Chapter One

Mirabel stood nervously at the entrance of the art gallery, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and apprehension. This exhibition marked her return to the art scene after a five-year hiatus, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation as she awaited the arrival of her guests.

As the evening unfolded, Mirabel found herself immersed in conversations with fellow artists and art enthusiasts, her confidence growing with each compliment she received on her work. However, her newfound sense of accomplishment was soon overshadowed by the arrival of a strikingly handsome man who exuded an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance.

Their eyes met across the room, and Mirabel felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her as he approached her exhibit. She watched with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation as he studied her paintings with a critical eye, his expression unreadable.

Before she could gather her thoughts, he turned to her with a charming smile that did little to mask the intensity in his gaze. "Impressive work," he remarked, his voice smooth and confident. "I must say, I'm quite taken with your talent."

Mirabel's cheeks flushed with a mixture of pleasure and unease at his compliment. "Thank you, Mr?," she asked, trying to maintain her composure despite the fluttering of her heart.

"Rajah Aguilera", his voice even more dashing than he is as he extended a hand.

She reached out as well to shake his hand and her hand sunk in his huge palm, "I'm glad you appreciate it."

Their conversation soon turned to business, as the man expressed his interest in purchasing all of Mirabel's art for his private collection. At first, she was elated by the prospect of such a significant sale, but her excitement quickly turned to dismay when she realized the terms he was proposing were far from favorable.

As they haggled over the details, tensions began to rise, and Mirabel found herself growing increasingly frustrated with the man's stubbornness and arrogance. It soon became clear that they were at an impasse, and the only way to resolve their differences was to continue the discussion in private.

With a sigh of resignation, Mirabel led the man to her office, her mind racing as she tried to formulate a strategy for negotiating with him. But as they entered the confined space of her office, the atmosphere crackled with tension, and Mirabel felt a surge of adrenaline course through her veins.

Locked in a battle of wills, Mirabel and the man squared off against each other, their words sharp and heated as they fought to defend their respective positions. But beneath the surface of their conflict, there simmered a potent undercurrent of attraction that neither of them could ignore.

As the debate raged on, the line between professional disagreement and personal desire blurred, until Mirabel found herself struggling to resist the magnetic pull of the man standing before her. And in that moment, she knew that their encounter was far from over.

As the tension between them reached its peak, a charged silence fell over the room, broken only by the sound of their ragged breathing. In a sudden and unexpected moment of vulnerability, the man's steely facade crumbled, revealing the raw desire smoldering in his eyes.

Unable to resist the pull any longer, Mirabel found herself drawn into his embrace, her body melting against his as they shared a tender, fleeting moment of intimacy. For a brief instant, time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in each other, their passion igniting like wildfire.

But as quickly as it had begun, the moment passed, and reality came crashing back with a painful jolt. The man's demeanor shifted once again, his expression turning cold and indifferent as he pulled away from Mirabel's embrace.

In that instant, she felt a wave of shame wash over her, the weight of their shared intimacy settling heavily upon her shoulders. She recoiled from his touch, her heart sinking as she realized the true nature of their encounter.

With a trembling voice, Mirabel insisted that he leave, unable to bear the thought of him lingering any longer. The man complied without protest, his departure leaving behind a hollow emptiness that echoed in the confines of her office.

Alone once more, Mirabel sank into her chair, her mind reeling with confusion and regret. She knew she had to put this encounter behind her, to move on and forget about the man who had left her feeling so exposed and vulnerable.

But as she sat there, nursing her wounded pride, a sudden wave of nausea washed over her, sending alarm bells ringing in her mind. Ignoring the warning signs, she pushed aside her discomfort and tried to focus on the task at hand.

It wasn't until a month later, while sharing a casual cup of coffee with her friend Ruth, that Mirabel's world was turned upside down once again. As she recounted the events of that fateful night, a sinking feeling settled in the pit of her stomach, and she knew that her life would never be the same again.