16. The party 2.

Kim Mun Ho.

His eyes were on the road as the car accelerated even further into the estate.

Was he nervous? Gravely

The rate at which his heart thudded was like that of a rat caught in a trap of no escape, watching its last moment flash before his eyes but this one was different. This was something else. This was him fighting for his career. This was him doing the needful.

He was oblivious to Diane's words until she touched him lightly. "You okay?"

"Yeah... ". Was all he said before he turned his head back to the view outside the moving car.

After they arrived at the airport countless hours ago, another vehicle was waiting for them, likewise bodyguards but different guys– it looked like they were from the same agency. They were taken to a five-star hotel... The best hotel in Dubai according to the research Diane made after they entered their heaven-like room that had apparently been booked days before their arrival. It was as though their entire trip was planned by him long beforehand.

The servings, the meals, the VVIP SPA treatments, the clothes, the tours, shopping, cinematic drama, gym... Everything! Everything they explored was already covered.

As if that was not enough, he was being treated like a King... Whenever he was in a section of the hotel, everyone evacuated. It was as though an entire floor in the humongous skyscraper was paid for just him. Nobody trespassed, and he wasn't allowed to see anybody.

When recognition dawned on him what his fate was, was when a bodyguard stopped a man who tried to trespass mouthing "He belongs to Mr. Hilmpton".

He couldn't feel his legs for a while... Then his face aided in the numbness. He couldn't feel his face. Who belongs to whom?

Is this even legal?

He held his breath thinking about everything that happened as his face turned red instantly. They had arrived but he was drowned in his thoughts so much so that he was oblivious to the car that came to a halt.

"Omg, this is it". Diane's voice called him out of trance once again. "We are here".

What?

We arrived?

Before he could process her words, the doors of the Rolls Royce Sweptail were open wide to the dashing entrance of the large mansion that had few people in front of it and a few guests that arrived just as they had.

"Mr. Kim, shall we?" The prideful voice of Diane surfaced again as she hooked her arm around his elbow, taking elegant steps as they gently strolled in, standing in front of the valet attendants before they knew it.

Things were happening too fast for Kim Mun Ho and his heart wasn't helping matters at all. He was trembling nervously for the first time in a long time.

This is bad.

Of all times! This was the moment his body decided to give up on him. Wow! Just wow.

He tried to steady his arms but they were pretty weak and trembling visibly. Diane quickly understood, taking the invitation from him and handing it to the man in the black suit. "Welcome". They mouthed, before allowing them to walk through.

"Do you want to take a moment to yourself?" Her eyes were on him, worry written in them but just as Kim Mun Ho took his gaze to hers, all he could see were accusing eyes yelling at him for being too cowardly. She patted him softly when he said nothing to her words.

"I'm fine... Let's mingle". He took his eyes from her moving them around the large hallway that looked like it led to a large hall– obviously. Her eyes were still on him but he avoided them at all costs. He hated those eyes. He hated those eyes that were saying so many hurtful things without saying anything. Those eyes that didn't believe in him.

Somehow, it felt as though they both knew that he didn't know what he was doing. What was he even doing here? What did he think he was going to do when he got here? The reality of it all was that he wasn't even sure what he was going to say to the man he was going to meet with. He didn't even prepare himself beforehand a proper conversation to start with him but all he knew was that he wasn't leaving there without his promising Career assured.

Even if he had to plead to the man he was going to meet today like a beggar and leave a poor impression of himself, he would do it. He would risk it all for his career.

The hallway leads to a large ball-like room but even larger with decorations that cost a lifeline of fortune depriving him of concentration for a while. Was it the golden walls or the diamond-like chandeliers that gave him goosebumps, or was it the chilly air filled with rich colognes that screamed 'you do not belong here ' very loudly in his ears?

For some reason, it felt like all eyes turned towards his direction for a while before they turned back to their supposed partners they spoke with. Clearly his imagination but at least he can believe that he made an impact, no?

"You look extraordinarily handsome today, Mr. Kim. Perhaps the SPA treatments are working their magic?". Diane's voice distracted his thoughts once again, fidgeting in a British accent they both used when they faked being Poosh.

"At least that makes us even, lady Diane... Look at you stealing glances from these rich folks".

"Haha, your compliments mean nothing because I know you are not Arabic".

"Pfftt, haha". They both chuckled attracting the attention of the waiter that walked towards them with a tray in his grip as they both picked up glasses.

"Hmm... The rich folks have it all". Diane mouthed after taking a sip of the champagne.

"I couldn't agree less". He smiled taking another sip before they continued deeper into the large space, amusing themselves further. All his worries were completely forgotten. Talking with Diane made him feel at ease. All the nervousness he felt walking in there were now old stories. The way she made fun of every individual who walked past them as though their purses or shoes couldn't buy her entire lifeline cracked him the hardest but they were still as composed as ever in their little world. Anyone passing by would think they were talking about something very important, only they were making a joke out of everything for their own pleasure.

What can he say, taking Diane there with him was the best decision he made during the heat of the whole situation. What could he have possibly done when he knew absolutely nobody there?

"Oh shit! Diane mumbled taking her eyes off instantly. Their silent chuckles came to a halt. "What?" He furrowed, feeling the chills when the familiar voice interrupted.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Mr. Kim".

Anna's voice called out to him as his eyes turned to meet hers.

ANNA HERGENS – Daughter Of Billionaire LeVert Hergens, Kim Mun Ho's Ex.

"Stealing hearts and being the center of attention as always with that stunning looks of yours". She mouthed, with eyes ravishing his body hungrily.

"Anna... Likewise, didn't expect to see you here". His eyes remained on her, cold and casual.

"Why? I'm always at parties like these unlike you... Which is quite surprising ". She spoke in that cocky tone she always had, taking her eyes to Diane briefly, mouthing "Your Agent's here too?" Eyes moving up and down her outfit. "Nice...".

"Enjoy the party". Was all she said before she strolled away moving her curvy waist sideways. Yup, she is gorgeous and she knows it, no doubt but even gorgeous comes with thorns, similar to roses. Although she is sharp-tongued with an annoying attitude, she was one of his obsessions during his maknae days, causing series of envy. She was what every rising idol needed, a hot, sexy, classy, and jaws ripping, rich girlfriend for the camera, creating dramas and all for controversies and to appear on the news. Only, Anna and him were more than that. They were real.

"Bitchy as always". Diane rolled her eyes. "How did you even live with her".

He shrugged. "She smelled nice"

She rolled her eyes again. "... Right...". taking them to the crowd that seemed focused on conversations. "At least one Rich Rudeass folk stopped our way".

He smiled, shaking his head at her words. "And I'm glad you are over with that one". Her eyes still rotated around the room as she spoke as if she searched for something or someone else. "But I just don't see him anywhere". She mumbled.

"What?" He inquired, eyes still on her.

"I don't see Mr. Hilmpton anywhere". She uttered, and in one second, his body was a living mess. His heart did that thump again; *Ba-dumb* *Ba-dumb* *Ba-dumb*

It was as though his body only reacted when his name was mentioned... As if that was his trigger. He started trembling again unconsciously. All the calmness he managed to acquire from the little chat with Diane vanished with just a mention of his name. Calmness who?

Great!

"Oh, maybe he's not here... Who knows?" He managed, struggling to appear calm.

"Not here? After making you come all the way here in style? Dream on, honey... Maybe he's just late".

Yeah right, who was he kidding? The chances of him not being here would be a zero out of a hundred cause he made this whole trip happen.

He turned his eyes to the waiter passing by, taking a glass and gulping it whole before taking another with a polite smile.

"I thought you quit drinking". Diane mouthed with wide eyes.

"You said nothing when I had the first glass so I thought I needed another". He winked, sipping the glass in his hand when the murmurs in the air had him furrowing before the scent hit him.

Just as Diane had predicted... He was just late.

Alexander Gareth Hilmpton strolled through the doors alongside the prince of Dubai.