Falling for the CEO's Playful Trap

02. Small Space

“You actually know his full name!”

Blair exclaimed as my gaze fixed with the man I didn’t want to see tonight, much more ever. We are like having that fight within our gazes with whoever backs down first losses and the winner will get a massive price. That is how intense our eye contact is, but no one even notices it at all… because we are the only ones who know why this is happening in the very first place.

While I let Blair speak sweetly of him and his looks, I find myself going on a memory lane where the only memory he left on me was nothing but hate. As far as I remember, Zachary Cuevas has been my brother's one and only enemy, may it be in school or business. We all graduated in the same elementary school, high school, and even the university with the two of them even taking the same course, Entrepreneurship.

He was also the reason why my brother had to keep striving harder than he already was because of the pressure put on his shoulder by our parents every after the results of exams were out. Their intelligence is so close to the point that they just keep on switching ranks with my brother taking the 1st rank and Zach taking the 2nd then vice versa. That is why the moment they entered the business world, the tabloids already labeled their competition as the War of the Bachelors.

Thinking about it, the whole competition between them was ridiculous and something wouldn’t even exist in the very first place if it weren’t from our families. Way back I don’t even know how long, the Garcia Group and CVS Group have been the biggest competitors of one another in the market. Their competition was similar to how my brother and Zach competed during their elementary to high school days, which is the reason why it wasn’t that shocking anymore that the legacy continues up until my brother died, and I am pretty sure I will have to be the one to continue it as well.

“Anna, Ms. Annalee is coming this way.” Ryleigh says with a bit of panic across her face.

As soon as I looked at Zach far right, I saw a woman dressed in a beautiful champagne dress that shows off her curves as well. Annalee Ward is the CEO of Metro Crown Management and our one and only boss whom I know everyone in the industry wishes to be their boss as well. She became the boss in our management a year before I joined after finishing her model career while basing in London. She was also the one who recruited me and is my role model while she was still active in her career.

“Here I thought my star of the night would be late tonight.” She exclaimed with a sweet smile plastered on her lips.

She leans for a soft peck on the cheek as I do the same, greeting her. “I don’t think Martha will even let that happen, ma’am.”

“Well then, consider yourself lucky for having such an attentive manager! You deserve a raise indeed, Martha.” Anna gave Martha a thumbs up in return, making me chuckle softly. “By the way, like I said, I will be introducing you to the biggest investor of our management. Let me just look for him first,”

I only responded with a nod as she started to look around. I glanced at both Blair and Ry as they silently squealed in excitement. Aside from waiting for the announcement of this much awaited ball of the year, the three of us are also excited to meet the only person who invested in almost all of my projects this year without even any doubt. I was confused at first because it was unusual for an investor to keep investing in one model even if I am a well-known model as of the moment. That is why I was ecstatic when Annalee said that this investor will be going tonight.

“You have got to be joking,” Blair exclaimed in disbelief with eyes wide and lips parted a bit. “It cannot be him.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

Ry pointed in front of us. “You might wanna look ahead of you.”

The moment I turned my head, an unexpected view of Zach greeted me. He is walking towards us with one hand placed inside his pants pocket and the other holding a glass of champagne. I didn't even notice where he got it from! Living up to his nickname, he didn’t waste giving side glances to each model he passes by as if he can accommodate each after the party ends.

“Adriann, I would like you to meet the biggest investor of our management,” Zach stood next to Annalee, which is just right in front of me, with a smirk plastered on his lips. “As well as the CEO of CVS Group, Mr. Zachary Cuevas.”

“It’s nice to finally meet the supermodel of Metro Crown.” He says in such a soft yet flirtatious manner, making Blair squeal a little on my side.

“Oh, Mr. Cuevas, you know it! Zachary, this is—”

“Adrianna Rae Garcia.” He emphasizes each word with his eyes lingering on me still.

I hate those eyes. He really dared to look at me right now like I am one of his women tonight after what he did. He must have forgotten what he did already. What a thick face he has.

“I am amazed! I didn’t know that the popularity of our current top model has reached the higher up.” Annalee exclaimed with amusement obvious in her tone. She turned to us with one hand placed on Zach’s arm. “Ladies, if you are not aware yet, Metro Crown Management is also under CVS Group. This means that Mr. Cuevas right here is the boss of the boss of the boss.”

“So, he is an investor… as well the boss of the boss of the boss?” Ryleight clarified as Annalee only nodded with an honest smile.

Here I thought I was living my life and working on my career peacefully without having the nightmare from a year ago trying to ruin everything for me, only to find out that Zach has actually been my boss of the boss of the boss already before my career even bloomed. So much from trying away from my worst enemy, huh?

“Ms. Garcia,” Zach extended his hand for a handshake, as if I don’t know him well enough. “It is very nice to finally meet you.”

My guts says to reject his hand and turn to my back so he will be left dumbfounded. However, I couldn’t be impudent in front of Annalee who only knows my good side since then. Besides, I don’t really have any bad records or even dared to have one… until this man in front of me appeared all of a sudden and wanted to have a normal handshake.

I force my lips to form a smile at him before extending my hand, accepting his. “It is also nice to meet you, Mr. Cuevas.” I said while trying to maintain my anger deep inside.

Be professional, Adrianna. You won’t need to face him after this.

“Is it really nice to meet me, Ms. Garcia?” He purposely emphasized the word that we both know is the opposite of what I want to say. I only gave him a smile in return before taking my hand back, making him chuckle softly before clearing his throat. “I already knew you have the talent of choosing your best talent. I just didn’t know you were this talented, Annalee!”

“Oh please, you don’t need to compliment me that much, Zachary!” Annalee smacks his shoulder lightly with a soft laugh. “But you are indeed right! Adrianna is a blessing in the sky for Metro Crown. Since she debuted on the runway, there hasn’t been a day when she didn’t impress the public!”

I shyly thanked Annalee with a small smile without glancing at Zach despite feeling his glance at me. It is not that Metro Crown was in its biggest downfall before I entered the management. In fact, they have been one of the top modeling agencies in the country since then. The only difference after I entered the agency and my name found its way to stardome is that the recognition I received was also passed to my junior or even senior models, leading Metro Crown unbeatable for the past five years of my career.

Since then, people already love the way I walk on the runway with the tabloids even describing it as a walk of elegance and confidence. The combinations of brown, green, and gold in my eyes formed that captivating hazel colored deep almond eyes with small, slim nose, full lips, and a heart shaped face also caught the public eye, which earned me several offers from left and right. For many people, I am the definition of the dream model with my tall height, curvy body, olive skin, and natural brown hair.

The last five years of my career made a turning point in my life until it took another turn last year.

“I see that you already vouch for her. You seem pretty confident that the next project will be all in good hands, Annalee.” Zach commented with amusement in his face.

“Well, as you can see, I will always vouch for my models. I didn’t train them well to not showcase the best talent they have.” Annalee proudly argued with a confident smoke plastered on her lips. “But for now, I will have to see some of the guests. Do you mind if I excuse myself for a moment?”

“Not at all! Besides,” Zach glances at me for a moment before looking back to Annalee. “I think I should know Ms. Garcia here better to ensure that I am indeed investing properly.”

“Then, if you say so,” Annalee signaled Ry and Blair to follow her before placing a hand on top of mine. “I will leave Mr. Cuevas with you for now, Adrianna. Take care of him for me, okay?”

The only response I could ever give her was a nod because I know well that the moment my mouth opens, it will be the very moment when everything will go down. I watch as she leaves with Ry and Blair following behind while I maintain a fake smile so she wouldn’t be too suspicious about the possible tension that will form once she is out of sight. And I wasn’t wrong.

“Looks like you aren’t just a great CEO, Mr. Cuevas,” I shot daggers to Zach while he remained unbothered by it. “I see that you are a great actor too. Might as well change your career, yeah?”

“Then… Do you think being an actor will shoot me more, Addy?”

Addy? Addy?!

“What did you just call me?” I firmly asked.

“Is it wrong for me to call you the same way I did before? From what I remember, you like it when I call you Addy.” He smirks, probably thinking that he is winning in whatever this is he is trying to do.

Addy is the short term of Adrianna. As much as I don’t want to admit it, it is this jerk who made that nickname and is the only one who calls me by it because I don’t let anyone use it because it reminds me of how much I hated Zach. I don’t even understand why he chose to create such a lame nickname for me when we are not and will never be close anyway.

“Then, your memory must be mixing up already, Mr. Cuevas.” I formally said. I reached for my dress and lifted it up a little to escape from this nightmare already. “Well, if you are not busy enough, might you like to excuse me, Mr. Cuevas? I do have some friends whom I need to meet. I’m pretty sure you can entertain yourself quite on your own, yeah?”

I was about to turn around when he suddenly spoke up, making me halt and look at him.

“You don’t need to be so formal towards me, Addy. We are not strangers to each other already.” He took a step forward as I remained on my stand. He leans a little until there is only a few inches away between our faces with a small smirk plastered on his lips. “Your eyes still remain the same. Innocent yet captivating indeed… just how I like it.”

I know well enough that this guy is not only trying to get on my nerves but also has the nerves to try and flirt with me. Maybe he is indeed an apple in the eyes of many women here just like before with his masculine build, a little tan skin, oval face, oval-shaped brown eyes, mid-length, straight nose, and average lips. He might be able to charm all women in this room, but he really needs to know how to make an exception.

I push him by his shoulder, with one hand, enough not to catch much attention while trying to control my anger still. “I know that you must be enjoying all the attention you are getting tonight, but try to read the room and see who is the one who doesn’t care about your presence.” I glared at him as he just remained calm in return. “You must have forgotten what you did to my brother for you to have guts to act like this.”

He let out a sigh as he looked up, licking his lower lip, before looking at me again. “Like I already said before, it is not my fault why he died that day, Adrianna. You really need to start trying not to accuse those innocent of such claims. Doesn’t that investigation already give you enough proof that I am innocent?” He says in a low voice and a more casual way, ensuring that we are the only one hearing this argument.

“We both know that investigation doesn’t prove a thing, Zachary Auguste Cuevas. You are the last person who was with my brother, and you expect me not to accuse you?” I argued back.

“I am indeed the last person he spent his last few moments with, but it doesn’t mean I am not the one who led him to his deathbed. You better think properly before speaking unnecessary things, Adrianna. This is not the first time this has happened.” He firmly defended himself.

I took a step forward with anger already painted in my eyes. “Then expect that this won’t be the last, Zach. I will do whatever it takes to prove you will find your time in jail after what you did to my brother.”

Before Zach could even respond back, I was suddenly pulled away from him with Martha apologizing while she took me far from Zach’s spot. We remained walking with people greeting me, but all I could give was a simple fake smile. He occupied my mind, and I can’t even get it out of there already.

As soon as we reached the balcony, Martha immediately closed the two-way door, making the noise from the inside become nothing but small noise from here. The cold breeze immediately hit my skin as I found my way to breath properly again to clear my mind off from what happened. I placed both hands on top of the handrail as I took a deep breath with my eyes closed.

“I know that you don’t agree with him and you are mad at him, but you need to calm yourself down, Anna. The guests were already eyeing the two of you before I even pulled you away! What were you thinking?!” Martha scolded, raising her voice a little.

I opened my eyes then faced her. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t able to control myself. He was—” My voice shakes in anger as I gather my thoughts first before speaking up once again. “He was talking about my brother like he didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Okay, I understand what you are getting at. But you need to remember how important this night is, Adrianna. You cannot mess things up tonight, got it?” She reminded me as I took a deep breath before nodding. “Now, we will go out there and you will communicate with the guests in a calm and friendly way… may it be with Mr. Cuevas.”

“Bu—”

“No buts, Anna. You might have a grudge towards him, but even if we turn things around, he is still the boss and an investor. Technically, this party and your career wouldn’t be possible without him.” She pointed out, firmly. Martha extended her hand calmly. “Are we clear now?”

I look at her as her eyes sparkle, pleading with me, leaving me sighing. “Clear.”

The party continued for the next few hours with Annalee announcing new projects coming this year and introducing new models to be handled by the management as well. Just like she said, I was indeed the main star of the night with all of my projects, both on-going and upcoming, laid out. It was like she really gave it so much thought that I should be promoted tonight.

At the same time the guests start to leave, every model under the management and some guests start to prepare for the after party to be held at Charvary, the nightclub that Annalee rented for the rest of the night until tomorrow for us. I dress up in a beige colored trim mini dress that hugs my curves well with a new pair of silver stilettos. I let my hair remain the same so I wouldn’t need to take some time to remove all the hairpins from it.

“Do you mind if you guys go first? I need to go to the restroom for now.” I told Ry and Blair with a nod, gesturing to them to go on.

Martha won’t be with me for the after party and she already left the building as well a couple of minutes ago. However, that woman didn’t leave without giving me reminders and scolding me a little about my alcohol intake because I do drink a lot more than expected.

I entered the nearest restroom to wash my hands in peace. However, I didn’t expect that the peace I was wanting to have would be disrupted in a bit when I heard a loud crash hit the door of one of the stalls on the far right. I was about to ask about the woman until I heard moaning following after and I can only turn a blind eye, sighing.

“Do me, Mr. Cuevas.”

That one and only moan made me turn to my left where the noise came from. I look in that stall where those two are in disbelief. I am well aware of Zach’s reputation as a casanova, but I didn’t expect that he really doesn’t choose a place to f**k someone. Suddenly, a loud scream echoed across the restroom, making me jump a little on my spot when my eyes came in contact with Joanna, one of my junior models who has been under Metro Crown for two years.

“A-Adrianna… I-I didn’t k-know you were t-there.” She stammered while fixing the hem of her short dress as I only nodded in return. “H-Have you…?”

“Heard the two of you?” At the right timing, Zach came out of the stall with his dark gaze fixed on me. He is definitely not happy with my interference. “I think Hannah and Mia are already waiting for you outside. You should head there already before making the mistake of your life.”

Without any hesitation, she ran off and left the room without even stealing a glance at Zach. She is probably afraid because I caught her, but I don’t care much about what she does in life. What is important is that she doesn’t get pregnant now and that she will do s*x with someone in a private place instead.

Silence filled the room as only Zach and I were left in there. I turn to face the mirror once more to fix my hair and makeup while he linger behind me in silence. I don’t even care what he does, but the moment he didn’t even bother coming out instead of standing next to the door while leaning to the wall on one side with arms crossed, that is when I gave him my attention.

“I suggest that the next time you want to have s*x with someone, try to do it in a more comfortable place.” I commented with a poker face.

I am not really in any place to comment about his s*x life nor to speak about anything about it. However, it just so happens that I was the one who witnessed it and she even did it with my fellow model. I care less if he flirts with everyone in the room, but he really needs to back off from my juniors who don't know how worse he can be.

“But isn’t an exciting one better than comfortable?” He said in a deep voice while maintaining a straight face. “After all, having a quickie in a public restroom is more arousing, don’t you think?”

“Maybe?” I glance once at him before looking at myself in the mirror again. “But if it's with you, I don’t think that is a given.”

Suddenly, he approaches me with those dark eyes he still has on after I interrupted their heated make out. In return, I remained standing on my ground, facing him already with my back leaning on the counter, until there was no space left between the two of us. I could feel his breathing heavily as he looked down at me and my lips with his growing bulge on my stomach that failed to get its release tonight.

“You do know that this whole bravery you have right now will only make me want to do things to you, right?” He threatened.

I scoff, smirking afterwards with my eyes looking up to him. “I think you are also aware that I wouldn’t let such a murderer do anything to me, right?”

His eyes darken further with the term that I know he dislikes the most came out of my mouth. So much for a casanova now, huh?

“What did you just call me?” He said with his jaw clench and gaze glaring at me like he can smash my head into the island any time.

“What? Does that truth hurt the casanova’s pride?” I bravely fought back without even thinking of backing down. “Did you already forget what you did to my brother?”

“Once again, I didn’t kill Tobias, Addy. You surely need to do some research on your own before accusing me of something that I didn’t do.” He defends himself while staying in such a position.

“Your way of defending yourself remains the same as it is, huh? What a f*****g pretender.” I firmly argued with anger in my eyes.

“Pretender, huh?” He leans closer until his lips are only a few inches away from mine. “Let’s see if your thoughts of me remain the same after this.”

The next thing I knew, he kissed me… deep and hard as if he has been waiting to do it for so long. With my hands kept trying to push him away slowly weakened, then I just… fell over his playful trap… just like every woman does.