1 Prologue

"DO I still need to do this, Marc?" I asked the man in front of me.

"Well, you have to, Ana," he smiled at me. "You have to prove yourself worthy of the Cysco surname."

I held the paper in my hands. "You're not making this easy for me."

"Nothing is easy. In fact, this is easier than the jobs others have out there. All you have to do is to be a secretary. What's difficult about that? I didn't say you have to marry one of the Simmone's," he sighed deeply. "It's a small favour compared to what you can gain."

I looked at the papers in my hands and read them again. The names of each of the Simonne heirs are listed there.

Gabriel Simonne, known as Gael: inheritor of Hotel Simonne.

Jared Yael Simonne, known as Jay: Inheritor of Simonne Clothings.

Calvin Criebo Simonne, known as Caleb: designer for Simonne Clothings, has equal shares in Hotel Simonne and Simonne Clothings.

Many other businesses are listed under their parents' names, and it wasn't mentioned who would inherit them.

Next on the list were profiles of two more cousins, Ivan and Neon, whose parents had died in a tragedy years ago.

"I don't care about those two," I heard him say again. "I know they won't inherit anything because of their family background; they're just at the beck and call of their three cousins. They do the errands, so I want you to focus on those three and do everything you have to do to find out their whereabouts."

"You want me to be a spy?"

"If that's what you call it, then yes."

"Don't you know that what you're asking me to do is dishonest?" I slammed the papers on the table in front of him. "That's illegal."

"Don't worry. If something happens, you won't be implicated, Ana. Haven't you wanted to be accepted by the Cysco's for a long time? This is the best way to make that happen," he approached and patted my shoulder. "If you do this, you'll be accepted into the family right away, and they will appreciate all your efforts."

"How can I do this? I don't have the proper background. I'm only eighteen, and you know I haven't finished college; I only spent two years there and stopped after my father died. Plus, I still carry my mother's Cysco surname; it's impossible for them not to find out."

He sat in front of me, smiling because he knew he had convinced me. He took my hand. "Don't worry; doctoring those records will be easy, Ana. Everything you need is prepared. Regarding your age, we can't fake that, but I have faith in you. You'll get the job because I believe in your capabilities. You'll impress them with your talent."

He took a folder and handed it to me.

"Tell me when you're ready, and I'll prepare everything, but hurry. I heard they're about to hand over the management of Hotel Simonne to Gabriel due to his upcoming wedding to Helena Bernadine. They're looking for a new secretary, and I think this is an opportunity you shouldn't miss."

"I understand." I nodded and gave a forced smile.

"Good," he patted my hand. "That's what I like about you. You're easy to talk to. All you need to do is go to Hotel Simonne, and I'll take care of everything as long as you follow my lead."

I nodded again, then opened the folder he had given me earlier, and I saw my picture under the name Tracy Martinez.