“All the credit goes to Alexia Brooke, the brain behind the décor. Let’s give her a hand.” The host mentioned her name and she stood up from her seat. The whole room went into applause and after a few moments, she sat down.

It was the opening ceremony of the new headquarters of DALIA, and everything looked marvelous. Alexia and her team were able to finish decorating the offices and organised the opening ceremony as planned. Mr Wills had been impressed with their handwork and skill and congratulated them on a job well done.

The congratulatory comments kept pouring in and even today at the opening ceremony, it did not stop coming. Almost everyone in the hall had congratulated her and a few even spoke of getting her on board on their company projects.

Alexia was all smiles and thought nothing could take down her smile, until she saw Elijah. She had no idea who invited him however, she planned to get very far away from him - and she had done that. She managed to avoid him throughout the party until they went to their tables and she found him sitting next to her.

“Congratulations!” Elijah said and she plastered a smile on her face, and just like the way she replied everyone else who congratulated her today, she said.

“Thank you, it was all team effort.” Alexia averted her gaze from him immediately.

“Alexia,” Elijah said and grabbed her hand beneath the table. Alexia quickly gave him a murderous stare. “Please let’s talk.” He said softly and his golden brown eyes, like that of honey, pierced through her green ones.

Alexia was speechless for a few moments for two reasons. One, Elijah’s eyes had never been so captivating. Two-she saw desperation in them. For the first time in a long time, she was considering listening to him. “Elijah,” she said.

“Please Alexia, just this once listen to me.”

“So what do you have to say for yourself?” Alexia snapped. “Are you going to try to convince me that what I saw in your dorm room was not real? Are you going to blame everything on Chelsea? What are you going to say Elijah? Do you intend on denying everything?” She gulped for air after her outburst.

“No, I accept my crimes. I did cheat on you with Chelsea when we were dating.” Elijah’s words struck her like a knife and sent a sharp pain to her heart.

Alexia already knew this truth because Chelsea revealed it to her before they graduated. It had shattered her heart then, and she thought that it would not hurt if Elijah confessed it to her, but boy was she wrong. It hurt as much as it did the first time.

“Alexia, I was a jerk then. I did not know the true meaning of trust and I broke it. I broke the heart of the girl who truly loves me.”

“Loved,” She quickly corrected. “And I guess you learnt that right after Chelsea dumped you.” Alexia said and his head hung low.

“I leant it the hard way. But I also paid the price.” Elijah’s head came back up and he gently squeezed her hand. “I lost you.”

“So it was after Chelsea dumped you that you realised that you loved me?”

“No. I have always been in love with you, but I was too blind then to see it. Alexia, I am sorry. Please forgive me. All I ask from you now, is to give me a second chance. Please, I want to win your heart and trust again.”

“No.” Alexia’s reply was quick and stern.

“Why?” He sounded hurt but she did not care, because she was hurting more than he was. He had just admitted to cheating on her and not realizing how much he hurt her until Chelsea dumped him. She had suffered too much already because of him and she was not about to give him another chance to hurt her again. It was better he left. “Do you have a boyfriend? Is that man I saw you with at the restaurant your boyfriend?”

Alexia pulled her hand out of his grip and took a deep breath. “My personal life is none of your business, Elijah.”

Something like anger flushed in his eyes. “So he is your boyfriend? What’s his name?”

“You have no right to ask me questions.” Alexia said and was about to get out of her chair when Elijah grabbed her hand. “Let me go.” She said through gritted teeth and forced a smile.

“At least tell me if I have a competition.” Elijah’s words stunned her and she stared. “I want to know if there’s someone else fighting for your heart.”

“Of course there is.” Alexia’s and Elijah’s heads whipped around after that reply. Elijah frowned when he recognised the man in the black suit as the same one who was with Alexia that day at the restaurant.

“Alexia, can I have this dance?” he extended a hand to her and she took it.

Elijah watched them walk to the dance floor and he knew this was not going to be an easy task. The man was very much determined to win Alexia over as much as he was. This would be one hell of a competition!

***

“Was that your ex-boyfriend?” Colin asked when they were swaying on the dance floor.

“Yes.” Alexia replied and fixed her gaze on his chin. She did not think she had enough courage to look him in the eye.

Colin clutched his jaw together and looked back at where Alexia was sitting before he took her away. That douchebag ex-boyfriend of hers was staring at them. He got a frown on his face and anger burnt in his eyes as he glared at Colin. A smile formed on Colin’s face and he pulled Alexia closer to him, to show the ex-boyfriend that he was going to win her.

“Thank you.” Alexia said and he glanced down at the gorgeous woman in his arms. He had not seen her again since the day he dropped her off at DALIA, exactly one week ago. That day he had thought she was beautiful, but today she was just flawless. The off the shoulder royal blue dress fitted her to perfection and accentuated her curves. Her hair was in a bun and long diamond earrings were her only jewellery. She was dressed so simply, yet looked sophisticated.

“For what,” Colin said, smiling.

“For what you said, back there. You saved me from…”

“I meant what I said, Alexia.” Her head came up and she looked dumbfounded. “Even though I only just met you once, I am attracted to you. You are one of the most beautiful women I have ever met, and the first who have made my heart flutter at my first look at you.” Colin was using one of his methods to get to her. This was the one where he pretends to be crazy about his victim and waits to see if she admits feeling the same thing.

Alexia looked away from him. Her heart was banging in her chest and it was a good thing they were no longer dancing because she did not know if she would have been able to continue moving. She looked around and realised they were no longer in the hall, on the dance floor. She had not realised the time they got here. They were standing in the balcony and she put some space between them in other to breathe fresh air because she was starting to get dizzy from his intoxicating cologne, which had filled up her lungs.

Alexia gripped the rail and drew in a long and deep breath with her eyes closed. When she opened them, she spun around to face Colin. He was staring at her with his beautiful blue eyes and looking handsome, in the three-piece black suit, which fixed his muscular figure well. His words rang through her mind and she said. “Colin, what are you saying?”

“I said I am attracted to you.” He replied without breaking eye contact with her. “I want to get to know you, Alexia. All of you.”

A chill run down her spine and she gasped, “Colin.”

“Alexia,” he stepped towards her and she backed away until the wall stopped her. Colin was now standing dangerously close to her and her body was reacting to him. Her stomach flipped, her heart thudded, and sparks rocketed through her body, while her knees weakened as he touched her cheek. “I know you’re also attracted to me.”

Only lord knows where Colin got his courage. Alexia told herself and wished she were that courageous. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Alexia,” Colin held her chin and she melted into his touch. A smile formed on his lips and he brought his face close to hers and drawled. “You’re lying.” His hot breath fanned her face and she could not resist the urge to wet her lips. This fine specimen of muscle was breaking all her defenses and it was unknown to her how he was doing it.

She was attracted to him, true, like she had never been so much attracted to a man before. Colin was like a magnet and she, the magnetic material, which propelled towards him whenever he was around. Even Elijah did not have this much effect on her. It was startling.

“Colin I…”

“Hush.” His chest rumbled as he directed his lips towards her. Right before his lips touched hers, someone interrupted them.

“There you are.” Alexia pushed his chest and he created distance between them, but still left his hands on her waist.

“Alexia Brooke,” A woman, probably in her forties, was standing in the opening. She was dressed in a white pantsuit and held her hair in a ponytail.

“Yes, this is she.” Alexia said and tried to make Colin move, but he stayed in his position. She mentally scolded him for being uncooperative. Someone just walked in on them in a compromising position for goodness sakes! Instead of him getting away from her, he held onto her as if she would disappear if he let her go. She placed her palms on his chest and gave it a little push, but he did not budge. Alexia dreaded what the woman might be thinking of them right now.

“Can I talk to you for a minute?” She asked.

“Yes madam.” Alexia replied and then Colin finally gave her space.

“See you soon, Alexia.” He whispered into her ear and then placed a light kiss on her cheek. Alexia almost turned to mush. Her eyes did not leave him as he strode gracefully away. Colin was none like any other. He was handsome, dressed nicely, very captivating and had a massive effect on her body. He was special, and out to win her heart.