Chapter 7 Eyes on Us
About half an hour later, Julian was dressed in a navy blue tux and a silver bowtie that matched her dress.
Elena felt a little self conscious when she descended the stairs and saw Julian standing here.
His eyes were fixed on her and for a second, she couldn't decipher what he felt.
Was that admiration she saw? Or shock? Or desire?
“You look stunning," he said as he held her hands and brought her down the last step.
“You think so?" She looked down at the dress.
It was a little short and she felt uncomfortable with the deep neckline.
“There's no woman prettier than you, Elena," he replied and kissed the back of her palms.
With one arm, he took her purse and then guided her all the way down.
Elena flushed and allowed him lead her across the living room out to the garage.
A driver bowed and Julian nodded at him. “The Greta Charity night," he said and the driver nodded as he went into the car.
Julian grabbed the door for her and she slid.
"Are you comfortable?” He asked and she nodded, taking back her purse.
The drive was silent as Elena sat, barely seeing the view when her mind was deep in thoughts.
The white room she'd seen earlier still shook her and she had a ton of questions about the house and what happened years ago to have him install all those cameras.
But somehow, she felt he wouldn't give her the answers she needed.
A few minutes later, they arrived at the venue and the car came to a stop.
Julian stepped out first and rounded the car smoothly, one hand already reaching for her door.
Elena watched him through the tinted glass for half a second before placing her hand in his when he opened it.
“Careful,” he murmured, steadying her as she stepped down. “The ground’s uneven.”
She nodded, suddenly aware of how close he was, how naturally his body angled toward hers like it belonged there.
She shivered.
“Are you cold?” he asked quietly, eyes flicking to her bare arms.
“A little,” she admitted.
Without hesitation, he slipped off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. It was warm and heavy with his scent, and her fingers instinctively curled into the fabric.
“Better?” he asked.
“Yes,” she whispered. “Thank you.”
He didn’t reply, just rested his hand at the small of her back and guided her forward.
The moment they stepped into the banquet hall, Elena felt eyes turn to her. .
There was a sudden silence as every eye settled on them.
This was their first public appearance since the very eventful wedding.
And it showed. Everyone was staring as if they expected some other show to start.
Julian’s hand slid into hers, their fingers threading together firmly.
“I don't think this was a good idea," she muttered and almost missed a step.
Julian was so close to her that he grabbed her waist softly and leaned down. “Keep walking, don't look around.”
She swallowed and nodded, matching his stride.
They moved down the aisle between rows of round tables dressed in white and gold.
Elena could feel the stares as she walked past a group of nicely dressed women.
“Is that her?”
“That’s his wife?”
“I thought the marriage was just a rumor.”
“She’s younger than I expected.”
“She looks so plain and ordinary.”
Her chest tightened and immediately, Julian squeezed her hand as if he knew she needed the reassurance.
At the front row, he pulled out her chair himself and waited until she sat before taking his own seat beside her.
The murmurs didn’t stop.
If anything, they grew bolder now.
“She doesn’t look pregnant.”
“Then why the rush?”
“I heard he married her to secure a deal.”
“She must be so desperate.”
Elena stared straight ahead, heart racing as she heard her own life being discussed like some reality show.
She couldn't wait for the event to be over.
It was when Julian shook a few hands beside them that two young women approached.
They were both stunning in different ways.
One was blonde, tall and elegant, wearing a velvet black dress that left very little to the imagination.
The slit was so deep that her thighs were on full display and her back was barely covered.
The other was a brunette with dark eyes and an equally provocative body-hugging dress.
The brunette didn’t wait for handshakes, she just marched directly to Julian.
“Julian,” she purred, slipping her hand onto his arm far too comfortably. “You’ve been impossible to reach.”
Elena stiffened.
The woman leaned closer, her fingers sliding up his sleeve as if she had done this a hundred times before.
Julian gently removed her hand.
“Hello to you too," he replied politely.
"Oh sweetheart, you've been so far away from sight. I thought you traveled,” she said sweetly and grabbed his face, "did you get me my favorite chocolate?”
“Camille,” he said coldly, “this is inappropriate.”
The brunette laughed lightly, unfazed. “Since when?”
“Since I got married.”
Both women froze.
“Married?”
Julian turned slightly and placed his hand over Elena’s, lifting it just enough to make the ring show.
“Ladies,” he said evenly, “this is my wife. Elena Thorne.”
Elena forced a polite smile.
The blonde recovered first. “Oh. Well. Congratulations.”
The brunette’s gaze moved slowly to Elena, assessing her. “Wife?” she echoed. “We thought that was just a newspaper rumor.”
Julian didn’t blink. “The press doesn’t publish rumors about my personal life.”
The brunette tilted her head. “Then why the rush?” Her eyes dropped pointedly to Elena’s stomach. “Is she pregnant?”
Elena’s face burned.
Julian’s expression hardened instantly.
“I don’t explain my marriage to anyone,” he said coldly. “Especially not you.”
“What's wrong, Julian? You used to be nicer to me," she said and pouted.
"We had a good business deal while it lasted,” Julian said and then added, "now, if you don't mind, I have others to speak with.”
The blonde cleared her throat. “We should excuse you.”
“Yes,” Julian agreed. “You should.”
The brunette looked stunned and the other had to drag her to leave. .
Elena exhaled shakily, fingers tightening around his.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Your friends don’t like me.”
Julian turned fully toward her. “They’re not my friends.”
She blinked. “They aren’t?”
“They’re acquaintances,” he corrected. “And their opinions don’t matter.”
“But—”
He leaned closer, his voice low. “What matters is that you’re here with me.”
Her heart skipped.
Still, the room felt too foreign and she wasn't ready to mingle just yet. The marriage was still too new, even to her.
He must have felt her stiffen, because he asked, “are you okay?"
“I need to use the restroom,” she said suddenly.
He nodded immediately. “Take your time. I’ll be right here.”
She stood and moved to the small door leading out of the hall.
The bathroom was quiet and blessedly empty.
Elena locked herse
lf into a stall, leaned back against the cool wall, and exhaled slowly.
Just as she was catching her breath, her phone vibrated in her clutch.
She looked at the screen and felt her stomach sink.
Eva.