"You can let go of me now," I suggested when he continued to hold me a second longer.
"Just give me my moment, please," He squeezed me tighter.
"William, I can't breathe," I choked in protest as I tried to wiggle out of him.
"It's not that tight, Andy," William stated in thick sarcasm as he let go of me. "Now, can you breathe?" he asked as he held me at arm's length.
"No. You're still in my personal space."
He chuckled at my lame joke but didn't make any signs of letting his hand go. "So, what changed your mind?"
"I didn't. Your sister told me that it wasn't really real," I admitted with a snort.
"Right. That I can see," he agreed with a grin. "Do you want to go back to the party?" he asked after a short pause.
"I think so. I still have a job to do," I replied abruptly and stepped away from him, eying the entrance to the venue of the party.
"Okay. Then, let me escort you inside," He looped my arm around his as he regained my attention to him while I eyed him curiously.
"I don't think that's a good idea … " I pointed as he started to drag me back.
"Don't be so shy, Andy. Almost everyone in that room notice William eying you for most of the night." Alexandra suddenly came up right behind us, making both of us turn.
"Alex, what are you doing here?" William asked in surprise.
"I just took a little stroll away from the lime light," she replied with a grin as she walked pass us back to the party.
We both trailed our eyes on her as she made her way back. And as her distance between us grew, I couldn't help but smile as I remember our little chat. I hope she'll take my advice and finally leave me alone with her scheming plans to make William talk to her.
"Why are you smiling like that?" William suddenly asked, breaking the short silence between us.
"Oh, nothing. I just know something you don't," I pointed out and grinned as I recall my conversation with Alexandra a few minutes ago.
Forty-Three
After William and I rejoined the event, I walked up to Maggie who recently finished her turn in the auction. I gave her a small encouraging smile when I saw the man who won the bid. The guy doesn't look bad, which was a plus.
"You're doing great. I promise. Do you know who bid for you?" I asked out of curiosity as I eyed the man from the sides.
"I know him. He's one of William's associates. Mr. Kinsley, he is an executive at a marketing company. He's around forty something, which I guess is not really true from the gray on his hair, but I can say that the man is good. I think I could live a day knowing that I'm not having a date with a perverted old man," she mumbled in reply, a nervous tone rising up from her controlled façade.
"You'll be alright, Maggie. If you want, I can introduce you to someone who's on the adventurous and dark side." I offered as I wiggled my eyebrows in enthusiasm.
"And who is this man you're referring to?" she asked with pure curiosity.
"Come with me," I grabbed her wrist and pulled her to the direction of the bar.
When we reached the bar counter, I asked for the other bartender to call Jack, who had amazingly disappeared when I needed him. As we waited, William took the opportunity to join us. He looked bored with the company he had at his table.
"Here for another drink?" he asked as he raised his other hand with an almost empty glass, signaling the young bartender to get him for another glass.
"No, what are you drinking?" I replied and asked out of curiosity.
"Whiskey," he answered as the bartender gave him a new glass.
I didn't comment on that when Jack finally arrived. "Hey, Andy. Do you need me with something?" he asked as he approached us while holding a rag and a glass in hand, cleaning it.
"Are you busy?" I asked out of courtesy as I eyed his slow handiwork.
"No, I'm just finishing cleaning this last one," he replied and placed the glass on the bar counter.
"Good," I nodded once to myself. "I would like you to meet, Maggie. Maggie, this is Jack, he owns a famous bar named Black Jack," I said as sweetly as I can, tugging Maggie elbow lightly when I felt her take a step back.
William eyed the two beside me as he watched the interaction happened. I glared at his direction when he was about to interrupt. But he didn't. Instead, he closed his mouth and took another sip of his drink. I took note on that and allowed the two to properly introduce themselves. When I felt the need to leave them, I grabbed William's elbow and pulled him away from the bar counter.
"What was that about?" he whispered down to me as we walked away.
"I'm setting those two up. She needed it after the auction thing," I whispered back in reply.
He chuckled beside me but didn't comment on it. When it was time for William to give his closing remarks, I stayed back on my post on the right corner of the venue. I watched him intently as he delivered his speech. For a moment, as he stood on that stage, he looked like the man that people perceived of him. William Maxwell, CEO of Maxwell Enterprises.
As the party slowly came to a close, Maggie and I stayed a little longer and waited for the guest to leave before closing it up with the staff. After we finished checking things up, I gestured Maggie to go ahead first as I try to find the dress I came here tonight. Before I headed towards the direction of the dressing room I went a few hours ago, William blocked my way.
"What are you still doing here? I thought you've already left," I asked in disbelief, surprised by his appearance.
"I waited for you to finish up. I went out for a little drink and came back."
"Sure you were."
"If you're looking for your dress, I already have it," he said when I walked pass him. "It's in my car right now, if you're wondering," he continued, which stopped me on my track.
"Right," I pursed my lips as I debated about what to do next.
"So … " He walked towards the main exit, his back to me. "Are you coming with me or not?" he called after walking a few paces.
With a heavy sigh of defeat, I followed behind him with quick strides. When we got out of the door, his car was already parked out front like he left it there. He didn't waste his time and got in the driver seat as I stopped a foot away.
"Get in, Andy!" William called, catching my attention. I looked up in time to see the window fully open with his upper body leaning towards me.
"Did you plan this the whole time?" I asked in annoyance as I got in the car.
"Most of it and the rest I'll wing it," he replied in admission as he start up the ignition and drove out of the country club's drive way.
I rolled my eyes and kept silent as I let him drive in peace for a minute. When I watched the dim streetlights flying by us, I grew curious about our destination. From the looks of the buildings around us, we aren't heading back to my apartment or his.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked, breaking the eerie silence in the car.
"And you haven't thought to ask me before jumping in the car," he smirked arrogantly. "We are going to my other place."
"You know this is considered kidnapping. I could sue you for this … "
"This is not kidnapping. You willing came along with me and I didn't tie you up."
"Okay. Fine," I rolled my eyes, giving up my stiff façade. "So, where is this other place of yours?"
"It's a lake house a few miles from the edge of the city, near the interstate line
"What the heck? You can't just bring me along on a trip without telling me."
"I did somehow ask you to come with me and you went along … okay, okay … I'll take you back to your apartment first thing in the morning," he replied but trailed off as he glanced at my direction for a second, his voice turned sheepish.
"No. Turn the car around and do it now," I demanded as I kept my ground.
"There is something I want to show you. If I take this another day, you would have done everything to avoid me since you'll be gone by then … " he admitted softly, his voice had a ring of sadness to it.
I didn't give him any reply and watched him under the dim streetlights as he continued to drive us towards his lake house. I don't get why he had to be secretive. Maybe if he had asked me nicely, I would have agreed to go with him. Why couldn't he do that little courtesy?
"Why can't you ask me like a normal person rather than kidnapping me?" I asked as I voiced out my frustration.
"Because I know how you'll respond … " he replied softly. The car was quiet enough for me to overhear.
I stayed silent for the rest of the drive, which took so much of my self-control. William had cracked a few times as he tried to make small talk but the conversation was one-sided since I didn't give him any reply. When we were close, he announced it. I felt relieved that the drive was close to an end. I didn't know how long I could last inside the car with him.