Chapter 58 Chapter 58
Cynthia's POV
As I walked to the centre of the hall, the music started and right at the cue, a man approached me.
"Hello," he said in a calm and controlled voice.
For a second, I stilled because I was expecting Lucien to come over to me. But when I glanced from the corner of my eye, he was still standing exactly where I had left him. Beside his soon-to-be fiancée with his father’s hand resting heavily on his shoulder like a leash.
Huh!
He may have grown up and won over many people but his father still has a lot of influence over him. He hasn't come out of his childhood trauma.
“May I have the honor of dancing with this beautiful lady?” the man in front of me asked, extending his hand.
I looked up properly this time and a slow smile spread across my lips.
Marcus.
Lucien’s biggest rival.
What perfect timing.
I could feel Lucien's burning gaze all over me but did that stop me?
No!
“Sure,” I said softly, slipping my hand into Marcus’s, knowing the consequences well.
I know it was a dangerous choice but now it is enough playing safe.
We kept enough distance between us as we danced along to the music.
“Seems like someone wants to kill you with his eyes,” Marcus murmured, his lips curving slightly.
I let out a soft laugh and shook my head slightly.
“Care about yourself, Marcus.”
He chuckled, a kind that didn't reach his eyes.
"I have a lot of other things to care about" he smirked.
"Like?" I asked as he whirled me around on his finger.
"Like your business" he whispered holding my waist and moving me along with him.
"Nice" I smiled "what can you offer?"
"A lot!" He replied
"And what do you want in return?" I asked.
He chuckled
"You are way smarter than you look" One of his eyebrows lifted up.
I remained silent with a soft smile playing on my lips.
“What exactly are you offering, Miss Cynthia?” he asked in a low voice.
“Depends,” I replied, my fingers brushing against his shoulder as I leaned in just a little, “on what you can bring to the table.”
His smirk deepened.
“A lot.”
Abruptly he turned me around and pulled my back closer to his front. He moved us in such a way that now we will stand face to face with Lucien. His eyes locked with mine, burning with jealousy and possessiveness.
Marcus leaned down to my ear and whispered about what he wants to seal the deal.
“Careful, Marcus,” I murmured, turning my face slightly toward him, “you might end up helping the wrong woman.”
He smirked.
"I like to play with danger"
He winked.
\~~~~
After taking a long shower, I felt fresh and like myself, void of anyone's touch.
Aurora was sleeping by the time I came. The silence of the mansion felt deceptive.
Standing in front of the mirror, I applied moisturizer, watching my own reflection. The words of Marcus were still playing in my head.
Suddenly the door burst open and I was roughly whirled around by my arm.
Lucien.
His chest was rising and falling heavily. His tie was loosened, his hair slightly disheveled, jas tightly clenched and his eyes looked murderous.
“What the hell were you doing there?” he asked in a cold, controlled, and deadly voice.
I tried to free my arm but he clenched it even more tightly.
"You are hurting me, Lucien" I said through clenched teeth.
"I am asking you something, Cynthia"
My eyes snapped up at him.
“I attended a gala,” I replied calmly. “Isn’t that obvious?”
His jaw ticked.
“Don’t play smart with me” His voice dropped lower. “You don’t go anywhere without a reason. So I’ll ask you again, what were you doing there?”
I tilted my head slightly, "Didn't I tell you already in front of the media? Didn't you hear it?" I asked "Or were you too excited for your engagement. Hmm?"
"Are you jealous?" He asked.
"Jealous, from whom?" I snapped back "Sophia?" I chuckled "You already know better"
He inhaled a sharp breath and closed his eyes for a second.
"Who gave you the pass for the gala?" He asked.
"That shouldn't matter to you, Lucien" I said, freeing my arm with a harsh, forceful tug "You didn't help when I asked you"
I was about to turn around to complete my business but he was too quick in pushing me back against the wall.
"Marcus helped you?" He seethed.
"Who helped me doesn't matter. What matters is that you didn't help me"
His jaw twitched.
"It is not a game, Cynthia" he snarled.
"And I want you to realise that" he snapped back.
For a second, something dangerous flickered in his gaze, and then his thumb pressed harder into my jaw.
His hand dropped from my face abruptly, but only to grab my arm and yank me closer.
“You have no idea what you’ve stepped into,” he growled.
I leaned forward.
“Oh, I do.”
His grip faltered for half a second.
"Marcus! He is not what he looks. Not everyone is as merciful as me" he mumbled.
"Merciful" he chuckled "I don't need any mercy. And I know what I am doing. I don't need you to teach me"
"So all this was your plan" he came back "You went there to seduce Marcus. Hmm?"
I bit back the yelp that was about to pass my lips when he dug his thumbs into my waist.
"You enjoyed letting him touch you. Hmm?"
Jealousy.
It was raw, ugly, and uncontrolled.
I smiled.
“Why?” I asked softly. “Did it bother you?”
One of his hands moved from my waist to my back, gripping it harshly.
“Yes.”
I gasped when he pressed my chest against his
“It bothered me enough to want to break his hands,” his, voice was laced with venom. “And lock you in this room so no one ever looks at you again.”
My breath hitched. This was the Lucien I remembered, possessive, dangerous, and mine.
“And yet,” I whispered, “you didn’t stop me. Why?”
He swallowed, as his eyes narrowed at me.
"Are you still afraid of your father?"
"I am not afraid of anyone" he came almost instantly.
"Whom are you fooling, Lucien. Me or you?" I asked him.
His hand moved up to the back of my neck, gripping it firmly.
"What do you want, Cynthia? Why are you doing all this?" He asked.
His eyes looked dangerous and firm. He was not in the mood to entertain an argument. He wanted an answer.
My hand slowly reached for his as I dug my nails sharply into the flesh of his wrist.
"You fought for what you lost and won it." I breathed heavily "Now I want what I lost and no one can stop me from winning it"