The Art Of Seduction

Chapter 2

Ana's pov

All eyes in the gallery, including his, rested on me, and one emotion that they all shared reflexively was outstanding shock. I had not simply made a bet on the art piece but also directly challenged one of the wealthiest and ruthless men in the country with that simple action.

The night had only begun, but I had thrown all my chips into the game. So I was either going big or going home. If I couldn't get the balance for my mother's surgery, the rest of the money would be pointless anyways.

I was hoping that he would outbid me, after all from whatever has been read about him, he was a competitive man but strangely he didn't offer a higher amount and the painting was sold to me.

It felt like the ground beneath My feet was beginning to spin when the painting was declared mine; I thought he would challenge me and this will give me an opening to approach him but now…I had lost everything...my Mom was going to…

“And just when I thought tonight had already gone south,” his deep velvety voice vibrated in my ears and I lifted my head to see those cold blowers’ eyes focused on me with what I could only assume was amusement.

Quickly, I put on my mask of the flirtatious vixen I've been pretending to be for more than a month.

“I doubt anywhere you go is ever dull, Mr Blinge.”

He wasn't surprised that I knew his name, it most definitely would have been odd if I didn't.

“You know, I really wanted that painting,” he said. His eyes never leaving me. “I was even thinking of building another mansion to suit its aesthetic, what a shame.”

I laughed in a practiced but natural sounding manner.

“Now I've heard many things about you Mr Blinge, but none of them suggested that you had a sense of humor.”

I actually meant that, both of us knew that he could easily outbid me; a million dollars to him was practically chump change. This was something that had softened my guilt considerably over the past couple of weeks, the elite of society could easily breeze through millions like it was nothing and yet that same amount was the reason my mother could die.

“Well, would you like to find out more about me?”

I tried not to smile broadly, controlling it to just a moderate lip curve.

“Quite a tempting offer, but I'm afraid I'll have to pass.”

This was all part of the game–the chase; a petty little cat and mouse squabble that was inevitably inconsequential.

But I had to wrap it up eventually, if I lingered here too long then I will be obligated to buy something else which was currently impossible because I exhausted all of my funds.

I turned around pretending that it was for the cause of looking at another art piece, but truly it was just to let him watch me seductively sway, my curves enticingly calling out to him.

His eager footsteps came after mine and he was standing right behind me.

I held my breath in anticipation, he lowered his head and said, “I'm afraid I was too rash, I haven't even asked you for your name.”

His aura permeated the air, there was something undeniably alluring and yet frightening about it. It took all I had to ignore it, just like I had feared even though I was the one out hunting. Why did I feel like the cornered prey when he was near like this?

“You can call me Olivia…Olivia Gregor,” I said, turning around and wearing a plastic smile as easily as I wore my clothes.

He seemed to ponder on my name for a good minute and it struck me that he was probably trying to figure out who I was affiliated with. I mentally face palmed myself for almost making such a novice blunder.

“I doubt you would have heard of me, I've been studying abroad for the past couple of years and just came back recently because my father wants me in the family business…” I started blabbering about a fabricated family business.

“So, your family makes jewelry?”

“Yes, our main targets are women, so I doubt you have ever had the pleasure of shopping with us. Unless there was a special woman in your life you'd want to gift.”

He left that statement and quickly diverted the conversation with an unreadable expression playing on his face.

“Would you mind if we continue our conversation somewhere more private…”

I pretended to hesitate once more, but only briefly before I wrapped my arm in his, his firm but tender grip securely holding on to me.

“Fine, my father did say it was important for me to make some friends tonight.”

I almost laughed while I said that, I hadn't seen my father in over 10 years, but the imaginary father I had scripted out of thin air was caring and dotting.

Mr Marcus Blinge, took me to a five-star hotel called Palm Woods: it was an exclusive establishment that I had been eyeing for some time, but the only way you could get the chance to step in was if you had connections to the owner.

Of course, I expected someone like him to.

While I pretended to be casually chatting with him, I was carefully noting all the CCTV cameras and dodging them as much as possible without drawing suspicion. Though from the hungry look in his eyes, I doubted if Mr Blinge would even cock an eyebrow, if I chose to do a backflip in the middle of the hall.

We arrived at our room which was easily two times bigger than my small dingy apartment, then I sweetly asked him to order some wine to help calm my nerves. He obliged, and called room service for wine.

It came in the blink of an eye, but by that time both of us had freshened up, and the only thing we were wearing were bathrobes, my heart was pounding so loudly, I was afraid if he leaned any closer he would hear it.

I nervously scanned Marcus's room, my eyes searching for his device, hoping he wouldn't notice. I had to move quickly to my next step.