01
1520 Words
“I wish I could say the same to you, Mr. Young.”
The invisible barricade I made probably caught him off guard that he suddenly let out a laugh, catching the attention of the guests near our spot. I let out an annoying, heavy sigh, making sure to let out all the frustrations out of my head for a while, before forcing a smile to show him. He raises a brow, keeping his smirk still.
“Feels like tonight doesn’t seem like a good one for you, Celine.” He obviously teases, shaking his head a bit with a smile on his lips. “But please, don’t be too formal. It’s not like this is the first time we meet.”
I could feel Melissa’s gaze switch from the two of us simultaneously. She wasn’t aware yet about what happened the last time I met Timothy for that business proposal. The idea of telling her to slip my mind off already since getting this asshole to agree with the deal is too much for me to handle.
“I appreciate your… soft gesture, Mr. Young. But I prefer a professional approach. After all, I am still pursuing you for the business deal.” I pointed out, firmly.
Standing in front of Timothy and letting him stay in the same spot as I am in the middle of this party is like throwing myself into the zoo full of wild animals. It is not only Melissa’s gaze that I could feel, secretly giving me a questioning look, but also those around us. This man really knows how to catch everyone’s attention in the room.
“As much as I want to stay, I think I should go.” Melissa broke the silence, giving me those apologetic eyes. I tried to plead with her not to leave through my eyes, but it didn’t work at all. “Excuse me. I need to see my manager.”
I watch her almost run away from us and I can only curse. Out of all time, she just had to leave me alone right now. It’s not even just the time, but she chooses to leave me alone with this man knowing that I am not really cool with him. His presence irks me and it will continue to do so.
“It looks like we’re alone.” Timothy exclaims right away. I force another smile in return. “Have you given it a thought?”
“Given what a thought?”
“The thing that you need to do so you can close the deal with the casino already?” He reminded me once again, making me sigh in disbelief. “I heard that your father has given you a hard time. Agreeing to it will make your life easier, you know?”
Keep it cool, Celine. You can’t burst out! At least not here.
I raise my hand to show him my ring finger. “I would like an easy life, but I also hope that you remember that I am a married woman, Mr. Young. I am not like you.” I argued, fiercely.
“Like me?”
I nod my head with no hesitation. “I don’t play around with people, especially with their feelings. While you can go and see any woman you like to bed for the night, I am satisfied with just one.” I exclaimed.
He is left shut with my small outburst. It only hit me seconds later that I said what I shouldn’t have told him. This is crazy.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“Don’t you think you are fooling yourself too much, Ms. Diaz?” He firmly said with a smirk on.
“I repeat… It’s Mrs. Cardeo, Mr. Young. I would really appreciate it if you address me in a proper manner.” I argued.
He scoffed, shaking his head, taking a step closer then leaning forward until I could feel his breath near to my ear. I consciously looked around and had this gut feeling of wanting to push him away yet I can’t. There are too many eyes around. I can’t make a scene.
“Let’s not kid around here, Celine. We both know that you and Ethan do not go along well.” I look at him and him, vice versa. “Such a fake act is so obvious in my eyes that I can’t believe people actually believe it was real.”
“What do you want, Timothy?” I firmly questioned, growing mad.
“I said what I said, Celine.” He stepped back before reaching for my hand and gave the top of my palm a soft peck, as if he is a gentleman. “Think about it.”
I pull my hand away and swiftly rub the part where he landed a peck. “Don’t even expect.”
The night was too much to bear after that. My growing frustration remained and I can only endure it alone with Ethan nowhere in sight again. I don’t even know where he went nor care now. After all, Timothy was right.
Everyone knows that my marriage is just for business.
I walked out of the main hall and made my way to the restroom. My night became dull now with no one to accompany me. It wasn’t until a familiar voice echoed in the hall.
“The rooms upstairs are pretty spacious, you know? I wouldn’t mind… spending the night there with you.” A flirtatious feminine voice said.
I don’t know why but I somehow found myself hiding, scared to be seen.
“I don’t mind spending the night with you either,” My eyes lighten up upon hearing Timothy’s familiar voice. I peek in there, only to see him, caging a woman in his arms while she leans his back onto the wall. “But your father will surely mind.”
Unconsciously, a scoff in disbelief escapes my lips, making me cover my mouth right away. Before I could even hide myself, my eyes already met his. I hid behind the wall, wishing that he wouldn’t come… but I was being delusional, I guess?
“Watched something interesting, Ms. Diaz?”
His mocking tone made me gulp hard. I don’t even know how I should face him. This is upright embarrassing!
“I-I didn’t…” I clear my throat and fix myself, not daring to meet his gaze again. “You should go back already. Your woman is waiting.”
I was about to leave when he pulled me back through my wrist. He pinned my wrist into the wall and used the other hand to cage me into his arms. I looked up to him in surprise but his down gaze did something to me. I could feel myself holding my breath subconsciously and I don’t even know why I wasn’t doing anything at all to free myself from him!
“I don’t need to when I have my woman here.” He flirtatiously said, smirking. “Should I take this as you changing your mind?”
“What are you talking about?”
“One kiss and I will agree with the proposal right away. A win-win situation.” He blurted out once more.
It was enough to knock me back to my senses.
I gather my strength to pull my wrist from his hold and push him away from me. I glare at him while he only looks at me like I am such an interesting thing.
“I already gave my answer to you, Mr. Young, and it is a no.” I firmly insist. “Besides, how many times do I have to tell you that I am freaking marrie—”
Before I could even finish my words, I heard a loud bump coming from the restroom. Without waiting for Timothy, I carefully walked inside, only to see the most disgusting sight I could even see.
“Ethan,” Melissa moans my husband’s name with her eyes closed.
I stood there, processing the whole citation. Ethan pounds himself behind Melissa while her dress is up, exposing herself to the man who is supposed to be my husband. My best friend moans his name repeatedly, enjoying the pleasure she gets as if it isn’t the first time. They look and sound so used to one another… that even mine and Timothy’s presence doesn’t disturb them anymore.
“Next time,” Timothy broke my silence, making those two turn their heads to our direction. “Lock the door.”
“Celine,” Ethan’s eyes widened as he called my name. He removes himself from Melissa right away and pulls his pants up. “I-It’s not what you think it is.”
My lips are shut and my mind is not processing well. It’s not what I think it is… who is he fooling?
My gaze went to Melissa as she first looked down, afraid to meet my eyes, not until seconds later, she confidently met mine. Ungrateful b***h.
A shaky sigh escapes my lips. “Unbelievable.”
- Writer
