Chapter 25 Xander’s POV
Chapter Twenty-five
Xander’s POV
For five solid seconds I forgot how to breathe.
She was a… goodness. She wore an emerald-green that matched her eyes. My eyes fell towards the gentle swell of her bust. Shit, she was sexy as hell.
My gaze went down further to her legs, the split showed off her long, beautiful legs. Her skin seemed to glow under the dim lights.
“Wow, you… you look.” I paused, thinking of the right word to use.
Her cheeks heated up upon my gaze. “Different?”
“You look beautiful. I wanted to come up with something better, but I couldn't.”
She smiled shyly. “That's fine, thank you Xander.”
My throat tightened as I stared at her face. Her makeup was subtle yet mesmerizing.
I continued stare completely oblivious of other people in the room.
“Ahem.” Mike cleared his throat.
I quickly broke the daze and fixed my eyes on Mike. I loosened my tie and cleared my throat. “Yes?”
“We’re going to go and leave you two lovebirds alone.”
“Mike!” Bella burst out, her face turning crimson all over again.
They slipped out the door before Bella could utter another word. And just like that, it was just us in the room.
I took a step foward, my eyes still locking with hers. “I don't think I've ever seen you like this.”
She smoothened her hand over the material nervously. “That's because I've never looked like this.
“You've always been beautiful, Bella. You just never saw it.”
She blushed again.
“You're blushing again Ms Reyes.”
She brought her hand up to her face. “It's the air conditioning,” she lied.
I chuckled. “Sure it is.”
“You enjoy making people uncomfortable, don't you?”
“Only you,” I muttered.
She blinked. “Why?”
I took a slow step forward till our face almost touched. “Because you're the only one that looks beautiful when she's flustered.”
Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open. “What… what?”
Before she could say anything, I offered her my hand. “Shall we?”
She collected herself and replied calmly. “Yes.”
She took my hand. It sent jolts of electricity racing through my body, I know she felt it too.
I held her hand as we made our way down to the hallway. Her heels clicked softly down the hall.
“This feels weird.”
I turned to look at her. “What's weird?”
“Us. You know, going somewhere together like this.”
“It doesn't have to be weird, Bella. Remember, it's not real “
Her eyes fell slowly to the floor. “Of course.”
I opened up the car door for her, she slid in holding the gem of her dress.
I circled towards the driver's seat and started the engine.
She was busy fidgeting with her fingers, trying to act composed.
I reached out and held her hand. “Relax, Bella. You'll be fine.
“No I won't be fine Xander,” she snapped. “This was clearly a mistake.”
“Just breathe. You're with me, remember?”
She scoffed “That's easy for you to say. You don't have an ‘Elena Knight's hating on you.”
I squeezed her hand gently. “I got you, Bella.”
She turned and looked out the window. Light pierced through the glass creating a glow on her face. She looked breathtaking.
She was still frowning. She was not convinced I would protect her from the wolves.
I reached to say something, then I let my hands fall. What's the point? She had made up her mind anyway.
I grilled the steering wheel tightly as the car over to a long, winding driveway leading up to the mansion.
I could feel my heart pounding rapidly as the mansion gate was opened.
And the it was. Beautiful, grand and polished. The majestic mansion was painted white and gold. The gold gleamed under the moonlight. It looked like something out of a fairytale.
I pulled up slowly till the car was brought to a halt. A valet appeared instantly.
I got out and went around to open Bella's door. She stepped out gracefully with a fake smile plastered on her face.
I offered her my arm, she took it with her hand trembling slightly.
“Are you okay? You look pale,” she said.
I coughed a little to mask my nerves. “I'm fine. I should be asking you that.”
She chuckled nervously. “I'll survive.”
“You got this.” I whispered.
She looked up at me with twinkling eyes. “You better hope so, Mr Knight.”
We walked up the luxurious, spiral, marble steps. Suddenly, the giant oak doors opened.
The room suddenly fell into silence and every head turned to look at us.
I walked in head up high with Bella, arm in arm. Elegant women draped in diamonds and men in tailed suits spanned across there room.
The room was gradually filled with a gentle chatter, they turned a way and whispered amongst themselves.
“Isn't that his ex wife?”, they murmured amongst themselves. “ What's she doing here?”
I ignored them and continued walking forward. Bella's hand trembled in my arm, I looked at her and gave her a smile.
We continued walking till we got to the center. And there in the center of it all she stood, Elena Knight.
She looked intimidating and graceful as ever. She was matriarch of the Knight family for over a decade, she was cold and ruthless. Her pearl necklace gleamed under the chandeliers.
Her eyes turned cold once she saw Bella in my arm. She had a small smile on her face that didn't reach her eyes.
“Xander, you made it.” she voiced out smoothly.
“Good evening, Mother,” I nodded my head and smiled with years of practiced ease.
“And you brought…” she paused and glared hard at Bella. “Company.”
I pulled Bella forward. “You remember Bella, right?”
Her lips twitched. “Oh, of course. How could I forget?”
Bella smiled politely. “Good evening, Mrs Knight. You look lovely.”
“Thank you. You… clean up nicely yourself.”
She flicked her wrist dismissively at Bella.
She grabbed my hand and guided me forward. “Now, come along. She has been waiting for you.”