When Alex turned his back on us, my manager and Mr. Toledano spotted another important guests almost at the same time so they excused themselves and meet the newly arrived guests. Alex was still waiting, so I decided to find a spot where we could sit while chatting and drinking. My eyes swept over the busy room as I strolled slowly and aimlessly.

High round tables were placed at every corner of the room with high stools or bar stools. A few caterers strolling around with tray filled with caviars and other finger foods.

I spotted Tabitha with her friends chatting animatedly, her eyes glued at the bar. They didn't see me when I walked by. They occupied the table near the exit door.

"I can't believe Clara Bell would date Alexander Demakis? Claire is her bestfriend?"

I stopped when I overheard my name. My shoulders straightened at the sudden rushed of guilt and at the same time anger to these people whom I did nothing, and now was talking about my life.

I hid in the shadow, not too far from their table and soon realized what am I doing, I cursed myself silently. Why would I care about what other people say. And then again, curiosity burned deep within me. I want to know what would the others say.

I'm just glad the music was mellow, their voices were clear enough for those who are intently listening, such as me.

"They are not best friend," Tabitha answered with hatred underlying her tone.

My spine steeled at her curt reply. Eversinse, Tabitha hated me. She accused me of stealing her watch. And from then on, the animosity between us had been huge, it will never be patch up.

I snorted inwardly. I know she's also jealous that Claire became closer to me. They used to be best friend as far as I know.

"Oh come on, Tabitha. I know you just can't move on that Claire chose Clara Bell's company over you. I don't blame her. Clara Bell had been very down to earth while you bitch a lot," one of them answered. I can't help but smile as my heart swelled with pride.

"Claire and I are cut in the same cloth!" Tabitha spat out. "And that bitch had been using Clara Bell to gain more fame—"

"Claire is already almost at the top of her game because of Alexander, why would she needs Clara Bell?" one of the girls cut through her words.

"I know what's going on with Claire's life before Clara Bell arrived in the picture, bitch! So shut up!" Tabitha growled causing the girls to fell in silence.

"If you think she's on the top of her game, you're very wrong. That's why she set up Clara Bell."

My eyes widened at the sudden revelations, my heart beat raced rapidly. Tabitha was already on the verge of exploding as she explained to her friends what she knew, and obviously, she's under the influence of alcohol. She was oblivious around her, she kept on talking she didn't realize she's spilling a dirty secret.

"What do you mean she set her up? Why didn't I hear about this?" one of the girls asked, flabbergasted.

"Because it was suppose to be a secret, estupida!" Tabitha snapped frustratedly.

A short paused.

I leaned a little forward in their direction, my face looking away, but my ears was perked up, waiting.

"It was Claire who puts the watch in her stuff. It was a set up. That bitch lied to me." Tabitha explained further causing me to straightened, my whole body tensed up with the anger boiling deep within me.

My hands clenched.

"That bitch!" I hissed under my breath as I moved away from the group, Tabitha's voice fading in my hearing path.

Just then I strode towards the bar, dodging every guest on my way when a hand curled tightly around my wrists. My head snapped up and anger flared up when I saw Claire.

She dragged me out of the bar room. I wrenched my hand away and faced her with anger ready to burst out.

She stopped and faced me with anger swirling in her eyes. I leveled her with glowering look. "What happen to you, Clara Bell? You used to tell me you hate him with a passion."

Yes, when I thought he's an asshole. When I thought he was just using her, but now, I realized I've only known one side of the story.

"Because you instilled in me that he's an asshole. Is he, Claire? Did he really cheat on you or..." cocking an eyebrow "was it you?"

She straightened. Her facial muscles flexed as she met my burning gaze. "Were you really my friend, Claire? Or were you using me to get to where you are now?" I spat with disgust.

Her eyes sharpened, her lips pressed in a thin line as she perused my face. She stared at me incredulously. "You've been with him for only a week and you're already acting like him," she snorted. "I thought you're so different from the others, Clara Bell. I never thought you would ditch me for a man who actually hurt me," she shook her head, her eyes accusing me. "What kind of a friend are you, Clara Bell? You betrayed me, but I gave you doubts because I believed you will never chose a man over your best friend," she gritted out, her eyes glinted with hatred and fury.

"It is not what I heard, Claire," I respond in a tone that held apathy. She met my gaze, hatred to hatred. "You were never my best friend," I spat out.

She tilted her chin up, challenging me. "I had saved you when you stole that watch. I didn't judge y—"

My hands clenched with raging fury. My whole body shaking with the anger that's already had consumed me. "Because you know that I didn't steal that watch. You set me up!" I growled furiously, cutting her off mid-sentence.

Hatred burning in her eyes as she glared at me as she incredulously bobbed her head up and down slowly and unconsciously. "You used me," I added with my voice dropping low. Disbelief washed over me.

She looked at me like she couldn't believe what she's hearing. She's really a good actress, I gave her credit on that.

"Why would I use you? I'm already famous before you even came in the picture," she responded curtly. "You were just an amateur back then, I'm already in the field for years before you came," she snapped.

I smirked. "Amateur or not, fame is already attached to my name, Claire. And you know that," I sneered.

"I can't believe I'm hearing all these. Just because of Alexander, you believed all these lies, ditch your only friend who truly cared for you," she looked away, her voice as though she was on the verge of tears. My heart was already filled with anger, with disgusts after hearing what Tabitha had said a moment ago, it has no room for a single ounce of sympathy for her.

"You know very well, Claire that I played the good friend for the past years. I wondered about you?" I asked sarcastically.

Claire looked at me with her eyes glistening with unshed tears, but the hardness in her face told me she's as mad as me. "I was, Clara Bell. I truly cared for you, but..." she gritted her teeth "you betrayed me."

My hands clenched at my sides tightly. "I didn't betray you!" I snapped passionately. If only I could pull that mask covering her true color, it would be a delightful sight, and stop this drama once and for all.

She stared at me lividly.

"Then what do you call it, Clara Bell?" She ground out as she stepped forward. I didn't flinch at her defensive stance.

I was about to retort with the same fervor when Alex spoke.

"Don't you dare talk to her like that, Claire!"

My head snapped at Alex's direction, he's holding a chilled flute and a glass half filled with amber liquid. His strides were purposeful, his eyes burning with anger directed at Claire. "Alex," I murmured, my heart had been beating too fast a while ago seemed to stop at the sight of him as he stalked towards Claire. I stepped in front of him and placed my hand on his chest, stopping him in case he would grabbed Claire. He looked like a livid tiger, ready to pounce on his prey.

Claire scoffed, meeting his eyes, unyielding. "Playing the knight in shining armor... I see," she chuckled but devoid of humor.

Alex tensed up next to me. "Don't throw her the blame, Claire. If there is anyone to blame, it is me!" he hissed. "And don't forget about you, too!" he stressed.

Claire's face muscles hardened. She threw me a nasty glare. "So you chose him over me?" she sneered at me. Her eyes mocking at me.

She doesn't really get it, or was she just playing dumb to make me feel guilty, but it's over. I've seen her true color.

I gave her a challenging look. I'll find out the truth with my father's Private Investigator. For now, I won't insists what I heard. Tabitha could also be lying, but then again, my heart didn't doubt what I heard.

"You were just using her, Claire. Admit it!" Alex snapped, causing me to look at him. Alex gave him a look that would cower anyone. I was surprised that Claire didn't say anything, instead she left him a disgusted look before turning on her heels and strutted off.

"Are you okay?" Alex asked as soon as we were left alone. He handed me the flute and I took it absentmindedly and chugged down the liquid.

"Hey, it's not a water," Alex chuckled softly, but at this moment, I need a drink to cool me down. My heart still beating too fast.

I unconsciously looked around us and realized we weren't alone. Several eyes were watching us and I felt my face burned with embarrassment. I don't know how much they heard and the thought that tomorrow it will be a headline, my head starting to hurt.

"I'll ask Aurora if I can leave now. I think I'm going to throw up," I said as I hid my face from the eyes of the guests around us.

Buzzing of murmurs filled the room, mixed with the soft music coming from the bar room as Alex led me back inside the bar room where we last saw my Manager.

I could still feel the accusing eyes following us. Alex took the empty flute and he briefly place it on the empty table we passed by, then we spotted the group of people we are looking for.

After Aurora and a few men behind the company congratulate me, Alex led me out of the building.

When we arrived at my place, Alex was hesitant to leave me alone.

"I'm fine, Alex. And thank you for opening my eyes," I said as I held the door lever handle.

Alex's hand were tucked inside her pockets as he met my gaze. "You don't look okay," he said, his smoldering eyes heavily gazing down at me. My eyes dropped to his lips, they looked so red, so tempting I want to taste it.

"I-I'm fine," I swallowed hard as I ripped my eyes off his lips, and when our eyes locked, I felt like my legs starting to shake.

His dark blue eyes glinting with raw desires. "I want to kiss you," he murmured and I stilled when his head slowly lowering until it was only a matchsticks away. I could smell his manly natural breath that mixed with alcohol. It only amplified the effect on me.

Intoxicating.

"Alex," I whispered, under spell. I want to just say goodbye and turn around but I couldn't. I was still waiting for him to do what he is about to do but he didn't move an inch. Our breaths kissing as we both waited.

"Say yes," he whispered in a very low husky voice, with raw need.

"Yes," I answered, almost a pleading, I barely even heard myself.

I gasped when his long, strong hands wrapped around my waist and pulled me against his chest. My hands automatically found his neck, clinging for dear life before my legs gave up on me.

I heard the door closed but I didn't open my eyes. I relished the feel of his soft yet firm lips against mine.

"God, you tasted better than any Scotch I've ever had," he breathed against my lips.

I only moaned as I tried to kiss him back with the same fervor. I missed his lips, so damn much. "Be my girl, Clara Bell," he asked between kisses, I thought I misheard it.

He kissed me aggressively and I kissed him back. His tongue explored my mouth with his hands skimming my back, up and down. After a while, he pulled his head away, both panting. I greedily breathed in some air and locked eyes with his, raw desires still swirling in his dark blue orbs. "Please be my girl, Clara Bell," he said, his eyes pleading.

.........

Sorry guys, I feel so sleepy. That's all I could write for today.

Please let me know your thoughts.