3. Bella #2
I hesitate and then slowly, deliberately put my hand in his, letting him help me out of the car. Once I’m out, standing before the lobby of the hotel that this gala is being held at, Adrian’s gaze rakes up and down my body.
I tell myself it’s the chill of the night air that sends a shiver down my spine, but I wonder if it’s those strange eyes fixated on me.
His eyes scan me up and down one last time. “You’re late,” he says flatly.
I don’t even know how to reply.
Then he thanks the driver and leads me to the doors of the entrance.
“Dress seems to fit,” he comments, giving me a look out of the side of his eye.
I frown down at it. “Yes, perfectly.” When I try to meet his eyes he doesn’t allow the contact. “Wait, how exactly did you know my dress-”
“Never mind that,” he says quickly, then stops suddenly before the entrance. He wipes his hands together like he’s getting ready to do some yard work. “Now, I did mention that there were going to be a lot of big names here tonight, didn’t I?”
I purse my lips. “Yes, you did warn me.” I lift a brow at him.
He lifts one in turn. “And I take it you’re a good girl, and I don’t have to spell it out for you?”
I roll my eyes. “I know exactly who’s in there, Adrian. So let’s go. And if that makes me a good girl, then I guess I’m a good girl,” I purr from beneath narrowed eyes.
The truth is this dress, this man, this night - they all have me feeling so out of character. A thrill runs through me that I’m willing to chase to the end of the evening.
Just to see where it takes me.
Adrian holds his arm out to me, that killer smirk gracing his full lips. The cologne coming off of him does something to me - makes me tingle all over. I take his arm, falling into step beside him.
He really is handsome. Now I know what seemed different about him. He trimmed his beard.
But will it be enough to distract me from what I’m about to do?
As soon as we step inside the hotel it happens.
What I was afraid of when I took all of those hours getting ready. I freeze. These people - all of these people here are the same people that were at my wedding, the same social circle.
And the last time I saw any of them it was in shame.
This time-
Adrian tugs at my arm, pulling me back into the present. He gives me a grin, letting his eyes fill with heat as he gazes down at my body in the dress he picked out for me to wear.
And I find myself returning his smile.
This time I’m back with a powerful man alongside me.
Not just any man - Adrian. I lift my chin and smile, surveying the party going on before us, the many guests that have stopped to stare at us.
It’s Adrian. They know me but… everyone knows him, and not only that, they all respect him, and fear him, too.
Including Marcus.
Speaking of Marcus, I spot him immediately, and instead of feeling the humiliation I felt last time, I feel something else entirely.
He’s sitting in a corner of the party near the drink station, surrounded by all his people. They’re also all staring at me with Adrian.
I just showed up to the big party on the arm of his biggest rival. Now he’s the one that looks embarrassed, standing there with his mouth hanging open like an idiot.
Marcus doesn’t have anyone on his arm. Not Victoria. Not anyone else, I notice with no small amount of satisfaction. People start to murmur around him.
I flash a toothy, brilliant grin at all my onlookers, suddenly feeling like a different person than I was the last time they all saw me. The dress is still stunning on me just like my wedding dress was, but this time, I’m not pathetic and sobbing.
I’m powerful and in control, and I just caught the great Marcus off guard.
One glance at Adrian’s smug face as he leads me out of the spotlight and into the party, and I realize that is what he intended all along.
As my back is to him, I hear Marcus’s unmistakable voice hissing in hushed outrage. “What is she doing here with him?”
I smile to myself, I can’t help it. A waitress dressed in the same fancy garb as the rest of the waiters walks past us with champagne glasses on her tray. Adrian swipes two and thanks the waitress, handing me one.
I take it, but look up at him over the glass as I take a sip with narrowed eyes.
“You were wonderful,” Adrian says passionately, his eyes alight like he’s having the most fun he’s had in a while right now.
My brows fly up and I nearly choke on the expensive champagne. I lower the glass and glance around at the many people around us to make sure no one is listening in on our conversation. Adrian frowns.
I draw him behind a fancy flower arrangement discreetly.
“You mean I was wonderful at that little show you just put on?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Adrian sniffs.
I shake my head. “You don’t think I know you brought me here to rattle Marcus? You don’t think I know the real reason you invited me?”
Adrian stiffens. He lifts his glass and downs the whole thing in one swallow, placing it onto a passing server’s tray before swiping it for another fresh one. “You have no idea why I invited you tonight,” Adrian says vaguely.
I can’t place his tone but there seems to be something I’m missing.
“Then why did you?”
Music starts to play in the gala, and someone can be heard speaking over a microphone. I’m sure it’s typical for people to make speeches at things like this.
Adrian smiles a different smile, not a smirk or his usual grin, no smile I’ve ever seen him make before. He gives me a new smile, a softer one. “Because you look beautiful,” he says tenderly.
My face heats up and I stare into the golden champagne within my glass. “Adrian-”
“And also because of that,” he says with amusement, pointing over my shoulder.
I whirl around just in time to see Marcus storm off, outrage and humiliation clear on his face. He’s alone though, and no one follows after him.
“You brought me for revenge.”
“It’s starting, Bella,” Adrian whispers into my ear from behind me.