What the heck was going on?
To say Liliana was confused would be an understatement. She was shocked to the core. What was Frantz trying to say? Liliana couldn't help but begin to doubt Frantz's intentions. He had been playing her since the beginning, and all his tactics and games seem to be for one goal all together, and that's to sleep with her.
Liliana hated this, but she couldn't believe him, even though she really wanted to.
"Frantz-" Liliana tried to speak, but Frantz was ready to support his argument.
"Liliana, it’s obvious I'm not your typical romantic guy.... I'm not the most gentle, or the sweetest. I do have a big ego, and I find it hard to take no for an answer. But it has been so long since someone actually caught my attention or challenged me." Frantz admitted.
"You're only saying this because of the chase Frantz. I know it and so do you. Why does it matter that you sleep with me? Especially when you could have any other woman in this room?" Liliana asked, knowing she had to stay strong.
Frantz shook his head, "I know that I could have any girl I want. But I don't want just any girl. I can't promise you that I'll always be this sweet, I am a man who knows what he wants, and right now, all I want is you."
"You heard that Mr. Cavalier? You said, 'right now' as in the moment that I am resisting you. That's why you respect me because I'm not an easy lay. But I can promise you, if I were to lead you to a bedroom and allow you to have your way with me, you would never be able to look at me the way you're doing right now. I'm sorry Mr. Cavalier. Tonight was a lovely evening, but I can't allow you to toy with me this way. My heart is on the line, and I'd rather give it to the man who will love me for me, not for the excitement from the chase I'm giving you. I accept your apology, but I would ask that you please keep your distance at this point and refrain from being inappropriate. If not, then I will have to turn in my resignation letter." Liliana declared, then looked away clearing her throat, which caused Frantz to remain silent.
He had to hand it to Lili, she was one tough cookie.
Frantz sighed and nodded his head as he said, "okay, I understand." But the truth was that he was hurt. Like actually hurt. He had never been rejected by a woman before, so he guesses that's what it must feel like.
Frantz wasn't sure what to do from here. When he first met Lili, he was sure that he would've had her at his feet by the second trip. Frantz wasn't sure what he wanted to do. A part of him wanted to punish Liliana for denying him his wish, but he had to respect her resilience, even if it meant a dented ego for him.
So what was Frantz to do now? Move on the to the next chick that actually submitted to him?
Frantz hated the fact that he tried to be genuine with Lili, and she turned him down. He meant what he said, about wanting to win her heart, but obviously she didn't believe him. He didn't blame her, but now he hated the foul taste of jealousy that filled his mouth at the thought that another man could actually swoon Liliana and win her heart.
That thought didn't sit well with Frantz. But what could he do to make Liliana give him a chance?
Frantz shook his head, he had to think, but not here, it was Liliana's evening, and he didn't plan on ruining it.
"Well Ms. Chavez, I have to thank you for being such great company this evening. Whenever you're ready to go, just let me know." Frantz offered, as he raised his glass and Liliana clinked her glass with him, though she gazed at him skeptically, as if unable to believe that he agreed with what she said,.
Liliana was once again disappointed with Frantz. Every moment she created for him to fight back, and tell her that he wanted her, he never did. Liliana had to admit, after the first few close encounters with Mr. Cavalier, she had hoped he would be one of those Possessive men who once they had their eyes set on a woman, nothing could stop them from getting her, but once again, he proved her wrong.
Liliana shook her head. She may have read too many romances and had fantasized about being the girl that the male character just couldn't get enough off.
Oh well.
Eventually, Liliana and Mr. Cavalier returned to small causal chats, and the evening took a lighter turn, and Liliana almost forgot about Christina, until she showed up again, causing Liliana's blood to instantly boil.
"Frantz, what a surprise. Didn't think you would be able to make it tonight." The radiant blonde stated, with the brightest smile that made Liliana sick to her stomach.
"Christina." Frantz greeted, his tone uninterested.
Liliana noticed Christina's smile falter slightly, but then she picked herself right back up, and her pretty blue eyes turned to Lili as she said, "and who do we have here?" And Lili wanted to bite her nose off. Fake biotch.
"Not your concern," Frantz cut off, catching Liliana off guard, then he fixed his eyes on the tall beauty and asked, "what do you want?"
"Come on now Frantz, don't be bitter," Christina pouted playfully as she caressed her hand on his jaw, the hand that Liliana had the sudden urge to break. Then Christina lingered her hand up and down Mr. Cavalier's cheek, then she tugged in his tie as she said, "just wanted to say hello to an old friend." Then with that, she winked at him, and Liliana almost gagged, then she walked away.
Thank God.
The instance Christina departed, Frantz's demeanor changed, and Liliana could feel it. Before Christina came about, they were having a friendly conversation, but after she departed, Frantz has gone deathly quiet.
When Liliana reached to ask him if he was alright, he casually leaned away, then with a simple "let's go." He began heading for the doors, with Liliana half walking and half running to catch up with his long and fast strides.
Liliana felt awkward running out of the ballroom in order to catch up to Frantz, but she had a feeling if she lingered behind, he might just leave her. He seemed very angry.
In the limo, it was also quiet, and Liliana could only imagine the history between Mr. Cavalier and Christina, especially if their little exchange managed to rattle him enough to the point of complete silence.
And now Liliana felt rather awkward sitting in the deathly silent backseat of the limousine, with a silently raging Mr. Cavalier. The atmosphere felt tense, if not slightly dangerous. Mr. Cavalier scared Liliana enough as it was, but now that he was silent, it was really freaking her out.
By now Liliana was so used to his taunts that it almost felt weird to spend the entire ride back to the hotel without one single remark from him. A part of Lili wanted to reach out and ask if he was okay, but she knew it was best to simply keep quiet and mind her business. Plus after their earlier exchange, Liliana had made it clear that she didn't want any personal involvements with Mr. Cavalier, so to avoid any conflict of interest, Liliana kept to herself throughout the entire ride.
When the silent couple arrived at the hotel, Mr. Cavalier exited the limo first, and he didn't even look back to say anything, not to even bid Lili nor the driver goodnight.
Liliana was somewhat worried about him. But she feared a second rejection if she tried to talk to him again.
Liliana didn't catch Mr. Cavalier at the elevators, and as much as she was tempted to go and talk to him, she figured it was better to leave him alone to his thoughts. So when Liliana arrived at her suite, she removed the dress and her make up. She freed her hair, then got ready for bed, with plans to call her mom in the morning to let her know that she would be staying in Rome just a bit longer, as well as Carlos.
Early the next morning, Lili was awakened by a knock on her door. When she opened it was the driver. He explained that Mr. Cavalier planned to stay in Rome for the rest of the week, and that Lili was free to fly home today instead of Wednesday. As Liliana scurried to get ready to head to the airport, Jenna called to confirmed that Lili would fly her scheduled trips for that week.
Liliana was totally stoked to hear that she was heading back to the states because she hadn't called Carlos, and so the date was still on. But a part of her was now confused. Why did Frantz want to stay in Rome? Was it because of Christina and what transpired between them last night?
Liliana had to admit, she was curious, if not confused and slightly disheartened.
What was going on with Mr. Cavalier?