Chapter 3 Fintech Gala

Jaxon's POV:

I jabbed my hands at the elevator button.

The Gala was about to begin in minutes, I had to give my welcome speech as the host.

Father was counting on me.

I straightened my tie, slipping it into the jacket properly. I had to give my best today.

The elevator dinged, the compartment doors slid open.

I felt my chest expand an inch.

This was it.

I straightened and looked up smiling..

Two people were already in the elevator, a man and a lady. She was staring at me.

Such a beauty. I smiled at her. The cool professional plastic one.

But there was something off about her gaze.

Those hazel eyes seemed to have seen a ghost, her face had suddenly become pale, white as chalk.

I stared at her, clueless.

Why was the lady looking at me like that?

I glanced at my jacket. Was something wrong with my outfit.

I looked up again. Confused.

I ran a hand through my hair, letting the curls fall back carelessly on my neck.

“Are you alright madam.” I asked frowning, taking a step into the carriage.

The two guards with me walked in too.

The carriage door slid back.

But she didn't even seem to have heard me.

What's wrong with her?

I looked at the man with her for explanation, but I could bet, He was just as confused as I was. His face was as blank as the gold colored compartment walls.

“Are you okay?” The man repeated the question,, reaching to hold her.

She lowered her head.

“Yes, I'm okay.” She said in an almost trembling voice.

Whatever was the case with her!

I watched her for a while, unconsciously fingering a button on my suit.

She wasn’t beautiful in the classic sense. Her face was striking and eye-catching, with high, sharp cheekbones and long, dark brows above catlike eyes. She looked strangely familiar.

I could swear I had seen this face somewhere. I just couldn't place it.

The picture was forming and fading off in my mind's eye

“Excuse me,” I called softly, she looked up. Staring into those hazel eyes, I felt my heart leap an inch.

I had seen this eyes before. Probably in 'those days’ I don't want to ever remember.

I had done several wild things running about with the boys. Things I regret even now.

I closed my eyes for a fleeting moment, drew a sharp breathe and ask the question that I had been bothering me since I stepped in to the elevator

“Have we met somewhere?” I asked watching the florescent light overhead pour on her face.

The man beside her looked up at me, he opened his mouth to say something.

But she beat him to it.

“No, we haven't.” Her voice cut through my thoughts— her tone was now a sharp contrast to her face. Harsher and ugly.

Did she hate me or just bad timing?

I shrugged.

“You've probably seen me on TV somewhere, I have alot of fans like you.”

“Oh!” I feigned surprise. “Right, Probably saw you on TV.”

I repeated casually, but I wasn't buying that. I knew I'd seen her somewhere

I turned away from her, from her tune she clearly didn't want anything to do with me, so why bother myself.

I still had to prepare for my speech. father was making me host the Gala this time. I couldn't be bothered by her.

One of my guards lean closer to me, his mouth inches from my ear.

“She's the female singer, Vixen.”

She was the singer?

Then why is she acting all strange?

I turned back to face her, a bemused smile plastered on my face.

“Sorry, I didn't quite recognize you earlier.” I said softly, slowly.

“Glad you do now!” She retorted back. Too vicious.

Her rudeness was intriguing in a way.

And I was intrigued.

“Well, nice meeting you. Hope you put up a good performance tonight.” I said, gave her a cold smile.

“Sure.”

“I'm Jaxon, by the way.” I said carelessly, more out of habit..

She didn't even bat an eye or fawn over me like the girls I met did. She just stared at me, smirking

Interesting.. I said it, she was different.

I mentally took a note of her.

She was just mysterious and cold, a total contrast to the lady that had been shivering when I stepped in.

Why was she even shivering when I came in like she had seen a ghost?

I knew there just had to be something about her..just a notch.

“Oh. That's good for you.” She said with a smirk.

“I’ll let my manager take the introductions from here.” She nodded at the man but her side.

I raised an eyebrow, she had not only waved me off but didn't even care about my identity.

The Elevator stopped at this moment, the doors slid open.

The manager extended a hand to me.

“Nice Meeting you Mr. Jaxon— I'm Ryan.” I grabbed his hand, my eyes following his boss. The lady who had just worked off the elevator without even a care inthe world.

“Nice meeting you too.” I finally tore my eyes from her, took a good look at her manager—

He smiled at me and walked out of the elevator, the overhead light casted a glow on his head.

I laughed softly.

This lady was a unique character. I had to find out everything about her.

I waved to one of the guards flanking me as we stepped out of the elevator.

He leaned in.

“Find out everything you can on that Singer and let me know.” I whispered softly, so only us could hear

“Alright sir.”

“Let's go!”

The conference was starting, I had to meet up with Reene. My Secretary.

The hall was flooded with people. rich business men and financiers from all over the United States had flown in for this tech gala.

I shook hands with a few people here and there. You could never avoid things like that here, the more you tried to dodge them, the more people you had to meet.

Old family friends, business partners, newbies inthe industry that wanted to curry favor with you. They were just too much.

Halfway through shaking a young man, who was rattling on about his oil and gas plant in God-knows-where. I caught sight of my Secretary Reene looking around. Probably looking for me.

I quietly excused myself.

Took a deep breath and walked up to her.

“Good morning Sir.” She greeted. “I was just looking for you.”

I nodded, it was time to walk up that podium and play the host.

“It's time for your welcome speech.”

I brushed my tie for the upteenth time, buttoned my jacket properly. And flashed her a small smile.

She smiled back weakly.

That was enough encouragement for me, I walked up to the podium in a slow, measured procession.

Stared into the crowd of dignitaries and began my pre-rehearsed speech.

“I'm glad to welcome everyone of you here..”I paused, sweeping a glance through every corner of the hall.

Then I stopped, stared fixedly at the front rows. I had unconsciously locked eyes with her and she was staring back at me, unflinching.

Unmoving.

Was she always this bold.

The more mysterious she seemed, the more I wanted to unravel all the secrets she hid.

I tore my eyes away from her, pushing her to the back of my mind. Tonight I was here, to prove myself. And that— was what I was going to do.

“To the 16th FinTech Gala, and glad everyone of you showed up to honor this event.”

…