Nelissa walked towards the car when suddenly Edward grabbed her hands and pulled her into his embrace. She was stunned.
She felt Edward's gaze peering into her soul; his breath flowed down her neck. It sent goosebumps across her entire body!
Nelissa glared back at him with her face as red as a cherry.
Edward didn't budge. He held Nelissa tighter and ran his eyes down her neck. Her seductive collarbone and flawless skin seemed almost untarnished until he saw the love marks he left on her.
"Are you going to bring those flowers onto my car?" Edward whispered into her ear.
Nelissa wriggled in his arms and replied, "What do you want me to do?"
Edward was amused. He leaned back. Nodded his head towards a trash can nearby and said, "In the trash."
Nelissa was a bit hesitant. She knew that the flowers were very expensive but then again, Edward was filthy rich. It didn't matter to him at all.
She took one last look at the roses and tossed them into the trash.
Suddenly, she remembered the first time Zayden gave her flowers. They were having a huge fight back then and she did the exact same thing-tossing the flowers he gave into the trash.
It devastated Zayden. "It looks like months worth of salary isn't enough to make you happy.".
Nelissa got into the car and Andrew began driving. She didn't know where they were going but she couldn't care less. After all, she had already given him her virginity. She had nothing else to lose. The twins were all she had left.
"Before I forget, here, your ring." Nelissa took off the necklace around her neck.
She was desperate to get rid of the ring. It was like a ticking time bomb. If Sophie ever saw it, she was doomed!
"It's yours." Edward was clearly upset.
He turned around and said firmly, "I said, throw it away or sell it. Don't make me repeat myself. I hate stupid women."
Nelissa was caught off guard. However, she didn't want to back down.
"Well, I'm sorry for being such a stupid woman. I'm definitely not the one for you."
"You'll learn in time." The car stopped at a red light. Edward slanted his head and stared at Nelissa.
He was determined to make her his own!
At that moment, it was do or die for Nelissa. She sat up straight and slightly turned towards Edward. She had to speak her mind.
"Master Hales, we are from two completely different worlds. We don't belong to the same social class. We are not compatible with each other. Hence, that is why I will never be able to learn anything from you. That is something that is beyond my understanding and life has already decided it for us. I am just an ordinary woman with two kids. There won't be a Cinderella story happening at all."
Nelissa knew that she was right. Those stories only come true in storybooks. Real life was much harsher than that.
Edward wasn't impressed. "I don't mind your kids but you think I'm way out of your league?"
"Yes, you may not realize it but it's vital that we are compatible with each other. That was what my mother taught me and I intend to stick with that tradition. Besides, you already have a girlfriend. I implore you to focus all your attention on her." Nelissa stood her ground and finished her speech.
Edward let out a cold sneer.
"Tradition? Was giving birth to two kids without their father also a tradition?"
He didn't hold back. He was merciless with his words. His words and gaze penetrated deep into Nelilssa's heart.
"Nelissa, you don't know what you are missing..." Edward drawled.
Nelissa assumed that she had made herself clear. She knew that she was being extremely rude and unruly but she said what she had to say. And if Edward was going to get angry at her for it, she was ready for the consequences.
To her surprise, he didn't kick her off the ride. He remained silent until they reached a five-star hotel…
"Get off," Edward instructed. The hotel valet had already opened the car door and humbly welcomed him.
Edward stepped out of the car. The confidence in his eyes only served to further bolster his appeal.
Another valet opened the door for Nelissa. She got down and saw fleets of luxurious cars arriving at the hotel. It was an event way beyond her wildest imaginations.
Nelissa froze on the spot.
Edward turned around and signalled with a nod. He gave Nelissa a sultry gaze.
"I don't think I can enter wearing something like this." Nelissa was aware that it was a very exclusive event. Something like that usually had a very strict dress code.
"Still think I'm way out of your league? Let's put that to good use."
Edward raised his eyebrows. He grabbed Nelissa's wrist forcefully and tugged her along. "You're with me and no one will dare question a word."
He was insane!
Edward was out of his mind! Yet, he had the authority to do so.
Nelissa couldn't break free. She obediently followed closely behind Edward.
Nelissa tried to loosen the grip. Edward felt her hand tossing and turning around in his hands.
"Stop moving or do you want my tongue down your neck?"
Nelissa's face turned pink immediately. Her heart began to race and her palms started to sweat.
Edward noticed her reactions and suddenly grabbed her chin. He looked into her eyes as he ran his hands across her lips. He was teasing her.
They then entered the ballroom. It was full of the social elite of Haleston City.
There were a few directors and CEOs surrounding Edward. They all came to greet him and butter him up. Nelissa stood at the side quietly.
She wanted to avoid the conversation but Edward was holding on to her for dear life.
She glanced across the ballroom and noticed Zayden. Standing right beside him was Susan. They were like a match made in heaven.
Their eyes met and Zayden's face changed. Susan on the other hand seemed delighted to see her.
Susan was beautiful. She wasn't only physically attractive but she emitted an aura of elegance and intelligence as well.
Nelissa felt a slight sting in her heart. She recalled how Zayden and Susan were having an affair behind her back, frenching and making out. It boiled her blood.
Zayden was such a jerk. Just moments ago he sent her a bouquet of roses and yet there he was with another woman in his arms.
Zayden came towards her with Susan. Nelissa wanted to turn around and bolt.
Edward was also done with his chit-chat. "Please excuse me."
Edward went bee-straight for the vip lounge. He ignored everyone along the way. He still held on to Nelissa. They made their way to a private lounge that overlooked the entire ballroom.
Nelissa stood on the balcony. She quickly met eyes with Zayden again; his eyes were filled with anger and disappointment.
Suddenly, a pair of hands grabbed her from behind and wrapped around her waist. Edward forced himself against her as she bent her back over the fence. Edward's lips were inches away from hers. She could feel the tension in the air.
"You're the first woman that has ever dared to look at another man in front of me," Edward said as he exhaled slowly. His breath was numbing her as if drifted down her neck.
"Let me go!"
Nelissa muttered under her breath. She hated physical intimacy with him.
Nelissa was not sober during her time with Edward. She was actually exceptionally terrified of him.
Edward bit his lips. His Adam's apple moved with rhythm as he pulled his hand back and turned around.
Nelissa wanted to leave the balcony. Everyone in the ballroom could see her clearly and she didn't want to get wrongly associated with Edward.
During the brief conversation earlier, she didn't explicitly introduce herself. The worst thing that could happen was those people assumed that she was just an escort; no big deal.
As for Zayden and Susan, they had far worse problems to deal with so they were not a threat.
She should be fine.
She returned to the lounge and found Edward sitting on the couch.
He swirled the glass lazily as he said,"Do you see that woman by Zayden's side? She is Susan Quest, dubbed the most beautiful woman in Haleston City. She is also the successor of the Quest Group."
He then downed the entire glass of wine. "Zayden obviously had made his choice. Why are you still gawking over a man that doesn't want you when you can be with me?"
"Did Sophie tell you about that?" Nelissa asked.
How did he find out about her relationship with Zayden? Only Sophie came to her mind.
Edward laughed but he didn't say anything.
"However, Susan Quest is not much more extraordinary than you are. She isn't the true successor. I heard rumors that said the true successor to the Quest Group is shrouded in mystery."
Out of the blue, Edward came to Nelissa and placed his hand on her cheek. He ran his hands across her jawline with great affection.
The Quest Group faced bankruptcy a few years back and now, Zayden was the one calling the shots. Although they were still supposedly under the Quest family's control, they were being puppeted by Zayden.
Susan on the other hand was just one of the spoils of war he pillaged.
Nelissa wanted to say something when Edward forced his tongue into her mouth. Their tongues tangled with each other. His tongue explored every cavice in her mouth.
She pushed him away with all her might. He backed away but just before he did, he managed to land a slight touch on Nelissa's cheek with his lips.
Edward smiled as he rubbed the edges of his lips with his thumb. He was very pleased.
Nelissa's legs became jelly again. Her entire body was overflowing with pleasure and her lips were tingling in heat. She thought she had made herself clear but apparently Edward didn't get the message!
Edward placed his hand on her chin and tilted her head upward, hell-bent on continuing their kiss.
Nelissa didn't know what to do. She abruptly spurted out, "Edward Hales, didn't Sophie tell you that my kids belong to Zayden? Are you still interested in someone like me?"
Edward was stunned. Those words worked.
Suddenly, Edward grabbed Nelissa's shoulders and said, "Well, women with babies, especially you, are oddly attractive."