26 At His Wits' End

Third-person P.O.V.

The party was in full swing and everybody was having a good time. Men were having drinks and discussing business whereas the ladies were busy gossiping about everything new that's been happening in the city. Some couples could be seen dancing on the floor while some boys and girls could be seen flirting around.

Amidst all the loud music and chatter a girl dressed in a short glittery silver bodycon dress with a deep U back just entered inside the hall. Walking around the hall, Mark turned to look at the main entrance, hoping to get a glance at her but suddenly turned back around. It was not long before the sound of heels clicking against the floor could be heard and all Mark was doing was trying to prepare himself for what's about to come. As the clicks got closer, he closed his eyes to face it.

"You said you would not be able to make it" came a shrill voice.

'Here goes' he said in his mind and finally opened his eyes to see the woman in front of him throwing daggers at him. He quickly leaned in and kissed her. According to him that was necessary to calm her down or she would keep nagging him the whole night and he would have a headache.

"Babe, what a pleasant surprise!" he pretended to be surprised.

Although he said that but in reality, he wasn't a bit surprised. If something he was expecting to see her here, he was sure she would find another way to attend the party if not as his date. The girl would never miss such a party for anything in the world. She's always looking for opportunities to attend such gatherings so that she could be in media or interact with the influencers so step up her modeling career.

When she called last evening complaining he didn't invite her to Mr. Hudson's party as his date, he refused her saying he was not going to the party as he doesn't feel like going. He didn't want to have her nagging self by his side for the whole night and he's counting to spend some quality time with Reb. He would not have been able to do that if she was around because she wouldn't leave his side the whole night just so everybody could see that she is my girlfriend. This would bring her a lot of publicity and fame even after I dump her which I am planning to do very soon.

"I know babe but my dad forced me to attend. I wanted to tell you this but I really didn't want to throw it all you at the last moment that would have been so selfish of me" he said with a sad smile.

"It's great you are here now; I was missing you" he kissed her although from within he was disgusted.

"Oh, and whom did you bring as your date tonight then?" she inquired.

"Babe, do you think I will bring anybody besides you? I came alone" it was clear she was a bit moved by my words.

"I really wish you would have asked me but since we both are here; we will make the most out of this opportunity" she winked. You don't have to be a genius to understand what she was hinting at.

She was about to say something when her phone rang. She excused herself to take the call. He was visibly relieved when she left. One more moment with Tia and he felt like he would break up with her right now right here but then he decided against it. He knew he can't that do that now; there's still a little while till he gets Reb where he wants her to be.

"Meet me in room 1024 in about an hour. I have to leave for some important work now. I'll see you there, babe" she kissed one last time and left.

Despite the fact that it was so relieving that she left; he still wondered what work has she got here. And most importantly of all how was she even allowed inside. He was in deep thought for a minute but after realizing that he has wasted a lot of time on Tia he suddenly turned around and walked towards the door to see if she was here now. He was moving around the hall with his eyes fixed on the door.

He still couldn't see her anywhere and its already been halftime. He has been walking around the hall for like two hours now and there's still no sign of her. His only reason to attend this party was Reb and he's fully prepared to spend this night her. He had planned everything so well, he even came without a date just so he could exclusively give all his time in impressing her but it seems like that would not be possible now. It would be the first time in history that he had shown up without a date to a party like this. He now started to feel like she would never come and he should probably go home. There was no chance he was going to stay here and waste his time with Tia if Reb wasn't going to show up. He started moving around the door again at his wits' end.

Mark was having the exact same feeling Reb wanted him to and that was desperation. Reb wanted him to be desperate and, on his toes, moving around frantically, looking for her, waiting for her. And that was exactly what he was doing. He was literally walking around the door like he was hired to guard it. And on the other side, Tia was busy looking for the person who invited her to the party.