The security guard smiled at me as I entered the building of my office once again with a crappy mood and an awful face.

As I walked out of the elevator, I made my way to Mr. Rhodes' office and lucky for me he wasn't in there so I quietly put the coffee on his desk and snuck out before he came back to the office.

When I came out and made my way towards my cabin, I realised that he was standing on the counter of another employee and his expressions told me that he indeed had seen me sneaking in and out.

Yay

So much for a day without drama.

Later that day, when I realised that I had no choice but to go to Mr. Rhodes office to get his signatures on some papers, I groaned and stood up, fixing my skirt and cursing my luck, I made my way to his office. After yesterday's event and how he snapped at me for no reason whatsoever and accused me of having an affair with Alex had me on edge and I was trying my best of avoid any interactions with him but of course we don't always get what we want.

Not so surprisingly, Alex was in his office too.

That meant that I get to live yesterday's events once again.

Yoohoo...soo excited.

Alex smiled as I stepped inside and I returned the gesture before returning my attention to Mr. Rhodes. It seemed that the tension between the two of them had cooled down and they actually seemed pretty normal like nothing happened between them yesterday.

I quietly sat the papers in front of Mr. Rhodes on the desk and he lifted his head up to look at me when I quickly averted my eyes away from him. I didn't want him to look at me the way he did yesterday. Hard to admit it was, but I actually was hurt after knowing his thoughts about me.

He sighed and started signing the papers and I kept myself busy with fidgeting with my fingers. The tension between the two of us was so thick that you could cut it with a jam knife.

"Hey Isabelle?" Alex made his presence acknowledged and I groaned inside, knowing that he would say something off the line and the awkwardness would be unbearable.

"Yes?"

"You're going to the party with me tomorrow."

Called it.

"Mr. Kingston I don't think—"

"I think you should go," Mr. Rhodes spoke from behind just when I was about to make up an excuse to not go.

I turned around and looked at his face. He wasn't angry or annoyed, if anything, he seemed guilty. He gave me a warm smile and I just kept staring at him, trying to figure out this man's deal.

One minute he was about to start a war with his best friend just because he asked me to be his date for one night while the next minute he was encouraging me to go.

"I..." I trailed off, not sure how to respond.

"You're my secretary and I think you should attend in my place as I am not the least bit interested in going," he stated.

"Of course, Mr. Rhodes," I replied with a smile after a few seconds because his face showed that he truly was sorry and I tried not to hold grudges against people.

He smiled at me, a genuine smile and I lowered my head with a faint smile lingering on my lips.

"Alright then, I'll pick you up at 6," Alex chirped in from behind and I rolled my eyes, way to ruin a moment.

"But my shift ends at 6...?" I stepped back from Mr. Rhodes desk and cocked an eyebrow at Alex.

"Duh, you're not coming to the office tomorrow," he stated in a matter of factly tone and realisation dawned upon me as I slowly nodded my head.

I wished them both a good day and exited the office before things went back to being awkward between us.

I sighed when I realised that I would have to go to shopping tonight for the perfect dress for this event everyone was gossiping about. I had heard Kevin Grace was a Spanish businessman and the owner of the only company more demanded than our enterprises.

According to my research, he came from a billionaire's family and all he had today was what his father had built years ago.

Guess I needed to find shopping partner.

********************

"Nah you look hideous," Sasha checked me out from head to toe and shook her head.

"Thanks, like I wasn't insecure enough already," I rolled my eyes and went back to the changing room to try the last outfit Sasha had picked for me.

Today after office, I asked Sasha to accompany me to shopping because I had heard that I sucked at this stuff. Although Mr. Rhodes had told me to change my company because of what happened at the club a few weeks back but I didn't consider Sasha to be one of them.

She swore that she didn't know Daniel was going to pull off something like that and I knew just like me, she was drunk enough that night to recall what that asshole was up to.

I fixed the dress and stepped out, and Sasha who was munching on cheetos stopped eating and looked at from head to toe, before letting out a little squeal and hugging me so tight I thought I was about to choke.

"You look perfect, Belle," she squealed and I smiled at her before turning around to look at myself in the mirror.

Even if Sasha hadn't approved of this this, I would've gotten it anyway. That dress hugged my curves perfectly, making them prominent.

"This is the one," I smiled at myself in the mirror and turned around, winking at Sasha and walking back into the changing room.

*****************

A knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts and I smiled as I realised that Alex was here to pick me up.

I picked my clutch up and made my way towards the door, taking slow steps to keep my clumsy ass from falling.

I was wearing a sleeveless full length light pink backless dress. I had packed my hair in a neat bun and put on red lipstick.

I opened the door and saw Alex standing there, he was wearing a suit and not to sound like a pervert, but he looked sexy as hell.

He grinned as he checked me out, "My my, I knew this girl had a fire," he kissed my cheek as I smiled and smacked him lightly.

"You're late," I stated.

"Yeah, courtesy of your not so charming boss," he rolled his eyes as I chuckled lightly and we made our way towards his car.

The car ride was pretty much silent, Alex would make some silly comments about how all the eyes would be at us because we looked like the star couple once in a while and I just laughed it off.

Alex was charming, funny and passionate about the things he really wanted. He was the type of guy I would fall for and he literally was everything a girl ever needed. But although we were close, I never felt anything for him and neither, I thought, did he. We were the kind of friends to be always there for each other and stick together through anything but we weren't developing feelings for each other and I couldn't be more grateful for that.

I needed Alex in my life to lift my crappy mood up every time I was on the verge of crying or to simply ensure me that one day we would kill Mr. Rhodes together in his sleep and take over his reign, but as a friend. Love made things complicated and I didn't think that we were the ones for each other. The endgame as they say.

I hooked my arm with Alex as I stepped out of the car and we started walking towards the royal doors of the hall. Paparazzis flashed from everywhere and I rolled my eyes while Alex on the other hand clearly enjoyed the attention.

"Kevin is pretty loaded, eh?" I whispered as the butler opened the door and we entered inside.

The venue was barbaric and sumptuous. I was awed by the way everything was arranged. Extravagant chandeliers were hanging from wall to wall. Tables were aligned neatly in a perfect symmetry. Waiters and waitresses were briskly moving here and there, serving champagne. Vinyl music was playing in the background that added to the vibe.

"The guy's got black money. What do you expect?" Alex rolled his eyes looking around in utter disinterest.

Everyone was dressed in fancy dresses and suits. Women were wearing million dollar dresses and jewelry while men looked handsome as ever in their tuxedos. Everything here practically screamed rich.

We headed towards the table set near the stage and I tried not to do anything stupid that would blow the cover that I really did not belong here with all these rich people. Hell my anxious self even tried not to make eye contact with anyone.

Knowing Alex, I wondered what'll happen if he ditched me.

Alex's and Ace's name was mentioned on the card sitting on the table we were standing beside and Alex pulled out a seat for me as I oh so graciously tried to sit down without falling flat on my face.

"Soo...rule number one, you're not ditching me for a blonde bimbo barbie girl here," I told Alex as soon as he was seated beside me.

"Awww, where's the fun in that?" he chuckled and I rolled eyes.

"Rule number two, stay away from Kevin," Alex whispered in my ear as he nodded his head towards the center where a man with broad shoulders and jet black hair was standing laughing with a man of about the same height.

"Uh- why? We're literally at his party," I cocked an eyebrow and Alex shrugged.

"He's just an asshole," he stated in a matter of factly tone and I nodded my head and took a glass of champagne from the waiter.

"Gosh I've always loved champagne glasses. So freaking royal," I said as I took a sip of the drink and Alex laughed.

"You need mental help," Alex said while laughing and I shrugged and gave him a cheeky smile.

After a while of judging everyone around and laughing at the almost anything to everything, Alex and I were standing by the bar, trying to place the number of men and women who were just sitting at the tables a while ago and now were nowhere to be seen.

Alex was enjoying his drinks while I on the other hand, knowing my petty self, didn't take anymore than one glass of champagne.

"Ha! I told ya, look he's coming behind that girl in yellow," Alex pointed and lightly slammed his hand on the counter and I chuckled.

"Damn I thought he was after that red one," I laughed and realised anyone hearing us right now would think we were people escaped from a mental asylum.

After downing another glass of whiskey, Alex folded his arms across his chest and inched a bit more closer to me, still looking towards everyone in the hall as we leaned on the counter behind us.

I looked down at my phone and saw a text from Sasha, asking how was my date with Alex going.

"Ahh I knew this bastard would show up," I could hear the happiness and satisfaction in Alex's voice as he spoke about someone who just joined the party.

I lifted my head up and shocked spread all over my face as I focused on who was walking through the doors.

"Damn," escaped my lips as I saw Ace Rhodes entering the halls wearing a tuxedo with hands tucked in his pockets and a confident smirk on his face. He was looking sexy as ever, probably the most eye catching man here at the party.

He was the center of attention as pretty much everyone standing near the entrance had their eyes on him as he confidently made his way towards the bar.

Towards us.

His eyes were fixated on me and I couldn't help but squirm under his intense gaze as everyone looked at him while he looked at me.

"Colour me surprised! A party and Ace? I must be hallucinating," Alex piped just as he approached us.

And then he did the most unexpected thing ever.

Mr. Rhodes put his hand on the small of my back and pressed a soft kiss on my cheek as I stood their wide eyed, wondering what the hell was happening.

*************

❤