CHAPTER 31

**JAMES COLUCCI**

“Really? I've always found her to be a bit lost and not very competent to work in a company as big as Colucci's...". she says with a frown confirming that she hates Chloe for some reason I am yet to find out somehow or another.

“Where are you going with this?", I control my tone of voice.

“Nowhere, I'm just warning you that Miss Duarte may not be able to handle such a demanding job as being an assistant to an important man like you..."

“You are very wrong Miss Sparke, for the long time you have been working for me, you should know better than anyone that I don't hire people I don't see fit for the job."

She finally seems to understand that she is crossing the line and shuts up, just focusing on the dance that I want to finish as soon as possible.

“May I?", we are interrupted by Adam, who interferes by offering his hand to Camily, and before she can answer, I walk away with a huge smile on my face.

“Of course!", I don't wait for an answer, I just leave the dance floor receiving a shower of compliments from some guests who have just arrived at the ball.

When I am finally freed amid so many people, I head for the table where Chloe and her friends were a few minutes ago, but I stop on the way when I see that the woman I desire so much is not where she should be.

I approach the table and when I realize my presence, Chloe's blonde friend points with her finger in some direction behind me, I nod and turn around quickly seeing that Chloe dances together with her friend.

The same biker friend from the party.

Matt Ortega...

Not wanting to cause a scene in front of important people, I just stare at the two of them seeing that Chloe seems to be having a great time when the brunette says something very close to her face.

Realizing that I have been staring at the couple for a long time, I put a small smile on my face and hold out my hand to the blonde, whose eyes widen when she realizes my intentions.

“Would you do me the honor, miss?", I ask out of politeness about leaving a woman unaccompanied at a party.

Don't surprise me, I am not the cavalier type with women, I am obliged to do and act this way on some occasions because of my social position.

“Yes...", she gets up and hesitantly places her hand over mine.

I lead her around the dance floor and when the current music ends, I accept a few more dance invitations from some of the women, when I get tired of the movements I head straight to the tables and sit down next to my father.

The waiters start serving the guests and tables, my thoughts and glances in Chloe's direction are driving me crazy, and determined to put an end to this, I occupy my mind with the meal and the amount this dance will raise in the end.

Chloe has done a great job in taking care of the organization and the menu of the ball, everything is perfectly impeccable and this has earned many compliments from the guests who congratulate me on a well”done ball.

The prom meal happens perfectly and without any slips or worries on the part of the organization staff, the dishes are served, and even I, who am relatively difficult to please, was taken by surprise with the taste and quality of each dish served including dessert.

After all the guests finish their meals I get up from the table and walk to the center of the dance hall where one of the employees hands me a microphone when I decide to say a few words about this evening.

“Good evening everyone, I have already said hello to a few people, but I want to thank you all for your presence on this very special and important evening. My main focus and goal for this ball is to raise as much money as possible for a donation that will save lives."

“Lives of people who didn't choose to go through what they are going through today, lives of innocent children who deserve the best from this cruel world, and with our help, I am sure that this is more than possible to accomplish."

“Thank you to everyone who is donating tonight, thank you for caring about this cause even if it doesn't involve you personally, thank you all!", I finish my little speech being applauded by everyone with a smile on their face.

But again my gaze is drawn to Chloe who is standing and applauding and staring at me, just as I am doing to her at this moment.

“Few beautiful words, son. I never tire of saying how proud you make me, James!", I am forced to stop looking at Chloe and start focusing on my father who hugs me with a proud expression on his face.

“Thanks, Dad!", I smile greeting other guests who approach.

We already have a very high amount of money raised by the guests who keep joining the cause and donating more and more, I feel satisfied with that, but my joy and satisfaction are interrupted when I feel strong dizziness.

I blink several times leaning on one of the tables hoping that no one is paying attention to me now, I close my eyes and take a deep breath wishing this uneasiness would pass quickly.

But that doesn't happen when I open my eyes, getting increasingly dizzy I quickly walk out of the place to find a spacious balcony where the wind can blow hard.

I close my eyes squeezing the railings tightly feeling everything around me spinning, I know what this means, it's not the first time this has happened to me.

I start a count of numbers taking a deep breath as the nausea starts to show as well, the party is still going on inside as if nothing is happening and I am relieved for that.

I need to deal with my problems on my own, I've always done that and I'm not going to stop now, at this point I mentally curse myself for not having my medicine cabinet with me right now.

This will pass I know, every time it usually does, I keep counting the numbers until I hear the balcony doors being opened by someone approaching.

I open my eyes breathing deeply and once again irritated that I don't have the opportunity to be alone when I need it, even though I feel sick I turn around ready to scold the person who broke my peace.

But my expression relaxes the moment I see Chloe approach me with a frown.

“Are you okay, sir?"

CHLOE DUARTE

My decision to study business administration when I finished high school in Brazil was to finish college and become a good leader like James is now.

As he says his short speech in a few words my attention is focused on him, his assurance of public speaking, and his posture that wields power even when he is completely silent.

I still dream of becoming a person like him, but I know that I am just starting my professional career and that I still have a long way to go.

I also have to admit that I am proud of myself when I received several compliments after the meal, James made it clear to everyone that I was responsible for everything they liked.

But I feel something strange when I see James hurrying out of the place, I hold the hem of my dress ready to follow him, but my friends stop me:

“Where are you going in such a hurry, princess?", I look at Matt who has a frown on his forehead.

“I'll be right back!", I warn him before crossing the dance hall and taking the same route James did a few seconds ago and soon find a double glass door leading to a large balcony.

I enter and approach slowly seeing him with his back to me and his head bowed down as if there was something wrong going on.

“Are you okay?", I ask, approaching him slowly and seeing him turn to me with a downcast expression and breathing with difficulty.

He doesn't answer right away just shakes his head in agreement before turning back to face the night landscape in front of him, I know he is lying, I haven't known him for long, but I can tell when something is wrong.

“You don't have to be imposing all the time, even the strongest of us have moments of weakness, you don't have to lie to me...", I venture to say as he closes his eyes again and squeezes the bars so hard that his fingers turn white.

I look back seeing that no one has followed us or is paying attention out here, I dart closer to the bars seeing that there is a well”kept garden down there.

“I've always liked red roses, but sometimes I like white ones.", I start with a subject that I know will get his attention.

“They're all too perfect to choose just one kind...", he finally says with difficulty looking at the garden.

“I know it's none of my business, but I can see that you are not well, do you want to talk about it?", I suggest, but he denies it with his head as if the subject bothers him.

“Why do you care so much? He raises his voice and begins to sweat as he turns to me, and that's when he seems to lose his balance."

“Mr. Colucci!", I say, trying to hold him by the shoulders as he looks very ill.

“Sit here and I'll get help or call someone...", I warn him, but he quickly denies it with his head, holding my wrist.

“Don't call anyone, Chloe, it will pass, it always does..", he whispers helplessly, leaning his head against the wall as he sits down on the floor.

At that moment I look at the always so active and imposing man noticing his weak side, the cold man being just an exhausted human now.

“But you are having a bad time, I have to help you!", I say wide-eyed, not knowing what to do, but he stops me from going for help again.

“Respect my decision and don't call anyone, please, Chloe...", he opens his eyes pleadingly with his gaze still holding me.