Zeke Armani
A month later....
This was it, the day they've both practiced and rehearsed for. Today is the day they'll have their first real public appearance as a couple and Zeke was nervous. He wasn't nervous about the event they were about to attend but he was more nervous for Blair and but how the public would react to her. Blair is such a good, warm and kindhearted girl. He knew they would love her if they could just give her a chance.
He was worried that they wouldn’t give her that chance. He knew how cruel the media could be. He knew that they could rip her to shreds just like they did him.
And all he wanted to do was to protect her from all but at the end of the day. They'll have to face it together, no matter how much he dreads what they're about to face.
Zeke pushed his fears aside and waited patiently for Blair to emerge from the dressing room. The hair and makeup crew had both left, so she just needed to put on her dress. Blair was the most sensual and one of the most beautiful women he has had the pleasure of being with. He's so glad that she allowed and gave him a chance even if it was all for his own selfish gains...
The dressing room door opened and she stepped out and she looked more beautiful, so gorgeous. Breathtaking was the word, infact words couldn't really explain how he could describe her beauty.
Scratch that, he thought to himself. Look at those curves, there simply isn't a word for how beautiful she looks.
“What do you think?” Blair asked, her voice unsure as she held out her arms for his approval. Zeke didn’t know much about dress designs, but this one hugged her hourglass figure. Her dress was pure red with just a hint of shine to it. White cutout patterns accented her waist and bust, giving her the illusion of a corseted waist. Her hair hung around her shoulders in soft waves.
He wanted to run his fingers through those waves. He wanted to hike up her dress and take her right there, to be honest. He felt himself harden at the thought of bending her over and how the dress would ride up her ass...
“Zeke?”Her nervous voice broke through his thoughts.
“You look perfect,” he told her, keeping his desire to hike up her dress at the back of his mind.
“Am so nervous. I shouldn't have had that last bite of cheese bread, now my Stomach is hurling” She says as she instinctly chewed on her delicious red lip for a moment before realizing what she was doing.
He loved how nervous she gets and how she nervous bites her lower lips in anticipation.
His smart watch vibrated notifying him that the car was ready to take them. He tapped the notification and smiled at Blair.
“Are you ready?”
She took a deep breath and nodded. He offered her his arm, making her smile, and together they walked to the car.
Blair said little on the drive to the party. Zeke had been invited to a high profile charity fundraiser for a foundation his father and he now owned. When he got the notice about the event he figured this was the perfect opportunity to present the two of them as a couple. His PR adviser agreed too.
There would be lots of photographers and press. There will be red carpet photo of the two of them walking hand in hand. It would go viral. He’d warned Blair that she would be on the cover of every tabloid magazine tomorrow. Thankfully he had planned a special unaware but aware photoshoot with Pedro, they had pose with taking secret pictures of the two couples going out on a date in disguise. Pictures of them kissing in the car in disguise and in a restaurant but low profile...
Immediately after Tonight event the press would want to publish articles like Zeke with a new toy? Is she just one of his other girls? Which is why to convince them, immediately after this event. Articles, blogs, news, tweets will be up and running of the public and the press criticizing his playboy ways but all those news would be intercepted with pictures of him being on multiple dates with Blair... Both old and new and thankfully he had never remained or been seen with one girl twice so that will make the public change their tone and of course the pictures will be released by Pedro his well paid personal reporter that no one knows that their in league. While the rest pictures will start resurfacing on the internet by anonymous tips or internet users....
It hasn't been easy for them both because they've carefully planned everything this past month being cautious and meticulous.
“Why will I be on the cover?” she asked, as the limo turned toward the gala. “You have a new hot date every other week. Why is this different?”
Zeke shifted slightly in his seat. “Because I am going to be the attentive boyfriend tonight,” he explained. “Also, I never bring dates to these things. The fundraiser we're attending is being thrown by the foundation my father founded right from scratch and it was built and founded in memory of my mother and......"Zeke tried to say more words but stopped. She dosen't need to know about his tragic family past yet!
"The public is quite aware so they'll know it's different"He says grimacing..
Blair's eyes widened. “So, I’m your very first real date, not just a one night stand?”
“I’ve been on plenty of real dates,” he replied, only a little defensively.
That made her smile wider. “I’m your first real date,” she repeated. “You like me.”
“You're mine! My future wife"He says smiling.
She sat up a little straighter and grinned at him. “You’re gonna marry me.”
“Not if you keep doubting" he teased her. She kept grinning at him, knowing that he was playing. “You still clear on what we need to do tonight?”
She put on a serious face. “I’m supposed to tell everyone how wonderful and loving you are. That we met at the coffee shop and you asked me out. Then we talked for hours and are madly in love.”
“Good. What else?”
“That I’ve seen a change in you. You've been chasing me for almost a year and I turned you down and now thanks to fate we're together and I see what others don't see. That beyond your playboy exterior, you're a good, loving and caring boyfriend and you have seen the error of your ways and are turning over a new leaf because I am so very, very awesome.”
She grinned at him and winked. The last part was extra.
“I’m glad you feel confident,” he said as the limo came to a stop. He turned and watched her swallow hard. She was nervous and trying her best not to show it.
“I’m ready,” she said, squaring her shoulders. She flashed him a grin. “I won’t let you down. By the end of the night, everyone will think we are madly in love and that I have tamed your bad boy ways.”
He kissed her cheek, careful not to smear her delicate makeup.
“You’re going to do great.”
The door opened and he helped her out of the limo. She did her best to keep a smooth smile on her face, but he could see her eyes darting everywhere to take everything in.
He looked around, seeing the event through new eyes.
The red carpet, the photographers, the beautiful people, and the obvious display of wealth suddenly became very apparent to him. He’d become so used to it that this felt normal, but he could only imagine what Blair felt. It must be overwhelming.
She clung to him like she was holding on for her life. He could feel her sweaty palm and how much they quivered under his hand but she still managed to maintain and keep her smile bright, her hands trembled against his arm as she made sure he couldn’t leave her side. He was half afraid he might find bruises on his arms from her grip.
“You’re doing great,” he coached as they entered the main area. There were less photographers here and more guests, so he hoped she could relax a little and enjoy the party.
For the first time, he was worried about someone else having a good time. It was strange to think that he had her coming home with him either way, but that he wanted her to be happy.
He usually only wanted his date to have fun so they’d come home with him.
He steered her towards a friendly face.
“Blair, I’d like you to meet a friend of mine,” he introduced her. “This is Collin Raye McCoy. He’s the head of our Singaporean branch.
“So you’re the one who has Zeke leaving the office early I hear?”Collin replied, smiling at them both warmly. “I must say, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Thank you,” she replied. Her grip on his arm lessened..
“Don’t be scared of the guests here,”Collin advised. “They all bark, but none of them bite. If anything, they’ll be curious how you managed to keep him this long. I must say I am curious myself.”
“Blair is amazing,” Zeke replied for her. “She’s smart and funny and obviously beautiful. What isn’t to love?”
“Love, huh?”Collin didn’t look completely convinced, but he shrugged and smiled anyway. “Speaking of love, have you met my wife? She’d love to meet you.”
Blair looked over at Zeke, her eyes making sure that she was doing the right thing. Zeke gave her a subtle nod. Collin's wife was a sweetheart who would spread the news of Zeke's change of heart. It was what they came here to do.
Gossip and gawk!
One of the few lazy things rich people indulge in with their pairs..
“Have fun,” Zeke told her.
Zeke gave Blair's hand a gentle squeeze as she let go of his arm. He could see her nerves in the small movements she made. Her breath came fast and her eyes were wide. If he didn’t know her, he wouldn’t know to look.
She flashed him an smile and followed collin. He watched her walk away, sad to see her go but enjoying the view. With a deep breath of his own, he went to mingle. He needed to show he’d turned over a new leaf and not flirt with the beautiful women of the party.
His goal was to impress a few of his shareholders who were in attendance, the past month has been hectic. He had begged and apologize to the board of directors and shareholders, promising he would get their stocks back on track and their image out of the mud. And he's been working towards it, his daily clubbing after work hours was stopped ever since he signed the contract with Blair, his name had successfully been out of the public's lips for a while and he
couldn't be more happier.
He should have felt disappointed about not being able to chase the women here. It was part of his old routine and hunt.
It was a strange sensation. He shook his head. He was just getting into character, he told himself. He was method acting, and just like actors, his character bled onto his real life person. It sounded like a fine theory as to why he had no real desire to seduce any woman in attendance here tonight.
The night went slowly. Zeke made sure to talk to as many people as possible, all the time working in how happy Blair made him. He made sure to mention that she’d moved into his building but was actually spending most of her time at his place. He mentioned how wonderful it was and how their relationship was unexpected.
And it didn’t feel like he was lying.
The crowd inside the fundraiser increased. Zeke made sure to keep an eye out for Blair. She was always in the back of his mind and he wanted to make sure she was alright. As much as he had promised her that everything would go well at the party, the crowd here could eat her alive if she stumbled.
Luckily, she was doing amazing.
From his spot in the room, he could see her smiling and laughing with a set of wives of the shareholders. He recognized each of them, As far as visibility was concerned, she was one of them now. She’d charmed them, just as she had charmed him. And she appeared to do it effortlessly.
He smiled and took a sip of his drink. She was doing so well, he was starting to relax. Maybe this night could go as well as he’d hoped.
That’s when he saw Johnny Walker an important and the highest shareholder of his company after him. The very one who had requested for him to step down as CEO!
He could very much ruin it all!