Landon almost melted from Lauren calling his name. He swallowed hard as he surprisingly found his blood rushing.
The tears that rolled off her reddened eyes sent ripples across his heart. Almost instantly, he put aside the memory of that night when she left him behind.
âOh, did Alyssa give it to you?â He scrunched up his eyes and wiped away her tears with his coarse fingertips.
She gave him a hard nod. Her nose was red.
âWhere? Did you lose it in the club?â
She nodded again, her eyes red from crying.
âDonât worry. Iâll help.â He took her hand and led her to the stage with everyoneâs eyes on them.
A dreamy light was cast on them, creating a picturesque scene.
Lauren timidly looked at her feet but stole occasional glances at him.
He might look unfriendly, but she had to admit that he was beautiful. He had chiseled and regal features that were unrivaled and a pair of hawkish eyes.
She pursed her lips as she stealthily checked out his features and etched his face in her memory.
âMusic, stop,â Landon spoke into a microphone at the DJâs booth. The noisy crowd instantly fell into a hush.
Meanwhile, Zoe and Betty were deeply engrossed in the party. It wasnât until someone tapped them on the shoulder that they turned to the screen.
Zoe instantly jumped from the couch and let out an angry yelp that startled everyone, as if she were possessed.
Bettyâs anger flared as she discovered Lauren standing next to Landon; the two were hand-in-hand.
Her mind went blank from the shock.
Landon cast an affectionate glance at Lauren. The two seemed to be in their own world. Was it a public display of love?
âLauren, you little bitch!â Betty vowed to teach her sister a lesson for making a move on Landon.
+15 BONUS âWhatâs going on? Why is Landon with that airhead?â Zoe summoned her bodyguard and interrogated him, âDidnât I ask you to keep an eye on that dumbo? How did she run into my brother?â
*P-Please calm down, Ms. Zoe. I did keep a close watch on her the whole time, but I did not expect Mr.
Landon to show up at ACE tonight.
âSheâd have eventually bumped into him from the way she was running around tonight the bodyguard rambled in panic.
âUseless thing!â Zoe kicked him in the leg to release her anger. However, the bodyguard stood steadily while Zoe lost her balance and ended up slipping comically on the floor with a yelp.
Betty and Zoeâs friends couldnât help but laugh at her misfortune.
On the other hand, Landon smilingly addressed the crowd, âSeems like everyoneâs in high spirits today.
Iâll play a game with you all. How does that sound?
âMy dear sister here has lost a teddy bear in the club.â
After that, a picture of the lost teddy bear flashed across the massive screen on the stage. It was a photo from Laurenâs phone gallery. This immediately sparked whispers among the crowd.
âSister? I heard Mr. Landon has a sister whoâs the protégé of a famous pianist, but she looks different here.â
âThis âsisterâ is probably one of his girls. Donât take it literally. Didnât you just call that old manâdaddy?â
someone joked, âThat young lady looks childlike, though. She must be quite inexperienced. Wait, could she be und âYou know nothing. Rich guys love frail and nerdy girls like her. They think sheâs more ânatural!ââ
Lauren blushed at the gossip about her and struggled to withdraw her hand from Landonâs hold.
In situations like this, the only thing on her mind was to escape. However, he gripped her hand tightly.
She had no way to break free.
âLadies and gentlemen, whoever finds the teddy bear will be granted free entry to ACE, with all expenses on the house, for an entire year!â Landon announced, and the crowd roared and cheered.
The timer on the screen began its countdown. âFive, four, three, two, one. Let the game begin!â Landon exclaimed, waving his hand with a wide grin.
The crowd quickly dispersed to each corner of the club. It was a scene to behold from the vantage point of the stage. Lauren blinked in awe, her jaw practically dropping to the floor.
BONUS Landonâs eyes deepened when he noticed the astonishment on her face. He said to her, âCome, letâs wait together in the lounge. Weâll find your teddy bear soon.â