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Chapter 1

Kylie's POV

I had never been particularly fond of rain. Of all weather conditions, I considered it to be the worst. And of all days for it to rain, it just had to be this one.

I hurriedly walked into the house from the parking lot, it was the family gathering and I have not attended for the pass 3years after I got divorced with Mark. Lately, my life had been such a downward spiral. I got a job and came back to California after I got a job from one the most popular organization in the States.

My hair was slightly wet and my clothes were not better. All I wanted to do was just get back to my apartment after this gathering, take a hot shower and watch a movie while snuggling into a warm blanket, but I hope I would get a new dress from Mom or my sisters.

Before I knew it, my feet dragged me along to the short line formed in front of the main entrance of Dad's study. Soon enough I was there, Mom was giving order to the maids for a black coffee since that was what some of the guest were requesting.

But when had my life gone all wrong? I came to California straight after high school because it had been my dream since I was a little girl. I even got accepted into the university and graduated with honours in Health and food management.

Don't blame him for it. You're the one who decided to marry that control freak at the age of 20.

"Here's your coffee." one of the maid said to a guest who didn't seem too happy, well that makes two of us.

Having being brought out of my reverie, I quickly greeted Mom and headed to grab a coffee. When I turned to leave, I ran straight into someone, spilling my coffee on them by mistake.

I gasped in horror. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry." I said, rubbing my hands on the obvious stain on the stranger's shirt. And shit, it looked expensive.

"No no, don't worry about it. Accidents happen."

I froze immediately. I knew that deep, husky voice. In fact, I'd known it for years.

Please don't let it be him. Please don't let it be him!

I looked up and my eyes met very familiar gray ones. Oh no, it was him!

I gulped. The room suddenly felt hot and uncomfortable.

"H-hi, Mark." I stuttered unceremoniously. Well that was smooth.

"Kylie? Is that you?" He voiced, his face donned with surprise.

His beautiful steel eyes gave me a once over.

"I can't believe it's you. I thought you left the city. How long has it been, two years?"

"3 years, to be exact." I corrected.

Apparently it couldn't have been longer. The fact that I had just spilt my coffee on him dawned on me once again.

"Shit, I'm sorry I spilled my coffee on you. I was just-"

"Don't worry about it." He said, shrugging.

"It was an accident, plus you have always been a clumsy little thing." He chuckled lowly, earning a scowl from me.

I stood there helpless as we spoke quietly almost going as far as whispering.

"I'm going to grab you some food" I said into Mark's ear before disappearing and going in search for food. I decided to grab him some of pasta and a few spring rolls.

On my way back I bumped into Betty. "that's a lot of food, I doubt your Ex would want you getting fatter" she said moving her eyes down to the plate of food.

"can't have Mark, my love getting fat again" she said laughing to herself.

Years back this would have affected me, but her words mean nothing to me now, I and mark were divorced and I don't care about his body or anything that has to do with him. She was older and mature which spoke volumes before but knowing that I don't need to stand here and let her judge me.

"Do you get tired of being a bitch Betty. Because we are all waiting for the day you finally mature and stop judging everyone" at my words she just rolled her eyes.

It just wasn't worth it.

"5 minutes more and Mark would be ditching you for me, infact else he haven't told you we are together, so don't get all confident now" she said smirking.

Betty seemed to think she won this conversation swaying her hips as she walked away.

She wishes.

There's never a dull moment in these family gatherings. I made my way back into the lounge where I saw Mark getting on with my grandad.

I stood by them handing Mark his food. He wrapped his long arm around my waist, even though I was angry with him and we were divorced, but I had to pretend because of my granddad

"My father has a vineyard out there, I try and go when I can because it's a beautiful country" Mark continued his discussion with my granddad as he ate his food

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Since when do you joke? Last time I checked, you were always so brutally honest."

"I was just kidding," He held up his hands in defense.

His smile instantly fell.

"Wow, I see you haven't forgetten about the past. Kylie, for goodness' sake, it's been 3 years!"

I scoffed.

"3 years isn't enough to forget everything, Mark."

"Do you need me to go down on my knees and beg for forgiveness?" He looked down at me, a smirk quirking at the edge of his perfect lips. I shot him another scowl.

"Okay, okay. I get, we have a rough past but can't we just move past it? Kylie, I apologised and I gave you a divorce. Will you ever forgive me?"

Will I ever forgive him for trying to dominate my life? For prohibiting me from finding a proper job? For coercing me to marry him only for him to treat me like a dog on a leash? for cheating on my for several girls an most especially that slot called Betty, Maybe, maybe not...

I sighed, looking away from him. Seeing him again just brought back too many painful memories that I had neatly tucked away in the furthest corner of my brain. I just couldn't easily forget them, no matter how much I tried to.

I think I went a few times when I was young but since then I haven't.

"hear that Kylie, now there's no excuse why you cant come visit your old man" he turned to me clearly still annoyed that we don't come to see him.

"I think you're getting ahead of yourself there" I laughed nervously. Mark and I are in no position to be making these types of plans.

"I'm not getting any younger Kylie, one of these days you wont have me around" my grand dad stated oh lord, no he's making me feel guilty just what I needed.

Mark laughed a deep laugh.

Oh, my hero.

"one of these days you're going to have to stop making my daughter feel guilty" dad said coming over. Saving me from further embarrassment.

Even though I and Mark were divorced, he was still dad's business partner and they never allowed any personal issues to get their business in any kind of scandal.

My family had no problem with Mark, infact he visits my family home and spend some time with them unlike me who hardly come home, even though I am jobless. I didn't want to add extra cost to my family, and I didn't want them to start pressing me about moving back with Mark or getting another Man.

He handed a beer to Mark but Mark kindly declined.

"I'm driving tonight" he said giving it back.

Speaking of driving, sooner or later I'm going to need to leave. I have three important meetings tomorrow.

"leaving so soon" mom said hugging me. I nodded

"I will come over for dinner soon mom" I told her to which she smiles. She moved over to Mark and hugged him next.

Mark said that he would drive me home.

I waited at the door as my dad whispered to Mark, clearly, they were talking about me. what a way to be discreet dad. Mark drove me home. It was dark and I wanted him to just drive me home but we still had to talk,

"I did forgive you, but I won't forget."

He seemed to be hurt by my words. "Look, why don't I buy you some coffee on our way to your apartment and maybe we can sit and have a talk, since we couldn't talk in the house." He said, a sense of pleading in his tone.

"It's the least you could do for messing up my $400 shirt."

I bit my lip nervously. I really didn't want to do that. "...Umm, I-"

A ghost of a smirk played at his lips. "I'll take that as a yes."

I froze. Had I heard correctly?

"What? Did you just say $400 shirt?"Yes, I knew Mark was now a billionaire, since dad was always talking about how good Mark's business strategy was but I was not ready to go back to such an idiot.

Ignoring my question, he went up to the cashier, completely disregarding the now longish line formed in the cafe. The customers seemed unfazed by it.

"Get me two black coffees and one slice of cake. Bring over to the table I'll be sitting at, soon." He said smoothly to the cashier, who nodded frantically and ran to the back to get Mark's order.

He casually strolled back over to me and led me to an unoccupied table. He sat down and I followed suit, keeping my eyes trained on anything but his eyes. I could feel him staring at me, and it made my face feel warm.

"You cut your hair." He stated, breaking the awkward silence.

I looked out the window, watching as the harsh rain drops splashed against it. "Y-yeah, I wanted a new look."

"I always liked your hair long."

That's exactly why I cut it, I wanted to counter but just bit my tongue. The cashier came sprinting towards us with the order. He placed them on the table.

"H-here you go, Mr Johnson." stuttered, eyeing Mark warily.

Mark looked down at his wrist were an expensive looking watch lay.

"2 minutes. You could have done better. I'm a busy man and cannot have my time wasted, okay. Be quicker next time."

The cashier gulped audibly.

"Y-yes, Sir. It won't happen again." Then the poor guy scurried off, almost falling in the process.

I took a sip of my coffee, letting the hot liquid trickle down my throat.

"Still a control freak, I see."

His question caught me off guard. How had I been? Well, I have been better, to say the least.

He chuckled lightly.

"Still so judgemental, I see." He countered.

"So, how have you been?"

"Good." I mumbled, taking a bite out of the chocolate cake.

"And you? I'm guessing you are doing amazingly, sporting fancy clothing and watches."

Great, so now he was bragging about how amazing his life was.

He smiled.

"If you must know, I have managed to build an empire from the ground up.I'm just enjoying to fruits of my hard work, I guess your dad told you or are you just pretending like you just found out."

"Good for you," I smiled tightly.

"So I guess all that time you spent working instead of being with your wife paid off." I added, with a bitter laugh.

He groaned.

"Kylie, why can't we just have a normal conversation like civilised people? I get that our past is a sensitive topic and all, but I'm not the one bringing it up. It's you. I don't believe in coincidences and I believe there's a reason we met once again. Maybe we could try being friends?"

We spoke at length, and finally Mark decided to drop me at my apartment.When we arrived at my apartment, I wasn't surprised when he got out as well. He opened my door and led me to my door.

I wasn't aware of how close he was so when I reach behind to retrieve my key from my back pocket my hand brushed his front.

"Kylie" he groaned holding onto waist.

I actually didn't do that on purpose.

I smirked as I opened up my door before turning around to face Mark again. I sighed, how can a guy be that good looking and be available for me.

"kiss me" he whispered staring at my lips with determination. This is my problem we just saw each other and the only thing in his mind was for me to kiss me, but deep down in my heart I wanted to do it.

Oops

Mark stepped forward forcing me inside the house. I leant back on the wall as he kicked the door shut.

I kicked off the wall "kiss me Kylie" he said slower pronouncing every syllable. His lips were on me in full attack as he grabbed my ass pulling me closer. I wrapped my hands around his neck and trailed kisses down his jaw and neck.

"What was that " he said his voice deeper and sensual to my ears.

He grabbed my hand placing it against him " feel that, does that feel like I don't want this right now" I shook my head.     " exactly" he smirked.

His eyes zeroed in on mine "no baby, I just don't want you to think we have to rush"

"sorry " I whispered slightly embarrassed.

"Kylie" he moaned grabbing my neck pulling me away.

I stumbled back.

"come here" he called me over again. I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Tomorrow night, I want to take you on a real date, we need to discuss. I want this to be real, to be serious I'm done playing Kylie" he says pressing kisses to my lips.

I smiled into the kiss.

"music to my ears," I said kissing him intensely. I looked back up at him again. "I did forgive you, but I won't forget."

After Mark left my apartment, I was still trying to get what just happened, like did we just get intimate with each other....oh no it has been 3years and I have to stop all this even though I really want him by my side right now.

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