Chapter 21 Aren't You Here ? Elaine was silent for a while . Jackson glanced down at her and noticed that she seemed distracted . Frowning slightly , he asked , " What's wrong ? " She gave him a faint smile , her eyes bright with curiosity . " I was just wondering … everyone else brought a date , but why did you come alone ? " " Aren't you here ? " His tone was teasing , but his dark eyes showed no emotion , and his voice was perfectly calm . She smiled but didn't reply . Of course , she didn't actually think it was because she was there that he hadn't brought a date . Jackson wouldn't care about a woman's feelings . Besides , their relationship was strictly transactional - there was no emotional weight to it . As the music came to an end , Jackson spun her out and then pulled her back in . 0.00 % 10 10 11.06 Chapter 21 Aren't You Here ? 288 Voucher Her dress flowed gracefully , like a butterfly in flight , and her slender waist arched backward as his arm held her steady . With the final note of music , they executed the last move perfectly in sync . The room erupted in applause . Jackson stood her upright , his hand still on her waist . She stepped back from his embrace . As the applause echoed through the hall , her cheeks flushed slightly , her beauty enhanced by the crystal chandelier above . Noticing that Jackson had danced the first song , someone assumed he'd be open to dancing the second and approached him with an invitation . Jackson politely declined with a soft " sorry , " took a glass of champagne from a passing server , and walked off in the opposite direction . Elaine grabbed a plate of food and found a quiet corner in the lounge to sit and eat . Her appetite was small , and she was quickly getting hungry . She had only had some wine all evening and hadn't eaten , so she was starting to feel it . After eating until she was about 70 % full , she set down her utensils , 21.28 % 10 10 G 1106 Chapter 21 Avent You Here ? 248 Vyshers wiped her mouth with a napkin , and noticed someone had sat down across from her . She looked up to find Loyd , the notorious playboy . Loyd , holding a glass of champagne , sat across from her with a smug smile , his eyes fixed on her . " Ms. Valentine , why are you sitting here all alone ? " She didn't have a good impression of him and had no desire to engage . Though his father Daniel was the mayor , she generally didn't mix with the political or business elite . Inviting Daniel today was merely due to some old family ties , but they had little to do with each other otherwise . Since returning to the country , she hadn't paid much attention to these wealthy heirs , but after working at the magazine , she had developed a habit of keeping up with the news . She knew a little about Daniel's only son . He had a bad reputation - lazy , spoiled , and a notorious womanizer … With Loyd being the only child , Daniel indulged him , turning a blind eye to his actions as long as they didn't affect his career . 49.411 10 190 O ODG N 1106 Chapter 21 Arent You Here ? 11 288 Nouchers Elaine took a sip of champagne , her lips glistening . Just as she was about to speak , a commotion from the crowd caught her attention . She turned to see what was happening . In the center of the hall , people were buzzing with noise . Jackson was looking down at a stain on his clothes , his brow furrowed slightly . He was wearing a black suit , and the champagne stain wasn't very obvious , though it had darkened that part of his outfit . The woman in front of him held an empty glass , her face pale with panic as she apologized , " I'm so sorry , Mr. Mason , I didn't mean to . " She placed her glass on a server's tray and grabbed a napkin , rushing to wipe the stain from his clothes . As soon as her hand touched him , Jackson quickly pulled away , avoiding her touch . The woman tried to get closer , but he shot her a cold , distant look , his gaze sharp and unwavering .