5. Watch me play

"Dane....are you okay?"

Bryan who stood, sorting paper on Dane's desk asked, looking at the absent-minded man who sat before him on his office seat.

Dane who Seemed to be lost came back to reality looking at the curious Bryan.

"Nothing. it's nothing" He gave a firm reply as he picked up the pen lying on his desk. "When is Mark's appreciation party?" He again dropped the pen looking up at Bryan who was busy with the papers.  

"Well... it's tonight, 7:00 PM" Bryan informed, his eyes still on the papers he was sorting.

"Okey. we'll have to bring the papers along tonight to the Party. Mark will be signing the contract tonight at the party with us..." He picked up the pen again and flipped open a file, looking at it like he was gonna write down something. "And also bring the Love - Ring, It's our best product up to date...we'll have to impress him with it so he doesn't think twice about signing with us" 

"Okey...I've heard it all...I'll do as you instruct" Bryan agreed.

Dane stopped flipping through the file and then looked up at the busy Bryan. "What are you doing?"

Bryan still didn't stop but replied" I'm sorting these design papers out...gonna present them to Mrs. Luis"

Dane's eyes tightened in the offense" Didn't I tell you to cut the deal with her...She has no sense of professionalism, so I can't convince her to work with us"

Bryan stopped looking at Dane who looked serious "You.....The only reason she refused to work with us was that you spoke rudely"

"Spoke rudely? - I only told her that her designs In her office looked terrible. Can't I be Sincere? I can't let her be fooled with her designs thinking they are good. And her? She said that my hard-worked design was lacking emotions! How absurd"

Bryan slapped his forehead with a sigh "She's a top design critic and one of the best designers in the country...her comment matters"

"She's just getting back at me for calling her design ugly. How unprofessional." He got back of his file.

"Whatever. Just give me the chance to talk to her, maybe she'll come around. What do you say?"

Dane didn't care less" Whatever..just don't get me involved" He picked up the pen once again and this time began signing with it.

 "You're just unbelievable" Bryan commented. Only he could put up with the rude attitude of his friend and he didn't bother. He didn't blame the Designer lady who refused the Cooperation.

He continued sorting.

"Check If Lizzy Is really in the hospital" Dane said in-between work.

"Yeah..she is. On our way here, I asked someone and she said she fell off the stairs and was taken to the hospital" He explained 

Bryan stopped sorting for a while and looked up at the busy Dane. "Will you consider accepting that girl from earlier? What if she was recommended by Lizzy?"

"Recommended or not, she can never step in here, or in my sight. I rather employee a toddler than her " He said coldly as he still worked.

"Oh...Sure" Bryan didn't get why he reacted like that, and he wasn't interested. He simply shrugged and continued sorting carefully.

                           *********

"What? you sent her rolling down the stairs?!" Lucy yelled, almost losing her cool.

Kate smiled, proud. Beneath her thin lips was a cup of tea which was she blowing cold with her mouth. Sitting comfortably on the sofa with her legs crossed again, she didn't care to look at the poor girl that was scared to death.

"How could you do that? you could have been caught! you could have gone to jail!" Lucy pointed out further.

"But I wasn't caught" Kate replied still soothing the tea as she looked up at the panicking Lucy. "And I'm still here talking with you, Aren't I?" She seemed to be casual and cool about the whole thing and it troubled Lucy.

"Don't think too much about it" Kate finally drank from her tea as she looked up at Lucy. Her eyebrow seemed to have twitched. 

" Besides I didn't harm her. I'm not that cruel. I'm well calculative of these and knew this would give her bruises at most....And she would wake up in few days.....".

"Few days?!" Lucy interrupted. She seemed to be waiting for that particular statement to be voiced by Kate. "It's Going to take that long?!"

Kate gave her a reluctant stare and then drank from the teacup again which was almost empty.

"Girl you worry way too much," She told Lucy" No need to worry about my affairs. All you need to do Is do as I say. you're just like me sister.... worrying too much...no wonder you two are best friends" She drank from her cup and this time it finished. 

She narrowed down her eyes to the empty cup and then looked at lucy who realized what had happened.

"You want some more?" Lucy asked.

"Why would I? And why do you always give me tea every time I visit? Do I look like my sister?" She demanded. " My sister likes this stuff but it's not my favorite"

"So sisters...so opposite" Lucy pointed out, starting to her feet "What do you want?"

"A lemon drink would do" Kate requested, gently dropping the cup on the table.

She watched Lucy head to the refrigerator and opened it. She ran her Hands in there for a moment before returning with a can of lemon drink. "Here you go" Lucy handed it to her.

Kate stared at the canned drink for a while and then looked up at Lucy" I need you to help me out this time"

"What's it now? if it's helping you hurt someone else then count me out" She stated as Kate smiled.

"No...this time I need help getting an opportunity to make that man accept me." she dropped the can on the table.

"I'm not as sneaky as you so I'm afraid I can't help you come up with that," She said.

Kate sighed, leaning backward. "I don't need your plan...Just wondering if there's any opportunity I can get to meet him... Something like a party...." She was still thinking.

"Oh, now you mentioned it, I think I can help you"

Kate looked at her. "What's it?"

"Well I read news online I heard that Marco Vez, also known as Mark. The famous Spanish designer who deals with couple design is hosting an appreciation party tonight at his estate...And Dane is also invited"

"And?" Kate seemed fascinated by the information.

"Well... nothing much... it's just that he's coming and it seems that they're gonna sign a contract there because it's already been rumored that he's planning on working with Light fashion and design company. That's all I know"

A mischievous smile escaped her lips. Lucy saw this and knew something was cooking.

"What's it now?" She Asked in suspicion.

"Oh... nothing more..just got a brilliant idea. And you... you know this topic well .. good job" Kate commended.

"It's nothing. After you gave me this assignment I think I've been stalking Dane quite a lot" Lucy sighed. "So what do you plan on doing?"

"Attending the party" Kate smiled.

"What? But why? you have nothing to do there!" 

"That's why I need to get involved as soon as possible " She ran a hand through her hair starting to her feet " Just try your best and Get me the invitation to the party tonight and also lots of inside information about Marco whatever" She was leaving.

"Huh? But how am I supposed to get an invitation there... it's not like I'm there a family friend or something!" Lucy questioned.

"Do as you see fit!" Kate said leaving through the door.

Lucy sighed watching her leave. That was typically impossible but for this crazy lazy she guessed she had to try the impossible.

She looked down at the canned lemon drink with an even deeper sigh. "Didn't even take this" She mumbled.

                           ***********

The black car pulled over before the mansion which was already loaded with classical who had come for the appreciation party.

It was night, 7:07 PM precisely. And Dane had confirmed that through his wristwatch after he Walked out of the car opened by Bryan. Both men were looking gorgeous tonight in their plain black suit and red tie.

Dane looked around for a while as he casually walked towards the large entrance gate guarded by security men. Bryan Showed them their invitation and they were Let in without further hesitation.

The party seemed to be going on at the back of the Manson where the pull sat. it was casual for these rich people to hold a party at the poolside. And Marco who owned such a glamorous mansion wasn't an exception.

Dane majestically made his way through the Manson and got to the back where the soft music played and rich people in fancy dresses exchange pleasantries while they chatted in a murmur l tone.

Dane didn't care to meet anyone but let his eyes search the place for a while. He finally caught sight of A man who was chatting with a couple of men. 

With a casual smirk, he walked up to the man. He wore a smile on his face to look friendly and approachable and the smile indeed make his whole attire light up!

"Hello Mr. Vez" He Called for his attention extending his hands for a handshake.

The Middle age Latin American man turned to look at who had greeted him. On his face was a more welcoming smile. "Ah...Mr. Maxwell...Glad you could make it" He accepted his handshake.

"Of course, couldn't miss it for the world" Dane smiled.

The other men mark was speaking with had turned and left for other businesses as Mark turned fully to speak with his VIP guests.

They engaged in exchanging short pleasantries before Dane looked at Bryan signaling him to get the ring. Bryan simply nodded and left.

Dane looked back at Mark. "Well, I felt obligated to show you a Masterpiece of our company. you'd be delighted to see it"

"Oh really? what's it?" The man asked curiously, his Spanish accent is obvious.

"I call it the love Ring. it's Unique for getting stuck in the hands of your lover. If it's true love...then it can't be taken off" Dane smiled. it was smart enough of using a love-related Tool to get to him. He was a famous Spanish designer known for his outstanding work of Couple and love products. This would certainly tickle his fancy.

"Oh then... that's fascinating" Mark smiled, certainly captivated.

                         ***********

It was a total bummer to arrive at a fancy party in a cab, and Kate couldn't help but be a victim!

She was keeping a low profile after all so she couldn't let a clue get noticed.

Dressed in an elegant red silk gown with a cut by the side and that extended to her feet covering her red heels, Kate paid the cab driver he took off in his cab as she looked at the mansion with a confident smile. She was just about to go in when she saw the security men and realized she didn't have an invitation!

Panicked, she quickly got her phone and dialed up Lucy. Lucy answered in a while. "Where's my invitation?" Kate demanded

"Well...I could only give you the information but as for the invitation....you should know I have no such power and position to get that."

Kate understood. She shouldn't have put all her trust in her. This was a big mistake!

As she looked around after cutting the line, she. caught sight of Bryan coming out of the place with the invitation at hand.

She recognized him and tried recalling where they'd met. She watched him walk up to the black car, open it and take out a ring box. With a smile, he had tucked the ring box in his breasts pocket and closed the door.

It then rang into Kate's mind that he was the guy with Dane! His driver maybe. She watched him take out a ring ...she guessed this must be an important object so Dane. Kate grinned.

As Bryan walked up to the gate, Kate smartly followed behind putting her hand in-between his right hand and Linking them together.

Bryan was shocked at who had boldly come, linking their arms together as if they were a couple. As he turned to look at her, she leaned close to him whispering.

"Play along or you'll regret it"

Bryan was confused but he had to play along!

He walked up to the security post as Kate leaned her head close to him with a smile.

"Oh darling... can't believe you want in without me....I was looking all around for you". She Said, clingy.

With a nervous smile, Bryan Showed them his invitation and they were let in.

Both of them walked in as Kate patted his chest. "Nice play," She said sneakily taking the ring away. She unlinked their hands "Now go".

Bryan looked at the rather familiar girl who had turned going into the building and on her way to the back where the party lived.

He scratched his head trying to recall where they'd met. When he got nothing, he walked in too.

Bryan approached Dane and mark who were still locked in a discussion as Dane looked at him with a rather excited smile.

"And here comes the ring Mr. Vez" He stretched out his hands to Bryan for the ring 

Bryan, with a smile, put his hands in his pocket for the Ring but...it was gone?!

Dane watched him search himself for the ring but no sign of success. Dane was panicking within. Mr. Vez was watching with curiosity.

From a distance was Kate, who stood before a table and had a glass of wine at hand. She elegantly sipped from it as she watched the fun.

She was right. The ring was important. And now, it was time to make her lucky move.

Kate dropped the glass and made her way up to the boys.