Chapter 5 How it happened

{ONE YEAR AGO}

Davis and I fought again.

Apparently, his younger brother offered him a position in the company but, he had rejected it. According to him, he wanted to be the boss of himself.

He had confessed to me that the day he ran over to the hospital from his workplace when he heard I got injured, he had intended to quit his job later that day.

He said his boss was too saucy and rude. He didn't like to be ordered around.

Actually, it was the 12th boss he had the same complaint on. And even the one I thought to be a little bit nice was saucy and rude to him.

I got exhausted. It was a freaking roller coaster.

He gets a job. Works for some time and after a few months of working there, he would arrive home mumbling about how it was the best option to quit the job.

Then, I would be back to feeding him and catering to his needs.

Now, a lifetime opportunity has come. A position in the world-renowned Knight Collection.

After learning his younger brother was the owner and founder of Knight Collection four years into the relationship, I was so pissed that it had a strain on our relationship. It almost caused a break-up.

But then, he gave a good reason for keeping it from me - he didn't want to be seen by me as the younger brother of the owner of Knight Collection.

Still, when he brought the news to me that his brother offered him a position, I was the happiest, jumping and screaming that I would marry someone who worked in Knight Collection. Only for him to inform me that he wasn't going to accept the offer.

We argued that night. A heated argument. And, we went two weeks without exchanging many words.

So, when we received the invitation to the launch party of Knight Jewelries from his brother, we agreed to go separately.

I was going to decline because it would be such a humiliation to have Davis and me the only middle class in that party.

Apart from his younger brother, Davis' family had stinking wealth and they stripped him of every allowance and privilege because he misused.

So, I was sure he was the last person they wanted at that party.

However, I had a second thought. It would be a good opportunity to approach his brother and plead with him to persuade Davis to accept his offer. Of course, I would ask him not to let anyone know that I made the request.

The hall was rich in designs and affluent in atmosphere. The air reeked of rich perfumes and wealth.

I had lent Liv's mint green asymmetric gown with a split from my mid-thigh coupled with my Jimmy Choo heels I had saved up to purchase and Liv's Gucci bag so, I didn't feel out of place.

A few hours into the party, striding around around, watching people gather in twos and threes for a conversation.

Then, Davis' younger brother, Abel Knight, founder of Knight Collection, climbed the podium for the official launching of Knight Collection.

Of course, he looked grand and expensive and clean.

He looked like that new item you purchased and you fear if you touch it, it would leave a stain.

He was smartly dressed in a wine tuxedo. His black hair slicked back neatly. His eyes were the glassiest shade of grey I had ever seen.

He looked like something average women would stare at and say "Holy Shit".

Well, holy shit.

He had a pointed nose like Davis and his finger held an engagement ring.

Was he married too?

"Thank you every one of you for honoring this invite. Here is to Coop Fashion Line's future."

He concluded, raising his flute of champagne for a toast.

The others raised theirs along with him.

"To Coop Fashion Line's future!"

They echoed.

Immediately Abel got off the stage and headed into a dark passage, I followed behind, abandoning my empty flute on a tray of a passing server.

This was the right time to approach him.

Abel headed down the passage without noticing my trail on him. The soft music playing at the party had managed to black out the tiny clink of my heels.

I tried to catch up with him, frowning in confusion at the path he took.

Where the hell was he headed to?

When he turned a corner and slipped between two sturdy bodyguards who stepped aside for him, I knew it was the end.

There was no way I would get past them without getting questioned.

So, I turned back, continuing back to the party.

But...

"Hey, stop right there!"

One of the guards commanded and I swirled around slowly, a gulp building in my throat.

"Who are you?"

"Summer Ford from Barnes Magazine."

I laughed awkwardly. Hell! This wasn't the time to crack any silly joke!

"How did you get here?"

The other guard asked, walking towards me. I stepped backward, slamming my back against the wall.

"I-I-"

Do I tell them I was following Liam and get thrown into prison for stalking? Or worse, get manhandled by these sturdy men?

"I said 'What are you doing here?!'"

The man grabbed my elbow violently, slamming me against his hard against his chest.

I panicked. Should I tell them I was Davis's girlfriend? They probably don't know who Davis is not to speak of his girlfriend.

"I-"

"She is with me."

That voice sounded so familiar. Abel suddenly emerged from the corner he had headed into earlier.

The guard immediately released a grip around my elbow, stepping aside for their boss, Liam.

And, just as I guessed, he smelled heavenly.

It was a mixture of lime and sandalwood.

And, his visuals from afar did him no justice. He looked more dashing and striking beautiful even up close.

He dismissed the guards with a slight nod of his head and continued towards me, swallowing me whole with his hovering height.

"And, you are...?"

Oh, right!

"Erm. Da-davis' girlfriend. Summer Ford."

I hope this doesn't flop.

"Davis?" he frowned. "Davis had a girlfriend?"

He didn't tell his family members about me? Well...

"Yes. Uhm, we are four years stronger."

Oh, I should avoid less important information. I'm sure he doesn't give a flying fuck.

And, I know he doesn't, giving his blank expression.

"I'm sorry."

"Why did you follow me?"

He asked, his gaze darkening.

"I-I hoped to speak with you, Abel."

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

Did I say something wrong?

"I apologize for the intrusion but, I tried approaching you back at the party and I just couldn't. You looked occupied. Well, of course, you'd be occupied. Stupid me didn't think that."

I laughed awkwardly.

Shit! Now I was blabbering.

"If you want to have me thrown out by those sturdy guards, it's fine. I understand. I shouldn't have intruded. Maybe I should be on my way. I-"

"Come with me."

He started strutting away.

"What?"

Abel halted and turned to me again.

"You said you wanted to speak with me. It can't possibly be here."

I looked over at the group of guests approaching us and quickly followed behind him, taking the corner that was occupied by the guards earlier.

We headed into another hallway and at the conclusion of the hall was an elevator, gold and transparent. I could see my reflection through the door as they slid open and I really looked stunning.

I definitely ate with that smoky eye.

When the door slid shut and the elevator proceeded up, I became anxious again. And, nauseated.

Maybe it was Abel's intoxicating scent but, my stomach troubled me.

When the door slid open, we were ushered into an absolutely stunning lounge.

Intricate designs. Grand cushion and creamy, affluent wall paints.

It was a blinding beauty indeed.

The elevator slid behind us and Abel led me to a bar area, fetching whisky from the bar shelf and two glasses. He settled a glass before me and poured me a drink.

I swallowed.

"Uhm, I'm not sure I should be drinking."

He cocked his head.

"Why?"

"I-I'm driving."

Lies. I don't have a freaking car. I don't just feel comfortable drinking with a stranger in a secluded space.

Where was this anyway?

I looked around. It looked like a penthouse.

"This is my penthouse here in Dallas."

Abel interrupted my thoughts.

"I don't stay in Dallas so, I bought this penthouse for days I visited Dallas."

"How much did you buy it?"

I wasn't curious, I just needed to know. Okay, I was curious. The place was massive and stunning. It had two long flights of stairs that led to the first floor.

Chandelier and every beautiful thing I would want in a house.

"20 million dollars."

What?

"That's crazy. You don't even permanently reside here."

And, I'm sure he would be willing to let Davis use the place during the time he wasn't in Dallas. If only stupid Davis could ask!

Right, Davis.

"Uhm. So, the reason I asked to speak with you."

He nodded taking a sip from his whiskey.

"It's about Davis. He-he-"

Heaven, help me. How do I say this?

"About the job offer he gave to him? Can you convince him to consider it?"

It sounded shameless slipping out of my lips like that. Maybe I should have worded it in a better way.

"Oh, right. That." he adjusted, pouring himself another round of whiskey.

"I already had a conversation with him recently. And, I let him know that the position was still open and that he would be welcome anytime. However, he made himself clear that he wasn't interested."

"I know. He is stubborn like that. But, can you do a little more persuasion? I promise to put more effort into persuading him on my path."

"I wish I could. I'm so sorry. Davis and I are not close like that."

I buried my head in my palm and let out a frustrated sigh.

After a moment of silence, I jerked my head back up and pushed my glass over to Abel to pour a drink.

"He refused to work."

Abel halted, staring up at me.

"Every work I find for him always ends up being tossed away by him carelessly because he doesn't like the boss."

Abel proceeded to pour me a drink, pushing the glass back to me. I drank the whole content of the drink.

"And, it's always me getting the hit. Whenever he leaves his job, I go back to feeding him and catering for him while he just sit his ass down and do nothing."

I balled my fist and poured myself another round.

"I can help."

I paused.

"What can I do to help?"

"No. It's not about me, it's about him. He needs to work!"

I downed another glass of whiskey. At this point, my head was already getting light.

"Why can't you just end it?"

Abel sat on a bar stool across me, pouring himself another round.

"End it with him. Get someone better. Someone that can treat you better."

I snickered.

"Men are crap, that shit is difficult to find. Someone better? Someone like who?"

"Me."

Abel whispered, catching my gaze in his intoxicating ones.

"I can treat you better, Summer. Someone as gorgeous as you doesn't deserve someone like my brother. You deserve much better and I can be that for you."

What?

Did he just confess that he was attracted to me?

I shifted in my seat. Struggling to find a sitting position, I slipped off the chair and almost fell off it but was immediately caught by Abel.

He rushed over to my side and caught me by my waist to steady me.

His arms were strong around my waist and I felt his hood against my naked thigh.

I quickly jerked away from him.

"I need to leave. Where is the restroom."

"By your left."

He whispered and I quickly darted in that direction, breathing hard and splashing water onto my face immediately after I got into the restroom.

What the fuck just happened?

My phone suddenly rang in my bag.

I fished it out. The caller ID was Davis.

Oh, shit. He shouldn't know I was here.

I picked up.

"Hey."

"Summer?"

"Where are you? I've been waiting for you here."

"I'm not coming."

His answer was cold.

"What? Why not?"

"I've told you, I don't want to have anything to do with that family. They threw me out without batting an eye and I will never have anything to do with them."

"But, you said it was because they wanted you to get responsible."

I was fighting the frustration I felt in my throat.

"That was an excuse. They were looking for ways to throw me out."

I scoffed.

"You see why you are still stagnant? Your pride. How could you be financially stranded yet, so proud?"

"Pride? How is refusing to associate with them any more pride?"

I clenched my hold around the phone.

"Well, it is. You are depending on yourself and for a penniless fool, should that be?"

"Right. I forgot." he breathed into the phone. "You are a gold digger who plans to leach off me and dump all her responsibilities on me once I start working."

What the hell?

"Do you think you have any right to put it that way when you are currently doing all the dumping of your responsibilities?!"

"I don't care, Summer. Just stay away from that family if you know what is good for you."

I bit my lips angrily.

"Well, if you know what is good for you, don't you ever, in your miserable, poverty-stricken life, call me again. Have a nice miserable life, Davis."

I hung up, smashed my phone on the floor, and screamed into the mirror.

When I walked back into the living area, Abel had taken a seat on the couch, entertaining himself with whatever played on the TV screen.

He had changed into a casual grey t-shirt and white flannel pants.

What about the party he left behind?

"Are you okay?"

He asked, pinning his gaze on me.

"Yes."

I looked away from him.

He suddenly got up, abandoning the remote on the couch.

"I will escort you out. Let's go."

This is crazy. I can't believe what I'm about to do.

"Perhaps, do you have more whiskey on that bar shelf? I might need some."

Several minutes later, I was totally drunk.

I ranted on and on about Davis while he listened, completely sober, smiling at my drunken state.

After consuming three bottles of whiskey, I moved into tequila, accompanied with limes.

As I strode drunkenly to Abel to give him a share of the lime, I lost my stance and landed on his lap.

Abel caught me, steadying me on his lap, his hand around my waist.

My drunken self didn't find anything wrong with that and instead, I wrapped my hand around him and fed him the lime.

He parted his lips to let the lime easy access. Once the like had spilled on his chin and my slutty side had suggested I used my tongue to wipe it off.

And, I did.

Slowly and seductively, I dragged my tongue along his chin, his stubble rough against my tongue as I licked off the spilled lime.

Abel gazed at me as I did, lust feeling his gaze.

And, when my tongue had touched his lips, Abel immediately covered his lips over mine, biting and sucking as he held me tightly against him.

It was war. The war between his lips and mine.

He cupped my jaw, parting my lips and instantly shoving his tongue in.

Twirling and searching for nook and cranny of my mouth. He caught my tongue between his teeth and gave it a bite. I moaned into his mouth, wrapping my hands around him.

I got up, circling my legs around him and managing not to break the kiss.

He was hard and I rubbed myself against his hardness, emitting a moan from him.

He suddenly broke the kiss.

"Are you okay with his? What about Davis?"

He asked, gasping for air.

I grabbed his chin, running my thumb over his lower lip.

"I don't care about that motherfucker so, just fuck me, you insanely handsome man."

He fisted my butt, molding it in his hand.

"How do you want me to fuck you? My tongue? My fingers or my dick? You name it, Summer. I'm all yours tonight."

"Do you have condoms?"

I breathed into his lips.

"I don't use condoms, I fuck raw."

"I don't care, just do it."

As Abel raised my dress, ready to slide off my panties, the elevator that led us into the lounge dinged and it slid open.