Chapter 1: The Deal

Lucas grew up knowing that life wasn’t fair. He’d lost his parents young, bounced around foster homes, and learned to fend for himself on the streets. When he overheard a group of businessmen talking about Anthony Beaumont—the elusive and charming millionaire known for his massive real estate empire—Lucas saw a way out of his struggles. If he could just get close to Anthony, charm him, and gain his trust, he could score enough money to disappear and start fresh. That was the plan.

Through careful maneuvering, Lucas managed to secure a job as a personal assistant to Anthony. What started as a game of manipulation soon grew complicated. Anthony was nothing like the aloof, cold-hearted rich man Lucas had imagined. He was warm, thoughtful, and kind. Every time Anthony smiled or thanked Lucas for his help, a knot formed in Lucas’s stomach. This wasn’t supposed to happen—he wasn’t supposed to care.

Chapter 2: The Unraveling

As weeks passed, Lucas’s plans to deceive Anthony faded. He no longer thought of the payday; instead, he thought about Anthony’s laugh, the way his eyes sparkled when he talked about his favorite projects, and how his touch felt when their hands brushed. Lucas was falling in love, and it terrified him.

But secrets have a way of unraveling. One evening, as they sat in Anthony’s penthouse sipping wine, Anthony casually mentioned how grateful he was to have Lucas in his life. Lucas’s heart skipped a beat, and before he could stop himself, he kissed Anthony. It was sweet, tender, and full of the feelings Lucas had tried to suppress.

The very next day, everything came crashing down.

Chapter 3: The Truth

Anthony found out about Lucas’s original plan—he’d overheard Lucas on the phone, talking to a former friend who knew everything. Betrayal hit Anthony like a freight train. He confronted Lucas, his eyes filled with hurt and disappointment.

“So, all of this was just for money?” Anthony’s voice shook, the pain evident.

“No! Not anymore, I swear! It was at first, but I—” Lucas choked on his words, desperate to explain, but Anthony was already turning away, his heart broken.

That night, Anthony left, booking a flight for an impromptu trip to Paris. He couldn’t stay in the city, not with Lucas’s betrayal hanging over him.

Chapter 4: The Chase

Lucas was frantic. He knew he had to fix this. Running through the rain-soaked streets, he headed for the airport, praying he wasn’t too late. He had never been this scared in his life. The moment he arrived, Lucas spotted Anthony through the glass windows at the terminal.

“Anthony!” Lucas shouted, but his voice was lost in the noise of the bustling airport.

He ran faster, pushing through crowds, but by the time he reached the gate, it was too late. The plane had already taken off.

Devastation hit him. He collapsed onto a nearby bench, gasping for air and cursing himself for the mess he’d made. He had lost Anthony—the one person who made him believe in love again. But then, as Lucas wiped his tears, he noticed something—a familiar scent, cologne he knew all too well.

“Looking for someone?”

Lucas spun around, his heart pounding in his chest. Anthony stood there, his luggage still in hand, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and hope.

“You didn’t leave?” Lucas whispered, unable to believe what he was seeing.

“I didn’t want to. I was hurt, yes, but I couldn’t get on that plane without hearing you out,” Anthony said softly, stepping closer.

“I never meant to hurt you. I fell for you, Anthony. Not your money, not your empire—just you,” Lucas pleaded, his voice shaking with emotion.

Anthony looked deep into Lucas’s eyes, as if searching for the truth. After what felt like an eternity, he sighed and reached out, pulling Lucas into a tight embrace.

“Let’s figure this out. Together,” Anthony whispered.

Tears flowed freely from Lucas’s eyes as he held onto Anthony like his life depended on it. They had a long road ahead, but Lucas knew they could make it.

Epilogue: A Second Chance

Months later, Lucas stood beside Anthony at the opening of a new charity foundation they’d started together. It wasn’t about the money anymore. It was about love, trust, and building something real. They had both made mistakes, but they had also chosen to fight for each other. And that made all the difference.