Red Steelheart

Red Steelheart, or better known in the business world as Jack Lorenzo stood like a magnificent statue of Adonis inside one of the plush rooms of a million-dollar mansion. 

He pressed his lips into a thin, tight line as he stared at the eyes of the man opposite him and fought him with equal ferocity.

He'd been through hell before and by sheer luck and iron determination he conquered each hard-fought battle with pride. Tonight however was the very first time he had to render and admit a crushing defeat.

"I couldn't decide what to wear, damn it!" With an inward groan, he looked away from his reflection and stared at the mess he made. The contents of his vast wardrobe has now piled into a mountain, conquering the space of the king-size bed.

It's been two miserable hours but he hasn't found the right one to wear for the occasion and he felt a sense of despair he never once experienced in his lifetime. Never had he expected selecting a formal attire could wrack his nerves with staggering intensity.

Resisting the strong urge to run his fingers on his hair in exasperation, he crossed his arms beneath his chest to restrain them from ruining the hairstyle that his stylist took an hour to achieve until he was satisfied.

"You're looking great Sir." The trusted butler told him.

However despite the assurance he felt there was something missing but couldn't point it out even after squinting his eyes while he looked at his reflection.

Red released a frustrated sigh and asked one of his friends, "What do you think about this Ace?" 

No one responded, making a frown scrunch his temples in annoyance. When he whirled towards the bar counter, on the right side of his room to investigate he found both of his two best friends deep in conversation.

"Look at my child, Lucas. Isn't he adorable?" Ace Carter Greyson, CEO of Greyson enterprises and husband of one of the most influential women in the country was grinning from ear to ear and flaunting a picture of his newborn. Ace's beautiful wife, Phoenix, had just given birth to a fourth child, a healthy baby boy and until now he's still showing it off to get on their nerves.

"Can you let me borrow him for a month once he's older?" Lucas Nicholas Alexander, owner of Alexander Empire  asked as he took the phone to take a closer look at the baby boy. His eyes twinkled and he too began grinning like a fool.

"No!" Ace's response was quick and savage. "Stop borrowing my children and make your own."

"Don't be selfish! You used to drop your kids into my home unannounced when you wanted to spend the night alone with Phoenix!"

Ace and Lucas came to assist him to select what to wear tonight, and yet here they are arguing like children while savoring a bottle of his beloved wine.

Useless fools! Red thought to himself. Shaking his head and wondering how these two childish idiots had become the heads of gigantic corporations.

Not that he could blame them. Ace's son looked so adorable. If he was the father, Red would be showing off to everyone how cute his son was.

Sighing in resignation his eyes surveyed his reflection to find out what's wrong with it.

Phoebe wasn't the type to notice men in dazzling suits and that reminds him of the night he got rejected at a remarkable lightning speed. 

His purpose tonight was to give her a better impression of him. However, he's not going to achieve his goal if he looks like he was attending his own coronation. Cringing at the realization, he quickly stripped it off.

"Hand me the gray tuxedo." Red ordered the butler. 

While he was putting it his two idiotic best-friends saw him at last.

"That looks good on you." Ace finally took notice and spoke.

Lucas frowned. "I liked the burgundy one." He argued.

Red realized having them was a bad idea. He released an exasperated sigh. "Are you two messing with me?" 

"You're asking for our opinions, aren't you?" Ace nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders.

"Yeah, we're here to express our thoughts." Lucas agreed with Ace.

For the nth time Red released a sigh, resisting to scratch his forehead. Instead of the two being a huge help, they were making the situation more difficult for him.

Damn. He mumbled under his breath and decided he would wear neither.

As if the heavens itself decided to help, his eyes fell into a classic charcoal tuxedo, with red cufflinks. For the very first time that day he smiled.

Finally he found the right one.

***

Red Steelheart climbed out of his limousine with a bouquet of fresh lilies in hand wishing that Phoebe would like them. He brought some white chocolates too but was embarrassed to be seen carrying them and decided to leave them in the car. 

Later if he had the chance to be alone with her he would give it to Phoebe.

A rush of excitement swept him as he entered through the large estate's automatic door. He couldn't wait to see her. He thought to himself with his stomach in knots.

"Good evening Sir. Welcome to the Sheldon's Estate. Everyone's expecting you in the banquet hall. Please follow me."

They walked across the expansive foyer then into the waiting lift. It took a minute for them to reach the third floor where the celebration was currently underway.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Jack Lorenzo has arrived."

The moment he stepped into the room a deafening hush fell.

Without a moment's delay, he began looking for the woman he was dying to meet again from the moment he laid his eyes on her wild innocent eyes and cupid lips. His heart raced like a wild horse as he swept the crowd for a sign of her.

Melinda Sheldon came up to him. "Good evening, Mr. Lorenzo," She greeted, smiling. It was such a relief to see the woman softening a bit towards him. "I am pleased you came tonight."

"A pleasant evening, Madam…" He respectfully took her hand and laid a kiss on the back of her palms. "I would never decline such a warm invitation coming from you."

A second later, Edward Sheldon came to welcome him as well. This time Red received a warm and firm handshake from the patriarch. "It's an honor to have you in my humble estate, Mr. Lorenzo."

Edward then turned to introduce the stunning woman in her late thirties with chestnut brown hair and electric blue eyes. "Meet my lovely wife Sir, Valerie Sheldon."

"A pleasure to meet you, Ma'am." Red greeted, shaking her hand.

Where could she be? He nonchalantly swept the crowd another glance and still there was no sign of her.

It was that moment when the upscale door flung open and a young woman came rushing in.

His heart leapt. A funny little quiver danced down his spine. However when she finally lifted her gaze, disappointment crushed onto him like a ton of bricks. It was Sophie Madison, the step-sister.

"Papa, we have a problem,"  she began, the color in her face disappearing. "Phoebe just left the house to see her lover!"

Red's heart dropped to the floor, shattering into a million pieces at his feet. He really never meant a thing to her after all.