Many servers walked by to serve champagne to the guests. One arrived before the couple; Xander took one, but not Madelyn since she did not drink alcohol. Madelyn felt Xander's arm around her waist, pulling her to him. It was true that she went out with him many times. There were also times when he would get touchy with her. Xander would peck her with kisses, but now his touch and grip made her a bit uncomfortable. She felt that Xander's grip was a bit more possessive, as if he was trying to show everyone she belonged to him.
Many people were dancing or talking to one another on the dance floor. Madelyn's thoughts were interrupted when a couple of people were before them: many young women and some men. Xander introduced her as his girlfriend. Many of the women eyed her with hate, envy, and jealousy. The men watched her as if she were a piece of meat and with lust. Madelyn wanted to shiver in disgust but contained her composure. However, she noticed that many people focused on Xander while ignoring her.
Some of her regretted coming with Xander, but she didn't want her discomfort to get in the way of her newly formed relationship. Many people in the upper class did not look at her as a human being. They just saw her below them; she hated those stares. Then Xander left the conversations and took her to a more private area away from the lecherous eyes. "Annoying, they won't leave me be." He then focused his attention on Madelyn. "Are you thirsty? Hungry?"
She shook her head.
Xander noticed her silence. "Baby, what's wrong?"
Madelyn was hesitant to tell him what she felt. Then, the musicians began to play the Phantom of the Opera; Xander smiled. " Baby, let's dance. I know how much you love the Phantom of the Opera."
Madelyn blushed; true, she loved it. It surprised her that Xander paid attention to her likes. "I don't know how to dance well. I..."
"Don't worry, I will go slow and will teach you. Please."
She blushed and nodded. Xander led her to the dance floor, and both got to their positions. Xander then began to lead Madelyn. He slowly twirled them, and they went side by side. Madelyn struggled at first but began to memorize and learn Xander's moves and then began to get the hang of it.
Madelyn smiled and felt that she was floating in the air. She didn't know how to dance much and never had the opportunity to dance with someone. Xander was patient with her and tried to make it easier for her. It made her happy that she could dance to one of her favorite songs. When the song ended, Xander led her out of the dance floor and took Madelyn to the farthest room, where there was no one but elegant sofas, mirrors, sinks, and plants. "Sit here, love. I will go get you fruit punch." Xander left, leaving Madelyn alone.
She looked at her surroundings, admiring it. She also felt soothed by the quiet. However, the peace was suddenly interrupted when the door opened and closed. It was a man. "Finally, away from those people," he told himself aloud. He then turned and saw Madelyn.
Both stilled. Madelyn noticed that the mysterious man looked embarrassed by what he said. Looking at him, she couldn't deny that he was handsome, but not as handsome as Xander. The man stood almost five feet and ten inches tall with a broad face and body; he looked like he worked out. His skin was light olive; his eyes were golden brown; his hair was slightly light brown and nicely slicked back. The man was nicely shaved with an Adam's apple barely appearing. In Madelyn's view, he looked to be a model. "Uh, hello, sir." He sighed and looked like he was debating whether to stay or go back outside. Slowly, he walked to the sofa and sat far from her. The silence was uncomfortable. "My name is Madelyn. What's your name, sir?"
The man eyed her and seemed hesitant but spoke. "Octavio Vanderbilt."
Madelyn smiled and motioned out her hand. "Nice to meet you, Octavio."
Octavio eyed her carefully as he stared at her hand. He finally relented and shook her hand. Then, the two sat in silence. Madelyn felt awkward seated with a man who didn't speak. Whenever she would take a glance at him, he looked the other way as if he didn't want her to look at him. She took a deep breath. "Sir, what's wrong?"
The young man raised an eyebrow. Slowly, he closed his eyes, shook his head, and chuckled. "I don't want to be here at this party."
Madelyn gave Octavio her full attention since she was curious about his reasoning. "Really? Why?"
He opened his eyes once again. "For business, I have to uphold my family's reputation."
"Oh, right. You're a Vanderbilt. I don't know much about the Vanderbilts, but I heard they are a powerful family. I can't imagine the pressure you must endure to uphold such a reputation. An introvert like me wouldn't survive."
Octavio was silent while looking at Madelyn; he was surprised that Madelyn didn't go giddy when hearing that he came from a prominent family. It made him cautious but also intrigued. "If I can be blunt, I'm an ambivert. I like going out, but I also like being in my lonesome. I am not into big parties; I prefer small ones."
The young woman smiled. She felt amazed that someone as wealthy as Octavio had some similarities to her. "Now that you mention it, I like going out too. Although, sometimes, on my own. When I go with another person, they can nag or want to do it at their own pace. I am not a fan of big parties either."
"So why are you here? Were guilt-tripped into coming?" Octavio chuckled.
"Eh, my boyfriend wanted me to accompany him since he wasn't here alone. I didn't want to be the boring girlfriend."
Octavio smiled as he laid back on the sofa. "From what it sounds like, you and your boyfriend are quite the opposite. I don't mean it in a bad way; it's good to have differences but not too much where it will cause conflicts." He cleared his throat. "Forgive me, I shouldn't pry too much. Anyway, do you live nearby?"
The two continued talking, and Madelyn was having a good time with the conversation. Octavio was intelligent, and she learned he loved watching movies like her. Suddenly, they were interrupted when the door opened. The two looked forward and saw Xander standing by the doorway. Xander was holding a cup of fruit punch, but when he saw his girlfriend sitting next to another man, his anger got the best of him, so much so that he broke the glass of fruit punch.
Madelyn and Octavio looked at him and stood from the sofa. "Xander, you broke the cup! Are you alright?" Madelyn went to him to check on his hand for any injuries.
"I am fine. It was just an accident." He then looked at Octavio. "You look familiar. Are you from the Vanderbilt family?"
"Yes, you must be Xander Maximillian; I heard much about you." He got a handkerchief and motioned it to Xander. He was ignored when Xander got his own and wiped off the fruit punch and some of his blood. "I assume that you and Miss. Madelyn are acquainted?"
"More than acquainted; she is my girlfriend."
"I see. Well, I will say that you are quite fortunate. Madelyn is quite conversational and honest; you must admire that about her."
"Very, now, if you excuse us, we must head home." Xander grabbed Madelyn's arm and motioned her out of the room.
"Bye, Mr. Octavio."
"Bye, Madelyn. I hope to meet you again."
Xander felt anger as he led his girlfriend out of the party and to his car. He was about to open the passenger side, but Madelyn removed her arm from his grip. "Xander, you were hurting me! What is wrong with you?"
"I didn't like when you were talking to that man!"
"We were talking! He looked pretty down, so..."
Xander eyed her as he bit his lip while containing his anger. "He is not your problem. Whatever issues he has are his alone!"
Madelyn couldn't believe what she was hearing. What shocked her was the way Xander was looking at her. Possessiveness and jealousy all in one. It frightened her. "Look, you need to cool off. I will take an Uber and..." She didn't finish as she felt Xander grabbing her arm and forcing her into the car; he closed it. He also got in the car, turned it on, and drove off to the streets.
She could not believe what had occurred. Xander never acted that way towards her, rough with possessiveness. Madelyn didn't speak the entire course; she didn't dare to. However, she knew she saw another side to him that she did not like.
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