“ALEXANDER?”Erika thought and deep about his familiar name, yet she just couldn’t point out where, when, and how she encounters such a name. “Xander.”She whispers, having the ring to the name that is more than just that. Recalling the guess list inside her mind, she still couldn’t figure out his identity, unless. “Xander what?”“Tsk!”She demands that Xander quickly reads from her expression that she is trying to catch him red-handed. Trying to know which family he came from. “Hmmm.” He pretends to think about it for a second. “Leaving it for you to figure out is more exciting than telling you who really am I.” his teasing game that didn’t amuse Erika. Instead, it irritates her and is pushing her patience. Yet, she couldn’t lose face nor make a scene. With her reputation in the line and the fact that they are at a social gathering that is composed of the business elites in the country and even overseas. “I do not have time for this kind of stuff, so if you will excuse me.”“Wai
“THE bidding starts at!”The auction had started, with the guess bidding at the items they wanted and fighting for what they think is the rarest and most luxurious. All with half of the proceeds going to charity. “I am glad to see you both here CEO Lawrence and CEO Wayeright.”“The honor is mine Chairman Anderson.”“I am honored to be invited.”Sam and Aaron’s greeting and exchange of conversation with Chairman Anderson. Whose smile is wide and very proud of how the auction is going so far with his daughter spearheading everything on his behalf. “I was kind of worried that my daughter will get overwhelmed with herself since I gave her this important event to be the spearhead. But as I can see, she is more than capable and might be ready to inherit my business sooner than I expect of her.”The chairman’s compliment. Watching his only heiress while taking everything in control and smoothly in front of the busy crowd who are eying the items and what is to come. “One thing that I am wo
“XANDER, the name’s Xander.”Words that irritate Erika, and Xander’s smile and proud way like a Casanova are making her quite insane. She wanted to curse the guy, put him in place, and tell him that he doesn’t have the right nor any chance, and was not even permitted to have to look and worst talk with her. But. “One million dollars.”“One million dollars from the gentleman on the right!”“One million?”“Wow!”Xander is taking her attention in the most irritating way and a kind of flirting through bidding by a starting million from the last seven items that were presented. Staking the heights and earning them quite a cash, by setting the highest first bid. “One point five million.”The bidding continues, burning the stakes and high that the billionaire businessman is having so much fun about. Not just flaunting their riches, but enjoying the fact that they are defeating the new face and little rival of the night, Xander. “Mysterious. The hell I would buy such a lie.”Erika whisper
“HOW about, we play a little game?”‘DAMN!’Erika’s mind screams that particular curse and word in an instant. After she’s been caught and unexpectedly by the one that she hated to see and to be near. “Xander.”“You called?”Xander’s smile is molded perfectly to his face by God himself. That took her aback with her heart stupidly skip a beat. ‘STUPID! WAKE UP ERIKA! YOU CAN'T BE FOOLED BY THIS MAN. HE IS NOT A BIT COMPARABLE TO YOUR PERFECT MAN!’She screams to herself with her conscience shaking her out from that sudden trance. Reminding herself that Xander is not the ideal man, nor her type at all. Not a bit comparable to Sam whom she put on the pedestal as the perfect man for her. Yet. “Quite speechless, aren’t you? But I wouldn’t blame you for being in such a state. Just who could resist my charm?”Xander’s confidence that Erika wanted to snap in anger and push him away from her and for good. But she is definitely in trance and still. Trap inside Xander’s arms and corner her t
“IF you lose, then I shall have you for the entire week.”Xander’s confident smile. That turns into a grin, that Erika felt that uncanny feeling about. Taking three steps away with her intuition that’s screaming at her that there is something more to it that she isn’t prepared to face nor will ever be. Tearing her conviction into two and having doubts if she should accept the game or not.“I am waiting for your answer. Or isn’t it, you are now afraid?”His provocation snaps Erika’s patience, degrading her pride, and for someone like her that is high and proud, her impulse kicks and dominated. Now facing Xander head-on and that pride of hers. “Very well.”She speaks with confidence. Reaching her right hand for a handshake to close the bet. But.“Tsk! Got you.”Naughty. And being one in the first place, Xander pulled her close back to his. Locking her in his arms and an inch away apart from each other’s faces. The wind then blew gently, letting her smell his calming scent that remind
THE glasses drop and shatter, spilling the drinks unto the floor and taking the surrounding crowd’s attention. But not enough to ruin the night for a mere accident. “That was close.”Arms around her waist caught her unexpectedly, but at the perfect time before she made a fool for herself right after accidentally tripping and crashing towards the waiter. “Are you Alright?”Xander’s voice and concern, perfectly in time where the little accident happened. While all along pretending that he didn’t know the lady, no, not just that, for he is the one who plan that little accident. All to be close to Erika’s best friend, Selene. “I apologize, ma’am, sir.”“It’s alright. No one is hurt, especially the lady.”He assures, looking back at Selene that is flustered and blushing. The waiter lowered his head and immediately clean the mess with the others taking aid. “Thank you.”Selene almost whispers, snapping back into reality and upon realizing the position that she is in unto Xander’s arms.
“DAMN! Xander, I know that you are young and a brat at times. But this is not a game in the first place.”Brian protested after hearing those words from Xander. An absurd thing to say even for a notorious player a star that is him. Yet. “I know.” Xander just proudly confirms Brian’s words but does not agree with what he meant, instead. “Everything might be a lie and a play at first. But I find her amusing and very interesting. This might be just for the entire weekend. Yet, I have decided to let her have a piece of her own medicine.”His cunning smile and dangerous expression that only Brian and Cath have seen and knew about him. That innocent face at times, his perfectly carved idol face, and admiring body feature that no one can say no to. He is the youngest of the three of them, but the most vicious one. A dangerous Casanova from the perfect idol image that put him on the pedestal. “I decided to take her away for good from Cath’s happiness.”“Alright. Do what you want, but be ca
“CAN you do it?”Selene’s doubts, which Xander couldn’t blame her, with the fact that he didn’t tell anyone who he is. Especially right now, Selene is on his side. “Tsk! Don’t worry, I never fail.”His confidence that a bit brought a sigh of relief to Selene. Now that she manages to find the vial that was just gone missing a while back. Prepared the cocktail and instructed the waiter to deliver it to Sam once he will be alone with Erika. “Just make sure that you will interrupt them on time. Do not let Sam drink the cocktail.”“You can count on me.”The simple plan that Selene made and with his help saving Sam from Erika’s clutches and drags her best friend away. All without Selene knowing a bit of Xander’s scheme. “Just how amusing could this all turns out to be.”He grins cunningly. Watching Selene walks away and towards Erika who doesn’t have a clue, that both of them are his little victim, the innocent pair to his sly plan. Taking the vial from his pocket, the real drug that he