Chapter 124: Abandoned
Cylus was unsure if the woman before him was acting or genuinely uninterested in him, but she was gorgeous, and he wondered why he had never seen her before. It was not the first time he had met Miss Luna Lee, who frequented his bar with her friends, and Cylus was sure he would have noticed a beauty like the woman in front of him by Miss Luna's side. The girl had innocent facial features and she appeared extremely young, but her body betrayed her age, and he knew there was no way she was a teen.
"I think it is you who misunderstands me," Cylus said, "I invited you to drink with me because I do not wish to offend the friend of Miss Luna." Mina frowned. She turned back to look at Luna who wore a concerned expression. "Let's start over," the man said, "My name is Cylus Rue, and you are?"
"Mina Harlow," Mina responded. Seeing the uncomfortable exchange, Luna was about to pull her friend away, but someone got to her first. Turning to see who was dragging her, Luna became angry.
"Lisa? What are you doing here? Mina needs my help. Stop pulling me," Luna said.
"Luna, I think you're too protective of your friend. She seems to be interested in CEO Rue, why not let her have fun?" Luna disagreed.
"Lisa, what's your motive here?" The question caught Lisa off guard.
"I just… I'm still feeling a little insecure." Luna softened with Lisa's response, but she was still angry and had an uneasy feeling.
"So, because you are uncomfortable, we neglect my friend?" Luna asked.
"Neglect her? My goodness no! We can watch from here. If she looks distressed, we can go to her rescue," Lisa said. She made sure to emphasize the word 'we'. Lisa knew enough about Luna to know that the woman put great weight and value on personal relationships. Only by pretending to be concerned herself, would she be able to make Luna agree.
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Cylus was still looking Mina up and down. She was so familiar to him, but he did not recall a Mina Harlow or even a Harlow family. It was not impossible for a woman with no standing to associate with a Lee, but it would certainly be odd.
"Tell me, what does your family do? You seem very familiar to me," Cylus said.
"My family is working class," Mina admitted. "You won't know us." Mina was about to turn to leave but was startled by the disappearance of Luna. Cylus who had seen the woman being pulled away spoke again.
"Your friend has abandoned you. Also, I think you owe me a drink for misunderstanding me."
"Me owe you?" Mina questioned. "Why? How did I misunderstand you?" Cylus raised his eyebrow.
"Miss Harlow…" she cut him off.
"Please call me Mina, I don't need anyone to think I'm impersonating a wealthy woman," she said. Cylus smiled, Mina's logic was old fashioned, but he would still respect her request.
"Mina, you've been misunderstanding me this whole time. Do you know that your friend's family can shut down my bar with one word?" Cylus studied Mina's expression to see if his method was working. "At least buy me one drink. Show her that all is well between us." Mina laughed as she looked at the sly man in front of her.
"You are good," Mina said. Cylus' fake bewildered expression tickled her. "If I say 'no', it'll be me who is considered rude, but if I say 'yes,' you win." Cylus nodded appreciatively.
"What would I win?" He asked suggestively but Mina ignored him. Opening her clutch, Mina showed the contents to the man.
"It's too bad I am poor," She said, and Cylus' face flattened. The girl was really trying to get out of having a drink with him.
"Then I will buy myself a drink and you can just sit with me." Mina backed away suspiciously and Cylus could feel her apprehension.
"Miss… I mean Mina. To be honest, I can have any woman in this room including that Maggie back there, but I think I would enjoy your conversation more. It's rare to meet a woman who doesn't want anything from me," he said honestly. Realizing that she was not going to get out of the situation without help, Mina held up a single finger.
"One drink. I will accompany you for one drink and the moment I feel uncomfortable, I leave." Cylus agreed. Mina didn't know why but as soon as the man told her that a person who didn't want to use him was rare, she felt bad for him.
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Luna watched as Cylus led Mina to his private VIP table. It was positioned a few steps above the rest and demanded attention. As soon as Mina sat, Lisa turned to Luna with a smile.
"Maybe you don't know your friend as well as you thought," Lisa said. Luna surrendered respectfully. She trusted that Mina knew what she was doing, and without being able to hear the conversation the pair was having, she did not want to assume. Besides, having a drink with someone was not a declaration of promiscuity nor was it a crime. Luna was more put off by the fact that Lisa seemed to insinuate that it was.
"Lisa, it's just a drink. How many drinks have you had with Cylus? Did it lead you into his bed at all?" The question made Lisa flinch. Luna did not know that she had just hit on a sore spot for the girl.
"You are right. Anyway, let's sit here. If Mina needs help in any way, we can see it clearly," Lisa replied, hoping that Luna had not seen through her.
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Mina sat at the table and cupped both her hands over her forehead. She looked as if she were shielding her eyes from the sun, which made no sense in a dimly lit bar. Cylus interpreted the girl's actions as embarrassment.
"Is it that bad to be seen with me?" He asked and Mina let out a nervous chuckle.
"No, I just don't like people looking at me," she answered. Cylus scanned the area and indeed, there were many pairs of eyes on them. He had grown up in a family that associated attention with wealth, so he had long ago become numb to the uncomfortable feeling of being stared at.
"It's not their fault that you are gorgeous. Pity them a little; do you know how many women wish they could trade places with you right now." Mina sighed.
"Then pick one, and I'll gladly give up my seat." Mina jumped when Cylus let out a huge laugh. She didn't think what she said would be funny because she was completely serious.