Chapter 18

JAMES

I was in the car, on my way home when I saw two articles, one which was from The Hardins corp. while the other, from The Gastons corp. They were both talking about releasing the same type of product on the same day. It was really surprising and unexpected, even the comments testified to that.

"Which company is the Gastons corporation?" I looked at Vince, who was driving at the front.

"It's Mr. Reed's company."

"Reed? Silvana's ex?" I raised my brows and he nodded.

Clicking my tongue, I went back to my phone.

"What the hell are you doing here?" The moment I walked into my house, I was faced with Chad, my best friend who was sitting with his legs crossed while watching TV.

"You're back," He looked over at me before turning back to the TV. "I've been waiting for you."

"Why?" I frowned. Chad coming to my house means trouble for me.

"I'm here to take you to the club."

I knew it. Sighing, I went for the stairs and as expected, he followed me.

"I'm not going." I said before he could say anything.

"Oh, please. It's just the club, and trust me, you are gonna like it."

"I'm not interested." I replied and walked into my room. I took off my suit jacket and threw it to the laundry basket but he caught it before it could get in. Turning to him, I glared when I saw the smile on his face.

"Come on, it's just for a few hours."

"I want to rest." I turned to go to the bathroom but he jumped on me. "Please!!!"

"Hey! Are you crazy? Get off me and stop yelling." I tried pushing him off, but he clinged tighter. Sighing loudly, I gathered enough strength before pushing him off.

"Ouch! James!" Ignoring his yells, I walked into the bathroom.

________

I sighed loudly as I stared at the building in front of me. Chad successfully convinced me to come, more like, dragged me.

"Let's go in!" Chad shouted and dragged me into the club.

The loud music hit my ear as we found a seat at a corner, in front of the counter.

"Two glasses of vodka please." Chad told the bartender, and in a few minutes, our order was ready.

"Cheers!" Chad clinked our glasses, and gulped down his glass immediately. I rolled my eyes and sipped from my own glass.

My eyes moved around the club till it landed on a girl who was staring at me. She winked at me, but I rolled my eyes, looking away.

"Guyyy, you shouldn't have ignored the girl. She was giving you signals." Chad, who seemed to have noticed, said, but I scoffed and focused on my drink. Signals? For what? I'm really not in the mood for such today.

"A bottle of Tequila." I turned my head at the sound of a tiny voice. She sat down beside Chad, and that was when I noticed she was with another girl...Silvana.

My eyes remained on her as she settled down beside the girl. Glancing at the girl, I realized she was the girl with Silvana at the restaurant. I took my gaze back to Silvana who had a slight frown on her face. A smile appeared on my face as I looked down at what she was wearing. She was putting on a simple blue gown. Though simple, she looked really hot in it.

"I really don't like this. I'm not supposed to be here." She said to her friend who rolled her eyes and hung her arm on her neck.

"You need to chill. Because you are a CEO? Come on, I'm a known model too. No one cares about you here so just have fun."

"But still..." Silvana insisted, looking around till her eyes landed on me.

"James." She gasped.

______


SILVANA

I had just gotten home from a long day of work when Karen suddenly showed up after weeks of ghosting me. More like, we ghosted each other cause I was really busy, and she told me she was also busy with shoots since she is a model. What I didn't expect was asking me to tag along with her to the club.

I swear, I refused, but she literally dragged me to the club. The moment we stepped into the club, I was hit with the loud blast of music.

We had just gotten our seats at the counter when I started feeling uncomfortable. I looked around, my eyes encountering the people having fun. Some were making out openly without shame while some were dancing their lives out on the dance floor.

"James!" I was still looking around when my eyes landed on James who was actually seated two seats away from me. Karen and another guy who I assumed to be his friend were the ones keeping us apart.

I watched as a smile appeared on his face and Karen together with the guy faced me.

"Do you know him?" Karen asked.

"Yeah, he is..." I was still talking when Karen suddenly gasped. "Don't tell me he is the one you hit it off with."

I hit her hand and she clamped her mouth shut, while chuckling.

"So you guys know each other? Have you been meeting girls without me." The guy with a frown on his face turned to James who ignored him, his eyes not leaving me.

"I don't expect to see you here."

"Yeah, I was actually forced to.."

"Oh, please." Karen cut in again and faced James with a smile I knew.

"My name is Karen. May I know your name please?"

"It's James."

"You are so cute!" Karen gushed, turning to the guy beside him. "What's the name?"

"Chad, miss Karen."

"Hmmm...you are my type." I shook my head at the two who laughed out loud.

I looked at James to still find his eyes on me. Raising my brows, I looked away and gulped down my glass of tequila.

"Arghh." A groan left my lips as the tequila ran down my throat hotly.

I continued drinking, same with the two, except James who was still on the first glass I met him with.

"Let's dance." Karen grabbed Chad's hands and they both bolted off to the dancing hall.

I faced James who was still sipping from his one glass.

"You've been on that since." I chuckled, pointing at his glass.

"I have to take you home if you get drunk."

I pouted, but laughed out immediately. "Are you sure? Or can't you withstand your alcohol."

"Are you referring to yourself, cause you've only just drunk three glasses, but you are dead drunk."

"I'm not." I shook my head and stood up, but I stumbled and would have fell if James had not caught me. I guess he is right.

"Just sit down, will you?" He placed me down on the stool, but I stood up again, shaking my head. I was pressed and I needed to ease myself.

"What's wrong?"

"I wanna pee, be right back." I smiled at him and made my way out of the club, more like staggering. I almost fell at some point but I was quick to hold myself.

I finally got to the restroom. I eased myself and walked out, only to bump into someone.

"So sorry." I mumbled and made to walk away but the person held me. Looking up, my eyes met with a rough looking guy smirking at me.

"Can you let go?" I asked, my feet swaying. He chuckled, and brought his face closer to mine.

"What are you doing?"

"What do you think I'm doing?" He asked back in his husky voice, and before I knew it, he grabbed my waist, pulling me close.

"Hey...let me go." I hit his chest, as I struggled to be free.

"Stay still." He groaned, tightening his hold on my waist as he started leaning in.