Chapter 54
Wendy and Mason
"Come on," Wendy spoke to herself as she sat inside her car, stating at her parent's lavish Spanish style home. "Let's get this over with."
Stepping out of the car, Wendy shoved her keys into her pocket and walked up to the door. The sun was unsualluy hot. It was hard to believe that just a day ago she was enjoying the winter wonderland and now she was back to wearing her shorts and t-shirts.
Seeing her approaching, Wendy's mother, Amanda, stepped out of her home office and leaned against the doorfram. She took off her glasses and let them hang by the chain.
Amanda was dressed in a pair of high waisted black slacks and a silk button down shirt. Her hair was perfectly arranged, showing off an impeccable blow out. Her make up was freshly touched but Wendy could still see the red in her mother's eyes. She knew she would smell the alcohol as soon as she stepped closer.
"Well, well," Amanda said. "Look who remembered she has a family."
"Stop it," Wendy rolled her eyes. "It was one holiday away. I spent all my holidays with you guys."
"This one was especially difficult," Amanda said
Wendy followed her mother into the office, the faint scent of lemon polish and wine lingering in the air. The grand foyer gleamed, its marble floors catching the sunlight streaming through the oversized windows. Amanda's heels clicked sharply as she walked, her every step deliberate and full of judgment.
"Honestly, Wendy," Amanda began, her tone dripping with disdain. "While you were off gallivanting with your little friend, I was here, holding everything together. As usual."
Wendy bit her lip, suppressing the urge to snap back. Amanda's words always carried a sharp edge, designed to cut.
"I didn't abandon you," Wendy sighed. "I just needed a break."
Amanda scoffed, pouring herself a glass of sparkling water from the decanter on the sideboard. Wendy noticed the subtle tremor in her mother's hand and wondered how much wine had been consumed before the water made its appearance.
"A break? From what exactly? From the oh-so-difficult life I've given you? A life most people would kill for?" Amanda's laugh was bitter. "You have no idea how hard I've worked to make this family, to ensure you have every opportunity. And what do I get in return? A daughter who runs off to play in the snow with some spoiled girl instead of being here when I needed her."
Wendy flinched at the words. She hated how easily Amanda turned everything into a guilt trip.
"You weren't alone, Mom," Wendy countered, folding her arms defensively. "You had Dad. And don't speak about Lily like that."
Amanda's lips tightened, and she turned to face Wendy, her eyes narrowing. "Your father was with her, Wendy. Victoria. Playing house with his new family while I sat hereâ abandoned."
Wendy's stomach twisted. She knew her father's affair had left deep scars, but the way her mother weaponized her pain felt suffocating.
"That's not my fault," Wendy said, her voice trembling. "I'm not the reason for your issues."
"No, but you're certainly not helping," Amanda shot back, her voice rising. "Instead of supporting me, you're off making a fool of yourself with your... outfits and your childish behavior. I raised you better than this."
Wendy clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. "I'm not a child anymore, Mom. I'm allowed to make my own choices."
Amanda shook her head, taking a slow sip of her water before setting the glass down with a deliberate clink. "If you think running away from your responsibilities and dressing like a teenage boy is what adulthood looks like, then I've failed as a mother."
The words hit harder than Wendy wanted to admit. She looked away, blinking back the sting of tears.
"I didn't come here to fight," Wendy said quietly.
"Of course, you didn't," Amanda replied, her voice softening just enough to sound insincere. She reached out, tucking a loose strand of Wendy's hair behind her ear. "But I worry about you, darling. I really do."
Wendy stepped back, out of Amanda's reach. She felt a familiar weight settle in her chest, the kind that always lingered after these conversations.
"Where's Jesse?" Wendy mumbled, turning toward the kitchen in search for their housekeeper.
As she walked away, Amanda followed her, "She's with her family."
"Oh," Wendy said. "I didn't know she was going this year."
"I didn't see the point of keep her here when it was just me," Amanda pulled back a chair and took a seat at the breakfast table.
Wendy leaned against the kitchen counter, fiddling with the edge of her band t-shirt, trying to shake off the weight Amanda's words always brought. The kitchen was as pristine as ever, with spotless granite countertops and gleaming stainless-steel appliancesâuntouched, like most things in Amanda's house.
"Jesse deserves the time off," Wendy said absently, opening the fridge more out of habit than hunger.
"Of course," Amanda replied smoothly. "I've always been generous to those who deserve it." She paused, watching Wendy closely. "Speaking of generosity, I arranged something for you."
Wendy turned, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Amanda clasped her hands together, a hint of smug satisfaction crossing her face. "I spoke to Cindy and got you a paid internship at Verve. It's an excellent opportunity, and frankly, it's time you started thinking seriously about your future."
Wendy blinked, caught off guard. "You did what?"
"It's not a big deal. I happen to know one of the editors," Amanda continued, ignoring the incredulous look on Wendy's face. "You'll be working with some of the best in the business, learning the ropes of high-end lifestyle journalism. This could be your foot in the door to a real career."
Wendy's immediate instinct was to refuse. The last thing she wanted was to be thrust into something Amanda had orchestrated, let alone at a place where she'd have to navigate fake smiles and shallow conversations.
"I don't even want to go into journalism," Wendy protested.
Amanda waved a dismissive hand. "You don't know what you want, Wendy. That's precisely the problem. This will give you structure, purposeâsomething to focus on other than wasting time with... Lily."
The jab stung, but Wendy ignored it, shaking her head. "I'm not interested."
"Oh, baby," Amanda sighed. "This is a golden opportunity. Cindy sounds very excited about their new AD campaigns. They're rebranding the whole magazine and bringing in fresh faces, talented photographers, creative editors. It's a dream."
Wendy suppressed the urge to roll her eyes as Amanda continued her sales pitch, her voice lilting with exaggerated enthusiasm.
"A dream," Amanda repeated, as if she were trying to hypnotize her daughter into agreement.
"I said I'm not interested," Wendy muttered, crossing her arms.
Amanda sighed dramatically, shaking her head. "You're always so stubborn. One day, you'll thank me for this."
As her mother launched into yet another monologue about wasted potential and missed opportunities, Wendy's mind drifted.
Mason.
The thought of him working at Verve felt... off.
Mason wasn't the type to thrive in a glossy, high-glam magazine environment. She remembered seeing his Instagram, a tribute to his passion for real, hard-hitting stories and gritty photojournalismâthe kind of work that didn't fit into Amanda's world of curated perfection.
Wendy casually pulled her phone from her pocket, her thumb hovering over the screen.
Could it be true? she wondered. What if he's working at Verve?
Ignoring Amanda's continued commentary, Wendy opened her messaging app and typed out a text:
Wendy: Are you working at Verve?
She hesitated before hitting send, feeling an unexpected flicker of nervousness. It wasn't like her to reach out so directly, but the thought of Mason had her heart beating just a little faster.
Wendy: It's wendy, by the way.
Amanda's voice cut through her thoughts. "Are you even listening to me?"
Wendy looked up, forcing a neutral expression. "Yes, Mom, I heard you. Fresh faces. New campaigns. Rebranding. Very exciting."
Amanda raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with Wendy's tone. "Don't be flippant. This is your future we're talking about."
Wendy slipped her phone back into her pocket, hiding her impatience. "I'll think about it," she said, her voice carefully even.
"Good," Amanda said with a small, victorious smile. "I'll have Cindy send over the details."
Wendy didn't respond. Her mind was elsewhere, waiting for the vibration of her phone that would confirm or deny her suspicions about Mason.
As Amanda continued talking, her voice fading into the background of Wendy's thoughts, the sharp buzz of her phone vibrating in her pocket jolted her back to the moment. She instinctively reached for it, glancing at the screen.
Mason.
Her breath caught slightly as she saw his name. She hadn't expected him to call.
"Sorry, I need to take this," Wendy said quickly, stepping away from the kitchen.
"Who is it?" Amanda called after her, suspicion lacing her tone.
"Nobody," Wendy replied without looking back, her voice clipped. She slipped out onto the back patio, letting the door click shut behind her.
With a deep breath, she swiped to answer and pressed the phone to her ear. "Hello."
"Hey, sweet baby," his familiar voice came through, warm and slightly curious. "What's up with the sudden interest in my job?"
Wendy leaned against the cool stone railing of the patio, fighting back a smile. "Just something my mom said. She thinks she's got me all figured out and brought up Verve."
Mason chuckled, a low and easy sound. "I did some freelance work for for them before and they asked me to come back for their new projects."
"Doesn't really seem like your style," Wendy said.
"It's not," Mason admitted. "But it looks good on a resume."
"I bet," Wendy said. "My mom got me a paid internship at Verve."
Mason paused for a second. "Are you going to take it?"
"I don't know," Wendy admitted, her voice softening. "It's not so tempting now that I know you're at Verve. Being in the same building as you could be... disastrous."
There was a brief pause on Mason's end before he laughed, "Could be. But care to elaborate? Is it my charm? My devastating good looks? Or are you worried you'd get distracted by me constantly sweeping you off your feet?"
"Distracted is one word for it," Wendy shot back.
"Come on, Wendy," Mason said, his tone dropping into something softer, more intimate. "You know you'd love having me around. Admit itâit'd make the internship way more fun."
"Fun isn't exactly what my mom's going for," Wendy quipped, though her defenses were slipping.
Mason hummed, as if considering her words. "What if I promise to be on my best behavior around you?"
Wendy shook her head, a laugh escaping her despite herself. "What makes you think I want you on your best behavior?"
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line, followed by a brief silence. When Mason finally spoke, his voice was tinged with surprise and amusement.
"Oh, baby girl," he said, drawing out the words slowly. "I wasn't expecting that."
"What? A girl can't have a little fun?" Wendy teased, feeling a spark of confidence at his reaction.
"you're definitely allowed to," Mason replied, the grin in his voice unmistakable. "You just caught me off guard."
"I like to keep you guessing," Wendy said lightly, leaning against the patio railing.
"You're full of surprises today," Mason admitted, his tone warmer now, almost affectionate. "Not that I'm complaining. It's kind of... refreshing."
"Refreshing?" Wendy raised an eyebrow, though she knew he couldn't see her.
"Yeah," Mason said, his voice dropping slightly. "You're always so put-together, like you've got it all figured out. Seeing this side of you? The one that doesn't mind stirring the pot a little... I like it."
Wendy felt her cheeks heat up, but she refused to back down. "Maybe I'm not as predictable as you think."
"Clearly," Mason said, a low chuckle escaping him. "Guess I'll have to step up my game."
"Only if you think you can keep up," Wendy shot back, a playful edge to her words.
"Wendy," Mason said, his tone turning mock-serious. "Are you flirting with me?"
"Would that be a problem?" she asked, feigning innocence.
"Not even a little," Mason said quickly, his voice full of that easy, confident charm. "But you should know something."
"What's that?"
"I'm very competitive," Mason said, his voice softening in a way that sent a thrill down her spine. "And I don't lose."
Wendy bit her lip to hide her smile.
"Good to know," she murmured, her tone daring.
For a moment, neither of them said anything, the silence crackling with unspoken tension. Then Mason laughed, the sound light and genuine. "You're trouble, sweet girl."
"Maybe," she said, grinning now. "But I'm fun trouble."
Mason's voice was warm and full of promise as he replied, "I can't argue with that."
_______________________
Lily
Lily sat across from Jake in the cozy, retro booth of the vintage diner. The warm, ambient glow of neon signs bathed the room, casting soft pinks and blues over the checkered floors and chrome accents. The jukebox in the corner played an old rock-and-roll tune, adding to the diner's nostalgic charm. Lily twirled a fry in a pool of ketchup as Jake animatedly recounted a story, his hands moving in wild gestures that made her laugh harder than she had in weeks.
"So there I am," Jake said, leaning in conspiratorially, "on the phone with my boss, and I have no idea my mic is still on when I call him aâ"
"Jake!" Lily interrupted, bursting into laughter before he could finish. She clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Please tell me you didn't!"
Jake grinned sheepishly. "Oh, I did. And let me tell you, the silence on the other end? Deafening. I wanted to crawl under my desk and live there forever."
Lily giggled, swirling a fry in her ketchup. "Did he call you out on it?"
"He didn't have to," Jake replied, leaning back with a dramatic sigh. "His assistant walked by my desk with the biggest smirk, and I knew she heard everything."
Lily was mid-laugh when the sound of the door opening pulled her attention. Her gaze flicked toward the entrance, and her breath caught.
Gabriel walked in, his stride confident and casual as if he owned the place. His leather jacket slung over one shoulder, his friends following close behind, laughing at some joke.
Her fingers froze on her milkshake glass as her eyes trailed him. The light seemed to catch in his tousled dark hair, and his easy grin sent a pang through her chest. She barely noticed how tightly she was gripping her straw.
"Lily?" Jake's voice brought her back. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah," she said quickly, her voice a bit too high. She forced a smile and glanced at him, but her gaze kept darting back to Gabriel.
Jake followed her line of sight, his brow furrowing as he caught sight of Gabriel. "Friend of yours?" he asked, a touch of curiosity in his tone.
Lily hesitated, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. "Not exactly," she admitted, her voice quieter now.
Gabriel, meanwhile, settled into a booth near the jukebox, his laughter carrying over to where they sat. At one point, his eyes swept across the diner, and for a brief, stomach-dropping moment, Lily thought he might've looked her way.
Jake leaned in a bit, concern etched on his face. "Hey," he said softly, "if you're not feeling this, we can go somewhere else. You don't have to say anything; just nod."
Lily blinked at him, startled by the sincerity in his tone. "No, it's not that," she said quickly, shaking her head. "I'm fine. Really." She plastered on a smile, but the tension in her shoulders betrayed her.
Jake studied her for a moment, then nodded, his smile returning, though slightly softer this time. "Alright, but if I accidentally say something stupid to cheer you up, you have to promise not to hold it against me."
Lily chuckled despite herself, the warmth of his kindness cutting through her unease. "Deal."
Still, she couldn't shake the awareness of Gabriel's presence, her heart beating a little faster every time his voice carried over the diner.
With all her might, Lily tried to focus on Jake. He was hilarious and such a sweet soul. Lily couldn have spent the whole night with him, laughing over his stories. She never wanted him to stop. But no matter how funny the stories were, Lily could not shake off the feeling of Gabriel watching her.
"And thenâget thisâI thought, 'How hard can it be?' Next thing I know, I'm flat on my back, staring at the sky, and some kid rolls by saying, 'Mom, i think he's dead!'" Jake smirked, shaking his head.
Lily laughed softly, stirring her milkshake with the striped paper straw as Jake gestured wildly, recounting a story about his failed attempt at skateboarding. She tried to engage, though her attention wavered.
Lily could feel itâthe unmistakable weight of Gabriel's gaze from across the diner. Her laughter faltered, and she glanced up quickly, her eyes brushing past his table. Gabriel leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, his dark eyes locked on her. The easy smile that had graced her face moments ago slipped, replaced by a subtle tension that Jake didn't miss.
"Hey," Jake said gently, leaning forward. "You okay? You've been kind of... distracted all of a sudden."
"What?" Lily blinked, trying to refocus on him. "Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Sorry, I justâ" Her voice trailed off as she glanced toward Gabriel again. This time, he didn't look away. Her stomach twisted.
Was he amused? Annoyed? Why was he even looking at her like that?
"I'll be right back," Lily reached for her phone, pushing herself out of the booth. Her hands trembled slightly as she smoothed her skirt. "I just need to use the bathroom."
"Sure," Jake said, his brow furrowing, but he didn't press further.
Lily moved quickly, weaving between tables as she headed toward the back of the diner. The warm light and lively chatter felt stifling now, like a spotlight highlighting the chaotic mess of her emotions. As she passed Gabriel's table, she didn't dare look, but she could feel him watching her, his gaze an unrelenting pressure on her back.
When she reached the bathroom, she pushed the door open and let it close behind her with a heavy sigh. She gripped the sink, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her chest rose and fell as she tried to steady her breathing.
"Get it together, Lily," she muttered to herself, her voice low and strained.
Lily took a deep breath, glancing at her reflection one last time in the bathroom mirror. Her face was pale, her eyes still sharp with the lingering sting of frustration, but she straightened up, willing herself to shake off the unease.
As she opened the bathroom door, the noise from the diner rushed in, but something immediately caught her attention.
Gabriel was standing just outside, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed firmly on her. He was waiting.
Lily froze for a brief moment, her heart thudding hard in her chest. She hadn't expected this. Not like this. Gabriel's presence felt like a weight, pressing on her chest and filling the space with something she couldn't name. His dark eyes flickered over her.
She straightened her shoulders, trying to gather some semblance of control, but her heart betrayed her, racing faster than she could hide.
"Hey," Gabriel smiled.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice sharp, though it trembled at the edges.
"Grabbing dinner with a few friends," Gabriel grinned. "What about you? You come here often?"
"Gabriel," Lily sighed in frustration, her eyes closing as she shook her head.
"Yes, angel?" Gabriel stepped forward.
"Stop," Lily shook her head once more, her words tired and exhausted.
"Stop what, baby?" Gabriel asked, reaching out and tucking her hair back. "How was your break? I missed you."
"Stop," Lily said again, opening her eyes. "Stop this. This right here. Stop it."
Gabriel lowered his hands. His eyes still held the spark of mischief like it always did when he toyed with her.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
His question made Lily laugh. The sound was short and bitter.
"You did not just ask me that," she muttered. "You seriously can not be this much of a dick."
Gabriel rolled his eyes, "I'm actually asking. It's a real question."
"It's a question that does not need an answer," Lily snapped. "You are what's wrong. This is what's wrong. This game that you keep playing. Please, just leave me alone, okay. I don't want this. I just want to be a normal girl on a date with a normal guy."
Gabriel froze at her words, his brows furrowing. He searched her face, his dark eyes narrowing slightly as though trying to detect even a hint of insincerity. But there was none.
"You like that guy?" He asked.
"Yes!" Lily said. "I like him. And there's some small part of me that's praying there is some humanity in you and you will see that I like Jake."
"Why him?"
"Because he's funny," Lily said.
"You fell for funny?" Gabriel's expression was blank.
"And he's sweet," Lily continued. "He's normal. He doesn't play games with me. He's not a jerk to me. He asked me out on a date, he doesn't want to sleep with me to annoy his sister, he doesn't pop up everywhere I go, he can have a normal conversation with me....should I go on?"
Gabriel didn't answer. He continued to stare at Lily as she stared back at him. His usual cocky exterior had cracked, and for a split second, Lily thought she'd seen the truth beneath it allâa boy who didn't fully understand the damage he was doing.
But she was too tired to care. Too tired to unpack the reasons behind his behavior, to decipher whether his games were rooted in selfishness or something deeper.
It wasn't the first time Lily had to plead with him, to untangle herself from the webs of his teasing and games. But it felt like the first time he actually listened.
"Okay," Gabriel said, his voice barely above a whisper. "If that's what you want."
"It is," Lily said, her voice steady now. "So, please, let me have this."
Gabriel took a step back. His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he nodded again.
"Alright," he said, his voice heavy. "I'll leave you alone."
"I hope you mean it," Lily said.
"I do," Gabriel smiled.
And with that, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the hallway as he disappeared into the noise of the diner.
Lily stood there, her chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath. She had gotten what she wanted.
Finally.
______________________
Theo and Daphne
Pulling up to Daphne's apartment, Theo quickly typed a text to let her know he was downstairs. His fingers drumming impatiently on the steering wheel, his mind busy with the agent for the day. The lack of sleep was starting to catch up with him and Theo knew he needed to get his shit togther before his personal life started to effect his professional life.
As he sat thinking about the million different issues he had to address, Daphne emerged from the building, instantly stealing his breath away.
She looked stunning, her fitted pencil skirt hugging her curves in all the right places, paired with a crisp blouse and high heels that made her legs seem to go on forever. Her hair was immaculate, every strand in place, shining in the sunlight.
As she approached the car, Theo couldn't tear his eyes away. The sway of her hips, the confident click of her heels against the pavementâit all set his pulse racing.
Daphne slid into the passenger seat gracefully, her perfume enveloping him instantly. It was a soft, intoxicating blend of jasmine and vanilla, the kind of scent that lingered and teased. She adjusted her skirt as she settled in, the fabric brushing her thighs in a way that made Theo's knuckles tighten on the steering wheel.
"Good morning," she said brightly, oblivious to the storm brewing inside him.
Theo managed a nod, his jaw clenched as he fought to keep his thoughts in check. His gaze flicked to her legs before darting back to the road.
"Good morning," he said, his voice lower than usual, "You look good."
Daphne laughed softly. "Thank you, baby."
Theo gripped the wheel tighter as he pulled out onto the street, the scent of her perfume and the memory of her figure etched into his mind. The ride to work was going to feel impossibly long, and Theo could already tell it would take every ounce of self-control he had to keep his composure around her today.
As Daphne buckled her seatbelt, she noticed Theo's jaw tighten and his hand grip the steering wheel a little too hard. His usual calm demeanor seemed strained, and when she glanced his way, she caught his eyes darting down toward her legs before snapping back to the road.
Her heart skipped a beat. A faint blush crept up her neck as she adjusted her skirt, pretending not to notice the way his gaze followed the movement. The air between them felt heavier.
She turned her head slightly, studying his profile out of the corner of her eye. His jaw was set, the faintest shadow of stubble accentuating the sharp lines of his face. His breathing was steady but deliberate, as if he were trying to keep something in check.
Her lips curved into a subtle smile as she leaned back in her seat, crossing her legs slowly, the movement deliberate.
"Everything okay?" she asked, her voice light but tinged with playful curiosity.
His eyes flicked to her again, just for a moment, before he focused on the road.
"Yeah," Theo replied gruffly.
Daphne's smile widened. She didn't need him to say moreâhis body language was doing all the talking. The realization sent a thrill through her, a mix of empowerment and amusement as she settled in for what promised to be a very interesting day.
After the short drive that felt unusually long, Theo hnaded the keys to the office vale and helped Daphne out of the car. He leaned down an stole a small kiss before letting go of her hand and slipping back into his professional role.
Daphne smiled as she strode into the office lobby beside him, the click of her heels against the marble floor echoed in Theo's ears, a rhythm that matched the tension thrumming through him. He couldn't help but glance at her again, taking in the confident sway of her hips and the flawless way her skirt hugged her figure.
They reached the elevator, and Theo pressed the button, his jaw tightening as they waited. When the doors slid open, they stepped inside, the quiet hum of the elevator amplifying the charged silence between them.
Daphne stood beside him, her scent once again invading his senses. As the doors closed, she suddenly leaned against him slightly, pretending to adjust one of her heels.
"Ugh, these shoes," she murmured, her voice light and casual.
She bent forward, letting her hair cascade over her shoulder in a silky wave, the curve of her back arching just enough to make Theo's pulse spike. The movement was slow, deliberate, and utterly mesmerizing.
Theo stiffened, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. His gaze flicked down despite himself, taking in the sight before him. Heat surged through him, and he forced his eyes to the elevator buttons, pretending to focus on the glowing numbers as the floors ticked by.
"Is everything okay? You're so quiet." Daphne asked sweetly, straightening up and turning her head to look at him with an innocent smile. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and she tilted her head as if she hadn't just stolen every ounce of his composure.
Theo cleared his throat, his voice rough as he replied, "Fine. Just... hurry up with those shoes."
Daphne's smile widened knowingly, and she turned back to face the elevator doors, the corners of her lips twitching with satisfaction. The air between them was thick, electric, and as the elevator continued its ascent, Theo knew he was in for a long, torturous day.
________________________
Levi and Evie
Evie stood in the grand banquet hall, the chandelier's sparkling light reflecting off her sapphire evening gown. She moved gracefully from one guest to another, her parents beaming beside her as they introduced her and Harry, to their friends and business associates. Harry was, as always, the picture of charm, his dark suit perfectly tailored and his smile disarming.
Evie played her part with practiced ease, smiling politely and nodding as the endless string of introductions went on. Inside, her stomach churned, each glance at Harry a reminder of the tangled web she was caught in.
Her mind, however, refused to stay tethered to the present. It drifted to Levi, and the memories of him tugged at her like a siren's call. She thought of their endless hours in his apartment, stolen moments filled with laughter, teasing, and something far more intimate. The way his hands felt against her skinâdemanding but gentle, knowing exactly where to touch to make her breath hitch. His mouth, rough and insistent, drawing gasps from her that she didn't know she could make.
A flicker of warmth sparked in her chest, spreading through her like a slow-burning flame. She remembered the way his lips would hover just above hers, the teasing smile in his eyes as if daring her to close the distance. How her fingers would tangle in his hair, pulling him closer, desperate for the connection that only he could give her. Her body still hummed at the memory, a visceral response that no amount of decorum could suppress.
A voice cut through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present with jarring abruptness. Harry, turning to her with a sharp smile, whispered, "Evie, they're waiting for you."
She blinked, forcing a polite nod as she stepped forward to greet another guest. Her smile didn't falter, but her thoughts were miles away, back in Levi's apartment, where every touch, every glance, had felt like a secret she could live inside forever. Now, those memories only deepened the ache in her chest, a stark reminder of the distance between the life she was living and the one she longed for.
After what felt like an eternity, Harry and Evie found a quiet moment near the terrace, away from the crowd's prying eyes and the suffocating heat of the ballroom. The cool night air brushed against Evie's skin as she leaned against the railing, letting out a small sigh of relief.
Harry stepped closer, his hand casually brushing hers, a gesture that to any onlooker might appear affectionate. But his voice was low, sharp as a blade, as he leaned in.
"I know about your little meeting with Levi," he said, his words sending a jolt through Evie's chest. "A lawyer? Discussing your father's case?"
Evie's heart pounded, but her face remained impassive. She turned her gaze toward the city lights twinkling in the distance, refusing to look at him.
"You're really testing my patience, Evie," Harry continued, his tone a mixture of menace and mockery. "I'd hate for anything to happen to your father... or to you. You know how quickly things can go wrong."
Evie's throat tightened, but she kept her silence, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead, she clasped her hands in front of her, her knuckles white against the railing.
Harry's lips curved into a smug smile, as if her silence was all the confirmation he needed. "Good girl," he murmured, straightening and brushing a nonexistent piece of lint from his sleeve. "Now, let's go back inside. We wouldn't want anyone to suspect that you're not thrilled to be my fiancée, would we?"
Evie didn't move immediately, taking a moment to steel herself before following him back into the crowded ballroom. Her smile was back in place, as flawless as her gown, but beneath the polished exterior, her mind was racing. All she could think about was bashing Harry's head into the ball and going to town on him with a baseball bat.
She bet she would look so pretty with his blood on her wedding gown.
_____________________
Theo and Daphne
Daphne paced back and forth in the conference room, her heels clicking softly against the floor as she spoke into her phone with one of the vendors for the construction. The conversation was professional, her voice calm and assured, but her mind wasn't entirely on the call. She could feel Theo's eyes on her, his presence a smoldering weight just outside her peripheral vision.
Her heart raced, but she kept her expression neutral, pretending not to notice him as she leaned against the edge of her the table. She picked up a pen absentmindedly, tapping it lightly against her lips as she listened to the person on the other end of the line.
Theo's gaze was like a magnet, and she could sense the intensity of it, the way it lingered on her every movement. Her lips curved into a faint, knowing smile as she continued to toy with the pen, slowly sliding it between her fingers and letting her teeth graze the cap for just a moment.
She shifted her weight slightly, letting her hip press against the table's edge, her posture casual yet deliberate. As she spoke into the phone, her voice softened, taking on an almost lilting quality.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Theo's jaw tighten, his hand flexing at his side. Satisfaction curled in her chest, but she played it cool, turning her back to him as she looked out the window, the pen still tracing slow, lazy patterns along her lips.
"Yes, that's perfect. I'll confirm the details later," she said smoothly, ending the call and setting her phone down.
She finally turned toward him, her expression calm and innocent, as though she hadn't just spent the past few minutes driving him to the brink.
"Do you have any lunch plans?" she asked lightly, her eyes glinting with subtle amusement.
Theo's expression was unreadable, but his dark eyes betrayed the tension simmering beneath his composed exterior. He cleared his throat, his voice rough as he replied, "Are you free?"
Daphne smirked, her confidence soaring as she grabbed her notepad and headed for the door.
"Sure," she said over her shoulder, her voice dripping with playful challenge. "Plan something."
What will Theo plan ;)