Chapter 19 #3
He slowed for a second, his mouth still brushing hers, and then he kissed her again—deeper, firmer, tilting his head to angle the kiss the way he wanted. His other hand moved up to her jaw, holding her face in place so she couldn’t turn away.
Her breath scattered. Every time she tried to pull back, his grip adjusted—at her waist, at her jaw—keeping her exactly where he wanted her, his mouth continuing to move over hers without letting her breathe.
Only after a long moment did he finally loosen his hold, his lips breaking away slowly, as if he didn’t want to fully let go.
Amara stayed frozen, lips parted, breath uneven, staring at him in disbelief as the silence of the limo closed back in around them.
Meanwhile, Elias looked completely calm, like he hadn’t just cornered her in the back of a limo.
Amara quickly snatched her hand back and turned toward the window, trying to hide her burning face.
Elias watched her silently for a moment before a faint smirk tugged at his lips.
When the limo stopped outside a luxury hotel, Amara stepped out and immediately narrowed her eyes at the building.
Then she turned toward Elias suspiciously.
“A hotel?”
Her tone instantly made Felix lower his head and pretend he couldn’t hear anything.
Elias calmly adjusted his cufflinks.
“Yes.”
Amara crossed her arms tightly.
“You brought me to a hotel for a ‘business dinner’?”
The emphasis on business made Elias almost laugh.
He stepped closer to her, lowering his voice slightly.
“If I wanted to bring you here for personal reasons,” he murmured near her ear, “you wouldn’t still be standing outside arguing with me.”
Amara’s face heated instantly.
“You shameless—”
Elias casually walked past her toward the entrance before she could finish cursing him.
Amara glared at his back before following after him in annoyance.
The moment they entered the grand ballroom, her suspicion finally disappeared.
The hall was crowded with businessmen, investors, and executives dressed in formal attire. Conversations filled the air while soft music played in the background.
Waiters moved around carrying wine glasses and expensive dishes.
Amara paused slightly before finally realizing he truly had brought her for work.
Elias noticed immediately.
“What?” he asked smoothly, slipping one hand into his pocket. “Disappointed?”
Amara shot him a glare before walking ahead of him without answering.
The business meeting went smoothly.
Amara remained calm and composed throughout the negotiations, confidently discussing terms until the acquisition deal was finally signed.
The moment the papers were finalized, Elias leaned back slightly in his chair, his gaze lingering on her with quiet satisfaction.
She looked beautiful when she worked.
Confident.
Sharp.
Focused.
During dinner afterward, Elias kept trying to take care of her naturally, almost instinctively.
The moment her wine glass emptied slightly, he reached over and refilled it before she could touch the bottle herself.
When certain dishes were placed too far from her side of the table, he quietly moved them closer to her.
At one point, he even picked up a piece of her favorite seafood and placed it onto her plate without a word.
But Amara ignored every single attempt.
She didn’t touch the wine he poured.
Didn’t eat the food he served.
Didn’t even look at him.
And the colder she became, the darker Elias’s expression turned throughout the evening.
A while later, several new dishes were brought to the table one after another—all of them Amara’s favorites.
Elias had instructed Felix earlier to inform the chef privately, remembering every single thing she liked without missing one detail.
The moment the dishes were set down, Amara immediately understood what had happened.
Her eyes flickered briefly toward Elias.
But instead of acknowledging him, she turned toward Felix standing nearby.
A soft smile appeared on her lips for the first time that night.
“Thank you, Felix,” she said warmly. “You remember what I like.”
Felix nearly choked on air.
His eyes widened slightly in horror.
Across the table, Elias slowly lifted his gaze toward him.
The look in his eyes was so deadly, Felix felt cold sweat instantly form down his back.
Meanwhile, Elias stared at Amara smiling at another man after ignoring him the entire evening, his jaw tightening little by little.
The jealousy rising inside him was so irrational that even he knew it made no sense.
But that didn’t stop it from burning anyway.
Felix immediately lowered his head and silently started questioning every life decision that had brought him to this exact moment.
After the dinner ended, Amara walked through the hotel lobby while checking her phone.
Suddenly, someone grabbed her arm lightly.
“Amara!”
She looked up to see Vanessa hurrying toward her in a pair of sleek heels, excitement written all over her face.
She was dressed elegantly for the business party in a deep emerald satin blouse tucked into high-waisted black tailored pants, with a fitted ivory blazer draped neatly over her shoulders.
Gold earrings caught the light every time she moved, and her styled curls bounced slightly as she walked quickly toward Amara.
The moment she reached her, she immediately looped her arm through Amara’s excitedly.
“Oh my God! I’m seriously so happy seeing you and Mr. Creed together tonight,” Vanessa gushed with a bright smile. “I knew those divorce rumors were complete nonsense.”
Amara glanced at her in confusion.
“Rumors?”
Vanessa looked at her like she couldn’t believe she didn’t know.
“Oh, come on,” she said dramatically. “After what happened at Phantom, there’s no way that man would divorce you.”
Amara slowed her steps slightly, her brows furrowing.
“…What are you talking about?”
Vanessa blinked.
“The business party at Phantom,” she clarified. “The one where we met last time.”
Amara frowned harder.
“But Elias hadn’t even arrived when you left.”
Vanessa leaned closer while speaking, lowering her voice excitedly.
“I had to go back to Phantom about half an hour later because my mom called me back for something important.”
Vanessa shook her head slowly as if she still couldn’t believe what she had witnessed.
“And the second I walked back into the club, the entire place was in chaos.”
Amara unconsciously straightened.
“What happened?”
Vanessa’s eyes widened dramatically.
“Some people were gossiping about you and Mr. Creed,” she said. “They were talking badly about your relationship and saying your marriage was forced.”
Her expression shifted immediately afterward.
“And then Elias heard them.”
Amara’s fingers tightened slightly around her clutch.
Vanessa let out a breath before continuing.
“I swear, the atmosphere changed instantly. His face went completely cold.”
She rubbed her arms lightly as if remembering the tension still gave her chills.
“There were so many important businessmen and investors there, but he didn’t care at all. He started cancelling deals right in front of everyone.”
Amara stared at her silently.
Vanessa nodded firmly.
“I’m serious. Huge deals. One after another. I think he cancelled almost ten partnerships on the spot with the people who were badmouthing you.”
Her voice filled with disbelief.
“Everyone looked terrified. Some people even offered to personally apologize to you just to calm him down.”
Then Vanessa laughed softly.
“But he warned them not to even appear in front of you ever again.”
Amara’s heartbeat began pounding harder against her chest.
Vanessa smiled warmly at her.
“I was honestly so damn happy seeing him defend you like that.”
Her tone softened.
“I already knew you loved him a lot, Amara. Anyone with eyes could tell.”
Then she grinned knowingly.
“But that was the first time I realized he loves you just as much.”
Amara froze slightly at those words.
For a moment, she couldn’t even respond.
Vanessa suddenly remembered something and added casually, “Oh, by the way, I looked for you afterward but couldn’t find you anywhere at the party.”
Amara lowered her gaze quickly, hiding the emotions flashing across her face.
“…Yeah,” she answered softly. “I left early.”
Vanessa hummed in understanding.
Just then, someone from behind suddenly called out loudly, “Vanessa!”
Vanessa turned immediately before looking back at Amara apologetically.
“That’s my mom,” she sighed. “I have to go.”
Then she squeezed Amara’s arm one last time and smiled brightly.
“But seriously, seeing you two together tonight made me so happy.”
With that, she waved goodbye and hurried toward the car.
Amara remained standing there alone. The surrounding noise suddenly felt distant. Her heart was pounding so hard it almost hurt.
That night at Phantom had hurt her more than anything else.
She had left believing Elias didn’t care. Believing he had simply let everyone humiliate her without defending her even once.
But she hadn’t known…
After she left, he had protected her like that.
Amara stood there silently for several seconds, her chest tightening painfully as the realization slowly sank in.
Then, still lost in thought, she absentmindedly began walking again.
Elias leaned against his car with one hand tucked into his pocket, the other resting lazily on the roof as he watched Amara walk out of the building. The evening breeze lifted a few strands of her hair, and his gaze followed her without moving away for even a second.
The moment he saw her heading toward him, the tension in his expression eased slightly.
But just as Amara got closer, the sharp sound of another engine cut through the quiet street.
A black car slid smoothly to a stop right beside her.
Elias’s eyes immediately darkened.
The passenger window rolled down, revealing Jasper leaning over the steering wheel with an easy grin on his face.
“Perfect timing,” Jasper said casually. “I came to pick you up.”
Amara blinked in surprise. “Pick me up?”
“So we can finally go to that dinner place tonight,” he said as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “You promised me days ago.”
A small smile tugged at her lips. She rolled her eyes lightly.
Behind her, Elias straightened slowly from his car, his jaw tightening as he stared at Jasper’s car.
Jasper noticed immediately.
And the grin on his face widened.
“Oh,” he murmured under his breath, clearly entertained. “This just became even more fun.”
Amara frowned slightly. “What?”
“Nothing.” He unlocked the passenger door for her from inside. “Come on.”
She hesitated for half a second before walking around the car.
The moment she reached the passenger side, Jasper was already stepping out.
He moved around the front of the car and opened the door for her himself, standing far too close as he did. His arm brushed lightly against hers while one hand rested above the door frame beside her head.
Amara gave him a suspicious look.
“You’re being weird.”
“I’m being a gentleman,” Jasper corrected smoothly.
She rolled her eyes again, but there was amusement in her expression as she finally got into the car.
Jasper leaned down slightly while she adjusted her seatbelt, his face much closer than necessary.
“Careful,” he murmured teasingly. “Wouldn’t want you hitting your head.”
Amara narrowed her eyes at him immediately.
“You’re definitely doing this on purpose.”
His lips twitched, but he only shut the door gently before walking around to the driver’s seat.
From across the street, Elias watched the entire thing with a cold expression.
By the time Jasper got into the driver’s seat, Elias’s face had already gone completely dark.
Inside the car, Jasper started the engine casually before glancing sideways at her.
Amara caught the smug look on his face instantly.
“What?” she asked suspiciously.
“Nothing,” he said innocently.
“You’re smiling like an idiot.”
“That hurts.”
She folded her arms. “Jasper.”
Instead of answering normally, Jasper winked at her. Then he leaned even closer, one hand braced beside her seat while his body practically hovered over hers.
His lips moved near her ear as he answered teasingly, “Your ex-husband’s eyes are stalking your every footstep, so I’m doing my absolute best to give him a good show.”
Amara’s eyes flickered toward Elias.
Sure enough, his gaze was locked on them without moving away for even a second.
Her chest tightened slightly, but she quickly took a breath and pushed against Jasper’s shoulder. “Move back.”
Jasper only leaned away a little, still far too close for comfort. A smug grin stretched across his face.
“He probably doesn’t even care,” Amara muttered, rolling her eyes. “He’d probably laugh at your wishful thinking.”
Jasper tilted his head before giving her another playful wink.
“Believe me,” he said lazily. “The last thing he’s doing right now is laughing.”
Amara sighed in annoyance and pointed toward the steering wheel. “Drive now.”
Jasper finally leaned back into his seat dramatically and let out an exaggerated sigh.
“Got it, boss.”
A second later, he started the car and drove away.
Not far away, Felix stood beside Elias.
The tension radiating from Elias was suffocating. His jaw was clenched so tightly that the muscles twitched, and the dark look in his eyes made him seem as though he was seriously considering grabbing a rock and smashing it through Jasper’s windshield.
But he was forcing himself to stay still.
Seeing the dangerous expression on his face, Felix stepped a little closer and let out an awkward laugh.
“Mr. Creed, I’m sure Mrs. Creed doesn’t actually feel attracted to Mr. Frost,” he said carefully. “It’s probably all just for show.”
Even he didn’t sound fully convinced.
Elias remained silent.
The darkness on his face only deepened, but beneath the anger, the pain in his eyes became even clearer. His fingers slowly curled into a tight fist at his side as he looked away, almost as if he couldn’t bear to watch the car disappear from sight anymore.
“I hurt her too much,” he muttered hoarsely.
His voice sounded low and exhausted.
“How can I expect her to forget something that big so easily?”