Chapter Thirty Three

She dropped the call, resting her two hands on the table as her head rested on them. She stared into the table as she wondered how she would go home.

Hey. You.....

She heard a voice speak from above her and she raised her head to see who.

Not who she wanted to see, but she didn't mind because she has been left alone and by her self.

She sure wasn't all that excited to see Albert but she didn't want to be unnecessarily over dramatic, besides the man that made her heart flutter with colourful butterflies was with another woman. And he looked very comfortable with her.

Hey. She responded.

Do you mind a dance? He asked as he stretched his hands towards her. She looked over his him at Ray and he she saw Cassie moving some strands of his hair away from his face. Well, two can play the game!

Yea, sure! She responded as she took Albert's hand.

She hoped she wasn't making a mistake because the second she and Albert was now standing close to each other, she felt a wave of regret with her action.

She went ahead, properly placing her hands on his. His hand by her waist and her head on his shoulders.

They gradually repeated the same steps as they stood in a way that Albert backed Ray's table. Though it was about four tables away from them.

Ray had suddenly looked their direction and she dead ass saw how much he detested what was before his gaze.

Why was just  his gaze able to reveal his anger? If he liked her that much, why did he make her feel like shit every time? Why did he treat her badly so much? Why was he sitting over there with Cassie and not her? Alot of why's she wasn't sure to get an answer to.

This feels amazing. She heard Albert say.

She was mute, she sure didn't think it was amazing having Ray look at her with so much rage. Did he want to keep both her and Cassie?

Hey and you don't have to worry about your boss, Raymond. He gave me the go ahead. 

Wait what? Amanda moved her head away from his shoulders and she interrupted to understand what he meant by his lat statement.

What do you mean by he gave you the go ahead?

Go ahead to do what?

Oh nothing really. He personally invited me to this party two days ago due the the massive success of our agreement and i asked if I could at least dance with you.

And he said okay.

Amanda didn't know what exactly to think, she felt like she over reacted with the sudden "wait what?" so she decided to chill abit. But why would Ray even agree to that even after they had slept with each other the night before.

Why did he think it was okay to grant such request?

Maybe because he didn't tell me about the party?  the possible answer echoed in her head. He decided i won't be coming so his approval wasn't going to actually yield any fruit? well so she thought.

She was coldly in the arms of a man that once tickled her fancy but that was a while ago. Now she just forced herself to be in his arms to pay back Ray who was tormenting her.

She knew that even if Ray thought her just a staff, her accepting to dance with Albert would mess with his ego. And maybe his heart if he had one.

So she leaned in back unto Albert's shoulders without saying another word.

Ray sat there as he couldn't stand what Amanda was doing. She was definitely trying to trigger him and she sure seem to know how to because she had successfully left him boiling.

She wanted to play games with him and he didn't want to have any of it.

"Excuse me" he said as he left the table and into an exit that he'd to a hallway.

Amanda noticed Ray's exit and she didn't know what to think.

She hoped he was at least okay.

She now found herself standing there, moving in the directions that Albert led her.

She was praying the music ends and in no time it did.

They settled down in the round table where she previously occupied alone.

That's was quite intriguing. He said adjusting his tie.

Mm... She let out as she hoped her disagreement to his remark was not that obvious.

How have you been? He asked wearing a smile that didn't really sit well with her.  Not that it was completely bad, but she just didn't feel like socializing or maybe just didn't feel like socializing with him. Amanda thought Albert a fine eligible young man but the thing was that she didn't think he was for her, at least not anymore.

Been great. She answered in a plain tone.

Do you mind, I would like to use the bathroom.

Oh sure, you can.

Amanda left his side and went straight into the entrance that Ray had followed. Maybe she was doing absolutely too much but she felt that Ray was in one of those feelings that he wanted to be alone, one of those moments that he hated the crowd and just needed space.

She walked into the hallway which was a little lonely but very lit up. She didn't have any idea as to where Ray might have gone but she was willing to check and maybe might find him.

She saw a few doors, she called out Ray's name but no answer. She opened a few doors but no one was in.

She had gotten to a stair and decided to take it, it led her to a mini hall, which was as empty as the other spaces she had passed but this was a little bigger and it had a long centre table with chairs rounding it. It was obviously a conference hall.

She went in regardless. Went closer to the window as she looked out. It's was just the front of the whole building and nothing serious. She gazed out side and realized she needed an alone time her self.

She only wished she grabbed a glass of wine while coming.

Her mind clamored about her stay in London and even though her personal life wasn't as she hoped, she was still fulfilled that the primary objective of the visit was fulfilled. 

She couldn't wait to go back to lang, her old life and maybe link up with Karen. Her mind now went to Ray and all that happened between them. She was deeply saddened about how it was with them. Her mind had immediately gone back to Ray and now as she wondered where Ray had gone.

"I guess we both needed some fresh air"  she flinched a she heard a voice behind her.

She realized who it was even without seeing the person but she just didn't expect him or anyone bumping into her.

She turned, as her gaze caught his face. He looked refreshing to look at and he had a half empty wine glass on his hand.

"Sorry I startled you." 

I will let that go if you let me have your wine.

She said sarcastically with a charming smile, Losing her posture because she slightly and sluggishly moved her body.

I could, but it seems like you have had enough of this for today.

He moved closer to her, dropping the wine glass on the long table before moving closer to her.

I'm a grown woman, if I want another drink then I think I can handle it. She responded still with a smile and spoken with the same tone as before.

I don't think so. He said moving closer to her as she seemed slightly drunk. 

What are you doing here? She asked.

No, what are you doing here? He redirected the same question to her.

I came looking ....... She paused halfway not wanting to complete her statement.

Looking for me? He completed her questions as he moved his hands to her face, moving strands of her hair away from her face.

For anything, he didn't expect Amanda here or even with the purpose of finding him. In the midst of everything, she kept proving an usual care and affection towards him and that softened his heart. At least for tonight.

You shouldn't be looking for me when you are with Albert.

I'm not with Albert. She responded immediately as her drunken state became more obvious. Because she spoke sluggishly, wiggling her body as she immediately rested her body on Ray with her gaze on his face.

Ray stopped thinking for a moment, appreciating her beauty. She acted even more  delightful when drunk and he loved how free she was at the moment.

You are beautiful Amanda. He casually said without thinking much about it and he felt good letting her know how beautiful she was.

Her cheek immediately wore a smile, a heart wrenching smile but in a good way. Making his heart feel things he thought to have banished a long time ago.