14 Forming future Alliances.

Lea lifted her face and it fell on the handsome man who held her by the arms. She stared at him. His face was smooth and his luscious jet black hair was combed back. His blue eyes stood out on his face and his full lips slid into a small twitch.

"Are you okay?" came the pleasant tantalizing voice again which was void of any emotion.

" Um...I'm fine" Lea said as the man released her from his arms.

For a couple of seconds, their eyes interlocked, Lea stared at his blue eyes that did not waver for a second. He as well looked into her jade green eyes that complimented her look and it looked as If they were communicating through their eyes.

"Than-"Lea said but she was cut off immediately before she could finish her statement.

"You should watch your step. You're not in your house." the man suddenly blurted out in an icy tone which was the complete opposite of the tone he had used earlier.

Lea turned alert at the change of tone and she cleared her throat.

"Don't you think I know that? There's no need to be rude." Lea shot back, standing straight.

The man's eyes narrowed dangerously and he dipped both of his hands into either side of his pocket.

"Rude you say, at least I'm not the clumsy one who doesn't know how to keep her footing right." the man said in a mocking tone.

"Are you saying I am clumsy?" Lea's eyes widened a little and she felt annoyance bubbling up inside her.

"It's good you know you are." the man said and Lea saw the corner of his lips pull up.

"How dar-" the man suddenly cut her off for the second time.

"I don't have time to chit-chat with you. You should be thanking me for saving you from falling."

Lea scoffed. Is this man serious? she was going to thank him a moment ago but he rudely cut her off.

"Why? Is that so much for you to do?" the man said and tilted his head as if waiting for her to say something in appreciation of what he had done.

Lea was left speechless. By the expression on the man's undeniably gorgeous face which held mirth, It looked like he was enjoying this.

She pursed her lips and closed her eyes for a few seconds as if trying to calm herself down.

When she finally opened her eyes, the man was no longer standing in front of her. She turned to look behind her, but there was no one there.

She sighed in irritation and made her way to the restroom, thinking about the man's attitude towards her and muttering something to herself which sounded like,

'Just because he looks rich doesn't mean he can behave anyhow with me. What audacity!'

When Lea returned to where he had left Xander, he was talking to a gorgeous-looking woman in her late twenties who was dressed in expensive clothes that hugged her body. A diamond chain adorned her neck and she kept smiling now and then at something Xander was saying.

Noticing Lea's presence and the look on her face, he shifted his gaze to her and asked,

"What is it? Did something happen?" he raised his eyebrows a little in concern.

Lea shook her head in response.

The woman whom Xander was talking to seemed annoyed at the presence of another woman whom Xander instantly turned his attention to the moment she appeared and a frown appeared on her face.

"Who is this?" She interrupted them, a look of scorn was evident in her eyes and her voice held disdain.

"Oh right. This is Lea, my secretary."

"Lea, meet Miss Lucille Jones. Her father is the owner of Lasha broadcasting.

" Hi, I'm Lea Peyton."Lea stretched forth her right hand but Lucille didn't take it. For some few seconds, Lea's hand was still suspended in the air.

Seeing the atmosphere turn awkward, Xander cleared his throat and spoke while Lea dropped her hand, a little embarrassed.

"Oh before I forget, Miss Lucille, tell us about your study in Greendale. I hear a lot of people are not able to make it there only the smartest and of course the wealthy ones."

"You're right about that." a hint of pride was noticeable in her voice."And the study was extremely insightful and interesting. I enjoyed my study there."Lucille informed and Xander nodded while Lea stood there quietly without participating in the conversation. She even wondered why Xander of all people was making small talk with this lady. He barely spoke to anyone who wouldn't add to his business life, much less make small talk with anyone. A bored look was registered on her pretty face and she wished she would be out of here soon.

At first, when Lea entered the hotel, the magnificence and glamour of the place had intrigued her, making her want to stay here for long, but now with the recent happenings, she felt she didn't belong with this class of people who were unnecessarily rude and had no respect for people below their status. She wished nothing but to leave here as soon as feasible.

"I also hear it's the best place to learn about broadcasting. Very few people get the opportunity to go there to take up noble courses."

Lucille and Xander's conversation verged on.

"I'm confident that you would make a great leader in pushing your father's business forward when you become his successor soon." Xander complimented.

"I'm flattered, Xander." Lucille laughed and slightly brushed Xander's shoulder in a flirty manner completely ignoring Lea's presence as if she wasn't even there.

"You make it sound as if I'm so great." she pretended to be humble.

"It would be such an honor to join hands with you when you assume office." Xander finally made his intentions clear.

The reason he was chatting with this lady right here and the reason for which he came to this party in the first place was to make possible future alliances with reputable companies that would benefit his company.

Lasha Broadcasting being one of the top-notch broadcasting companies in Lavenzco, Xander thought it would be profitable to make acquaintances with the future CEO of the company. Xander had gotten the information that Lucille would in a few months succeed her father in the company.

Lea finally understood what Xander was doing. That was typical and smart of him. She thought. Xander was always the'if it doesn't benefit me, I don't indulge myself' kind of businessman, and his tactics always intrigued her.

"Well, I'll have to get there for that right." Lucille replied to Xander's words.

"Of course, of course," Xander said and flashed the woman a ravishing smile that made her heart swell at Xander's sweetness towards her. It was obvious that Lucille was interested in Xander and she liked him but the same could not be said about Xander.