He Stares Back

Chap. 5: Well, Who Says I'm Alone?

(picture of Emily's Grand Plaza interview above)

During the phone call with Mr. Hardon, he told Emily to go to the Grand Plaza that night to not only to get closer to the billionaire, but to find his deepest darkest secrets. To go as far as she can to get what Mr. Hardon needs.

          The thought of being as close with Christian as she had in their interview terrifies her. But the way it felt for Emily to be held by Christian again, it felt wrong and sinful. And that is what won Emily over.

            Emily called Jasmin to help her once again to get ready for the nights mission. After Jasmin brought over what she needed to make Emily sexy for the interview at the party. Emily made it an issue for Jasmin to not make her too sexy or she'd wind up in bed with Christian. The makeover lasted for four hours and just in time for Emily to arrive at the Grand Plaza party.

          The Grand Plaza party consist of men with big money, so older men, and young women who was after one thing: their money. As Emily walks into the room, many eyes go to her. They look her up and down either hungrily, jealously, or judgmentally. But Emily doesn't see them as she looks through the crowd in search for Christian. He had told her to meet him there at 9:30 and it was 9:25.

             Christian knows I always come early. Emily chews the inside of her cheek, It's to calm my nerves. Where is he? He's probably going to be fashionably late just to piss me off.

                Emily heads to the bar to grab a quick shot to calm her nerves. When she steps up to the bar, she notices a few men staring her down. She shifts on her heels and tries to ignore them.

                 "A shot of whiskey, please." Emily says sweetly to the bartender, who gives her a curt nod.

                 "You know, it's sad to drink alone." A voice says, making Emily smile.

               Emily turns and expects to see Christian standing there. It's not. It's a tall man with warm, brown eyes and a crooked smile on his handsome face. Emily immediately wonders why the man is talking to her.

                "Well, who says I'm alone?" Emily says with a smirk.

                  The man chuckles, standing beside her at the bar. "My mistake. Brody Matthews."

                   The man holds our his hand to kiss Emily's, but she gives him a handshake instead. He smiles at this action, wondering where she had came from.

                   "What's your name?" Brody says with an unsure smile.

                "Emily." The brunette nods, paying the bartender 10 dollars for her shot of whiskey.

                 Brody chuckles. "Emily—?"

               "You didn't ask for a last name." Emily toys with the man, who finds it intriguing. "And since you didn't ask for it, I don't see the need to tell you."

                    Brody chuckles. "Mysterious. I like it."

                 Brody and Emily exchange a long stare before he gives her a smile. He blushes away. Emily takes the shot of whiskey and coughs. The liquid burns down her throat and boils in her stomach. Making her feel light.

               "I'll see you around, Emily." Brody nods to her. Emily casually nods to him, smiling.

              When the brunette turns around, she sees Christian standing with his hands in his pockets 15 feet away. He's glaring at Brody as he walks away. Something doesn't sit well with Emily, but she reminds herself that she's not dating Christian. Then she reminds herself again that she's on a mission to pry Christian open and dip into his deepest, darkest secrets. She lightly smiles at him but he glares back, which makes the brunette frown.