Nothing Unusual
There will be a celebration party for the alliance between Pageant Corp and Black Coal Group. It was held in the hall of one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. Both important parties from the company were expected to attend the event.
As the secretary of the CEO of Pageant Corp, Lillianne was also present. She was ready to rock Blaze Davies' world again that night.
The look of surprise on the man's face was palpable as he saw her enter the place. The boss looked at her without blinking, as if he couldn't believe she was real.
It was something she had expected as she deliberately looked exactly like how she had seduced him at the office a few days ago; the ivory bodycon mini-dress, bling high heels, and even her makeup and hair looked the same. It was like his dream had come into reality.
"Why are you looking at me like that, sir? Is there something wrong with my attire?" She asked in an innocent tone.
Blaze Davies seemed to have a lot of things he wanted to say to the secretary, but he held it in. In the end, he just looked away and said, "Nothing."
'Interesting. Tonight is going to be very special, Leander. I will make sure there will be progress in our relationship,' the woman thought while grinning secretly.
Jake Bolton and his entourage finally arrived. Lillianne accompanied Blaze to greet him. Tonight too, as expected, the potential investor immediately showed attraction to her.
"Wow, you look really stunning tonight, Ms. Guinn. I almost didn't recognize you," he said before kissing her hand.
"Thank you, Mr. Blake. But, does that mean that at the previous meeting, I didn't look beautiful?" She joked a little, flexing her flirting skills.
"That's not what I meant. Of course, you always look charming and gorgeous, Ms. Guinn. However, you look more enchanting tonight. It's beyond words," Jake Bolton flashed that disgusting smile at her again. "It would be such a waste if we didn't dance tonight, don't you think? Make sure to make time for me later."
"Sure, sir."
Lillianne stepped back to give the others a chance to greet Jake Bolton. When she glanced at Blaze again, he met the man's gaze. He looked at her with a judgmental look.
'Why? Are you jealous? Tell me instead of just showing a sour face like that.'
Oh, how Lillianne wanted to tease him. Too bad, she still had to endure it for now.
***
The party was boring. Yeah, what is the interesting part about hearing rich people brag about their achievements and wealth? Not to mention how they also kept uttering several dry jokes that should be buried forever. The fake laughs they made didn't help either.
However, as long as Blaze was beside her, everything was fun enough for Lillianne. She can sit for hours with it. It was the kind of thing she had wanted the most for hundreds of years anyway.
Finally, the main event came. Classical music began to echo in the room after Jake Bolton personally ordered it. Everyone was immediately in a better mood.
"Ms. Guinn, may I?" The owner of the Black Coal Group immediately stood up, then politely reached out his hand to ask her to dance.
Lillianne put on a confused face and hesitated again. She glanced at Blaze to ask for an opinion, but the man only looked back at her with his infamous flat face. In the end, Lillianne accepted the invitation. It was also part of her plan for tonight anyway.
They walked towards the center of the room and began to dance slowly to the lilting rhythm of classical music. While one of her hands was linked with Jake Bolton's, the other rested on his shoulder. Meanwhile, his other arms was around her waist.
"Do you know, Ms. Guinn, I have been trying to reach you for the past two weeks? I tried to call your cell phone number, but it didn't even connect at all. Did you lie about that?" The man immediately spoke to her less than a minute after they started dancing.
A few days after the meeting, she was contacted by his secretary who asked for her cell phone number. Lillianne gave it, but she secretly blocked other calls that weren't from Elara, Blaze, Theodoros, as well as her other coworkers. That way she didn't have to deal with this jerk.
That was the real answer. However, instead of saying it to his face, Lillianne let out another fake laugh.
"Really? But I always use that number, though. I use it every day." Lillianne was consistent with her flirty manner. "Maybe your secretary wrote it down wrong, sir. I gave her the correct one that day."
"Well, forget that. I want you to give it to me personally after this," Jake Bolton said, tightening his grip on her waist bringing them closer.
Lillianne glanced at the table occupied by Blaze. The man was still sitting there and chatting with others. He ignored her again.
'Let's see how long you will act like you don't care about me.'
"Why do you need that, sir? I mean, you don't directly handle matters regarding this project, do you? That's between me and your secretary," she said as he returned his focus to Jake Bolton.
Instead of answering her, Jake Bolton grinned. "Ms. Guinn, you know, I am very familiar with female characters because I meet a lot of them. I can tell whether she is someone innocent, shy, and even brave."
Lillianne smirked back at him, "Then, which type do you think I am?"
"I know that you are the latter one. I can tell it from the way you act. So, let’s stop pretending.”
Lillianne didn't answer. She only gave him another grin.
"I know you must have heard about me or rumors about me. While I can't confirm if it's true or false, I can assure you of one thing. I can give you everything you want if you are willing to spend time with me," Jake Bolton became bolder. He drew closer and hugged her tighter, ignoring the gazes of the people around him. He felt like he had the most elevated position there anyway -- even compared to Blaze Davies.
"Everything I want is like..." Lillianne still wanted to play along.
"Anything you want, beautiful. Money, jewelry, cars, and even a new place to live. Just name it, and I can give it to you tonight." Jake Bolton finally loosened his embrace a little at that moment. He looked at Lillianne's eyes again with a grin. "You know, the royal suite here is nice. I have spent the night here several times. Want to stop by tonight? I can show it to you."
How disgusting. Just because he was rich, he seemed to forget how old he was. He didn't even look good at all and lacked charisma. Even as a wolf who occasionally ate humans, he didn't make her have an appetite at all. The only thing she wanted most was to throw the man out the window.
However, Lillianne had to restrain herself from that again. His move was actually what she had planned from the start. She needed it for her gain.
"How do I get there, sir?"
"Well, this event will take place till eleven o'clock. At that time, you just need to pretend to be home, then come back here without telling anyone. Come to the royal suit room number one at 33rd floor after that. I will be waiting for you there."
She pretended to take time to think.
"But... promise me you won't lie. You must grant my will if I come to you. Please don't trick me," she whispered to him. "In my case, I want to move to a better apartment than the one I am living in. Will you help me with that if I meet you there?"
"Sure. Just make sure you come, then I will give it to you straight away. I know a lot of good apartments that aren't too far from where you work. It will soon be yours"
Lillianne pretended to be more enthusiastic. "Really, sir?"
"Of course. Ms. Lillianne, you are sooooo beautiful. I have never seen a woman more alluring than you, so I could give everything to be with you. Take my word because I won't let you down."
***
Lillianne was finally able to escape from Jake Bolton's entanglement. Of course, after saying that she would fulfill her invitation.
The higher-ups continued their party. Jake Bolton was dancing with one of her female staff while chatting with several other Pagent Corp officials. Meanwhile, Lillianne was standing aside while enjoying her favorite champagne.
"You seem very used to parties."
She was surprised when Blaze Davies was suddenly standing next to her. He took a glass of champagne that was lying on the table in front of her.
"Well, don't we all, sir? How about you? Don't you enjoy it too?"
"No. This is so boring. I prefer to play with my daughter at home."
It was quiet after that. They just drank their beverages, while eyeing the excitement of the party. Lillianne was very sure that the man had taken her bait. Because after seeing her dancing with Mr. Bolton, he seemed to have a lot more to say about her.
"Did he say anything?" Blaze finally asked, without looking at her. "You two looked too busy dancing earlier, so it seemed like you had a lot to talk about. What did he say to you?"
‘Bingo! This is getting more and more in line with what I wanted.'
"W-What do you mean, sir?" Lillianne pretended to be naive again. She deliberately avoided Blaze's eyes. "It's nothing important. We just discussed a little about the project while making a few fun jokes sometimes. There was nothing particular at all."
"Really?" He looked doubtful, looking into her eyes deeper. It was like he was reading bottomless into her.
"Y-Yeah..." She stammered, fighting another fake smile. "There was nothing unusual..."
***