A/N: Hey fellas! Sorry for the late update. I was too tired yesterday. :D

Anyways, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter. Something.. or rather, someone is about the change this game of husband finding. 

Don't be shy and comment. A vote is always appreacited!

Happy reading and Have an awesome week!

_______________________________________________

Thirteen

When I got home that night, I called my parents and told them that I wouldn’t be joining them for dinner; but I was glad to accompany them for lunch the next day. My mother was disappointed though pleased to know that I’m willing to see her again. My father wasn’t angry with me, but he was disappointed to know that I refused him. He will be getting a lot of rejections with the position he had handed to me.

After I made the call, I returned to the living room with a stern face. I stopped on my tracks as I eyed the person seating on my sofa. He looked amused as his eyes landed in my direction.

“Are you done calling your parents?” Hugh asked with a smirk.

“Yes. So, where are we going tonight again? I don’t really want to regret ever agreeing on ditching them for you. It isn’t in my standards.” I replied grimly and walked towards him as I sat down on the single couch beside him.

“Well, before you can go anywhere, I need to set things straight. What kind of men are you looking for?” He countered, dodging my question.

I raised an eyebrow at him in question. “You know what kind I like.” I replied sarcastically and snorted. “Can we skip this? You can tell me who these men you’ll be setting me up with and we can spare me some time with the assholes.” I added seriously.

“No. I need to know what are your preferences. And, I don’t know what kind of man you liked. If you were referring to me, then it would take forever to find someone opposite from me. Those kind are either married or in a relationship.” He teased with a grin.

“Don’t mock me, Burns. I’m not really in the mood right now.” I warned coolly and massage my forehead with my right hand. “Why did I agree to this again? Oh, right. I was stupid enough to get sucked in with his wonderful offer.” I mumbled sarcastically to myself.

“Don’t be a downer, Mitch. I’m a man of my word. I will help you if you just help yourself and tell me. It’s not that hard to give me a list of qualities. And if you can’t start, here… I have one.” He stated and paused as he thinks for a second. “How about a man who don’t get you easily pissed?” He offered with a smile.

I sighed in frustration and stood up from my seat. “Okay, I agree with you. All the qualities in a man I want are either married or in a relationship. And, I’m no home wrecker, so I’m doom as of the moment.” I stated in defeat.

“Wait, Mitch. Don’t think that this is the end yet.” Hugh said encouragingly. “Well, since you can’t think of anything, we can’t waste time and just think. Let’s just go to that party and maybe someone will catch your attention.” He stated as he stood him with a grunt. “Let’s go.”

“Fine. Let me change.” I called as I watched him paced towards the main door.

I didn’t wait for his reply and made a quick run to my room. It took me half an hour to change and retouched my make up before heading out. When I got to living room, there wasn’t a sign of Hugh. I glanced towards the main door, which was closed. I debated on staying put and calling it a night when the front door suddenly opened.

“Are you done?” Hugh called out in annoyance, startling me for a second.

“I’m coming.” I replied and rolled my eyes at his impatience.

As we got to the elevator, I was about to call for Russell, but Hugh beat me to it. He pressed the button for the Lobby as he told me the whereabouts of my driver/bodyguard. When we got to the main exit of my apartment building, Russell was already outside, waiting for us with the car on standby.

In silence, I got in the car first as Hugh followed behind me. When the door closed, Russell smoothly drove us towards the main street. I turned to Hugh, looking at him in wonder.

I was about to ask him how he convinced Russell to follow his orders. But, he beat me again. “Don’t worry, Newman. I asked nicely.” He suddenly said, like he knew what I was thinking.

I rolled my eyes at his words and turned my attention outside the window. As we slowly headed out to the busiest part of the city, I begrudgingly look back at Hugh.

“Where are we going?” I asked in disinterest.

“I was invited at an after party for a store opening.” He replied with his usual smug expression.

I rolled my eyes at his words and studied the street we are in. Where is he taking me? I can’t help continue to wonder internally.

“We are going to a club, if you’re desperate to know.” He said with a chuckle.

“A club? Which one?” I asked, almost in alarm. I’m going out in a very public place with him, not a good idea for me.

“If you are worried that you’ll be seen with me, don’t worry. I already asked Russell to drop me off a couple of blocks from the venue. I will meet you there in a few.” He replied, dodging my question again.

My lips thinned into a grim line as I eyed him sternly. I was about to angrily ask him again about the location when Russell stopped the car at a corner street. In my surprise, Hugh jumped out of the car quickly before the traffic light turned green. I eyed the empty seat beside me as Hugh roughly close the door, and then half run away from the car.

“Where is he going?” I asked in disbelief.

“He is heading out first, Ms. Newman.” Russell replied as he stepped on the gas pedal when the light turned green.

I huffed out in frustration as Russell drove the car silently to the destination. I didn’t bother ask him anymore since I will know the place in a few minutes. Russell slowed the car down at a busy looking street, where a red carpet is most likely happening, with the paparazzi surrounding a main entrance. He pulled the car over to a line as each car stopped in the middle of a swarm of paparazzi. I moved towards Hugh’s side of the car, and eyed the overhead sign lightening up the most part of the sidewalk and entrance.

My eyes grew wide as I read the huge Vegas style lights blinking above us. Hugh can’t possibly bring me at the most popular club in town. The Moon Light Lounge is one of the top clubs in the city where A-listers go and hang out. And, from the look of tonight, the amount of famous people going here are more than any regular day. What the hell was he thinking? I can’t face the paparazzi just yet, not after my slightly fresh scandal with an ex-boyfriend.

I gritted my teeth in frustration as the car slowly got towards the red carpet being laid out in the front door. I was positive there was one when I got out of the car.

“You’re next, Ms. Newman. Do you need me to open the door for you?” Russell asked as he slowly moved the car forward.

“No, thank you, Russell. I’m going to be fine. It looks like the club has someone for that job.” I replied coolly after I took a steady breath.

I glanced down at the clothes I was wearing. I don’t look appropriate enough for tonight. I was wearing a plain, lace champagne dress and nude pumps. But, I can easily pass with this look.

With a heavy sigh, it was our turned on the spot light. The car door beside me slowly opened as a swarm of flashes feverishly blinded me for a moment. I looked down on my feet as I got out of the car, trying to avoid the spot light. Then, it started. The paparazzi noticed my arrival. How am I going to hide this to my parents?

“Ms. Newman.” One of the paparazzi called out for my name.

“Michelle! Over here!” One shouted over the other, calling my name like we were old friends.

I kept my mouth shut as I quickly walked towards the main entrance. I can’t really entertain any of them since this was an unplanned appearance. My publicist is going to be calling me early tomorrow after seeing these photos. She would be pissed.

As I got to the door, the waiting bouncer glanced at me once before allowing me to enter. I felt a little relieved that I looked the part enough to get in. When I got inside, I couldn’t help but scanned the room as I studied a few familiar faces around me. Though this people seem like my crowd, I felt like I was a stranger in their midst. I eyed the classy decoration, the expensive looking chandeliers, and the furniture on the far corners of the room where a few VIP sat. It looked like what I expected it to be.

With a sigh, I ghosted towards the bar counter, slightly forgetting the reason why I was here. I looked up towards the bartender with my hand raised. I was about to grab his attention when a hand stopped me, making me flinched away from the grip in my arm.

“I’m glad I found you. Why didn’t you wait for me outside?” Hugh asked, looking slightly out of breath.

I controlled my surprise and eyed him wearily. “Oh, it’s you.” I mumbled dryly before turning back to the bartender, who finally stood in front of me to get our order.

“Sometimes, you mood is just…” Hugh stated but trailed off with a huff as he stepped on my side, leaning on the counter. “I would like a whiskey on the rocks, please.” He said with more volume as he faced the bartender.

“And, for you ma’am.” The bartender nodded at him before turning towards me.

“I’ll have a Cosmo, please.” I replied with a small smile.

The bartender gave me a brief nod before excusing himself to get our drinks. When he was gone, I glance quickly at Hugh’s direction before turning around to face the small gathering crowd in front of me.

“So, who’s party am I crashing?” I asked in interest as I studied the people around me.

They were all dressed for the occasion. While the men wore their suits and ties, the women wore long nightgowns with their hair pinned up in a neat do. Some of them didn’t hold back and wore accessories that could worth one kidney. When Hugh didn’t reply after I was contented with my assessment, I look up towards him, watching him stare at the people in front of us. Or, was he looking at someone specific?

I followed his gazed until it landed on a familiar blond hair. I eyed the back view of a woman. She had her hair up, showing every bit of her curves from the fitting silver dress she wore. Thus, it made her one of the few who outdid themselves tonight. I kept on studying the woman for a moment until she turned around to face in our direction.

I was glad that I wasn’t drinking anything when I saw her face or I would have threw up in the moment. I moved away form Hugh, bringing an arm’s length distance between us.

“You didn’t tell me your sister-in-law is here. Is your brother here too?” I hissed urgently as I kept a cool front while giving sly glances at Dahlia’s direction.

“No. I didn’t know that they’d be here. I think Jon is here too. She wouldn’t be here if he isn’t.” He replied in hushed tones, his words coming out in a rush.

“We can’t be seen here. It wouldn’t raise some suspicion.” I pointed out nervously, mainly to myself.

“I will go seat somewhere. If they will notice us, I won’t hear the end of it.” Hugh said in frustration as he turned away from me, walking in the opposite direction.

I looked at him, my mouth slightly opened, as I was about to say something. But, I closed it when I watch his retreating back. I continued to stare at him until the bartender came back with both of our drinks in hand. I picked up our glass and looked back at the direction he was walking. I was about to call him, but stopped myself when I heard someone cleared their throat behind me.

Startled at the sound, I flinched away as I glanced up at the presence in front of me. I eyed the person in surprise, but calmed down my expression as a smirked crossed his face. I looked at him in question as I kept my face stern.

“Is there something you want?” I asked sounding a little annoyed than I wanted to be.

“Hi. Are you going to drink that?” The man asked lightly, gesturing towards the whiskey glass that I held on my left, while holding my drink on my right.

I glance at the whiskey on my hand and back up towards him. “Here, you can have it.” I stretched out my hand and offered the glass in front of his face.

In his surprise, he took a necessary step back to distance himself from the glass. “Thank you?” He replied with uncertainty as he got the whiskey out of my hands. “I thought you would be telling me that someone owns this… wasn’t the guy with you ordered this?” He stated in disbelief and paused for a moment before asking.

“He was a jerk. He doesn’t need this glass from me.” I replied sourly as my eyes wondered towards the direction Hugh walked away. I scanned the area as I looked for him.

“Did you have a fight with your boyfriend? I saw your expression when he walked away.” He asked, not even shy about getting into other people’s business. He wasn’t even subtle enough to hint on me that he was eavesdropping.

I raised an eyebrow at him in question, a little taken back by his boldness and confidence. “He isn’t my boyfriend. That was just my secretary.” I replied truthfully, feeling like I owed it to him for being direct.

He gave me a sly grin as he took a step towards me, closing the distance between us. “You must be lying. If you aren’t, then this would be my day.” He stated smugly. “Where are my manners? I’m Robert Klein. Nice to meet you.” He slightly bowed down, in an old gentlemanly fashion.

I rolled my eyes at his actions, fully aware that he was flirting with me. “This is the first time I saw a man bow down towards me in introduction. You must be really good with this, huh?” I asked dryly and snorted at his confused expression.

“I’m good at what?” He asked, not looking fazed at what I just said.

“How many girls had fallen for your ‘gentlemanly bow in greeting’?” I asked sarcastically, eyeing him in challenge.

“Oh. You think I’m hitting on you.” He stated in realization. “You must be mistaken. I just wanted to know the name of the woman who looked puzzled when her ‘not boyfriend and secretary’ left her.” He added innocently.

“You’re good. I can give you that.” I stated in amusement, shaking my head in disbelief as I took a sip from my drink.

A smug look crossed his face, breaking his oblivious façade. “You look like you’ve had experience a lot of bullshit to look past that, you must have a good eye for men.” He stated arrogantly, giving me a flirty wink.

“Now, there you are. I thought you’d continue with the bullshit there for a second.” I replied sarcastically and turned away from him, placing my drink down on the bar counter.

He laughed at my statement and walked around me to stand on my left side. He put down the whiskey I gave him, and turned towards me. “How come a girl like you is here in a place like this?” He asked with a grin.

“I’m not falling for another trick.” I replied with a groan.

With that, he laughed again, shaking his head in amusement. “What is your name?” He asked after calming down, his breath slightly ragged from laughing.

I turned towards him, regarding his face for a moment. “I’m not playing anymore.” He stated when I remained quiet.

“It’s Michelle.” I replied softly as I took my glass, taking another sip.

“Michelle…?” He asked, trailing off as he waited for me state my family name.

After I drowned down the glass, I was about to give him my reply when someone called out my name for me.

“Newman. I didn’t know you were invited to this party.” I turned towards the voice, and then saw a grinning Jon as he glance between Robert and me.

“Jon. Hi, it’s been awhile.” I greeted him with a strained smile, taking small steps towards him for a hug.

He reciprocated cautiously, pulling me into an awkward one-arm hug. And, while my face was away from his view, I scanned the room for signs of Hugh. I hope for his sake he had fled from this party. I’m not mentally ready to pretend that I didn’t come to this party with him. Then, as I moved away from the hug, my eye spotted a familiar blue eye that was staring directly at mine.

I clinched my jaw and looked away from him. I turned to Jon with a smile, my heart slightly rising at what I was about to do. I need to distract him or he will know that Hugh is here with me. I will never hear the end of it as long as our family is connected, financially and personally. One of the things I hated being this close with people you hate.