Shit!

Hearing Jessica accept that challenge will not do any good. On the bright side, if they could really play something well, then it might even strengthen the bond between the Kinsley Holdings and the Westwood-Stevens Industries.

Aaron's reaction told me that he'd rather have her apologize instead of accepting the challenge. Even dragging Vanessa to such embarrassment does not even faze her.

Aaron walked towards me, and gave me an irritated look. "It should have been better if she could just hold her tongue throughout this party."

"You're right," I said, giving him a smirk.

"You know you could wipe that smirk off your face because she might bring a problem to the company, right?"

"Let's just hope they can perform well."

"Right. Let's hope for the best," He grunted. I can't help but chuckle as I noticed how Jessica could easily get on Aaron's nerves.

Jessica took her place on the piano while Vanessa took the center, holding a violin? You have got to be kidding me. There's a guitar not far from the corner but she chose to play the violin? Is she out of her mind? Violin's the harde–

I stopped my train of thoughts as I heard it.

Wow... It's... Her... She... Wow...

I can't help it. Even my mind can't reel in the fact that her fingers can work the magic of music.

I love music as much as I love art. Though, I have never heard this music before, but it really triggers my emotions. The melody has this melancholy feel in it. I can't put a finger on how these two American girls play can such complicated music.

For heaven's sake, they didn't even talk about what music to perform, but they are really killing it. It's like they have known this song since birth.

I can't stop staring at Vanessa. She looks really out of reach with her amazing talent. She' not just beauty and brain, she is also very talented.

As they ended the song, I was utterly fascinated. They were really good. They were even wonderful. I can't help but just stare at them, especially Vanessa. I didn't even spare Aaron a glance because I know that he was just as shock as me. They are definitely different from the rest of the women in this party.

Jessica joined Vanessa, and curtsied. That was the only time I found out that I can use my hands to give my appreciation to them.

As they went down from the mini stage, I walked towards their direction, assuming that they might feel overwhelmed by the entire situation. But they walked to the other direction. I looked at Aaron, and he was just as confused as I was. So, we followed them.

As we neared the bathroom, we saw the girls being dragged somewhere by the two men in the same suits earlier. We ran to their direction but stopped abruptly as we watched the happenings unfold.

Vanessa seemed to stop struggling and focused her attention on her friend.

Jessica on the other hand, bent her whole body forward, then quickly leaning back up, causing her head to hit her captor's face. She then proceeded on elbowing the man.

The word shock was probably written on our faces as we stood frozen, watching the fierce blonde fight her attacker.

When I return my eyes to the show, Jessica is holding her captor's hand while he lies on the floor. She faced Aaron who seemed to be useless at this point.

"I don't need your help, if that's what you're here for! I am not a damsel in distress!" She proclaimed, pointing at the useless douche.

"Mr. Westwood!" Vanessa said, finally noticing me.

"Are you alright?" I asked, still concerned. "What happened?"

"Well from the looks of it. I think Jessica just judo-flipped my bro–"

She stopped mid-sentence as she realized something.

Her what?

I looked at her as she pursed her lips to say something.

She's hiding something.

"Who are these people?"

I heard Jessica gasped. I snapped my head back at her, and noticed that she had removed her captor's mask. On my peripheral vision, I saw Vanessa face palmed herself. The man's eyes have almost the same shade of green as Vanessa. And has a look of pure pain after what he just gone through.

"I am so sorry, Mr. Winzenried."

Wait. Winzenried? As in one of the princes? I looked at the man standing behind Vanessa. He removed his mask, revealing the exact face of the other man on the floor.

"The Winzenried twins!" I exclaimed, dumbly.

The twin standing behind Vanessa shook hands with me. "It's nice to finally meet two of the wealthiest men in America. I'm Luca Winzenried, and that is my twin brother, Cedric," he pointed at the man who is now talking to Aaron and Jessica.

"The pleasure is all mine. I'm Nathaniel Westwood."

"Ah. Mr. Westwood. The bachelor who is managing two great companies at the same time."

"One and a half," I corrected.

"One and a half?" Luca asked.

"The other half of the company is owned by Aaron Stevens. It's a collaboration between our fathers," I explained.

"Interesting," is all he said.

"I take it you have already met my Personal Assistant, Vanessa Carter?" I frowned, remembering that this guy was probably harassing her earlier.

"Ah, yes. The beautiful Vanessa Carter," He said placing a kiss on the back of her hand. I glared at him. Somehow, seeing someone else kiss Carter made my stomach flip. I felt myself being angered by the gesture as well as the fact that he is standing just a few inches from her.

"You tried to kidnap her," I growled, not holding my anger anymore.

"That's a little exaggerating but who wouldn't want to? They are amazing," he said, making me clench my jaw as my hands became fists. I was ready to punch this guy, when I heard Vanessa muttered something under her breath that sounded like: "What is it with this bathroom?"

I heard someone laughed, and realized that it was the other twin. "Well, it's nice meeting you Mr. Westwood. I think my brother, and I have to go," He declared before taking Vanessa's hand, and giving it another kiss. "Ms. Carter, I will look forward on seeing you again."

I was already on the verge of exploding in anger. When I saw that she just rolled her eyes at him, I snapped.

I dragged her back to the ballroom. Not even caring if I was holding her wrist tightly. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?"

I dragged her to the dance floor. I placed her arm on my shoulder and held her right hand to my left one. I put my right hand around her waist and pulled her closer to me.

You're in my arms, and all the world is calm

The music playing on for only two

So close, together.

And when I'm with you

So close, to feeling alive

"I have to say, you completely fooled me. I didn't realize that you are like them, after all."

Her body stiffened as I whispered on her ear.

"Like what?" She looked up at me with those daring green eyes.

"Nevermind. At least, I know I could immediately close a certain deal to the Winzenried Group."

"What?"

"Did you forget that I have a land developing company? I will need their permission to use some of the lands in their country to build my first business center there."

I heard her loud intake of breath.

A life goes by,

Romantic dreams must die

So I bid my goodbye

And never knew.

"So, you're going to use me to take that deal, is that it?"

Part of me is angry at the fact that she might have a relationship with one of the twin princes, but part of me, a small part me doesn't believe that she's the type of woman who uses her charm to get what she wants. Regardless, I continued with my insults.

"Mr. Alexander Kinsley informed everyone about the triumvirate. The Winzenried Group, and the Border Corporation are the other two that completes the three most powerful businesses in Europe," I said, changing the subject.

So close, was waiting,

Waiting here with you.

And now, forever, I know.

All that I wanted

To hold you so close

"Are you indirectly calling me a whore, and a gold-digger?"

"The Kinsley Holdings are our greatest investor. If the Winzenrieds, and the Borders can also be our investors, the success of both my companies will be on its peak," I said, ignoring her question.

"You're planning on using me?"

So close to reaching

That famous happy end.

Almost believing

This was not pretend.

"We will be using each other. They can use my company to start their branch here, and I'll use them to expand my business in Europe."

"You are not answering my questions."

And now, you're beside me

And look how far we've come

So far we are. So close...

I looked down on her, and realized that her eyes are glaring daggers at me. I would probably apologize profusely if I wasn't feeling enraged with myself and at her.

Yes, I am thinking that she's a whore, and a gold-digger.

Who wouldn't?

Maybe that's how she uses her beauty, brain, and talent. She already has one of the Winzenried twins as her main course. I guess I'm just the side dish. I was probably stupid enough to fall for her that easily.

Wait. Did I say fall? Scratch that part.

I cleared my throat before answering her question. More like diverting her attention.

"Let's just enjoy this moment, Ms. Carter."

"We can drop the formalities since you already indirectly called me a whore, and a gold-digger."

Damn.

"I think that would be disrespectful."

"I lost my respect to you when you so wrongly judged me."

"Wrongly judged you? I think I just indirectly described you."

That's when she slapped me. I didn't realize that she stopped swaying, and freed herself from my grasp before she slapped me.

Oh how could I face the faceless days

If I should lose you now

"You have no idea what you're talking about."

I looked at her eyes. "Does the truth hurts?"

"I'll give you something that will seriously hurt." When she said that, I almost panicked. I thought she was going to kick my balls like what her friend did to the other twin prince. But she did something even more than I have expected.

We're so close to reaching

That famous happy end,

And almost believing,

This was not pretend

Let's go on dreaming

For we know we are...

So close, so close

And still so far...

She kissed me.

Eyes closed. Lips connected.

Her lips are soft and reminded me so much of a marshmallow. I think marshmallows are my favorite food right now.

I snaked my arms around her waist, closing the distance between our bodies. My right hand grabbing a hold of the back of her neck as I angled her head to the side, so I could kiss her properly. All my anger vanished the moment she laid her lips on mine. I don't care about manners or the people who are probably staring at us. All my mind can think of now is how sweet her lips are.

She put her arms around my neck as I nibbled on her lower lip, making her gasp. I took this opportunity to plunge my tongue and tried to taste every cavern of her mouth.

Chocolate. Mint.

From now on, I also love chocolates.

I kissed her as I never kissed anyone like this before, and then...

Ouch! What the hell!

She pushed me away after biting my lip. I was snapped back to the present. Before I knew it, her fist met my face in a bloody punch.

I staggered, almost losing my balance.

It's hard to believe a girl like her could actually throw a punch that hard.

I touched my mouth and felt some liquid oozing from my lower lip.

"I hope that hurts."