Chapter 25 Twenty Five
ANNIE
Dylan had said that the ceremony was a big one and instead of enjoying the night, one would be making alliances and the others would be plotting against each other.
I had to dress nice and act like his little wolf, but I was happy in a weird way. “You look stunning, my little milkweed,” Dylan said from behind, he was in his usual black and white suit, but he had curled his hair instead of gelling it back.
“You got me the dress, dickhead”
He laughed.
Who knew I would one day call my abductor dickhead and he would laugh it off.
The ceremony looked a lot more formal than I thought. The large hall was dimly lit and I began to think it was a kind of aesthetic for these people.
“I thought they served only drinks at this type of ceremony,” I whispered to Dylan and he sneered. “Well, since a lot of people from different countries are here, they serve what they would like.” I nodded and said nothing else.
“Mr Xavier, nice of you to bring your mistress along,” someone said and we turned. I looked at Dylan expecting him to say something but he shrugged.
“Mr Dante, of course she is meant to be here. How is your business going, I heard you owe the Montero's a huge debt and might end up selling yourself as a slave to them,” Dylan said and the old man left muttering to himself.
The party wasn't my type of party, they argued on about politics and inflation, even the women. “I'll go find somewhere to sit,” I whispered into Dylan's ear and left. My head was spinning and I just needed to get away from them. It wasn't just about the boring talks but the way they all stared at me judging me like I wanted to be here.
“So much for playing little wolf,” I muttered and took a drink.
I watched everyone's movement; the slow talks and side eye, the handshakes and sharing of cigarettes… the negotiations and curses. This world revolved around business and less pleasure, everyone trying to survive… everyone being everyone's competitor.
It sucked.
Just then Dylan appeared, handing me a plate of seasoned beef. “You seemed bored,”
“So you noticed,” I retorted, taking the plate from him and popping one beef into my mouth. It tasted good. “We didn't come here to relax Annie and I don't want you getting hurt.” He seemed concerned though his tone was cold. This was going to be a long night.
“So you've made temporary alliances or enemies, which one?” I asked suddenly interested. He didn't laugh, just professional. “Well, what can I say, my step sister was invited to the ceremony too and that would've been great, but I feel so terrible, she's still young and weak.” I scoffed.
Like me.
Dylan sat beside me and held my hands. “Don't take anything I say to heart, at least for tonight,” he muttered and I nodded, not believing myself. Soon some group of men and ladies came to sit around us. “Mr Xavier, how's business going?” One asked and Dylan nodded.
“Business is fine Lady Dominique, and how's your daughter?” He asked and she laughed.
What's funny? I scoff.
“She's doing well, just got back from Dubai, and your toy?” She eyed me, a scowl on her face. I looked at Dylan.
“As you can see Annie is fine”
“So she's really your toy?” Another lady asked, but Dylan said nothing else, just drank.
Don't take anything to heart…
I remembered his words, but my heart couldn't hold it in. What was I thinking that Dylan Xavier had a soft spot for me? Scoff. The man had a stone heart just like all the other people here.
“Excuse me,” I said and left to look for another table. I turned to see if he at least glanced back at me, but he just drank.
Fuck me.
I sat at an empty table at the back eating another plate of beef. How could Dylan be so cold towards me? Even though he had told me not to take things to heart for tonight, but, I couldn't. The air in the room suddenly felt hot and tight, I needed fresh air, but I couldn't leave Dylan's sight. “Maybe I should just step out a little bit,” I muttered. Just then, a group of girls walked up to me.
Not another drama. I grumbled standing up to leave. I was so optimistic about being here but in truth it wasn't going as I had planned. “Hey, Annie was it?” One of the girls asked. I assessed her, she had a smooth face and fake lips. She seemed like one who was so obsessed with her skincare routine that she couldn't fix her attitude.
“Yes and who are you?” I asked tired of this. I didn't care if I created enemies for Dylan, I was just fed up with all this derogatory talk even from women.
“You seem to have a mouth on you, witty_” she looked at her friends and back at me. “_ well you're still his toy either ways, you'll still end up like the others”
The others?
Dylan said he had known only two women and the others would probably be for business purposes. I sneered, mocking them and made to walk away.
“Where the fuck do you think you're going to, bastard!” She cursed and dragged me by my hair.
“Shit! Let me go,” I whined, my hair felt like it was going to come out of my scalp at any moment. I searched for Dylan but he was nowhere to be found. So much for not letting me out of his sight. But he was right about one thing, I was weak_ so weak I couldn't even stand up to a girl like that.
“You're just a toy and you should know your place!” She raised her hand to hit me.
“I wouldn't do that if I were you, Lavigne. Drop her.” I heard the voice and knew immediately who it was. The young lady dropped me and I massaged my hair.
Dylan always came when the fight was heated and that was cooler than coming on time.
I smiled. He still had me in mind.