Chapter 37 Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Seven
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Mirah
I didn't move the phone away from my ears, until moments later, when Nessa came to sit close to me.
“He threatened you, didn't he?” She asked in a knowing voice. I hadn't told her what my parents wanted me to do.
I heaved a sigh, and leaned in close to her. “They want me to marry Jayden.” I said.
“Eww, I'd rather die.” She snorted.
Hearing prim and proper Nessa make such a sound, sent me racking with laughter.
“Oh God-” I breathed between bouts of laughter. “Let's be friends again in our next life, hm?”
She rose, and stared down at me. “You can stop pretending not to be hurt. That's by the way though. We have to prepare for the gala.”
I stopped laughing, letting the realization of my father's call dawn on me. He'd given me an ultimatum.
Marry Jayden, or cease to be his daughter.
Both options were just…impossible.
I rose to my feet, and let her lead me to the dressing room.
…
Cameras clicked, mingled with reporters' loud and gay voices, as we stepped out of the limousine. The limousine was sent by Nessa's parents, to take us to the gala.
I'd teased her about it, calling her ’her parents fav,’ before we left the house. I slipped my arm easily into Nessa's, keeping up the camera appearance and smiling like I meant it. As we walked into the hall, I prayed no reporter would ask me any question concerning my family.
“Hello Miss Vanessa, is this one of your newest designs?” A reporter asked Nessa, while gesturing to me.
“Yes…” I tuned out the rest of her words, while looking around. The gala was going to have a full camera coverage, and most certainly going to be on the TV.
Father was going to see me, and so would the others.
‘Calm down Mirah, you aren't doing anything bad.’
The CEO's gala wasn't an award night; just an annual party for CEO's of various companies. It was usually held at the end of each year. Many people were gathered in the hall, when we walked in. A thought came to mind, and I cursed slowly.
“Oh shit.”
“Mm?” Nessa leaned in close to me.
“Would Jayden be attending the gala?” I asked. The last thing I wanted was to be abducted the second time.
“Stick to me,” From her earlier reaction, I could tell she hadn't thought about it.
I accompanied her, as she talked and introduced me to some prominent CEO's.
“Nah, I'll pass.” I shook my head a while later, as she offered me a glass of wine.
“You're back to the Mirah I know. Good for you.” She laughed, and took a sip of her drink.
We were seated at the VIP part of the hall, and a few tables from us sat someone who Nessa was desperately trying to avoid. I watched as he rose to his feet, and came over to our table.
“A word, Miss Vanessa?” He asked in that signature bland voice of his.
Tonight, Qyle George was dressed in a blue suit, and blue trousers. I wondered if he ever wore any color, apart from blue.
Nessa flashed him a stiff smile. “I'm talking to my plus one.”
His eyes narrowed. “Miss Vanessa.”
“Ten minutes,” she pushed off her chair, and began walking away. He matched her pace, and encircled her waist.
I began smiling, but it froze when I saw who was now seated on Nessa's chair.
"Zeke?”
I was doubly sure Nessa included something in the pasta she cooked this afternoon.
"It's good to see you too.” He shrugged. My heart fluttered.
He hadn't even done anything much, but my body was reacting to him.
So much for staying away from him.
“What are-” I wanted to ask him what he was doing there, but decided against it. There was so much I didn't know about him, and I didn't want to know.
“May I have this dance?” He rose, and stretched out his hand towards me.
I looked at his pale hand, and back at Nessa and Qyle whose ‘just a word,’ had graduated into a dance.
More like Nessa was looking like she wanted to punch Qyle, and Qyle holding her waist protectively. He leaned in close to her ears, and whispered something.I sighed and took Zeke's hand. “Okay.”
Amidst stares from other guests, he led me to the dance floor. Warmth spread from the place his hand held me, to other parts of my body.
It was just a harmless touch. But when it came to Zeke, even a single stare was enough to send my core pulsating with need.
“You look beautiful tonight.” His hand encircled my waist, and we swayed slowly to the music.
I flushed. “Thank you.”
His finger trailed upwards, and I instinctively looked directly into his eyes.
“Give me another chance, Mirah.” Something sparked between us. It was something hot, something sizzling.
My heart raced, and I didn't avert my gaze. He pulled me closer. I could feel his arousal pressed against my stomach.
“There's no other chance.” I whispered, even though all I wanted to do was to kiss him.
“You're torturing me. I want you, Mirah. I-”. I cut him off.
“Please, Zeke. You asked to dance, and here we are.”
“Let's forget about our identities, and start all over again.” He pleaded in a hoarse voice.
My eyes welled up. “Zeke.”
“Just a normal couple, going on dates, falling in love.”
He leaned in, and stole a quick kiss. I was still dazed, when he moved away. “Please, Kitten.”
I ignored his endearment. “And your marriage? Your kingdom?” I asked.
“I don't care about them, Mirah. All I want is you.” His eyes turned molten, and my breath caught in my throat.
God, this man was handsome.
I wanted to agree. To say yes. I could picture myself going on dates with him. Living life, like a couple would. Loving, and feeling loved.
“I can't, Zeke.” I shook my head, and finally averted my gaze. I kept it trained on the ground, afraid that if I looked into his eyes, I'd see the hurt in them.
“Why?” He asked, swaying me gently.
I sighed. Because we were different from each other. Because I was about to be blackmailed into marrying someone I didn't want. All because of my father's greed.
But I didn't say that to him.
"Let's just dance, Zeke.” I said softly.
“And what the hell do you think you're doing with my fiancèe?” I heard a familiar voice ask, and we simultaneously turned.