Chapter Eight

Alice was engrossed in her book when she heard a knock on the door. She stood up and walked to the door. She opened and saw Daniel. He wore a welcoming smile but Alice teeth-kissed and closed the door against him. Daniel quickly pushed the door open and came in behind her.

"That's no way to welcome a friend" Daniel said

Alice did not reply. She went back to her bed and continued with her book.

"The welcome party has started" Daniel informed.

Alice still said nothing.

Daniel walked to the bed and snatched the book from her hand.

"Hey! Give it back!" Alice stood up and tried to get the book back from him.

Daniel dogged and took his hand which held the book behind him.

"Get dressed. let's go to the party" Daniel instructed

"You're not the boss of me" Alice eyes flashed defiance "Give me my book and get out of my room" she commanded

"Not until you get dressed and come with me to the party." Daniel insisted

"I'm not going to any party. I just want to read my book and sleep off." Alice protested and made again to snatch the book from his hand.

Daniel dodged her and moved away. Alice pursued him round the room, trying to get the book from him but Daniel was not going to let her get it. Her frustration and failed attempt kept giving Daniel excitement, one that he was enjoying. While Alice was frowning, he was smiling.

"Daniel.....give.....me.....my.....book" She jumped trying to get the book from his hands that was raised up.

"No way" Daniel chuckled and turned away.

Immediately, Alice held his free hand that was down and she pulled him in an attempt to stop him but unexpectedly she pulled him with too much force and lost her balance due to his heavy weight and she fell on the sofa with Daniel on her.

Daniel quickly used his hand to suspend himself slightly above her, preventing him from hitting her with a thud.

Time seemed to be still as Daniel took in the small beauty beneath him. She was panting, exhausted from the chase and jumping. Her hair was ruffled, yet she was still so attractive to him. He was greatly tempted to kiss her enticing lips.

Alice felt another kind of strange emotions surging through her. She wanted to pull him in and for that brief moment, she saw herself kissing him and holding him tight. She quickly shoved off that thought and struggled to get up but Daniel did not budge.

"What are you doing? Get off me" She struggled

"On one condition" Daniel smiled. She furrowed her brows for she already knew what the condition was.

"You will promise me that you're coming with me to the party" Daniel said.

"I'm not going" She used her hand and pushed him off with all her strength.

He tumbled on the floor to a sitting positing, smiling sheepishly like a school boy who just found love.

Alice stood up and smoothed her hair with her hands.

"If you're not going then, I'll stay here with you" Daniel replied still in his position on the floor.

Alice looked at him and sighed. "Why can't you understand when I say that you should leave me alone?"

Daniel stood up and moved closer to her, "I want to......but I just can't. You didn't come here to stay indoors and read books all day, you're supposed to mingle with people and make allies and friends. People that you might need in this your new world"

Alice thought for a moment, "I don't want to." She walked to the bed and sat down.

"You really don't want Kelvin to win this, do you?" Daniel asked.

"Win what?" She asked in confusion.

"You're letting Kelvin get away with what he's done to you. I say you go out there and get in touch with people. You're very very beautiful..." he smiled admiringly ".....and I'm sure you'll get the attention of all the good looking men out there"

Alice was silent, thinking.

"I'm very sure that would be disturbing to Kelvin" Daniel added and an idea came to Alice.

Why should she sulk all through the vacation and Kelvin have all the fun? She smirked and faced Daniel, "When you put it this way, I'll attend the party".

Daniel smiled.

**********

Alice walked into the grand hall in high spirits with Daniel beside her. She was elegantly dressed in a sparkling white gown, with a thigh length slit. Her neck was decorated with a diamond necklace gifted her on her wedding by Madame Janet. Daniel could not help but silently admire her.

She scanned the hall as soon as she entered, for the familiar faces of her husband and his irritating girlfriend, but she could not see them for the people in the hall were enormous.

"What would want to do?" Daniel leaned in and asked.

"I'm not sure" She looked around, "maybe I'll see if I can get a drink" she faced him.

"Alright then, I'll see you later then" Daniel said and made to move when Alice quickly held his hand, stopping him.

"You're not leaving me all by myself, are you?" She asked with a slight frown.

Daniel smiled with a heart felt excitement, "Wow, I thought you didn't want me around you?"

"Very funny, Daniel" She sighed. "I'll just go back to my room" She quickly turned away.

"Fine" Daniel said and she turned back to him, "We'll go get drinks together"

Alice suppressed a smile and they made their way to the bar, ordered the drinks of their choice and settled for a little chat. Alice was not comfortable but she needed to deny Kelvin the satisfaction of walking all over her.

"So tell me Daniel," Alice started, "How did you get to work for the Sanders?"

"I'm educationally qualified" He replied.

"Riiight....and how are you close to Grandma?" She asked again.

"I didn't know this is an interview session" Daniel said.

"I want to know if you can be trusted" Alice peered at him.

Daniel let out a laugh, "You are funny.....and

I like it" he delved briefly into a moment of admiration and returned to reality.

"It's not funny, Daniel. You could be after Grandma's wealth and you would want to use me for it" Alice frowned.

"Grandma Janet is like my own grandma. She's been very nice, loving and kind to me. I would never betray her even if my life depended on it" Daniel paused and drank from his glass.

"After I lost my mother at the age of eleven, I was roaming on the streets trying to see if I could get a little job or maybe an assistance. While on the streets, I was ran over by Grandma Janet car. She was kind to take me to the hospital and when she found out that I was all alone with no parent or guardian, she took me in and sent me to school." Daniel paused again and asked, "You don't expect me to want to betray or hurt such a kind hearted woman, do you?"

Alice was touched by the untimely death of his mother. She wondered how it had been for him then. "I'm sorry, you lost your mother at an early age" she said.

"It's okay. It's been a long time now" Daniel took a swig from his drink.

"What about your father?" Alice asked

"I don't know. Mom never told me anything about him. I didn't bother asking" Daniel replied as he saw the empathetic look on Alice's face.

"So you see Madame, I can never have any I'll intentions towards Grandma Janet or to any member of her family" He winked at her playfully, "you can be rest assured" he smiled.

Alice drew in a breath and released it as she brought her glass of fruit cocktail to her mouth. As she drank, she thought to herself; Daniel wasn't as bad as she had thought. They chatted a little more.

As the grand ballroom hummed with the energy of the party. The soft clinking of glasses and gentle murmur of laughter filled the air, interwoven with the soothing rhythm of the live band.

The sound of heels clicking softly against the polished floor approached them. They looked and saw a pretty lady dressed in a green satin gown. She swayed with each step as she walked to them. She didn’t hesitate or glance around; her target was clear.

“Excuse me,” the lady said, her voice smooth and confident, her eyes locking on Daniels. “I hope I’m not intruding.”

Alice gave a smile, warm and curious. Daniel, however, seemed momentarily struck silent, his gaze sweeping over her before he found his voice.

“Um....not really,” he said, and glanced quickly at Alice, a touch of amusement in his tone. “And you are?”

She extended her hand, a delicate yet deliberate move. “Someone who couldn’t help but notice you from across the room. I’m Victoria.”

His lips quirked into a faint smile as he took her hand. “Daniel.”

Alice chuckled lightly, sensing the shift in the moment. “I’ll leave you two to it,” she said, giving Daniel a knowing look before slipping away to another seat, watching the crowd.

Victoria watched her go for a brief second before turning back to Daniel. She raised her champagne glass, the light catching the crystal, and took a deliberate sip.

“So,” she said, her voice laced with intrigue, “do you plan to sit here all night, or do you actually know how to enjoy a party?”

Daniel arched a brow, his amusement clear. “What do you have in mind?”

She stepped closer, her tone softening but still commanding. “Dance with me.”

Daniel's smile deepened, and he set his glass on a nearby table. “How could I possibly refuse?”

Victoria extended her hand, her pulse quickening as his fingers slid over hers. “Let’s see if you can keep up.”

With a shared grin, they moved to the dance floor, the world around them fading as the music wrapped them in its rhythm.

Alice watched them dance and felt a little contentment. That was a possible step to Daniel finding love. At least that would definitely eliminate all those unexplainable awkward moments, and questionable feelings between them.

********

Alice, still smiling from watching Daniel and Victoria, relaxed elegantly at the bar. She exuded an air of quiet confidence that turned more than a few heads.

As she sipped her drink, she felt the presence of someone approaching before she saw him.

“Evening,” a smooth voice said, warm and confident.

She turned her head and met the gaze of a man who seemed plucked from the pages of a romance novel. He was tall, with golden-brown hair styled just enough to look effortless. His tailored gray suit fit him perfectly, and his striking hazel eyes held a spark of playful curiosity.

“Good evening,” she replied, her tone polite but measured.

“I couldn’t help but notice you over here,” he said, leaning slightly against the bar, his smile disarming but not overbearing. “It’s rare to see someone enjoying their own company at a party like this.”

She arched a brow, her lips curving faintly. “Are you saying I look lonely?”

“Not lonely,” he countered smoothly. “Just…independent. Which is refreshing in a room full of people trying too hard.”

Her smile widened just a fraction. “And what does that make you? Another person trying too hard?”

“Absolutely not,” he replied with mock offense, placing a hand on his chest. “I’m just a guy who appreciates good company when he sees it. May I?”

He gestured to the empty stool beside her, and after a moment’s consideration, she nodded.

As he settled in, he extended a hand. “Lucas.”

She took it, her grip firm yet graceful. “Alice.”

“Well, Alice,” Lucas said, his tone light but genuine, “what’s a woman like you doing sitting at the bar while everyone else is out there?” He nodded toward the bustling dance floor.

“I could ask you the same thing,” she retorted.

Lucas chuckled, the sound low and pleasant. “Touché. I guess I was waiting for the right person to ask me to dance.”

Alice tilted her head slightly, her expression teasing. “And you think that person is me?”

He leaned in just enough to blur the edge of formalities, his hazel eyes locking on hers. “I don’t think—I know.”

For a moment, she held his gaze, debating whether to entertain the offer. Finally, she set her glass down on the bar with a soft clink and stood, smoothing her dress.

“All right, Lucas,” she said

He rose with an easy smile, offering her his hand.

Together, they made their way to the dance floor, the music sweeping them into its rhythm as they moved with effortless chemistry.