Gambling Hearts with the CEO

CHAPTER 10: An Urging Heat

Flashes of cameras are everywhere. People were asking and talking almost at the same time. It almost feels like so long since I was surrounded by the media. Even with the far distance, it still feels weird because I suddenly felt I am not used to the cameras anymore. That I am not used to the attention anymore.

The function room two is filled with reporters who had their own selves ready to bombarded me with questions. I already knew what they might have asked the moment I woke up this morning to attend this event. Considering that the media loves drama, they will surely want to confirm whether I actually parted ways with the CoLion on good terms. That is how it’s always been anyway. But I have the feeling the attention wouldn’t be on me alone today but also the CEO.

I dressed up in a lapel collar striped pants suit with a belt that serves as the button for the blazer, a black sleeveless shirt inside and a white heels. My hair is styled down with a few curls at the end and I also put on light makeup to match with my outfit. Technically, I feel like just attending a business meeting with an endorser instead of attending an important event for today. Maybe because I don’t feel very nervous.

“Hello everyone. Thank you so much for coming today…” Brandon speaks up over the mic with a small smile. It’s astonishing to him to actually smile in front of the camera when he always keeps his cold face on. He does know how the media work.

I settled next to him and tried to put on a small smile while he spoke so I wouldn’t look like I hated to be in that hall. He speaks about some of the details about the brand and answers a few questions that the reporters have already bombarded him with. However, he managed to dodge each question smoothly as if he could be an artist himself any time soon.

My eyes went down to the folder placed neatly on the table with a pen next to it. Today is the contract signing already and as funny as it sounds, I kind of want to leave the room and just not sign it. Even up until to this day, the questions inside my head still remain about accepting the offer and dropping the other one. It still remains a questionable decision for me. But leaving now won’t do any good anymore, especially that the media is just right in front of us.

“Ms. Borres, there are talks in the social media right now that you accepted the Styles & Co. offer despite having an unsuccessful collection the previous year because of your special relationship with Mr. Brandon Styles. What can you say about this?” My eyes automatically twitched a little the moment those words came out of the reporter’s mouth. How did he even know that Brandon and I had a past?

“As someone who sees fashion as somehow part of my daily life as a model, I have monitored Styles & Co.’s previous collection. Of course, I also double checked everything from their designs to overall before agreeing with the contract. So my decision to accept the offer of Mr. Styles are mainly because of my interest with their new collection not because of some personal relationship.” I politely answered despite not even being sure if Brandon was satisfied with it.

Their previous collection was not actually bad at all. In fact, it does look good. The only problem they had was that is why it was labeled as unsuccessful as it is too overpriced and the public sees a different style for now. They were too ahead with the designs they released which the public probably was not ready to accept yet. Going ahead with the fashion trend meant they needed someone with a big name to endorse in order for it to be successful, but that is not what they had before. However, it is still a great collection still.

“Then does that mean that the two of you actually know each other before?” Another reporter asked a question.

I felt Brandon’s gaze at me after that and it suddenly gave me pressure. I could easily deny it and say that we only met through my agency when they gave me a call, but that would be a lie. The people on the internet are quick to find evidence just to prove their claims and I’m pretty sure they might find one where both Brandon and I are together in one picture since they are some posted ones from my friends.

“Yes. Mr. Styles and I graduated from the same university, but we were both in different departments. We met through a colleague.” I answered.

After that, they kept asking more about our relationship instead of the contract signing and what to expect from Brandon’s company's new collection that I will endorse. It’s funny how they never changed. For these people, what they are most interested in is the personal lives of the public figures rather than the achievements. They knew those kinds of news will get the public’s attention more. But I had already expected this considering that I am an actual public figure while Brandon is a bit only but his name is known by many because of his physical appearance mostly rather than his achievements.

The small event continued and the longer it lasted, the longer I felt tired because of the questions bombarded to me. I don’t even get why they decided to throw such a big event just for this small contract signing which I usually do inside the CEO’s office alone with CoLion, though they did throw a small event during my first signing but it wasn’t this chaotic. If only it wasn’t Brandon’s father who insisted on having this one, I would immediately reject the request but I am scared of his father as well.

I showed a big smile one last for the cameras as we walked out of the hall to finally escape the event. The moment I stepped out of the door, a deep breath escaped my lips in relief and also from tiredness. Juliet immediately handed me a water to drink which I accepted, but before I could even drink it, some of the executives from the Styles’ Group greeted me and thanked me again before going to Brandon.

I watched as they talked, waiting for Brandon to come to me and thank me as well just for formality. When those people left, I was already in full expectation that he would tell me something right away or at least compliment me for doing a great job. But a jerk is a f*****g jerk.

“Do I have a next schedule?” The jerk asked his secretary without even taking a short glance in my direction.

“You only have one meeting left with the British investors, sir. After that, you just need to get ready for the afterparty.” Mr. Centino handed the iPad to his boss.

Something I have noticed between them is that they both look so serious with their job. The boss is too cold while the secretary is too serious. It all matches so well. No wonder Brandon chooses Mr. Centino.

Brandon, finally, looked in my direction and gave me a single nod. “Good job today, Ms. Borres.” He simply said with a straight face that caught me off guard.

“Excuse me?” A sarcastic tone filled my words. He gave me a serious gaze, but only a scoff escaped my lips. I walked towards him as he stood up straight. “What’s your problem, Mr. Styles? Annoyed that I am here?”

“Stop with useless thoughts, Ms. Borres. I will see you at the afterparty tonight. Thank you for your hard work today.” he turned to the back and left.

I watched his broad back going further away from me, and somehow, it irritates me that he responded like that. Since this day started, we haven’t had a single talk until now. Even when I arrived, the other executives greeted me with such warmness but that freaking asshole didn’t even bother to do so. I care less of what he has in mind, but if that kind of attitude gets in my way while I work, then I will surely call him out for it.

As planned, an afterparty was set in the same hallway where the contract signing happened. They said that the purpose of it was to welcome me fully in the company, but I don’t think that welcoming me is not what their asshole boss wanted. Besides, it’s not really a need but they keep going all out that I can’t even deny their request for a celebration already.

I dressed up in a sparkling black bodycon draped dress with a criss cross at the back. My hair is up in a bun to show off the criss cross design at the back. Thankfully the venue is a hotel so I could easily change my outfit whenever I want to since my stylist always prepares several dresses for me to wear.

For the celebration, the executives will be there and even my friends and his will be there as well. It is just a small party which I am sure will only consist more of drinking until the executives leave, which they didn’t stay for long anyway. They are already too old for such a party so it is just my friends, his friends, and my team left. But as usual, there is a distance between us. Brandon and his friends are settled on the other table while my friends, my team, and I are settled on the other.

“We saw the video of the contract signing earlier. Why didn’t you say that you hated the CEO?” Kai teases with a smirk plastered on his lips. He sips on his glass before giving me a meaningful look. “Scared of the media, ain’t you?”

“Well, asshat, I have a lot of people hating me for being linked to Shaun if you are not aware. If I mess with that jerk, I might have more. Besides, I have my own agency’s image to take care of and also my own. The last thing I want is the media knocking on my door just because of another issue.” I rolled my eyes at him but I only heard laughter in return.

“Or maybe because she doesn’t hate the CEO anymore? I heard you have been visiting his company a lot lately.” Aisha supported the teasing game Kai initiated. f**k it! I have such great friends.

“I’m pretty sure you are aware of the business we have going on, Ms. Mills. I am the endorser of his company’s new collection so it is only natural that I come to his company before the contract signing.” I sarcastically argued in return.

“Business, you mean the bet?” Kai pointed out, giving me a knowing look. “The girls told me about the deal you made with him. Here I thought you hated him so much and all you want to do is prove that he is gay, but I didn’t know you’d be so interested to flirt with him, Alexandra.”

“First of all, it wasn’t me who made that deal. It was him. Second of all, he already said that he is not gay but I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t believe it without a proof because you are a damn asshole so I have no choice but to agree with his deal. Technically, you put me in this position with that jerk.” I argued, making them laugh even more.

“Well, it looks like you’re enjoying it though. Brandon kept glancing to your direction since earlier. I’m pretty sure he thinks we haven’t noticed it. Did something happen or what?” Cat commented, giving a secret glance to the other table where Brandon and his friends are at.

Without any hesitation, I look at their table only to see that jerk listening to his friends in silence with a glass of alcohol in his hand. If I am not mistaken he might even be in deep thought considering how he was gazing so seriously at the table as if he could break it with his eyes.

“He tried to take action and flirt with me, but things went wrong and I ended up with a wound on my elbow instead.” I only answered. But my damn friends let out a small cheer instead. I shake my head in disbelief. If only they knew how much that incident actually made that jerk even more colder.

“Already going for a dog and cat fight? How childish, Alexandra.” Esther teases that only made me scoff in disbelief.

They kept teasing me more which I just let them do already because it is no use defending myself anymore. They already made up their mind that their main goal today was to tease me and try to get on my nerves. Instead of staying there to listen to their words, I excused myself to go to the restroom so I could freshen up since I am starting to feel the alcohol in my nerves.

When I went out, I saw Brandon and Troy in the hallway, looking all serious. Since the restroom is outside of the hallway, they are the only ones in here making me even more suspicious. I took out my phone and opened my camera to take a photo of them in secret like a paparazzi. My eyes were blessed though when they went in for a hug, that made me smirk in victory. I guess I could use it as a proof so I could leave from this huge mess now.

“Alexandra,” I stopped on my track when I heard a familiar voice called for me.

It was like my world also stopped when I heard their footsteps coming closer so I had no choice but to face these giant men with an innocent face. I tried to hide my phone behind me then gave them an innocent smile as if I just didn’t plot something to take me out of the bet with Kai.

“Hey guys! What are you doing here?” I awkwardly asked.

“We just talked about something important. How about you?” Troy responded with his same angelic smile like I saw back in the reunion party.

“Oh, I just went to the restroom.” I simply said.

Suddenly, Brandon put his hand on his friend’s shoulder, making me gulp for some reason. He gave me a meaningful look, obviously trying to annoy me right now. “You should head inside me. We can continue talking about this later. I just need to clarify something with Alexandra here.” He only said.

Troy bid his goodbye to me before leaving both Brandon and I alone in the hallway. The next thing I knew, he held my wrist again and pulled me in the hallway of the restroom. What’s with us and the restroom hallway?!

“What?!” I sarcastically said when he finally let go of my wrist.

“Satisfied with what you saw?” He says with a smirk on his lips. Without any doubt, he suddenly took a step towards me until my back came in contact with the wall. He places one hand on the side of my head while the other slowly travels from my hand up to my arm until it reaches my cheeks as he tucks the strand of my hair behind my ears then gives me a seductive look. “I saw you taking pictures out there, Alexandra. You do know that it's not a good idea to take pictures of others without permission, right?”

For some reason, I had this weird feeling inside me as he took a deep look right into my eyes and soul. His touches somehow felt like it was burning me. His gaze felt like I was trapped. And here I am, actually falling for it like an i***t. A single look from him and our closeness, there is suddenly an urging heat.

“W-What are you doing?” I stuttered when he slowly leaned his face forward again like last time.

“What do you think?” He only said.

He didn’t stop and went closer and closer until I could feel his breath. My breath hitch and it was the only time he stopped from going closer. But I was already growing nervous inside and kept having this indescribable feeling inside me.

“Guess, I won?” He said.

A scoff escapes my lips because of it. So he really went to test me? What the hell?

“You!” I shouted.

I was about to hit him in his chest when the next move he made me stop on my feet. He… kissed me.