24K Magic for a Perfect Illusion

Ch 20: Players, Put Yo' Pinky Rings Up to The Moon

“So, there’s an after party at the hotel??” Hestia was worried at first because Hearthof carried her on his shoulders for an hour during the concert but she’s onto the party now.

“Uh-huh that’s how Hollywood celebrities usually are they throw parties after their concerts or filming a movie or show.” Hearthof explained as he massages his stiff shoulders.

Hestia glanced at Hearthof from time to time while driving since she has an international driver’s license that allows her to drive a car anywhere abroad.

“We better get there fast. I need to take a bath first because I’m reeking of sweat.” Hestia steps on the gas.

“Hey, I know you’re in a hurry but don’t overspeed. You’re not in a track race. Cops will be on our tail if you get caught.” Hearthof reminded her to be careful on the road.

“Tch. What’s the purpose of using a Porsche 911 Carrera RS if you drive it like a beetle?” Hestia mocked.

“You do realize that you’re driving my car and we’re in NYC, right?”

“Do you know that Lolo is planning to be a racer in less than 3 years from now? By then he’ll be 84 and yet he’s not afraid of driving fast cars. You on the other hand …” Hestia sighed as she glanced at Hearthof. “Never mind. I’ll listen to you since this is your car.”

“Listen, it’s not like I’m against with your kind of fun but I’m worried about your safety. I don’t care if we get caught by a traffic officer because of over speeding but I just don’t want you to be in an accident. If it’s just me who’ll get hurt in the process then it’s fine but when it comes to you. I won’t take chances.”

“I know, I’m sorry.” Hestia realized her mistake. “Are you still mad at me? I’m driving at the normal speed now.”

“I’m not mad. I’ll never be mad at you. I’m just reminding you for your own sake. Hestia, I’m your best friend and all I want is for your own good. I’m sorry too if I nag too much.” Hearthof said sincerely as he realized how he always reprimand Hestia.

“No, it’s fine. You’re right about things anyway. It’s just that Ves spoiled me too much, he let me do whatever I want to do. Whether it’s wrong or right, he won’t tell me what to do or what not.”

“I’m starting to think that man is a bad influence to you.” Hearthof furrowed his eyebrows as he keeps his eyes on the road.

“He’s not. He actually wants me to learn my lesson after doing things. He never blames me when I did something wrong instead, he helps me to clean up my mess. That’s how he is, but he’s never a bad influence to me.” Hestia explained with a serious expression.

“Doesn’t he know the saying that prevention is better than cure? If he’s a businessman, I doubt that he’ll be successful if that’s how he handles things. He can’t always save the day like a superhero after watching from the side idly while everything is happening, that’s not how you survive.” Hearthof said as a matter-of-fact. “Not that I’m talking crap about him but I don’t think that you can fully trust a person like him.”

“Well it’s your opinion.” Hestia shrugged. “You don’t know him the way I do. Ves and I have been friends since high school and he never lied to me, even once. He told me everything about him and he’s not afraid to show his imperfections. He’s a real person.”

What Hestia said was like a slap on Hearthof’s face.

Hearthof never show his flaws to Hestia as he always wants to impress her after her first impression on her when they first met each other, he promised to himself to be always at his absolute best in front of her.

Until now, he’s proving himself worthy to stand by her side as her equivalent, that he’s rich and powerful now and he’s the right man for the woman she loves since they were children.

After they arrived at the suite of the hotel, Hestia took her time in the bathroom as usual, well a lady has a lot of things to do.

Hestia is wearing a one shoulder mini dress with left shoulder and arm laid bare while the right shoulder is covered with shiny silver sequins long sleeve that complimented the silver glittery stars printed on the chest part of the dress.

“I didn’t curl my hair anymore as it’ll take more time.” Hestia said as she embraced Hearthof left arm. “I’m just your plus one anyway and I’m not personally invited so I won’t put too much effort.”

“I don’t like your dress. It’s revealing one of your shoulder and exposing half of your thighs.” Hearthof said with a gloomy expression as he thinks that men will see what he should be the only one to look at.

“Who spent their teenage years in America among us?” Hestia raised her eyebrow while looking at Hearthof incredulously. “I’m covering what should be covered and we both know that the ladies in the party are wearing more revealing dresses than mine.”

Hearthof sighed helplessly as he can’t refute her words because she’s absolutely right, it’s just that he doesn’t want her to reveal her flawless white skin to anybody as much as possible he prefer her to wear pants and long sleeves blouse, turtle neck if possible as Hestia’s neck is appetizing too.

When the two of them got into the event hall, as the hotel owner, Hearthof has been given importance by the host of the party.

Most of the guests are black, few are whites and only the two of them are Asians, nevertheless the party is lively and festive.

Some are dancing the night away; some are making out on their seats and some are just drinking while talking.

As for Hearthof and Hestia, they’re on the same table with MJ and his management team, playing games while drinking alcohol.

The game is about drinking alcohol if MJ question pertains to everyone around the table and if not then he or she is exempted.

“Drink if you’re no longer a virgin.” MJ drank his glass of wine as soon as he’s done speaking.

Everyone else followed except for Hestia who’s staring at Hearthof at the moment while drinking his wine.

“Ooh, so we have one untainted person here.” a black woman named Alexandra said after putting down her empty glass on the table.

Hestia smiled faintly and said, “I’m reserving myself for my future husband, so until I got married, I’ll stay pure.”

“Oh, alright. I’ve got nothing to say to that as all of us here gave in to temptation. Had the best or worst s*x ever in our lives.” Alexandra stated as a matter-of-fact that made everyone laughed because of her humorous statement.

Although everyone saw that Hearthof drank his wine and Hestia only stared at him, nobody said what’s on their mind as the two are people who can’t be offended with any means.

MJ raised his glass and continued, “Drink if you had or have more than one intimate relationship before.” he drank his wine again.

Since Hestia has been single in her entire life, she didn’t have to drink again while the others keep on drinking every time.

“Are you for real??” Brandy, the most outspoken among everyone, questioned Hestia when she noticed she didn’t drink again. “Aren’t you and Hearthof are in a relationship right now?”

“Michael said in an intimate relationship.” Hestia making herself cleared. “Hearthof and I are just friends, best of friends to be exact. We’ve known each other since childhood but we’re never in an intimate relationship.”

Everyone turned their gaze to Hearthof, waiting for him to release his statement.

“She’s my best friend.” Hearthof said flatly although he wanted to say that they’re just friends for now but he rather keeps it to himself since he’s still working on to make Hestia fall in love with him which is a long way to go.

“Does it mean that you’re still single?” Brandy probed as all the ladies also wanted to know if they have a chance to be with a billionaire like Hearthof.

“I am but I only want to focus with the business for now, as you all know I recently opened a new branch of Goddesseth Hotel in Korea and I’m managing it myself along with the hotels here in America. So, I’m quite busy and got no time for love.” Hearthof stated with half-truth and half-lie.

“Are you sure? I mean I can keep you company if you like, I promise I’m not clingy.” Brandy recommended herself shamelessly.

Hearthof pursed his lips and replied, “You’re beautiful, Brandy but you deserve someone better who will take good care of you. I will only make you feel lonely because I prioritize work. You should be happy and be love by a man who will always put you first.”

“I’m rejected but I don’t feel discouraged at all.” Brandy laughed.

“How I wish all men are gentleman as you Hearthof.” Alexandra raised her glass to Hearthof as every lady agreed to her.

MJ noticed the gloomy expression of the men so he continued the game to move on, “We’re still playing y’all. Players, put yo’ pinky rings up to the moon.” he raised his pinky while holding his glass of wine. “Drink if you’ve been kissed before.”

“Ey, it’s clearly that all of us here had s*x before so kiss is not even a question.” Adam countered but everyone focused their gaze on Hestia who finally had a sip of her wine.

Hearthof was stupefied as he never expected that Hestia has been kissed before, but he snapped back to his senses and said, “Hestia is close to her family and she’s the youngest among her siblings, so she’s been kissed by her family members.”

“Silly me, I made it general. I apologize your not supposed to drink. What I meant was who’s been kissed by someone other than family members.” MJ compromised although everyone understood what he meant with his statement before. “Sorry, my bad, I should’ve made it clearer. You misunderstood me.”

“No, I got it perfectly.” Hestia waved her hands and turned to Hearthof. “I’m not that innocent you know.” she turned to everyone. “I’ve been kissed by a man before.”

Hearthof clenched his fists and ticked his jaws, he wanted blood as he got an idea who the man might be.

For a moment he had a desire to kill. ‘How dare that man took advantage of Hestia?!’ Hearthof screamed inwardly.

The game continued until everyone got drunk and only Hestia is sober because she only had one glass of wine while the rest had a bottle or two.

“Thank you. I’ll take it from here, you may go back to work.” Hestia said to the hotel staff who supported Hearthof to get back to the suite, “I’ll tell your boss to give you a bonus when he gets sober.”

The hotel staff just bowed his head slightly and leave the two alone in the suite as he didn’t know if he’ll be punished or rewarded by the boss because Hearthof glared at him when he took Hearthof from Hestia earlier.

It’s not his fault though Hestia was struggling to support Hearthof and he might expose his lie if he suddenly refused to help Hestia. He’s just giving quality service to all customers as practice and the two are hotel customers as of the moment.

Meanwhile, Hestia began to undress Hearthof after taking off his shoes, she knows that he’ll be uncomfortable so she initiated to take care of her drunk patient.

It wasn’t the first time for Hestia anyway as she used to take care of her brother, Pluto, whenever he got home drunk after sneaking out from his men.

Hearthof is also like a brother to her so she didn’t mind changing his clothes for him but when she unbuckled his pants and pulled off his pants, she saw his ‘thing’ erected inside his underpants.

She covered him with the quilt immediately and got up from his bed to get his change of clothes from the closet.

As Hestia said, she’s not that innocent, she knows the reasons why a man got erection but she doesn’t want to think that Hearthof is turned on by her.

Hestia left Hearthof’s room after preparing his pajamas and went to the mini bar to get a bowl with water from the faucet and a small towel then she returned to his room to clean him up.

Hestia wiped Hearthof’s face first with the wet towel down to his neck, arms, and chest.

When Hestia lifted up the duvet, she swore that she didn’t remove his underpants but then his phallus is laid bare right at that moment and she was like frozen on the spot until she heard Hearthof chuckled.

“You like what you see love?” Hearthof seductively asked.

Hearthof is just pushing his luck if he can have s*x with Hestia tonight, if not then he’ll just pretend that he doesn’t remember anything because he’s too drunk.

“Hmm … not bad but not that too impressive.” Hestia snapped back. “Since you’re awake, clean up yourself. I’m tired. I’ll go to sleep now.” she left his room without looking back and shut his bedroom door with a bang. She’s furious that he made her a fool.