Chapter 3 Dance with secrets

Raphael's POV

I can't believe that Sebastian had accepted Nathalie's decision to dump me and get engaged to Jackson. Is it because it will be more beneficial for him and his status in the business world?

Sebastian went to the stage to give his damn speech. He always had that pride in his face, as if he didn't use dirty tricks in his transactions.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'm glad that everyone came and greeted me for my birthday today. Another year has added to my figures, but I'm glad I still look as young as possible, right? I hope everyone agrees," he says.

Those in the audience laugh and clap their hands as a sign that they agree with his words.

"I'm already 44 years old, and I became a father and husband at the age of 20. I am grateful that my wife is with me in every moment of life and has cheered me on as I achieve my dream. We both cheer each other on as we fulfill our desires, even if we get married at a young age. I became a successful businessman and proved my name to everyone, and my only wish is to..." he paused and heaved a sigh.

"To see my daughter happy as she married one of the hottest bachelors in our town, Jackson Myers. I'm going to prove to everyone that this old fart is still as sharp as I was when I was younger. Thank you all for coming, and let's have a good time tonight. Cheers!" he says.

They all raise their glasses after Sebastian does so. They clung to their glasses, and he smiled like a moron. I grasp the glass, and Trevor coughs. I looked at him, and he gave me that calm-down-dude expression in his face. I sip my champagne and just tried to calm down again and again.

He even proudly says that Jackson is his future son-in-law. Hah! I was his daughter's boyfriend for three years, but he never brags about me to his associates. He just said that I'm Mr. Avrich, and that's it. I asked Nathalie before, but like her father, she also lied to me. All of them are liars!

The waiters began to serve the appetizer, which was ideal for pairing with red wine. I simply eat, but I still watch the movements of people at this party. That's when my eyes fall on a certain woman. She looks fine and beautiful even at this far.

"You also notice her, huh? They're both beautiful, right?" he says.

"Big brother, I hope you're not eyeing a fling that you can bring to a penthouse suite at this hotel," Samantha mumbles.

That made me laugh. His sister knows Trevor well. He sighed and turned to face his sister.

"My dear sister, you should be happy that your brother is being chased by beauties. That only means that I'm not ugly," Trevor says.

Samantha shook her head because of her stupid humor. I leaned on the chair, and I was ready for another shot when the song was played. That's when I saw Jackson and Nathalie on the dance floor.

My palm turned into a fist, and I really wanted to go there and punch that man in the face. He even had the face to dance with Nathalie and act like he didn't cheat on his wife! What the heck! Fuck him!

"I'll start with my baby sister, then the woman who was with that girl you ran into a while ago. Why don't you ask that woman for a dance? Pairings will change for a moment. You can use that to talk to Nathalie," he suggested.

I put down my glass and looked at that woman's table. No one has invited her yet.

"I guess I will try that. Thanks," I remark and stoop up.

I walk towards that woman's table, and she looks surprised when I stop in front of her. I extended my hand to her, and she was unsure whether she would accept it. I simply smiled to convince her that I was serious.

"Can I have a dance with you, young lady?" I ask. She giggled.

"Okay, okay, no problem. Belinda, stay here. I'll agree to this man's offer," she says.

She held my hand and stood up. Her hand was soft, as if it were made of cotton. I drag her onto the dance floor. I held her palm tightly and grabbed her waist. Damn!

'What is wrong with my heart? Don't tell me I'm nervous!'

"You should've asked that woman in the yellow dress," she exclaimed.

Kristine's POV

I want to laugh because I see how nervous he is. He also turned pale when I told him about Nathalie. She should be the one he's dancing with. He acted unaffected and simply answered me.

"I'm sorry. Why would I dance with a girl who is already engaged to someone? Don't you think I'm being stupid and unreasonable?"

He is good at hiding his animosity while talking. But his eyes and body language are easy to read. especially to someone like me who knows something. I simply chuckled and acted like I was clueless too.

"Well, you have been staring at her for a while now. I believed and saw that you were interested in her. But I never thought she's the sole heiress of the birthday boy," I remark.

How can I know such details? Those are just simple and easy information to gather.

"I also do the same thing to you. I've been watching you," he says.

I walked around him, and he held me closer this time. I can smell his strong perfume, which smells like menthol and is cool as well. I notice that either way, but I know it's out of curiosity because of what happened in the lobby of this hotel. I simply chuckled.

We walk on our left sides, and his hands slip down my thigh. He holds it as I bend backward. I saw my Sebastian and Clariz, who were happily chatting with those associates of theirs. He held me back and tapped me.

I raise my head and my eyes widened when we almost kiss. Just a nanometer away, I might have touched his lips. I gulp, and I'm glad that I need to swirl around. I can't hide my embarrassment!

When I stop swirling around, his hand is on my back, and mine falls on his chest. Our eyes meet and I feel like he was magnetizing my gaze on his. He turned me around.

His other hand, which is holding mine, was on my waist. The left side was on my neck. They're both wrapped around my body. I looked at my side, and our cheeks touched each other. I can smell his breath.

It smells like red wine and toothpaste. We walk forward, and after that, I turn around and distance myself for two steps. That's when partners change. I'm glad that I made it. Jackson will be my exchange partner, and Nathalie will be his.

I want to know what kind of man Jackson is, and I know he needs to talk with Nathalie. In one swift move, partners were changed! Jackson held my hands and waist. My other hand was on his shoulder. He looks at me with malice, I must say.

"Should I be bothered by how you looked at me, hmm?" I tease.

He laughed, but his gaze never changed. What kind of trouble did Nathalie get into? This man... I can tell that he's a playboy!

"I never thought that the Sanchez family had an acquaintance as beautiful as you," he whispered. I almost laugh with sarcasm.

"I will take that as a joke, Mr. Myers. But yes, they have such an acquaintance as me. I hope you will stop staring at me like that because people might put meaning on it," I remark. He laugh.

Jackson Myers is a billionaire tycoon known for his investments in the entertainment industry. Especially since he owns the country's largest entertainment company.

He is also cunning in the business world, and I must say that he loves to use tricks for his hobby. That's what girls are like. I tried to distance my body from him, but he keeps trying to hold me closer, which actually pisses me off.

"I hope you will forgive me, but at least dance properly. Allow me to take the lead and cover the distance for us. I feel like I have a virus that you want to stay away from," he mutters. Yes, you have!

"I'm sorry, but I just know how to set boundaries. By the way, it's time to go back to your beloved," I mumbled. I swiftly let him go.

I choose to move to a safe distance away from him. I should keep my private life away from a dangerous man like him. I was about to grab any man's hand when someone held my wrist from behind me. He walked me around him and held me as soon as we faced each other.

I thought she would choose someone who was near Nathalie and Jackson. I giggled softly. I wonder what Nathalie and Raphael talk about. But why am I bothered by it?