Andre's POV
I was behind my laptop in my library when a call came through. I didn't even notice, I was deep in thoughts. My mind was on her for the millionth time. I ran my fingers through my hair. I seem to be doing it a lot lately. Lately meaning since the time I crashed into clumsy in front of the coffee shop that morning till this moment. I was so angry that morning And I took it out on her. My conscience pricks me anytime her terrified face when I barked at her comes into memory. I hate that I caused that instead of a smile. I need to apologize to her, I would have to try harder than going to the coffee shop every morning. Maybe let my men track her down gosh I don't even know her name.
The call comes through a second time and I check the ID, it's the only woman of my mother aside my sister. I wonder why she's calling, it's been less than an hour I talked to her.
I instantly pick it up and press the phone to my ear. "Hey beautiful."
"Honey I forgot to mention your dad has received an invitation from his friend Richard to attend his dinner party, he invited the entire family, I would love you to come. Hope you don't mind?"
Not in the least. "No love, I don't mind at all." I don't really mind going to the dinner party, Uncle Richard is like my second father. We're this wealthy and established as a household name thanks to him. I'll forever be grateful to him , he helped us when our own blood couldn't stick around to help us.
"Thanks honey, I know it won't be easy for you, your father and I appreciate this."
"It's no problem mom, I'll see you guys in two hours." I hang up the call and look at the reports of the land I asked to be investigated in my home country, France which are displayed right now on my laptop screen. I go through them for about twenty minutes before shutting down my laptop and left for my room.
I open the door to my room, my bachelor room in a plush penthouse on the last floor of our family hotel in Manhattan. Will it ever be filled with the soft giggles of the love of my life? I shake the thought away and go into the bathroom to take a shower.
The water relaxing and calming me as it touches my skin. The scent from my strawberry shampoo fills the air and sets my mind at ease as my conscience starts pricking me. What are you doing to me clumsy!?
I get out of the shower and draped my body with the towel my little sweet sister gifted me on my birthday last. I smile at the memory, I miss her so much. It's been long I talked to her unlike our three times in a week agreement, every second of my time is spent buried in work, taking our empire to more greater heights.
I walk in to the closest she personally designed for me and settled on the black tuxedo I wore to her birthday last summer. The last time she was ever home. I picked a random pair of socks slide my feet into my Armani shoes and sprayed my body with my favorite perfume by Clive Christian. I leave my hair loose so I can run my fingers through it without messing it up unlike styled hair.
I go back to the library for my phone and take my Lamborghini Urus key and headed for the garage. I scan my fleet of cars and my eyes land on the gold Lamborghini Urus I got in the evening of that day I met clumsy. Why does everything in my world now, revolve around you?
I unlocked the door and got in, driving away from the garage onto the busy streets of Manhattan. I don't speed off like most days, I have more time since I got dressed in time.
I'm soon driving onto the streets of Upper Montclair. Expensive and serene place to live in. I won't last a day here in this neighborhood. I prefer the bustling life of Manhattan especially at night when I'm back from work and I'm all alone. I dial my mother's number as I got into Uncle Richard's neighborhood.
"Mum are you there yet?"
"No honey, we just got onto the Upper Montclair street. What about you son?"
"I'm about to park at the gate, I know you would like us to go together. I'll see you."
I park my car opposite their gate and take out my phone to scroll through Instagram. I was on Dave East's page when I heard someone tap the window.
I take my eyes off my phone to look at the culprit. It's no other person than that son of a bitch I do not want to set my eyes on. I get out of my car and lock the door immediately, I don't trust my car or anything of mine around him.
"Hello dearest brother!" He throws his hands around me enveloping me in a hug. I huff, to hell with you.
I give him a blank face not hugging him back. "Why don't you just stop this ridiculous hypocrisy." I fold my arms on my chest daring him to continue.
"Oh darling little brother, I don't know what you're talking about why don't we get going, I don't think you want to keep them waiting." He said unfazed as he pointed to our parents who were waiting for us beside their car.
I huff and walk away from him towards our parents who were oblivious to what just happened.
"Hello my boy." Father patted my shoulders adoringly, " Achille sneered at us, "Finally took a break huh?"
I ran my fingers on my face. "No father, I can't take a break this time when snakes are in the open." Achille scowls at me, I give a dry laugh I'm not bothered the least by him, " I came for Uncle Richard's sake."
"Boys can we get going? You can continue this conversation on the way." Mother tells us, I know she can't wait to meet Aunt Bertha.
"I'll drive my car inside." I tell my parents. My mother gives me a side glance knowing my reason very well. I retreat from there towards my car.
I start the ignition and drive through the gates, parking in the lot filled with many cars. I see my brother park the car they brought and they get out joining me.
"You two better behave, we don't wanna any brawling." Mother says looking at our faces waiting for an answer.
"I promise to me on my best behavior." The scum says rather too quickly.
"So do I." I take mother's hand in mine as I opened the door and enter into the crowded living room filled with guests. Aunty Bertha was entertaining her guests moving from family to family.
She sees us and gives a big smile . Hugging us and greeting us cheeringly. "Andre, son you've grown more taller and handsome." She ruffles my hair. Thank God it's loose.
Her eyes meet someone probably a waiter behind us and beckons him over. My back was to him so I couldn't see. She takes their hands instead of his hand when they got closer to us.
I look up at their faces and standing there, is the very girl who's terror stricken face is engraved in my memory, next to her is Elisa. What is on earth is she doing here? Are they friends?
"Theodore and Ava meet my daughter and my niece, Elisa and Anniella." Niece?, how come I don't know of any cousin of Elisa.
Mother smiled, greeting her, " Hello Anniella." And hugs her then turned her attention to Elisa and greeted her too.
Dad also greeted them. Aunt Bertha finally focused on us, "El and Ann meet Andre and Achille, the two sons of Theodore and Ava." She concluded her introduction.
I still had a look of shock on my face but quickly mask it with a bland look when her gaze landed on me. She looked stunned before looking at Achille.
Achille being him extended out his hand in greeting, "Hello beauties, I'm Achille Archambeau."
I huff when I heard him call them beauties. Cheesy swine. I keep my eyes focused on clumsy as I assess her from head to toe.
Mother nudges me looking at me like she's telling me to be a gentleman.
I don't extend my hand to greet or hug them like the others. "Hi."
Elisa steps closer to me, "Hey Andre!, we've met again."
"Yeah it's been a long time, how's school?" I try to create a conversation with her though my eyes are still on Anniella who addressed my parents gracefully, "Mr and Mrs Archambeau, it's nice meeting you, I'll please take my leave." She looks at her Aunt for approval before scurrying away to the kitchen.
"School's fine and you? Slaving yourself to work like always?" She takes two flutes of champagne from the waiters serving around and handed me one.
"Thank you, you know me don't you?" I take a sip from my flute.
"I used to know you like the back of my hand."
"Haha I'm the same as before." I debate on asking about clumsy. I've to get used to calling her by her real name. "So was the girl who was beside you really your cousin?"
She nods, "Why?"
"How come we've never heard of her?"
"Andre your parents know about her, talk about yourself." She chuckled, amused.
"Oh I see-" I'm unable to complete my sentence as Chloe Simpson, Elisa's childhood best friend and the daughter of Nigel Simpson the Mayor of Montclair came and drag Elisa away, giving me an apologetic smile.
I was left standing alone. I saw Achille flirting with a brunette wearing one of those flimsy dresses they entice men with. I joined the crowd and had business conversations with few associates.
A waiter passed by carrying pastries filled plates on a tray. I took a plate from the lot, biting into one of the hot spring rolls on the plate. Delicious . I moan as I took big bites of the spring rolls devouring all of them in minutes. I crave for more but restrain myself, not wanting to look like a hungry pig. I've got an image to protect.
My eyes look over the crowd after getting bored being on my phone hoping to see someone I know. Anniella comes into view taking the flight of stairs. I take in her appearance more. She's in a rose gold leather top and skirt, fitting her body perfectly accentuating her cute curves. Her brown skin glowing in the light. As if sensing my gaze, she turned around, those beautiful black eyes of hers boring into mine, even then I don't look away.
Her eyes rack down my body, not in a sensual way like most girls do when they see me as if I was a piece of meat being served on a golden platter. She averts her gaze quickly like she doesn't want to be caught though I caught her checking me out. I don't mind as long as it's her.
She looked away and ascended the stairs into her room.
Her aunt comes into the living room moments after her body was out of vision and announces to the crowd dinner is ready. "Please lets all proceed to the ballroom."
She sees me and comes closer, " Andre son, please do me a favor and call Anniella from her room to the ballroom."
"Don't worry, which room." I ask eager to see her alone. So I can apologize and unburden my heart.
"She's in the next room after Elisa's, thanks son." She flashed me a grateful smile and left.
I go up the stairs and recognized Elisa's door.
I move to the next door debating on whether I should go inside. I have tasks to complete.
I knocked once, there was no answer, twice and it was still the same. I push her door open, taking in my surroundings.
Her room is big and airy, everything stuck neatly into their rightful places. I look around for clumsy and I gulped.
She laid on her stomach with her round and perfect ass facing me. Her long legs and thighs were exposed and her long braids sprawled on her bed and arms. This position was a turn on for me.
I got closer to her suddenly feeling the desire to run my fingers along her beautiful face as she slept looking more beautiful and peaceful. I couldn't take the resistance anymore.
I trailed my fingertips on her face causing her to stir in her sleep and finally waking up. She squinted her eyes to look at me.
"What on earth are you doing in my room? Wasn't the yelling on me enough, or are you here for more jerk!?"
Her eyes widen when she realized what she just called me. I scowl, "what did you just call me?"
"Jerk, in case you didn't hear it the first time, I called you a jerk, a money spitting jerk." She said calmly.
Wtf, money spitting jerk? I run my fingers through my hair, anger seeping through me. "How dare-!" I stop myself before things escalate too far.
She cocked her brows at me, "You can't yell this time around, I'm I right, jerk?"
My patience is running thin, "think whatever you like, your aunt requests for you in the ballroom, that's what I came in here for." And with that I dash for the door, slamming it in the process. How dare she calls me a jerk! She knows nothing about and there she is calling me something I'm no near not.
I descend the stairs into the ballroom not caring if she was behind me or not.
Why do you think Andre has bitterness towards his elder brother ð¤?
Any guesses?ð¤