Chapter 49 — Charity Ball

A long sigh left my mouth as I sat in the meeting taking notes. Everything was the same just like before, yet something prime was different.

The man sitting beside me.

I pinched between my eyes holding back the tears preparing to flow out. I promised myself I wouldn't think about him, yet here I was on the verge of breaking down. No matter what he did yet my stupid heart yearned for him.

Why did it have to be this way? Were those sweet gestures only an act? But how could someone act so bloody perfect?

Having noticed my state Christian excused everyone and pulled me into the joint room with him.

"What's wrong, Ember? I have been noticing your gloominess for a couple days now," he asked, the middle of his brows creased.

"I'm fine, Christian. Just...can I stay out for now?" So that I don't break down in front of everyone and make a fool of myself.

"Yes, yes. Of course. Take your time. I'll be right back, okay?"

"It's alright. Finish the meeting. It's important." I forced him a smile.

He stared for a second then nodded. "Okay."

After he left leaning on the table behind me, I let the tears free, and they flowed out like a tsunami being held in for too long. My hand shot up clasping my mouth to silence the sobs and the other one clutched the fabric in the right side of my chest. Oh God, it hurts, it really hurts. Please make it stop. I can take it no more...

Why didn't I pay heed to my gut's call? Why did I let myself get lured in his trap?

With the meeting ended all my tears dried up as well, and I got myself back together fixing the spoiled eyeliner. Soon a concerned looking Christian reappeared.

"Are you feeling better now?"

"Yes. Thank you!" I realized he could understand my pain for we were two lonely souls segregated from our love though his by accident whereas mine by betrayal.

"Hey, Ember. Look. I don't know why you two fought or how bad it was to stay away from each other like this, but perhaps you both should try again. You know, forgive and forget?" he suggested.

I let out a deep sigh. "It's bad, Christian. It's really bad."

"But—"

A knock on the door cut him off.

"Come in!"

Christian's personal receptionist entered the room, a fuscous envelope in his hand. "Sir, this came just now. Elite Board's head, Hunter King arranged a charity ball in the evening. You and Ember have been invited."

Christian looked at me and pondered something for a second. "Tell him we won't go."

The guy nodded and was about to leave when I hastily added, "We will."

Christian frowned. "Ember—"

"Why shouldn't we? You are the former head, and an important part of the board. We will go."

"But will you be okay?" he asked softly.

I straightened up from my leaning position. "Yes. Very much," I replied with determination.

I will make him regret for what he lost.

~~~

Christian offered his hand as we began to walk through the red carpet to the King's party hall. Smiling, I took it and muttered a thank you.

"You are looking gorgeous today, Ember," He complimented.

"Thank you!" I glanced at the glass of the door while Christian showed the guard our invitation card. The pink tulle dress I wore complimented my body perfectly, and the sophisticated applique patterns only augmented the bold make-up as well my solemn pledge. My cleavage was exposed by the A-line V-neck while the side slit showed my leg. The detectable skirt trailed behind as we descended down the stairs to the ballroom where people were waltzing.

My eyes scanned over the swarm of people searching for a certain suited traitor, and not long after found those implacable sea-green eyes staring right back at me from the other side of the stupendous hall. One side of my lips curved upwards.

By the time this night ends you will be regretting your decision, Hunter King, and I will make sure of that.

I turned to Christian with a sweet smile. "Shall we?"

His expression imitated mine as he curtsied extending his hand. "Certainly, ma'am."

Giggling I put my hand on his and together we padded to the middle of the dance floor. Our hands entwined, and his other hand rested on my open back as we began slowly moving to the music. Even though all this exposure and proximity disturbed my conscience, the devil awakened inside craved revenge, and I would make bloody sure to quench her thirst.

I swayed my hips to the bits as my curls waved in the air while cackling at jokes I was trying to make that failed miserably. As the song ended another man I remembered as Mr. Hart from the board came forward with a stretched hand.

"Mind if I take the lady for a dance?"

"Sure if the lady agrees." Christian looked at me with raised brows.

"Of course." I put my hand on his even though my mind screamed against it. The man brought my hand to his lips and placed a sloppy kiss making my tight smile turn into a grimace. As the new song started the bloody dance began once again.

"You look so hot tonight," he purred.

The way the man looked at me made my skin crawl. Not being able to take anymore I brought my leg up and stepped on his foot with my heels hard.

Take that you pervert!

To my surprise, the man let out a strangled laugh as his face contorted a bit. "It's alright. Real men don't feel pain."

Let's see if you say so after another.

But before I could get the chance, he began swirling me, and something else caught my attention. My frown deepened as with every swirl Hunter got closer. I stopped, and there he stood right in front of me, eyes shooting glares at the man behind.

"You wouldn't mind if I took her, would you, Mr. Hart?" he requested, politely threatening.

The man let go of my hand immediately as if my skin electrified him. "No, no, Mr. King. She’s your wife anyway."

I opened my mouth to object but a grip on my hand shut me up as I watched Mr. Hart sauntering off, not casting another glance my way.

I twisted my arm as Hunter began hauling me to a side of the dance floor. "Let go of me!"

Once freed I took the opportunity and turned around taking one or two steps away when a hand snaked around my stomach and yanked, my back hitting his hard frame. A gasp left my mouth as my whole physique felt on fire suddenly, a fire I would be delighted to burn on.

No! No, Ember. Snap out of it. Don't step on his trap anymore.

His breath hit the back of my ear sending a delicious shiver down my back. "You should know what you are trying to do is working," he hissed.

I blinked. What? What am I trying to do? Wait! Does he mean...he is jealous? Regretting?

Blinking some more I frowned. N-No. He is bluffing. He is just bluffing.

I looked around for an escape route, and my eyes landed on a door a few pillars away. Untangling myself from his perilous grasp I ran to the door and ended up in a hallway.

"Ember." My name rolled out of his tongue like music from the strings of a violin halting me in my steps.

"What do you want?" I asked with my back against him hiding the fact of how much effect he had on me.

"What are you wearing?"

Frowning, I gritted my teeth and whirled around. "Who are you to question me?"

"Do not forget you are still legally my wife." His eyes bored into mine.

I let out a mocking laugh. "Ha! You remember now that I was your wife?"

"Are."

My jaw clenched. "No! Have you forgotten you're divorcing me?"

"That was a misunderstanding," he stated, his voice as well demeanor calm and collected.

"Misunderstanding?!" I snapped. "Are you saying that marrying me to get a spot in the Elite Board was a misunderstanding too? No! I am no fool anymore, and guess what, Mr. King Jr., you can't make one out of me ever again."

I began marching past him back to the ball when he grasped my hand. With a swift movement I was pinned against the wall, my hands locked at both sides of my head and back pressed against his hard front caging me in. His mouth came down placing slow butterfly kisses all over my ear making my toes curl. "This time I will make a wife out of you..." he whispered, his voice low and hoarse, "but—”

He moved off of me. "Not by force, neither by blackmail. I will win you back Ember King."

Breathless I turned around in my shaking legs and stared at the empty spot he had been standing seconds ago.

Was I hallucinating or was I dreaming?