A ruthless businessman. A woman wronged. A fake relationship that ignites real passion. Katherine Pierce is the heiress to a vast empire but she is a unaware, while Scott McCall is the arrogant son of a powerful dynasty. When Scott McCall proposes a fake romance to save his company, Katherine Pierce reluctantly agrees. But as they navigate high-stakes business deals and fend off a vengeful ex, their pretend affair sparks genuine feelings. Katherine and Scot must work hard together to withstand and triumph over the storm threatening to tear them apart. Love and Deceit: Where nothing is as it seems, and the heart's true motives are the biggest mystery of all.
Chapter 1 Ch 1
Katherine stood by the road side hoping a cab passed by soon.
She sighed, unlocking her phone to check the time and it read 7:45.
God. She was going to be late to work on a Monday. Thanks to her car which decided to suddenly not start up.
Katherine paced about impatiently and then, she heard the sound of a car approaching, she raised her head to a cab.
Oh, finally. She thought, waving a hand and the cab pulled up beside her.
Katherine grabbed the door opener, shutting and she told the driver her destination as he started the car.
After what seemed like hours, the cab finally pulled at a company and Katherine hurriedly paid the cab man as she alighted the car, shutting the door.
She turned to the company and walked in briskly.
As Katherine stepped into the elevator, she glanced at her wristwatch which read. 8:32.
" Sh*t! " She muttered.
She waited impatiently in the elevator and soon, it dinged open. Katherine stepped out of the elevator and she started towards a place where few workers could be seen.
Each of them muttered a greeting which she responded to.
Katherine finally arrived at her space, a familiar sigh escaping her lips as the tension of the day started to ebb away.
She gently placed her bag on the table. The worn leather a testament to countless commutes and late nights.
She took a moment to compose herself.
She raised her gaze to a frosty glass door which in it was a very large office. And on the chair, seated her Boss, Pete Mackenzie chatting with another guy, no other than the business contractor.
Scott McCall.
Katherine cursed underneath her breath as she picked up a file on the table and gently walked to the door, raising a hand and placing a knock to it
" Come in. " A voice said and Katherine walked in.
Her boss's gaze met hers and a slight frown crossed his face.
" Good mor - " Katherine.
" You are late. " Her boss cuts her off and Katherine bit her lower lip as she gazed den in embarrassment.
" I... I am sorry sir " She stuttered
" You are never late, Katherine. What the hell happened? " Pete asked and she swallowed, glancing at her boss's guest who stared at her.
" Uh... I... I had a pre engagement. I am sorry. " Katherine said, returning her gaze to her boss.
" It definitely won't repeat itself, " She added.
" It better not. " Pete said and she glanced at his guest.
" Coffee, sir? " She asked,
" Yes. " Pete muttered.
" In a minute sir. " Katherine said, walking out of the office.
She exhaled, thanking the heavens was a nice man and she started down the lobby. Kathrine made a turn and walked into a room.
She moved and pulled out two neat cups. She picked out a coffee bean and dipped it into the coffee maker, positioning the cup under its mouth where dark liquid poured into the cup.
She halted when she got to the door and placed a knock on the door. Katherine pushed the door open when she heard a come in.
She shut the door behind and turned to the large room.
She moved her feet towards the two men seated and she placed her boss's coffee on the other side of the table first.
Katherine moved her gaze to her boss's guest and she inhaled sharply, moving to his side.
The room stretched out before her, vast and intimidating.
Sunlight slanted through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the beautiful oriental rug.
She shut the door behind her with a soft click, the sound echoing in the sudden silence.
Her gaze swept across the large space, landing on the two men seated at the other end of a mahogany table.
She took a hesitant step forward, her high heels clicked softly against the polished wood floor.
In her hand, she held a steaming mug of coffee, the aroma so inviting and a comforting distraction.
With a deep breath, she approached the table, her boss's name hovering on the tip of her tongue.
But as she reached him, she placed the mug down carefully, the clink against the saucer barely a whisper in the tense atmosphere.
She was going to place the coffee beside him only for Katherine's shaky hands to fail her, resulting in the coffee pouring and half of it spilling on his hand which rested on the table.
" What the f*ck!? " Scott cursed, standing abruptly to his feet.
" Oh my god! " Pete said, also standing to his feet and Katherine gasped, her eyes widened in horror at his hands which had turned bright red.
She hurriedly placed the cup down.
" Are you f*ck*n blind?! " He snapped, his eyes blazing daggers at her and Katherine swallowed nothing.
She glanced at Pete who looked embarrassed than she was.
" I am so sorry. I am deeply sorry. " Katherine muttered, raising her gaze to him and if looks could kill, she would probably be 6 feet under the ground.
" I am so sorry, Scott. " Pete said and he scoffed.
" Yeah. Well, I am too. " He uttered and Pete brows creased.
" What... What do you mean? "
" It means this meeting is over. "
" Just the meeting right? I mean you will consider our proposal right? " Pete asked.
" You know me too well, Pete. Little mistakes such as clumsiness is what I don't tolerate or work with. " Scott said and Pete swallowed.
" Common man, it was just a mistake. Trust me, she isn't like this. Never has been. "
" Well, this says otherwise. " Scott said, gesturing which hand and as Katherine stared at his bruised hand, a wicked, little smile lingered on her face but it disappeared all too fast when Scott looked at her with brows raised.
" Common, Scott. Everything was going perfectly fine. You seemed like you would accept the deal. "
" Yeah, well. My hand was doing perfectly fine then, wasn't it? " Scott asked back, glaring at Katherine who bit her lip and gazed down, feeling she could disappear that moment.
" Scott, please. It was only a mistake. I am begging you. I need this contract. "
" I am sorry but I am out. " Scott said, making for the exit.
" Scott, wait. Please, I will do anything. " Pete said and he halted, turning to him.
" Anything? " He asked and Pete nodded.
Scott turned his gaze to Katherine.
" Fire her! " He said and Katherine felt a loud bang in her head as she snapped her head to him.
" What!? " Katherine and Pete chorused.