She stood quietly behind the doors to the ballroom floor. She could hear the muffled chatter and the smooth jazz music being played on the other side. In a way, it sounded relaxing, like the best way to beat the afternoon off. For once in a very long time, she allowed herself to smile. And why shouldn't she? It was her birthday. She's allowed to have fun at least once a year. After all the things she's done to raise her family's company from the grave, she thought that she, at least, deserves a simple smile.

All her guests crowded in the ballroom floor, drinking their champagne and wearing their fake smiles, and telling their best stories of false achievements to impress the people they hate - the fat men and their impudent wives, their spoiled brat children foolishly believing that they are the princes and princesses of the world, the high-hatted bachelorettes, and the bachelors steaming with their manly hormones hoping to get a decent girl. She had no idea why there are a lot of guests and where they came from. Chances are she doesn't even know most of them! And for the fancy type of people, they were so filthy. She remembered when she was just like them: not having an actual dream of her own, she blindly followed her parents' every whim and she allowed herself to be molded into a money-grabbing freak. That was until those twins came along in Gravity Falls one summer almost a lifetime ago. She guessed that, in a way, she owed her life to them for opening her eyes and seeing the reality of things. You could say that as time passed by, she started to despise the way her whole family is living, and the only reason she revived their company was because she loved her mom and dad dearly, no matter how crooked they may seem.

Shaking her head from her thoughts, she focused on how she could make the most of her birthday party. Besides, she will only be 25 once and nothing can ever remain the same forever. She just wished that -

"Ladies and gentlemen," the emcee addressed the crowd. Slowly the other room became quiet as they focused their attention on him and his booming voice. "May I present to you, the reason for our gathering this evening. The birthday celebrant, Miss Pacifica Elise Northwest."

The doors swung open and the guests applaud as she stepped onto the top of the grand staircase, putting on her most charming smile, while the band played a cheery happy birthday song. Pacifica wore nothing too fancy, but she looked more glamorous than any of the women in the room, and the men couldn't help but stare at her in awe. Her emerald green cocktail dress danced as she started to walk dawn the stairs, complementing her large blue eyes and her rich blonde hair shimmering in the light like a waterfall of gold. She smiled at her guests, thanked them for coming, answered some quick 'how are you's', and shook their hands as she made her way to her parents standing by her giant coconut cream cake before the people returned to their dancing and drinking.

"Happy birthday, sweetheart!" Her father greeted as she approached, opening his arms to hug her, Pacifica caught him and embraced him warmly before she moved to her mother and giving her an equally warm hug.

"Thank you guys, for all of these." She said in a whisper so only the three of them could hear. "But this isn't necessary."

"Nonsense!" boomed Mr. Northwest. "Our little girl only deserves the best."

"Please, sweetheart. Enjoy your birthday party." Mrs. Northwest cooed at her, twisting her arm with her daughter's. "We've got all your favorite food! We even got that chef from Marseille to make you your favorite creme brulee!"

"But mom," Pacifica whined. "Like I said, none of these are necessary. We are just spending-"

"Hush now, dear. It's all we can do after what you have done for our company."

"You're our hero, Pacifica." Mr. Northwest stood beside her and gave her a peck on the top of her head. "You are our beautiful girl. Nothing is more important to us than you."

Pacifica smiled, actually believing that her father meant what he said. Despite the nagging voice at the back of her head, she liked to think that her parents were proud of her.

She enjoyed one last embrace before her father caught an eye of one of his business partners and her mom moving on to taste some of the finger foods and have more champagne.

Meanwhile, Pacifica took the opportunity of being alone to bring out her cell phone. She had a few missed calls and a couple of text messages but all of them work-related. She sighed, somehow hurt that none of the people she actually considered her friends have even bothered to greet her a happy birthday, not to mention attend her party. They're all strangers. Where's her secretary Janis? Or the girls she works out with at the gym, Tina, and Lena? What happened to the invitations that she sent, or the people she's given them to?

"Happy Birthday." A man with a deep, European voice was standing in front of her. Pacifica looked up to see him sharply dressed, with thick, dark, curly hair and a beard freshly cut that must have melted countless women's hearts, smiling politely at her. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude on your matters."

The girl smiled at him, rather lamely, surprised, though she didn't really know why. "No, you didn't intrude on anything." She pushed a stray lock of her hair behind her ear.

"That's good. Because you need to enjoy your party." The man offered his arm and she took it as he guided her across the room. The band had now shifted from smooth jazz to simple waltz and couples have taken the opportunity to show their waltzing skills.

"Why does everybody keep saying that?" She asked.

"Because it is a fact?" The man chaffed. " It is your birthday, isn't it? You should make the most of it. Drink, eat, laugh, flirt, live!"

"You sound like my father." She groaned. "Minus the flirting part." She shivered at the thought of her father asking her to flirt with men.

"Hey, great minds think alike, right?"

"Not most of the time. No definitely not." She teased as he took her hand and started to dance with her.

He was awfully close when they started to move with the crowd of spinning couples, but she let him be. But she still tried to maintain a chaste distance between them. And, though, he held her firmly on the hips, her hand was perched lightly on his shoulder. They glided across the marble floor with ease. They were graceful. And as much as she didn't want to admit it, she felt like she was flying and soon all the other dancers had to move away to give them space. The way he lead her was perfectly hypnotizing, and his gaze on her made her heart beat faster, and she stared into his eyes like an idiot, sending more blood pooling on her cheeks. How many women has he charmed this way? What was he?

"I-" She let out, but she didn't know why or what to say. "I feel like- I'm not wearing the right dress for this…" she said, her voice slightly audible.

"My name is Erik." He said smiling down at her in response, confidence pushing his voice.

"Is that how you do it in Sweden? You pick up girls before you introduce yourself?" Pacifica quipped, snapping herself from his trance with a strong force of will, leaving just a trace of an alluring smile to keep him glued to her.

There was a prick in her chest as if something was telling her to let go and just go with it. She's looking for a way to enjoy the night, perhaps he is the way. After all, it would only be just one night. But if he wants her, he needs to know how to play with a stubborn girl.

"How did you know I'm from Sweden? Did my accent give it away?" He asked with peaking interest, moving closer to her.

Pacifica nodded. "Though I can assume that you have been out-of-country a lot since you're the first to approach me."

"You do know that that is stereotyping, right?" He cocked an eyebrow with a lopsided smile. "We Swedes can also socialize properly when we want to."

"Agreed, however," She cooed as she gently pulled up the cuff of his right-hand sleeve and took a peek. "It is September now, and most part of your country wouldn't have enough sun to make you that tan. So you must be staying somewhere warmer. Somewhere with a lot of sun."

Erik stared at her in surprise, and Pacifica stared back at him until a smile crept across his face.

"How did you do that?" He chuckled.

"I… read a lot of Sherlock Holmes." She lied. She hated reading those boring old books. "It was an embarrassing attempt, though. I'm sorry."

"Well, that's… intriguing." There was a hint of question in his tone as if he wasn't really sure how to respond.

Well, that was embarrassing. He didn't take it. He's not amazed! "Did I at least got something right?" The young Northwest asked.

"Well, you've been right about me traveling a lot. And I have been staying here in California for a week now. My father wanted me to take care of business here until he arrived."

"So I was right?" She almost yelled in excitement suddenly feeling all giddy inside. How childish she might seem, but she didn't care anymore if he was not amazed. Her practicing deduction proves to be effective!

Erik chuckled, almost to himself as he pushed her hair back to position, his touch was slightly electric to her skin. "Yes, you're correct, Pacifica."

But suddenly a heavy feeling shot through her, leaving her breathless for an instant and she pushed herself away from him. Memories flashed in her head about the last time she was truly happy with someone. She realized that Erik, no matter how charming, was not a way for her to enjoy her night. It's not the answer and it's definitely not the release she wanted or needed. Men like him are dangerous. The kind of guy that doesn't take a relationship seriously. But she is Pacifica Northwest, charming guys like him have no power over her, or at least not anymore. Well, to be honest, she's only been with three guys in the past three years, and so far the first one was the only one she ever enjoyed. Men like Erik are selfish, in that she can be sure of. Under their beautiful and charming facade, was a patient wolf who would do anything to get what they wanted. Pacifica was simply not interested in men with money or fame anymore. Something inside her had changed a long, long time ago.

"Ah, I see you two have met!" A man with a thick handlebar mustache was approaching them, just as sharply dress as Erik, and though his old age was evident on his face, he stood like how a real man should with broad shoulders and a built chest, he was large compared to Pacifica's father who stood beside him.

"I told you they would get along fine." Mr. Northwest nudged his friend.

"I guess you're right, Preston. You two, come with us, we have a discussion to make."

"I'm sorry," Pacifica began, eyes narrowing. "But who are you?"

Her father chuckled, wrapping his arms around his daughter's shoulder. "This, my darling, is Mr. Liam Alborn. He is Erik's father."

Pacifica looked at the old man, extending her hand and he grabbed it with a firm grip. She winced but was able to hide it from her face. "Nice to meet you, sir."

"The pleasure is mine. And a happy birthday to you." For a man looking like he had killed a hundred people, he gave the sweetest smile she had ever seen from an old man. Now Pacifica knew where Erik got his devilishly good looks.

"Thank you very much." She answered with the sweetest smile of her own.

"Good, now if you two would follow us, please."

The two gentlemen led their children to the garden outside the ballroom where two other women were sitting on a bench beside a rose bush, sipping champagne and chattering loudly.

It was cold outside. In fact, Pacifica just realized how warm it was inside with all the people in there. She wished she brought a shawl or something, anything to shield her bare shoulders from the chilly air. But there was something else in the wind. Something damp. Most likely it will rain tonight.

"Oh now look at them." Mrs. Northwest cooed smiling so brightly at her daughter. "You two look adorable together."

Pacifica stopped in her tracks and eyed her parents suspiciously. "What do you mean?"

"Well, sweetheart, that is what we want to talk with you about." Her father clapped his hands together. "You see, Mr. Alborn and I have been talking, and we thought that an expansion will be good for our company."

Pacifica's eye's widened. She already knew what they have agreed upon, but her mind fails to comprehend it. Surely her parents wouldn't be evil enough to do that to her, would they? "When did you talk about this?" She asked, sounding like a rock.

"We've been talking about this for a few months now." Mr. Alborn admitted.

"Pacifica, darling," Mrs. Northwest stood beside her husband in support, her smile still plastered on her face. "We thought that it would be good for the company to expand our partnership with Mr. Alborn's. Their proposals would definitely benefit both sides."

The young Northwest gulped. "But what's the catch?" She was dreading their answer. She can already hear it at the back of her head.

"We want you to marry Erik."