Happy Reading!

——————-

I remember the first time I realized I fell in love with the man I now hate. It was like remembering that you have something in the oven while you lay in the bathtub soaked in rose petals with scented candles in the air. You can be in the moment of pure bliss but be constantly reminded of something you can't get away later.

It was five years ago when I realized my feeling for him. We were almost close to graduating in out first semester of our last year in school. I didn't expect it to happen, but when I realized it, I knew I had been in love with him for so long.

In that day, our family was going to attend a social gathering for a joint charity event. The venue was at a hotel that we own. On the day, I was busy with finals that were approaching in a few weeks. So I didn't spend much time with dressing up for the occasion. My mother knew that I have lack of enthusiasm in prepping for parties. Thus, she had me prepare myself in that hotel where the venue of the event was held.

When I was heading out to the elevator, I was too preoccupied to notice someone waiting with me by the elevator. As I got in, I gasp in shock as I watch in wide eyes when Hugh walked in.

"You look like you've seen a ghost." He stated nonchalantly, though the glint in his eyes showed his amusement to my expression.

"Don't sneak up on people like one." I countered in annoyance as I pressed the closed button of the elevator door before clicking the button for the lobby.

"You look different. I thought you'd be joining us wearing a suit like mine." He teased with a lightly chuckle.

I rolled my eyes at his awful joke. Even at that time we were never in good terms. "Is that the insult you are trying to pull today? I've got to say you became lax, Burns." I countered with a smug grin.

"Oh! I have a tasteful joke for you. But I don't want to start with those just yet. The night would be more fun if the tension builds up slowly." He chuckled in reply, his tone flirty.

I felt my cheeks flush at how I interpreted his words. What was wrong with me? "I don't have the rest of the night to play childish games with you, Hugh. I have better thing to do than that." I confidently said.

"You want me to do it now?" He asked lightly the glint in his eyes turned from amused to challenging. He took a steady step towards me while his eyes remained on mine.

"Don't you dare scare me with those words." I warned under my breath as I watch him take another step towards me. My heart was beating, not with nervousness and fear, but another thing I wasn't sure yet.

When he was close enough that his breath caressed my face, he leaned in towards me. In response, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes as I waited for any physical contact.

"What can you do in this close confide space, Michelle?" He asked as he whispered it in my ear. "I can think of a few."

Suddenly, my body temperature rose as his words and his presence made my body ache for the first time. There was a burn within me that I wasn't can be extinguish with allowing air to cool me down. When he moved away from me, I took a hasten step back until my back touch the cool metal wall of the elevator. It made me realized that I had so little space to escape him. With the silence between us, I've become conscious of the sound of the beating of my heart. It was loud and clear in my ear.

As I snapped back to reality, I felt my face flushed at the memory. But the situation wasn't the same. He was standing across from me as he said those words while eyes were locked in a blank gaze. I watched him for a few beat of silence before replying.

"I would sue your ass if you think about doing anything to me." I replied seriously as I tore my eyes away from me. And like on cure, the elevator opened in front of us.

I didn't wait for him to exit ahead of me and got off the lift. Behind me, I faintly heard him chuckle. "I thought you were going to say 'Try if you can'," he mumbled softly.

I slightly stiffened at his words. He was reminiscing that moment like I was. He remembered that day. But I didn't let his words get to me. I snorted in response and turned my face away from him. In a few seconds, I was saved when the elevator opened to the lobby.

I didn't wait for him and stepped out of the lift. I quickly headed towards the entrance as I watch Russell walked around the car in front to open the back door for me. When I exited the building, I didn't notice Hugh following me all the way to the car. I jumped in surprise as he sidesteps behind me to take over Russell's place by the door, holding it open for me.

"I hope you have a great night, Mitch," Hugh said with a grin.

I blinked a couple of times before snubbing at him. I turned away and got in the car. When the door didn't quickly close as I settled on my seat, I looked at what kept the hold up. My eyes went wide in surprise as Hugh got in the car with me.

"What are you doing?" I asked frantically in disbelief.

"What does it look like? I'm going with you," he snorted in reply as he closed the door beside him.

"I didn't tell you to go with me. You can actually go home now. You've done your job." I pointed out firmly.

He rolled my eyes at my protest and leaned forward as he patted Russell's shoulder. "Let's go. Ms. Newman is already late," he commanded.

"I repeat. What the hell are you doing?" I asked again with more strength in my voice.

The car started to move forward as Russell made a turn towards the main street. I eyed the back of his head in disbelief. He was listening to Hugh's orders. When did he start listening to him anyways?

"I'm not leaving you just yet." Hugh finally replied after a short silent moment.

"I didn't ask your opinion on that matter. I can get to the venue with Russell just yet," I countered in annoyance.

"And what are you going to do with all those reporters?" he asked in challenge.

"What reporters?" I asked in confusion.

"The one that would he standing in line waiting outside the venue. I talked to Louise about events like this before. And she told me that I have to deal with who you should be talking, and answering questions with... especially these times after your dating rumors," he replied as he trailed off the last part in a whisper.

I pursed my lips at his words. I knew about the rumor from my date this afternoon. I never expected that there would be reporters in this event. But since it is a famous event, where famous people gather, it was expected that they would show up for the event.

For the remaining ride to the venue, I stayed quiet as I sulk in defeat. Hugh was right. I do need him to be there to help me handle the press. When we reached the venue, there was a line of car waiting for its passenger to enter the venue by the red carpet. We were five car's down before it was a turn. My heart thumped on my chest as my nerves started to get visible. Slowly, our turn came up.

A valet opened the door on Hugh's side. I hadn't notice until now that Hugh was also dressed for the event. Though not as formal as I am, he was wearing an suit without a tie, with the two button on top of his white under shirt undone. I blinked away my stare as he looked up at me as he offered his hand.

"Let's do it. I need an extra pay for today," he whispered under his breath as I place my hand on his offer hand.

I rolled my eyes at his words and got out of the car. As the door behind me close, the flashes of camera started to blind me. I flinched away from the flashes until a figure stood in front of me. I looked up as the sight of Hugh back in front of me.

"Ms. Newman! Can we have a few words with you?" a repot called as we entered the red carpet.

"Is the rumor true about you dating around?" another called.

"Ms. Newman, is it true that you are currently seeing Robert Klein?"

"A second please, Ms. Newman!"

I sighed heavily as the voice floating around me, calling my attention. I felt like a cage animal for a moment. But the moment was gone as Hugh opened his mouth.

"Ms. Newman is not taking any questions as of the moment. But a statement will be released soon. You can take photos, but no questions ladies and gentlemen." Hugh said aloud, halting their feverish interrogative questions.

I gapped the back of his head for a second before gathering my footing. Hugh swiftly turned to face me; his face masked of worry.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly.

"I'm okay. Thank you." I whispered gratefully as I stepped away from him as an attendant from the party asked me to stand for the photographs.

I glanced at Hugh for a moment before turning to the flashing cameras across from me. I shook the nerves away as I pose and smiled for the press. After a few minutes, the attendant asked me to enter the venue. I looked back at where I last saw Hugh and found an empty spot where he last stood. In a fluster, I search from him. But my search stopped as the attendant pulled me away inside.

When I reached main ballroom where the event was held, I stood by the door stuck as I scanned the room for anyone who I knew. It hadn't register in my head that I was here on a date. And like on cue, the man himself appeared.

"Michelle, I'm glad you got in fine. I heard that the paparazzi were hounding you about some dating rumors." Robert said as he appeared in front of me.

I hide my surprise face and gave him a small smile as greeting. "I'm fine. My secretary made sure that I didn't get to tell them anything." I replied timidly.

"Are you sure you are okay?" he asked again as he caress my right arm before taking my hand on his.

I stared at his gesture before looking back up to his face with an assuring smile. "I'm fine, Robert."

"Okay, good. Then, let's head towards our seat. The event is starting late," he said as he pulled me towards him, looping my arm around his as he escorted me inside.

The placed looked posh, with chandeliers and expensive floral design decorated around the venue. The tables were set identical to each other. There were ten chairs in one table, the table and chairs covered in cream, white dressing with a white flower in the center table. But there was nothing out of place. I've been to event such as these before, and everything always looked ethereal.

Robert escorted me to one of the table near the stage. I felt a little flattered at how much cash he was burning just to take me here with him. The plate value to get in the event might worth more or less ten thousand. But since we were seated close to the front, there might be another additional fee for it.

"Thank you for inviting me tonight. It's lovely of you," I said as he pulled the chair for my to seat.

"It's my pleasure. I wanted for you to get acquainted with something I feel very strongly and support," he replied with a smile as he sat down beside me.

Our table was near empty as a few of the guest still lingered around, associating with each other.

"Have you always been a supporter for this charity?" I asked in interest.

"My mother had battle with cancer for almost two year before she gave in to the illness. It was hard time for my family and myself. When she was alive, I've been an advocate in helping others like her," he replied with a bit of underlying sadness in his tone.

"I'm sorry," I whispered with a little bit of guilt. Why did have to ask? I should have known this tidbit already from the background check I did. I knew his mother was deceased without knowing the reason why. I felt stupid for a moment.

"It's okay. She didn't die with pain. We were with her until the end," he replied with a pained smile.

I nodded, not sure how to come up with a topic to change the gloomy mood. But I didn't have to think more as man stood at the podium on the stage, tapping the microphone to get people's attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seat as we formally start the event," the toastmaster said.

The event started with a short introduction about the cause of the charity. It was a cancer awareness event for women and children. People were slowly take turns giving out speeches about the charity, and a few also stood in the stage that was a survivor. It was a very emotional start, but slowly the music started to flow in the venue as a shift of program started. There were bids going around for material things like paintings, furniture, and clothes. The starting bid went as low as a thousand to a hundred thousand. I tried participating, but none of the auctioned materials where eye-catching for me. Since I felt I hadn't donated anything, I send out a check for the charity before dinner was served.

"That's very thoughtful of you," Robert whispered beside me as I called one of the staff of the event to give my signed check.

"It was nothing. I wanted to give even something little. I felt bad I came here for free," I whispered back in reply.

"You are my guest, Michelle." He caressed my arm in comfort.

"I know. Thank you for inviting me. No one had took me on a date like this before," I remarked with a grin.

"Is it a good thing or a bad thing?" he asked shyly.

"I think it's a good thing," I replied with a light chuckle.

When dinner was served, Robert turned and talked to the other people in our table. He briefly introduced me to them, which I didn't catch their name. Though I noticed that all of them are someone important and wealthy from how they were raising their auction numbers before.

After the meal, the dance floor was opened to occupy. I'm surprised to see that people gathered and swarmed the small empty space as jazz music resonated in the room. I can't help but smile as I watched couples sway to the music.

"Do you want to dance?" Robert asked beside me as a few of the people in our tale join in the dance floor.

"What? You want to dance," I asked in surprise.

"Yes, don't you want to join them?" he asked as he started at me in challenge.

"Okay. But I've got to warn you, I'm not good with classic dances," I admitted with a chuckle.

"Everybody can dance waltz," Robert stated in disbelief.

"But you haven't seen me yet," I laughed harder in my embarrassment. I'm known to be a stiff dancer, which was why I don't dance in public, with the exception of when I get drunk.

"Then let me teach you, it's not that hard," he stood up and offered his hand to me in confidence.

"I hope for your sake, you don't get embarrassed easily. You would look foolish dancing with me," I warned lightly.

"I wouldn't look foolish in any way when you are beside me in that dress," he countered with a light blush on his cheek.

Since we entered the venue, he never complimented me with my dress. Yet, I let that fall out aside since he hadn't taken his eyes off me the whole time. He kept his hands within reach to my skin, sending my body into a light frenzy every time we touch. I kept my cool all this time since there were people who were within earshot to us. But, that doesn't mean we can't secretly touch each other intimately. 

——————-

A/N: Hey fellas! Thank you so much for following this story. I shall update again in two days time. This is in dedication for all of your support on my story. :D

Have an awesome day and happy reading!