Chapter 35 Poppy?

Chapter 35 Poppy?
Lilith’s POV
No matter how much I despised following his orders, I couldn’t help but obey him because it was the exact thing I was being paid for.
After helping Ariel fall asleep, I went to the room a maid had directed me to and when I walked in, I was stunned by the number of artists that were waiting for me. It made me realize that it was a very important meeting that he didn’t want me to miss out on. He needed my makeup to be perfect, just like Celine would have it.
I quietly sat down and let them perform their magic on me. They spent a long time on my eyes, using cooling gels and heavy layers of concealer to hide the evidence of my sleepless night and by the time they were done, my face was perfect.
I chose a long deep blue gown that fitted my form and at the same time shone under the light. When I was done, I muttered my thanks before walking down the stairs to meet Jayden, who was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.
He looked devastatingly handsome in a classic black tuxedo that hugged his defined physique like a second skin. His hair was perfectly styled without a single strand out of place. As I walked down the stairs, I could feel his hot gaze raking over me but I paid him no mind.
"This is better," he murmured when I reached him. He didn't offer an apology for the night before, and I didn't expect one. He simply took my hand in his and began to walk towards the exit. "Remember, Lilith, this is as important as ever. All eyes are going to be on us tonight."
"I know the script, Jayden," I snapped, my voice a bit harder than I intended. "Your main concern should be you not being a scumbag."
Jayden only threw me a look but said nothing more. The ride to the gala was a silent one but the atmosphere changed immediately when we got out of the car. As reporters swarmed towards us, Jayden pulled me to his side possessively.
"Stay close," he whispered, his lips brushing against my ear in a way that looked like a secret endearment to the photographers. Only I knew it was an act from the pit of hell.
As we entered the ballroom, we were immediately swarmed by well-wishers who had witnessed or heard about our wedding.
"Jayden! Celine! Congratulations on the wedding," a man, who I guessed to be a developer, said with a broad smile.
"Thank you, George," Jayden said in a warm voice. He squeezed my waist and looked down at me with a gaze that was filled with tenderness. "I realized very quickly that life was far too short to spend a single day without her as my wife."
I felt a surge of nausea at the lie, but I forced a soft smile to my lips. "He’s very persuasive," I added, leaning my head slightly against his shoulder. "I didn't stand a chance."
For the next hour, we played the part to perfection. We talked to a lot of people and some of them were Celine’s friends, whom I knew nothing about. I just kept a pretty smile on my face, playing the role of the happy wife.
Jayden on the other hand didn't leave my side. He fetched me drinks, whispered flirty words into my ears, and introduced me to a lot of important people I never knew I could easily meet.
And slowly, as people treated and talked to me sweetly, I began to loosen up and actually enjoy the night. In my defense, I was trying to enjoy my work.
I could see Mr. Lark from across the room with a group of other businessmen as they seemed to be deep into business talks. I didn’t bother going over to talk to him and I hoped he wouldn’t pay me any attention either. After the disaster of the dinner, I didn’t know how to approach him any longer.
As I relaxed more, I began to enjoy the wine Jayden had gotten me, as well as the relaxing music that filled the air.
I had just taken another sip of my drink when Jayden leaned into me. "I need to speak with the Mayor for a moment," he whispered, his hand lingering on the small of my back. "Stay here? I'll be right back for the next dance, don’t talk to anyone."
"Sure," I said as I leaned away from him, determined to enjoy the night.
As I watched him walk away, I saw the amount of attention he drew from people, especially from females who had their eyes glued to him like he was some pot of gold. In a bid to avoid any conversation, I turned to walk toward the balcony for some fresh air.
I had just begun to walk past the other guests when I saw him.
The world seemed to tilt and the cool music seemed to fade away as I felt the air leave my lungs. Standing by the drink fountain and dressed in a suit that looked like it was purchased on a budget was the very man I had spent long weeks trying to forget.
The same man I had refused to cry or mourn over. The very man that chose a man over me and left me hanging at the altar.
Poppy.
He was laughing at something a man beside him was saying and when I looked closely, I realized it was his best friend, the same man he had chosen over me.
I froze in the middle of the ballroom with my hands tightening around the glass I was holding as I hoped I was trapped in a cruel nightmare.
I wanted to turn and run away from his presence. I wanted to hide in the shadows until he went away, but my feet were glued to the floor.
As if sensing my gaze, Poppy turned his head and his laughter died instantly as our eyes connected.
Oh shit.