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
CHLOEThe throbbing pain in my head jolted me awake, but I shut my eyes again as the sunlight blinded me. I cautiously reopened my eyes and found myself facing a glass window, prompting me to sit in bed. This differed from the guest room where Harriet and I had been staying, which had no glass windows. I was thoroughly perplexed. Where was I?Nausea washed over me, causing me to sink back onto the bed. I considered going back to sleep. Wherever this room was, it couldn't hurt to get more rest. I felt awful; this was the second time I had gotten drunk in the Philippines, and my dreams were never pleasant. In my hazy recollection, I remembered someone pointing a gun at me.I attempted to drift back to sleep, but then a pair of arms wrapped around me. I looked at those, thinking it was Harriet's, but it wasn't. It was a man's arm, and I noticed the Rolex watch on his wrist, which I had seen wearing last night by... Oh! It was...Trace?!I quickly got up, anxious, and turned to check if
TRACEShe told me to shut up, and she amazed me. If she were another woman, I might have strangled her, but not her. I want to keep and make her my most precious and loyal woman. I want her to only seek me and not be interested in anyone else.Last night, after the commotion, I brought her up to my room. Paige followed and even argued with me, insisting that Chloe be transferred to the guest room because she obviously didn't trust me. Harriet, whom I knew was also drunk because Hector was skilled at getting people drunk, didn't cause any trouble and was fast asleep in the guest room.After I laid Chloe on my bed, I didn't return to the party. I didn't want to see them all because I knew Logan and Jeru would tease me. I didn't even give a damn if they left or continued with the celebration.Since I had been devirginized, last night was the first time I slept with a woman, and nothing happened. I even masturbated three times the whole night to control my cock from turning rigid most of