Chapter 11: CAN YOU FEEL MY HEARTBEAT?

"Um… Mr. Victor. Do I really need to go?"

Irene asked even though she was being groomed beautifully by a famous make up artist. Certainly after being forced by Victor. Just a few minutes ago, she was surprised when Victor's driver stopped the car in front of the expensive and famous cosmetic shop. Never once did she dream that she could set foot there.

"Why are you even asking this? You know you must follow me as a worker right? Furthermore, you're already almost done with everything. After finish with that, wear the dress that we brought earlier. Make sure you open the brand tag. Don't ever think to return or replace it. This is for work anyway."

Irene sighed a little. Unexpectedly, on her first day working with the man, she would be taken to a big ceremony attended only by VVIPs. In fact, it was organized by the Minister of Education. How heavy the burden that she had to bear this time. This is her first day of work anyway!

"Make sure she looks just natural Maria. Also, not too grand for her hair. Simple is enough." Victor directed as if he always came there.

"Don't worry Victor. I know she's already so pretty that you're afraid to ruin her." Maria teasing as she know how Victor is like. "You're a very lucky young lady. It's rare to see Victor spend so much money on someone else. I'm pretty expensive as you know."

Of course Irene knows. That Maria only works for high level artist and VVIP only. How big is Victor in this industry when his connection is like this? Irene cannot dare to imagine. She knows her gap with Victor is farther than heaven and earth. But lucky? She certainly not feeling that at the moment. All she feels now is just nervous at the thought that soon she would meet more people on par with Victor.

"But, I don't think I deserve to be there." Irene told Victor her thoughts as she looked at Victor's face, watching her from the mirror. As Maria still works with her face, she cannot move much to properly face the man. Indeed, she felt it was not proper for her to attend such a ceremony. In fact, she has never attended any ceremony at her college, let alone a ceremony of this magnitude.

"This is an opportunity for you to learn. You never know what you will encounter when you graduate later. This experience is something to thank for. Don't you think so?" Victor has a point.

"Just relax. This is not a formal ceremony. This is just a ceremony to celebrate his grandson who just entered elementary school. As ridiculous it sound is, this ceremony allows big people to build connections and even discuss one or two projects. It's an opportunity that hard to pass especially for person that have some agenda." Victor explaining.

"And you have that agenda?" Irene suddenly curious.

"Probably. It's not your concern anyway." Victor looked sharply at her.

Irene made a sour face unhappy with the man's answer. But, no matter how she rebelled, she know from the start that she had to follow the man till the end. So, she had to be content with what was happening now. She needs to properly paying her debt to the man after all.

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::Grand Hotel H::

Irene stood in front of the luxury hotel with her mouth slightly open. Really, she was stunned to see the big hotel. Victor next to her just stared.

"The ceremony is in here?" Irene looked at Victor with twinkling eyes.

Victor just kept quiet. In fact, silently, he had been fascinated by the girl's beauty. Since the girl was getting ready in the shop before, he cannot leave his eyes from looking at her. With perfect natural make up, braided updo hairstyles, plus after wearing a soft peach coloured long dress with a bit of embroidery, also high heels that he forced the girl to wear. The girl's appearance changed drastically.

Her beauty increased so much that Victor's heart beat faster every time his eyes looked at the girl. Much worse, when their eyes lock down together. If Irene alert enough, if she viewed up close at Victor she probably could see Victor's ears that starting to turn red. Victor on the other hand, just realized at that moment that the girl had a huge effect on him. He just doesn't really realize it before.

"Mr. Victor?" Irene tilted her head a little while walking, closing her gap to Victor. She thought Victor didn't hear her question after seeing Victor just looked at her without answering anything.

Victor blinks one, twice before putting his straight face to use. He looked into the hotel entrance not wanting to look at Irene anymore. He cleared his throat before saying,

"The minister booking the hotel hall for tonight. Don't wandering alone. Make sure you standing beside me all along. If you're tired, you can find somewhere you sit but make sure you inform me first. Don't drink anything alcoholic. I don't like to take care of someone who is drunk. It's annoying."

"I don't drink. I like juice the best." Irene answers too honestly. Victor smirks a little hearing the words that coming out from the girl's mouth. She never fails to amaze him.

"Let's go." Victor takes Irene's hand and puts it around his arm. Like a gentleman. Irene, definitely shock, but she knows how this work. She used to watch this kind of thing in the drama anyway. Now she just needs to adjust.

While walking, Irene always looked down to the ground because she was not so used to wearing high heels. She's a little worried. Anyway, she is determined to not embarrass herself and most importantly, she doesn't want to embarrass Victor. But just four, five steps of her walking, she accidentally stepped on her long dress making her sure to fall to the ground if Victor didn't hold her quickly.

In fact, Victor could already guess that would happen when he saw Irene who looked awkward while walking. But, how could he let the girl wear flat shoes for that kind of ceremony. That was not in line with the girl's overall appearance for the night.

Luckily Victor is indeed good with his reflex. He quickly hugged Irene's waist to saving the girl from bearing the embarrassment. But, their situation that is so close and their eyes that are now looking at each other made their hearts suddenly feeling uneasy.

Not only Victor now, Irene's face also suddenly turned red. This was the first time she was so close to the opposite sex that making her have lost her words. She could only pray that Victor would not hear the sound of her heart that beating so fast at that moment. Otherwise, she doesn't know how to face the man after this.

The look in their eyes at that time seemed too long. It takes Victor all of his might to stop his mind that keeps telling him to kiss the girl senseless and stop the time. But, he knows Irene will never liking that kind of action. And he will never do things that will make the girl hating him. For him, unconditional love will take time.

Victor then released Irene slowly. " Are you okay?" He asked softly, unlike his usual.

The very nervous Irene nodded. She was a little embarrassed to look in Victor's direction at the time.

"I'm sorry. I just don't use to high heel yet. And... Thank you." She still choose to look over at Victor to thank him even though she was still feeling nervous.

"Just walk slowly. No need to rush. You will find your own momentum." Victor encourages. With that, they resume to walk to get inside the hotel.

Every step she took, Irene could feel the look of admiration from other people fall on her just because she is standing by Victor's side. Many of the women there whispered about Victor and how lucky the girl was to escort the man, which the girl is her. She glanced at Victor, who was smiling at the other guests. Who exactly is this guy who seems to be so admired by many? Irene asked herself. Indeed, from this moment she finds herself getting more and more curious about a person named...Victor.