The audacity

The audacity
How dare he?

How dare he leave me this way, knowing fully well I was like that because of him? And to make matters worse, he smirked before turning away like he hadn’t just ruined my composure entirely. That smirk told me everything. He knew exactly what he was doing. He always did.

We got dressed and headed to the venue not long after. The ride there was calm on the surface, but my thoughts were anything but calm. Every now and then I caught him glancing at me, the corner of his lips twitching like he was still amused. I pretended not to notice.

When we arrived, Jamie pulled up smoothly and parked. We both stepped out of the car, and the moment he smiled at me, I instantly forgot that I was supposed to be annoyed with him for what he’d done just minutes ago. It was unfair how easily he disarmed me.

I locked my hand around his as we headed inside. At least we weren’t too late. We were just an hour late.

“My goddess! Look who we have here!”

Ken’s voice squealed as he rushed toward us with Macy right beside him. His excitement was contagious.

“I thought you weren’t going to come,” he said dramatically. “I would have come down to your hotel and dragged you down here myself.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Come on, Ken. I already promised Macy that I’d be here, and I don’t go back on my word.”

I turned to Macy and gestured at my outfit. “And Macy, this looks really good. I love it.”

She blushed immediately. “Thank you Aiden,” she said shyly. “And you’re very welcome. It’s the least I can do. It’s no big deal.”

Ken cleared his throat loudly and looked between Jamie and me. “So… Aiden. Aren’t you going to introduce us to this gorgeous looking man standing next to you?”

He glanced at Macy, who nodded in agreement.

Jamie chuckled, clearly amused, and looked at me.

“Oh—yeah,” I said quickly. “My bad. Jamie, meet Ken and Macy. Ken and Macy, meet Jamie. My baby. My other half.”

My hand tightened around Jamie’s instinctively.

“It’s nice to meet you both,” Jamie said warmly. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about you. Especially you, Macy.”

Macy blushed harder and tucked her hair behind her ear. “It’s also a pleasure meeting you, Jamie. Or should I say our mystery gifter?”

We all laughed.

Ken grinned. “So we finally get to meet your mystery lover after all this time. Well I must say, he’s really hot. Like, damn gorgeous.”

Jamie raised a brow, amused.

“I actually wanted you the first day I saw you at the art exhibition though,” Ken continued shamelessly, “but it’s such a pity you already belong to this darling over here.” He gestured at me. “But just in case, if you ever need a change, I’m always here.”

“Ken!” I cut in sharply.

Macy burst into laughter. “Kindly ignore him. Ken is a sucker for good-looking men. Anyways, have fun and enjoy the party.” She dragged Ken away, although he still managed to grin and wink at me over his shoulder.

Jamie reached for a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and took a sip. “Oh my goodness. Is he always like that?”

I laughed. “Who? Ken? Definitely. He’s even way worse most times, but he’s a sweetheart. There’s never a dull moment with him, you know. Besides Macy, he was the first local who made me feel welcome here.”

A few minutes later, Gerald took the mic, cleared his throat, and spoke.

“Welcome everyone, and thank you for being here tonight to celebrate the successful shoot of our movie. It’s been six months of working—more working—sleepless nights, draining days. It hasn’t been easy, but with your continuous help and support, we have been able to get through them all. It wouldn’t have been possible without each and everyone one of you present here, so give yourself a round of applause. You all deserve it. ”

Applause filled the room.

“And now,” Gerald continued, “to the man of the hour. Let’s give it up for Aiden Vale.”

All eyes turned to me, as i looked at Jamie. He was smiling proudly, like a proud father.

“Go on,” he said softly, releasing my hand.

I exhaled and stepped forward, bowing lightly as I took the mic.

“Wow… I definitely wasn’t expecting this,” I said. “Thank you, Gerald for this opportunity. So as you all know, I am Aiden vale, and as many may or may not know, I used to be an actor in LA a few months back. When I got the invitation to star in the movie here, I didn’t think about it too much. Rather, I saw it as an opportunity to try something outside my comfort zone.”

“A lot of things have happened to me, which have shaped me in different ways possible, I’ve had my own fair share of heartbreak, bullying, trolling everything. But as all this happened, one person kept me going. even when I screwed up and lost him, even when I said a lot of hurtful things to him, even when I repeatedly chose myself over him, over us, over and over again, he never gave up on me. And although he’s not a fan of public praises, he’ll just have to pardon me tonight. Because I’m going to say it, so everyone hears it.” 

I looked at Jamie. “Come up here, babe.” He looked shocked but walked over anyway. 

“Thank you, Jamie,” I said, facing him. “For being my pillar, my shield, my life, my happiness. I love you, and I’ll always love you. As long as this heart beats, it’ll only beat for you.”

The crowd erupted into awwww’s and some cooed.

I wrapped my arm around his waist and pulled him close. He kissed me just as the crowd cheered, and applauded.

Then I handed the mic back to Gerald, and headed back down, my hand locked in Jamie’s.

“Let’s all have fun and party.” Gerald screamed excitedly, as everyone cheered just  as the music took over. 

Still laughing Jamie spoke up. “Baby what was all that? I mean you’re not one to do things like that, so I’m really surprised.” 

I smiled. “Come on, babe do you know how long I’ve been wanting to do this with you? Since like forever. And now that you’re finally mine again, i want to do right by you so. So I’d say you better start getting used to things like this, because now I am more than ready to show you to the world, no more running.” I smiled, leaning in closer as I kissed him again. 

We talked for a while, met people who wanted to take pictures with him, with me. Soon we said our goodbyes to Ken and Macy and headed out. On the drive home, I finally spoke. “Why did you do that to me, Jamie?”

He glanced at me, surprised. “What are you talking about babe? What did I do?”

“Don’t try to act as though you have no idea what I’m talking about. Jamie, you literally left me hard, I tried so hard to make it through the event without anyone noticing, but I haven’t been able to get my mind of it.  That’s really mean.”

Just then his eyes went down my trousers and he laughed really hard.

“What’s so funny? This is really serious you know.” I questioned.

“I’m sorry babe. It’s just—the way you came at me, it felt like I had done something really bad. And technically, that was your fault, not mine.” he said, squeezing my thigh. “You were naughty, and I just had to show you what I do to people who are naughty.”

I scoffed, as I ignored him and turned my eyes back out the window. We pulled up at his cabin, and the moment we stepped inside, he lifted me effortlessly, my legs wrapping around his waist. He laid me on the bed gently, locking me in as he hovered above me, then kissed me until I could barely breathe. When he lifted his eyes, his thumb brushed my cheek, as he leaned in, whispering in my ears, his hot breath brushing against my skin which made goosebumps appear all over my body.

“Do you still think I was being mean to you?” he smirked.

I smiled, blushing, as I looked at him with hungry eyes, before he kissed me again.