Fourteen

As I averted Jon’s attention towards me, Robert somehow joined in with our conversation, which I gladly opened up. Half way through the talk, I couldn’t help but shift my attention to the one person who seems indifferent about me. Does Robert even know the work I do?

“What brings you here, anyway, Robert? I thought you are in the Middle East, or somewhere in Asia.” Jon halted out conversation as he turned toward Robert with his full interest.

While Jon regarded him under his gaze, I couldn’t help but wonder how they know each other. I turned my gaze away from them for a moment as they talked, scanning the room for Hugh. I looked at the last place I saw him, but he wasn’t there anymore.

“Michelle. You know about the Klein Company, right?” Jon asked me, his finger lingered in front of my face as he gave me a waking snap.

I took a startled step back before giving him a grim look. I lightly pushed his hand away from my face as I answered. “I think I’ve heard of it. We rarely associate with international companies since we are mostly local based.”

“But, you have at least heard about me.” Robert remarked, giving me a flirtatious wink as I glanced in his direction.

“It wasn’t really necessary for me to know. Beside, I have my plates full with a handful of men like you.” I countered in a deadly tone, yet kept my voice light and less snarky.

“Ouch. That’s twice already…” He covered his chest as he playfully looked like he was in pain.

I couldn’t help but rolled my eyes at his playful attitude. He was different then most men that I’ve came across with, who have the same amount of arrogance in their system. Robert had enough decency to keep his flirtation to PG-13, which I gladly appreciate.

“I’m glad that you are getting along. This makes me feel better about leaving you two alone.” Jon interjected as he grabbed a glass of whiskey on the bar counter behind me. I didn’t even notice him order a drink while Robert and I bantered.

“Where are you going?” I asked, a little alarmed for some reason.

“I’m heading back to my wife.” He replied as he turned his attention back to the party. “I think I will go now. I see her talking animatedly with one of my business partners. I don’t want her blurring out something unnecessary again…” he added with a grin as he gave me a brief wave of goodbye.

I was about to say goodbye, but I was halted when I felt someone tapped on my shoulder. “Here is another drink, if you want.” Robert stated as he handed me another Cosmo.

I studied his smug look before accepting the glass he offered. “Thank you.” I said before taking a small sip.

“So, what are you doing here?” He asked after I took a sip from the drink he offered to me.

I looked up at him, a little confused with the question. “What do you mean?”

“I didn’t see you attend the event before this party. So, I’m sure you are crashing right now.” He replied with a smirk. “What are you doing here, Ms. Newman?” He asked again, his smile unnerving me slightly. I only knew one man who had the same smug-look in his face, and the said person had just ditched me.

“A friend invited me.” I replied briefly, not completely blurring out the truth.

“So, the man with you was the one who invited you tonight.” He stated rather than asked. “I didn’t know Hugh Burns knows a girl like you. But, since his brother knew who you are…” He continued, trailed off as I looked at him in surprise.

“You know Hugh?” I asked, a little breathless. I should have known from the moment Jon approached me. “Now, I should ask you the same question, what are you doing talking to me, Mr. Klein?” I countered after I cleared my throat, my voice gathering back its depth.

He grinned and winked at me before taking a sip from the whiskey glass on his hand. I continued to eyed him sternly, not ready to back down just yet. This guy is starting to get on my nerves every minute.

“Well… I can see you’ve already looked past my façade. I think it’s about time I’m dropping this act.” He started softly; his voice was low enough for me to mishear. “Hugh told me to meet you tonight. But, I assure you, he didn’t tell me who I was meeting until I saw him stand here with you a few minutes ago.” He admitted confidently.

My eyes grew wide at his words. I can’t believe Hugh set me up with a man who was almost identical to his devious nature. What the hell was he thinking?

“I think I should get going now. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Klein.” I said almost in clenched teeth as I placed my drink back down on the bar counter.

“Wait… I shouldn’t have told you any of this… I’m sorry.” He placed his drink down beside mine and grabbed my arm as he looked at me pleadingly. “It wasn’t supposed to go like this… I’m supposed to end the night by asking you out to dinner.” He admitted with a strained breath.

I eyed him in surprise, a little taken aback by this admission. Why was he being too truthful and open to me? And, he even admitted about his involvement with Hugh. There is more to this than what he is trying to show.

“Okay. I think I’ll take you up on your offer. You might be the first guy I met who didn’t annoy me as much as most of the men I’ve met in my life.” I stated seriously.

He chuckled at my words, which made me eye him in question. “I think you might me the most interesting woman that I’ve met. I thought Hugh was playing me, but this time, I owe that guy for introducing you to me.” He smiled smugly as he let go of my arm.

I rolled my eyes at his flattery. I turned towards the crowd of partygoers in front of us, regarding them grimly. “I think it’s time for me to go. Every minute I stay here, the more I’ll likely kill your friend from suggesting this night. But, don’t be insulted. You might be the first guy that made things more interesting for awhile.” I stated smugly and winked at him.

“I’m glad that I can be your entertainment.” He laughed in reply as I walked away from him.

“I’ll look forward to dinner. How about tomorrow? The sooner we have this, the better. I’ll have my secretary contact you where we will meet.” I called out as I stopped a few paces away from him.

“I will be an hour early.” He called back after I continued walking away from him.

I can’t help but smile at what he said. I shook my head in disbelief as I made my way towards the exit. When I was almost by the door, I was halted when someone pulled me by my arm. I was about to shout and cursed at the person, but stopped as I saw who it was.

“Where are you going?” Hugh asked in a whisper, his face an inch away from mine.

In my surprise, I tugged my arm away from him and took a step back. I could feel my face flush from the surprise. “Where were you? I was looking for you…” I countered back with the same tone.

“I was scouting the party for you.” He replied, looking a little shy. “What about you? What were you doing? And, who was that guy you were talking with Jon?” He continued his voice slowly became clearer.

“Don’t play with me anymore, Burns. Robert told me everything already. If you are going to set me up with men who were trying to flirt their way through me, you should give me a heads up. I’m not as forgiving as you once thought I was. I’ll let this one slide since he had some decency to actually tell me the truth.” I said in annoyance as I looked at him in challenge.

I watched as his eyebrow scrunched together in confusion. “What the hell are you talking about, Newman? I wasn’t setting you up with anyone. If I did, you wouldn’t be here mingling with other prospects - who is beyond the list of people I have on speed dial.”

I dubiously studied his expression. He looked sincere enough on his words. “Don’t you know Robert Klein? Your brother seemed to know him.” I asked.

“Who the hell is Robert Klein?” He asked back in exasperation.

“You mean you didn’t ask him…” I started but trailed off as I animatedly whipped my head towards the bar counter where I just left.

Then, as my eyes landed on where I just walked from, I saw Robert looking in our direction, holding a glass of whiskey in his hand. He kept a subtle eye contact towards me as he took a sip from his drink. When I continue to stare him down, he rose his glass towards me with a smirk plastered on his face. And then, like he knew that I finally figured out his scheme, he winked at me playfully and held up his drink like saying ‘cheers’.

Who the hell did I just meet? Plus, what did I just agreed? In my surprise, I couldn’t help but smirked back at him. I couldn’t help but admit that he was good. Tomorrow night’s dinner would be something to look forward too.

“Let’s go. I think I’m done for the night.” I stated as I looked away from Robert.

“We aren’t going to browse…” Hugh started but trailed off as I held up a hand in front of his face.

“I have a date tomorrow night, already. And, since you actually didn’t help out much tonight as per your word, you can help me find out who is Robert Klein. You can start by asking your brother about him for me. And, when you get his contacts, send him a message that we will meet at that French restaurant a few blocks from the company building. Do you know that place?” I interjected as I made my way towards the exit. “And, call Russell that we are heading back now.” I added.

I heard Hugh’s lack of response and turned around to look at him. “What happened to you?” he asked in confusion.

I gave him a small secret smile before replying. “I think I met an interesting man tonight.” I admitted softly as I continued walking.

When we got out of the club, we had to wait a few minutes before Russell pulled up in front of the club with the car. I felt relieved that only few paparazzi stayed for the rest of the night. Hugh had to wait for us to pick him up a few blocks away to stir away a scandal.

On the way back to my apartment, we dropped off Hugh at his place, which slightly shocked me. I didn’t know he lived in the same street as my apartment. From the way he eyed me with a grin, he was waiting for me to realize this information. I rolled my eyes at his smug face before he closed the door. We both didn’t say goodbye or goodnight as we separate. There wasn’t a need. We never do much formal greetings even before we started hating each other.

I finally felt relaxed as I got inside my room and flopped down on my bed. I couldn’t help but sigh as I let my muscles rest from what happened today. After washing off my make up and changing to my nightgown, I went to bed thinking on the fresh memory of tonight. I might actually do it. I might find a husband in one hundred days.

I didn’t know I was not anymore dreaming until I heard someone chuckling and giggling silently somewhere close. I groaned in frustration and tried to continue the sweet dream I had. It involved a lot of fondling as hot breaths caressing my almost warm body.

“Oh my god. I can’t believe she is having sex in her dream.” A familiar high-pitched voice startled me, waking me up completely.

I blinked my eyes a couple of times until it adjusted with the natural light seeping through window. I covered my eyes with my arm, placing it on my forehead as I finally got a good look on the reason why I woke up.

“What are you doing here? I’m still sleeping right now. I’m not in the mood to get out just yet.” I mumbled in warning, though there wasn’t a slight bit of threat in my voice.

“You’ve been ignoring my calls. And, you aren’t willing to text me on updating with your dates.” Jade replied sternly, though her voice had not hint of anger in them. “But, I will let it slide if you tell me what this is about…” She stated but trailed off in thought, like she was trying to show me something.

I peek through my arms as I saw her standing at the foot of my bed, holding up on what seems to be her tablet. She had a good distance away from me so I couldn’t make out the picture on the screen.

“And, what am I supposed to me looking at?” I asked in disinterest, covering my eyes again as I layback on my pillow.

“You didn’t tell us you were going to a party last night.” She replied grimly, sounding a little disappointment for some reason.

I groaned at what she just said. I knew that it would be in the social media the next morning. But, I didn’t expect the nagging would start early in the morning with one of my best friends. “It wasn’t planned.” I replied as truthful as possible.

“And, you didn’t tell me you were there to meet someone… Who is this hot mess you were talking by the bar?” She scolded, but trailed off as she asked another question.

Now, she got my attention. I quickly sat up on my bed and looked at her with wide eyes. “Let me see that!” I almost shouted in demand.

In her surprise from my sudden outburst, she animatedly handed over the tablet to me. I grabbed it like a hungry person who was given meat for the first time. When I had the tablet on my hand, I looked down on the photo on the screen. It was an article about last night’s party from a local gossip site. I groaned at the headline and scrolled on for the photo. I couldn’t help but gasped as I stared at it.

It was picture of Robert and I talking by the bar counter with drinks in hand. He looked smug in the photo while I looked at him with a grin plastered on my face. I can’t believe they allowed paparazzi inside the venue. This is bad. This is really bad. What if they took a photo of Hugh and me?

“Are there more articles about me last night?” I asked urgently as I continued scrolling down.

“I think that’s about it I’ve seen this morning…” Jade replied, trailing off as she eyed me in concern.

“Hey, breakfast is ready. Did you wake her up?” Paige suddenly walked in the room, turning our attention towards her. “Oh! You’re up. And, I can see that you’re aware of the situation already…” She continued as she looked at me. Then, her eyes zoned in on the tablet I was holding.

“Let me shower and change first.” I break the silence as I placed the tablet down and got out of my bed.

“We’ll be in the dining room.” Paige gave me a stiff nod as I walked towards my bathroom.

I closed the door behind me lightly and leaned on it for a second. On the other side, I faintly heard Paige’s rare outburst as she scolded Jade.

“I told you to tell her when I’m here.” She stated sternly as I heard a door closed.

For a whole second, I took the silence to my advantage. I tried to calm myself before heading towards the shower. I didn’t rush myself and allowed the water to soothe me. When I was done, I picked some comfortable clothes. I know the day would be as long as yesterday for the aftermath.

“What’s for breakfast?” I asked as I made my way towards the dining table.

When I didn’t have a quick reply, I fastened my pace a little and entered the room. I was about to ask again, but I stopped myself as I eyed the people sitting on the table with Jade and Paige.

“I didn’t know you two are friendly enough for visits.” Jade stated sourly as she glared at Hugh with annoyance.

I ignored her comment and looked at Hugh with wide eyes. “What are you doing here?” I asked breathlessly.

“I’m here for work. I came by to give you the file you asked me last night.” He replied monotonously as he remained oblivious to Jade’s death glare.

“I insisted that he gave those to us. But, this ‘ass’ is being himself too much.” Jade spat the words towards him, her eyes glowing with hate.

I don’t know whether to be flattered by my friend’s show of support – in a way. I turned to Paige, who sat by Jade looking oblivious to the sudden tension in the room, to ask for help. But, it was a lost cause.

With a heavy sigh, I walked towards them and sat at the head of my rectangular dining table. I got the seat to keep Jade from jumping at Hugh. I was surprise that she hadn’t yet.

“Where is the file?” I asked, turning towards Hugh as I ignored Jade.

“Here,” He pulled out something in his inner blazer, which I didn’t realize he was wearing something to formal, and handed me a slightly crumpled brown envelope.

I eyed the envelope in question and looked up at him. “She tired to fight it out of my hands.” He explained dryly.

I turned to Jade and raised my eyebrow at her. In reply, she turned away from me and focused on her meal and shoved a fork full of omelet. I shook my head at her reaction and turned back to Hugh. I got the envelope between us and pulled out the content inside. I hope this would prepare me for what’s going to happening tonight.

“Just a head’s up, I think you just found yourself a good candidate. And, I already done the other thing you told me too. The reservation is under your name at seven.” Hugh stated before I got a good look at the paper.

Well, here goes nothing. Who are you Robert Klein?

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A/N: Hey fellas! I updated earlier than intended since I just recieved good news, and the weekdays ended under favorable circumstances. I hope you find this chapter entertaining. I shall be updating the next chapter as planned.

Have an awesome weekend and Happy reading!

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