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"Well, if this isn't the sweetest surprise of the evening,"

My brown eyes shone with recognition as familiar auburn eyes stared back at me. He wore a maroon suit with a silver chain around his neck and his hair was gelled back. Despite his formal attire, his fuckboy aura danced in the environment.

"Remember me, beautiful?"

I was dazed, and his mouth tittered into a smirk.

What a great way to make myself look like an idiot.

I nodded, not taking my gaze away from him. I was aware of a burning gaze in my back, but I ignored it.

"I didn't think we'd meet again, but I must say, you've been in my dirtiest dreams."

His words had an effect on me; they didn't turn me on, but they did awaken the feminine within me.

"Yeah? But I'm not a girl who can play your little game with you" I said firmly, my eyes hardening, while his eyes remained unmoved on me, except for a brief second a flash of surprise appeared in his eyes before it vanished.

"You're intriguing," he murmured, a slow tug on his lips.

"I know that," I said, rolling my eyes and crossing my hands across my chest.

His eyes crinkled as he laughed softly.

"What's funny" I scowled.

He shook his head, a smile on his face.

"Nothing," he said, his gaze fixed on me.

I rolled my eyes yet again.

"By the way, my name is Jeremy Carter. That time, I didn't get your name."

I hesitated before opening my mouth.

"Come on, we're both attending the same event with business partners; the least you could do is give me your name," he shrewdly persuaded.

"Arabella Oliver Brown," I said.

He gave a nod.

"A beautiful name for a beautiful woman," he said, but his words had no effect on me.

"So what brings you here?"

I raised my brow.

"Okay, I'll take the floor first, I am here because my company was invited. I own The Guns." His lips twitched with a slow, tiny smirk.

As a flush rose to my neck, I cleared my throat. I nodded, my gaze shifting to the painting behind him.

"So, how about you? What has brought you here?"

I looked at him for a second before sighing and responding.

"I work for the Hendersons," I said sharply.

After a minute of comfortable silence, I looked around the room for my friends. And opened the text message they had sent to the group. I know it's impolite of me to use my phone during a conversation, but I'm not trying to impress him, and who cares what he thinks of me?

Mave: We are in the bar, in the right end corner.

"Did you make use of the products?" He inquired, his voice deep. I was taken aback when I raised my eyes from my phone.

"Huh?"

"Did you use the products that you purchased the day we met?" With a sly smirk on his lips, he inquired.

I didn't need to askn exactly which product he was asking about.

With the feelings of inadequacy, heat coated my cheeks, and I could feel my entire body heat up.

"That's an inappropriate question," I said, taking my gaze away from his.

"I just want to know if my products worked well," he said gracefully, and I could see the mirth flowing in his eyes.

"I didn't use them, so I can't help." I shrugged again, but this time I raised my head to see his auburn eyes.

He nodded, his eyes darkening.

"Then I could be there to help you use it," he said delicately.

I sighed and rolled my eyes.

"No, thank you."

"I'll show you the manual-"

"Nope. I'm not interested "On dismissal, I waved my hands. I could still feel the intensely hot gaze on my back.

He groaned, but then burst out laughing.

I raised my brow.

"Go on a date with me," he said charmingly, but then smirked, possibly because he saw my stunned expression.

"What?" This time, I laughed, clutched my stomach, and laughed a little more.

While I was laughing, his smile grew and then softened as he stared at me. Something inside of me warmed, but I couldn't pinpoint what it was. And a sense of sadness enveloped me as the person I wanted to go on a date with was uninterested.

I'm not thinking of him. Remember?

"What are you laughing?" He asked with a laugh with his own.

A charming smile grazing his lips and his eyes brightening.

"Are you serious? We just met, and you can't just ask me out on a date like that after just confirming me that you'd rather have me in your bed" I rolled my eyes yet I felt a tug on my lips.

"Of course I am," he smirked, "but the date implies that I am also interested in getting to know you."

"Of course," I said, rolling my eyes.

Someone stood beside me just as you were about to say another of his flirtations. While one of his arms brushed against mine, his expensive cologne infiltrated my nostrils. I could feel my heartbeat quicken, but my face remained motionless as I smiled at Jeremy.

"Carter," Sebastian said stiffly, but I could see a tick on his jaws.

"Greyson," Jeremy smiled, a wide smile that appeared to be a phony.

"May I also join in on the joke that is making you both laugh?" Sebastian gritted his teeth, towering

Jeremy, while he fists and unfists his hands.

Sebastain towered over Jeremy and dominated his presence, which was not surprising given his height. Jeremy was tall man, almost towered every man in the room expect one.

Sometimes I do not understand him at all. He gets in between when any male approaches me and goes on to sleep with other girls.

He's so annoying, he irritates the life out of me.

"Oh, I didn't realize you had a bad habit of eavesdropping on other people's conversations, Greyson." Jeremy smirked.

While Sebastian was attempting not to jump and kill the man in front of us.

"An ugly laugh like yours is bound to catch anyone's attention," Seb smirked, and stood more closer to me. His arm pressed against mine to the point it felt like he was staking his claim.

I rolled my eyes internally at the absurdity of the thought.

I didn't look at him; instead, I kept my gaze fixed ahead.

Jeremy chuckled, and a flicker of something passed between them before Jeremy's evil smile widened and Seb clenched his jaw even tighter.

"Ella-" Jeremy interrupted Sebastian and threw the bomb that caused me to slap my forehead.

"I asked her out on a date," Jeremy said with a smirk.

I swear I heard a growl right next to me.

"No, you didn't," he said calmly.

"I did, but I still haven't received my response." Jeremy looked at me with puppy dog eyes. Which looked anything but innocence.

He was playing with fire he knew it.

I gave him a tight smile and shifted on my toes as the person beside me continued to glare at me.

But did I see anything? No, I did not. Because I had no idea he was standing right beside me. Please note my sarcasm.

They both stared at me, waiting for my response. I had no idea what my response should be. I was perplexed, and my feelings for Seb remained unchanged.

But did he reciprocate his feelings for me? He didn't do it. I was merely a source of amusement for him. I knew I'd be the same for Jeremy, but I'd still give it a shot because if Seb doesn't care about my feelings, why should I?

But I care. That's the issue, and I need to get on with my life.

"I'll go," I said, soft music playing behind me.

While Seb was still staring at me, Jeremy broke into a smile.

I didn't meet Seb's gaze when he approached us, and I still didn't. It was difficult to forgive and forget.

"No, you're not," Seb said coldly next to me.

"She's not going anywhere with you," he growled to Jeremy, who stood there lazily seeming all smug about the situation.

"You're not the one to tell me what I'm going to do or where I'm going," I said, my voice cold and emotionless. This time I turned around and looked him in the blue eyes, which were enraged and frightening.

"Yes-"

"I believe you're here with someone, aren't you?" Jeremy inquired, and I could see a glint of cunning in his eyes.

Sebastian clenched his teeth.

"That's none of your concern."

"Well, if you're trying to persuade my future date to not to go on a date with me, it is."

"She is not your fucking future date," he said harshly, veins popping out of his forehead.

"She certainly is. I didn't force her; she agreed to go on it, and as you know, when I believe something is valuable, I don't waste a single second in achieving it "Jeremy shrugged, but his gaze was fixed on mine.

"She's-"

"Now, if you'll excuse us, Arabella, may I have a dance with you?" He cut him off and asked me, smiling and opening his palm.

At that point, I noticed couples dancing in the center, and the lights had been turned down.

"Don't," Seb said quietly beside me.

I could feel his pain, and I felt like I was inflicting it on him. But what about the agony I'd been through? Why is it that I am always the one who is hurt when he is hurt?

I looked up at him and let all of my emotions flow through my eyes: his betrayal, his pain, his hurt, and a slew of others. His eyes softened, and he shook his head softly.

I nodded and put my hands on Jeremy's, who smiled back.

"Don't," he whispered.

I closed my eyes as pain coursed through my veins; why was he in pain? And why was it causing me anguish? Why couldn't I do what he does all the time?

Jeremy pulled me to his side and placed his hands on my back, ushering me onto the dance floor while Sebastain's eyes darkened and his fist clenched.