Chapter 48 Pretty Things and Bad Feelings

Chapter 48 Pretty Things and Bad Feelings
(AURIANNA’S POV)

I stand in front of my mirror, staring at my reflection like I’m trying to decide if I look dangerously pretty or just pretty.

The dress Zayne bought me fits too well. It hugs every curve like it was tailored on my body—snug at the waist, smooth over my hips, shimmering under the bedroom lights. My hair’s already curled and styled to the side, makeup done—smoky eyes, glossed lips, nothing too dramatic or over the top.

Once I’m satisfied with my face, I step away from the vanity and move to the bed.

My heels wait for me in a box.

I sit on the bed, open the box and I can't help but gawk at the heels again. They glitter like they’re carved out of glass, catching every fleck of light.

I slip them on and stand slowly, careful, testing the height. They feel perfect. I turn around and look at myself in the full-length mirror again.

Yeah.

I look good.

I start to adjust the dress when someone knocks at the door.

“Come in,” I call out.

The door opens and Zayne walks in.

The moment he sets his eyes on me, he goes completely still on the spot. Like literally stops moving for a solid five seconds. His eyes travel from my hair… down my dress… and all the way to the heels.

Then he blinks and whispers, “Wow.”

I can't help but smile. “What happened? Cat got your tongue?”

“You look… gorgeous.” he says, still taking me in.

I shrug lightly, flipping my hair over my shoulder. “You don’t need to tell me. I can already see it in the mirror.”

He laughs under his breath and that’s when I finally turn to face him fully.

He’s wearing a deep red suit. His hair is slicked back into soft waves. He’s wearing a golden chain on his neck studded with green stones. And he has an ear ring in one ear.

I can't lie. He literally looks like he walked out of the cover of Vogue.

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I tease.

A grin spreads across his face and that's when I notice it. 

He’s hiding something—literally, because both his hands are behind his back.

I point it out. “Why are you standing like that? What are you hiding?”

“Oh, uh…” He clears his throat, brings his hands forward and reveals a box.

A jewelry box.

He steps closer. “I… bought something for you.”

My brows shoot up. “For me?”

“Yeah.”

He opens the box and I gasp, covering my mouth with both hands.

Inside is a sparkling diamond necklace and matching earrings. 

“Oh my God,” I whisper. “Wow.”

My fingers tremble a bit as I take the earrings out. I walk to the mirror and put them on carefully. They catch the light every time I move and almost blind me.

I turn around to face Zayne and smile at him. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”

Zayne steps closer until we’re almost standing face to face. 

“I’m glad you like them,” he says.

He sets the jewelry box down, picks up the necklace and lifts it gently.

“May I?” he asks.

My voice comes out softer than I intend. “Sure.”

I turn around to face the mirror. He reaches forward and gently pulls my hair over my shoulder. His fingers brush my skin—light, careful, but enough to make goosebumps crawl up my neck.

He places the necklace around me and hooks it without rushing.

His hands linger on my skin when he's done.

Through the mirror, our eyes meet and we hold each other's gaze for a few heartbeats. His expression shifts to something warm, and intense.

“Perfect,” he murmurs.

I swallow to force down the lump forming in my throat.

He steps back slightly. “We should get going. The car’s waiting outside.”

“Right,” I say, turning away before I start thinking thoughts I shouldn’t. “Just give me a second.”

I walk to my wardrobe, grab a purse then head to the bedside table. I open the drawer and pull out my gun.

Zayne slaps a hand on his forehead and rubs it down his face. “Oh my God, Aurianna you can’t be serious.”

“What?”

He gestures wildly. “Why are you bringing a gun? It’s an exclusive fashion event.”

“You never know what could happen,” I say casually as I check the magazine, then slide the gun into my purse.

“Aurianna,” he groans. “Celebrities, influencers, and wealthy socialites will be coming to this event. I assure you, the place is already gonna have tons of security.”

I smile sweetly. “Better safe than sorry.”

Then I grab my phone, close the purse, and walk toward him. “We can go now.”

He shakes his head and mutters something under his breath, but he opens the door for me anyway. Always the gentleman.

We head downstairs. The moment we reach the living room, Brielle looks up from the TV screen she’s been glued to since morning. Her eyes widen.

“WHOA!” she gasps. “Are you guys going out?”

“Yes,” Zayne says.

Brielle narrows her eyes suspiciously. “Are you going on a date?”

I scrunch up my face. “Mm-mm. No. Definitely not.”

Zayne shoots me a pointed look like I offended him personally.

He crouches down a little. “Be good for Clara, okay? Don't give her any trouble.”

“Okay, Daddy,” she chirps. “Bye!”

“Bye, sweetheart.” Then he looks at me. “Say bye.”

I wave at her. “Bye, Brielle.”

Then I wave at her Clara too before Zayne and I step outside, and of course there’s a whole convoy of cars plus what looks like enough security to escort a president.

I raise a brow. “You know we could’ve just taken one car, right? You don't have to do all of… this.”

Zayne smirks. “For events like this, you either go big or go home.”

“And you’re not going home,” I mutter.

“Exactly.”

He opens the door for me. I get in, he slides in beside me, and the door shuts.

The engine starts and as the convoy rolls out, I catch him looking at me again.

Not subtly. Not accidentally.

Just staring like he can't take his eyes off me.

I raise a brow at him to let him know I see him staring, but he just smirks like he doesn't care. I roll my eyes and face the window, but as I watch the city pass by I subconsciously grip my purse tight.

Zayne might think I'm being paranoid for bringing a gun. But I’ve been doing this job long enough to notice patterns and I have every right to be worried. 

It's been a while since Dominik D’Angelo’s last attack on Zayne's life. And everyone thinks the danger’s over just because it’s been quiet.

But quiet is exactly when men like Dominik choose to strike.

And tonight… I keep getting this feeling deep in my gut that something bad is going to happen.