THE MISTRESS

Five

▪︎ Devil In The Flesh ▪︎

"This one!"

A grin spreads across Alex's face, his eyes sparkling with delight. He stands beside my closet, showing me a bold red dress.

I let out a groan.

"Pass!"

"This dress always looks great on you! It never disappoints!"

"I've worn it a million times! I'm the one disappointing it..."

He flicks through the gowns in the hangers and picks out a black gown with a bare back.

"This one!"

"Too dark for such an event," I mutter. "I want something colourful."

He rolls his eyes.

"This is starting to get boring. You are the worst client..."

"You begged for the job."

He picks out a velvet green dress with a long slit cutting across the front. With a wide smile, he throws it at me.

"Get up and grab that gorgeous gown!" He demands. "You are not allowed to say No or Pass!"

I won't deny that the velvet green gown is gorgeous! But I'm still perched on top of my bed in my pyjamas, staring at Alex in wonder.

"How can you be so excited about this event?"

He narrows his eyes on me, staring at me quizzically.

"How can you not be excited about this event, dude? It's what we have been waiting for all this time and it's finally here!"

"Someone broke into your house, Alex! They stole your laptop along with all the crucial documents. That means someone out there knows our secret. Maybe it's someone at the event..."

I pause, fear clutching at my heart.

"Maybe it's Harvey Ford. Maybe he knows we are onto him. Maybe I'm walking right into his trap..."

Alex huffs and sits beside me on the bed. He cups my face in his hands, his dark eyes boring into mine.

"If this is a trap, we'll walk right into it together."

He smiles lightly.

"You have me. You'll be fine."

I really don't know what I would do without Alex. He has been by my side for years. We've gone through storms together. We've had the best and worst days of our lives together. There's nothing I wouldn't do for him and there's nothing he wouldn't do for me. I'd take a bullet for this cute 22-year old boy who is obsessed with stealing my hoodies.

He pokes his hands into my yellow hoodie and winks at me.

"Now get your sexy ass in that dress!"

When I crawl out of bed, he s****s my ass.

I glare at him and knock his head.

"I can't wait to kick your stinky ass out of my house!"

Alex has been staying at my house for three days now since the break-in at his place. I missed having him here making fun of me and laughing so loudly at every little thing I say. I missed watching him flip back his dark hair every time he speaks or laughs. I missed watching him sleep beside me like a newborn baby. I missed him stealing my hoodies and walking around like they are his. I missed him grumbling about my 'poor' taste in music.

I just missed him.

Letting him live here with me is risky. But someone broke into his house and letting him continue living there would be dangerous. I'd rather have him closer to me where he's safer...

I take off my pyjamas and wear the velvet green dress as he watches. His face breaks into a big smile, his eyes filled with a tender glow as he looks at me.

"Perfect!"

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Alex offers a hand the minute I step out of the black limousine.

He's my 'date' for the night. He's wearing a moustache and a pair of round glasses that make him look ridiculous. The baggy green suit makes him look way older than he is. I'm so used to him wearing hoodies and dark jeans not neat well-tailored suits.

He smiles at me and winks through the ridiculous glasses.

"My lady."

I really didn't want him to tug along at this event but he insisted. He said it would be easier for him to 'protect' me if anything happened. I still think it's too risky. Alex being here means I not only have to protect myself but I have to protect him as well. And that scares the s**t out of me!

The moon provides a natural disco ball of lighting.

I tuck my hand in his elbow as we walk through the gravel pathway. A group of elegant couples walk beside us, chattering and giggling.

The skyscraper is a glamorous glass-walled building with illuminating lights shining through the massive glass windows. I step past the revolving glass-doors, Alex lurking close behind me. We get to the reception area where we are immediately directed to the fifth floor of the building.

It's a luxurious and lavish event.

Guests are dressed in attires that scream class and wealth. I weave my way through crowds of champagne-baring waiters. I grab a glass of red wine as my eyes dart around the room.

The lights from the golden chandelier above glance off the surface of the glass of wine swirling in my hand. Tables are decorated with vases of fresh flowers on top and covered in delectable deserts.

A collection of violinists, harp players and pianists are placed at the far end of the hall. The slow moody music at the background allows the guests to carry conversations with ease.

At the far corner, a white cozy sofa faces a massive glass wall with a picturesque view of the city down below.

I drag Alex to the sofa and make him sit beside me.

"Harvey Ford is not here."

He squeezes my hand.

"Relax... He has to show up."

I glance sideways and grumble.

"Maybe this is not a good idea, Alex. This is dangerous... What if he knows its us?"

"What if he doesn't? What if everything goes according to plan?" He pecks my hand. "We have each other, dude. We will be fine."

A couple enters the room, holding hands and laughing.

Sabrina and Erik.

My heart does a little somersault at the sight of Erik looking dapper in a dashing dark-grey tuxedo and a slicked back dark hair. His gorgeous girlfriend is in a green gown with a bare back, her golden hair tumbling on her smooth back. A smooth back that Erik is holding as they strut around greeting guests.

"You know them?" Alex asks, his eyes glued on the dashing couple.

"Kids from school..."

"That you hate."

"No, I don't hate them." I scoff. "They are just not my cup of tea."

"The guy definitely looks like your cup of tea!"

"Back then when I was a teenager, yes. But now I'm a grown woman. My cup of tea is a grown man."

"He looks like a grown man to me..."

I roll my eyes, sipping on the red wine. My eyes are still glued on Erik. God! He's Hot! His sparkly sexy eyes. His bewitching dazzling smile. His flawless face with a perfect symmetry! Lord! Who gave him the guts to look that good! Especially that good in a suit?

Erik looks over his shoulder and his eyes meet mine. For a swift second, an intense electric wave surges through me. He glances away and turns to Sabrina. He leans closer and whispers something in her ear. She looks up at him and they share a laugh.

The sight is sickening to look at. I gulp the whole wine and dump the empty glass.

"Where are you going?" Alex asks as I leave.

"Washrooms."

I push the door open and storm in.

I stand beside a massive mirror, reapplying my red lipstick. I like the red shade looking a little darker and deeper.

The door suddenly swings open.

I don't have to turn around to see the invader. I can clearly see her through the mirror.

Sabrina Stunner.

She looks stunning in the green gown. It blends so well with her blonde hair and blue eyes. She looks like those barbie dolls I grew up envying. I wish her personality was just as pretty...

A wide grin tugs at her red lips.

"Green gown plus red lipstick. Looks like we have the same taste in just about everything..."

I scoff and respond with silence.

She shuts the door and continues.

"The same taste in the shade of lipstick. The same taste in fashion. Even interestingly, the same taste in men."

I shove back my lipstick in my purse and turn to stare at her.

"You followed me to the washrooms to talk about Erik?"

"I see the way you look at him." She says. "Please stop."

"Why should I do anything you ask of me after you slashed-"

"I didn't!" She stresses. "I swear to you that I had nothing to do with slashing the-"

"Liar!" I snap. "You're a f*****g liar! I know you did that to get back at me after I made out with your boyfriend!"

She grits her teeth, trying her best to swallow the anger.

I stretch my dress and pout my lips.

"This is such a perfect place to beat your little ass up for all the s**t you've done. But lucky for you, my make up is on point and my nails are done. I'm not in the mood to spoil them."

I sail past her, knocking her shoulder. I stand behind her.

"Oh, and about your boy," I pause. "Don't worry. He's really not my type. Guess we don't have the same taste in everything after all..."

I push the door open and start looking for Alex in the crowd. I spot him standing beside a massive glass-wall at the far end, talking on his phone.

"We have some unfinished business."

That deep voice is enough to make my stomach flutter. I feel like some stupid adolescent at the mercy of a boy with a beautiful face...

I turn around to look up at Erik. I have never considered myself short but I have to tilt my head to look up at his face.

Quirking an eyebrow, I clear my throat and ask,

"Unfinished business?"

"My denim jacket?"

I facepalm myself.

"Sorry. I keep forgetting... maybe you should come pick it up at my house?"

"When?"

"Whenever you wish."

"Tonight?"

"Sounds perfect to me."

Erik spins to leave when he suddenly turns around to face me. He moves closer towards me and bends, his eyes sinking into mine. He bites his lower lip and sighs.

"I would have let you keep the jacket, Ruby. Trust me. But it's a gift from someone special to me."

"You mean Sabrina?"

He swallows hard, a little startled that I know.

"I mean Sabrina."

Even though I knew it, his blunt admission stings a little. It feels like I'm getting rejected allover again. Just that this is the second time...

Erik goes back to Sabrina and takes her hand as they pick a table.

I glance away and notice that Alex is still on the phone. I wonder who the hell he's talking to...

"Give a round of applause for HARVEY FORD!!!!"

The abrupt announcement stops the slow music, catching everyone's attention.

A middle-aged man with a tonne of sleek silver hair stands at the top, smiling at the guests. Dressed in a perfect pink suit, he descends the stairs waving at everyone as they clap for him like some god.

With that dazzling warm smile, people would describe him as good-looking, charming, charismatic and even friendly. But I see right through those piercing blue eyes.

A devil in the flesh.

Harvey Ford.

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