Mr Leni

Finally, they reached the party. They were already a few people around, they were a bit late. Eder picked two wine glasses from a waiter's plate and offered one to his partner, as they walked to their designated place.

"do you always have this effect on women?" Dahlia asked Eder once seated.

Eder frowned and tilted his head slightly to the side, wondering what she was talking about. Dahlia raised a brow and nodded to a place somewhere behind him. Eder's gaze coursed around the room and he saw little groups of women and even women with their dates, looking at him with a particular gaze that he knew all too well. He looked back at her. He hadn't even noticed them when he walked in. His sole attention was on his partner tonight. His goddess.

"mostly" he answered truthfully with a shrug.

"Mr Galan!" someone suddenly exclaimed from behind Dahlia. Eder looked up it was the host of tonight. A tall wan with a bald head and blue eyes, he was young, in his later twenties and very handsome. Eder stood up to shake the man's hand as they knew each other.

"Mr Leni"

"I am glad you could make it tonight" the man was all smiles shaking his hand. "I hope you c-" he froze in his speech when his eyes settled on Dahlia. "oh heavens…" he murmured "who is..?" he didn't finish his sentence.

"This is my partner, ms Dahlia Quinn" Eder introduced them halfheartedly. He disliked the way the man was ogling at his goddess.

Mr Leni took Dahlia's hand in a light grip, his eyes were twinkling as he brought her hand to his mouth to kiss her the back of her hand. Dahlia didn't say anything and just held his gaze.

"happy to finally meet you ms Quinn" he had heard about this woman. She only shows up when she feels like it and from what he heard, no one can forget her once they saw her once. It seem like it was true. Mr Leni was smitten.

"good evening Mr Leni" she replied. The man didn't let go of her hand. Eder being totally forgotten, he drew a chair and sat next to her. His eyes were solely focused on her like nothing else existed.

Eder frowned, his aura turned icy deadly cold filled with murderous intent directed to Stephan Leni. The only thing he felt like doing right now was hitting the man's bald head. However, he held back not to create a scene as he knew Dahlia wouldn't like it.

"you may just call me Stephan" the man told Dahlia with a smile "I have heard of you and how exceptional you are. But I really didn't think it would be… this" the man said softly with a flirty voice and an admiring smile.

"disappointed?" Dahlia raised a brow at him.

"oh no, no, no! not at all! I am surprised how much all the rumors were just so little compared to the reality" Dahlia kept her stoic face on him, expressionless as ever.

"excuse me" Eder stepped in and shamelessly drew Dahlia's hand from his, giving the man a hard glare. Mr Leni stood up. He wondered if their was something between them. It will be the reason why this man looked so displeased like this.

"oh excuse me, are you two together?" Mr Leni asked shamelessly.

"we are partners," Eder replied not hiding his displeasure towards the man.

"so just partners in business" Mr Leni nodded slightly and smiled. How nice! Since their was nothing more between them then he could step in right? It was obvious that their was a kind of attraction between the two but if Mr Galan was too soft to let go of such woman, then it meant he was stupid, which Leni knew he was not. Maybe their was something ongoing that no one knew about but since nothing was official, then it would mean that he could maybe stand a chance. How wonderful would it be to have such woman by his side. Mr Leni immediately started to cook up plans to woo this goddess. Eder Galann was now considered by him as a rival. Sure this man could give shivers when he looked like this but Leni was sure that a woman like ms Quinn wouldn't want a playboy instead of a serious man like himself.

His demeanor changed and he gave Eder a particular meaningful look which Eder recognized. Rivalry.

"excuse me, Mr Leni." a waitress called politely. "its time to get on stage" she informed.

"oh yeah, huh.. excuse me" Mr Leni said looking between Eder and Dahlia. His gaze settled on Dahlia and he smiled with dreamy and twinkling eyes.

"enjoy the night" He told her with a gentle voice and walked away.

Eder stood there looking at the man's back with a dark look that could make anyone cower away. Then he sat back and faced her with the same dark look.

"may I have my hand?" she asked.

Eder realized that he hadn't let go of her hand yet. Reluctantly, he let go. Dahlia picked her wine glass and turned her attention to the man on stage making his welcoming toast.

Mr Leni got on stage and made an eloquent speech. Everybody was quiet and listening to him.

".. I hope you will all enjoy the evening." he ended his speech then he turned to one person in particular and raised his glass "a special thanks a special person who manage to make time for this event… our guest of honor Ms Dahlia Quinn" people clapped as all eyes turned to see the person Mr Leni was talking about and they all settled on Dahlia. Dahlia raised her glass at him and then turned to face Eder, who's aura was deadly. The nerves of this man! How dare he!? Now Mr Leni, the man for who Eder had a little bit of respect, was on his top priority of people to destroy. He gritted his teeth and downed his wine.

After his speech, Mr Leni came down of the stage and approached their table again. This time Eder was ready to put him back to his place. To hell if he created a scandal and spoiled the event, if that man dares to come close to his goddess now, Eder was sure he would loose it.

Fortunately for him , the man got caught up in discussions with some people and failed to come at them.