Chapter 003: He, Who Enjoyed the Show

SAMANTHA

“Seriously, Van…?” I stared at the two-storey building with a sour look on my face. Then, I turned my head to the woman who brought me here. She has a proud look on her face, eyes glinting and lips stretched wide.

“Let’s go!” She grabbed me by the wrist and entered inside. There was a guard that stopped us. But after recognizing Vanessa, we were easily allowed to get inside… the bar. Colorful lights instantly greeted me on this dim floor as loud music banged my ears. “The best way to unwind is here. People barely recognize you! They have their own worlds trying to have fun!” Vanessa raised her voice for me to hear.

Seriously? There was nothing unwinding here. It just makes me feel overwhelmed.

“I have a VIP reservation here. Follow me.” Vanessa said. We walked through the crowded space until we reached the stairs leading to the second floor. There are a lot of sectional sofas here with people having their own time away from the crowd. This place still looks the same as before.

“Should I set you up with some guys I know? You know… just for entertainment to clear up your mind from the mess of the outside world.” Vanessa asked. Though I appreciate the idea, I still don’t feel like meeting someone right now. The hole in my heart is still too deep.

I shook my head and then beamed at her, “Nah… This alcohol would just do.” I said as I grabbed the bottle on the table. With her arms across her chest, Vanessa grinned as she slowly shook her head.

“Just don’t let me hear you cry over that bastard.” She joked. I poured some on our glasses. In just a second, I emptied mine in an instant. Eyes intently closed, I swallowed the last chug. I kinda regretted doing that. It’s… too bitter and hot in my throat! 

As I opened my eyes, I was expecting to look directly at Vanessa. But I ended up looking at her through my peripheral vision, when my focus was aimed at the guy on the next sofa. He was looking at me with his deep eyes, intently, as if I was his prey. I gazed at him, my eyes burning with anger when his face registered familiarity in my head.

“Just a moment…” I murmured through my teeth as I stood on my feet without leaving my eyes off of him. This man… why the heck is he looking at me that way? But that’s not my concern as of the moment.

“Was it you?” I fired at him with my sharp gaze the moment I reached in front of him. He was alone sitting on this wide sofa.

“Pardon?” Cluelessly, he answered to which I just chuckled off. Alright, let’s give him some time to pretend–but that was just the only moment.

“You leaked what you heard in the villa, didn't you?” His face then lit up.

“Oh…” Then he chuckled and stood on his feet with his hands in both sides of pockets. I was frozen for a second when he suddenly leaned in and whispered, “You meant the fact that you pretended to be ill?” I took a huge gulp when he uttered that. With his face closer to mine, I noticed some wrinkles popping on both sides of his eyes.

“I didn’t know you to be that petty and do that.” He remarked, bold and baritone. He directed his eyes on me like a laser that could tear me into pieces in just a millisecond.

“Y-You don’t know me?” Disbelief, I asked. Does he really think I’d buy that?!

“I didn’t.” He replied with emphasis, creasing my forehead in confusion. “You’re Samantha Louis, the only daughter of the Louis, owner of Louis Real Estate. The successor of your family’s company. Engaged for half a year. In a relationship for three years. 27 years old.” This man spoke like a machine gun without a pause.

My mouth gaped open at him, speechless. He didn’t know me and then he does?! H-How did he even know that all?!

“And oh, I forgot something…” he took a pause for a few seconds then spoke. “You’re the hot and latest news for today.” My eyes trembled at him. I mustered the courage left in me when I suddenly felt suffocated with his tall and huge presence.

“And you… are the one who put me on that seat…” I murmured with restraining anger overflowing.

“Again, I didn’t tell anyone what I heard.” He said with emphasis, sounding so commanding. “You should check the other two.” He muttered, pertaining to David and Sarah. My head twisted to calmness for a second, pondering his suggestion.

“What’s the point of knowing the culprit when the fire has already spread?” He asked, I gulped. He’s right… At this point, there’s nothing I can do than to approach the fire even though it burns me.

I heaved a sigh. I was acting recklessly. Shit, is it the alcohol? I was accusing a stranger who barely knew me. I slapped my forehead with my hand.

“You’re right… I’m sorry, it must be the alcohol.” I said and turned my back to go back to Vanessa who has been watching me all along. I shook my head at her and smiled to assure her I’m fine. I was walking toward my seat when I heard him speak again.

“You accused me of something heavy, Ms. Samantha. Is that what you really call an apology?” I rolled my eyes and faced him again. 

“Who are you to lecture me, sir? You heard me. I told you that I’m sorry.” 

“Who am I?” He repeated and smirked at me. Yes, who the fuck are you? I saw him in the villa. Needless to say, he and David knew each other. Or maybe… he and that woman? I don’t know. “I’m Gavin Palma–David’s uncle.” My jaw left on the floor.

D-David’s uncle?! What?! How come I didn’t know him?! David and I had been in a relationship for three years yet I never saw this man with that bastard! Oh… that reminds me… I let out a dry chuckle at the realization. David never took me seriously… because he couldn’t get what he wanted from me.

But this is quite interesting… crossing paths with that bastard’s relative. All of a sudden, I heard Vanessa’s voice in the back of my head. ‘Should I introduce you to some guy I know?’ A smile escaped in my lips when a sweet vengeful idea crossed my mind. Perhaps I gotta reconsider my response to Vanessa. 

I laid my eyes on him. 

He looks pretty decent with his business suit that looks so tight for his body–huge and beefy. He has the looks, too–far more handsome than David. He doesn’t look like his age from afar. But with the wrinkles I saw when he leaned closer to me… I guess he does look like his age.

“How about I apologize again, then?” seductively, I said with my sweetest smile as I walked closer to him with the confidence I don’t know where I picked up from. “Would you like to sleep with me, Gavin?” 

My body burned with the heat I felt from his body. I walked closer until there’s no more distance between us. I raised my head at him, only to see his hawk-like deep eyes gazing at me. I could feel how his breathing shifted to heavy. 

That must mean that I have succeeded in plotting another scheme–this man wants me, too. But… how can I make him dance on my palm, completely?–Oh, right! A contract.

“I’m approaching my forties…” with a heavy chest, he said to which I just scoffed. As if I care. I only care about the emotional damage this would inflict on his nephew.

“I don’t care. I’m a virgin.” I blurted, nonchalantly. Probably saying my flaw would make him feel any better. But I only saw a look of shock on his face when he heard me.

“No, that’s–” He stepped back with his words instantly falling beneath when I grabbed his necktie to capture his lips.

Slap? Ill words? Wishing him bad luck? Fuck! Those are not enough to inflict the same pain on David like he did to me. If sleeping with his uncle wouldn’t work, then I’ll be the one to decide that. 

I wonder what he would look like when he knows that it’s none other than his uncle who claimed my body?