31
"I'll stay clear" I laughed, placing the glass down on the table behind me. "Where have you been anyways? You left for a drink a while ago."
"Oh," she nervously put her glass down, glancing across the room and then back at me. "I was caught up in something and then you were..."
"Something?" I cut her off, arching my brow mischievously. "Was that something a man? I'd like to know."
"It was just sir," she said plainly shaking her head at the thought.
"Leo?" I queried.
"No," she countered immediately. "It was his younger brother, Sir Augustus."
"Let me guess. He was hitting on you?"
"Yeah," her dark brows rose. "How did you know?"
"Bullseye," I chucked. "I met him before the little dance shenanigan. He's quite a player, I must say."
"Yeah, he is," she frowned. "And he didn't even recognize me. I don't even know if he knows my name. I'm just another maid in this house."
"Do I sense a crush?" I teased. I couldn't blame her for having a crush on Augustus. He's a gorgeous man just like his brother. Broad chest, nice jawline, and everything.
"I can't have a crush," she shut me down, "I can't. Can we just drop this?" She said, clearly annoyed by my statement.
"We sure can," I smiled.
"So, did you and sir practice that dance or what? You guys looked professional."
"I must agree with this beautiful lady." Augustus sneaked up from behind Zaya, startling her a little. His smirk, revealing his perfect pearly whites, shined down at her. "Did I scare you, Ms. Can't-Tell-Me-Her-Name?"
"No," she said with the same confidence as Gus, "you didn't."
"You sure?" He wiped off a drop of the sweat that trickled down the side of her forehead. "This tells me otherwise," he smirked while flicking away the drop with his finger.
"It isn't because of your little scare, but because it's hot in here." She poked his chest, pushing his leaning body back.
"I know I'm hot, but I can't leave. My brother wouldn't be pleased if I left his party," he smirked down at her as her pupils dilated.
"Wow," I laughed, "you never quit, do you?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," he turned to me, sliding his hands into his pockets, "I forgot you were there for a second."
"Sure," I pursed my lips together into a thin line. "Well, excuse us. Zaya and I were just leaving."
"Zaya?" He questioned, cocking his brow upwards. "Like the one that works here?" Staring at her, a grin formed on his face. I looked at Zaya, who grew pale out of fear. I grabbed her right hand with my left one, giving it a soft squeeze.
"Is that a problem for you?"
"Oh, definitely not." He laughed, tilting his head back. "I, in fact, love it. It's good to see you out of those little black pencil skirts and the same old white blouse. You have warmed my eyes with this look."
Zaya's cheeks notably blushed up, reddening them like a tomato which reminded me of Aunt Wendy when Mike came to pick her up for their date. Zaya's nails dug into my palm unintentionally, sending a jolt of pain up my arm. I softly squeezed her arm, urging her to let go.
"Does my brother know?"
"I'm sure he's okay with it," I spat again.
"Are you sure?" He looked at me. "Because as far as I know him, I don't think he would be."
"How about I ask him when he gets back in this hall?" When he's done fucking that lady.
"You can ask him now. He's right there." Gus pointed at Leo who stood in a corner at the opposite end of the hall with a few men surrounding him. That was a real fast quickie or a real fast murder. I was reluctant to go to him. What if he's still mad? What if he hurts me for interrupting him? "Go on now." Gus lightly pushed me in Leo's direction.
"Don't touch me," I brushed his hand off. "I see where he is and I have legs to walk to him."
With heavy feet, I took small steps toward him. Leo noticed and smiled at me as I closed more distance between us. Slowly, he held out his hand for me to take.
"I'd like for you to meet a few people," Leo said as he spun me toward the men he was conversing with. "This is Sheikh Mohammed Rashid, a business mogul and a friend," he pointed at the tall brown man who had a dust of scruff covering his jaw.
"Hello!" The man spoke in a thick Arabian accent and shook my hand.
"Hello," I smiled.
"This is Mr. Karan Singh. A business partner and a friend as well," Leo faced me towards the middle guy who was just as tall as the first one with a clean shaven face and a black mask to match his dark eyes.
"Hello, beautiful," he took my hand and kissed the back of it. "That was quite something on the dance floor. You ruled it."
"Thank you," I laughed at his flirtation.
"Moving on," Leo pulled me towards the last man who had his back to us. "This is," he laid his hands on the man's shoulder, compressing them and turning him around, "my good friend and business partner."
My heart sunk deep into my chest when I saw the man's rugged face. I could never forget that dangerous scar. The air clogged in my lungs, constricting my chest, forbidding me to breathe. My heart pounded heavily against my ribs. I could feel the throb through each inch of my body. I shook my head trying to shake away the image of him, but it was still there smiling at me alongside Leo. Leo is friends with him?
"Astor Aguillard, my best mate."