The CEO's Chance

I was extremely excited to come to the craft fair, once I saw the pink posted flyer at school. I usually never pay attention to the board filled with a massive number of colorful flyers in the compound at the local community college I attend, but it seemed like it would be fun to attend. Which it has been so far until I made the mistake of wanting to get my portrait painted. I knew it would be long, but I didn't realize how long it would take. This woman could easily take my picture and paint me using that, but no.

It was better to paint a portrait of me when I'm here in person, instead of painting me, using a picture on her phone.

I don't know how people in historical times, were able to sit still for so long, just to get a portrait of themselves painted. The amount of patience they must have had was probably from all the practice they had from their other pictures being painted. My butt is starting to hurt from having to sit still on this chair. If I was laying down on a comfy couch then I wouldn't be mentally complaining. I'm starting to wonder if the portrait I'm paying for, would have been done quicker if it was painted by someone younger. This old lady is taking forever to finish.

I'm glad I was able to buy a couple of things from other booths before I came to this lady. Like two rings, and an adorable rose gold necklace that had the shape of little doves in the center.

Feeling my shoulders hurt, I rolled my shoulders as discreetly as I could, so that I wouldn't be caught moving.

"Keep still," growled the woman. Her paintbrush in one hand and palette in the other. "If you want the picture-perfect, you need to keep still." Her accent was strong, and I'm guessing she was from Russia.

I immediately froze in place. It was a real struggle to keep still. I feel like a child in class, being scolded by her teacher for moving.

"Sorry," I mumbled sheepishly.

Oh great, now my nose is starting to itch. I've never wanted to scratch my nose so badly until now. Does it take an hour just to paint someone? I don't know what time it is, but I'm pretty sure the fair is almost over by now. She must be doing a good job if the expressions made by people passing by the canvas seem positive. That is the only assurance I have of her skill. That and a few of the other pictures I saw by her.

"Are you almost done?" I asked, out of curiosity. A hint of impatience sneaking through my tone.

She glared at me with annoyance mixed in her expression. Mumbled something under her breath that I couldn't hear, and went back to painting. A simple yes or no would have sufficed.

Out of nowhere, I heard a deep and husky chuckle beside me. The hairs on my neck rising and goosebumps form on my skin. A feeling stirring in my body because of this mystery man and it was all good.

"She's almost done," the husky voice whispered in my right ear. His tone sounded a bit sensual.

My body shivered. Not from the wind, because that was non-existent; but from the man behind me.

"Do you always creep up on women getting their portrait painted?" I spoke through my teeth. Not wanting to be caught by the painter, and hoping the man will step forward in my line of vision so that I will know what he looks like.

I didn't have to look his way, to know that he was undoubtedly smirking.

I heard him move to the left side of me. My body sensed him bend down so close, I could practically feel him. I looked towards him from the corner of my eye.

"Yes, but only to the beautiful ones," said the mystery man in an alluring tone.

What a charmer.

My cheeks started to turn rosy, and instead of looking his way, I looked down. My hair falling forward, using it as a curtain to cover my face.

"I said don't move," scolded the woman.

My headshot straight up and my hair out of my face. The glare I was about to throw the woman, was quickly bubbling to the surface. Moving my head back to position, I quietly sighed in frustration. Snapping at her and turning towards the unexpected guest beside me were quickly becoming two options I wanted to take right now. The third would be simply moving. My body was starting to ache from staying still.

"You're distracting me," I spoke under my breath.

"I am?" he asked teasingly. His action at innocence completely failing. Even though he couldn't see me, I rolled my eyes.

Thankfully, the painter didn't see that.

"Don't you have other things to do?" I whispered underneath my breath.

Silence met me for the first time. He didn't respond, which had me thinking that he might have left. A small feeling of disappointment filled me. Is it weird if I say that I wanted him to?

"Like what? We're at a craft fair." He pointed out the obvious.

"Exactly," I emphasized. "They're so much cool things to see. Many of them are a beautiful work of art."

"You're a beautiful work of art," he replied smoothly.

I tried to sound unaffected, "You're quite the charmer, aren't you? If you're not going to look around, why are you here?"

"I saw you and wanted to talk to you," he stated as if it was obvious.

"Not here, I mean. Here at the craft fair." I asked, knowing there was a chance he wouldn't answer my question because we don't know each other that well.

Surprisingly he answered my question, "I walked by as I was talking to the dean and stopped when I saw you."

I ignored the part when he said he saw me. He must be smooth with a lot of the ladies. Men like that are Casanovas.

Curiosity getting the best of me, "What were you and the dean talking about?"

Surprising me, he supplied an answer, "The Old Maria."

My eyes widened.

Partly because he answered my question. The other part is because "The Old Maria" is the oldest building on campus at Rosewood University and is rumored to be haunted. Everyone that goes in there comes back with some type of injury and tells stories of seeing two ghosts. The story is, that "The Old Maria" used to be the art building back when the school was first built. Two young lovers would meet there because the girl's father was the dean at the time and didn't approve of her boyfriend.

One night the father threw a party at his house to have his daughter meet one of the most eligible bachelors that the father approved of, locking her in her room until he allowed her out. While she was there, he sent some of his men to burn the art building, knowing that the boyfriend would be waiting for her in the building. The father's men burned the building down, not knowing that the girl escaped and was in the building with her young lover. Together the two young lovers died trapped in the burning building.

In heartbreak and agony, the father built a fence around the building and closed it off to the campus forever. Now it just sits there, never to be touched by anyone.

Until now.

My curiosity peeking to an all-time high, "That's surprising. What are you both going to do with the building?"

Being sly he said in a daring tone, "I'll tell you if you agree to go out to dinner with me."

Not wanting him to think I am falling for his smooth charms and will give in; I turn my body to deny his offer.

"Stay still!" growled the woman painting my portrait.

I had almost forgotten she was there.

"Relax," chided the mystery man.

The woman blushed at being scolded by this man and cleared her throat. Going back to painting and painting me the best she could with my constant moving.

Feeling better now that I had a higher chance at the movie, I turned and felt like the breath was knocked out of me. My jaw slightly dropping, I couldn't look away from him no matter how hard I tried. God sculpted this man very well. His wavy dirty blonde hair shining from the sun that shined on him, and making his light blue eyes framed by long dark lashes alluring, it could enchant a woman to his bed.

I'm a hundred percent sure that's happened.

He leaned closer to me, and that snapped me out of my daze. As if knowing that he had me in his grasp.

I cleared my throat, and shook my head, "No."

He raised an eyebrow, seeming shocked by my disagreement. He stared at me as if he could change my mind.

I stared back, trying to not give in because of how handsome he was.

Seeing me not give in, he nodded his head and stood up.

"I'll be seeing you again soon..." he said, then trailed off, like he was asking for my name.

I smirked, "Cassie."

"May I ask for your last time?" he said with a tilt of his head, finding it amusing that I tell him only my name.

I shook my head, and narrowed my eyes in suspicion, "For all I know, you could be a creeper."

His head shot back and he roared with laughter. Squeezing his stomach like he couldn't breathe. He threw me a wide smile and looked at me as if what I said was the funniest thing he ever heard. He nodded his head as if something was final.

"I've never met anyone like you," he said in awe.

I rolled my eyes, and scoffed "Sure." Then turned around and gave the old woman my full attention.

He chuckled and leaned down low enough to whisper in my ear. "See you soon Cassie." Then left with small chuckles still coming out of him.

It wasn't until he was gone when I suddenly realized I didn't ask for his name.

"Do you have any idea who he is?" asked the woman as she put down the paintbrush in her hand.

I shook my head.

She scoffed, "Well then you are one lucky woman to catch his attention."

Maybe, maybe not.

"Will you please come with me?" pleaded my now very annoying best friend.

Ava Abner has been my best friend since elementary. We showed up to our first day of school in kindergarten and noticed we were using the same backpack and sat next to each other at lunchtime. We've been close ever since that day, we're practically sisters.

I pulled my attention away from the computer screen that displayed the unfished homework that I was trying to complete, "No Ava."

"You're going to pass up on going to one of the most popular shows ever!?" Ava asked as if the fact that I was denying her offer was ludicrous. She groaned and put her hands on my shoulders. She lightly shook my shoulders back and forth, "The show's shadow dancing performance was one of the things everyone on campus has been raving about Cassie!"

I sighed, while she looked at me with pouty lips, "I have to finish this if I want to pass this class."

She pulled her hands away and threw them in the air, "You're the smartest person in the class and It's impossible for you to fail!"

Pointing out the obvious to her, "I'm smart because I study and pass classes because I do my homework."

Ava rolled her eyes, "Anyways, it's your duty as my best friend to come with me."

I chuckled, "My duty?"

Ava put her hands on her hips and nodded.

I raised an eyebrow and stared at her, not saying anything. I knew I was going to give in, even though I shouldn't. Ava always went above and beyond for me many times, so I'd do the same for her even though they were always things that brought me out of my comfort zone.

She pouted and then interlaced her hands together in a begging motion, "Pretty please Cassie."

I threw my head back, and groaned; sighing, "Fine."

Ava let out a squeal in delight and hugged me, almost knocking me off my chair, "THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! You are the best!" She then ran out of my room and to hers, "Now get dressed!"

I stood up to put on a simple pair of dark denim jeans and a red blouse. Grabbing the clothes and putting them on my bed, I address the outfit.

Shrugging, "It looks good to me."

Ava walked into the room and gasped. "No," she shook her head. "You are not wearing that!" She grabbed the clothes off my bed and put them back in my drawer. "The place is fancy Cassie, and there are going to be a lot of handsome wealthy men there."

I tilted my head in surprise, "Why would they be going to this thing? I'm sure they have better things to do than show up to a shadow dancing performance."

She grabbed my hand and pulled me to her room. Letting my hand go once we were in her room, she headed to her closest searching for clothes. "The women go because of the amazing show and wealthy men that are there." She then stuck her head out of the closet, and snickered, "and the men only go because of the many women that are there." She titled her head, "It's almost like a rendezvous spot I guess." Then stuck her head back in her closest in search of something, she had yet to find.

This place almost sounds like the old Maria.

"Got it!" screamed Ava. She held up a golden lace halter bodycon dress. The back of the dress was backless, leaving only two strings tied in the back to cover it. It screamed sexily and I've never worn anything like this before. Ava always had great taste in clothes so I'm not surprised that she had this sexy dress in her closet.

I looked at the dress she held up, "If I wear that, I'd look like I'm trying to find a wealthy businessman to stick my claws into." I gave her a deadpan look, "Which is something I do not want Ava." I crossed my arms against myself, feeling self-conscious at the thought of wearing the dress. "Plus, in all honesty, I don't think I'd do that dress justice."

She gasped as if what I said was the most absurd thing, "Okay, first of all," she put up one finger, "I am going to say this with an unbiased opinion." She then put up another finger, "You are one of the most beautiful women I have ever met. So, you would do this dress justice and more! You have no idea how beautiful you are," she emphasized the word no, "and how many men have asked me for your number."

I rolled my eyes and put my hands on my hips, "Lies get you nowhere in life."

She laughed, "Yes they do!" then put on a serious face, "and I'm not lying Cassie. I'm being serious." She sighed and looked at me with a soft smile, "I wish you would be more confident in yourself and see that you are beautiful." Then put her hands on her hips, "Besides...how do you think I got us entrance to this thing!? Lucas only gave me these tickets because I said that you're the one that wanted to go but hasn't been able to because tickets always sell out quickly."

I gasped, looking at her in disbelief. I shook my head at her, grabbed the nearest pillow, and threw it at her. "Ava Abner!" I scolded in disbelief.

She laughed and looked at me unapologetically. "You'll thank me someday." She grinned and threw the dress at me, making it land on my head. "Now go get ready."

I grabbed it off my head and gave her a scolding look. "Lucas better not think he's getting something more from me other than a thank you."

She nodded her head in a promising look, "Don't worry, I will distract him from approaching you" she put her hand over her heart, "Girl scouts honor."

I raised my eyebrow, "You weren't in the girl scouts!"

She snickered, and waved her hand in a shooing motion, "Whatever. Now go get ready!"

I narrowed my eyes at her and grabbed the dress admitting defeat. I looked at it as I walked out of the room and to mine that was across hers.

"I'm going to look like a gold digger," I grumbled to myself.

Ava shouted out loud across the hall, "No you won't!"

I rolled my eyes in disagreement but didn't reply. Grabbing a robe from my room, I headed to the bathroom to take a quick shower before slipping on the dress, along with doing my hair and makeup. I always feel refreshed after a good shower. I didn't know what time this thing started so I made sure not to take my sweet time. After getting out of the bathroom, I threw on the dress as carefully as I could without ripping it. Not wanting to spill any of my makeup on myself while I got ready, I threw another robe over me to cover the dress.

I've done my makeup many times before, so I didn't need any help from Ava. My hair on the other hand was a different subject. There were times when it became an enemy and would never cooperate with me. I would try my best to make it look cute and well put together, but it would always come out frizzy or the curls that I had put would never hold. Whenever Ava helped me with it, my hair seemed to work well with her. That or she had magic and somehow used it with my hair.

I chuckled to myself at my overdramatic thoughts and started on my makeup. It wasn't until I finished when Ava walked into the bathroom.

"Do you need help with your hair?" she asked, leaning against the frame of the door; already knowing my answer.

I nodded and held up the hair curler in my hand, "Please."

She snickered, and grabbed the item from my hand, and got to work. Thirty minutes later, I walked out of the bathroom, makeup done, hair done, and ready to go. I grabbed my clutch bag along with my sandals that matched the outfit from my room. Slipping on the sandals, while I waited for Ava.

"Cassie! You are killing me!" groaned Ava as she saw me. She shook her head in exasperation and disappeared into her room.

"What?" I asked, with confusion.

She came back out with beautiful gold leather heels that hand ankle leather straps and matched my outfit perfectly.

"Ava, you know how I am with heels. I'm clumsy and will fall flat on my face." I said with a firm shake of my head.

Ava held out the heels "These have a 4" block heel and will make it easier for you to walk. The insole is cushioned so it won't be painful like the other one you tried on in the past." She pushed them towards me and shook them, "At least try them on."

I reluctantly gave in and slipped them on. After strapping on the heels, I stood up and rocked back and forth to test out how they feel. They seemed fine to wear. Just to double-check how I'd do in this, I walked back and forth in front of the door. Surprisingly these felt easy enough to walk in.

I admitted, with surprise, "These are cute and comfy."

Ava let out a squeal, happy that I gave in.

"You look stunning!" she said with awe. She wiped a fake tear and touched her heart, "I feel like my little is all grown up. Now it's time for you to fly and show those beautiful wings to the world."

"Oh, my goodness," I laughed.

Then a pouting look took over her face, "Now I look like a peasant standing next to you," she said as she looked down at her red dress that hugged her curves.

I scoffed, "You're such a liar! You know you're beautiful."

Ava knew she was attractive. Her long black hair that was now curled and gray eyes made her all the more beautiful in that dress. She was confident about who she was and what she looked like. That was one of the things I loved about this girl.

She was awesome, and an even better sister that I've never had but always wanted.

She chuckled and looped her arm around mine, and led me out the door of our dorm room. We both lived on campus and loved it. It was different not living with my parents, and while it felt like freedom, I couldn't help but miss my parents and little brother Adam.

"I already called us an uber. They should be here in a bit," said Ava as we got into the elevator, leading us to the lobby. Just like she said, as we got out of the building our uber driver pulled in. "You're going to have so much fun!" she said with a wide grin.

On the outside, I smiled in response as we walked to the Uber driver. On the inside, I couldn't help but get a weird feeling that something life-changing was about to happen.

Which made me even more nervous.

"Wow," I whispered in awe.

The place was magnificent.

The building's lobby alone was enormous. I glanced up to the ceiling, and there was a huge beautiful crystal chandelier, that looked more expensive than my outfit and tuition combined. The floor shined with white marble, and the beautiful furniture around us white, I feel I'd get it dirty if I touch it. I looked down at my feet checking to see if I had gotten the floor dirty.

"I know right?" squealed Ava. She leaned closer to whisper in my ear as we walked further in. "I can't believe how many men are here." She winked at a man that passed her by.

I laughed, "Oh my goodness Ava."

The further we went in, the more breath-taking it got. Along the walls of the building, small square-shaped videos were playing behind a square glass. Each one playing a shadow dance performance from the past.

"I'm going to use the restroom before it starts," said Ava. She pouts when she notices the long line at the women's restroom, "Do you have to go too?"

I shook my head, "No." I gestured with my thumb to the videos playing on the wall, "I'll be right over there."

She nodded and left, leaving me alone.

I walked to one of the videos, hands behind my back, as I watched it play. The story was about a young couple that got married and had a baby girl. Then along the way, the man was suffering from a sickness that soon led to his death. Leaving his wife to raise their daughter alone. I was smiling in the beginning, but near the ending of the video, my smile dropped and tears started to fill my eyes.

"That's so sad," my smile fading, feeling sorry for the nonexistent family in the story.

"That's what they want people to feel in this performance," said a husky voice behind me.

My eyes widened. After that first day of meeting him, I'd recognize that voice anywhere. I slowly turned around, keeping my composure.

I gasped, "You!"

He gave a nod and in a teasing tone replied, "Me." His eyes gleaming with delight.

My mouth wide open, I quickly closed it and pulled myself together. "What are you doing here?" I said, giving him a once-over.

I pursed my lips, not enjoying how handsome he looked. His blonde hair combed back, bringing all the attention to his eyes and that strong jawline. The annoying charming grin of his that formed on his face made him all the more alluring. The black suit had him looking like the definition of sin.

It is illegal and unfair how handsome this man is.

I thought the day of the craft fair would be the last time I have seen this man. The way the women that painted my picture talked about him, made me wonder who this man was. He never gave me a name and neither did the women, so it wasn't like I could look him up on the computer to find out. It wasn't like I could type, who is drop-dead gorgeous blonde hair and blue-eyed man?

"I saw you here and wanted to come to talk to you," he stated as if it was obvious. "I must admit," he chuckled, "it is a very pleasant surprise to see you here."

My thought went to the first time we meant and he said the same thing.

I rolled my eyes, "You said that last time. You can't use the same pickup line," and turned around, moving to the next tv behind a glass.

He chuckled, "It's not a pickup line when I mean it."

I brushed off his smooth reply.

"What are you doing at this event?" I asked, not expecting to see him again.

He nodded towards the three beautiful people standing at the other side of the room, chatting as they waited for the performance to start. This man's attractive so I guess it made sense that he hung around his kind.

Birds of a feather flock together.

A tall handsome man with dark brown hair had his hand around a woman's waist. The woman seemed to be around the same height as me. She looked very stunning as her dark brown hair fell over her shoulders and wore a long black gown-length dress that hugged her curves. Another woman facing the couple was equally beautiful. She had a strong vibe around her that screamed independent. The woman's brown hair shined even brighter as the chandelier cast its light on her. She looked like the female version of a tempting devil with the red dress she was sporting.

If I felt beautiful before, that's all gone now. They look like GQ models and I'm just the employee holding a prop.

"We're here to check out the show. I've seen their videos on YouTube, but never in person. If I like their performance, then we'll have them perform at the grand reopening of the Old Maria."

My eyes widened, "So that's what you're doing!"

He nodded.

My interest peaked, "That's going to be interesting."

He looked curious, "How so?"

"Have you heard of the ghost stories surrounding the old maria?" I asked, turning to him with a tilt of my head. Everyone on campus knows the story.

He rolled his eyes in amusement, "Of course." Then shook his head, "but I don't believe in those things."

"What? Ghosts?" I asked with a teasing tone.

He nodded.

I smirked, "Good Boy." Then turned back to the video.

I shivered when I felt him brush up against me, hoping he didn't notice it. I stood in silence as I tried to focus on the video of a shadow performance instead of the drop-dead gorgeous man beside me. I could smell the scent of his cologne, and it made him all the more alluring. I'd take a peek of him from the corner of my eyes, but I don't want him to know how much he is affecting me. It already makes me frustrated that he does.

He put his hands in his pocket, "This one is about a poor young boy that grows up to become the president of a country."

I didn't reply and instead stood silent until the whole video was finished. Throughout the whole time I stood there, he had stayed there with me.

He stayed with me till that video was done.

I moved to the next one and guess what he did next?

He followed me to the next one too!

"and this one is abo-," he spoke as if he was my tour guide.

"Don't you have somewhere to go?" I snapped, cutting him off.

I didn't mean to sound so rude, but his proximity and presence were making me nervous and that unsettled me. I don't like being shy and blushing so red every time he speaks. It makes me feel like I'd easily jump if he asked me to, and all he had to do is snap his fingers.

Real Pathetic Cassie.

He shook his head as if my tone didn't bother him. "I'm supposed to be here," he waved his hand in a circle around in the air, gesturing to the event that was about to start soon. He stepped closer, "Now that I'm here," he said trailing off.

I took a step back.

The corners of his mouth turned up, "I'd like to be here." He nodded to me, making his message very clear.

He was enjoying my reaction towards him. He knew what he was doing to me.

My cheeks turned pink and a flush crept up my face. I rolled my eyes, faking annoyance, and took a step away from him.

He laughed, "Making you warm up to me is not going to be easy is it?"

I crossed my arms and stared at him, "If you think your charm and charisma will make me swoon and fall into your arms," I dropped my hands and raised a brow, "you're dead wrong." I shook my head, "It's never going to happen."

You're lying, whispered a voice in my head. I pushed that thought away for now.

Now was not the time to be thinking of a possibility of this man and I being together. I inwardly scoffed, the chance of that happening is one in a million. Anyone with eyes would see that this man is out of my league. I look like a peasant standing right next to him. I'd probably have a higher chance of blending in with the wall beside us, instead of gathering the amount of attention this man does.

There is no chance of us being a thing happening.