"I'll bend hell just to get you ..." — Alex

Alex looked hell bent as he pompously declared those words. I can't believe he'll say something like that. And in the presence of GP!

What in the world is he thinking?

Everyone knows he's dating Claire.

Did he think I would fall for that trick?

I narrowed my eyes at him. I remembered GP was watching us. His lips split into an amused grin.

Grabbing Alex's arm, I yanked him away from GP, leading him towards an empty hallway. I'm glad some guy approached GP, taking his attention away from us.

"Can't wait to have me all to yourself huh, my ice princess?" he jested, causing my blood to boil even more.

Oh, his arrogance is beyond me!

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Shut the hell up!" I snapped, and his lips clamped together, but his eyes twitch, stifling his amusement.

Seconds later, he opened his mouth again. "Woah, the princess knows how to curse!" he taunted. I ignored it before I'll slap his stupid face. My hand clenched tightly trying to stop the itch of slapping the smirk out of his face.

I released his arm as soon as we are out of sight and instantly, I regretted it. Now we are alone. Well, not entirely, which was worst.

At the end of the hallway, a couple was making out hotly, oblivious to their surrounding. And that only made me feel like a fool.

Alex was watching the couple —who was busy eating each other's face— with utter amusement. The girl's back pushed against the wall by the man's body, her legs wrapped around the man's waist, while he was holding her on her butts. Her dress was already up to her waist, showing her bare lower body.

My gaze moved down to the man's lower body and realized his jeans pooled around his thighs. My cheeks grew hotter when it dawned on me what was going on.

I quickly turned my back on them, then scowled at Alex. He just smirked. My body grew hotter when I met his smoldering dark bluish/grayish ones. He was staring at me intensely, and that kiss we shared flashed through my head.

A warm sensation suddenly pooled low in my belly. I unconsciously squeezed my legs tight as I casually tore my eyes off his.

I need to get out from here, away from him, but my legs weren't functioning. I hate how my body and mind doesn't cooperate with each other. My shoulder was almost touching the white wall. Alex's hand was above my head on the wall.

"Why do you need to tell that in front of GP? Everybody knows Claire and you are dating?" I spat.

"Yes, she was my girlfriend, but not in the real sense of the word. She—" he stopped, pressed his lips into a tight, grim line. Something must have hit him that made him turned colder.

"She what?" I asked, glaring at him, ignoring the dark changes in his mood.

"Nevermind. We are over, and I should have done that years and years ago. I thought it was clear that as soon as she fucks someone else, the relationship was over. I guess, women thinks differently," he glowered.

I was shocked to hear that Claire was cheating on him. I know she's always on a trip, but I thought it was a business trip.

I don't know if I should believe him.

But Claire is my friend, and I know Alex's ways. He probably was just telling this because he wanted to get on my good side. He was trying to clean his image in front of me, but that's not gonna happen. He can never change that impression he instilled in my head.

"Claire will never do that, Alex. I know she loves you too much to cheat on you!" I reasoned out for her. I felt compelled to justify her because she's my friend. I know she'll do the same thing with me. "I know she travels a lot, but that's because of works. You should understand that she's a very famous model," I explained.

He just made a snorting chuckle.

I shook my head. Why would I bother explaining it to him?

"I thought she's your best friend?" he cocked his head to the side, dropping his hand, then crossed it over his broad chest.

Irritation flared up upon processing his words. How dare he question our friendship.

"You obviously don't know anything about her." His accusations fueled my anger.

"And how dare you accuse her of cheating on you. It is you who doesn't know her well!" My index finger flew to his chest, just above his crossed hands, and jabbed it hard. My eyes narrowed darkly at him.

He chuckled, dropping his hands, and grabbed my finger. I tried to pull it back, but his grip tightened around my index finger. "Your friend, who lied to you about her trips, is not what you think she is."

Alex stared at my nails. "Your nails are pretty long." He commented randomly, then he pulled my clenched hand and opened it, my palm facing up. I was watching him warily, mindlessly curious of his next move. He pulled my palm to his mouth and kissed it.

I quickly yanked it away from his lips when I felt that bolts of electricity suddenly courses through my veins. Delicious tingling sensations ran down my spine.

I put a hard face trying to conceal that sudden desires his kisses awakened in me and spoke harshly. "Please stop bothering me!" I snapped. He dropped his hands to his side as he straightened up. His face is grim.

He shook his head. I know he's not going to do just that. He's not the type to be ordered around. I had to convince him. Against my heart, I had to beg him.

"I promise I will not meddle with your relationship with Claire again. I should have stayed away! Just please, leave me alone." I said.

He cocked his head to the side, and I swallowed the irritation that's threatening to explode. Oh, I hate his cockiness alright! "Just leave me alone. I get it already," I said flatly.

Alex cocked an eye at me. "It's too late, Clara Bell. Our relationship is over, there's nothing you could do," he stated. There were no traces of guilt in his face, no ounces of regrets or sadness. He looked relaxed, and then he opened that stupid mouth of his and made it worst. "I want you, and I can't stop thinking about you," he declared as he stared at me with dark intensity, rousing that fire he had awakened in me when he first kissed me.

No, I'm not melting with his stare. This is Alexander James Demakis. A scoundrel, womanizer, a philanderer. I can't let him include me in his list of history. I am smart enough not to let him affects me. I will not fall for him, and he's my best friend's ex for Christ's sake.

"I felt that you enjoyed my kiss that night, my ice princess. Don't deny it!" he declared in all his cockiness and good God, I was close to wiping out that smugness in his face with my palm.

I slammed my eyes shut, drew a long dragging breath then breathed it out harshly.

Calm your temper down, Clara Bell.

"I rea—"

I lifted my palm at him, stopping him from whatever he was about to say. I've heard enough, and I'm not going to let him ruin our friendship and Claire.

My teeth clamped together as I stared at him in disapproval. "I don't want to hear it, Alex. I don't want you near me!" I snapped then I stood straight, fix my dress then walked past him.

I'm glad that he didn't follow me. I noticed that Claire lost her enthusiasm. I could tell that she's faking her happiness and I can't blame her.

Alex was obviously avoiding her, and truthfully, I felt sorry for Claire. I knew this day would come, but I didn't expect Alex to turn his attention to me.

I want his attention if only Claire is not my best friend.

Stop thinking about him, Clara Bell. Stop!

It was almost one in the morning when I decided to leave. Claire begged me to stay and sleep in her place, but I knew the party will likely to end at the break of dawn.

As soon as I said my goodbye, I quickly headed towards the elevator. I was relieved that Alex listened to me or so I thought.

A week later ...

I am in Los Angeles to shoot a commercial ad for the new Dior perfume. I was chosen as the face of the new fragrance, and we are now inside the luxurious condominium of one of the famous Hollywood actress, Paige Turner.

"Beautiful! Tilt your head to the side slightly ..." said the photographer. The music was soft and seductive, it was doing its job to set the mood. The silk dress with a high slit to the side made with a luxurious fabric was like a palm caressing my body as I moved. "Perfect, stay like that," he ordered. "Beautiful!" he complimented.

The theme of the room was red, just like the color of the perfume bottle. Its goal is to seduce. It's the name of the new perfume, 'Seductive.'

My hair was done beautifully, and I was just getting ready to a party. That's what the photographer was trying to show in the photos.

As Austin clicks the shutter, he tosses compliments to keep my mood high. The smell of the new Dior perfume hung in the air, and it filled my lungs. It was light but delicious.

"Now spray the perfume on your neck ... Look up, yes just like that ... Look at me," then the camera clicks on and on.

As soon as the photo shoots were over, I quickly cleaned my face and packed my stuff. The whole crew had shots in the bar for the success of the shoots.

"Clara Bell," called Austin as soon as I walked into the huge living room where he was, holding a glass of amber liquid. He's about forty, but he tried to look like twenty-five, and he's successful to keep his looks younger.

I flashed him a smile, and he smiled back. "You did well there, darling!" he complimented again, and I think it's a habit of him throwing compliments every time.

"Thank you, Austin," I smiled, then gave the other crew behind him a nod of appreciation.

Tammy, my makeup artist, spoke. "Come join us, Clara Bell." She lifted the Tequilla bottle up, and I sliced the air with my hand and smiled.

"No, no! Not tonight. Thank you," I politely declined.

"She's tired, Tammy. Let her go," Martin piped in. He's Austin's photographer assistant and nephew. He's young, about my age. He's a little aloof. I noticed that the whole year we've worked together.

"Thanks, Martin." I gave him a smile before turning my gaze back to Austin, then Tammy. "Bye, guys," I waved at them.

"Bye," they all chorused and I turned on my heel, then headed towards the door, my big bag hoisted on my shoulder.

Just as soon as I got out of the building, the valet guy gave me a smile, and I returned his smile. I scanned the area looking for my driver, but he was nowhere.

I pulled my Gucci bag off my shoulder and rummaged through it, looking for my phone. A car stopped right in front of me. When I look up, Alex in his tailored suit, hands in his pockets standing in front of me.

Tall and handsome.

The valet guy greeted him, but he just scowled at him darkly. The poor man just gave the nod and turned his back on us, his face red with embarrassment.

"Should you be so mean to him?" I spat, closing my bag and hoisted it back up on my shoulder.

He gave me an innocent look, he thought I didn't see how he scowled at that poor man.

"And why are you here by the way? I thought I made myself clear to you?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

Where is Clinton?

I stewed at the thought my driver ditch me at the moment I needed him here.

"I was here on business," he shrugged his shoulders. "I heard from Uncle Rafael that you are here. I offered myself to be your driver while I'm here," he explained.

"Seriously?" I hissed.

Yanking my bag off my shoulder, I grumbled softly under my breath as I look for my phone. Argh!

Why would dad do that?

I called dad as soon as I found my phone, glaring at Alex all the while the phone was ringing.

"Dad!" I hissed when I heard his voice on the line.

"Mi amor!" dad exclaimed, and I rolled my eyes. My love.

"Where is Clinton?" I asked, unable to hide my irritation.

Dad ignored my temper. "I need to send him to Scotland," he answered.

"Scotland?" I repeated turning my gaze away from Alex who was staring at me intently, and I didn't even realize he took my bag and threw it in the back seat of his sleek gray sports car.

What's so important in Scotland dad has to take my driver away. "Why would you send him to Scotland?" I asked bewildered.

"Alexandra took off again," dad sighed.

I breathed out a loud sigh upon hearing it.

Alexandra was the black sheep of the family. Dad and mom gave up a long time ago trying to tame her. And we never get along well. She's stubborn as a bull, and she's not to be told on whatever she needs to do. She hated that.

"Again?" I murmured. I could hear dad's frustrations, but I know he loves her to bits. Dad could only sigh. Mom always tells dad, Alexandra and he are cut from the same cloth. Dad would only laugh it off. Sometimes I could sense a point of pride in him. Well, Alexandra is successful in her career as a Pilot.

Yes, you hear me. A Pilot.

Mom freaked out when she said she'll be a Pilot. Dad only grinned, and when she successfully flew a plane for the first time she got her license, dad threw a party for her, even in her absence.

Alexandra is the hardest to please among our siblings, and my brothers also gave up on meddling with her life nor tried to help.

Runaway is her outlet for her anger.

That's why I'm the receiving ends of all the affection.

I quickly shook the thoughts out of my mind, and sort the matter in hand. "How about the other securities we have, dad? I'm sure there were a bunch of them available," I said unable to keep my sarcasm out of my voice.

"Alexander offered his assistance. I trust him, so I agreed. He'll keep you safe. I'll kill him if something ever happened to you." Dad was so confident.

Oh yes, dad! He'll keep me safe from anyone because he wants me for himself!

I wanted to yell those words at him, but I decided against it.

"I'll see you soon, mi amor. I need to help mommy," dad said, and I just sighed. My love.

"Fine! Bye, dad." I replied.

"Take care, mi hermosa princesita. Te amo," dad said, and I know he always does. My beautiful princess. I love you.

"Te amo, dad," I responded and ended the call. I love you.

Everybody knows my father as the cold, heartless businessman, but with us, he's always the sweet, caring, and loving father. Yes, he's cold to anybody else, but he's soft with us, especially mom. Nobody knew what's going on inside the Valiente estates except the people working there.

Alex cocked his eyebrow at me as soon as I faced him. I glared at him. He opened the door for me, and without a word, I slid inside. As soon as I got settled, he closed the door and rounded the car and smoothly slid in the passenger seat.

"Drive me to my place, and then you can leave. I will just take a cab wherever I want to go," I ordered rudely, and he just cocked his eyebrow and nonchalantly stared at the road.

"I promised to your dad that I will drive you wherever you go," he said as soon as we are on the road.

I snapped my head to him and narrowed my eyes at him.

"I thought we already agreed about ignoring each other?" I snapped.

He gave me a glance then retraced it back on the road. "I didn't agree, Clara Bell," he replied, causing all my blood to rush up to my heart, my heart drumming loudly against my breastbone.

My eyes turned into slits. "I don't care if you agree or not!" I gritted out. My hands clenched tightly. "I'm not going to be one of your history, Alex. So get over with!" I hissed.

"I don't have any plans of making you just a history, Clara Bell. You will never be a history," he glanced at me. The way he looked at me, it felt minutes, but barely a second. There was something in there that promised good things. I don't understand what his intentions are, but I have no plans of unraveling it.

I don't want to betray Claire. I treasure friendships, and I will never be the one to break it.

Ever!

.....

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ENJOY!!