“Hello, beautiful,”someone said from beside Elena, making her jump.

She had been so focused on Xavier, as he moved from guest to guest, that she hadn’t noticed the approach of the man sharing the loveseat with her. Shifting her focus, she was unnerved when she realised how close he was. Leaning back, she couldn’t help but return his friendly smile. A rather attractive smile, if she admitted to herself.

And the man attached to the smile was more than attractive. He was Hot. With a capital H. With his messy burnished hair brushing his collar, his dark blue eyes looking her over and his rather regal features, he could rival any of the models on the runway. She didn’t know how but heat practically exuded from him.

However a bad feeling began to replace her initial assessment of him. Keeping the smile on her face, she began to inch away. As hot as he was, his wide shoulders were beginning to crowd her in. Or so she felt. Uncomfortable, she began inching away. Her eyes widened when he mirrored her movement, moving ever so close to her.

Hoping to distract him and hold him back, she asked, “H-hi. My name is Elena. I’ve just arrived and I don’t really know anyone. So, if it’s not so rude, can you introduce yourself?”

“Well, I know most everyone but I am intrigued as to why such a beautiful, mysterious woman such as you is alone.” Did he think that was much of a compliment? And did he not see that she was pregnant?  Her belly was as big as one of those balancing balls. She looked even bigger sitting. Was he blind? Finding it hard to keep the wide-eyed look on her face, she simply smiled. Maybe her dress hid that fact. He was oblivious to her suspicion, creeping ever so slightly closer. “Shy are we? Well, lets start it off with an introduction then. My name’s Caleb, Caleb Worthington,”he answered sultrily.

Elena was sure would be very sexy to other women. But to her, he just sounded breathless, like he had difficulty breathing and talking at the same time. And his breath, she almost gagged. He was so close that his breath wafted into her nose and while she was sure his breath would be perfectly acceptable normally, being pregnant had powered up her sense of smell and it smelled rank.

“H-hi. Nice to meet you, Caleb. How do you know the Reynolds? A-are you a friend of Harry’s?”she asked, still moving. Or she was trying to move but there was something blocking her. Looking at the back, she realised that she was at the end of the loveseat. Closing her eyes and cursing internally, she opened her eyes immediately after. This was not good. Bile was starting to climb her throat and sweat was starting to form at her hairline and her palms. Indications she was about to throw up.

Oh no, what was she going to do? It was bad enough that she was going to have problem getting off the seat with her bulk but this guy- Caleb?- wasn’t helping. His proximity made it awkward for her to move while his breath just exacerbated the feelings. Jumping when she felt an arm around her shoulders, she returned to the present and saw the annoyed look in Caleb’s face. Or, more accurately, a petulant look. God help her, not a whiny rich kid. Or, in this case, whiny rich man who clearly grew up with money and status.

“You’re not listening to me,”he said crankily. Realising no one was going to help her out of this precarious situation nor was anyone paying attention, she made her lips lift up into a shy smile.

“I’m so s-sorry. I was just reeling with the fact that a Wollingworth-”

“Worthington.”

“Apologies. I wasn’t expecting to meet you and all thoughts j-just flew out my head. Mr Worthington-”

“Caleb.” Irritation began to bloom, bile momentarily forgotten. Was this guy so caught up in his own world that he didn’t know how rude he was? Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes, it was an unwelcoming reminder that manners flew out the window with this kind of man. Women too. Those who had a self of entitlement, felt that they were much better than those around them.

Much much different than Harry. With him, she knew that it was pure confidence. He had a handle on everyone, knew how they would react to any given stimulus. With that knowledge, he made his moves to get what he wanted. That was something she liked about him. Attracted her to him.

Forcing down the curl of derision, she just smile and nodded. “Caleb, right. I didn’t want to assume anything, you know. So, ah, Caleb, you are Harry’s friend?”

“As if,”he answered with a roll of his eyes. His unexpected sneer threw her off but it was quick to leave his face when he found someone he knew across the room. Ignoring him, Elena looked into this puzzle. From what she knew, Harry was one of the most respected businessman in the state. He might not be the richest or most successful but everywhere she went, he was always esteemed. So why did he garner such a reaction with this two-bit hanger-on? Because she did know who he was.

As much as she tried to stay away from the world of high society, she did love her a good wine. And his family owned one of the most well-known vineyard and winery. Since she’d loved to visit the winery, she was aware of what happened with the scene. That was where she learned about him. Caleb. A vapid social butterfly who didn’t contribute to the family at all, fluttering after those who was popular at the time. Making her scowl disappear when he returned his attention onto her, she looked expectantly at him. “Well, I do know that man. And he has made quite a name for himself. But with his brother here, he is toast.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Sweetheart, I know you came in with him but leave him as fast as possible. He's bad news.” His condescension made her grit her teeth. Oh how she wished to cut him down to size but she needed any information she could get. Right now, he was the only one who could supply her. So she had to suck it up.

Looking confused and lost, she just looked up at him. She knew he would be more than happy to fill a vapid woman in on what he knew. Even if what he did know was usually a piece of the bigger picture. In this case, she needed to know what he did know. “Well, I suggest you find someone else, honey. He will soon be out of a job, kicked out of the company. Everyone knows that once Xavier comes back, he will take over.”

“Doesn’t the Board of Directors have a say in it?”

“Of course. But that wouldn’t be a problem because Xavier has most of them under him. He’s friends with half of them and the other half- Let’s just say that he had them under his thumb.”

“Blackmail?”she asked incredulously. That was what he was suggesting and she found it hard to believe. She was sure that Harry wouldn’t choose anyone who would be so easy to turn and threaten. Knew that for a fact since he was the majority shareholder. He’d be the one choosing whoever sat in that board.

“Xavier did tell me that it was difficult but- I shouldn’t say anything else. Just listen to me and leave him-”

“Leave who?”

This was the second time that night, if she didn’t count her grandmother walking in of her, that she was startled. But, this time, she was glad to see the person. Her lips lifting up into a smile, she was about to greet the man who had cut in when something hit her nostrils.

A normally delicious aroma but tonight, it recalled her nausea and she didn’t think that she could hold it in. A hard hand on her arm and she felt herself being lifted from the couch. Another hand at her back and she was being led to the restroom.

Thank God because she did not want to give her grandmother any more ammunition.

------@@@@-------

Standing outside the restroom with a plate in his hand while Elena tried to throw out her stomach and intestines, Harry had to ask himself, again, what he was doing here. They could have had an enjoyable night at his place. Their constant fighting and her crying was definitely a leg up to this disastrous evening.

Leaning against the wall opposite the door, he had to fight back the anger that was gripping him. He wanted to go back to the drawing room and pummel that jackass into the floor. He left her for less than fifteen minutes and what did he find when he returned? His girlfriend being pushed into a corner by a poor excuse of a man. Worthington was lucky he liked his family’s wine or he would have gone for him. He wasn’t even going to think about what they were talking about that had brought that calculating look in Elena’s eyes. He knew that nitwit hadn’t picked up on that. He was, and always would be, blind as a bat.

“Excuse me. Do you know where my sister is?”

Looking down the hall that led to the living room, Harry straightened. The man looking at him was big. Bigger and taller than him, close to his cousin, Cameron Ballard’s, physique. And Cameron was in the NFL. So who was this guy?

“I’m sorry but I’m sure I do not know your sister,”Harry said, his eyes carefully looking him over. For some reason, he looked quite familiar. His dark blond hair was cut short, the sides shaved but the fringe seemed to be falling over his eyes. That made it difficult for Harry to make out the color of his eyes but he knew they were doing the same thing his were. Assessing the stranger and planning the next move.

Dressed in a simple white shirt with a leather jacket over it, and jeans, he was clearly not a guest of his parents. He looked like a common labourer. And, yet, he seemed unimpressed by his surrounding. It was like he was impervious to such trappings. However Harry could tell he was determined to find his sister. He looked like he wasn’t going to move unless he got his answer.

“You know, my sister. Elena. The maid I spoke to told me she was with you.” That stunned him. This guy was looking for Elena? Elena was his sister? How? But as he looked at the man further, he could tell the resemblance, especially their hair. It was the exact same color. Even so, he had to be certain.

“Elena? She’s your sister? Then that means that you’re Stephan? But how- What-”

“None of your business, dude. I’m just here to get her away from this hell that we escaped from-”

Harry froze. The mere mention of Elena leaving him caused panic to almost overwhelm him. He wanted to shout to this man, Elena’s brother, that he was not taking her away. Shout to the world that Elena belonged to him. Taking a step forward, he got ready to blister this man but a cry from within the restroom stopped him.

“Harry. Harry, help!”

AN: H-hi guys. Hope you're w-well. I'm not feeling guilty or anything. I'm just-just doing great too. He he. Heh....

ALRIGHT. I'm so sorry. I was supposed to post this last week but I didn't. And I'm wrecked with guilt and remorse and sorrow. I hope you have it in you to forgive me. *ugly crying commences*

It's just- it's just I was preparing for a vacation and work was work and I saw a baby smile and I forgot. Please forgive me during this festive season.

And please VOTE and COMMENT if you liked this chapter and follow me on Wattpad And Twitter.

Happy holidays.

THANKS

P.S. hope you can help me. Let me know how you feel and react when you did something wrong. I feel immense guilt and promise not to do it again while apologising vehemently. For example see above. Help me develop my characters. Thanks