Standing Before Love (Myra and Sean)

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, "I'm sorry. I think I got the wrong room."

Just when she was about to turn around, Philip chuckled lightly. "You must be Miss Stark, yes? Director Hart is indeed in this room, so do come in."

Myra halted, finally remembering that she'd once seen the man in front of her. That time, he gave me a hand during the Hart Family's banquet. Thus, she looked over his shoulder into the room. Smoke lingered in the room, but it didn't 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 Lucas' seat, Myra handed the black jacket to Tony. "Director Hart, this is the jacket you left at the construction site today. David asked me to bring it here and give it to you." Her voice was just like her person, exceedingly gentle.

Elliot eagerly glanced at her several times. I initially suspected her motives, but after understanding Tony's 'motives,' I think hers simply pale in significance and aren't even worth mentioning! "M... Miss Stark." He stifled his original address of 'Mrs. Hart' even as his brain whirred. Out of the blue, he fawningly moved over and took the jacket from her. "Do you play poker, Miss Stark?"

Myra recognized the man before her. When I went to Hart Group once, I bumped into him on Tony Hart's floor. Hence, she knew that he was Young Master Elliot. Looks like he's a good friend of his. As she stared at the poker table in front of her, she honestly shook her head. "No."

"It doesn't matter!" Clapping his hands, Elliot guffawed. "Tony is good at poker, so he can teach you later."

Myra shifted her gaze to Tony awkwardly. Ever since she came in, he hadn't said a single word, his face as expressionless as ever, and he wasn't looking at her at this time. Thus, she shook her head at Elliot in mortification. "I'm sorry, but you all go on, Young Master Elliot. I'm just here to deliver the jacket tonight, so I'll be leaving after doing so."

"Why are you in such a hurry to leave when you're already here, Miss Stark?" Elliot spared no effort in persuading her to stay. Then, he even tugged on her arm to seat her right beside Tony, but Tony's glacial gaze suddenly shot to Myra's arm which he held. His heart jolting, he instinctively released his hold on her even as he inwardly exclaimed, I'm dead!

Failing to react in time, Myra abruptly tumbled in the direction of his reaction force and toppled right into Tony's 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 someone's 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. "I'm sorry, Director Hart!" 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?

Tony's brows furrowed slightly, his eyes still cold as he replied, "It's okay." He then looked at the jacket in Elliot's hand with squinted eyes, but no one knew what he was thinking. After a long time, he placidly said to Myra, "Thank you for bringing me the jacket, Miss Stark."

It's 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 Philip's concerned voice. "Tony, you've got to use your right hand if you want to have a drink. Have you forgotten that your left hand is injured and indisposed?"

At once, Myra stopped in her tracks and pursed her lips.

Upon seeing this, Elliot promptly chimed in, saying, "But how can you manage when you've got to drink, smoke, and also draw cards, Tony? Say, you're really careless. Why did you injure your hand when you're already this old? Don't you know how important your hand is?"

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. "If you don't mind, why don't I help to draw cards for you tonight, Director Hart?" 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, it'll 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, it'll seem as though I'm 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. "Sure." Her nerves finally relaxed, but in the next moment, they stretched taut though she couldn't 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 Myra's shoulders through the thin layer of clothing. For a moment, regret assailed her. Why did I volunteer myself? But it's too late to back out now, so I've got no choice but to bite the bullet! She tried recalling the poker games she'd 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 reason-perhaps because he's too close to me-I can smell the faint scent of tobacco on him, but it's not pungent or off-putting.

She was rather lost throughout the entire game. She'd 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.

"You can't open this card because Elliot had just raised the stakes. If you do so, it'll only reveal your hand." Tony's 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. "I've finally met a novice, yet you're monopolizing the game, Tony!"