So... here is the first chapter of my new story... it ll be AU again and of course E/C... feel free to ask anything you want...

anyways... when i ll upload this story there will be perhaps some differences comparing to what you re going to read now... i hope you understand, 'cause while writing a story more things come into our minds and we have to go back and correct, change or add something new...

Hope you enjoy it :)...

Chapter 1

"Monsieur Moreau will see you now." The receptionist informed Christine with cold politeness "But he has only ten minutes available for you."

Christine tried to hide all her emotions, although the past hour she was burning inside, while Erik Moreau was deciding whether he is going to respond or not to her emergent request. "Thank you..." she said "I'll try to not take much of his valuable time"

No matter how embarrassing was to see Erik again, she was determined to be calm and composed under whichever circumstances. Many important things were at stake, so she should not burst into offenses and curses, just like she would have done fivef years ago.

The luxury suite of his company, built in London's heart, mirrored the amazing ascension of his fame in the real estate's investments. He had amazed everyone considering that he once was the poor illegitimate kid of one of the Daniels' family maids, Madeleine's. Christine's father recognised Erik's talent and did his best to offer him the best education possible.

Her father's thought made her stronger that moment. Erwin Daniels' health was in a fragile condition after a serious heart attack, something which meant that while her mother was at his side, she had to deal with all the difficulties of their family's business.

The problem at the Daniels' Company was sudden and if her father found out, who knows what would happen to him? Christine was able to walk on burning charcoals in order to avoid that, and that was exactly what she was doing now... Erik Moreau was far worse than burning charcoals.

She raised her hand and knocked hastily his door, feeling her stomach turn to a knot just like every time she was at the same room with him.

"Come in." Erik's cold voice was heard.

She straightened her shoulders and turned the knob holding her head high. The fact that he didn't stand up proved that he was ready to offend her, something she expected from him. He always had an impudent air, even when he was part of the Daniels' staff.

The millisecond before he opened his mouth to speak Christine took him all in and felt her heart ready to fly away despitef her efforts to control it. Although he was sitting, his height was quite obvious, while his dark hair were shining from the sun's light coming from the large windows. Her fingers itched her to touch it.

At the right side of his face he wore the marks he got as a teenager. She wondered why he refused to get an operation. She smiled to herself; another man would have surely gone to a plastic surgeon, but not Erik... Erik wore his fighting-marks as medals. She remembered he had a large scar starting over his right eyebrow and extended to his mid cheek, it was about ten centimetres long and one centimetre wide. He looked intimidating and so annoyingly attractive.

So, as soon as she faced a white mask covering the right side of his face was at least shocked. "What has happened to him?" she wondered and frowned. The last time she had seen him was at her wedding day... a lot of years ago...

"How is the Happy Widow today?" he mocked as his eyes caressed slowly her entire body from head to toe. "It's been a long time since we last met Christine. When was the last time? One year? Two years ago? Or maybe five? I can say that mourning suits you, Christine. You have never been more beautiful." He trailed his voice.

Christine stiffened at his ironic statement. Raoul Chaney was dead for over two years now but clearly Erik never forgot to talk about him with his caustic tone. Christine felt like he had slapped her hard on the face when he talked about her deceased husband, but she would never admit that to Erik.

Despite her inner struggling she remained calm "May I have a sit?"

He waved with his hand "Put your cute arse on that chair. But only for ten minutes. I have many things to do today."

Christine sat on the chair's edge, angry with herself for blushing at his words. Erik had the very annoying habit to tease her with personal comments which made her aware of her body in a way that no one else could.

"So," Erik leaned back on his expensive leather chair "what can I do for you, Chrissie Daniels?"

Christine clenched her teeth. No one called her like that. Only him. And he did it on purpose since she was fourteen years old when his mother started working for the Daniels and brought her twenty-year-old son with her to help. Erik was born and raised till the age of ten in France and each time he spoke her name he made it sound special. The two syllables his sensual mouth pronounced made her shiver, not really caring whether he called her Christine or Chrissie.

"I am here to talk to you about a little problem." She said, hoping Erik wasn't aware of her clenched fists and her stiff shoulders "With my father unable to help, I would really appreciate your advice about the way I have to act."

Erik was sitting and observing her closely while playing with his platinum pen. Click... clack... click... clack... It was like he was trying to synchronise it with his steady heart-beat.

"How is your father today?" he questioned. "I visited him last night. He didn't look very well, but it is logical, I guess."

Christine was well aware of Erik's visits to her father and that's why she was trying to go to the hospital in totally different time. "He gets better." She replied. "The operation will take place the next week. I think they are waiting to stabilise him first."

"Yes, of course" he said, leaving finally the pen on his office. "But the doctors say that he is going to be perfectly fine, aren't they?"

Christine tried to avoid looking at his hands, but for some reason her gaze was magnetised. He had broad, square hands with hair on them that made him seem even manlier at his thirty two years.

He was not the young guy from the past anymore. His face, at least the part she could see, was clean-shaven, and his body even broader and muscled.

"Chrissie!"

Christine stopped her day-dreaming and turned her gaze to his. He had amazing eyes. His pitch black hair and his tanned skin made the azure colour of his eyes look more magnificent.

She knew nothing about Erik's father; on the other hand, she had never asked Erik about him, although she was pretty sure he wasn't French, but she couldn't say for sure, after all, Erik had his mother's last name. She had heard a few rumours as she grew up about Madeleine being very sad and refusing to talk about this matter.

"Uhm... I can't be very sure." She replied at his question about her father "I haven't talked with the doctors for some time."

When she finished her sentence she realised how apathetic she must have sounded. Like her father's health was not her first priority. And this was light-years away from the truth. She wouldn't be in front of him if it wasn't for her parents. She would never think of asking Erik's help, it was desperation that led her to 'his door'.

"May I assume that your visit to my den has to do with the re-purchase of the Daniels' resort at your family's island?" he broke the silence.

Christine couldn't hide her surprise. She had learned everything the night before, how was it possible?

"Hmmm... yes, it has to do with it." She replied and turned nervously on the chair. "As you know, my father got a loan for its renovation about one and a half years ago. Last night I was informed that there was a vexation from the bank. If we don't pay off the loan, the resort will be re-purchased. I cannot allow this."

"Have you spoken to your economic consultants about this?" Erik asked.

Christine was ready to collapse "They said there is no way to find so much money in twenty four hours." She lowered her gaze.

Erik started playing with his pen again, but a little faster this time.

"I believe you haven't told anything to your father."

"No..." Christine murmured not daring to lift her eyes to meet his. "I didn't want to stress him. I am afraid that the news will do no good to his health."

"How about the resorts' supervisors? Do they know anything about that?"

Christine licked her lips nervously "I talked to Marie and Samuel Gary last night. They are worried about their jobs of course, but I tried to calm them down."

"Have you brought all the needed papers with you?" Erik questioned after a small pause.

"Eeeer... no... I thought I should talk to you first." Christine was well aware of how wrong her answer was. She could see that in his piercing gaze as he scrutinised her.

She felt as hopeless as a little child. She always felt like this in difficult situations, but she didn't have the courage to admit it to her parents.

Her parents had very high standards for her, especially after her elder brother's death and she was trying in every possible way to feel the gap Nathan left.

Erik leaned backwards with his eyes nailed to hers "So, you have less than twenty four hours to purchase the money, otherwise you lose the resort's main priority." She summed up.

Christine wetted with the tip of her tongue her dry lips "That's right." She said in fear "If I don't find the money, the Daniels' family will own only the 35% of the resort's holdings. I am not sure about what you can do, but I know my father... If he weren't ill, he would firstly seek your advice."

His gaze never moved; something that stirred Christine.

"Do you know who is behind all this?" he asked.

She shook her head and sighed "I asked, but no one seems to know anything about the company that is behind that."

"And how much are they asking?"

Christine trembled and inhaled deeply "Eighteen million pounds."

His visible eyebrow rose "Not exactly the amount of money someone would have in cash." He commented.

"None of the Daniels' has so much money, nor in cash, nor in a bank account." She licked her lips again "I am sure my father would never expect something like that... "

"Hmmm..."

Christine moved uncomfortably on the chair "I...I was wondering which your suggestion in this situation is..." she kept her breath. At that moment she was able to hear her heart pounding in her chest "I kn... know that I am a bother to you, but my father respect your judgement. And that is why I am here now."

Erik burst into a deep and utterly masculine laughter "Yes, of course, I fail to imagine you seeking my company in order to discuss the weather." He said. And then he added ironically "By the way, you have five minutes left."

Christine bit her bottom lip as she tried to stay under control "I think you are well aware of what I am asking from you." She murmured brokenly "Don't make me syllabise it only to feed your enormous ego."

A wild sparkle appeared in his eyes as he leaned on his desk "You want me to pay off the loan, is that it?" he questioned locking gazes with her.

"My father has done a lot for you..." Christine started the little speech she had prepared the night before. "... He paid your guarantee when you were accused for stealing a car at you twenties, not much time after you came to our house with your mother. And he gave you your first loan for the university. You wouldn't be here if it weren't for him and his faith in you."

He leaned again backwards and seemed apathetic at her words. He took his pen again, but this time he held it between his thumb and forefinger. "Eighteen million pounds are a lot of money, Christine." He stated "If I were to give you this money, I would like something in return. Something I could count on in case things don't go as we imagine them."

Christine felt a shiver running down her spine. "You mean like a guarantee, or something like that?" she asked "Eeeer... we could call our lawyers to prepare something. A settlement adjustment in... Let's say six years, with stable rate of interest. What do you think?"

Erik smirked "It seems a great risk to me." He paused "I would like a guarantee better than something written on a paper."

She stared him flabbergasted. "I am not quite sure what you mean... If you ask for something more there is the house, but mum and dad would..."

"I don't want their house..." he interrupted her and his eyes burned like fire.

Christine bit her bottom lip and her stomach turned to a tighter knot. "Then...then what do you want?" she asked, angry with herself that she sounded terrified.

She felt like the air she breathed weighted tons and her fragile ribs couldn't stand its weight inside her lungs. An icy fear made her slowly shiver.

Erik's eyes were full of dark shadows and didn't leave hers not for a second. "How about you being the guarantor?"

Christine frowned. "I don't own so much money." Her heart was ready to leave her chest " I have a small income from the company , but nothing could pay off this amount within only six years."

He raised his visible eyebrow cynically "Oh, you mean that your husband didn't leave you in the rich life you were used to, huh?"

Christine lowered her eyes in order to avoid his I-had-warned-you-about-that look. "Raoul's economics were awful when he died so suddenly. He owed money... and I had so many things to take care of..." and so many secrets to keep she thought.

Everything went silent for a while.

"I will give you the money." Erik said at last "With a few 'clicks' I can transfer them to your father's Company account. Your problem will be solved before you reach the ground floor in your way out."

Christine could feel a 'but' floating around, and she waited without really breathing. She knew him too well and was sure he wouldn't give this money without some kind of term in their agreement. Of course Erik respected her father and mother but he had every right to hate her and she couldn't imagine him leaving the 'golden chance' of showing her how much he despised her.

"But of course there will be some terms in our agreement." Erik's voice broke the silence.

Christine felt her heart stop for a moment as she eyed a determined sparkle in his eyes "Wh...What kind of terms?"

"It's really a wonder that you haven't already guessed." He stated with a barely audible diabolic smile on his face.

Christine's fear heightened "I have no... no idea what you are talking about." Her nails dag the soft skin of her palms as she clenched her fists.

"Ah, but I think you have an idea..." he narrowed his eyes "Do you remember the night before your wedding?"

She pushed herself to turn her gaze as a guilty red colour appeared on her soft cheeks. The memory was so lively like it had happened only yesterday. Only god knew how many times she had recalled this short, wild controversy during her failed marriage, while she was wondering how different her life would be if she had listened to Erik's warning...

The marriage's rehearsal continued, although Raoul had called the last moment announcing he had an extremely serious meeting and didn't know whether he could make it or not.

Erik had reached the church exhausted and unshaven after a trip he had in France. It lasted nearly six months as his mother had asked him to pass her last days in her motherland.

He was leaning against a pillar with his strong arms crossed against his chest and his gaze, this amazingly piercing gaze, was locked on Christine's ethereal form.

When they were finished, Gladys, Christine's mother, invited everyone to the Daniels' house for a light dinner. Christine hoped Erik would decline the invitation, but when she got out of one of the bathrooms at the first floor, about half an hour later, he appeared in front of her, blocking her way.

"I would like us to have a couple of words, Christine." He said firmly "Privately."

"I don't think there is anything to be said between us." Christine replied coldly and tried to walk pass him, but he grabbed her wrist in a vice grip "Leave me, Erik." She protested, trying to free herself.

His hold on her only became tighter. "Stop this whole thing, Christine." He said in a tone Christine swore she had never heard before in his voice "He is not the one for you."

Her pride made her raise her chin resolutely "Leave me, now." She repeated and she scratched his arm with her free hand.

Erik winced as her nails dag in his skin and caught her other hand too and pulled her onto him, closer than ever before. She was shocked by the firmness of his chest, and she felt paralysed while his strong thighs were moulded to her body.

His eyes were burning as they fought with hers. "Stop it!" he told her "Your parents will understand. It's not too late."

She gave him a cold look "If you don't leave me this instant, I'll tell everyone that you tried to attack me. You will go in jail. Raoul's father will be my lawyer. He will cut your feet."

He pursed his lips and Christine spotted a vein pounding at the side of his neck "Chaney marries you only for your money."

Christine went mad, although a tiny hint of suspiciousness had started forming inside her brain. "You don't know what you are saying!" she spitted "Raoul loves me. I know he loves me."

Erik's hands were like handcuffs on her delicate wrists. "If what you want is marriage, then marry me. At least with me you'll know where you are heading to."

Christine laughed "Marry you?" she asked and continued as offensive as she could "And pass my entire life just like your mother? Cleaning other people's dirt? Thank you, but I am not interested."

"I won't let you do this, Christine." He warned her. "If you don't cancel the wedding tonight, I'll rise during the ceremony tomorrow and say why this marriage must not take place."

"You wouldn't dare!"

His gaze challenged her "Watch me, and you'll see, Chrissie" he told her "Do you want the entire London to hear what kind of man you're marrying?"

She gave him a murderous look "I'll make sure with every damn way to keep you away from my wedding" she spat "I'll talk to my father's security guards and the entrance for you will be forbidden. I'm marrying Raoul tomorrow, no matter what you are saying. I love him."

"You don't know who or what you want right now" he said and the muscle at his chin began drumming "Damn it Christine, you're only twenty one years old. Your brother's suicide broke you. All of us are broken. Your engagement was a reaction to this tragedy. For god's sake, even a blind person can see that."

Her brother and his tragic death's reference freed a wave of anger that Christine kept inside her only out of respect towards her parents. So, she did the first thing that came into her mind...

With a force she wasn't aware of; she freed herself from Erik's grip and slapped him hard on his face. It must have hurt him, because her hand started trembling and felt her thin bones like they were smashed onto a stone-wall.

Time froze for several moments of agony...

Something dangerous appeared into his blue-green eyes and then, with a speed that cut her breath, Erik pulled her into his strong embrace, covering with his hot, angry mouth hers.

Christine had to shake her head in order to return to the present. She hated the memory of this kiss. She hated the memory of her shameless response to him. and she hated the memory of the bruises she had on her wrist the day of her wedding –like Erik Moreau, despite her command to stay away from the church, had come to laugh at her wedding.

"Tell me what you want and let's finish this." She said angrily, while staring at him like she was ready to attack.

"I want you to become my wife."

Christine was not sure what shocked her the most: the raw declare of his intentions or the terrifying discovery that she could only agree with that.

"It seems rather strange to ask me something like this, considering our mutual hatred." She finally said without, as he hoped, showing her heart's wavering.

"You don't hate me, Christine." He said grinning mischievously. "You just hate they way I make you feel. There was always something between, wasn't it? The forbidden lust: the rich heiress and the bad guy, the maid's son. What do you think?"

Christine gave him a strict look "You live in fairytales." She said "I never encouraged you to think anything else apart from how much I loathe you."

He stood up then, without showing any feeling and looked at his watch, "Your time's up, Chrissie."

Christine clenched her teeth. "I need more time to consider your offer."

"The offer will be off within thirty seconds." He said firmly "Are you going to accept it? Or leave it?"

Christine stood too; feeling drowned into rage "We are talking about the job of an entire life. My father's life." Her voice sounded high-pitched "He built the resort out of nothing. How can you turn your back to him? After everything he has done for you? Damn it, Erik! You'd be in jail if it weren't for my family."

His gaze was as hard as a diamond, his mouth stiff as granite "This is all I'm asking, Christine... Marriage or nothing..."

Christine clenched her fist and felt her manicured nails digging in her palms once again. Rage made her shiver "You know I cannot refuse. You know it... You're doing this only because I declined your stupid proposal so many years ago."

Erik leaned over his telephone and after pressing a button he said calmly "Rita is my next client here? Mrs Chaney is leaving."

Christine could already see her father's business collapse. He would have to sell his house... the house that his parents and his grandparents had lived before him. Christine could imagine the disappointment on her father's face after telling to him that she had betrayed him, that she couldn't cope with this situation...

And then she thought of her brother. Nathan was talented and he could make everything better in no time.

But she couldn't do it... she just couldn't... she hated that job...

What she liked was... Anyway, there wasn't any reason to think of what she liked, because she could never get it. She had to put her dreams into a cupboard and lock them there, at least until her father got better... if her got better, she thought feeling panicked.

Marrying Erik Moreau was something repulsive for her. However, no woman would describe him as repulsive. On the contrary, he was wonderful. His slim muscled body, his silky black hair, his sensual lips, his eyes with the hypnotising gaze and moreover the mysterious air that his mask breathed were enough to make any woman's heart leave her chest.

Christine was definitely in trouble, but what else could she do? Who would lend her so much money in less than twenty four hours?

She swallowed as she scrutinised Erik again. Could she do it? Could she agree with him, even though this entire thing was pure madness?

Erik was dangerous. He was an egoist, a playboy and the worst of all, he was utterly angry with her.

But she couldn't ask anyone else's help. It was in her hand to save her family's business...

"Okay." She agreed and sighed. "I will do it."

"Good." He said simply "The money will be transfered in your father's account within the next few minutes. I'll take you tonight to dinner, so that we can discuss our marriage's details."

"Can't we just wait a few days till..." she tried to protest, but was interrupted by his cynic laughter "Till you have the time to find a way out of this? Is this why, Chrissie? I don't think so, sweetheart. Now that I have you, I won't let you go..."

"What am I supposed to tell to my parents?" she spat giving him a deathly look, while her stomach was turning into a knot.

He only smiled "Why don't you tell them that you finally decided to think reasonably and agreed to marry me?"

"Ha ha. If I told them anything like that, they would surely think I am crazy."

"Or, they'll think you are madly in love." He talked back "And that's exactly what I would prefer them to believe at this moment. Your father's health won't be very stable after the operation, I believe. I don't want anything to happen to him because he's worried about you, or the company."

Christine couldn't disagree in that.

"I was planning to go to the hospital tonight... Am I going to meet you there or at my house?"

"I have two meetings that will probably take my entire evening. I'll meet you at your home at eight thirty". He announced her. "I would also like to talk to your father some time about my... intentions..."

Christine couldn't stop her smile. "I thought you weren't the 'traditional' guy who asks his love's hand from her father. To be totally honest, I didn't think that you were a guy for a family at all. The only thing we were learning about you at the newspapers is that you change your lovers every week."

Erik, for some reason, smiled in shame and lowered his gaze. "As people say, variety is the salt of life. But every man sometime feels the urge to create a family."

Christine stared at him suspiciously "This marriage... between us... Will not last for a very long time, will it?"

"Only as long as it takes to... achieve its goal..." he answered and Christine realised he hadn't actually replied to her question.

Erik walked to the door and kept it open for her. "I'll see you tonight. I'll call you."

Christine walked next to him with her head raised proudly. Her perfume tickled his nostrils. She smelled like orange blossoms or was it honeysuckle? He couldn't say for sure. Perhaps they were both. That was the problem with Christine; she was a combination of many different things, and each of them set his senses on fire, let alone all together.

The door closed after her and Erik let the breath he was holding without realising it. "Devil!" he said, covering his face with his hands. He put off his mask and caressed his marred side... "If only Christine knew..." he thought "She could never think of Chaney as Mr Nice Guy... ever again."

"Mr Moreau?" the cold, firm voice of his secretary was heard from the telephone "Mr Grands is here. Are you available?"

Erik inhaled deeply and placed his mask again on his face "Yes... I will see him now. But tell him I have only five minutes."

A/N: that's it... hope you enjoyed it :)...

SO... till the next time guys :D! Cheers!