CHAPTER VII- Am I A Side Character

“AHHH!”

I screamed. I took another long deep breath before I let rip another one into my pillow.

Sleep did not come to me easily. I’ve gone to bed at eleven on the dot. It was now three in the morning and I was wide awake. All because of Vincentio Longoria.

'That damn billionaire.'

I’ve been short-sighted. I was so focused on getting this over with that I forgot who I was dealing with here.

There was just something about his presence that intimidates me still. Now that I think about it, it has a lot to do with the place. It’s his territory now that I was playing in. I needed to be more careful. Smarter. 

The sooner I do this right the swiftly I could take him down.

~~~

“Oh my sweet summer child, of course, he found out. He asked you out without making a date. No decent man does that unless he just wants to hook up. In your case, it was a ruse to smoke your ass out.” 

Andrew shook his head at me. We’re in the cafe, tiredly sipping espresso at eight in the morning, both our faces wore grumpy expressions before the day even began.

I was surprised to bump into him here since he was supposed to be in his yoga studio. He already had a table and was having his second coffee of the morning when I got here. As for me, I decided to go to the office thirty minutes early to show Vincentio I could be the best goddamn assistant he’ll ever witness so, I stopped by for some ammunition before entering the war zone.

“You made it too easy for him. He already knows that you don’t like him very much. You just showed your hand without him having to do anything.”

I slammed my forehead on the table. “I hate these mind games.”

“Well, babe, you’re not even on the flop yet, so count your chips and do a better poker face.”

I scrunched my face up at him. “I didn’t realize we’re playing poker now.”

“As my ex once said, ‘sex is good but poker lasts longer.’”

“How is that related to my thing?”

“It’s not. I’m just thinking of him.” Andrew sighed, staring off into space.

I threw a napkin at him. “I’m going now. Wish me luck.”

~~~

I was hoping to bump into Juliet in the lobby but instead was greeted by Vincentio’s secretary.

His appearance was as polished as it always is like he never had a bad day. Clean-cut appearance, crisp suit, and a freshly-shaven jaw.

“Good morning, Mr. Mercedes.” I gave him a stiff smile. 

Even though he didn’t say a thing when he dropped me off at the boutique last night, I was still embarrassed to see him.

Mr. Mercedes seemed set on forgetting about it either. “Please make sure to slide into his schedule the board meeting at 2’oclock .”

“But he already has that 2’oclock with Mr. Medici.”

“Cancel that. Our company will not consider pooling resources with them.”

My eyebrows furrowed. I may not know that much about business but I’m aware that Medici Corporation was one of the big names. “Why not?”

“Medici Corporation is the Longoria’s long-running archenemy in the business. Mr. Lucius Longoria doesn’t negotiate with them and neither is his son going to.”

“Oh. I definitely should have known that already.”

“If you have any questions regarding the corporation, you can come to me, Miss Silvera.”

I scratched the back of my neck. “I’ll be more comfortable if you just call me Lucy.”

“My professional duties restrict me from referring to my colleagues on a personal level, Miss Silvera.”

What a serious guy.

“Noted, Mr. Mercedes,” I said in a teasing tone. His lips turned up in the corners for a split-second. 

“You’re early.”

I inhaled deeply before turning around to face him. Vincentio’s mouth was set in a hard line as he stared at us. Even though there were prominent circles under his eyes as if he turned and tossed all night, he still managed to look dashing first thing in the morning.

I hated that.

“I just can’t wait to get to work.” I smiled widely at his unimpressed face.

He just bobbed his head, ignoring my fake cheery voice. “Well, you can start getting me my coffee. No sugar.” 

He and Mr. Mercedes began walking towards the elevator while discussing today's affairs.

As always, no sugar in his coffee. 'What a monster.'

~~~

“I’ll be frank. I was expecting an incensed resignation letter after what I did to you last night,” Vincentio said out of the blue, as I handed him the file he asked for. 

“Well, you’d be surprised what desperation can make people do.”

He put the files down and studied me with such intense eyes. I wondered what goes through his mind whenever he stares at people like that.

“I hope we can put it all behind us. From here on out, only honest work between us.”

He sounded so genuine, I almost believed him again. 

'Two can play at this game.'

I nodded my head solemnly. “I hope so.”

I cleared my throat as his eyes lingered on me. “Are you all set for the mayor's charity gala?”

He grunted in approval and I almost sighed in relief. It was the last agenda for the day and I couldn’t wait to dive into my bed.

“You’re coming with me.”

“I thought you’re just paying me to be your assistant," I said sarcastically. He ignored it.

“Still am. You’re coming with me as my assistant. Not my plus-one.”

'What the hell am I going to do there? Assist him with his drinks? Hold his purse?'

“Of course,” was all I said despite these thoughts running through my mind.

“You still have that burgundy dress in your closet?” 

I nodded.

 “Wear that. I’ll be outside your boutique by six.”

~~~

I have been to the city hall many times but not in a setting like this. The plain white interior was transformed into a glamorous dinner set up. A high platform was placed in the middle of the room. I was full of nerves at first but I wasn’t going to lie and say that I was not a bit excited.

My nervousness and excitement fizzled out as the event progressed. Don’t get me wrong, I was sure despite the glitz and the heavy excess they were indulging in right now, they have raised millions of funds for the charities, but they could have done a better job to keep the guests entertained. Even Vincentio was looking bored.  

I had just come out from the restroom when a masculine voice suddenly spoke beside me.

"Must be nice." 

I was confused if I was the one the man was speaking to. I raised an eyebrow tentatively.

"To have a Longoria decorated on your arm," the man elaborated. 

The strange man had a lanky figure and had huge spectacles which reflected harshly against the chandelier, giving his stare a creepy vibe.

I had no idea who he was and I didn’t like the way he was talking to me.

"I'm just his assistant." 

"Oh, c'mon. You're more than that." He grinned, showing off a set of abnormally white teeth. "You're Lucky Silvera, the owner of 'The secret garden'."

'Ah. He's one of those.'

I crossed my arms. "And you are?"

He held out a hand. "Curtis.” 

I stared at it gingerly before shaking hands with him. He suddenly leaned towards me.

“Medici Corp,” he added. The grip he had on my hands tightened as I froze at the name.

"If you don't mind me asking, why are you working for the man who expressed a great deal of interest in buying out your business which seemed  to have a sentimental value to you?"

I snatched my hand away, no longer keeping up the pretenses of a polite conversation. "I actually do mind you butting into my business. Now, if you—"

He plucked a glass of champagne from one of the trays. Curtis acted as if I didn’t say anything and offered the glass to me.

I put out a hand. "I don't drink." 

"You're at a party. Loosen up a little. I'm just—"

“You heard her.”

Vincentio suddenly appeared behind me. His eyes were blazing at the sight of the man.

“Mister Curtis, I see Mr. Rhoades in the next table. Go bore him instead.”

Curtis laughed but there was no humor in it. "Oh, Longoria, if you—"

Vincentio stepped closer to him, placing his hands on his pockets as he got between me and Curtis. "I've already said my piece to your boss. I don’t know how you got here as you’re definitely not on my contacts list. Please, don't make me lose my appetite with your tedious negotiations. This is a charity gala."

Curtis’ beady eyes shifted on me. “We’ll talk next time, Miss Silvera.”

Vincentio blocked his view with his broad shoulders. “We’ll see about that.” 

He placed a hand on my lower back. "We're leaving," he murmured, his warm breath tickling the back of my neck, reminding of that night he humiliated me.

Before we could go, a lilted voice called out his name.

"Vince."

The melodic voice came from a petite woman wearing an elegant knee-length red dress, the color making her even fairer. She was a sight to behold and the way Vincentio was reacting right now, he seemed to think so too.

His mouth was hanging open before he got his bearings together and shut it immediately. He wore his usual cold expression on his face.

“Lysa,” he greeted back as if to a business partner.

It took me a while before the name came to mind.

Lysa Hearst, Vincentio’s fiance. Her beauty was much more overwhelming in person that I felt so underprepared. Well, I was given such short notice but still, even if I had time, I wouldn’t compare to her.

So, I didn’t get why he’s acting such a cold fish around her and it’s not only me who’s wondering; many people have been glancing at them despite the conversations they were having with one another. Whispers started to surround them.   

Lysa tried to keep her composure despite the icy greeting from her fiance in such a public place.

"So the papers are right. You've changed." She gazed at him with sadness.

"And you haven't. That's a pity."

Her grey eyes flashed with hurt. She looked away from him and that’s when she had just realized my presence. She looked taken aback. “Who’s this?”

“This is Lucy. Lucy, meet Lysa, my fiance.”

Lysa's eyes flickered between us.

“I’m his assistant,” I said quickly, answering the question in her eyes. 

She didn't hide her relief. “Lovely. It’s about time you fired Lara,” she said to him light-heartedly. When he merely grunted in response, she turned to me. “How are you enjoying the party?”

“Oh, It’s always great to be in the presence of good-hearted, well-rounded, full-pocketed beings. It’s an honor to be here. I suppose I have Mr. Longoria to thank for.” 

My sarcasm didn’t go unnoticed by Vincentio as he let out a snort. 

“He is a generous man.” Was all she said then, in a low voice she whispered to him, “Can we talk somewhere private?” 

Vincentio didn’t say anything and just walked ahead. Before Lysa started to follow him, she glanced back at me.

“It was nice meeting you, Lucy.”

~~~

It had been a while since the two lovebirds disappeared. I’m starting to think they’re having make-up sex in the mayor’s office and Vincentio had completely forgotten that I came here with him, meaning I have no means of transportation.

‘Damn all these rich people, with their wealth and drama. What am I, a side character?’

Some of the guests started leaving so I began my search for him in the parking lot since it’s the only place that was accessible to me.

I heard a soft rustling behind the trees. Just like any dumb girl at the start of a horror movie, I moved closer to the sound. I figured whatever was making the noise, I could take it down with my three-week session worth of judo. A harsh whispering followed the noise and I was able to pinpoint the source. 

There was a black range rover parked behind the pine trees and two people were acting highly suspicious as they kept looking over their shoulders while they talked in hushed voices. I hid further behind the bushes. 

The two figures were of a tall man and a short woman. I didn’t know who the man was but the back of the woman looked familiar. I moved to the side carefully so I could get a good look. 

The man suddenly pulled her to him and without any warning, he slammed her against the passenger door and they began kissing each other with so much passion that they almost look like they were eating each other's faces. I was about to leave them before it escalated to something I didn’t want to see when the man’s head moved down to her neck revealing the woman's face.

The grey-eyes of Lysa Hearst shone brightly against the dark before they rolled back in pleasure as she let him carry her inside, her legs wrapping automatically around the waist of the man who was not her fiance.