LOVED

17

   Mr Reid was a true iconic figure, you could even tell just from his movement.

 But that wasn't the only thing that caught my eye. Mason walked into the building directly behind his parents looking too edible for my health.

 His long blonde hair was held back into a smooth and shiny bun, meanwhile his matte black tuxedo gave him an exotic appearance.

 I could definitely feel his presence from my position and I'm very sure every single lady in this room can feel it too.

Am i drooling? I think I am.

" No going over to Mason tonight" Hunter ordered like he was my dad.

" And why is that? I can't converse with a friend just because of some stupid deal?" I placed one hand on my hip and the other still firmly held my glass cup.

" I don't know what your definition of friend is, but it's clear that our dictionaries are different" He responded in annoyance and took his steps towards Mr Reid.

 I stayed back for the meantime before showing myself to this oh so important Mr Reid, but I could use a snack as I wait.

 I walked over to the table of sugar as my mind tagged it, and picked up a swiss roll to start with. I collected another glass of wine from a waitress who just passed by and had my own share of dessert.

 I watched Hunter and The Reids couple smile at each other like they have been acquinted for quite some time.

 Well judging from his relationship with Michelle, I guess they really do go a long way.

 I swallowed the last piece of my swiss roll before downing my wine.

" Somebody looks incredibly stunning tonight " I jumped at the familiarity of the voice.

Look at who I'm meant to be avoiding.

 Well there was no rule against him looking for me though.

" Hey" I turned and offered my hand for a shake with a tint of red staining my cheeks.

 From up close he looked far more lovely a sight to behold and with the smile on his face I can guess my blush is obvious.

" Hey to you too" He placed a light feathery kiss on my knuckles before holding my hand in his.

" You haven't adhered to my compliment yet " He says while looking me straight in the eye.

 Compliment? What comp- oh.

" Uhm.. Sorry about that. Thank you. You look awesome by the way " I regard his features again.

  I don't think I'll ever get tired of looking at him.

 A brief chuckle that does something odd to my panties escape his lips " I was hoping to see you tonight, so I did my best" And he sent me a wink.

 I'm not meant to feel this way but this volcano of butterflies just erupted in my stomach and my blood is having a boil espionage.

" You were hoping to see me?" I asked and he gave a half nod. " How did you know I'll be here?"

 He swallowed a deep breath and huffed it out before turning to the direction his Dad just walked in through.

 We spot his Mom, Dad, Hunter and The n***d one in a cheery discussion with smiles all over their expressions.

" Hunter told me of his business proposal he intends to show to my dad so I invited him to this event which I saw would be the perfect opportunity " Hunter looks in my direction and catches the sight of Mason.

 If his glare could speak, it will obviously be saying.

You can never listen to a goddamn instruction.

With our eyes still on him Mason smirks and continues talking.

" I knew he will definitely not go with Michelle because my dad will see it as a plot to deceive him. So if he's gonna be bringing up a business proposal plan to a gala, who else is best to be brought if not your very own secretary " Mason tears his eyes from the circle and looks to me.

 But I still watch them as Hunter points to my direction and they all find my eye.

 They had smiles on their faces. Well all of them except Michelle.

Whoa? Back to Mason's speech.

 I now gave the gentleman before me my attention, but he was already watching me like a movie.

" What makes you think he had intentions of bringing the- Michelle. The Michelle " The scandal I would produce if I call his sister the n***d one before him.

 At first he raised a brow in confusion to my question but paid no interest in asking about it. Rather he answers.

" It's the same way I know he's planning on marrying her soon after this is dealt with. Its the same intuition that made me realise they're f*****g behind their parents back. How naughty of them" A smirk graced his lips as he lifts my palm that is still in his grasp to inspect my nails.

" I may be the annoying older brother but I'm definitely not the dumb one"

 I'm just figuring out she's the intended bimbo for marriage.

 I may be short sighted in so many ways.

 Like the same part of me that still doubts Hunter's willingness to a commitment.

" Your date is headed this way" Mason jerks his head to the crowd and true, Hunter is coming our way.

" Well, my evening just got soiled" Sighing in contempt " Thank you Mr Reid" I smiled in appreciation of his company.

 After a short laugh he looks at me like he's seeing me for the first time tonight.

 Using his free hand, he reaches for the back of my neck and pulls me closer to himself to plant a lasting kiss on my forehead.

" Thank you Jules. And it's Mason to you " His voice comes out a little airy as he pulls away.

  I tried to, but not many of us have the talent to hide your blushing side.

 His retreating figure only makes me anticipate for when next I will see him.

" Like I said, our dictionaries are very different. Yours seem to be extremely unique, if I may add"

  Voila! Hunter arrives.

 I roll my eyes at his comment and searched the table of sugar for something else I could treat myself with.

" What happened to my instruction? You know, the stay away from Mason you bluntly ignored "

 I wasn't looking at him, but I can feel the vapor radiate off his body.

And the vapor isn't cold.

" I listened to you. point of correction" I decided on a vanilla cupcake.

" Oh I'm sorry, wasn't it Mason who just left here? Or did Mr Reid also mistake his own son?"

 I was about to engulf my snack when hunter gripped my forearm and stops me midway.

" You said I shouldn't go looking for Mason which I didn't. But there was no rule against him looking for me which he did " I snatched my arm from his hold and took a bite from the cupcake.

Totally worth the wait.

 Hunter just looks kinda like a fish out of water, clearly wasn't expecting my analysis of the situation.

" Munch up, Mr Reid wants to meet my date" He eyes my features probably to make sure I was suitable to communicate with the high and mighty.

" Well he better hold up cause one single cake ain't gonna be enough " .

***************************

Hunter's P.O.V.

———————

" Well he better hold up cause one single cake ain't gonna be enough "

 Was she kidding me? She has to literally be joking at this hour.

  But if she were joking she wouldn't be reaching out for another.

"Okay, I'm done listening to you" I took hold of her arm and pulled her towards Mr Reid's direction.

 She mumbles something under her breath and I really didn't hear it but I believe it was something between the lines of like you've ever listened to me before.

On approaching Mr Reid I let go of her hand and she seized the opportunity to smoothen out her clothing and hair before walking up to him.

"Good evening Sir, madam" She greeted the two of them with courtesy in her voice as I walked to her side and snaked my arm around her slim waist.

 At first she tries to pry my hand away but dropped the effort when Mrs Reid looks our way.

" My my, are you beautiful " Was the first expression she gives Iris before walking up to us.

 Iris clearly isn't used to compliments because a tinge of pink begins to stain her cheeks.

" Thank you, and you look stunning " She extends her hand to Mrs Reid who in turn wraps it with her two palms.

" Well I try. Thank you by the way. Hunter is she the lucky one? You know you're getting old right?" It takes courage not to laugh at her statement but gladly I have enough courage as it seems.

" Time will tell " I smile to cover up the chuckle that just managed to escape.

" What is time telling?" Mr Reid walks into our circle and eyes Iris from top to bottom with a little too much emphasis on the middle where my hand rested on her " She's the date?" He finally asks me.

" Yes. Yes she is. Mr and Mrs Reid meet my date miss-"

" Jules" Iris cuts in because she knows I'll definitely introduce her as iris.

" Well you look lovely miss Jules "  Another compliment for tonight and she's still not gotten used to it.

" I say the exact same thing for you only that you look better " She gives her hand for a handshake to him which he gladly returns.

" It's nice meeting you. You've got quite an ambitious man with you there" Mr Reid states as he narrows his eyes on me.

Sad news, she don't got me.

" Mhmmm. Aren't I lucky" And I'm glad right now that no one here has gotten to spend enough time with this girl if not her sarcasm could be detected from three miles away.

" Oh you are. Did you know about his plans?" He presses her further and I know where this is headed.

" Which one? Cause I'm aware he's got so many. Unless we're narrowing on our circle "

" Yes we are. And what do you think about it?"

" About joining him in shares? I'd say it's a rather fantastic idea. Not only do you have a cover but also a portable insurance scheme before you. There's absolutely nothing to lose " She's doing good for now.

" But you do know involving him also means him taking twenty five percent profit "

" Mr Reid you and I both know that the loss of twenty five is worth it by the time you need a recovery. If I were you I'd agree to a fourty so I'll know I'm fully taken care of "

" How am I sure this isn't a ripoff?"

" Me, you may not trust but judging on the relationship between the both of you, it will be a shame that trust is evicted" She shrugged like that statement she just made wasn't walking the wire.

" Hmmm. I'll think about it. Honey let's go round up for the dinner " His wife passes us a lovely smile that quietly says 'don't worry. He'll give in'

The two walk away to interact with other guests and it doesn't take a second for Iris to throw my hand off her.

" I specifically mentioned no contact tonight" She glared at me like she listens to anything I say.

" Shut it. And for the first time in my life I think I'm proud of you. Not sure yet, still thinking" The little thought that almost didn't feel like a compliment still got her blushing reaction but she tried to play it off like she didn't care although her color betrayed her.

" Whatever. They're calling people for the dinner" I look behind her to see people heading for a room at the back.

" Alright then. Shall we?" I extend my hand for her to take it but she just gave me a look like I had an extra eye and walked ahead without me.

 I should be angry with this act but I'm a little too busy being proud of her performance tonight to get annoyed so rather than fume up I just laughed.

Though her reaction was predictable.

I took my pace behind her and entered the room with an extreemely long rectangular table which was empty except for the wine that was handed to people at the door of the room.

 Everyone was seated around the table with Mr and Mrs Reid at the head. I collected a glass of wine from the waitress by the door and walked into the room.

 Iris took a seat in the middle of the left side of the table and I took the empty seat by her left.

 It took a few minutes for everyone to get settled, but once we did Mr Reid called for our attention my softly striking his glass with a table fork.

" I would like to make a toast. To a wonderful evening with friends and family. And to commemorate a new era to my business "

New era to his business? Does that mean..

Mr Reid seems to be looking for someone on the table, a few seconds of search and silence then his eyes land on me.

With a smile on his face he raises his glass "cheers" Not breaking eye contact.

 That means he agreed to it.

What else could make me a happier man this evening?

" Cheers!" Everyone in the hall chorused and almost immediately the waiters and waitresses come in with different rounds of dinner and dessert.

 My mind was still processing the success of my plan when iris leans into my ear.

" Are you so acquinted with touching ladies that it has become reflex?"

 Huh? What in the world does she mean?

 I glance down to my hand to understand what she's referring to but to my surprise she isn't speaking Japanese.

My hand is comfortably resting on her right thigh which is now slightly exposed because she's seated.

 A little part of me wants to leave it there to guage her reaction but the smarter part of me just tells me not to dare her in front of so many people.

 I peel my hand off her skin and place it on the table.

For all I know this girl is crazy.