Chapter 7: The Tease

"sir?"

I said, with elaborate confusion. Who was this lady, and why did she call me Mistress?

"Lucas, get over here immediately," Gray spoke through his earpiece. His eyes fell back on the lady. She was wearing heels, and so was I but somehow, none of us managed to match up to Gray's height.

"My friendliness with you is simply turning me into a fool, I observe." Gray shot out, his lips pressing together in disapproval. Was he going to shoot her too? I doubted that. She was too pretty to be wasted away like that.

"You've been acting weird with me. I'm guessing this bitch is the reason." She shot back at him.

Goodness, could someone explain this confusing situation to me? I was still trying to guess whether she was his wife or something of the sort.

"You will refrain from calling her that when you're a clear depiction. Now, leave this place at once."

He said, with a very dangerous tone and look in his eyes. I felt my heart beating way too fast.

"You summoned me, sir." Lucas came into the scene with a half a surprised look on his face. It seemed like he wasn't surprised there was another woman present, he was just surprised that she arrived unannounced.

"I'll leave, Gray. But this is far from over. And you, bitch, be on guard from now on." With that, she stormed out of the mansion.

"How many security personnel do I have?" Gray asked in a suspiciously calm tone.

"About 20 sir," Lucas responded puzzledly.

"Good. Now I give them 30 minutes to get out of my den. It's either that, or they're all dead."

Huh? He was going to fire them, just like that? My guess was their failure to keep watch over the entrance. How did she get in though? I thought you'd have to press some keys in before the automated gate opened.

"Right away sir."

In all that was happening, I kept my eyes down. I knew I shouldn't ask questions. Gray had made certain that I understood I was no more than a pampered prisoner.

"Let's go. And that lady is Sasha. Keep away from her." Gray's voice interrupted my train of thought.

"Yes sir."

Keep away from her? Did I have the freedom to move about so that I could easily find her if I wanted to?

---

The ballroom was massive! It had beautiful and sophisticated historical decorations. I was totally blown away. I'd never seen such an amazing sight in my entire life. Up until now. Maybe Gray was a horrible man but, I was certainly gaining new experiences with him. Something Leo had never done for me. Leo. Nope nope, I wasn't going to subject myself to bad luck thoughts.

"Stand here "

Gray commanded as he left to do things men like him do. And I had absolutely no idea what. I started to notice that some people were throwing glances at me. Was I looking underdressed? Or overdressed? I was still rambling on with my thoughts when a middle-aged lady walked up to me. She looked so elegant in her black laced gown and curled-up hair.

"Pardon me dear, but you look ravishing. Are you here alone?"

I wanted to confirm that she was talking to me even though she was standing right in front of me. I pointed to myself.

"Of course, dear." I noticed her slight irritation but I knew it wouldn't put her off so much. Apparently, she was very much interested in my looks.

"I ..um...I..." I kept trying to find the right words to say when a tall, dark, handsome man came and stood beside the woman. He had a mask on. Was this a masquerade ball?

"Oh, mother. Yet another lovely lady you're smothering with your admiration."

He said, ever so gently. His voice sounded deep and warm at the same time but it could never compare to Gray's. Where was Gray?

"Pardon my mother. She's always enthralled by beautiful faces. You seem to have a really gorgeous one at that."

"Is...is this a masquerade ball?" Was all I responded to this guy's apparent flirt. What was I supposed to do? I was new to this. I didn't how to act among the rich and powerful. Besides, I didn't do too well with flirtatious acts.

"Brushing it off I see. Well, if I must respond to your question, it isn't. I just like to bring on an air of mystery." He said, flashing a rather dashing, curvy smile. Wow. This was practically a haven for cute men. Where was Gray? If he didn't come immediately, I'd find myself blushing at this man's demeanor.

Speak of the devil. He snuck up behind me in ways I couldn't detect.

"Get lost, Jean." Gray placed an arm around my shoulder while he was unfriendly and dismissive toward the innocent guy.

"Whoah, whoah. Easy, Lane. I was only being courteous to your guest here." Jean said.

"Lane. It's been a while. How's your side pulling up?"

The old woman spoke. I could sense the developing tension in the air. What was going on?? Wait, his guest? Did they know I was coming? Did they know about me?

"No event that concerns you, Mrs Dre."

Gray snapped and turned around, pulling me along with him. I just had a nervous smile on my face. He took me into an elevator and pressed the buttons for the topmost floor. I swallowed. Was the new plan to dress me up nicely and have me pushed off the top of a building? We were silent throughout the ride. The elevator dinged and the doors opened, Gray pushed me out. I nearly crashed face-flat on the ground but I only staggered forward. Okay, I really had to beg my way out of this one.

"I didn't, I didn't say anything to anyone. They came up to me. They came and started talking to me. I swear I didn't want to indulge them."

I was already pleading for my life.

"You just love this trope of being the pity party huh? You really want to lose your life, don't you? This is a coronation party. A new person is taking over a particular sect. In fact, that was the very same person you were batting your lashes at."

He explained. Batting my lashes.

"I didn't bat my lashes at anyone." Oh stupid me! Like that was the important thing! Gray's irritation was further reflected. "Jean Dre is an ex-member of my group and the new Boss of another group. I'm here to congratulate him, but it doesn't mean I like him."

"Oh.." said I. The whole realization started to hit. Of course, he had to give full information about his attendance and who he'd be coming with.

"But, you're a Boss right?"

He nodded.

"Then why did you need to give information about me?"

A flash of impressiveness ran across his face.

"I admit that sometimes, you seem smart. I'm not the overall Boss of New York even though I'm the second ranked. I give respect to whom it is due. Besides, following orders is a highly respected and followed principle of mine. Hence, it irks my soul to death when my orders aren't followed."

"So you killed Gertrude."

"Get over it. Did you like her?"

"She bore the same name with my late mum."

"Ah, I see. We haven't deserted the sob stories."

"The sob story is my life so far, you know."

"Well.." he fell silent then spoke again. "Do you like wine?"

I chuckled a little at the question. For some strange reason, I found myself loosening up around him. That was weird. I couldn't just let myself be free around him. Someone whose mood could go from 20 to 0 in a matter of minutes. I had to tread carefully.

"I...dunno, I've never had any."

"I suggest you try some. Hey, bring up some of that good wine I talked about."

He finished speaking through his earpiece and I was just in awe.

"Get ready to unwind."

Huh?? Was this Gray? Mean ol' Gray??

Soon after, the elevator doors opened and a smart-looking guy stepped out with an expensive-looking wine bottle and a tumbler. Just one?

"Thank you. Now get out." The guy humbly bowed and disappeared within seconds. Gray was still Gray. Perhaps, tomorrow he'd explain to me the grand reason he's being nice today.

"Well, there's only one glass. We're on a rooftop, the winds are dancing all around us and the world is ours."

True. Indeed it was a beautiful sight. Being way up high, exposed me to a beautiful world. Neon signs lit up, streetlights, lovers kissing somewhere, busy streets even so late at night. It was a brand new world. And there was Gray, looking so gorgeous. The view of him made me forget all about Leo. Leo. Suddenly, my smile turned into a frown. And Gray noticed.

"What is it?" He asked.

I didn't want to say but, for the sake of the moment, I confessed.

"I keep thinking of my boyfriend."

I didn't know Gray had taken subtle steps toward me. I didn't even notice he was standing right beside me. The winds played with my hair blowing it all around my face. I kept fighting to keep some of it behind my ears.

"Your boyfriend.." Gray said before he pulled me close to him. I gasped as his hands gripped my waist firmly, yet softly. My eyes spelled out surprise. I saw confusion in his eyes and I could feel his breath on me. In a matter of seconds, his lips fell on mine and the whole world became silent.