Chapter 36 Jealousy!
|| Author POV ||
—The prom night—
9 PM
Killian clicked his tongue in frustration, standing tall in the grand hallway. His straight figure was wrapped in quiet elegance, the black coat hugging his broad frame with effortless power.
“I’m coming.” he muttered coldly into the phone before ending the call.
One hand ran across his forehead in annoyance but the moment he turned around, he stilled.
His piercing blues locked onto her figure.
Rosa walked toward him slowly, the soft swish of her dress barely audible. Her gaze lifted and met his and in that instant her breath caught. He looked devastatingly handsome.
Too sharp, cold and perfect!
Rosa clutched the fabric of her dress, unable to look away. But she didn’t realize, she wasn’t the only one drowning in silence.
Killian’s jaw flexed and a dangerous twitch formed in his temple.
She’s going to ruin me, he thought bitterly.
This damn girl has no right to look this breathtaking, also in the dress he chose. Not with those innocent eyes.
She looked like a goddess of beauty.
Her long silky hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing her flawless face. Those flushed cheeks and those rare mesmerizing eyes.
The beautiful golden dress clung to her petite form like it was crafted solely for her. Her shoulder and neckline was exposed with only the thinnest strap of the dress. Her fair skin glowed beneath the shimmery fabric. It sparkled under the light gracefully and ended just above her knees.
Her lavender eyes shone bright at him. She looked smaller than usual in that short princess like dress, as if she’d stepped out of a storybook.
A golden doll. A fragile fantasy.
Killian’s cold gaze fell on her face. She looked nervous. And yet she still looked devastating.
He swallowed hard and shut his eyes briefly, steadying the storm within him. It would be a lie to say he didn’t want to lock her away right then and there. The thought of anyone else seeing her like this twisted the darker side of him.
If another man dared to look at her the way he did, he’d drag her away, ruin her sweet innocence until she was marked by him and left shaken, breathless and begging.
He tore his gaze away with a frustrated breath. “Follow me.”
Rosa’s heart dropped at the sharp tone. He sounded annoyed. Quietly she followed behind him.
Outside, the cool evening floated as Killian walked ahead. His steps halted near the sleek black car where Chris stood waiting beside the door.
“He’ll drive you to the venue. I have something urgent.” Killian said flatly without sparing Rosa even a glance.
Rosa’s heart sank. She had hoped... just a little that he’d be the one to drive her.
Well… why would he?
“Chris.” Killian called. He didn’t say anything else but Chris seemed to understand perfectly.
Chris’s eyes shifted behind Killian, landing on the pretty girl. He didn’t understand why his throat suddenly went dry at the sight of her.
“I’ll be there soon.” Killian said, his eyes flicking down to Rosa.
A faint frown appeared on his forehead and he didn’t bother hiding it.
Rosa gave a small nod but didn’t look at him. Killian returned the nod stiffly and walked past them before sliding into another car without another word.
Chris stood still for a moment watching her eyes which were locked on the space Killian disappeared into.
“Get in the car, please.” he said darkly. Rosa turned toward him with confusion written all over her face.
\-----
TIME SKIPPED.
The car rolled to a gentle stop at the venue entrance.
Rosa stepped out slowly, her heels clicking softly against the pavement. She turned to Chris and gave a polite bow.
“Thank you.”
She made her way toward the entrance, holding out her entry card. The guard nodded and let her in.
The moment she stepped inside, her eyes widened in quiet awe.
Colorful lights danced across the walls and dreamy music floated through the air making the space feel cozy.
Her gaze swept over the crowd where students were dressed in shimmering gowns and sharp suits. They were laughing and chatting. Everyone looked dazzling.
Rosa clutched her hands nervously. Her eyes scanned for Aria but all she felt were unfamiliar stares.
Her heart thudded nervously. Admiration? Judgment? She couldn’t tell.
Either way she felt small and terribly alone not knowing she had already caught countless adoring gazes.
Because why not?
Aria stood among her friends, chatting casually. When her eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar figure and glowing like a delicate flame in the crowd. Her eyes widened.
“Oh my god-Rosa!” she squealed, breaking away and hurrying over.
Without hesitation, she pulled Rosa into a tight hug wrapping around the girl’s petite frame. “You look so gorgeous!” she gasped, pulling back to take another look. “I can’t even take my eyes off you!”
Rosa smiled shyly.
Aria wiped an imaginary tear dramatically sniffling. “You’re actually glowing! I might cry. Why do you look like a doll tonight?”
Rosa giggled softly and her nerves were finally easing. Aria linked arms with her and dragged her deeper into the venue.
“Tonight, you’re going to steal the spotlight. I’m calling it now! This dress... it was made for you, Rosalie. You look like royalty.”
Compliments flowed endlessly and Rosa could only blush.
A soft beauty like Rosa with a perfectly carved face and a figure that carried innocence, she stood out the moment she stepped in. The moment she entered the prom venue, heads turned. Whispers floated. Boys paused mid-sentence. To many boys, she looked like something ethereal.
Rosa’s eyes twinkled as she looked at Aria. The dress Aria wore hugged her figure was a floral design trailing across the fabric. “You look so pretty, Aria.” she whispered with a soft smile.
Aria rolled her eyes playfully. “Please, I look like a bush next to you. I’m lowkey jealous, Rosa. You could wear a sack and still outshine everyone.”
Rosa let out a lighthearted giggle, gently shaking her head.
She stood near the refreshment table with a glass of strawberry juice in hand. Her eyes kept flicking toward the entrance, waiting and hoping for Killian. But he hadn’t arrived.
Max, on the other hand couldn’t stop watching Rosa. Leaning casually against a pillar, his gaze never left the golden girl. His friends nudged him with teasing smirks.
“Dude’s enchanted.” one of them teased.
Suddenly a female voice echoed through the speakers, pulling everyone’s attention.
“Alright, everyone! The highlight of the prom night begins now. The first dance! Choose your partners and make your way to the dance floor!”
Excitement filled the air. Lights dimmed and a soft silver glow bathed the center floor. Couples spun under the lights like living art.
Rosa’s lips parted slightly. Her eyes wide in wonder. The glow reflected in her eyes like stars floating in the water.
One by one, boys approached her. Each offered his hand with a hopeful smile, asking Rosa to be their dance partner.
But Rosa smiled politely whispering “I’m sorry.” again and again.
Her heart wasn’t here. It was waiting.
And then Rosa felt a shift in the air. Her head turned toward the entrance and there he was. Killian.
The dim light hit his features in angles making him look cruelly perfect.
Her breath stopped.
Soon Killian disappeared into the crowd. Rosa stood frozen, eyes darting around and trying to catch another glimpse.
Her shoulders sank slightly.
She turned toward the glowing dance floor, where couples spun like painted dreams. She held her strawberry juice a little tighter.
Nora’s gaze burned with jealousy from across the hall. She couldn’t stand it, Rosa looked too beautiful tonight. It was unfair how effortlessly the girl captured attention. The way boys kept walking up to her and trying to win a moment of her time made Nora’s fists clench at her sides.
Aria sipped her juice quietly, her eyes following the couples dancing under the soft lights. Then she leaned close. “Rosa... you see that boy in the corner?”
Rosa followed her line of sight, scanning the crowd until her eyes landed on him. Aria continued with a dreamy smile, “He’s so handsome, right? I like him.”
Rosa gasped softly, turning to her friend with wide eyes. Aria blushed, sipping her drink again. Rosa nodded, a smile forming on her lips, teasingly excited for her.
But then Rosa noticed something else. The boy stood beside someone familiar. Ivan, her senior. And he was looking right at her.
So Aria liked one of Ivan’s friends? Rosa blinked in surprise.
“I wish he would come and ask me to be his partn--” Aria’s words died in her throat and her eyes widened. “Rosa, why is he walking this way?”
Rosa turned confusedly only to see the boy Aria had just been admiring making his way toward them. He stopped right in front of Aria, his smile was soft and sincere.
“Hey, beautiful. I’m Noah. Would you do me the honor of being my partner?” he asked in the most gentle way.
Aria stood frozen, blinking at him in disbelief. Rosa’s lips parted in surprise too, glancing at her friend’s flustered expression.
After a heartbeat, Aria slowly placed her hand in his with her cheeks burning pink and a shy smile at her lips.
She turned to Rosa and offered her a look full of excitement and one of those ‘can you believe this is happening?’ quiet smiles before letting herself be led onto the dance floor.
Rosa took another sip of her juice, her gaze drifting until it found two figures. Killian stood tall, hands tucked into his pockets while Miss Ava stood before him, smiling, laughing and speaking with ease.
Killian remained cold, his sharp eyes briefly flickered toward Rosa. She met his gaze and her faint smile slowly faded.
Rosa’s vision trembled. Her pupils oscillated between his piercing blue eyes and Ava. Her hands trembled, a painful ache settling deep inside her chest.
Why are they always together?
Unable to bear it any longer, Rosa tore her eyes away and looked toward the dance floor. The sparkle in her eyes dimmed, swallowed by a quiet sadness. Was she jealous?
The quiet insecurities filled her naive heart. What if he already likes someone else? Someone like Miss Ava?
“Hey, Rosa. How are you?” a sudden voice broke through her thoughts. Rosa looked up to find Ivan standing before her.
“I-I’m fine.” she stammered.
Ivan smiled gently. “If you don’t mind, would you like to dance with me?”