Max Guevara smiled as she noticed the adoring stares of the men around her. She knew too well of the effect that she had on them and waited patiently for a particular man by the stairs to show some interest her way. It was only a matter of time.

Once again glancing at her scarlet red nails, she wondered when the dull party would be over. She hated going to these particular functions. They never held her attention. They were just an excuse for the rich to rub elbows with each other. She hated wealthy people that flaunted their money around who were always trying to outdo each other.

The event was held in a huge hall that was frivolously decorated. The room was brightly lit and the guests were standing around with money practically dripping off of them. To her right, she could hear a group of women gossiping about various people. Max had no interest in their shallow conversations. She merely stood there and observed her surroundings.

She stood amidst a cluttering of people, but everyone was hesitant to approach her. Her dark eyes conveyed only iciness. Her posture was one of a person who was not involved in her surroundings, although she hid it as arrogance.

Scanning her eyes quickly around the vast room, she spotted Zack. She gave him a slight nod that was barely even there. His eyes flashed with recognition and she could tell that he was just as bored as she was. Turning away, she placed her attention back to the man by the stairs.

No one knew who beautiful mystery woman in the middle of the room was. Some people pretended that they had seen her at 'Gloria's Party' or 'John Soiree.' Of course that was all a lie. Max rarely ever mingled with people, not that anyone can call what she was doing now 'mingling.'

"Excuse me, Miss?" She felt a finger lightly tap her on the shoulder. Max turned her attention to a dark blond stranger. Her brown eyes silently questioned his reason for disturbing her.

"I'm sorry, but I was wondering. Weren't you at Elliot's charity event last Saturday?" His crystal clear blue eyes showed amusement and inquiry. Fake inquiry. Max inwardly scowled.

"No, actually I wasn't." Her reply was curt. It was meant for him to get the message, that his attention was unwanted.

"Well, my mistake. I should have known that I've definitely never seen a lovelier vision than you, Miss...?"

She knew this routine all too well. She readily replied with a rehearsed line. "Katherine Webber."

The blue-eyed stranger was very please and he made it evident in his voice. "My name's Chris Elkins."

"Well, isn't that nice to know," she said bitingly. He didn't seem fazed in the slightest. In fact, he was almost delighted.

"Isn't it?" Didn't he get it? She wanted to be left alone so she could do her job without distractions. She once again looked over to the stairs. He followed her gaze and became interested when he saw that her eyes landed on the host of the event. "You know Kevin?"

"No, do you?" Maybe this airhead will be of some use after all.

"I know him casually. We're acquaintances." He had a hint of a smile on his face.

"How wonderful for you." Max replied sarcastically. She stopped and examined his features closely. Might as well be blunt if the idiot can't take the hint. "Why are you bothering me?"

Chris's eyebrows shot up in surprise but he wasn't offended in the slightest. "I wasn't aware that I was bothering you." He grinned at her, which only made her more infuriated with his.

"You are. Now leave." She tried to make her words cut into his small brain, but he didn't seem to understand.

"I don't think I want to." That surprised her. He apparently *did* know that he was bothering her, a lot.

"Well, you don't have a choice in the matter now do you?" With that, she walked away, closer to the staircase.

"Actually, I think I do, Katherine." He trotted up along side her. "You sure are beautiful when you're angry."

"You're an ass, period." He enjoyed this too much. Here he thought that she was just the typical dimwitted rich heiress and it turned out that she wasn't. Chris couldn't let her get away. He was afraid that she was the only thing that was keeping him from sleeping due to sheer boredom.

"The lady has quite a tongue. I wonder what else it's good for." He teased her a bit, hoping to get a reaction out of her.

"You'll never know. Ever." She glared sharply at him.

"You can never be too sure." He prodded further.

"There are no limits to being an annoying pain in the ass, as you have proven very nicely. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go talk to someone." She quickened her pace and headed rapidly towards the staircase.

Mr. Kevin Carson was a gray haired, slightly balding man that stood as the center of attention. He was used to it. His own attention wandered, however, when he saw a gorgeous brunette walking towards him. Her demeanor showed no nervousness. The simple long black dress she wore hugged every one of her curves perfectly. In a word, she was breath taking.

She walked right up to him and smiled sweetly. "I just had to meet you Mr. Carson. I'm sorry if I interrupted."

Carson quickly waved his hand and the crowd around him dispersed. "No problem at all."

Max was pleased that he warmed up to her so quickly. "I was wondering if I might have a moment of your time."

"Yes?" He eagerly asked.

"I'm a journalist from the Seattle Times. I would like to know a little more about your recent purchase, the m3 chip?" She looked at him charmingly.

"Oh that! Yes, I invested a lot in that little thing. I'm hoping that it will bring in immense profit." Max was not impressed. The guy knew nothing about anything.

"Really, are you willing to resell it?"

"Why are you asking?" He leaned forward slightly. He was too close for her comfort.

"Call it professional curiosity."

"Funny that you mention that. A certain young fellow asked me that very question earlier this week. I told him that I wasn't going to part with it but he was very persuasive. So it's not in my possession anymore." Max was dissatisfied. Someone got there before she did.

"Really? May I ask who?" She mentally reviewed in her mind all the possible candidates that might want to get their hands on the chip.

"Chris Elkins." She couldn't believe it. That little weasel got in her way once again.

*****