"The car is ready, sir," Mr. Deary, my butler, informed me when I arrived in the living room.

I nodded, and he pushed a button to open the main door.

"Have a pleasant evening, sir," he smiled, giving me a little bow.

"Same to you, Mr. Deary," I replied, "don't wait for me. You can take a rest now."

"Thank you, sir," his face brightened with a wide smile.

It was Saturday night, and most of the servants were having their day off. For sure, Mr. Deary could not wait to spend time with his wife, who is also my cook.

"Good evening, sir," Jack greeted, and I nodded, before I entered the back of the Rolls-Royce Sweptail.

"Your grandmother is already on her way to the Park's residence," he informed me when he settled in the driver seat.

"How many bodyguards did you send with her?"

"Five sir," he answered, "and you're having the same number tonight."

"Good. Keep the bodyguards at bay, I don't want to see any of them at the party."

"Of course, sir. Strict protocols are observed," he said and focused on his driving.

The Park's residence was located on the other side of New York. It would take a while for us to get there.

I have known Mr. Joon Park a long time ago. He ventured with Dad before, in our steel business, but withdrew his shares to open a telecommunication company.

Mr. Park and I connected through his mother, Grace Park. My Grandma Mary and Grace Park were best friends in Golden House.

Mr. Park was one of my investors in my AR-VR project. He was among the first ones who really believed that I could change the future with my innovations.

"It's traffic, sir, and there's a parade going on," Jack muttered impatiently, then stopped the car at red light.

"Just drive, don't rush."

"Of course, sir."

I saw a woman crossing the pedestrian lane. She was wearing all black, and dark rimmed eyeglasses.

"Is that Miss Rosi?"

"The woman with a red bag?" he asked to confirm, and I answered yes, "no sir, she's taller."

"I see," I leaned my back against the backseat, then subconsciously smiled.

"Pia, I want you to meet my grandson, Kristov Stavrakos."

I stared in shock at Mrs. Mary Chandler.

Oh my God!

Fate surely played a trick on me. I was in a very awkward situation. Kristov Stavrakos and I lived in two very different worlds, opposites, I would say. But why was it that our worlds were getting smaller? I was not expecting to run into him, especially on my day-off!

"It's my pleasure to meet you, Miss Rosi," I heard him say behind me.

I had no choice but to turn to him. I stood up, hiding my face with my hair, and looking down at the floor.

"Um... nice meeting you, Mr. Stavrakos," I took the hand he extended for a handshake.

The touch of our palms together was electrifying. It was like a thousand volts current passing through every nerve of my body.

"Cut the formalities, call each other by your first names," Mrs. Chandler interrupted us, she was observing us.

I was glad he let go of my hand and greeted his grandmother. It gave me a few seconds to breathe deeply.

Mr. Park arrived and saved me from my ordeal.

"Kristov! I'm so glad you made it."

"Of course, I won't miss your party," he turned to Mr. Park, and it gave me the opportunity to return to my seat. Obviously, he was the special guest that Kimberly told me about.

They talked for a while, until Mr. Park offered the empty seat beside me, which was also the corner seat near him at the head of the table.

Oh no. I'm trapped beside him for the entire meal.

Mr. Park could not seem to stop asking him about anything, about the AR-VR project, the status, launch and anything.

Keep going Mr. Park! Don't ever stop.

I was feeling so conscious of him sitting beside me. His arm, so near mine, and his familiar scent, a combination of pure male scent and cologne lingered in my nostrils.

He made me so aware of his nearness, making my heart pounded so fast, my pulses raced, and my whole body trembled. I felt like I was going to pass out.

When are they going to serve the food? I want to divert my attention away from him.

Mrs. Chandler was busy chatting with the old woman at her right side. I recognized as Mrs. Grace Park, Kimberly's grandmother.

Looking around at the other guests, mostly middle-aged couples, my eyes caught at Kimberly mouthing, 'he's hot!"

I rolled my eyes. She probably still did not know that he was my employer.

She signaled that she would text me, but her mom was so quick, scolding her to keep her phone.

Kimberly was right, he was really hot, especially in his outfit. I looked at him sideways, studying his appearance. He was wearing a black dinner jacket, over his white collared shirt, with two buttons opened, giving a glimpse of his upper chest.

My goodness. The last thing I wanted was to get caught checking on him. I started counting the crystals of the table chandelier in front of me, to keep my mind occupied, and forget his existence, when finally, the food arrived.

All the dishes looked really delicious, a combination of American and Korean food. There were more than a dozen courses, served by uniformed servers. Green salad with mango, avocado and walnuts, beef steak, pasta, bulgogi, BBQ ribs, japchae, sweet and spicy potsticker salad, fish cake balls, kimchi, oysters and lobsters, Korean fried chicken and many more.

I ate the green salad, devoured the mango and avocado, and put aside at the rim of my plate the walnuts, saving my favorite for last.

"Interesting. You have the same habit with your aunt."

I froze, when I heard Mr. Stavrakos' deep voice.

"Huh?" I asked, but still trying to keep a straight face, to avoid looking at him.

"Your aunt also set aside the nuts, and ate them last," he cleared up my confusion.

"Oh... you're right," I sighed heavily, "I... I got the habit from her. We're very close, she... she helped mom take care of me as I grew up, that's why I adapted her mannerisms."

"Really?" he answered with staid calmness, "if that's the case, you also have a sharp tongue."

My temper flared up a bit, I was not amused by his description. I faced him squarely, his gray eyes met my brown ones.

"Probably," I answered, in a very mild tone, "my sharp tongue, as you call it, I use it only to point out an opinion. I'm very careful with my words. The tongue has no bones, but it's so strong that it can break a heart."

"Indeed, you're just like your aunt, who's not afraid to speak her mind," he agreed, then his eyes studied my face, "and your resemblance with her is remarkable, like a carbon copy."

My forehead furrowed, "do I look like I'm forty-five?"

"Of course not," he smiled and tilted his head, "but she doesn't look like forty-five either, I mean, she looks way younger."

"She always has baby face features, and her skin care routine... my goodness, you won't believe it. She has tons of facial cream stocked in her closet."

He laughed, holding my eyes.

My goodness, I just noticed how beautiful his dark eyes were, like black satin.

I blinked hard, to shake off the effect of his magnetic gaze, "we always get that from people, for having the same face," I shrugged my shoulders convincingly, "the only explanation I can give is that, we're relatives."

He took a sip of his wine, then caught me off guard by asking,

"Your aunt mentioned that you're engaged. Where's your ring?"

I was speechless, and continued to stare at him. What am I gonna say now?

"Um... I...."

Before I could come up with a good reason, Mrs. Chandler interrupted us.

"You're engaged?" her forehead furrowed, "you said that you don't have a boyfriend."

Oh my goodness. She was shamelessly eavesdropping on us.

"No... no... I'm not engaged anymore, we just broke up. Yesterday," I said to her, then turned to Mr. Stavrakos, "my aunt doesn't know yet."

I felt really bad for lying again. I felt like a terrible person.

"Oh dear..." Mrs. Chandler gave me a sympathetic look, "I can feel your pain. But don't worry, that guy is not for you. So, don't be so sad and look at the brighter side. There are plenty of men out there, and there's someone who is really meant for you. Who knows, you already met him tonight," she said, eyeing Kristov Stavrakos.

"I know. Thank you for your concern, but I'm still trying to move on."

"Of course, dear," she said, then turned her attention to Mrs. Grace Park when my phone rang.

"Mom, I'm still at the dinner party," I said over the phone.

"Just give me my Facebook password, I can't remember it," she insisted. I gave it to her, then we hung up.

I noticed Kristov Stavrakos staring at me, and I smiled at him, "my mom," raising my phone.

He smiled back, then took my phone.

"Hey, what are you doing?" I tried to snatch my phone, but he stopped me, holding my hand.

Feeling burned, I pulled my hand back. The mere touch of his hand sent a warming shiver through me.

"I'll just save my number," he muttered, his eyes on my phone, "I saw you when you visited the mansion. Next time you come, call me. I'll give you a tour of the whole estate and of course a delicious meal. My cook makes the best steak."

"I'm sure she does, but I'm very busy. I don't think I'll be able to visit your mansion again, Mr. Stavrakos."

"Call me Kristov," he encouraged, his eyes dark and compelling.

"I don't think that's appropriate, Mr. Stavrakos. You're my aunt and my dad's employer. So, I'll stick with the formalities."

"I insist," his phone rang, and I realized it was my phone calling.

Darn it. He got my number!

___

Hey lovely Dreamers!

How's everyone?

Hope you enjoyed reading the update. What do you think will happen next that Kristov got Pia's number? I can smell more trouble coming hahaha

Please share your playlist here ___

See you on Saturday! Take care.

Lovelots,

Neilani

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