CHLOEWhen Trace looked at me in a way that seemed like he was recalling something, I thought he might be thinking about what happened between us in his penthouse. His "nice meeting you" greeting was probably on his mind. I gulped, wondering what he might be thinking."Three years ago, I saw you. Airport," Trace said.My eyes widened in surprise. He remembers!"You... you remember me," I exclaimed, taken aback."Just now," he said with a grin as if excited to remember that moment. "And that makes you mine. So stop talking to Elliot, for I don't like it."I was left speechless by the way he said those words. It was as if he was staking his claim on me. But the airport memory brought delight to me. It seemed that I wasn't the only one who remembered our first encounter three years ago. I forced myself to smile, feeling a bit awkward for staring at him so intently.But Elliot? My brows furrowed at that. Why did he need to say that? It's as if he expects me to only talk to him and not his
TRACEShe refers to me as Trace, and I can't help but notice that my name sounds different when it comes from her. It's as if her voice is a ray of sunshine after heavy rain, like hope after failure, like winning a bid, and like a successful illegal transaction that has taken place.Yeah, Chloe is more like a transaction I need to ensure remains uninterrupted.And damn it! I don't know why, but I'm standing here like an idiot, just staring at her. The way this woman affects me is strange. No one has ever made me feel this way, not even my first love or that damn woman."Am I allowed to go now?" she asked me."Excuse me," Elliot interrupted before I could respond.Fuck it! The asshole's butting in again! And I hate what I see in Chloe's eyes – it's like she found an ally in Elliot. A princess saved by her knight. Then Chloe smiled sweetly, and I hate that."Chloe, the music is perfect, and the moment is tempting. May I have the honor to have this dance with you?" Elliot asked in a prin
CHLOE When Elliot asked me to dance, I didn't think twice. I found a way to escape Trace's flirting. If there is no Carly to consider, I might have been tempted by Trace's advances. If there is no Carly to be hurt, then yes, why not? But there's Carly... there's Carly who could be hurt if she found out that the man she loves and is searching for is flirting with me, and... darn me, I'm actually interested. I sighed. This stupid emotion I have for Trace needs to stop. I need to pay attention to the real reason and use Trace for convenience. "The song suits you well," Elliot said as we danced to Ed Sheeran's 'Perfect.' I smiled. I don't know. Elliot is equally handsome as Trace, but being with him 'simply' makes me feel relaxed. Just relaxed. And no excitement at all. But the heck with me! It was just that I didn't sense danger around him like I do with Trace. Elliot fits the mold of the kind of man I prefer. Neat, clean, professional, and respectable. Elliot reminds me of Oliver.
TRACE"Fornales?" I asked with a frown. Is she related to General Fornales? One of my father's cronies.As far as I know, Elliot said that the so-called general didn’t like him. It turns out it's not just the general who dislikes him. This woman before me seems to have a problem with him, too. Elliot versus the Fornales. Should I laugh or just keep laughing?Damn it! The truth is, I've been restraining myself from punching this Elliot for a while now. I don't care about this Fornales lady beside me who is like a demon trying to taunt me. I can manage my business without anyone's help."Yes, I am a Fornales. And yes, I hate Elliot Hart," she said with a raise of her left brow. Feisty! "And what can I do for you?" I asked nicely. Fuck! Since when did I learn how to act politely?"You should get your girl before she gets into trouble with that shameless lawyer over there.""He's a friend of mine," I told her, in case she didn't know. I'm annoyed with Elliot, but I won't conspire with an
CHLOE I let out a heavy sigh. The tension between me and the woman named Malori was undeniable. She had been giving me nasty glances on and off. As for the woman named Denise, her only skill was to cling to Trace and shower him with affection. The three of them were engaged in public displays of love, and no one from Trace's friends was telling them to stop, even though it was getting irritating to watch. I glanced at Malori and Denise again. I couldn't help but wonder why they seemed unfazed by the fact that Trace was flirting with both of them. And according to what Bree had mentioned earlier, there might even be an orgy involving Trace later. Oh God! How filthy the man I fell in love with! Wait! Did I say 'I' fell in love with? Oh, shit! I mean Carly! How filthy this Trace Dimagiba that Carly fell in love with! Not me! I'm just clarifying! Definitely, it's not me! Disgust washed over me as I looked at Trace. I felt like I knew what Trace had done to Carly. He used my sister,
TRACE When Chloe stumbled and held onto my chair, it was evident that the numerous beers Logan had given her were taking their toll. I stood up quickly to ensure she didn't lose her balance. Her steps were unsteady, but she shot me an irritated look when I asked if she was alright. She impatiently pulled her arm away from my grasp, and I knew exactly why she was annoyed – Denise and Malori. I grinned and observed her movements, signaling Nite to keep an eye on her. When I looked at Eut, he was still engrossed in conversation with Isauis. Chloe was clearly feeling jealous of Malori and Denise. She was putting on an act, but it was quite apparent that she also had some interest in me. I witnessed her almost slipping, and Nite stepped in to help her regain her balance before discreetly leaving her side. Nite nodded at me, conveying that Chloe was okay. "I'll go check on Paige for a bit. I've been eyeing Elliot's gift to her, and it's making me jealous," Denise informed me. "And… maybe
CHLOE"You know you're beautiful, aren't you?" Malori asked me while still giving me her judging stares. I narrowed my eyes and then gave her a smirk.What is this woman doing? Is she trying to intimidate me because of Elliot or because of Trace? Duh! She was the one flirting with Trace while looking at Elliot with such longing. I made a sarcastic sound. She's so transparent; now she has the audacity to approach me, sounding and acting like a jilted wife."Excuse me, are you talking to me?" I asked her nicely. Hoping I can still appeal to her good side. I am always polite. My mom raised me to be obedient and not spoiled."Who else? It's just the two of us here. Don't play dumb, Barbie.""I'm sorry, I don't understand what you're saying," I reacted in a bitch way. I am nice, but if someone acts rudely towards me, I can respond in the same manner."Oh! So it's true that you can't speak and understand Tagalog," Malori stated, then let out a derisive laugh. I rolled my eyes at that. Malor
TRACE After I gave the uppercut to Elliot in response to the punch he gave me, he staggered back. I hate the fact that he's tough in a brawl. He came straight at me to retaliate for my punch, and I stepped forward to block him from advancing. As I was about to give Eut a right hook, I suddenly saw Ezekiel, Elliot's older brother, approaching me, and I didn't give him a chance to throw a punch. I faced him and pulled his necktie, slamming him onto the nearby table. I heard screams from women at the party, and some moved away to avoid getting involved with Elliot and me. Ezekiel fell to the ground after I kicked him to prevent him from getting up. The other guys were trying to help, but they were ineffective. It's Elliot's face that I wanted to smash, not Ezekiel, who's just trying to look good. "Stop that, Trace!" I heard Papa shout, but did he really think he could stop me? If he tried intervening, I'd be even more determined to cause a scene. I saw Elliot coming, so I grabbed a