68: Jabs and dances.

KIKI.

I started to cough at Luca’s question. Why in the world would he ask that? I grabbed the drink again and took a big swig. I had to wash down the question.

When I looked at Gigi, he was staring at me has gone quiet. The question had taken us off guard. I coughed again and Luca turned his attention to me.

“Of course not, I don’t do office flings,” Gigi said. His tone had an edge to it. He had been acting off since I arrived. Maybe it was because I was interacting with Luca Arts.

Who was I kidding, it was certainly because of that. The way he kept staring at me was alarming. I was sure almost everybody in here would have noticed the chemistry between us.

Luca snorted like he didn’t believe him and I looked away. What was this now?

“Gigi has a fiancee whom he is committed to. So, Luca, Gigi can’t be eyeing another lady.” Matteo whom I didn’t know was with us said. He must have joined us when he saw Luca here.

“It’s not even in his position if he wanted to. And even if he was going to see another lady, he has a taste.” Matteo said indirectly jabbing me. An inaudible gasp escaped my lips at his utterances.

I couldn’t believe he was saying that to me. I always knew he didn’t like me but I never imagined it to be this much. I was going to deal with him later. I waited for Gigi to say something. Anything that could counter Matteo’s words but he didn’t. The realization that he wouldn’t even defend me outside left me sad within.

Yet he said he loved me. Or liked me… whatever.

I still wasn’t sure about what to think of that. I can’t wait to tell Rose and Grace cos this was seriously beyond me. It was truly beyond me. I had dressed up to look this good cos of him. Usually, I wouldn’t even apply makeup, but I did cos he had said he liked me. And what had he done when he saw me? His compliment wasn’t even a compliment.

Despite all my efforts.

Despite everything I did.

“Alright then. I guess I can speak to the single lady then.” Luca said flashing his teeth at me. I managed a smile back. He grabbed my hand and led me away from the men. All the way, I felt Giovanni’s eyes on me.

Luca got me another drink and handed it to me. “It’s not alcohol. I wouldn’t want to make a pass on what your boss said.” He said, emphasizing more on the Boss as it would affect me.

“Thanks,” I smiled. He wasn’t all that bad. And since I was here with him, I should better enjoy my time with him. After all, he was a fine man himself. His talk about charming me had cracked me up pretty badly. Well, he would have succeeded if only I wasn’t already charmed by someone else.

He must have thought I was laughing cos of him. He didn’t even realize anything.

“So, how are you fairing at your job?” He asked. If he thought he could use this as a means to get some information from me, he was going to hear it from me. However, I just sipped my drink after shrugging in response.

“You are really good. I saw it today at the meeting. This is wonderful especially as you have no experience in this job.” He said. His last statement caught me off guard and my eyes widened.

“How do you know that when we just met?” I asked him, surprised etched in my tone. He smiled and passed me a smirk before taking a sip of his drink.

“I noticed you, Kiki. I saw you today and got mesmerized by you, yourself, and what you portrayed regardless of who you work for. You interested me.” He said.

No, my body interested you. I wanted to say that to him but I didn’t. All these men know nothing but my body like it was the only thing about me that made me stand out.

“And when I say I’m shocked by how well you’ve groomed yourself, believe me.” He was talking like he had known me all my life. Talking as though he knew me more than myself. I hated talks like that.

“You talk as if you know me.” I shut him up, cutting him off his next statement.

“I don’t and I just realized that.” He chuckled and I almost rolled my eyes.

“Well, you already know my name, milady.” He started, an enchanting smile on his face. “I’m Luca Arts and I know you are Kiki. I’m an entrepreneurer.” He introduced, a bit formally.

I smiled and took his outstretched hand for a handshake. His grip tightened on me. He still had that smile on his face.

“But seriously, how did you get Giovanni to employ you?” He whispered. “I don’t mean it that way. I meant, I know you are smart and beautiful but Giovanni is very hard to please.” He was quick to add like an afterthought.

I smiled.

“Well, let’s just say I charmed him the same way I have you charmed now.” I shot back at him. His eyes widened like he was trying to figure out what I meant but I didn’t mind him. I just took a swig of my drink.

“Well, I guess you are a charmer then.” He grinned.

“You guessed right,” I mumbled. He looked past me to the dance floor. A soft tune of Ed Sheeran’s Shivers was playing so I knew what he was about to do.

“Common, have this dance with me.” He said politely as he grabbed my hands. I let him guide me to the dance floor after I dropped my glass on the tray a waiter was carrying along.

I felt people’s gaze on me as we swayed to the beats of the music. Well, we were two beautiful people so I understood if they couldn’t keep their eyes off us.

Narcissistic much???....