The Perfect Gift

“Excuse me,” I say as an I cup my hand over my mouth.

He frowns, “Did I say something wrong?” Austin looks loss.

It’s not about what he says, but more like what he thinks I am. I mean, where does that even come from? Sure, I’m in a gala exclusive for carefully chosen guests but do I pass the look of one? Surely, he’ll recognize that I stand out like a sore thumb from the rest. Except for Luke’s tasteful dress for me, I can deceive Austin unintentionally.

I shake my head, tugging at his arm to resume our walking. I find his company quite interesting. He is genuinely looking at me, laughing along when Luke chooses the wrong moment to spot us.

He looms over us like a wall of bricks, casting shadows. His icy blue eyes stony as he studies us, his body rigid.

For someone so tall and strongly built you will think that he’ll make a hell of a sound instead of managing to sneak on you like a freaking ninja.

He’s looking at our loop arms, frowning at it or rather glaring in it. For some reason, I feel so guilty of something I never do but with the way he’s looking at me accusingly makes my inside flip upside down.

I squirm under those scrutinizing stare of blazing blue fire, feeling as if I’ve betrayed him in a way.

Austin was obviously unaware of the growing tension in the air approach Luke who looks like he’s about to snap.

“Been a while, Luke. I didn’t expect our reunion to be like this, and certainly not when you’re the acting CEO of Hemmington.”

I look between Luke and Austin, noticing the cold shoulder both of them are radiating.

Austin doesn’t look genuine with his acknowledgment of Luke’s new position and neither does the other brooding man cares.

The two are having a telepathic communication, having a stare-down contest where even I have a wild guess what. With the way, Luke’s broad shoulder is so tense and his stance like a panther ready to strike, one has an idea where this is heading which I can’t let happen. After all, I’m here to accompany Luke to help him give good image from his potential clients. Having a brawl in tonight’s gala is hardly a good image except to his machismo reputation that will spread all over the media.

I step in just enough for them to notice my presence, reaching a hand to lay on Luke’s taught shoulder. As if snap out of a trance, he glances at me then sweeping his eyes on my hand. It’s as if he just notices that I’m there all this time.

“You don’t want to cause a scene, Luke,” I say calmly but firmly.

Austin looks between Luke and me, staring at my hand on his shoulder.

I can care less for whatever he does tonight, but I just can’t stand by the corner and watch his downfall just because he’s acting all caveman and very much possessive.

I’m not sure what to make of his attitude, but thankfully I don’t have to think about it much because Lorina just comes in time to rescue us from the awkwardness that is to follow if she has never interrupted.

Taking one look at the scene and she instantly gets the idea.

“Olivia, why don’t you stir Luke out of prying eyes, won’t you sweetie?”

I nod.

But being difficult that he is, Luke chooses to walk-out rather than assist.

Lorina turns to Austin, shaking her head like a disappointed mother hen to her chicks. Her soft voice carries through the fuzz of my brain. “You get a kick out of annoying your brother, don’t you?”

Chapter Six

Luke

Heat and unexplainable tightness in my chest make me see black dots before my eyes.

I'm not one to get in someone's business because the only business that I mind is my own and my property. I've learned that the hard way... Olivia Mathew happens to be working for my company, and therefore she includes under my property. Whether she knows that or not I don't give a damn. I'm beyond reasonable when someone dips their fingers where it does not belong.

I never pay much attention to Austin ever since my father bring him home along with his mother after my own died. He's that timid little boy who grows up to be annoying. He always gets on my way, but just as I say, I pay him no attention. Unlike my father who dotes on him like his son, I make it a point to ignore him. They sure make a home out of a place I use to call home myself.

After leaving them in the crumbling past, here he comes in my present to piss the hell out of me. This time, I think he'll have a chance on enjoying it. Which makes my body shakes with violence that's been bottled inside me for far too long.

Without realizing it my fists curls to a white-knuckles ball, my jaw ticks from pent up frustration. It's been hectic this past week, and the last thing that I want to see is his evil little face, possessing in his dirty little hand's my property.