We stand there quietly for few more minutes before he pulls himself back.
"Don't worry Aiden." I clear my throat. "Nero will help you. He agreed to help us. Soon, you'll be free from Anne Dalton."
I open the door to my room wide turning to him once. "Though I have to be clear- is this what you want? To be free from her forever?"
He reaches to the door which I've opened for him then drawsvin a sharp breath. "More than anything."
••••
I spend the day at home. Aiden went to his studio and Levi's busy with some paperwork. I didn't want to disturb him. No matter how careless he pretends to be about his father's business- he's responsible. He's just fighting with his mind over something. Perhaps his dad is guilty too. They both need to talk it over an evening tea. Even though I'm not sure if he's ready to forgive his father. I wonder why Nero has been locked in his room for all day. I didn't see him today.
I reluctantly press the keys practicing Frozen Fury. Ughh!!!
I bang my head against the black surface of the piano. "I don't love doing this!" I scream out loud. "I'm doing this because I've no other choice."
"What do you mean?"
Levi's voice rings behind me. I jolt straight in my stool. "Levi what are you doing here!? You finished your work already. That was quick. See? I told you, you're fit to be the CEO."
"Nice try... Anyway. Maybe I should've knocked some other time."
"You do seem..."
"Pissed?" He runs his hand through his hair in annoyance. "Something came up in the company... They're launching a new product. You know how tough it gets. This is why I never wanted to be involved." He takes a handful of his hair huffing.
I take his hand to put it down. It's okay Levi."
"Sorry I just..."
"Why don't you come to my room instead?"
I make him sit on the bed. He cracks his joints to brush off the stiffness. I couldn't help admiring his broad, toned shoulders.
"I know...what you need right now."
"You do?" He inclines his head towards me.
I see a spicy grin at the edge of his lips. Is he hinting for a kiss?
I tap my fingers on his forearms and slide upwards to reach his shoulders. "A massage?" I wink.
"That's tempting too." He sits turning his back to me.
Too? Well that confirms it. He was going for a kiss.
I ignore it to focus on the job at hand. His muscles begin to loosen up. "So..." He muses on. "About earlier, why were you frustrated? I told you mine so..."
Damn it! He heard it all?? That I said I have no other choice.
"I guess I was just tired of practicing."
"This is your life though. Haven't you always loved piano more than anything?" His neck moves a little to glance at me but I continue to press on the side of his neck forcing him to stay still.
"Even though I can't help noticing a certain melancholic look you hold sometimes."
"You've become quite observant Mr. Fawcett-more careful. Since...let me recall. That morning when you came to visit me first."
He fakes a cough. "Me careful? I just happen to have sharp eyes..."
"Is that so?" I whisper close to his car and this act makes the tiny hairs of his neck stand up.
He's not immune to that either huh... Though it's rare.
"I..." He pauses. "Someone inspired me to be a better version of myself."
I look at him expectantly. "Mm?"
Then hhe sticks out his tongue. "Surely it's not you Miss Knight."
I slap on his back. "You!"
"Ow!" He wails dramatically.
Slowly I'm starting to see thorough your aura Levi... I hope what I'm feeling is the exact same thing that you're feeling.
"Anyway... what if I suggest something for you to take your mind off of this business matter?"
"Oh I'm all ears."
"Sneaking into Anne's engagement announcement party?"
"We don't have to, Loretta. I already got us 2 invitation cards."
"Oh... I'm not sure she will be excited seeing my face."
"How about coming with me as my date?"
Not an ounce of embarrassment in his tone. He's serious, isn't he?
"Mm..?"
"You're speechless cause you know this is the best course of action." He pinches my cheeky with both of his hands.
"Hey! What's that for?"
"Oh your reactions are too precious. I'm not to be blamed," He chuckles. "Be ready before 6.30pm."
••••
At Dalton's party as a VIP guest...being Levi's date. Nero's plan to crash her plans... When Aiden's dignity barely hangs by a thread.
I chew on my nail thinking about the possibility of things going wrong. More importantly, about his words- 'A calm before the storm.'
Something big is going to happen tonight. Am I ready for this?
"Loretta?"
A knock follows after the voice, outside my door.
I arrange my hair in an updo, a sophisticatedly low messy bun then spray some perfume on my neck.
"Come in. I'm done here."
He eyes follow my reflection in the mirror. There I find him fiddling with his suit button. He's wearing a castleton green tuxedo paired with matching pants. A black rose printed handkerchief peeks out of his breast pocket.
His face looks a little warmer... Is he nervous for some reason?
"Wow, you look... suave." I compliment him first to ease his tension. "That's right."
I notice his facial muscles relax. "And you look...different. Elegantly radiant."
He extends his arm. "Aiden just messaged me," he says, "Got there already. We better leave too."
"Yes. Here goes everything!" I take his hand. "Are you okay though? You looked nervous a minute ago."
He snickers. "When?"
But he cannot hide that expression from me. I caught him off guand, haven't I?
But I decide to let it go.
Although Levi's behind the wheel he's stealing glances at me. Up until now I was having second thoughts about my look. Now I'm sure this is the perfect one.
"Hey..." I break the silence. "What do you think is gonna happen?"
His brows twitch. "Who knows."
"Something's up with Nero. Suddenly he made me the promise I thought he'd.."
"He made you what?" He asks alarmingly.
"To continue his art again. Seriously this time. And not just as a passion anymore."
"And he agreed huh? He never thought of making art as a profession. After all we've been advising him the exact thing over the years. And he ignored it everytime."
"Why this sudden change..." He wavers his head. "Whatever you did-it's impressive." He smiles this time. "Boy, Nero can be headstrong at times."
He pulls the brake. We're reached at our location. And it's big!
I fidget looking at him doubtfully. He entangles my arm with his. "Let's forget everyone else tonight." His voice comes out a bit husky yet even toned. "Enjoy this lovely evening with me, Miss Knight."
My heartbeat escalates. Since when did he become so... Princely?
I watch the line of cars not too far from the mansion. The entrance is filled with chatters of guests. He hands over the invitation cards to a man at the doorway and we enter.
When Levi strides past some guests I hear some gasps and also whispers.
"Is that the new CEO of Phoenix?!" Someone talks.
"Look how dashing he looks up close. Brimming with energy!" A girl's frenzied gasp rings in the crowd.
So that's his father's company. I see prude eyes ready to attack me if any moment is spared.
"I've had my eyes on the only son of Norman Fawcett for years!" Another rich looking girl gushes.
Somehow Levi senses my discomfort given the situation and pulls me towards the drinking table. The party begins. The service boys offers him a bottle of expensive champagne. He pours us two glasses.
"Drink with me Loretta," he says raising the glass in air.
My eyes fall on Aiden who's loitering near Anne. His gaze meet mine. I think of going to them to say Hello out of courtesy but Levi leans towards me. "Will you..?"
When I nod he clinks his glass with mine. "To an unforegettable bond."
I imitate the way he drinks but deep down I'm feeling restless like this ticking time. I continue with my scanning of the entire hall. No trace of Nero so far. What's his plan?
"Should we mingle to look for Nero?"
"Maybe?" He puts the glass on the tray. "Let's meet here again after 15 minutes."
"That's too little. Why? Are you going to miss me Mr. Fawcett?" I stand on my toes to match his shoulders, smirking.
What's gotten into me? Is that the champagne?
He averts my piercing gaze. "I..I don't want you to get lost somewhere. Besides...all the people here... We don't know who's who."
He stretches his hand towards my face but I catch it. "Mm. I understand."
Where should I look for him? As Levi's face disappears amidst the crowd of unknown bodies I begin to shove through them. Suddenly I bump into a familiar face. Her grin widens seeing me.
"Loretta! You remember me right?"
Before I could speak she hugs me gently.
"Didn't expect to see you here," I return her a delighted grin.
That's the girl I came across during my search for Levi. Back then we didn't have a chance to talk.
"You're a guest too huh."
"Sort of." She grins sheepishly. "I'm with my elder cousin, Laia-Anne's assistant."
"Oh...no! I haven't even said my name." She covers her mouth guiltily. "I'm Freya."
"That's a pretty name." I say trying to please her so she'd willingly engage herself in a conversation with me on a topic which I'd choose.
Just as I presumed, she collects my hands requesting, "Why don't we have a drink? Let's go over there."
Minutes pass. We're already in a mixed gossip topic. And Anne has entered into it finally.
"So you feel the same about her?" I carefully ask Freya maintaining a poker face.
"Who wouldn't?" She gives a scornful look. "Fired many of her employees without proper reason. Laia needs the money that's why she's still working for her. Otherwise..."
"Your cousin seems to be in good terms with her. She's lasted for long."
"Anne Dalton us a sly drama queen, Loretta." She takes a long gulp of her cocktail. "And tonight, she's really going to be engaged to Aiden Jordan, right?"
"That's precisely why we are here, aren't we?" I carefully dodge her insinuating question.
"Wish it wasn't true. It bothers you not?" She almost frowns at my indifference.
"Did you not see who I came with?"
She taps her fingers on the outer side of the glass. "I did. Wait, don't tell me..." She covers her mouth from screaming loudly. "Levi Fawcett...and you!"
"I hope the words won't be out of this room now that we've become friends?"
"I wasn't going to anyway. Never. I hate the very concept of paparazzi."
I finish the drink at hand. "Though you say that..." I add, "You often indulge yourself in trending topics, do you not?"
She blinks in surprise. "Nothing goes past your eyes huh... But I keep them to myself. I don't have some worthy companion to discuss such matters anyway."
Now's my chance to get some information on Fawcetts. It's not much needed or a topic to gossip about but it's about Levi and personally... I'm curious.
"So you must know about Phoenix Enterprise too. And its former president?"
"That is..."
Just then a notification from Levi pops up. It says- "I just saw Nero. Now he's gone again! In that short moment I noticed his face Loretta... I've never seen him like that before."
Show time's approaching huh.
"I'll see you around then. Laia just messaged me. Your date's probably missing you too." Freya gives me a final hug before going to the other side.