“Hey,” Davina turned her head around from the dresser where she sat applying makeup and looked across the room to the door, where her father stood.

“Dad.” She moved the chair backwards and tried to stand.

“No, darling.” Bruce stopped her while stepping further into the room, a smile etched on his face. “Don’t worry. But are you sure you can go?”

Davina smiled. “My leg has gotten better. I can walk well now.” A whole week had passed since she injured her ankle. The healing process had been slow and torturous, but she was glad most of the pain was gone now. She could walk much better now than before. All she had to do was ignore the little sting in her ankle every time she moved.

“Are you sure?” Her father looked worried. She threw him a reassuringly smile. He came to sit on the side of her bed, looking at her. “I mean, it has only been a week since your accident. The doctor has not instructed you to work yet and you are attending this party…on heels.” He was being skeptical and Davina knew she had to make him understand that she was fine enough to attend this party.

“Dad!” She rose from the chair and came to her father, trying her best not to limp or show any sign of discomfort on her face. Sitting beside Bruce, she explained to him. “Dad, I am fine. Promise. My leg does not hurt at all. And my heels are not that long.” She could not help the chuckle that tore from her at her father's wide eyes.

“I don’t know.” He looked down at her feet, eyeing the black heels warily. “They look pretty long to me.”

“That’s because you are not used to it.” Davina raised her feet off the floor, wiggling her legs before her dad’s eyes. “These are nothing. It’s just four inches long.” She planted her legs to the floor and did a walk to the dresser and back. Bruce’s eyes, following her closely. “See? This feels like walking on a cloud.” She added, returning to her father. “Don’t worry. I won’t fall. That is the last thing I would need for this party am going to attend.”

Indeed, falling on her face surly was the last thing Davina needed right now. The past week had been hell for her. Aside from staying in bed all day without going out, what she hated most was the fact that she had not been able to work as effectively as she had wanted. Her clients kept coming over to the house, wondering how she was doing. She had to admit, it was sweet of them to come see her. Some even brought along get-well-soon sweets, which she had a nice time eating with Marisa. The sweets had been soothing, but she had wanted nothing more than to be on her feet, doing what the people came to talk to her about…the construction. Everyone wanted to know what the fate of their homes were because they had all seen the way construction equipment and workers were trooping into the town every single day. They were restless and pressured her to do something to help them.

Davina had hated that she was not able to do anything. She hated that she had no reply to the people’s questions. She hated it because they looked up to her. They looked up to her to help them secure their homes. And she hated it when she let people down. At some point during her stay at home, she almost phoned Mr Alvaro’s assistant to request audience with the man. However, Antonio’s words that day he came to see her had made so much sense, she decided to go with his plan.

“I asked him to stop the construction and leave this town.” Davina explained to him when they had gotten to the sitting room.

“No. You shouldn’t have.” Antonio bellowed, anger flashing in his grey eyes.

“Why?” Davina stared him down.

Heaving a helpless sigh, he explained. “I know the man very well. He doesn’t take it lightly when he is commanded.” Davina nodded, clearly knowing that fact. “Telling him what to do only makes him angry. And that is not how we want to approach him. Vulcan Alvaro is a smart man. If we want to get him to stop this all together only a lawsuit can not cut it.” Davina’s brows rose in question at his statement. “He knows people everywhere and he could easily bribe the judge to rule in his favour. That’s not want we want.”

“So how do you suggest we go about this?” She asked.

“Let’s make him think he is in control of this situation.” Antonio explained.

“How?” Davina was clearly not following what this man was saying.

“If he calls for a meeting, you go. Tell him you are no longer going to file the lawsuit against him…”

“What?” Davina would have shot out of the sofa if her leg had not been hurting her so much. What was Antonio telling her? NO! She was not going to let Vulcan Alvaro have his way.

“Would you please listen?” The man came to sit with her on the sofa. “He has to think he is in control. So while you keep him distracted, I will go around and dig for something on this issue. My friends in the business world would help me gather dirt on him. You are sure that he did some shady business on this deal right?” She nodded. “Good, then leave it to me to find that out. But for the meantime, let him do as he pleases.”

“What if he starts destroying people’s houses then?” She asked. “Then what?”

Antonio rose to his feet almost instantly. “Leave that to me.” He said, a sinister smile forming on his lips. “I will handle him.” Something dark flashed inside the man’s eyes, making Davina wonder what exactly he was going to do to ‘handle’ Mr Alvaro. “Take care of yourself.” He bent to kiss Davina’s cheek unannounced. “Call me when he contacts you.” With those parting words, he exited her home. Leaving Davina wondering what he was going to do.

Even until now, Davina still had no idea what Antonio had done. But what she could tell was that his plan had worked, or whatever. Vulcan Alvaro had not contacted her in a whole week and his construction workers, although they were still coming into town, were not working. The machines stayed off. But Davina could not count on them being that way for long. Antonio Valdes had not called her since that day he left, to tell her anything. And neither would she sit here nor wait for him to do all the work. She did not want a man cleaning up her messes. Hence, when she heard the current and outgoing mayor was holding a party in his luxurious mansion, she knew she had to attend. If not for anything, but to find out if the man knew anything about Mr Alvaro’s construction or not. He was the mayor after all and he could have vital information to share with her.

“If you are sure about this, then who am I to say otherwise?” Her father’s words drew her from her thoughts and she blinked, focusing all her attention on the man before her.

“Don’t worry dad.” She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “I will be fine.” Raising her head to look at the wall clock, she realized she was running late for the party. Returning to the chair, she continued fixing her makeup.

“Alright, I will leave you to it.” Bruce walked to the door. Turning around, he asked. “Will someone be picking you up?”

“No, dad.” She replied.

 
Vulcan Alvaro held in the urge to yawn as he sat in the study room of the Mayor of Little Hill, Denis Marshal, listening to the man talk to his guests of honour. The man was going on about the developments he had brought to the town and how he wanted these people, who were clearly influential in this town, to help him campaign for his cousin who intended to compete to be the next mayor. He spoke of how they should consider his cousin who was basically like him and blah, blah, blah.

It took everything in him not to open his mouth and contribute to their conversation. And those so-called, respectable people of Little Hill sat there nodding their head like lizards to every little thing the Mayor said. He had to bite his tongue to stop himself from asking them to tell him what had changed in this town. From the last time he came here, two years ago, and now, he did not see that much development anywhere. The roads were still untarred, the schools remained in ruins and the houses along the cape were not in good shape. The mayor has not done anything major as far as he was concerned. Instead of developing this beautiful town and showing its true potential, he rakes up all the money into his bank account.

Vulcan felt disappointed at the leaders in this town. Two years ago when he had been searching for the perfect place to build the next luxury hotel where people could come and have the time of their lives, one of his business friends had suggested him to check out this town. He told him of it’s beautiful hills, magnificent greenery and breath-taking sights. He had immediately hopped on a plane and got here. And boy did it not disappoint. He had immediately fallen in love with the town and he had decided this place would be where he would build his new luxury resort hotel. And it had taken him a year and a half to acquire all the land along that cape. Everything had been going on well until three weeks ago, when his assistant had called to inform him, while he was still getting over his heartbreak, that a Davina King was protesting against the construction. She claimed the people never sold their houses and that he had no right to kick them out and pull them down. Bullshit! He had all the necessary legal documents to support his purchase and therefore had every right to go ahead with his construction.

Vulcan knew he could have ignored that perspiring young woman and went ahead and done whatever the heck he wanted. However, his instincts had told him to investigate this before taking any further decisions. And he always listened to his instincts. They were always right. He only came to this town to learn the truth. And he was going to stay here for as long as it took to resolve this little issue, even if the construction would have to be put on hold. He knew he would be losing millions, but he had to see to it that everything was right before the construction started. The only person who could solve all his problems was the Mayor. The man had been out of town on important business and had only returned today. Vulcan had been really looking forward to speaking with the man face to face, so he had been disappointed when he heard he was holding a farewell party in his honour. The man sent him an invitation. Vulcan only came here because he was hoping he could have a private conversation with the man, but then there he was, in the man’s study room with about nine others, listening to him talk politics. Well, no more. He has had enough! He was out of there.

All eyes turned on him as he rose from the leather chair, leaving his glass of scotch on the end table. Vulcan spared neither man a glance and walked out of there not giving a damn what they thought. He should not have come here.

As soon as he exited the room, he bumped into a lady in a blue dress. Holding his arms out, he was quick to wrap his arms around her so she would not fall to the ground. “Oh, sorry about…” Vulcan started to apologize to whomever it was, but stopped midsentence when he saw her face. “Davina!” It was a gasp.

Vulcan stared, surprised. His eyes raked over her. Taking in the figure-hugging sparkly blue maxi dress, which did nothing but emphasis her wondrous curves. He had to admit that Davina looked beautiful. Her hair, held back on a tight ponytail showed off a perfect jawline and long neck. His gaze swept past her beautiful long legs that were on full display and went to her feet. Her wounded ankle was still in bandages and…she was in heels.

“Davina what are you doing wearing those?” He frowned instantly. All week, he had sent Derek to her house to find out how she was doing. Although, she always ended up kicking the man out without taking the flowers he sent, he knew she was getting better. But that was no excuse for her to put an injured ankle in heels! “And what are you doing here? You are not supposed to be out of bed yet.”

“Excuse me Mr Alvaro, but it’s Miss King to you. And it is none of your business how I take care of myself or where I go.” Davina retorted, while stepping out of his arms. He did not miss the slight limp in her step.

“It is my business.” He stated, eyeing her leg.

“Yeah, after all it was you who caused this.” Davina threw him a glare. Folding her arms protectively, she raised her chin challengingly.

“Davina,” he sighed.

“Miss King!” She retorted, shifting her balance off her injured leg.

“Davina you shouldn’t be wearing those.” Vulcan was clearly worried about that ankle.

“I can wear whatever I want.” She told him fiercely, her hands dropping to her sides. “Now if you will excuse me I am going to see the mayor.” She made to walk past him but then winced when she missed her step. The heel balanced to the side, sending her along with it. She crushed into the door, a pained cry escaping her lips.

Vulcan swore under his breath. “You are just so stubborn.” He reached out to help her but she slapped his hand away.

“Don’t touch me!” She hissed, eyes closing shut.

Vulcan had to rush his hands through his hair so he would not have to grab her by the shoulder and shake some sense into her. Damn he had never met someone as stubborn. She does not want to admit that she needs help. Was she only like this with him or that is how she was generally? He watched her draw sharp breaths. Her injured leg suspended off the floor. The way she leaned against that door, if anyone from inside the room were to open the door right now, she would fall right down. He could tell her to move, but then again this stubborn young woman would not listen to him.

“You should go home and get some rest.” He suggested after reigning his anger in. Well, he could help her get home but she would not accept his offer, so he decided it was best he left immediately. After all, he was already done with this party. Stuffing his hands inside his pockets, he spun around and started for the staircase.

 
Davina came to the party filled with hope. This was her chance to speak with the mayor and learn about his involvement in this deal. She had a gut feeling that Mayor Denis Marshal was in on this shady business of Vulcan Alvaro. Because he was the mayor. Nothing was done in this town without his consent or permission. It was his job to do so. Therefore, she came here tonight to learn everything the man knew about the construction.

This party had not been what she thought it would be anyway. She heard it was a party to bid the man farewell, but it seemed rather that it was a party to unveil the man’s cousin as an aspiring candidate for mayor. For an hour and a half, she had walked around the lower floor of the huge mansion, trying to locate the mayor. The man was nowhere to be found, which left her wondering if he was really at this party. She had almost given up and gone home because not only did this turn out to be a complete waste of time, her ankle also throbbed painfully. She knew she should not have worn those heels with her injury, but she possibly could not have worn flats with that classy outfit.

Thank goodness, she had overheard a conversation that the mayor was up in his study. With that piece of information, she had walked up the staircase, with a lot of discomfort from her ankle. She decided to endure it because if she managed to get whatever she wanted from the mayor, this pain would be the least of her problems. Moreover, she would rather take a thousand broken ankles than watch the people’s homes get pulled down.

Vulcan Alvaro had been the last person she had wished to bump into at this party…literally. A sharp pang had shot through her when she missed her step and slammed into that door. But for the hard bite she gave her lower lip, she would have let out a scream and embarrassed herself more. Davina would do anything at that point so as not to degrade herself further in the eyes of her worse enemy. She did not want him seeing her as a weakling who could not cater for herself. Too bad their meetings had always not gone, as she wanted. She always ended up looking like a fool and that so is not like her. It seemed anytime she found herself in trouble Vulcan Alvaro was always there. Well, she did not want his help. She would get herself home, but first…

Davina turned her back to a retreating Vulcan and straightened her spine. Stepping away from the door, she settled her injured foot on the ground and hissed when the throbbing only intensified. “I have to do this.” She told herself. Just then, the door started to open. Pulling her professional face on, she stood aside and waited for the Mayor to emerge.

Mayor Denis Marshal was not alone, as she had imagined. He stepped out with about eight more men at his tail. Whatever the men had said before exiting the room had been funny because they came out laughing heartily. He turned around to agree with them.

“I know what you mean, Bradford.” The Mayor wiped tears of mirth from the corner of his eyes while the others burst out laughing behind him. His gaze wept over her as he turned to walk away.

“Mr Mayor.” Davina called, coming up to him. “I was hoping to have a word with you.” She said, pulling on her most polite smile.

The man looked her over once more, a look of disapproval on his face. “What about?”

“I was hoping for a private…” She started but he cut her off.

“This is all you will get.” She did not miss the irritation in his voice.

Meeting his gaze head on, she asked without preamble. “Are you aware of the construction that is about to take place in the cape of Little Hill?” She saw the frown on the man’s face and probed further. “Mr Alvaro claimed he purchased those houses but I don’t believe him. I want to know who authorised the sale when the inhabitants of those houses did not.”

“What are you going on about?” The man asked.

“Did you sell those homes legally to Mr Alvaro or…?”

“Davina King, right?” The man interjected her.

“Yes.” If Davina had been surprised that he knew her name, she did not let it show. Instead, she raised her chin up in an air of confidence and addressed the man. “The one and only.”

“You are that arrogant woman trying to ruin the development of our community by writing stupid petitions!” Her mouth hang open in surprise at the man’s accusations. The Mayor turned around to the men behind him. “You see that, people? While, I have been trying my best to bring development to this town, others want to thwart all my hard work.” He turned back to Davina. “That construction is going to bring a lot of development and work to this town. We will be on the map as one of the best tourist destinations in the country, if not the world! But useless, selfish, troublemaking people like you have sworn not to let that happen!” Davina was stunned to silence. “We do not need such ignorant and backward people in this town to keep dragging us backwards.”

“I am only fighting for the right of the…”

“No one asked you to fight for any right!” His voice thundered over hers, shutting her right up. He pointed a thick index finger at her and continued. “Miss King, if you know what’s best for you, stay out of this. And this is a warning.” With those words, he walked on with the men mumbling behind him.

Davina stood rooted to the spot for long seconds after they walked off. Her heart pounding rapidly inside her chest. She was lost for words. Her thoughts snatched from her. Tears stung her eyes as she tried to swallow the rapidly growing lump inside her throat. She hopped closer to the pillar behind her, lifting her injured leg so she would not have to feel both the physical and mental pain that was slamming into her now. Her tears overflowed and ran down her cheeks. Her body shook as her sobs broke out through trembling lips.

Bracing her arms against the pillar, she pushed herself off. Dragging her injured leg and limping, she turned the corner. A sob of relief tore out of her when she found a balcony at the end of that hallway. She painfully dragged herself there. The view of the estate from the height was impressive. One could see the vast green surrounding the mansion, the beach and the moon together with the stars all at the same time. However, Davina barely noticed it. She spotted a lounge chair tucked in the curve of the balcony. It was in a corner. The perfect place to hide if one wanted to be alone. Right now, that was what she wanted.

Plopping into the chair, she pushed her face into her palms and cried hard. Her heart ached and her ankle throbbed painfully, doubling her misery. Right now she wished she were home and not here. She wished she had not come here at all. It had all been a waste. And now there she sat, crippled and in tears without any one to help her. If only she had controlled her tongue, Vulcan Alvaro would have dropped her at home by now. Tears spilled from her palms, running down her hands in endless lines, falling at her feet.

Footsteps shuffled close to the balcony but she did not hear it. Even when those footsteps came to stand over her and a man in a suit watched her, she remained oblivious to it. It was not until she felt the seat beside her dip, did she raise her gaze, a startled cry tearing from her mouth. Her gaze clashed with Vulcan Alvaro’s and for the first time she was glad he was there. Therefore, when he opened his arms to her, she did not hesitate and moved into them.