"Anyone deserves a chance," I replied, my voice dropping into a murmur.

Nikolai clenched his jaw. "And that anyone is... him?" Nikolai bit out disapprovingly.

I looked away. "I see," Nikolai said in a resigned voice. "You are already smitten," he added.

I looked up and reluctantly met his eyes. "He's not bad," I said, a little guiltily.

Nikolai cocked his eyebrow. I gave him a scowl, and he just chuckled.

"He better not hurt you, Princess. Remember," his brows lifted up, his eyes filled with a warning "there was more than one Valiente he has to face and another grumpy old Markovich." Nikolai said, and I chuckled at his last words.

If grandpa finds out how Nikolai calls him, he'll be pissed off.

He suddenly pulled his phone out and then checked it. He then rose to his feet as he stashed his phone back in his pocket.

I stood up, following him. "I'd better go," he said.

Turning to face me, he pulled me into his embrace and tenderly gave the top of my head a brotherly kiss.

"I still don't like him," he said before pulling me away.

I huffed, and he just chuckled as he strode towards the guest room.

I plopped down on the couch and sighed.

.......

Dior's Launching Party...

The place was packed when we arrived. Several camera operators were busy taking photos of every guest which were mostly celebrities, high-profile people, and who's behind the company.

As much as I wanted to take her with me, she has to be with the model she partnered in the video ad. I had to stop by a bar to vent out my frustrations.

She was apologetic when she told me about it, she had forgotten it. She was too pre-occupied she didn't realize about the program.

Langdon pulled over the side of the driveway, a few meters away from the Papparazis then he slid out of the driver's seat and opened the door for me.

I climbed out of the car, then shrugged my shoulders fixing my coat, then buttoned it up.

Flashes of cameras directed at me as I gave Langdon a nod and he slowly rolled off.

With hands tucked in my pockets, I walked towards the building where the party was being held.

"Mr. Demakis, please over here," some of the paparazzi shouted.

I ignored them as I passed by them, but then stopped when Clara Bell's sultry face zoomed out and filled the whole screen of the led video board sitting on the other side of the driveway, a few meters away from the entrance of the building.

Her advertisement video played again and again.

The cries of the paparazzi, calling for my attention, begging for one shot passed my ears in a blur. The flashes in my direction didn't cease even after ignoring their pleas.

I peeled my eyes off of the video board and strode firmly towards the entrance.

"Alex!"

It was Tabitha. She has a broad smile as I come closer and I groaned inwardly.

As much as I want to escape from her, I'm coming in the same direction where she and her friends were standing by, next to the entrance double-door.

"It was nice seeing you again, Alex," she beamed at me as soon as I got closer. I was just about to say hello and then head inside when she hooked her hand around my inner elbow.

I wanted to wrench her hand away, but I could hear mom's voice at the back of my head.

"Always treat a woman with respect, no matter who they were..."

"See you later, girls," she waved at her friends and tugged me inside before I could say something. My eyes roamed around the room. The smell of the perfume reminds me of Clara Bell's face in the video ad. It was the perfect scent to match her beauty.

Her face was scattered on the walls, large portraits of her with different shots filled every corner of the room.

Tabitha was talking to me but my whole system glued to the surroundings, eyes swept over every face, impatiently looking for her. I ignored the stare directed at me as we crossed the room, and there... I found her. A reporter was talking to her.

My heart seemed to stop as I stared at her intently.

My God, she's so beautiful!

I stopped without realizing that Tabitha was still clinging on my hand and watched her in awe as she made her speech with a bright smile plastered on her beautiful face.

"...flattered to be chosen by Dior company as the face of Seductive. It really has been a great experienced, and tonight, we are celebrating..."

Her words drowned out as my mind glued to her sensual lips as she spoke. I could hardly wait to have her all by myself and taste that lips again.

I took in her appearance. She was wearing the same outfit in the video. A blood red long dress that flowed smoothly along her curves. I frowned when I saw the high slit showing her creamy thigh. It took all my willpower not to go over to where they were standing and take her away from here.

"The bar is open, Alex," I heard Tabitha said causing me to looked down at my side and frowned at her.

"If you need a drink, Tabitha, please help yourself," I said as I subtly pulled her hand away from me.

She smiled sweetly. "I can wait," she said as she tried to hook her hand back in my arm, but I stopped her before she could reach me.

"Please," I said in a clipped tone. She forced a fake smile as she nodded.

"You're here for her?" she asked, glancing at Clara Bell's direction.

"You know exactly why Am I here," I said, a little bit harsh as I shoved my hands into my pocket and looked at Clara Bell's direction.

I didn't hear whatever Tabitha said as I met Clara Bell's gaze. She left the reporter and approached me. I met her halfway.

"You're an illusion," I drawled appreciatively as I leaned in and kissed her right cheek.

"Thank you," she mumbled. "Where have you been?" she frowned as she met my heavy gaze.

I grinned. "You miss me?" I teased, taking her hand and hooked it around my inner elbow. She toured me around the huge room that was designed specifically for the theme of the new perfume. Several red silks here and there, I don't know why they would need silk to decorate the place. It just made me think of a bed and silks with naked Clara Bell sprawled across it.

"You wish," she frowned, and I chuckled, shaking off every nasty thought clogging my head before I walked with my cock saluting at every guest we passed by.

I tried to divert my attention, trying to keep my testosterone at bay.

"Why are you with Tabitha?" she asked as we both stopped in front of a glass table with a huge bottle of the perfume, and behind it was a huge portrait of Clara Bell. Her eyes are shut, her head tilted up as she sprayed the perfume on her neck.

It was beautifully taken, so alluring, and disturbingly arousing.

"I didn't know she was clinging to me. I just arrived not long ago. I had to make a call before coming over," I lied, and she nodded her head, but she still doesn't look convinced.

After we looked around the room, Clara Bell introduced me to the CEO and a few of the people behind the company. I already met some of them, and I was welcomed warmly. I could tell that they were happy with my appearance. Paparazzi has taken the liberty to take photos of us. Some, I couldn't deny it especially when Clara Bell is with me. I want the world to know that she's taken.

Mine.

"Alex," I heard a female voice behind us, and I felt Clara Bell's body stiffened against my side.

I was holding her small waist as we smiled at the camera.

Slowly, I turned and faced her.

Claire wasn't looking at me as she approached us. I just noticed the man she's with. He doesn't look familiar, but based on his looks and the way he carries himself, I could tell he's yet another model.

"Clara Bell," Claire smiled at her, and I reluctantly released her when she stepped forward and hugged Claire.

Claire gave me a loathful look before smiling at Clara Bell as she pulled away.

"I thought you are not coming? Fred said," Clara Bell said as she smiled at her and stepped back and fell next to me. My hand automatically snaked around her waist. Clara Bell smiled at me before dragging it back to Claire.

Claire looked at my hand, and her smile withered.

"I thought so too, but I don't want to miss this celebration with your success. I want to congratulate you, of course," she forced a cheery smile as she retraced her gaze back to Clara Bell. Then she glanced at the man next to her, and she smiled up at the man.

"Lucas," Clara Bell acknowledged the guy, and the man smiled at Clara Bell. The way she stared at her, he was mesmerized.

"Lucas, this is Alexander Demakis, my ex-boyfriend. Alex, Lucas Vinarelli," she introduced and gave me a saccharine smile. I just gave the guy a nod. He nodded back in response.

"And of course, you know my best friend, Clara Bell," she chuckled, her eyes were sparkling with something that I could name it as hatred, but I doubt Clara Bell noticed it. "She's now dating my ex," she grinned maliciously at me, then at Clara Bell.

I felt Clara Bell's spine steeled at her words. I gave her waist a gentle squeeze while I tried to keep my temper at bay.

Clara Bell exchanged pleasantries with the man. I thought she would just ignore her remarks, but she spoke calmly.

"But you can let him date anyone, which includes any of your friends... except me?" It wasn't a question. It was a statement. Her tone was clipped and filled with repressed anger.

Claire stared at her, stunned.

"What do you mean by that, Claire? Why except me?" Clara Bell repeated.

"Because you are my best friend," Claire forced a chuckle.

"You know that's not true. I'm not only your best friend, Claire," Clara Bell retorted grimly.

"How could you say that? You know everything about me? You're the only one who knew all about my secrets?" she tried to reason out, but Clara Bell seemed not to buy her lies.

"Are you sure I know everything about you, Claire?" Clare Bell shot back flatly.

Claire looked at her incredulously. If I didn't know her, I would have believed her. She looked like she was hurt by Clara Bell's remarks.

"You know I treated you like my sister. You were the closest friend I have," Claire fired back overdramatically, and I almost rolled my eyes. "That's why I am hurt that you are now dating him," Claire added.

"I don't think there is a rule that prohibiting dating the ex's friend," I piped in, causing Claire to snapped her eyes to me and gave me a loathful stare.

"There isn't, of course!" Claire chuckled mockingly. Her eyes were shimmering with disgust. "But there is what we call respect," she sneered.

"Respect?" I cocked my eyebrow at her, letting out a mocking humorless chuckle. "You talk about respect?" I repeated, voice filled with sarcasm. "What about cheating?" I asked.

Her face turned red as she hastily hooked her hand around the man's hand beside her.

"See you around, Clara Bell," she said before turning on her heel and strutted off with the man.

Clara Bell let out her breath, and I stared at her with worries.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

She nodded her head and gave me a half-hearted smile. "She did cheat on you," she confirmed, her face filled with unknown emotions.

I just nod my head in response to her.

"I'm sorry about her," I apologize, and she shook her head.

"It's inevitable," she murmured, and I nodded.

"Can we not talk about her? I want this night to be just us," I said, and she met my gaze before she slowly nodded her head.

I sighed with relief. "Let's have some drinks and just have fun tonight," I said and led her to the open bar in the other room.

The room as already packed with guests, several were dancing in the middle of the room as the DJ played the latest hot pieces of music.

We met the Dior's CEO on our way to the bar, and they talked. I decided to leave her and made a beeline to the bar and got us some drinks. When I came back, she wasn't where I left her already.

I looked around the room, but I couldn't find her anywhere. I took a huge gulp of the Scotch as I headed back towards the other room. I found her with Claire at the very back of the room.

My hands around the glass clenched as I approached them in haste.

"I didn't betray you!" I heard Clara Bell bit out as I got closer. Her back was facing me, and I could tell she was furious.

Claire was staring lividly at her. She didn't notice me as well.

"Then what do you call it, Clara Bell?" She ground out. Her hands clenched at her sides. She looked like she's about to strangle her.

"Don't you dare talk to her like that, Claire!" I growled ferociously as I completely close our distances. Clara Bell swiveled around, she looked worried.

"Alex," Clara Bell said, placing her hand on my chest, stopping me from grabbing Claire, in case I would do so, which at this moment, I was so tempted.

Claire scoffed. "Playing the knight in shining armor... I see," she chuckled but devoid of humor.

"Don't throw her the blame, Claire. If there is anyone to blame, it is me!" I hissed. "And don't forget about you, too!"

Claire's face muscles hardened. She threw Clara Bell a nasty glare. "So you chose him over me?" she sneered at her.

Clara Bell didn't say anything, but she looked frustrated.

"You were just using her, Claire. Admit it!" I snapped, causing them both to look at me. I leveled Claire a glower, and she gave me a deadly glare before turning on her heel and left us.

..........

Sorry guys for the very long wait.

My pregnancy trimester is over but morning sickness has gotten worse. It only gave me a week break, but then it came back full force.

I just hope this chapter has made you smile.