't look convinced.

"You lost consciousness and tripped over her vagina?" she quipped. It sounded hilarious to me, but she doesn't look amused, so I held my laughter. My lips twitching, fighting for that laugh.

"The drug makes you horny," I explained.

She let out a sighed, then shook her head. "Should we talk inside? I want to explain everything," I begged, inching forward. She just gave me a half shrug.

She sucked in her breath when I was only a mere inches away. Inhaling her sweet, intoxicating scent, my desire flickered to life, every inch of me craved for her, but I denied it.

"Good night, Raffy," came her soft reply and I panic.

I don't want to let her out of my sight. I missed her so much. "Can I have a goodnight kiss? You didn't deny William?" I sounded like a kid, but I couldn't help it.

.....

It's just a filler; I hope I'm not confusing anyone. I'll slowly explain any confusing statement in the coming chapters. Thank you for the constant support and standing by even if I was so slow in updating.

I'm trying to get more rest, since my husband and I, seek to have a baby. Though I haven't conceived yet, I'm trying. Sleep more if I could, and stay away from stress, as per doctor advice.

Thank you for the kind understanding.