Five

Julian blinked, quite taken a back seeing her here tonight. “Am I at the right party?” He walked towards her, nodding to some people who called out on him. “Catherine Hart invited you to this charity event?”

He stood in front of her, hovering despite the fact that she wore killer heels. Sandra let out a gasp as if she was surpised then she smiled demurely and held out her hand to him. “Oh Julian... as always and expected. You look very handsome.”

He chuckled and took her hand to place a soft kiss on the back of her palm. His lips lingered quite longer and she squeezed his hand approvingly. “Your kisses are always warm too, Mr. Fernandez.”

He let go of her hand and smiled at her, teasing. “You always liked them.”

“Oh, I don't forget.”

They stood and stare at each other with smiles on their faces. It always happen, like they're both waiting and thinking what words to say to each other or to be precise thinking what kind of insult to hurl at each other. Sandra gave him an appreciative once over, his tux suited him perfectly. His aura commanded attention though, every head turned or just stopped to watch him in awe, that's his effect to people... What do they call him? Debonair?

No, Julian Fernandez was the Perfect Man. NOT.

She met his gaze squarely, her eyes not deceiving an emotion. “You arrived with your family?”

Julian ignore the people glancing on their way with either teasing smiles ot gazes of approval or whatever then turn to gossip. “Ah... I arrived first.”

She handed him a glass of wine and then blinked at him innocently. “Sophie Torres, that model. You're dating her?"

Despite the surprised and sudden urge to scream the corner of his lips curled up and he was chuckling amusedly, he took the glass from her and took a sip then put it on the tray of a passing waiter. He shook his head staring down at her, not knowing if he wanted to throttled her or be amused by her ability.

“You just know everything don't you...” He held out his arm for her whom she accepted gracefully, wrapping her delicate fingers around his arm and the two of them walked, smiling to the big shot people who watched them as usual.

“Oh, you know me...” She giggled. “I just looove knowing something I'm not supposed to know.”

He sneered. “Charming.”

Tonight was a grand Charity event hosted by the famous A-list painter, Catherine Hart. She wasn't his friend but they move in the same circle, knew the same people and he gets invitations to her private parties and gallery show case, she indeed a spectacular painter. The cameras were present as they were let inside, only the big shots though but sure paparazzi were able to sneak in and that's the reason why he and Sandra are doing this.

Julian was still wondering how the hell did Sandra managed to get an invitation from Catherine Hart. Knowing the two never liked each other. Catherine had been vocal about her dislike to Sandra in some interviews and Sandra demurely returned the favor with equal glee. Nobody knows why they so greatly dislike each other but Catherine once said there are just people you despised simply without any reason at all. It was amusing.

She looked up at him. “Look what you have reduced into, having a pathetic secret relationship with some cheap model and trying to protect it... funny. What a downgrade."

“I believe the term is supermodel. And I believe I did the right choice, Sophie Torres is actually a better human being than you are, better woman too.” He smiled coyly. “I must say."

Sandra laughed, loud yet soft, fucking genuine, not even an inch insulted. Other guests looked their way and smiled. Julian wanted to strangle her pretty little neck and choke her to death. Her laugh was full of amusement and even glee. So, so infuriating and seductive.

Her other hand came to his arm where her other hand was wrapped, she pulled him closer on her side, the warmth of her hand sent shivers down his spine. “Julian, you're so funny.”

She was having a good time. “You can only call someone a

supermodel if her or she has multi-million contracts, endorsements and campaigns. If she have been on the cover of prestigious magazines like Vogue, if she have graced the catwalks in Haute Couture and pret-a-porter in Paris, Milan and New York... and if she could command an attitude of ‘I won't get out of bed for less than $15000 a day'... otherwise she's just a model...”

She beamed at him when they both stopped and stared at each other. “If you wanted to marry or date at least chose someone who's near my level. Or anyone else will be just a downgrade.”

He rolled his eyes, not liking her insults to his secret girlfriend but definitely not gonna give her what she really want, confrontation. “A truly elegant taste is generally accompanied with excellency of heart. This is exactly why she's way better than you, Sandra.”

“I seriously doubt it.” She waved a hand dismissively. “And please, stop comparing her to me, it might be an honor for her but it's an insult to me." She gave him a sultry smile when she added. “You know I bruise easily.”

Julian have to bit his tongue and ball his fists tight to restrain himself from pushing her away and start screaming profanities at her face. They walked, smiling and occasionally stopping to have a little chat with some people

when Catherine approached them. “Julian Fernandez.” She glanced at Sandra and smile. “Sandra.”

“Hello, Catherine." Sandra didn't even let go of Julian's arm.

“You've outdone yourself tonight, Miss Hart.” Julian mused. “Everything looks so perfect and I'm sure this charity is going to be successful.”

“Of course. I invited just everyone who milks millions on daily basis and I'm expecting no less especially from you.” She winked at him. “Tonight we're going to auction some of my works and of course a few from my personal collections, I made sure by the time the auctions start all this paparazzi will be sent out. Half of the amount that we'll gather will be given to the less fortune and the other half to fund some school of my liking... but I haven't decided what school yet.”

Of course. Julian thought Catherine is more sensible and charitable woman hence the charity event but it sounded like the charity is just another front for a worthless bragging party. She doesn't even have any idea of what charity she'll have to give the money and decided to think about it later. Julian can only shake his head.

“Of course.” He found himself saying.

“Catherine and charity in one sentence... I'm sure your mother is crying diamonds in heaven right now because her daughter finally found the light.”

Catherine smiled breezily at Sandra. “Shame the same cannot be said to you."

Sandra's eyes narrowed and a small smile crept on Julian's handsome face. “Oh...” Catherine's eyes widened in excitement. “Wait right here you two, and I've got some people I want to introduce yo you, excuse me."

After Catherine left, two politicians went to chat with them. Julian was used to this, every time he and Sandra would be both invited in a function or an event like this, even though they didn't arrive together, he always ended up escorting her showing a perfect front act and he was still surprised as to how the people didn't pick up that they actually hated each other. Mybe they were just that good.

“It's amazing that after the scandal you two ended up being friends. Other people would've been estranged to each other with full hate."

“Oh, Julian and I aren't like that. We don't want our daughter to think that just because she didn't have a complete family she can't be happy.” She looked at him. “Right, Julian?”

“Yeah...”

Julian looked around, letting Sandra handle the talk but he would answer and give his opinion when needed, then his eyes landed on Catherine, a man was escorting her and Julian's eyes widen when he saw who the woman trailing behind her.

Sandra chuckled and gripped his arm.

“Well, I decided to invite a very few celebrities, only those I like and the ones I'm intrigue with...” Catherine turned to Sophie. “In a good way of course. This is Matsumoto Jun, very famous actor from Japan and my dear friend.” Then she he Sophie's arm. “Sophie Torres everyone, I watched one of her movies and I must say she's quite charming. Reason why I invited her tonight, her last movie was about this less fortunate people and very touching...”

Sophie's smile frozen. Movie? But–

“Sophie Torres...” Sandra laid a hand in front of her. “Please to meet you, I'm Sandra Parker.”

Sophie's eyes widen, she quickly looked at Julian who was tense, he wasn't looking at her though but on Sandra's waiting for her handshake. Laughing nervously, Sophie reached for her hand. “I... I know you. Miss Sa-Sandra.”

“You do?”

“Who doesn't?” Julian bit out, for other people they wouldn't know that tone but Sophie knew he was angry, she just doesn't know to whom.

Maybe he was mad at her that she showed at this party? It was her first time to be invited into an A-Lister's party and she didn't tell him she was invited and going, he must be shock but Sophie wasn't able to contact him about because his secretary took his calls and his personal phone had been busy.

“Sophie is an actress.” Catherine declared slyly. “Her acting is so perfect, it got me crying and my heart literally ached! Such a heartwarming movie...”

Sandra smirked inwardly and turned her innocence expression on Sophie, she started curiously and softly. “Unlike Catherine I'm not that updated with Hollywood movies. I'm sorry, I haven't watched it but hearing Catherine talk about it makes me wonder, the fact that she invited you here... you obviously left a very good impression enough to make someone like Catherine Hart be curious of you... What movie was it again?”

Catherine chuckled and turned to Sophie expectantly. Sophie bristled at that though, she's a model. Not an actress. Then suddenly a thought hit her and Sophie paled, did Catherine Hart mistook her for someone else? Is there an actress with the same name as her? Oh God! This is so embarrassing!

Her heart pounded and she started to open her mouth and nothing came out, oh God! What a shame! I front of this rich and powerful people and she wi–

“I believe you were talking about the commercial she shot last spring, Catherine.” Julian glared at Catherine who feigned surprise.

“Commercial?” Sandra mused beside him, she too received his glare but she just blinked at him.

“Yes.” He seethed. “Sophie is a supermodel but she took a commercial shot along with my sister-in-law and she also acted in one of Hannah's music video, it was probably what you saw, Catherine. Miss Torres's acting was so good it made the music video look like a movie.”

Whatever is going on right now, why Catherine and Sandra suddenly tagging against Sophie it don't matter because he was there to protect Sophie. Catherine shrugged. “It must be it." And smiled at Sophie again. “You were really good there.”

“Now, I'm curious about it.” One of the politicians said with a smile.

Sophie felt relief flash over her as she sent Julian a smile, he didn't return it but it was alright and it was enough, only his family and her mother knew they were dating anyway.

“I didn't know you and Miss Torres knew each other.” Sandra mused. “Julian, you didn't tell me about that.”

If looks could kill, Sandra would've been dead 3000 times by now. “I met her once, when Hannah invited her to Isaac's birthday party.” Julian's jaw clenched. “It wasn't important to mention, Sandra.”

Sophie swallowed the pain and smiled wide when Sandra turned to her and smiled beautifully, her hand was wrapped around Julian's arm securely, her boyfriend. On daily basis and she was watching TV or reading articles and pictures of Sandra and Julian being together always put a bitter taste on her stomach, especially when she read things about how good they look together. But seeing it in person made her feel so small, incredibly jealous and insecure. Sandra wasn't call Goddess for no reason.

“Oh, excuse me. It's about time, the auction is about to start, I need to prepare; I'll see you at the auction hall?”