Devious Within

[ Chapter 45 ]

4th day of the international conference.

Under the glimmering lights of the nighttime city, an ultra luxurious white, custom-built Rolls Royce Ghost with personalized license plate 'J4' could be seen speeding through the scintillating street of Imperial.

As the pristine white continued onward, oblivious to the bustling night outside, sitting elegantly inside the soundless sedan, a finely suited man could be seen seated with the blond-haired beauty dressed in a peach Oxford blouse.

Seated across from Julian, with her two delicate fingers slipped between her scarlet lips as she fed herself a grape, Cassandra had a quite amused look in her face while her other hand held a cluster of fresh grapes.

Kept minding her own business elegantly chewing on the grapes, she took in the rare sight of the man across her. She looked as he faced the window, right now, he's issuing a string of impatient commands to someone through his phone.

Someone wasn't in a good mood tonight, Cassandra mused as she concluded, pretty much delighted. It's kind of entertaining for her to see the always confident and arrogant Julian in such an irritated state.

Despite showing a faint annoyance as he conversed through his phone, his voice was still low and clear. Apparently, he's not the kind of man who needed to raise his voice to be heard.

His voice was authoritative as always, but the words right now were sharper, laced with absolute authority and finished in steel. He always gives the impression that NO wasn't an option to say when one was speaking to him.

Cassandra then twirled her left hand, lowering her head as she glanced at her three million Cartier wristwatch, she found it's still seven and there's quite some time before they reach the designated restaurant.

It's about an exclusive dinner which she and he would be attending, a business gathering between the selected people of conference attendees. As to why she's seated in his car, it's due to his persistence in persuading her to have a ride together.

Inhaling as Cassandra shifted her eyes on him once again, he seemed to occupy all the space with his not-too-subtle body sprawled on the bench across from hers. His white button-down shirt underneath his suit was partly opened to reveal a smooth expanse of his chest.

"Don't make excuses and don't talk about it. Do it," Julian growled impatiently. He hung up, then seemed to quickly pick up another call. "Antoni Kang, talk to me." Another command was issued.

When Julian waited for an answer, he threw a side glance only to find her looking at him intently. He frowned at her for a split second before a slight smile found its way up the edge of his lips. It's just a brief moment as he drowned himself again in his business.

All this time, as Cassandra idly watched him through her long beautiful eyelashes, she kept quietly chewing on her grapes with apparent merriment in her elegantly-shaped eyes.

Strangely, though, sometimes he went silent and listened to whatever the other person on the other end of line was saying, his eyes slid down the length of her seat and they stuck like glue to her.

He then shifted in his seat, giving her a perfect view of his face as he engaged in multiple transactions. He really was pretty, even when frowning, and now he seemed to be wearing a thoughtful frown as he stared at her.

"Doing a business with me, no isn't an answer," Julian said, low and deep, into his phone. However, when he stated that as his eyes held hers, she could only smirk in response as though that NO was directed at her.

"It's simply an invitation to bargain." He turned his head to the window and demanded, "State what you want."

Gleaming at the annoyance in his voice, Cassandra glanced out the window as he went on with his intense conversation.

Julian hasn't stopped for a moment but his almost every word wasn't lost on Cassandra. She's now getting a prime-time, front-row view of the labyrinth of his mind, and the complete outlook of his personality.

It's not like she's meddling with his business or what, she's just taking his offer to understand him further as she's studying him. For her personally, it's always better to know more than to half-knowing things.

Cassandra always thought that she's a pretty hard workaholic, but there's no way to describe the kind of multiple deals he's handling while doing something even as passive as riding in the back of a car.

Passive. She believed there's no such a word in his dictionary, as he's a man who used to get things done in accordance to his way and will.

As the time rolled past, Cassandra suddenly got caught up in the drama of a bidding war. Is he buying a company? Something from Australia? She mused while listening to the numbers he's reciting.

Julian was upping his bid by $20 million increments and ended at somewhere around three hundred million. He murmured, "Good." Judging by the slight smile that appeared on his face, he seemed to get what he wanted.

Pulling her exquisitely-shaped eyes completely away from the Imperial streets, Cassandra spotted a phone now laying on his side and then, she noticed that his full, undivided attention was on her.

"Forgive me Ms. Qin," Julian put on an apologetic smile. It's rude of him to spend his time on a call since he's the one who invited her. "It's quite unexpected of my people, they couldn't handle it themselves."

"Apology accepted." Cassandra responded. By now, she had consumed all the grapes. "Is the moon yours yet?" She asked.

Julian grabbed a water bottle from the wet bar to one side, cracked it open and took a swig. "Not yet, but soon." He responded, with that kind of quite annoyingly confident smile.

Cassandra wasn't sure whether he's answering her question or just stating his progress in winning, correction, claiming her. She flinched at the thought.

While he continued to gulp the water, the way his Adam's apple bobbed up and down was an alluring sight itself. He's truly the embodiment of sensuality, as there's always that maddening hint of seduction, clinging to him with everything he does.

What a pleasant treat for her eyes.

When Julian finished, he lounged back for a moment, twisted his neck to the side, tapped his fingers on the back of the armrest. He finally seemed relaxed after the close win he got in the bidding war he just participated in.

Putting her left elbow on the armrest, Cassandra supported her head by her heart-shaped chin with the back of her hand, posing a graceful and exquisite posture while doing so with her long supermodel legs crossed.

Her lips parted, "Is it all right if I ask you some questions?"

"Shoot," Julian said, intrigued.

As Cassandra heard his consent, she watched as he sipped his water, his eyes coming to rest on her. His succulent lips are such an absolute distraction, as she found her eyes gravitated themselves toward his glistening red lips which looked sensuously luscious that she just wanted to have them on her.

On her mouth, on her body, and preferably between her legs. Exhaling deeply, Cassandra tried not to look at those distracting lips more than necessary.

"You have to know that you're now Huaxia's most wanted man. Does that surprise you?"

"Most wanted." Julian repeated low, somehow entertained by the concept, a slight smile kissed his lips as he took in the complete sight of the sophisticated beauty across him.

Julian responded, "By whom?"

He stretched out his legs wider and sat back comfortably, his hand spreading over his knee as he dropped his water bottle into the cup holder to the side and regarded her with openly curious eyes.

"The media, business, everyone." Cassandra specified and then added with her lips curved, "Almost all women."

Julian mulled it over in silence for a brief moment before responding just the last line she mentioned, "I've gotten used to being wanted after by women all my life, it's inevitable."

He sighed and shook his head while Cassandra resisted the urge to scowl at such an answer. Even with the amount of time they've passed together, she still found him overwhelming sometimes.

Ignoring what he's just spoken, she continued, "You grew up under public scrutiny and now with your current prestige. I can't imagine anyone would enjoy it. Do you ever get tired of it?"

His hand spread over his knee, wider. Julian tapped his thumb against his leg in a restless way, but still his eyes didn't leave her. Not for a second. Not even as he reached for his water again.

"It's always been like that for me," Julian answered. "I believe you know it yourself Ms. Qin."

Cassandra could relate, naturally given that she herself was a proud daughter of Qin Household and now with the status she has, she knew that privacy was something very luxury for people like them.

But still, he's entirely different.

Julian Long. Twenty-four years old heir of Long Household. The only child from the ancient Long family direct line of descendant. The son of the former Casanova Davien Long and his beloved Florencia Long.

He got numerous headlines before he's even born and when Florencia Long got a difficult delivery, the whole world was on pins and needles praying for him to make it.

At the age of five, he began to show his brilliance by shocking the world when he's invited by Mensa for scoring 143 on the Imperial-Binet IQ test.

At the age of six, he had already earned black belts in Wushu and Karate. At seven, he's known for his talent in instruments by winning the gold trophy of the international golden violin award.

During the following years, he dazzled the world with his numerous awards in various fields. Whether it's academic, athletic and art, his achievements were second to none and he's known for being the most genius one among his peers in high society.

Unfortunately, at the age of fourteen following the fallen of Davien Long and the incident that befallen Long Household, he got involved in a tragic helicopter crash and had disappeared since the accident.

A lot had happened and now ten years later since his disappearance, he returned. And now with the storming prestige he held, he became not only capable heir of Long Household but also an absolute symbol of power as well.

Not a political or some sort of underworld power, but the good, old-fashioned power that comes with having intelligence, youth, noblest status and wealth.

In short, Julian Long was what people called a man with a complete package. Crowned as Huaxian most sought bachelor. He's a man every mother desperately wanted to get for their daughters.

"All your accomplishments and the current prestige you have, looking at how brilliant you're in the conference," Cassandra began, attempting not to get lost in his hypnotic eyes as they held hers. "What exactly are you trying to achieve? Did you expect this would endear you to the public?"

A moment. Two.

Those eyes are still on hers. That slight smile was still on his lips but there's something different in his unfathomable eyes as they looked straight at her in the eye.

"I'm not endearing to people, Ms. Cassandra Qin." His voice was low and deep as he spoke. "I would say people respond to me on three levels and three levels only. They want to be on my good side, avoid me, or kill me."

Not surprised in the slightest by the slight change in him and the cold undertone in his voice as he answered, Cassandra kept the faint smile in her face as she faced him calmly.

For a briefest moment as she looked into his eyes, she could sense something in them, the ominous glow in his eyes. The hidden side of his, she peered through his charming, gentleman exterior and glimpsed the devious within.

Two faced or split personality? She wondered. Most people would be deceived by his friendly and charming persona but she wouldn't. She always knew that he could be completely different from what he always seemed.

Honestly, she didn't know which one was his genuine self but that doesn't matter. It's her purpose to trigger him just now as she needed to confirm things, and she got what she needed.

Cassandra curved up her lips into an elegant smile, "It's not my intention to offend you in any way, Julian. I'm just interested in your achievements and in the mind behind it."

"It's alright," Julian smiled as he responded, a genuine smile that lightened the atmosphere instantly.

"I'll tell you what Ms. Qin, I would like to open all of myself to you like a book so you can just read me through but there are some pages that you have yet to earn their accessibility."

"What makes you think that the idea of seeing you through is appealing to me?" Her brows furrowed.

Julian shifted forward in his seat, a heart-conquering smile on his face. "I know it in your eyes."

Bemused, Cassandra was quite impressed that he could be serious and unpredictable in one second and flirtatious in the next second.

"Fine." She then jumped at the offer, not even hesitating, "Tell me how to earn them."

Curling the edge of his lips upward, Julian smiled as his eyes sparkling, "Open yourself to me, Cassandra." His eyes wandered down her swell. "Tell me something I desire to hear, and I'll tell you one more thing about me."

They stared at each other again, taking their sweet time to appreciate each other's allure. Julian was now close enough for Cassandra to breathe in his vibrant and glamorous scent.

He now seemed to be oozing virility from every pore, he smelled mysteriously dark and sexy. A captivating perfume, mingling mildly with the essence of male sexuality.

Seconds flew by in silence as Cassandra seemed lost in his midnight black eyes that threatened to unsettle her. Mysterious eyes that would take a lifetime to marvel.

"Well," she smirked. Putting one hand on his chest, Cassandra pushed him back to hold him at bay, preventing him from attempting something improper. "It seems I've just got a bargainer on my hands."

Julian leaned back in his seat. "Is that a yes?" His chuckle was rich and savoring.

Charmed by his smile, Cassandra swooped in to nail the deal. "Julian, you know the rule. The thing about bargains is, you have to have something the other wants."

He seemed heartened by her response judging by the mirth in his eyes. "It's fine as long as you can offer me something I desire, which I assume we already know Cassandra, all you have to do is part those pretty lips of yours to say the words."

A sensuous grin washed over Cassandra's eyes as Julian bit down his lip, and there's an irresistible temptation in his smile. "Depend on how bold you're with your offer, Cassandra, you can even have the noble heir of Long Household as your plaything."

Cassandra regarded him through her long elegant eyelashes.

His eyes are dark, but his lips are smiling.

His eyes, she could never seem to look enough. The pulsing energy of his being seemed to roil in their depths. He's a dark individual. Dark as his eyes. Dark as whatever whirls around him. Something magnetic. Unstoppable. Irresistible.

He sat there offering her something she knew she wanted, she knew that behind his unseemly offer, they both knew the immensity of a simple yes from her.

He's a powerful man who always gets what he wants and is used to things being done his way. A man who's capable enough to be someone she could depend on. She knew what she wanted from him, and she's in possession of something that could entice him.

As they're lost in their thoughts, Geraldine, who sat in the driver seat, slowed down the white sedan as they approached a driveway. She pulled the car into the drop-off lane of a very high restaurant, their destination.

"I'll think about it, Julian Long," Cassandra smiled after a long pause, as she finally responded when she noticed that they've arrived.

Julian's eyes are dark and unexpectedly liquid as he looked into her eyes. "You know that I accept only one answer, Cassandra Qin, don't make me wait for long." They both then got out of the sedan to proceed on their agenda.

…

Alexandrite Auction House.

Eleven o'clock. More than one hour has passed since her business agenda ended and now Cassandra found herself sitting alone inside the private box with a pair of masks that were placed atop a small table next to her.

The event she's now attending was a charity event hosted exclusively at a large hall with a fountain, half-lit golden chandeliers, and people who looked like they could buy the entire auction without making a dent in their bank accounts.

As the auction was about to come to a closure, the formally dressed female auctioneer announced, "Ladies and madams, now we've reached the end of this auction, as they say we've saved our most special auction for the last."

She paused for a moment with a trained smile. "Before we begin the last bidding, we assure you that we'll keep every of our patron's privacy absolutely hidden and will not be disclosed to anyone. Therefore, please be rest assured that no trace of participation in this bidding will ever leave this hall."

From the highest row inside her private box, seated lazily in her seat with her eyes narrowed, Cassandra's finely sculpted eyebrow was raised, showing her doubt and uncertainty when she heard what the auctioneer had spoken.

What's the need for such discretion?

And also, Cassandra just realised that this was an exclusive auction that was attended only by women when she heard the auctioneer had just addressed them by ladies and madams.

Slowly making her way to the side, the attractive auctioneer made an elegant welcoming gesture as she continued, "Now reaching the end of this auction, we're exceedingly honoured to present you the last and our most exclusive—"

As the pleasant voice of the female auctioneer reverberated through the auction hall, all the patrons present seemed to be unable to hear any word from her as they were involuntarily caught up in the seemingly enchanting spell of the approaching silhouette.

Sure enough, when the view of a fully masked and finely suited gentleman was revealed under the half-lit stage, Cassandra found her eyes widening in a complete disbelief, her lips parted as she stared down at the man's prepossessing presence.

WHAT is he doing THERE?