I stood there, at the doorway, gaping at him. Gaping as realization struck me like Zeus's lightning bolt. He was still singing and playing his piano, very much unaware of my presence. There's this part of me that seemed to have trouble processing what's happening, but the other part somehow accepted and was relieved of my discovery.

He stopped playing and lifted his head.

His eyes met mine.

He was still in his seat while I just stood there, staring deeply into his green eyes that matched my very own. For a moment we were just there, staring at each other as if looking into each other's souls.

Then I felt my feet started walking, pulling me towards him with his intense stare. Not breaking eye contact, he stood from his seat and was now in front of me. Since he was taller, I lifted my head and gave him a genuine smile.

"It's you."

As if mesmerized by my eyes and my simple words, he softly strokes my cheek with his thumb. I saw the spark in his eyes as he leaned down until our foreheads touched. Everything seemed invisible, like nothing mattered but us. Nothing mattered but this moment we have.

I can feel my heart hammering in my chest as I saw his eyes on my lips. My mouth suddenly felt dry and as if on impulse I licked my lips. His intense look magnified even more as he watched that movement.

I parted my lips and breathed out.

I always feel different when I'm around him. Ever since we laid eyes on each other, I've been having these weird feelings. It's like he's the one that causes those feelings.

I closed my eyes, and finally letting my emotions take over my body. I felt his nose touching mine until I heard someone cleared their throat behind me.

I instantly pushed him away and turned to look at the intruder.

Nate's mom is smiling at us.

I backed away. "Mrs. Westwood!" I exclaimed and was about to say something stupid when I stepped on the trail of my dress. In a split second, my brain quickly processed a thought: Great! Three falls in just a day. I was about to lie flat on the floor again until I felt an arm around my waist, preventing me from falling.

Once again my eyes met Nate's green ones. We could've stared at each other's eyes longer but we were dragged out from our moment when I heard Belle's remark.

"Nice catch, son!"

What am I, a fish?

We both straightened up, my heart beating rapidly.

Nate cleared his throat while I muttered a small hi.

I was blushing. I know I was blushing. I can feel the heat in my face, so I was probably redder than the dress I was wearing. Belle is still smiling smugly at us. The moment I saw the glint in her eyes the first time we met, I knew that she is going to play cupid on us. Of course after knowing that she and Mrs. Diaz talked about me, that only confirmed my suspicion.

Nate broke the silence. "Well. I guess Vanessa and I should get going."

Mrs. Westwood broke out of her fantasy trance. "Oh, right. Of course."

I was about to walk out of the room when she stopped me. "Dear, would you mind if I speak with my son for a moment?"

I smiled. "Sure, Mrs. Westwood." She raised an eyebrow. "I-I mean, B-Belle. I-I'll j-j-j-just wait downstairs." I stuttered like an idiot while walking out. I honestly just want to get out of there. It was so awkward. I can't believe Nate and I almost kissed in front of his mom.

I was sitting on the couch of their living room thinking of an excuse if Mrs. Westwood, I mean Belle, decided to interrogate me.

Ten minutes later, Nate finally emerged from the piano room, followed by his mom.

"I'm so sorry for making you wait, dear."

"It's no problem, ma'am," I said, politely.

"Vanessa, what did I say about–"

"Mom, Vanessa's my employee, so it's just right for her to call you in such a way."

"Son, you don't tell me what to do," she frowned at Nate's interruption. "Besides, you let her call you Nate, now."

"I only let her call me that when we're not in the office," he said in defense.

"Well, we're not in the office now. We are in my house, and my words are the rules."

"Whatever," he muttered.

"What did you just said, young man?"

"Nothing, I said we have to go," Nate looked at me sternly, as if telepathically telling me to not argue.

"Yes, Mrs. West–I mean, Belle. We have to go. I think some guests are potential clients."

She exhaled loudly. "Fine. Enjoy, you two."

I wasn't able to apologize for what happened earlier. I also didn't get a chance to say goodbye because Nate was already pushing me out of the house.

I feel like Nate and I are going to a senior prom instead of a gala. With his mom acting like, well like a mom, and Nate acting as if embarrassed with his mother's actions.

It was a silent ride to the event. Other than the fact that I can't seem to find the courage to start a conversation, I still can't believe that Nate's voice is similar to the man in my dream. And despite the fact that we already consider each other as friends, and almost kissed, the tension between us became even thicker.

The limo stopped in front of the many photographers and I was instantly jarred out from my thoughts. "We're here, sir," comes out the blunt statement of Nate's driver.

Oh crap. Just one picture and I will say goodbye to Vanessa Carter. I remember the time I told my brothers not to panic whenever they're in trouble, and they'll always reply with "That doesn't go together." Yeah. I guess they're right. It really doesn't, so I decided to put on my best poker face despite me freaking out inside.

I looked outside to locate a possible escape, but to no avail, there wasn't any.

"Go straight for the parking lot after I got out," Nate ordered without sparing me a glance. "She's uncomfortable with the reporters around so just find another entrance in the parking lot."

I stared at him, grateful for an amazing save. "Thank you."

"Sure," he said, still not looking my way. "Just find me when you reach the venue," he continued, and with that he was out. He made sure that no one will see me or even my silhouette on his way out.

He was immediately swarmed by photographers until some security guards came and warded off the reporters. The last I saw of Nate was when he was walking at the red carpet, before the limo drove off.

I reached the parking lot feeling somewhat relieved of the fact that I won't be facing any paparazzi. I sighed before getting out of the car. The driver held the door for me. I realized I must have been rude during the whole ride because I wasn't talking.

"Hey, uhm. Sir, I didn't get your name." I said with a smile.

The driver smiled back. "It's George, ma'am."

"Well, George. Thank you for driving me here, and I'm sorry I wasn't able to strike up a conversation, earlier."

"It's no problem. It's no one's obligation, anyway," he answered politely.

"I have to go. It's okay. You don't have to walk me there," I said when he started following me. "Thank you."

He nodded and left.

Finding and getting into the venue was easy. I just followed the people wearing formal suits, told my name at the receptionists and voila. I'm in. The not-so-easy part is finding Nate. The venue is huge. And people in the business world are all over the place.

I turn my head left and right looking for him. I sighed. How can I possibly find Nate? I mean, he's wearing suits that are very much similar to the other men. He will not actually stand out in a crowd of---

Okay scratch that. He did stand out. Even from a distance, I somehow knew it was him.

He was having a conversation with some men, probably the possible clients, when our eyes met. I stood there again, feet glued to the floor.

What's happening to me?

Why do I always feel like this when I look him in the eyes? It wasn't like this before. Why now? Why do I always get lost in his sea-green eyes? Every. Freaking. Time.

I stared at him and saw different emotions there. Emotions that I'm not sure of. Those emotions are drowning me, but not to the point of suffocating me. No. Far from it.

And then, his stare became a glare. I was immediately resurfaced from the depths of his emotions. I think that was my cue to stand beside him.

Not taking my eyes off him while walking towards his direction, I didn't see someone coming up to me until I ran into a hard chest.

Oomph!

I felt someone's hands on my arms, trying to prevent me from falling.

"I'm so sorry, sir. I wasn't–"

Bloody hell!

I didn't get to finish my sentence as I stared into the face of Mark Jones.

"Oh, it's quite alright," He smirked. And that smirk tells me everything that he knows who I really am. "Have we met somewhere?" He asked. The fake confusion is audible in his disgusting voice.

You want to play dumb with me? Fine. I can be dumb if you want. "Oh, no." I smiled, letting him know that I will not cower from him. "I don't think so. I would have recognized your strong features if we met before. Excuse me." I said, brushing him off before he could say another word.

I huffed. That lowlife will never ever be going to have a piece of me.

I continued walking away, trying not to look back.

I found Nate still talking to the men from earlier except he has a slight frown on his face. I went to his side and placed a hand on his arm. The crease on his forehead slightly disappeared as he glanced at me. "Everything okay?" he whispered.

"Yeah, everything's fine. Why?"

He stared at me for a moment before he introduced me. "Gentlemen, this is my PA, Vanessa Carter."

I smiled politely and shook each of their hands. One of them looks at me suspiciously. "Ms. Carter? Have we met before?"

Great!

"I don't know, sir. Maybe we've met before in the previous party?"

I heard Nate cleared his throat. "Excuse us, gentlemen."

He led me towards one of the tables.

"What happened out there?" He asked once he made sure that the attention's no longer on us.

"What do you mean?"

"With Mark Jones?"

Oh that?

"Mark Jones?" I asked innocently.

"The man you ran into?" He said. His eyes trying to get the truth out of me.

"Oh. That. I already apologized." Please buy that. Please buy that.

He nodded. "Mark Jones is somehow the only reporter who got an invitation. I don't know how."

He blackmailed some people. I thought.

"What?"

Oops! Did I say that out loud?

"What?" I asked back.

"You muttered something incoherent," he said, raising an eyebrow

"I did?"

He gave me an I-know-you-said-something look.

"Maybe he pulled out some strings?"

He scoffed. "Maybe." He was glaring daggers at someone behind me. I nervously looked back and my eyes landed on Mark Jones looking at our direction.

I snapped my head back at Nate and found him still glaring. I gulped, trying to think of a topic that will put his mind out of Jones.

"I'm thirsty," I blurted out.

It's that the best you can come up with?

Thankfully, it worked. He looked at me for a while before taking my hand on his arm.

I shivered at the sudden contact. As we walk towards somewhere, I stared at him, fascinated at the fact of how my body reacts whenever he made a simple gentlemanly gesture.

I was still entranced by his perfect features when I saw his lips moved. I think he just talked and my ears suddenly forget how to function.

"What?" I asked.

"I said, what would you like?"

"Oh." I stared at the man in front of me. Wow. We made it to the corner of the room where the bar is and I didn't even notice.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked as he reached for my hand, that made me jump a little. His hand sent a jolt of electricity throughout my body.

What's happening to me?

"Yes, I'm fine." I said, exhaling loudly and faced the bartender. "I'll have martini, please."

Nate glanced at me curiously before ordering a drink. We settle on the bar stools, waiting.

Deep breaths. Calm down. There is nothing to be jumpy about.

I felt someone touch my hand again and I immediately and literally jumped from my seat.

Nate stared at me. Shock, written all over his face. He was about to say something when a woman came up to him.

"Sir, the host would like to have a word with you."

With his eyes still on me, his forehead creasing, "Sure, I'll be right there."

"I'll be fine. Don't worry. I'll just hold on to your drink," I said before he could day anything else.

He nodded and followed the organizer.

I faced the bartender again. "I need a shot. Something strong," I said, my voice laced with slight desperation. "And don't tell me what it is. I'd rather not know."

He gave me a shot and I chugged it down.

Whoa. That is strong. I hissed as I felt the drink running hot down my throat.

"Another one?" I heard the bartender ask, and I think I also heard a subtle chuckle from him.

"Oh god, no!" I replied.

That is probably the most disgusting drink I ever had. I hissed again, still feeling the alcohol on my taste buds. Well, at least I put my mind out of my weird thoughts.

The martini and the scotch were already on the counter as I heard the host talking. Since I left, I hadn't checked my phone for some text messages. I opened it and was bombarded with 20 texts from Jessica.

Seriously?

I heard people clapping their hands. I faced the direction of the stage and joined in on the applause without knowing the cause.

I was reading Jessica's messages, and started feeling a headache when I heard a couple beside me at the bar. They were laughing loudly and not really helping with my throbbing head.

I cocked my head towards them and I froze. For the nth time this day, I froze. Sitting beside me were none other than Alexandra Vera Karlsson and Jonathan Myers. I immediately snapped my head to the other side.

I realized it was a mistake because the world started spinning even more.

I gulped.

Pull yourself together!

I rested my head on the bar counter and asked the bartender for some water.

I heard somewhere that when you're drinking alcohol, the body is dehydrating. So that means I need to rehydrate.

I chugged down the content and shook my head. I will never drink that shit again. Whatever it was.

I can't stand because I might fall and that would mean the two people beside me will try to help. Remembering that Karlsson must have come from a noble family, I might get busted at the very wrong time.

So I sat there. I opened my phone again. Trying to block the noises of the couple beside me, I began reading Jessica's messages.

You will never believe what happened. A-hole started hitting on me again.

He called me alluring. I mean what the fuck?

I met A-hole's grandmother! Oh my gosh. She is so nice. I hope it was passed down to her grandson.

A-hole donated 1 million dollars for the charity

I would have probably read all the messages but the sound of a piano caught my attention. Then, the voice lured me in.

What would I do without your smart mouth?

Drawing me in, and you kicking me out

You've got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down

What's going on in that beautiful mind

I'm on your magical mystery ride

And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright

I put my phone back in my back and walked towards a crowd.

My head's under water

But I'm breathing fine

You're crazy and I'm out of my mind

I tried making my way close to the piano but the women in front won't budge. I tried assessing my surrounding, looking for a place to view the pianist. I saw a balustrade on the second floor that would make a perfect view of what's below.

'Cause all of me

Loves all of you

Love your curves and all your edges

All your perfect imperfections

Give your all to me

I'll give my all to you

You're my end and my beginning

Even when I lose I'm winning

'Cause I give you all of me

And you give me all of you, oh oh

Drinking water really helped because I feel slightly fine. However, while making my way to my destination, I keep on stopping as if the voice of the singer is pulling me towards him. And I'm fighting on both my balance and my emotions.

How many times do I have to tell you

Even when you're crying you're beautiful too

The world is beating you down, I'm around through every mood

You're my downfall, you're my muse

My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues

I can't stop singing, it's ringing, in my head for you

I reached my destination and stared down. In the middle of the ballroom, singing while playing the piano was Nate.

My head's under water

But I'm breathing fine

You're crazy and I'm out of my mind

'Cause all of me

Loves all of you

Love your curves and all your edges

All your perfect imperfections

Give your all to me

I'll give my all to you

You're my end and my beginning

Even when I lose I'm winning

'Cause I give you all of me

And you give me all of you, oh oh

Give me all of you

Cards on the table, we're both showing hearts

Risking it all, though it's hard

'Cause all of me

Loves all of you

Love your curves and all your edges

All your perfect imperfections

Give your all to me

I'll give my all to you

You're my end and my beginning

Even when I lose I'm winning

'Cause I give you all of me

And you give me all of you

I give you all of me

And you give me all of you, oh oh