Chapter 9

Chapter 9: The Magical things When you think he's not right for you, and he's too exquisitely hot for you, you later find out he's not just your side Values. After you realize you like them ~|Printerst|~ Brielle's POV Jace opens the door to the black Mercedes Benz, and I clamber in. It's a beast of a car. He hasn't mentioned the outburst of annoying me. Bitch. I glance at him. Jace is his usual polite, slightly distant self. How confusing. he starts the engine and reverses out of his space in the parking lot. He switches on the MP3 player, and The car interior is filled with the sweetest, most magical music Alessa Cara 'Scars to your beautiful ' playing. My senses are in disarray. So this is doubly affecting and sends delicious shivers up my spine that I feel like singing along as he drives. Jace pulls out onto Lucca Avenue, and he drives with ease. Lazy confidence. "My taste is eclectic, Brielle," He looks at me briefly as if he's reading my mind. Dick. The music is interrupted by a cell phone ringing over the MP3 speakers. Jace hits a button on the steering wheel. "De Leon!" he snaps. He's so brusque. "Mr. De Leon. It's Angelo speaking. I have the information you require." A rasping disembodied voice comes over the speakers. "Good. Email it to me. anything to add?" "No, sir" He presses the button, the call ceases, and the music is back-no goodbye or thanks. I'm so glad that I never seriously entertained the thought of working for him. I shudder at the very idea. He's just too controlling and cold with his employees. The music cuts off again with this. He hisses. "De Leon." "The LMPT holding company. The secretary has dropped an email to for you. Mr. De Leon ." A woman's voice sounded out. "Good. That's all, Reyna." "Have a Good day, Sir." Jace hangs up. The music was on but was interrupted again when the phone rang. Holy cow. is this his life? Nagging phone calls? "De Leon. Again." he snaps. "Hi. Jace. did 'you get laid?" A hoarse was heard from the connected Bluetooth. "Hello. Enri? Oh, Luca- I'm on speakerphone, and I'm not alone in the car," Jace sighs. "Who's with you?"Jace rolls his eyes. "Brielle Damara." "Hi. Brielle!" "She doesn't know you. So back off." Jace cautioned. "Hello!" I slowly speak. I was looking sternly at Jace. "Heard a lot about you," Luca murmurs huskily. Jace frowns. "Don't believe a word Hera says." Luca giggles. "I'm dropping Brie off now," Jace emphasizes my name. "Shall I pick you up?" "Sure." He huffed sharply. "See you shortly." Jace hangs up. Then again, music is back. "Why do you insist on calling me, Brie?" I look intensely at him. "Because it's your name." he frowns. "I prefer Brielle." I frowned. "No one tells me what to do. It's my world and my rules," he grumbles. "Brielle." he muses. I scowl at him, but he ignores my expression. He pulls up outside my apartment studio. I belatedly realize he didn't ask me where I live - yet he knows. My world my rules. I grumble in between thoughts. I don't understand. Honestly. His surname should be Cryptic and not De Leon. He climbs out of the car, walking with effortless, long-legged grace round to my side to open the door. Ever the gentleman - except perhaps in rare, precious daydreaming moments in the car. I flush at the memory of his mouth on mine, and the thought that I'd been unable to touch him penetrates my mind. I wanted to run my fingers through his decadent untidy hair, but I'd been unable to move my hands. I am retrospectively frustrated. Common. Brielle Damara. It was not as if it was a reality. It was another daydreaming shit. Ugh. - Immediately we entered the house, Hera and Luca were sitting at the dining table. She has the most un-Hera stupid grin on her face, and she looks messed up in a sexy way. Jace follows me into the living area, and despite her I've-been-having-a-good-time-all-night grin. Hera eyes him suspiciously. "Hi, Brielle." She leaps up to hug me. Then holds me at arm's length so she can examine me. She frowns and turns to Jace. "Good morning. fucking prickhead," she says to Jace, and her tone is a little hostile. "Ms. Crimson," he says in his stiff, formal way. He smiled and hugged Hera. " long-time no see!" It's astonishing. She saw Jace put on a smiling face. He even hugged Hera. "How you have changed a lot. You have a lot of explanation to do." Hera announced. "Jace. Her name is Hera too, you know. Just stop being formal by calling her by her surname. It's so old-fashioned," Luca grumbles. "Hera," Jace gives her a polite nod and glares at Luca, who grins and rises to hug me too. "I know her name is Hera, " he rolled his eyes at me. "OK. Hera. I'll be waiting." He flickered at Hera, making her blush scarlet. "Hi, Brielle," he smiles, his blue eyes twinkling, and I like him immediately. He's nothing like Jace. But then they're best friends, like brothers. "Hi, Luca," I smile at him, aware that I'm biting my nails now. "Luca. We'd better go," Jace says mildly. "Sure." He turns to Hera and pulls her into his arms, and gives her a long, lingering kiss. Whore. Get a room. I stare at my feet. Embarrassed. I glance up at Jace, and he's watching me intently. I narrow my eyes at him. Why can't you kiss me like that? Luca continues to kiss Hera. Sweeping her off her feet and dipping her in a dramatic hold so that her hair touches the ground as he kisses her hard. "Later, baby," he grins. Hera just melts. I've never seen her melt before - the words comely and compliant come to mind. Respect and complement Hera. Boy- Damon must be good. Jace rolls his eyes and stares down at me. His expression is unreadable. Although, maybe he's mildly amused. He tucks a stray strand of my hair that has worked its way free from my ponytail behind my ear. My breath hitches at the contact, and I lean my head slightly into his fingers. His eyes soften, and he runs his thumb across my lower lip. My blood sears in my veins and all too quickly. His touch is gone. "Later. Baby," he murmurs. I heard this. I have to cough because it's so unlike him, but even though I know he's irreverent-the endearment tugs at something deep inside me. "I'll pick you up by nine." He turns to leave. I was Opening the front door and stepping out onto the porch. Luca follows him to the car but turns and blows Hera another kiss, and I feel an unwelcome pang of jealousy. What is wrong with Hera and her one-night stand? Are they dating already? "So, did you?" Hera asks as we watch them climb into the car and drive off. The burning curiosity was evident in her voice. "No," I snap irritably, hoping that will halt the topics. We head back into the apartment. "You did, though." I can't contain my envy. Hera always manages to ensnare men. She is irresistible. Beautiful. Sexy. Funny. "And I'm seeing him again this evening." She claps her hands and jumps up and down like a small child. She cannot contain her excitement and happiness, and I can't help but feel happy for her. A happy Hera. this is going to be interesting. "Jace is taking me to Milan in the evening." "What did you just say ?" "Well. I said Jace is taking me to Milan." "Are you mad? Crazily In a lucid situation? " he looks diversified. "No. I'm not any of those things you mentioned. And trust me. Hera, I'll be fine." "Okay. If you say so. I hope so," she said singingly "You like him. Don't you? your feelings are generating themselves again, right?" "Yes," I uttered without thinking twice. "Like him enough to-" "Yes." She raises her eyebrows. Then I realized what she meant. No way. "Wow. Brielle Damara. Finally falling for a man, and it's Jace De Leon, your high school crush - hot, sexy billionaire. Also an eligible bachelor." "Oh yeah - it's all about the money," I smirk, and we both fall into a fit of giggles. "Is that a new blouse?" she raises a question. I let her have all the unexciting details about my night. "Has he kissed you yet?" she asks as she makes a sandwich for us. I blush. "Once." I shy away. I was pretending to look for something. "Once!" she scoffs. "Yes. Once. in my Brielle wonderland." I added. I was nodding with a grin. Rather shamefaced. "He's very reserved." She frowns. "I hate you. Brielle. You and your fantasies, " She gasps. "That's odd." She whirled her eyes aggressively at me. "I don't think -odd- covers it really," I mutter. "We need to make sure you'll be overpowering for the evening," She mumbles with eagerness. Oh no. This sounds like it will be time-consuming. Humiliating and painful. "I have to be at work in an hour." "I can work with that timeframe. Come on." Hera grabs my hand and takes me into her bedroom. - The day drags at Mrs. Sicilia's coffee shop even though we're busy. We've hit the summer season. So, I have to spend two hours restocking the coffee shelves once the shop is closed. It's mindless work, giving me too much time to think. I've not had a chance all day to understand Hera's tireless and frankly intrusive instruction. My legs and underarms are shaved to perfection. My eyebrows are plucked, and I am buffed all over. It has been a most unpleasant experience, but she assures me that men expect these days. What else will he expect? I have to convince Hera that this is what I want to do. For some strange reason. She doesn't trust him, her Big-time celebrity. Maybe because he's so stiff, formal, and a casanova. No longer the sweet nerdy Jonathan Christopher. But he's now the big boss Jace De Leon. She says she can't put her finger on it, but I have promised to text her when I arrive in Milan. Haven't I told her about the private plane or private boarding Airplane? She'd freak out. I also have a-Javier- issue. He left three messages and seven missed calls on my cell. He also called home twice. Hera has been very vague as to where I am. He'll know she's covering for me. Hera doesn't do fuzzy, but I have decided to exempt him. I'm still too angry with him. Jace mentioned some written paperwork, and I don't know if he was joking or if I'm going to have to sign something. It's so frustrating trying to guess and on top of all the angst. I can barely contain my excitement or my nerves. Tonight's the night! After all. This time. Am I ready for this? My inner goddess glares at me. She was tapping her small foot impatiently. She's been ready for this for years, and she's prepared for anything with Jace De Leon. But I still don't understand what he sees in me -Aways in the bag. Brielle Damara. It makes no sense.