Chapter 194 - This Is Why You're Single
"Claymore," Weston addressed, stopping directly in front of her.
"Fitzcharles," Lydia regarded, sticking a bit closer to William.
William glanced at the politician and the chairwoman. He felt like something happened between them, but didn't know exactly what. There was tension between them, intense and thick, and neither seemed to look away from each other. They seemed to have a conversation without words, their grueling eyes speaking for their mouth.
"Meet William, my plus one," Lydia lightly commented, gesturing to her secretary with a slight smile. "Handsome, isn't he?"
William quirked a brow. Just this morning, she wondered how he managed to get a woman. Now, she was complimenting him? Funny.
"I've seen better," Weston mused, his lips curling in amus.e.m.e.nt, an idea in mind. In the corner of his eye, he saw Easton desperately trying to strike a conversation with Minerva.
Minerva regarded him coldly, her lips taut as she viewed him like a lovesick puppy. She was standing by the champagne tower, one hand resting across her stomach, and the other holding a glass. A vision to behold, even in her modest satin dress. Everyone was looking at her, bewitched by her electrifying beauty.
"Surely, it must not be yourself in the mirror," Lydia responded, but he didn't react to her jab. Instead, his eyes were glued to the corner of the room.
Lydia was curious as to what captured his attention. She turned her eyes in that direction, her heart skipping when she saw the striking woman. The vampire had pale blonde hair, like sunlight on ivory pillars, but the most beautiful red eyes, enough to put Snow White's red lips to shame.
"Who's that?" Lydia asked.
Her stomach uncomfortably churned when he continued to look at the other woman. Jealousy burned within her c.h.e.s.t, and she felt the urge to poke out his eyeballs.
"Why do you want to know?" Weston asked, his voice a little breathless, his attention still glued to his pitiful brother. Easton was cracking a joke, his eloquent voice and charming smile wooing everyone but the woman he wanted.
"Is she your plus one?" Lydia questioned, tightening her arms around William who seemed bored out of his mind.
William was surveying the room, most likely finding someone to network with her.
"Do you think she is?" Weston returned, finally glancing back at her.
Lydia was green with envy. Her lips were puckered, and her stare deadly. Payback was a bitch, wasn't it?
"No, she's leagues above you," Lydia retorted.
"Well, why don't we go and find out?" Weston said. He began making his way to Minerva, but felt an abrupt force on his sleeve. He glanced down to see Lydia had grabbed him.
Lydia didn't realize what she had done, until his humored eyes met her jealous ones. She opened and closed her mouth, unable to form her next words.
"Chairwoman," William muttered, just so they could hear. "Let go. What are you doing?"
Lydia immediately pulled her hand back, but Weston grabbed her. Immediately, he yanked her towards him, her hands flying to his c.h.e.s.t, and his around her waist. She peered up at him, surprised and starstruck by his wicked smile.
His dark hair was neatly combed back, but few fell in a mischievous manner that framed his suave features. He looked like someone the devil would warn you to not dance with.
"Don't you have something to say to me?" Weston inquired, knowing exactly what the relationship between Lydia and that man was. He wasn't a plus one. He was an employee.
"I uhm," Lydia stammered, momentarily blinded by his appearance.
"Alright then," Weston responded. He slid his hand upon her jaw, his thumb gingerly stroking her cheek. "Don't talk."
Weston captured her lips in a soft kiss, catching her by surprise. Lydia thought he'd treat her like a mistress, keeping their relationship hidden. But the kiss solidified everything, especially the soft gasps in the crowd.
Lydia melted into his arms, immediately kissing him back until a voice sharply cleared behind them.
"We're here to celebrate a baby shower, not the birth of a new relationship," William curtly said, displeased by the crowd they were drawing.
Weston glanced at the man and scoffed. "You need a better publicist, Claymore."
Lydia immediately scowled, growing defensive of her employee. "He's not a publicist, he's my secretary, Fitzcharles."
Weston's eyes flashed with the knowledge, his lips curled. "F.u.c.k.i.n.g your secretary, Claymore? That's not very professional of you."
"I'm not," she hissed. "He has a girlfriend."
"Ah, does he now?"
Lydia inwardly cursed. She wanted to wipe that smug, arrogant smirk off of his face.
"Not another word about this," Lydia snapped at him, pissed off by his entertained expression. Now the cat was out of the bag.
Weston briefly glanced at the secretary who was staring at them like they were crazy. "About your pathetic attempt of making me jealous?"
"More like your pitiful excuse of using a woman league's above you to make me jealous," Lydia responded.
Weston's attention immediately flew back to her. Someone was going to need to tame that mouth of hers. And he'd gladly do it. Especially with how easily she cursed at him.
- - - - -
"Do you want to hear a short joke?" Easton asked Minerva, but the crowd of women around him thought the question was directed towards them. Before Minerva could even respond, the women quickly spoke.
"Of course!"
Minerva's expression immediately soured. She rolled her eyes, took an elegant sip of the champagne and began to walk off. Their eagerness to network with Easton was beginning to get on her last nerve, even more than Easton's eagerness.
"Minerva, wait, wait," Easton quickly said, chasing after her. He wanted to grab her, but knew she'd slap him. She was that cold. She briefly glanced at him, disinterested and bored.
"Listen to my short joke at least," Easton pleaded. He just didn't understand. Everyone loved him and his boyish charms. Why did Minerva always glare at him, as if him breathing irritated her?
Minerva loudly sighed. "What is it?"
"Joke."
Minerva blinked. What?
"And do you want to hear a long joke?" Easton asked.
"No."
"Jooooooke."
Dead silence.
Easton was grinning his brightest, like a lamp in the darkness. Minerva was coldly staring at him, like an iceberg in an ocean.
"Get it?" Easton asked, hoping to earn a smile from her ruby-red lips. They matched her eyes so perfectly. No other woman in this room could compare to her beauty, and she knew it.
"This is why you're single," Minerva scoffed, brushing past him with irritation. She had just wasted her time.
"No, wait, I'm sorry," Easton immediately said, walking directly beside her. He wanted to know what could make her happy. She rarely smiled, unless she was with Dorothy. It wasn't a surprise, given Dorothy practically taught Minerva all that she knew.
Minerva was growing impatient at his enthusiasm. They were beginning to get curious stares their way. A Council member and a politician. If she got any more looks, then it'd lead to stupid rumors. She abruptly stopped and forced a smile.
"Look, Easton, I'm not interested," Minerva said.
Easton's shoulder dropped. What? "But I am."
"So?"
Easton blinked. "So…"
"I'm interested in women," Minerva suddenly said, capturing Easton by complete surprise. He looked at her, astonished.
"R-really?" Easton asked.
Minerva promptly nodded.
Easton scratched the back of his head, thinking back to all of Minerva's interactions. There had not been a single rumor about her with a man. She was always surrounded by powerful women, all of whom fawn over her every move.
"Now, excuse me, you're in my way," Minerva regarded, walking directly past his shoulders and towards her usual crowd of women.
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