Love But Hate!

Chapter 6

"What is this?” I look at my brother and he didn't say anything, probably asking me to check it on my own.

I look at the envelope on my table with my name is written in front of it. I picked up and open it.

Invitation card?

I open the invitation card and now - this really surprise me. Why he invites me when his close friend is my brother?

                                                                    Ms Samantha Knight,

                                    You're invited to Haford Enterprise & Holdings's gala night.

                                                                           Place: H Hotel

                                                                             Time: 7p.m

                                                                   From:

Blade James Haford

                                                            CEO of Haford Enterprise & Holdings

“Why did he invite me when you are obviously going to go since you are his bestfriend thus making you a representative of Knight Enterprise?” I asked my brother.

He chuckles making me stare at him. This is not funny, right?

“I am not going to be here on that day. I am going to France for the new project.”

I facepalm myself – yes, I did and in front of my brother.

“You could just show up for one or two hours and you are back at home sleeping.” He said.

Oh brother, it is not that easy. I am dealing with a man that I used to like, and I wish it will be that easy.

And because of that, here I am - alone. I don't know anybody, and I know my friend will be here soon because they are invited to but I am alone.

I decide to sit at the bar and sip the delicious martini. At least I could look at the handsome bartender. He has that skilled and face. I wonder if he is a playboy or not.

“Are you okay?” I turn around and Blade is looking at me. He looks concern though.

“Yeah, I am.” I said avoiding his intense gaze.

“Look - I just want to apologize for my past. I know I shouldn't call you names or insult you.”

I look at him - trying to hide my gasped. I can't describe how much he shocked me with the confession, “It is okay. It is in the past and I want to forget about it.” I sip on the martini to throw my nervous away.

Blade sigh and took a seat beside me. He is staring at me and I can feel it, “Do you hate me?" He asked the question too sudden.

I shook my head. I don't know I hate him or not but still I don't like him. I don't want to get close with him. I think.

“You look like you hate me.” I raised my eyebrow for his statement. “Because you couldn't look at me in the eye.”

“Um – it is not because I hate you. It just weird because you couldn't stand me for one second before but now, you are talking to me like we are close friend. It is kind of weird.”

He chuckle, and he is about to say something when Yvonne show up. I smile at her and all she did is glare at me - probably thinking I do have a relationship with Blade.

“I miss you honey.” She said while kissing Blade on the lips.

I feel something wrong in my stomach and somehow it hurts me, “I leave you both alone. I am going to the ladies.” I said to them - obviously I am feeling so awkward watching them kissing in front of me.

I look for the toilet and I saw my friends arrive with their partner. I want to talk to them, but I can't wait anymore to go to toilet.

I reach the toilet and start doing my business. When I was washing my hands and start to apply more lipstick, Yvonne enter the toilet. I didn't say anything because I do smile at her just now but all she do is glare.

I walk out from the toilet and someone grab my hand. I turn around and saw Yvonne holding my hands - my skin is in pain because of her fingers. I pulled my hand fast and I rub my skin. It is burning as hell.

“What do you want?” I asked her, irritate.

“I ask you to stay away from him.” She hissed, angrily.

I smirk, “He is my brother's best friend, of course he is going to talk to me. It is not like we are kissing.”

“Just stay away - with you in front of him, I can't get him.”

“Then you should stay away. Find someone else.” I said to her. I turn around and walk away from her.

Tonight is crazy, I saw my friends are talking together and they seem to look around which I'm sure looking for me.

“Hey ladies.” I said to them giving them a kiss on the cheek.

“Where have you been? We have been looking for you.” Laura said.

“I am from the toilet. Don't be dramatic, it is not like someone going to kidnapped me.” I said to them, laughing.

“Well, we thought Blade kidnapped you and you are in a room with him - alone doing something naughty.” Deborah said.

I scrunched my face, “It is so disgusting.” I said to her.

All of them laugh and we start talking about something else. I want to tell them my encounter with Yvonne but with all the music and talking - I should do it later.

The music suddenly stops and a man in a grey suit walk into the stage with a mic on his hand.

“Hello everyone. Thank you for the attention. We are here to celebrate Haford Enterprise & Holding for being strong for almost 50 years. Let's invite our CEO, Mr Blade Haford.”

All the guest clapped and there he is in all black suit with his tousle hair. He looks hot. He is - I agree.

“Thank you everyone for coming. I would like to take this opportunity to thanks all the directors and our partner for trusting in Haford Enterprise & Holding. I hope you keep trusting and let us strive for a better company. Thank you and enjoy your day.”

The music starts again but a slow one. For the couple to sway and talk - to feel their love floating in the air.

My friends are already in the centre of the ballroom and they are dancing happily with their partner. Suddenly, Blade show up in front of me - he even holding out his hand.

“Will you give me the honour to dance with me?” He asked me.

If I could tell you something, his face is worried that I might reject him, and he look cute like that. I like it.

“Sure.” I take his hand and walk to the centre. I place my right hand on his shoulder while his left hand is at my lower back. Our other hands are holding. I like it - his hand is so warm so did his body.

“Five years back, you wouldn't dance with me.” I said to him.

“Ah, you never know how much I want to dance with you.” He said, smirking.

I laugh and shook my head slowly - indicating that I don't believe him.

“It is true.” He hissed.

“Fine, whatever.” I said to him. We dance together to the slow song.

It feels nice and warm. I feel like he is trying to protect me from the harm out there. I know he is a jerk and he suddenly change. I know he did but somehow, I think he really changed – it is not some act.

“If she come and meet you again - please tell me.”

Should I tell him?

“Samantha, why your wrist is red?” He touched the spot and I grimaced.

“Anything you want to tell me, baby girl?”

I avoid looking at him because of course I have something to tell him. But do I have to?

He then dragged me out from the dance floor to the side of the ballroom. My friends notice that, and I smile at them to assure them I am fine.

“She came and look for me when I went to the toilet just now. I guess she held my hand so tight –”

“She is trying to hurt you, Samantha. Why can't you see that? Did I tell you that if she saw you again - you should tell me?”

I nodded my head. Why is he scolding me? It is not my fault.

“Then?”

“Well, Mr Haford – I am about to tell you when you suddenly ask. So, it is not my fault.” I look at him. He sighed and rub his face few times, frustrated I bet.

“Let's go to the bar.” He said, I didn't say anything and follow him. He asked for some ice and a towel.

“What did she say to you?” He asked me, concern. He takes my hand again and look at my wrist.

“Um.. She said –” My explanation stop when the bartender gives him the towel with ice in it.

He placed the ice slowly on my wrist and I winced because of the cold and the pain. He looks at me and mumbled a sorry. He did it again very slow, afraid I will be in pain.

This is the person I used to like, the soft and caring Blade. The one who always look for me and concern about me. He always did but once he got the fame, he changed to someone I never know, and I wish I never knew him.

But now - he is back to that person to make my heart waver.

“Samantha?” I look at him and I just noticed, I stop talking suddenly.

“Ehem - sorry. I am just thinking about something.” I said to him - I think my face is already red.

“Watching your face blush suddenly, I guess you are thinking about me.” He smirks.

“What?! No. That is so absurd.” I said to him. He grinned at me.

“Anyway, she came and ask me to stay away from you. She said because of me she can't get you anymore.”

I heard him mumbled something like true. I raised my eyebrow and he just shook his head.

“I heard you say something just now.”

He shook his head, “Nothing important.”

I just nodded, shrugged the thoughts of its all true. That he broke up with her because of me. How did I think of that anyway? Of course, not you. He has lot more choice and you're just some ugly duckling in his world.

After the dance session, my friends walk to me and ask me what's wrong. Blade then make his way from us to leave us girls alone. He went to Zac and Chace talking about something.

“What happen to you?” Kelly asked.

“Yvonne kind of happen.” I said to them.

Deborah groan, “What did she do this time?”

I sighed and rub my hand slowly. The red marks already fade away, but I still feel the pain a bit.

“She came and meet me in front of the toilet - I guess she held my hand so hard that it left the red marks. She asked me to stay away from Blade.”

My friends sighed and take a look at my hand, “Are you okay now?”

I nodded, “Well, I saw you being so lovey-dovey with Blade.” Laura said, wiggling her eyebrow.

“I didn't.”

“Your face is already red, Sam.” Daniela said.

Stop blushing! It is nothing, Samantha.

“Whatever.” I said to them, trying to change the topic.

When they did, I sigh in relieved. Damn - having a group of friends who love to gossip sure it is tough as hell. I look at my watch and its already 10pm. I look around and some of them already start to go home.

“Ladies, I think I should go back now. I am too tired, and I need some rest after what just happen tonight.”

“But it is still early." Laura said, pouted.

“I am sorry, but I am really tired. You all should come to my house tomorrow. Let's have some sleepover. We haven't done that in years.”

All of them squeal and agree. I kissed them on their cheek and said my goodbye.

Since Blade is talking to Zac and Chace at the corner of the room, I make my way to them. After all, today is Blade's day.

I walk slowly with this flowy dress and five inch high-heels, it is not easy.

I can feel someone pushed me from my left side, “Ouch!” I lost balanced and fall. Who is that person? I look around and no one is here. I feel the pain in my left ankle, so I hold it tight.

“Samantha!” I heard someone scream my name, so I look at Blade walking so fast to me along with Zac and Chace.

“Samantha!” I heard my friend yell my name too, glad they found me.

Blade reach to me first so he crouched in front of me and take a look at my ankle since I have been holding it. Zac and Chace try to look around - they said they know who push me since they are facing at my direction when I walk to them.

“Are you okay?” Blade asked.

I shook my head and the tears I keep holding on finally fall.

“Samantha, oh my god! Are you okay?” All of them ask. I shook my head.

“Can I take the shoes out?” He asked me. I nodded while I wipe my tears away. He holds my injured leg, slowly.

“Let me help you.” Laura said. They both take the shoes out.

“Ouch!” I yelled, and more tears fall down.

“I am sorry baby. I am sorry.”

Blade look at my friends and his friends.

“Zac, Chace find the one who did this. Go to the security room and look through the cctv. Inform me later.”

“Samantha, your brother will kill us and we are not ready yet.” Zac said before he walk out from the ballroom with Chace.

“What a lame joke.” Laura said.

“Ladies, I am bringing Samantha to the hospital. I will let you all know later okay?” Blade said to my friends.

All of them nodded, “If you need us tonight, tell us.” Kelly said, I nodded to them.

“Okay.”

Blade then hold me in bridal style. My face is blushing, all red but I shook the thought away. He helped me because of my brother.

“I am sorry. I promise I will make the pain go away.”

I nodded and place my head near his neck.

Somehow, I feel safe in his arms.