Chapter 1_ Bumping Into A Jerk!

As they zoomed through the urban landscape, Kate could barely focus on the sights. She sat next to her uncle Bob, who was behind the wheel. 

‘I hate being stuck here.’ She thought bitterly and exhaled loudly. 

“Don’t look so glum, Kate.” Bob said with a gentle chuckle from the driver's seat.

“You are going to enjoy this dinner party, It should be a nice change of pace. You have been working a little too much lately."

“I don't mind it at all, Office life isn't that bad." 

“But wouldn't you want a little excitement in your life?"

“Excitement isn't always a good thing, Uncle. My job might be boring, but at least it's secure." 

A sigh leaves Bob lips—-- "Fine! But try to give tonight a chance, for me please. I’ll even introduce you to Lucas Romano, He’s going to announce his fiancee at tonight's dinner, you know, that man is the heir to the Romano group, which makes him one of the most powerful business men in the country.” 

Kate scoffed, ‘Ah yes, a businessman? You mean a mafia boss!’ She thought sarcastically and let her shoulders sag as she look out the window again, lost in thought.

Her Uncle had been the only relative she had after she lost her parents due to a fatal accident. Bob opened his home to her without a second thought and treated her like his daughter so no matter how she felt about his shadier connections, including his obsession with Luca Romano. She wasn't going to cause any trouble for him.

"We are here.” Bob said as he pulled into the parking lot and got down from the car. He held his hand out to Kate and they both headed inside the hall where the party was going on.

Kate gasps immediately, they were inside. The place was full of glamour and luxury, guests in their number well-dressed and obviously rich move around the hall chatting with each other and making merry.

“This is fancier than anywhere I have ever been before, even on special occasions." Kate said and marvelled at the wealth oozing from everyone in the party.

“Hey, Un—--” Her words were cut off as she looked beside and froze.

‘Where’d he go?’ 

She blinked her eyes and look around, but there's no sign of her uncle in the crowd.

‘Great! I got separated from him at a Mafia dinner party.’ She makes her way through the crowd, trying to see If she could catch a glimpse of him.

"Excuse me….. pardon me." 

Kate who's unused to walking around in heels, due to her hurry, felt her foot catches on something and she tumble forward.

“Woah!" She throw out her arms and brace for the impact, but it never came. Slowly, she realize a pair of warm, strong arms are holding her by the waist.

She turned her head and looked up to see one of the most handsome men she had ever laid eyes on. His grip around her were firm, and the way he tugs her up to steady her makes heat rush up to her face.

“Th–Thank You.” She managed to breathed out.

He makes a dismissive sound, his emerald eyes cold and his lips curled up in an expression of distaste. “What a klutz. There's nothing I hate more than women who are all beautiful and have no brains." 

‘What the hell?’ Kate was speechless.

‘When he caught me and held me so carefully, I thought he was a gentleman—-But this guy's just a huge jerk!’

She pulled herself free of his steadying arms and glared at him as she parted her lips to speak, “And I hate men who are all looks and have no manners." 

He draws himself up, and the man standing next to him guffaws.

"She's got you there, Lucas!” 

"You stay out of this.” Lucas spat to the man beside him.

Kate was lost in thought as she heard the rude man's name. ‘Lucas?’ She took a better look at the man glaring at her and then drew a sharp breath as she stepped back.

‘Lucas Romano! He—-He’s the mafia boss hosting this party!’

Lucas voice interrupted her thoughts, “I suppose I could do worst, at least—---”

Kate frowned. ‘What’s that supposed to mean? Is he even talking to me?’

The man standing next to Lucas gave her an apologetic smile and said, “Sorry about him, Miss." Then he elbows Lucas in the side. "Don't talk that way to a lady!” 

"I caught her, didn't I? I could have let her fall.” Ace chuckled and said sarcastically.

"Congratulations on crossing the minimum bar to not be a complete jerk! Now let's see If we can get you somewhere on the scale of ‘decent human being.’ eh?” 

Lucas snorted arrogantly, "Hmph.” 

‘Who is that guy? He must be someone important, If he can treat a mafia boss casually. He looks more laid-back than Lucas, but no less though.

At the moment, however, the gentleman in Kate's eyes seems intent on giving advice on how Lucas should correct his bad attitude—--- Advice which Lucas seems highly disciplined to take.

“You don't meet a beautiful girl and immediately start insulting her. Come on, get to know her—- talk to her for a bit. At least ask her If she's alright.” 

Lucas clicks his tongue, and his emerald eyes flick toward her as he says, "Are you alright?” The question was so cold and anyone could tell, It's clearly intended more for his companion’s benefits than for hers but nevertheless, Kate nodded at him. "I’m fine, thank you.” 

"You should be more careful.”

"I just tripped, that's all.” 

"A person could get killed that way.” 

Kate shrugged, "I’m sure a dinner party isn't that dangerous.” 

"You’d be surprised.” The deep, firm tone of his voice sends chills down her spine.

Ace facepalmed himself, “Oh, boy…..This isn't exactly what I had in mind when I said you should talk to her.” 

"I never asked for this conversation to begin in the first place.” 

"Neither did I.” Kate retorted.

"Then we’ve finally come to an agreement—-- I think we can end it there.” He said and walked away, and Kate scowled after him despite her best effort to keep her emotions from her face.

‘What a jerk!” 

“Let me apologize on his behalf." Ace held out his hand as he spoke, “Some of us know how to be a gentleman, just so you know." Kate held out her hand to meet his hand and instead of shaking it. He brought it to his lips to kiss the back of her hand.

“I’m Ace, by the way." The man flashed her a smile when he saw the blush staining her cheeks.

“Um– Kate.” she responded shyly.

“It's a pleasure to meet you, Kate. You are quite a sight to behold." Kate blushing intensified.

“Th-Thank you. It's not everyday I dress up like this, so I'm glad to hear that." 

“I bet you are just as beautiful when you're not caked up. So what's a lovely lady like you doing wandering around here looking so lost, aside from tripping into the arms of the boss?" Before she could reply to him, Ace spoke up again.

“But Lucas isn't really so bad once you get to know him.”

"Is that so?” 

‘I actually find that hard to believe, but I probably should keep my mouth shut.’

“Trust me, you have nothing to worry about." 

‘Wait….. why would he say that? Why should I be worried about Mr arrogant, a weirdo and a complete jerk? She seethed inwardly.

"Were you looking for someone?” Ace asked, again.

"My uncle, actually. We came here together but got separated in the crowd.” 

Ace tilted his head and said, “I see….. we haven't had a disappearance at a dinner party for a while now.” 

"Ah.” Kate laughed nervously.

"That was a joke.” A wave of relief hit her and she looked ahead of him.

“Why don't we—--” 

"Ace.” Lucas called out and stepped between them.

"That's enough! We have matters to attend to." Ace nodded at Lucas and wink at Kate before walking away.

Lucas glances back at her, and their gazes meet. A shiver runs through her body.

‘What is it about this man?’

‘It’s as

If he can see right through me.

He looks at her for a moment longer, then turns away and follows after the direction Ace headed to.