How To Win His Heart

The launch party

Allison’s POV

“Thirty minutes until the party starts. How do you feel? Excited, right?” I said with pure excitement as I watched the security footage. Guests were entering the main hall, Ryan was also interviewing other Ceos I invited.

“Nervous,” Jordan mumbled as he paced around the room.

I looked at him as he walked back and forth; I pretended not to hear him, then focused back on the computer screen.

He loosened his tie and took off his jacket and placed it on the couch. “I’m nervous.” He repeated, but louder this time, and I still ignored him.

My lips quivered in a smile when I saw the person I was expecting. Isaac was here.

And he looked hotter than when I last met him.

My smile faded when I saw Scott walking behind him. “Great! That’s what I needed.” I groaned and rested my face on my hand.

When Jordan came close to me, Scott moved away from the camera’s frame. I decided not to tell him, as he was already nervous.

He leaned towards the screen and squinted his eyes. “So, that’s the famous Isaac,” he said after he found him.

“Yeah,” I muttered with my gaze on Isaac, who was being interviewed by Ryan now.

“You’re drooling by the way.” He chuckled and went to lie down on the couch.

I blinked at him, then got up, walking to the couch. I put my hands on my waist and shouted at him, “get off the damn couch, we are going down.” His eyes widened with fear, and he pretended to faint.

He was being dramatic.

“Fine, you want it the hard way.” I yanked him by his arm and pulled him up to face me. I fixed his tie and slammed his suit jacket on his chest.

He sighed and wore his jacket. Then he went to the door and opened it for me. “There’s no point, let’s just go to the party and embarrass me in front of everyone down there.”

He was trying to make me feel guilty; I smiled at him and patted his right cheek. “Good try,”

I got out of the room, ignoring whatever he said, and headed to the elevator. I pressed the button and Jordan came by my side after he locked my office. We got in the elevator and waited as we passed each floor.

I fixed my lipstick and looked at my reflection in the pocket mirror. “Woman, you are making me nervous. This is the fifth time you fix your makeup.” He massaged his jaw and breathed in.

I closed the pocket mirror and glanced at him. His green eyes full of worries met mine. “Just be yourself. It’s like you never left the industry, alright?” I nudged his shoulder playfully, and he nodded.

The elevator door opened, showing the busy hall. “It’s showtime.” I put on a smile as we got out of the elevator.

“Can I hold your hand? It will help a little.” His eyes glistened with hope.

“You reminded me of when we were in school and you had to sing or you will fail theatre class, but fine there.” I stretched my hand towards him and he put his hand over mine, not breaking eye contact with me.

“Thank you,” he said as he tightened his grip around my hand.

“So, are you ready?” He nodded and led the way, pulling me behind him.

Cameras focused on us as we entered the main hall. It was decorated perfectly, Clara outdid herself with the designs.

The stage was set up at the end of the room and on the right, there was an open buffet. Since it was last minute, we were short of servers. So, she set up a self-serve bar on the left.

“The stars of the night are finally here. Everyone, welcome Allison Miller and Jordan Solano.” Ryan said in the mic and everyone in the room clapped.

We marched towards the stage under the gazes of the guests. Jordan got up on the stage, then helped me. Ryan handed us mics, I looked at Jordan and smiled.

I watched him as he gulped down his saliva and put on a smile on his lips. “Welcome everyone. I’m glad that you all came tonight to witness this great collaboration,”

He turned his head in my direction and continued, “I wanted to thank Allison for pressuring me to get out of my lazy routine and go back to work. She can be a little annoying sometimes, but I love her. She’s the sister I never had.” His eyes met mine, and I gave him a side hug while he chuckled.

I was glad that our friendship wasn’t as ruined as I thought. It just needed little stitches and we could be back better than before.

The crowd looked at him in awe and clapped.

My eyes searched the crowd and noticed Isaac in the room’s corner with Scott, arguing over something.

I pulled back and held Jordan’s hand. “Thanks for the sweet talk, Jordan. This modeling agency meant a lot to my father, and when he shut it, he lost a part of his devotion. The first person who crossed my mind was Jordan,”

I continued while not breaking eye contact with Jordan. “I would be a liar if I said we were on good terms. Unfortunately, we’ve lost contact in the past couple of years. But when I discussed the partnership with him, he was very welcoming to the idea.”

Clara was next to the bar, talking to the server. Later a girl came handing me a glass of champagne.

I lifted it in the air with a tight smile on my lips. “So, cheers for fresh starts.”

People cheered and clapped. The Flash of the camera went off, capturing every moment, nearly blinding me.

Jordan leaned on me and whispered, “girl, you are doing some charms. Isaac didn’t lift his eyes off you.” I nudged him in his chest and he grunted.

“I forgot you were aggressive,” he said as he patted the spot where I nudged him.

“Could you two pose for a picture, please?” Paparazzi said. The both of us nodded and stood next to each other.

He slid his hand around my waist and both of us smiled at the camera. After a couple more photos, we were done. He took his hand off my waist and walked down the stage; I followed him and he helped me get off the stage.

My 7-inch heels weren’t helping me walk freely.

“Is he still here?” He asked, talking about Scott. It wasn’t a surprise that he saw him among the guests.

I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know, I saw him arguing with Isaac,”

I put my hand on his arm. He lifted his black eyes, looking into mine. “Hey don’t get nervous. He’s waiting for you to break down at any moment, don’t give him that.”

I slid my arm over Jordan’s shoulder and turned him around. “Anyway,” he looked at me curiously.

“Extra interviews are waiting for you.” He tensed up and his eyes widened.

“But Alli..”

He stammered. “… You told me it was only one.” He whined. I gave him a little push towards the waiting interviewers.

“Allison,” he hissed, and I chuckled.

“Have fun.” I waved at him with a tight-lipped smile.

He narrowed his eyes at me, then turned his head and walked to the interviewers with a smile on his lips.

My work here was done.

“Keep an eye on him,” I said as I felt Clara’s presence.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

I left to look for Isaac; the last time I saw him, he was by the minibar. I just hope Scott wasn’t with him. People greeted and congratulated me as I passed by them.

I felt someone tapping my bare shoulder; I turned my head to look at that person, his silver gaze meeting mine, and I couldn’t help but just get lost in them.

“Nice speech,” Isaac said with his raspy and calm voice.

“Oh, and you look magnificent.” He smiled.

“Thank you, handsome.” I smiled back at him.

“So, how do you like the party so far?” I asked.

He pressed his lips together. “It’s great. You did a good job.”

Then He leaned close to me, his cologne replacing the fresh air around me, filling me with his intoxicating smell instead. “I still want to take you out for coffee or… maybe dinner.” He whispered in my ears, then backed away with a genuine smile on his lips.

How do I breathe?

I blushed, and he chuckled. “Well, Mr. Winston. I will try to free my schedule.”

He pursed his lips as he was thinking, then spoke, “sounds good for me.”

We had brief eye contact, my breathing was becoming slower every time his eyes met mine. I averted his gaze and looked around, noticing a group of women pointing at us.

“Guess you have a couple of fans over there.” I motioned with my head to them.

His eyes traveled to the women, and he waved at them, making them giggle.

I didn’t know why I had that feeling of jealousy grow inside of me. Why was I jealous anyway? It wasn’t like we were a couple.

Not a couple yet. It was official; I was trying my luck with dating again.

“Well, what can I say? I’m charming.” His grey eyes focused back on me.

Then the women came up to him with cheeky smiles on their lips. “Can we take a photo with you? We are huge fans,” one of them spoke.

“Sorry ladies, I can’t leave my date standing alone.” He smiled at them.

His date?! I squealed mentally.

I felt them glaring at me, but not really visible to Isaac. Men would never understand that kind of staring.

“No, it’s okay you could take pictures with them.” I smiled at them and he looked at me, asking if it was okay. I nodded my head.

One of them handed me her phone, and I took five photos, then they asked me to take a picture with me. It surprised me, but I agreed and Isaac took the phone from my hand.

After we were done, Isaac handed the phone back.

“Thanks a lot for inviting us, it was our pleasure to meet you,” the one who gave her phone earlier said and then they all left.

“You invited them by yourself?” Isaac asked.

“Consider it as a giveaway, I do it monthly,” I clarified.

“You didn’t say anything about being my date.” He smirked.

He was serious?

“I... I don’t mind,” I stammered, feeling the heat rising to my cheeks.

Slow music started, and I looked over at the DJ, who had strict orders not to play slow dancing music. I noticed Jordan standing by the DJ; he had an evil smile.

My mood changed a bit as tonight reminded me of my father. A random wave of sadness washed over the ounce of joy I just had a few minutes ago.

Alcohol, I wanted nothing but to drink.

I felt my phone buzz, so I opened it and saw a message from Jordan asking what’s wrong.

I typed nothing and shut off my phone.

I was looking at every couple who noticed the music and gathered in the middle of the room, dancing.

Isaac remarked, “you really look like you want to join them.” I kept looking at the people, not daring to look at Isaac, afraid he would see my obvious sadness.

“Dad used to dance with me at every launch party he made,”

I smiled at the memory of him and me, dancing around all night. “It was his way to repay me for the father and daughter dances he missed.”

“He seemed like a good father.”

“Yeah, he was the best,” I mumbled, wiping the tears that betrayed me.

I felt his gaze on me, then I looked at him. I noticed his hand in front of me. My eyes darted between him and his hand.

“I’d love to dance.” I took it happily, and he smiled, then he led us to the middle of the room.

He put his hand above my waist, his warm hand making my skin tingle. I put my hands on his broad shoulder, feeling his muscles under the layers of clothing.

“Thanks for dancing with me.” I smiled.

“I know it’s nothing like dancing with your father, but I’m glad to see that smile on your face.”

He spun me around and I chuckled, falling back into his embrace. His gaze found mine, and I smiled cheekily. Our faces were close, and if I just leaned, I would touch those kissable lips.

Not again. My inner voice chimed in.

Unfortunately, he pulled away, keeping a good distance away from me.

“So, what is the thing that the world doesn’t know about you?” I asked, trying to hold a conversation with him.

His hand traveled up to my mid-back as our bodies moved with the slow music.

He pretended to think about it as he answered without hesitation, “that I have sisters.”

I raised my eyebrow, and he chuckled. “Everyone knows you have four sisters,” I said in a duh tone.

“Nope, I have seven.” He corrected me.

“Seven?!” I exclaimed with wide-opened eyes.

“The funny thing is I was always surrounded by females my entire life, didn’t even get into a relationship, and yet I was known as the heartbreaker.” His grey orbs met mine.

I remembered reading something like this a year ago in a magazine. Isaac Winston, one of the world’s most wanted bachelors, but he was in a devoted relationship with his work.

Sounds familiar?

He shook his head, lowering his gaze. “I’m sorry about that, it’s totally ruining the night.” He pursed his lips.

“It’s fine, they sometimes forget we are humans and have feelings too.” I glanced at him.

His grey eyes met mine again, and we stayed like this for a few seconds, enjoying the music.

“So, tell me about your sisters,” I asked and his lips quivered into a smile.

“Well, the youngest is Scarlett, she’s seven, a very smart kid for her age, you will lose every conversation you hold with her.” He chuckled, then continued, “then my twin sisters, who are making my life a living hell,”

I chuckled at his words, knowing how twins were. I once stayed with my cousins who were twins, they kept me out of everything; I felt like a stranger with these two.

And when trouble happens, it was always them, but magically stuck to me.

“They are huge fans of yours and wanted to come tonight. My guess is they are very mad at home, probably planning to get me back.” He let out a nervous chuckle as we danced.

“Bring them anytime, I often do tours and I would be glad to see my fans happy.”

“No, you don’t have to. The two of them together are d-”

I beat him before he could finish his sentence, “double trouble, I’ve been there before,”

He licked his lips and plastered a smile on. “Living with them must be fun,” I said, smiling back.

He rolled his eyes, and I chuckled at him. “They are very wild, troublesome, but they are my world,” he muttered, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“You are so sweet, and I’m expecting them this weekend,” I said. He parted his lips apart, ready to protest, but I shushed him, “I’ll wait for them this weekend.”

“Ouch princess, what about me?” He asked playfully, and I rolled my eyes, hearing him chuckle.

He pursed his lips and nodded. “Alright, don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.”

The song ended, and we went back to the minibar. He got a lemonade, and I got red wine, my gaze was focused on the glass, not wanting to drink from it. I glanced over at the guests and saw Jordan talking to Clara.

“At first, I thought you two were siblings,” I turned my head over to Isaac.

“You two look so much alike.” He continued.

I looked back at Jordan and noticed how similar we were except for the eye color. “We got that a lot back in school.”

“So, how did you guys meet?” He leaned over, showing interest to know.

I turned around and placed my glass of wine on the counter, then turned to look at Isaac.

“His mother worked in my mother’s atelier when we were in middle school. Mom always talked about that young boy and how he was self-mannered,” that woman never gave up on me.

“I finally met the famous Jordan in detention.” I chuckled, then continued, “the history teacher hated us, so he threw us in detention for like a month. Jordan and I planned our revenge, and we got closer.”

A smile plastered on my lips. “He was my first male best friend, and he’s that one person you can depend on.”

The funny thing, I always had a crush on Jordan since day one, but I preferred our friendship over some stupid feelings.

Jordan and I practically grew up together. Both of us were attracted to art. I was a designer like my mother and fell in love with business because of my father. Despite him being an interior architect, I didn't like it very much.

For Jordan, his passion was like mine with a few adjustments. In high school, he modeled for some company. It didn’t last long, though.

My father really loved him, he didn’t want him to end up somewhere bad, so he wrote some money in his will for him.

And this was how Jordan built his agency.

“Interesting friendship.” He lifted his head and his reaction morphed from chill to deadpan.

“Excuse me for a second.” He fixed his tie and got up, abandoning me at the minibar.

I turned my head and was met by Scott’s angry face.

I forgot he was here.

Isaac slid his arm around Scott’s shoulder and turned him around, leading him out of the company.

Why were they arguing? This would remain a question to me.

Damn you, Scott. You ruined my night.