Author's note: this is from Duke's point of view

- - -

​​

I thought that I might snap seeing those five guys ogling at Serina right in front of me.

To add to my anger, they were not the only ones.

Many guys and girls were looking at Serina; some with curiosity, some with jealousy, and quite a number of guys were unable to conceal their desire to get close to Serina.

I could hear them talking.

[It seems that the hottest guys gathered around Miss Mezzanotte. I wonder how Magda will take this?]

[Which one of them will win her over? … Does she need to pick? She can probably take them all at the same time, and they will not complain…]

[Miss Mezzanotte seems friendly, maybe we should introduce ourselves… Do that if you don't mind Johnathan ruining your company…]

[Drago seems close to Miss Mezzanotte. Do you think that the rumors are true? … What rumors? About him and Magda?]

Stupid and ignorant people. Serina will not pick anyone because she is mine already.

Part of me feared that she will accept Henry's invitation for a dance. I was already on the edge with her just talking with these guys, and if any of them got into a touching distance, I would blow a fuse.

I was delighted when Serina said that she wants to dance with me and that we will dance until I say we are done. Well, we will never be done.

The only thing that prevented me from relaxing and enjoying the moment was the knowledge that Magda is nearby, probably watching us. She is psychotic, vengeful, and easily provoked. I believe that Serina managed to push all Magda's buttons already and it was only a matter of time until Magda blows up.

Serina twirled and followed my guidance flawlessly. I never enjoyed dancing this much before. It was a mix of pleasure and torment because the perfect woman was in my arms, yet I wanted to get closer and to taste her, but I didn't want to do anything inappropriate for this setting.

We were on the second song when she said, "Just two weeks ago you asked me to teach you how to dance. And look at you now, moving like a professional."

I enjoyed Serina's praise.

Thank you, mom, for all the dance lessons you forced on me when I was a kid.

I knew that my little stunt will come to bite me one day, but I have no regrets. I lied that I don't know how to dance, and I succeeded in making Lazarus drink vinegar as he watched me and Serina on the dancefloor.

"What can I say, sweetheart, you are an amazing teacher."

Serina burst into giggles at my words. I love that I can make her laugh.

"What's the plan?", I asked Serina.

"Now, we dance. Even if the party ends with this, I will be content."

"Really? But you didn't do anything to Magda."

"Oh, she welcomed me at the entry…", Serina told me how Magda and Kim were there and how John, Henry, David, and Kyle completely ignored Magda. She ended with, "I thought that she will come to the bar and try to get your attention or make a scene to chase me away, but it seems that she disappeared."

I knew that it will not be that easy. Magda is impulsive, and there is a high probability someone held her back from exploding, which means that Magda had time to come up with a plan.

"Magda is not the one who gives up. Even if it's not for me, you insulted her, and she will not let it pass."

Serina looked at me thoughtfully. "You think she is plotting something?"

"If my guess is right, she didn't approach the bar because of her brother. Other than their father, John also controls the money flow in the Thompson family while Magda only spends how much they give her. John is trying to get close to you, and if Magda acts rashly, he would give her a hard time. But she definitely didn't give up. Watch your back, Serina."

She smiled dreamily. "I have you to watch my back, so I can focus on watching yours."

A tornado of emotions swelled inside me. Serina will watch my back. Isn't she adorable?

I pulled her closer. "At what point is OK for us to reveal our relationship?"

Serina cocked her eyebrow at me. "Impatient?"

"You have no idea how much I want to kiss you and I don't give a damn about who is watching."

Serina's lips stretched into a smile, and she licked her lips slowly. Temptress!

A clamor of 'ahs' and 'ohs' overpowered the music and got my attention in time to hear people talking.

[How sweet!]

[I wish that my father does this for me…]

[Magda is a lucky girl]

"It seems that Magda decided to show up…", I gave Serina a heads up and I saw her looking over my shoulder with a small frown on her beautiful face.

I whipped my head that way only to see the crowd parting to make way for a humongous bouquet of red roses.

For some reason, the flowers were coming our way and I wondered where Magda is.

There!

Magda was standing next to the second entrance to the lounge and looking at the flowers with an unreadable expression on her face.

I assumed that the delivery guy missed his mark, and he will correct his course and give those flowers to the birthday girl (aka Magda). Any minute now, any minute.

The flowers completely obstructed the face of the person who stopped two steps away from me and Serina. I glanced at her to see if this was part of her plan, but Serina shrugged and shook her head, indicating that she has no idea what's going on.

Is this Magda's plot to embarrass Serina? Not on my watch!

I pulled Serina to stand behind me and I was about to ask what's the meaning of this when I heard flowers talking in a deep male voice.

"Miss Mezzanotte, these are for you. I hope you will accept this small token of my admiration."

That didn't sound like something a delivery guy would say.

In a flash, Johnathan was on my left.

"Father, what are you doing here?"

My mind paused.

Is the man behind flowers Richard Thompson, the CEO of the Giantshade Industries?

Why would he give flowers to my Serina in the middle of Magda's birthday party? And why did it sound like he was courting Serina?

At this point, everyone was silent, and even the music stopped.

"Daddy…", Magda said pitifully as she came our way. "What's the meaning of this?"

For the first time, I agreed with Magda. What's the meaning of this?

The flowers moved and Richard's face peeked from the side as he looked at Magda. "You told me that Miss Mezzanotte is here, so I rushed to meet the beautiful lady."

Richard's stern expression turned soft when his gaze moved to Serina.

This isn't what I think it is, right?

Is this old bat hitting on MY Serina?

Oh, hell… no!

---

If you are not reading this at 'W e b n o v e l . c o m', then the content you're reading is stolen! Please support the author by reading this novel from the original source.