Chapter 9 Warnings and threats
Lilac stood in front of the full-length mirror in her room, her fingers trailing lightly over the smooth fabric of her gown. The eggshell A-line dress hugged her curves perfectly, the nude color blending seamlessly with her skin, creating an illusion of barely wearing anything. Her red hair cascaded in loose waves around her shoulders, adding a fiery contrast to the softness of her attire.
As she put the finishing touches on her makeup, the door to her room opened, and Eric stepped inside, his eyes darkened in awe at the sight of her before him. He was dressed in a classic black tuxedo, she only glance back for a moment before looking away. This was the man she loved with her everything. Every move he made was utterly seductive to her.
When she recalled her past life and the words before she died, her eyes dimmed and she looked away.
“Lilac,” he said. “You are really going all out. Someone would think you are preparing for war.”
Lilac paused. Was that a compliment? She wondered, before stopping herself. She decided it did not matter as she looked away to hide her discomfort. She was able to keep calm, but he was sure she must be scared. Afterall if her plan failed, he did not mind hanging her.
Truthfully, Eric was not afraid of what would happen tonight, Even if all she said was right and there was a plot going down, his family could not be taken out with that small accusation. But he had to admit the timing was bad. Even if they do not get taken down, It would affect the deal they were about to sign with the government.
Eric came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her and felt her stiffen under his touch.
“Dear wife, you know that if you fail tonight, I will drown you with those filth you call family, right?” he asked.
Lilac froze at his action. The last few minutes before she met with sister and ultimately died flashed through her head. Yes, she believed him. She also believe he would probably kill her whether she failed or not. It was a matter of if she died sooner or later.
She could not bring herself to look his way. Hands trembled lightly.
“I will not fail,” she tried to get him off her, but he only hugged her tighter.
"And get the thought of divorce out of your little head,” he whispered.
“Why?” she asked.
“You did everything to marry me, now you just want to leave, huh? Didn't you claim to love me?” he said, and she chuckled at his words.
“Love you? You can’t be serious, right?” she asked and he frowned. Truthfully she had never muttered those words, now he thought about it. Her family did. He liked deeply at the woman in the mirror.
“Whether you said it or not, those words were used to drag you into this family. I will decide our divorce,” he said.
“Then let me know when that will be. Give me a specific date.” she struggled to get him off.
“Survive tonight first, then ask me questions," he sneered and stepped back from her.
She had to admit she was very shaken by his words. She needed that divorce. The alternative was death. She wanted to talk more about this, but she soon calmed down. This was not the time.
“We will talk after tonight, then. I will look forward to it,” she said.
“Alright then, depending on how you take down your family, I will believe you and not hand in what happens tonight,” he said and lilac looked frustrated.
“I promise you I have nothing to do with this. I will not implicate your family," she said and he finally turned took several steps back. Without his presence so near, Lilac sighed in relief.She returned to what she was doing while he waited for her.
“You can leave first. I will join you later,” she said to him lightly when she noticed his eyes on her. It made her uncomfortable.
“I can wait,” he said and his phone rang the next moment.
“Michael,” he said, and Lilac turned to look at him sharply. He noticed her action and the look of caution in her eyes and frowned slightly.
Micheal. The thought of that man made Lilac think back to her past life and his involvement with framing her and she frowned.
“We are on our way, make sure your family’s ship does not leave without us,” Michael said jovially and Eric raised a brow in Lilac’s direction.
“It is fine, guests are still arriving,” he answered and ended the call.
“What is it?” he asked Lilac.
“Nothing, I just realized how close of friends you and my brother-in-law are,” Lilac said.
“We went to school together,” he answered, closing in and taking her hand, “Why? What is it?” he asked.
“I see,” Lilac answered.
“Why are you interested in this?” Eric asked when he noticed her odd expression.
To his question, Lilac had no answer. If she had not heard from her sister just before her death, that Micheal was the one who introduced her to Cathy, the agent, she would not feel this way. And why had she not noticed he was a close friend of Eric? This seemingly quiet in law was this involved in her family and her husband's? Her thoughts ran wild.
“My sister, mother and father may be smart, but they cannot concoct something like this and stick to it this long to see it through. If they could, the family business would not be in trouble right now. But he happens to introduce Cathy to them?” she muttered under every breath. She was nervous and had not realized she had said this words with he lips. When she saw the skeptical look in his eyes, she realized he had not heard her as he still waited for her response.
“No reason, I am just surprised I did not know.” she declared and sneer flashed in Eric’s mouth.
Eric's gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before he offered her his arm. “Alright, anything you say. Tonight, I will play along with you. Shall we, my dear?”
Lilac nodded, slipping her arm through his as they made their way out of the room. They walked for quite a while before they arrived at the reception hall and walked in. The room was alive under the bright chandeliers that hugged the entire ship in light and the gentle murmur of conversation as guests mingled and sipped champagne.
As they entered, heads turned in their direction, Eric was quite the handsome man and today he was even more handsome. Lilac was used to Eric being the center of attention always. As they walked in, Eric leaned down to warn her of those making their way toward them.
“You parents are here,” he whispered, and she noticed them. Lilac’s parents, both dressed in black, approached them with smiles plastered on their faces. For some reason, their choice of black annoyed Lilac. She wondered if they thought they were coming for a funeral.
“Lilac, Eric, you both look wonderful,” Lilac’s mother exclaimed, her voice dripping with honey so sickeningly sweet, Lilac wanted to drop the jar.