~~~ CHAPTER 25 - TEMPTRESS ~~~

It was just on time when we arrived at the venue for the gala ball. It was held at the governor's mansion which was located at an estate outside the Sta. Fe town.

Not waiting for Nigel to open the door for me, as I already learned my lesson, I opened it myself after unfastening my seatbelt. He got out of the car and gave the key to a valet.

An usherette appeared and welcomed the both of us. When the usherette pivoted to start walking and lead us the way to the function hall, I stood for a while for I got confused whether to walk beside Nigel or trail behind him. It would depend on his mood, I guessed. However, he took me by surprise when he suddenly clasped my left hand with his right.

"Are you just going to stand there, my lovely princess?" That sarcastic tone again.

And he pulled me to walk beside him. Together, hand in hand, we treaded the pathway going to the function hall. I was elated with the fact that we were actually holding hands right now. He entertwined our fingers together and gripped my hand hard; it would be impossible for me to escape from him this very moment. I didn't want to escape though. I just wanted to be like this with him for the rest of my life.

"Your hand's cold," Nigel turned to me.

Cold? Did he also hear the rumbling of the butterflies in my stomach?

Well, his touch made me cold. I was getting very tensed.

"Your making me tense," I said in all honestly as we were about to enter the doorway of the hall. Several people were there, greeting and welcoming the newly arrived.

"What?" he asked. Obviously, he didn't hear what I said.

NIGELITO JOAQUIN SARMIENTO, you're making me tense. I wished to tell it to him once more. I just gave him a smile, wishing that I'd be able to control myself this very moment.

The hall wasn't that big, maybe just enough for fifty to eighty people. When we entered, there were already several guests in the hall and the program hadn't been started yet. Another lady ushered us to our table which was closest to the stage. Immediately, the governor and his wife spotted us and came to where we were. There were greetings, handshaking, kissing in the cheeks... It was only after that when I realized that Nigel and I were no longer holding hands. It made me sad... but I was quite relieved that I could make myself relaxed now from his touch.

Many guests arrived after us. Mostly were famous people in the province.

When we were seated, I saw someone by the main door. He was wearing a gray suit and had just entered the hall. Oh, how could I not recognize him? He was like the most persistent boy I had ever known in highschool. I couldn't believe that I would see him right here since we hadn't seen each other for quite some time already. The last time I saw him was during my debut party where I affronted him... Yeah, that was so bad of me. Anyway, as I examined him now, I could tell that, just like before, he was still stunning --- the mayor's son, my former suitor, Javier.

And, then, Javier's eyes searched for something or someone in the hall. Then, he saw me.

When we finally faced each other, though far away, I didn't know how to react whether to smile or scowl at him.

Well, I didn't do anything to acknowlege him. Instead, I took my eyes off of him. When I turned towards Nigel who was sitting beside me, I learned that the man was watching me all along and raising a brow at me. Then, his eyes travelled to Javier. He must have detected I had some sort of eye contact with Javier just a moment ago... or was I just overthinking?

Exchanging chitchats with the other guests in our table halted when the program was started. The main purpose of the event was to thank personally the private donors of the provincial social welfare department, explain what the donation was for and how it would help the underprivileged children in the province. I couldn't tell how much Nigel donated to the department, he probably wanted to keep it a secret to the public, but I could tell he had the biggest amount donated for he seemed to be the man of the night. His name was mentioned many times in the event.

Dinner was served after the opening program. Some moment during the meal time, I caught sight of Javier once again who was sitting by the table of the governor and his wife just beside ours. From then on, I became aware of Javier's stares at me.

Once in a while, I also happened to get Nigel watching Javier over as if the latter was some sort of a criminal that the former was afraid to escape. I couldn't comprehend what was going on.

Dinner was followed by some performances from bands, a children's choir, and promising singers in the province. They were all very entertaining. There was also drinking of wine and I was offered to drink by some waiters but I refused because of some previous experience. I didn't want history to repeat itself. However, Nigel drank some and, every now and then, I felt his right arm extended at the back rest of my chair. Hence, every now and then, you could imagine how I shuddered every time his arm would touch my bare back.

At one time, he leaned his mouth closer to my ear and whispered grimly as if scolding me, "Why does your gown have to be this revealing? People could almost see your soul through it!"

"Huh?" I asked very confused. I noticed the reddening of his face and neck as he turned his face away and continued talking to our tablemates.

Then, it sank in me. Nigel didn't find me appealing in my gown, instead he was irritated with it! Oh, luck was just always not in my side, was it? Didn't he know I tried my best to look attractive for him and he just found my look annoying? I even felt very beautiful tonight that I could just nominate myself to be the next Miss Universe! Some people just didn't know how to appreciate beauty, right?

Feeling dejected, I sulked in there and bit my lips.

Finally, after almost an hour, the ball began. The dance floor was graced by the governor who first danced with his wife. Many couples joined in the dance floor a moment later.

I was watching at the people around me. I thought everyone only came from the province but there were also some from other places. The first dance was over and, to my big chagrin, the jerk didn't offer me a dance.

Great.

The host appeared again on stage and announced that somebody very famous, a very special guest of the night, was to render a love song. Everyone was surprised when a famous singer slash actress in the country was called on stage.

At least, the news made me become alive again. Wow, I didn't know there was a surprise number at all and it was to be rendered by a very popular singer --- Adelaida!

I clapped my hands when she started to sing. She had the most beautiful voice I had ever heard personally. You wouldn't believe how her voice showed off several pitches in one piece. It was exhilarating!

However, as she continued singing, the sophisticated celebrity, who wore just very little clothing, made some flirty gestures towards one important guest in the house --- my Nigel. She smiled, waved, pouted and winked at him, also flipped her hair as if to suggest that she was singing only for him. What?

While observing her, I slowly felt smoke coming out from my nose. What was with her actions? What was she doing? Was she hitting on him?

Nigel, on the other hand, looked at her intently. He was smirking like he was amused with that woman. It irritated the hell out of me. If I remembered, he criticized me about my revealing gown. So how come he was amused with that woman who was wearing something that was even more than revealing? She even seemed to be in for a burlesque show!

Since I could stand no more, I stood up and went to the wash room.

What should I do now? Arriving at the wash room, I stared at myself in the mirror. I have to show that bitch a lesson. But how?

When I came out from the wash room, I grabbed a drink from a waiter's tray. It tasted bitter but I needed this to make myself strong. This was no time for acting innocent.

I sipped the contents of the glass and stood on an area farther from our table. Adelaida, the actress slash bitch, was now singing her second piece on stage and all ears were still on her. Nobody seemed to bat an eyelash. They all seemed to be under some sort of enchantment. Every now and then, as I perceived it very clearly since I seemed to be the only person in my complete cognizance at this particular period, she still did those annoying gestures to Nigel. And that man did nothing but to just look at her with amusement.

I grabbed another drink from an approaching waiter. I couldn't stand it when some girl was hitting on him. I couldn't accept another Maria Stella for him. One would already be enough. I couldn't handle it when there were too many of them.

"Why are you standing here all by yourself?"

I was in that desperate state when a boy came to stand beside me. I faced him and it was Javier.

"Javier!" I bolted.

"Althea... Thea Ruiz, it's been a long time. I'm glad you made it tonight." He brought his face closer to mine as if to kiss my cheek.

I jerked away from him. "You knew I was invited?"

"Of course, I have my connections! The governor, by the way, is my uncle. How could you forget?"

Oh, yeah! How could I forget that their family name, Suarez, was like the only politician's name in the province? Well, I kind of like overlooked it. No wonder he was seated with the governor and his wife.

"How are you? I learned that you're studying at St. Louis. You're one very lucky girl."

I gulped the contents of the glass I was holding. "Shut up. You could study there if you like to." Eww, what had I just drunk? It had a very disgusting taste.

"I wanted to, you know, to pursue you there. But I have to fulfill my dad's wish, be a politician. St. Louis doesn't teach that. I have to learn it by experience and remain here. Anyway, we also have good universities in the province," he explained. Then, his eyes travelled to the glass I was holding, "You've been drinking."

"Only for tonight or until that bitch leaves this place," I uttered looking at Adelaida.

She was at this time done singing. The audience gave her a standing ovation. Even Nigel did it. Then, unexpectedly, after giving a bow to everyone, she went down from the stage and stepped towards Nigel. She kissed him in the cheek and he did the same to her!

What? Did they know each other?

She whispered something to him in his ear and, damn it, I wanted to know what it was she was telling him. Nigel was smiling the whole time like he was very, very pleased.

Javier grinned at my side. "Well, well, well, seems like your fiancè's bewitched by the beautiful Adelaida."

I scowled at Javier and decided to go back to the table but he immediately grabbed my arm.

"Let go of me, Javier," I said trying my best to remain calm. I didn't want to make a scene now.

"Look at them, they're heading to the dance floor. They're gonna dance," he informed me.

I looked at Nigel and Adelaida again and, indeed, they were strutting towards the middle of the hall. The host announced that the President of the Sarmiento Corporation, Nigelito Joaquin Saavedra Sarmiento was to dance with the lovely actress/singer, Adelaida.

I blinked my eyes several times. This couldn't be happening. I was Nigel's partner tonight; I was supposed to be his dance partner, too.

"Let me go, Javier," I said almost crying. How could Nigel do this to me?

Javier finally let his hands off me but I remained planted on the floor. I couldn't move especially when I saw Nigel and Adelaida started dancing the waltz. She must be purposely pushing her body to him so they would dance that close.

Sensing my saddened state, Javier seek my eyes and asked, "Care for a dance?"

Though I didn't concede, Javier grabbed the wine glass from my hand and placed on a tray brought by an approaching waiter. Next, he pulled my hand and led me to the dance floor.

Seconds later, we were already in the middle of the hall, along with the other couples who joined the dance. Nigel didn't seem to notice me. He was somehow engrossed with the woman he was dancing with.

How could he do this to me? I was supposed to be his dance partner tonight.

Tears were on the verge of appearing in the corner of my eyes but I tried my best to refrain myself from crying. It would definitely spread the mascara all over my eyes and I would look like a zombie.

For a while, I was just standing there. I didn't want to dance. However, one of Javier's arms slipped around my waist as he led me sway on the music. He put my other hand on his shoulder and held the other. Soon, we were dancing to the tune of the waltz music.

"Your fiancè's an asshole. You know that, don't you?" Javier said grimly.

I never said a word. What I only saw from my peripheral vision was Adelaida getting cheek to cheek with Nigel! Damn!

"How could you swallow such caliber, Thea?" Javier, like my freaking conscience, popped out from time to time.

No, no, no... No matter what Nigel had been doing to me, this Javier in front of me didn't have even the slightest right to attack my fiancè personally.

"Quit it, Javier," I said gritting my teeth. "You don't know him!" I was not in my right mind to keep up with his steps that I actually stumbled on one of his feet.

"Ouch, that hurt!" he exclaimed.

I stopped dancing and stood like a firm candle on the dance floor. "I'm sorry. But we need to stop this," I said, trying to release myself from his touch.

But Javier didn't surrender. He pulled my hand once more and gripped my waist harder. My stomach crushed to his abdomen. "No, we can't stop. We need to dance like this to show your f-cking shit of a fiancè that you can have a life of your own without him!" He guided me again to the sound of the music and whirled me around the dance floor.

While dancing, I felt like my brain was also in total swirling motion. Yet my heart... had stopped beating like it was dead... numbed... and devoid of emotion.

Then, unexpectedly, Nigel's eyes met mine. He was clinging with Adelaida but his eyes found mine. We held each other's gazes for several seconds. His gaze was teasing and taunting me which made me so difficult to breath. I tried to gasp for air. Javier sensed my difficulty in breathing and distanced his body a little farther from me but we continued dancing.

When the waltz number ended, I strode fast towards the main door to breath and run away from Javier, from Nigel...

I swallowed my pride when I met Maria Stella and let Nigel be with her, thinking that I had only one rival to his heart. Yet, tonight, when I saw how easily he was tempted and lured with that Adelaida, it awaken something in me, telling me that I didn't know my Nigel at all! I was truly shaken with my discovery.

He had changed. Really changed.

In high school, he was cold and aloof to girls. But now, he was ever openhanded, so available to them! And yet, to me, he remained as cold as ice!

I hugged my chest. It hurt so much deep, deep inside there.

Lifting the skirt of my gown, I went outside of the function hall. I saw few people there, mostly security guards, lining in the court yard. At first, I was confused where to go. Nevertheless, I decided to go to the parking lot, find a bench where I could sit and pacify myself. If I could pacify myself...

Outside wasn't that dark because there were some street lamps along the pathway going to the parking lot. I hastened my steps.

Suddenly, a strong hand grabbed my right arm. "Where do you think you're going?"

I turned my head and saw him.

"Please leave me alone, Javier."

"You're hurt. You're hurt because of him!" he stated angrily.

I tried to break away from him but he held me much harder.

"It's none of your business! This is my life!"

He opened his mouth slightly showing his disbelief. His forehead wrinkled and his brows met. "Wow! When are you going to wake up? He's making a fool out of you!"

"I said it's none of your damn business," I said almost crying. "Please, leave me alone, will you?"

Javier released my arm. "Thea, when are you going to realize the truth?"

"Just leave, okay?"

"Thea, I'm not mean as what you think. I'm here for you as a friend," Javier's voice was husky showing his emotional state at this moment.

Oh, no! Javier hadn't changed... hadn't changed at all after months of not seeing each other. He had been loving me until now. I could see it in his eyes. He still loved me in spite of everything I did to him.

"J-Javier..." Somehow, I felt pity to him. This boy, just like Diego, had been loving and caring for me all this time. Until now, he was feeling it.

I looked at him and I saw tears glistening in his eyes. "Javier, I'm sorry."

"I just pray that, someday, you're going to realize who is really loving you. You deserve someone better, Thea. That man in there," he said pointing to the function hall, "is an asshole and he doesn't deserve you."

If, someday, I'd come to realize what he said, I would look for Javier to thank him, for his care and concern. But, it wouldn't happen, would it?

I sat on a bench and Javier sat beside me. For minutes, we didn't talk a word. He was just there accompanying me.

It was cold out there and I started to get chilly especially at my back. I hugged myself to relieve my body from the blowing of the cold night wind. Javier took off his suit jacket and hang it on my shoulders. I was a bit surprised but relieved and thankful at the same time.

Feeling a bit pacified of my emotional burden, I invited Javier that we go back to the hall.

Before we separated in the entrance, I returned him his jacket. "Thanks," I said.

"No problem," he said smiling.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

The dancing was still going on when I returned to the hall. However, I spotted Nigel already in our table. Adelaida was no longer with him. He was talking with some donors there who shared with our table.

I made a silent way to my chair, sat there as if nothing happened to me. As soon as I appeared, Nigel shot me a glare but continued to talk with his chatmates. I didn't mind him.

Then, out of the blue, Adelaida appeared again. She immediately clang her arms around his neck. What was the matter with her? Why was she acting like she was his girlfriend?

"Nigel, honey, I'd love to stay but I have to return to the capital now. I'm sorry. Let's hang out soon, okay?" she said in an alluring voice. She was indeed a temptress. And she was calling him honey?

"But it's almost midnight. You're going to travel at this time of night to the capital?" His voice was apparent with concern.

She laughed as she released him. "I'm a busy celebrity, hon. I travel everywhere and I'm used to that even during at night!"

"Okay." He stood up and faced her. "See you then," he said, leaning his face to her. Adelaida, really the bitchy temptress, met his face and kissed him on the lips! Everybody in our table gasped in surprise! They were not expecting that, because they were aware that Nigel was with a partner tonight --- me, the fiancèe, the young mistress of The Fields.

Then, our tablemates all looked at me as if waiting for my reaction.

I didn't do anything. My mind went blank.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

A/N

What just happened, my dear señorita? (I guess, this is where the going gets tougher... just prepare yourself for the next chapters of your life because you won't be able to bear it all. ~_^)

And, yes, by the way, ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming the former suitor, Mr. Javier Suarez! Finally, he's back and don't you think he deserves a round of applause?

Guys, please VOTE! If you seriously love this story, don't forget to vote. It's my, you know, only compensation for squeezing my brain to come up with this... Hence, from the bottom of my heart, I really appreciate everyone who voted.

COMMENT, COMMENT, COMMENT... whatever it is you want to say about this book. Hate this or love this, whatever, just say it.

SHARE too. It's the season of sharing anyway...

Finally, let me exit by wishing you (those who celebrate) a MERRY, WONDERFUL, BLESSED CHRISTMAS and a PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR! Wishing you further all the love and all the best in the world in this yuletide season and for the rest of your lives!

'Til next update,
(sapphiregirl22) ~_^