Chapter 75
Standing Before Love
No one bothered about Elliot anymore, for Philip had already opened the private room door, and the woman standing outside was indeed Myra. She was still wearing an OL outfit from Chanel, the contrast of the light gray fabric against her fair skin giving her a gentle and comfortable feeling. Her long hair was tied back, baring her slender and delicate neck, while there was faint makeup on her exquisite face. It was just right, neither too plain nor too outstanding.
Upon seeing Philip, she was stunned for a moment before she murmured in mild embarrassment, âIâm sorry. I think I got the wrong room.â
Just when she was about to turn around, Philip chuckled lightly. âYou must be Miss Stark, yes? Director Hart is indeed in this room, so do come in.â
Myra halted, finally remembering that sheâd once seen the man in front of her. That time, he gave me a hand during the Hart Familyâs banquet. Thus, she looked over his shoulder into the room. Smoke lingered in the room, but it didnât obstruct her vision. Even in a crowd of equally outstanding men, Tony Hart is still identifiable at a single glance!
Philip flashed her a smile before pivoting and walking back in.
With the black jacket in hand, Myra hesitated for a moment. Then, she trailed behind him.
Tony was sitting close to the back. At this time, Lucas had already stood up and nonchalantly ambled over to the window with both hands in his pockets. He opened the window, yet his gaze traveled back every so often.
Coming to a stop near Lucasâ seat, Myra handed the black jacket to Tony. âDirector Hart, this is the jacket you left at the construction site today. David asked me to bring it here and give it to you.â Her voice was just like her person, exceedingly gentle.
Elliot eagerly glanced at her several times. I initially suspected her motives, but after understanding Tonyâs âmotives,â I think hers simply pale in significance and arenât even worth mentioning! âM⦠Miss Stark.â He stifled his original address of âMrs. Hartâ even as his brain whirred. Out of the blue, he fawningly moved over and took the jacket from her. âDo you play poker, Miss Stark?â
Myra recognized the man before her. When I went to Hart Group once, I bumped into him on Tony Hartâs floor. Hence, she knew that he was Young Master Elliot. Looks like heâs a good friend of his. As she stared at the poker table in front of her, she honestly shook her head. âNo.â
âIt doesnât matter!â Clapping his hands, Elliot guffawed. âTony is good at poker, so he can teach you later.â
Myra shifted her gaze to Tony awkwardly. Ever since she came in, he hadnât said a single word, his face as expressionless as ever, and he wasnât looking at her at this time. Thus, she shook her head at Elliot in mortification. âIâm sorry, but you all go on, Young Master Elliot. Iâm just here to deliver the jacket tonight, so Iâll be leaving after doing so.â
âWhy are you in such a hurry to leave when youâre already here, Miss Stark?â Elliot spared no effort in persuading her to stay. Then, he even tugged on her arm to seat her right beside Tony, but Tonyâs glacial gaze suddenly shot to Myraâs arm which he held. His heart jolting, he instinctively released his hold on her even as he inwardly exclaimed, Iâm dead!
Failing to react in time, Myra abruptly tumbled in the direction of his reaction force and toppled right into Tonyâs lap.
Time seemed to come to a standstill at this moment. Even the expression of the most imperturbable Lucas a near distance away changed slightly.
Having fallen into someoneâs embrace, Myra was enveloped by the familiar musky smell. She fell into a trance for a second, but in the next moment, her face instantly flushed bright red as though on fire. âIâm sorry, Director Hart!â She hastily scrambled up from the lap of the man behind her before shooting Elliot who was feigning innocence nearby an aggravated look. Never mind if you pulled me, but why did you suddenly let go?
Tonyâs brows furrowed slightly, his eyes still cold as he replied, âItâs okay.â He then looked at the jacket in Elliotâs hand with squinted eyes, but no one knew what he was thinking. After a long time, he placidly said to Myra, âThank you for bringing me the jacket, Miss Stark.â
Itâs really strange to hear him saying thank you! Myra hurriedly waved a dismissive hand and brushed it off before she whirled around to leave the room.
All of a sudden, the sound of a glass clattering back onto the table rang out, followed by Philipâs concerned voice. âTony, youâve got to use your right hand if you want to have a drink. Have you forgotten that your left hand is injured and indisposed?â
At once, Myra stopped in her tracks and pursed her lips.
Upon seeing this, Elliot promptly chimed in, saying, âBut how can you manage when youâve got to drink, smoke, and also draw cards, Tony? Say, youâre really careless. Why did you injure your hand when youâre already this old? Donât you know how important your hand is?â
As his voice was loud, the guilt within Myra grew. Biting her lip, she suddenly spun around and walked back toward the three of them, or more accurately speaking, toward Tony. Coming to a stop behind him, she inhaled deeply, a glimmer of guilt flashing across her eyes as she stared at the unfathomable man before her. âIf you donât mind, why donât I help to draw cards for you tonight, Director Hart?â This was a sudden decision. His hand was only injured because of me, so if I were to just turn around and leave despite the puddle of water in front of him and his indisposed hand, itâll be a bit too cold-blooded of me. Earlier, Young Master Elliot probably asked me to stay and draw cards because he thought about this.
She was actually a touch apprehensive when she offered to stay since Tony was too indecipherable. If he declines, itâll seem as though Iâm deliberately coming on to him. Her expression stiffened imperceptibly. After waiting for so long that she thought he was going to turn her down, she unexpectedly saw him nodding placidly. âSure.â Her nerves finally relaxed, but in the next moment, they stretched taut though she couldnât quite understand why she was getting nervous.
As the reek of cigarette smoke in the room had dissipated significantly, Lucas closed the window and returned to his seat.
Conversely, Tony got up from the poker table and stood to the back. All of a sudden, he reached out and pulled Myra over, putting his hands on her shoulders and steering her into his seat.
His hands were warm and dry, seemingly burning Myraâs shoulders through the thin layer of clothing.
For a moment, regret assailed her. Why did I volunteer myself? But itâs too late to back out now, so Iâve got no choice but to bite the bullet! She tried recalling the poker games sheâd seen in the past and imitated the moves. She indeed had no idea how to play poker, but fortunately, Tony guided her at the back.
For some reasonâperhaps because heâs too close to meâI can smell the faint scent of tobacco on him, but itâs not pungent or off-putting.
She was rather lost throughout the entire game. Sheâd just drawn a card and was a second away from opening it when a massive hand shot out and half-wrapped around the hand in which she held the card. His fingers are tapered, long and slender yet carrying a masculine air, very much alluring. She stared at the hand, her face burning so hotly that it almost combusted.
âYou canât open this card because Elliot had just raised the stakes. If you do so, itâll only reveal your hand.â Tonyâs voice was deep and sexy, his warm breath brushing against her neck, making her feel as though she was sitting on pins and needles. Very quickly, he flipped open another card before placing the card in her hands into the stack of cards.
Elliot thumped his hand onto the table in dismay. âIâve finally met a novice, yet youâre monopolizing the game, Tony!â