Hotter than Hell

HTH 8

I stood before the floor-to-ceiling mirror in Khloe's opulent dressing room, the soft light illuminating the sleek, obsidian dress that clung to my curves like a second skin.

It was a far cry from my usual power suits, a deliberate shedding of my corporate armor for something altogether more alluring.

Khloe, perched on a velvet chaise lounge, surveyed me with a critical eye, a playful smirk dancing on my lips.

"Darling, you look like sin wrapped in silk. Andres Grant won't know what hit him."

I offered a tight, humorless smile. "That's the point, isn't it?"

Until now, hindi pa rin ako sanay na sabihin ang mga bagay na yon. It tastes bitter in my mouth every time that I say that.

But I need it. Kailangan kong gawin ito para kay Tyra. Hindi ako papayag na mawalang-bisa ang lahat mg nangyari. This wasn't about desire; it was about justice, however twisted the path might be.

Even Khloe na hindi gaanong agree sa mga plano ko. Pero she's the one who will make my plan better than I thought.

Her extensive social network and impeccable connections provided the perfect camouflage for me to enter Andres’s orbit without raising suspicion.

The charity gala, a glittering affair frequented by the city’s elite, was their chosen stage. Andres was a known attendee, a pillar of the business community, and Khloe had secured them prime placement near his usual circle.

“Remember the strategy,” Khloe reminded me, her tone turning serious.

“Subtle at first. A fleeting glance, a carefully placed ‘accidental’ brush. Let him notice you, pique his interest. Don’t come on too strong.”I nodded, hindi ko alam kung magiging matagumpay ba ang pagsasagawa ko ng plano.

He knows who I am. And I'm so nervous if he will catch me.

Pero dahil sa kagustuhan kong malaman ang katotohanan sa pagkamatay ni Tyra. I will do anything for that.

The charity gala buzzed with the murmur of conversations and the clinking of champagne glasses. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the elegantly dressed guests.

Khloe, a natural social butterfly, effortlessly navigated the crowd, introducing me to various acquaintances, each interaction a calculated step closer to their target.

Then, across the room, I saw him. Andres Grant. He was taller than I had imagined, with a brooding intensity in his dark eyes. He was engaged in conversation with a group of men, his expression serious, a hint of arrogance in the set of his jaw.

A wave of cold fury washed over me, the carefully constructed facade of allure momentarily cracking. This was him. The man who might have taken Tyra’s life.

Hindi pa man ako nakakaalis nang may dumating. It's Kimberly Morgan.

"Hey, Dom!" bati niya. Napangiti naman ako ng wala sa oras. Hindi ko inaasahan na pupunta rin si Kim dito. Nawala sa isip ko na isa pala siyang businesswoman. A successful businesswoman!

Nagkatinginan kami ni Khloe na ngayon seryosong nakatingin kay Kim. "You didn't mention that you will come here." Tiningnan siya ni Kim.

"I'm busy, Sis. I'm stressed about Kourtney so I didn't get the chance to talk about it." Khloe just shrugged as she replied. "By the way, you are stunning, Dom!" Ngumiti naman ako at nag-thank you sa kaniya.

Nagpaalam siya dahil hinihintay na raw siya ng mga amiga niya.

Khloe gently nudged me. “Remember, play the part.” Matapos niyang sabihin iyon ay itinuro na niya si Andres.

Huminga ako ng malalim, bahagya akong ngumiti sa mga lalaki na kausap ni Andres. The introduction was seamless. Kim’s charm is disarming.

“Dominique,” he said. Malamig ang boses nitong nakatingin sa akin.

“It’s a pleasure to see you here. Ms. Kimberly Morgan has told me so much about your… impressive work in Legacy.” I stunned. Hindi ko akalain na magkakilala sila ni Kim. Napatingin ako kay Khloe na nagulat rin sa sinabi ni Andres.

I met his eyes, I am carefully neutral. “The pleasure is mine, Mr. Grant. Though I’m still finding my footing.” I subtly emphasized the “still,” hinting at a vulnerability that I didn’t feel but knew might appeal to him.

Sa unang pagkakataong magkausap kami ng masinsinan, puro papuri lang ang narinig ko mula sa kaniya. Kaya naman ganon rin ang ginawa ko para mas lalo pa siyang mapalapit sa akin.

Hindi ko inalis ang mata ko, habang malagkit na tinitignan siya. Pero masyado siyang mapaglaro! Ni hindi man lang siya tinatalaban ng mga tingin ko.

Habang lumalalim ang gabi, nakita kong inaya siya ng mga kasama niya na pumunta sa dance floor pero hindi siya sumama . Nanatili siyang nakaupo sa kung saan siya naroon.

He looks so drunk. Then, I saw her. A woman striking blonde hair and possessive hand resting on Andres's arm.

Who is that b***h?!

Mabilis na nag-init ang ulo lalo nang makitang nakalingkis siya kay Andres! Hindi makaligtas sa matatalim na tingin ko ang babae. Maya-maya pa ay lumapit sa akin si Koko.

"Looks like someone's got a little competition brewing, Dom," Khloe whispered, a playful smirk dancing on her lips as I gaze lingered on Andres and the blonde.

Wait, Why Am I feeling these feelings? Am I jealous? No! It is not!

It wasn't jealousy. But a surge of irritation at this obstacle in my path. This woman was another layer of complication, another hurdle I would have to overcome.

Maya-maya pa ay lumapit sa amin sila Andres. Andres introduces a woman as Isabelle. Napataas naman ang kilay ko nang makita ng malapitan ang babae.

"You're so stunning!" She gives an appraising look and I smile quietly.

Masyadong bumigat ang tensyon sa pagitan namin. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi mainis. Bakit kailangan pa niyang ipakilala ang babaeng ito sa amin? What the hell is on his mind?

I maintained a polite facade, but beneath the surface, I resolved hard. This just made me more determined. I wouldn't let this woman stand in my way.

Later in the evening, as the music softener. Andres sought me out. “Would you care to dance?” he asked, his eyes holding a newfound interest.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla niya akong inaya. Pero dahil sa ayoko siyang mapahiya. ngumiti ako at sumama sa kaniya.

Ano bang pakulo mo, Andres Grant?

Kung gusto mo ng laro, pagbibigyan kita. Habang nasa gitna kami. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi mailang dahil sa mga titig niya. Lalo na nang idikit niya ang katawan ko sa katawan niya kasunod noon ang pagbulong niya sa tainga ko.

"How's the evening? Have you enjoyed the party?"

I just gave him a polite smile but I didn't look back at him.

"You look pissed off, are you okay?"

Gusto mo ng laro? Then, Here I come!

Huminga ako ng malalim at tumingin sa kaniya at saktong nakatingin siya sa akin. Halos magkadikit na ang mukha namin pero wala ana kong pakialam.

Amoy ko ang pabango niya sobrang nakaka-attract kaya hindi ko maiwasang hindi mapatingin sa mukha niya Especially, to his kissable lips, a pointed nose and his attractive eyes.

Kahit na sobrang nakakatunaw ang titig niya, hindi ako nagpatalo. I gave him a seductive look.

"You look so satisfied, Mr. Grant," sabi ko at halos idikit na ang labi ko sa labi niya. Bagay na nagpa-atras sa kaniya ng kaunti at humiwalay ng tingin.

Nakita ko ang sunod sunod na paglunok niya. Bagay na ikinatuwa ko. "Let's sit?"

Napangiti naman ako bago kami dumiretso kung saan ako nakaupo. Koko's staring at me like something is fishy. I gave her a palm face. She just shakes her head before she drinks the wine.

I'm not done yet, Andres Grant. I will make sure that you will fall in love with me.