With that said, I turned around, unlocked the rest room and stepped out, rolling the neck tie off my hand, so I could join the rest of the reception as if nothing had happened because, after all, I didn’t show this side of me to the world.
Only to those that mess with my people. Or, in this case, my woman.
***
Christian Kingston.
“There you are, man! I’ve been looking all around for you.” Nathan’s voice welcomed me, the minute I stepped foot back at the reception hall. He popped up right in front of me, his suit jacket and neck tie discarded as well, leaving the white dress shirt. I still have my suit jacket, only that the neck tie got discarded for a reason so much different from his.
I offered him a smile, one of my hands tucked in the pocket of my pants while the other laid by my side. “What’s up? Why were you looking for me?”
“Why else man? It’s our bro’s wedding! We need to enjoy it to the fullest and let me tell you, there are a lot of beautiful bridesmaids here.” He swung an arm over my shoulder, coming to stand beside me as he steered us to look in the direction of the so called bridesmaids that he seems to have pinned his attention on tonight.
I rolled my eyes, shaking my head in the process. Shrugging his arm off my shoulders, I moved to stand in front of him. “Scramble away.” I muttered under my breath, removing my hand from my pocket so as to wipe the nonexistent dirt he left on my shoulders due to his hands being there.
Only, as I slipped my hand out, the box of cigarette from earlier followed as well, dropping to the floor and earning both our attention. Nathan’s brows drew in upon seeing the little box, his lips slanted into a deep frown.
“When did you start smoking?” He inquired, sounding confused as he lifted his curious eyes to meet mine. “I thought you hate the smell of it, and alcohol. You don’t do both, or did you start over the past two years you’ve been overseas.”
“Of course, not.” I stated earnestly, as I leaned down to picked up the box before moving behind him to the small trash can there, before tossing it where it belongs. I’m done with it anyway. Then, I turned around to look at Nathan. “I’m leaving, by the way.” I looked over his shoulder, my gaze landing on the person I was looking for. “Chris seems occupied, let him know I’ve left, okay?” I said, referring to our mutual friend, the groom that seems to be having the time of his life with his wife and the others on the dance floor.
It would be a waste if I try to get through to him when he’s caught up like that. Besides, I would hate to interrupt him when he’s having such a good time.
“Already?” Nathan’s slightly dilated eyes met mine. “But,” He turned around to the crowd, looking around till he spotted whom he was looking for, then he gestured to the person. “She’s still here. Won’t you take her home with you? I thought you two truly have a thing going?”
I followed his line of sight, my gaze falling on Isabella as she conversed with Mr. Pierce, seeming too into it as well. It was clear as day she was in her full businesswoman mode, and I would be lying if I said she didn’t look even more beautiful at the moment.
And did I say how pretty she looks in that mustard dress? I’m kind of upset with how it hugs her frame, and how every guy here can see her and admire her-believe me, I’ve caught some straying eyes in her direction, watching her with not so holy eyes. However, I’m then again reminded that they could all see her beauty as well and appreciate it-something her useless ex husband hadn’t appreciated.
And then there’s her hair, the beautiful auburn curls in wavy locks, perfectly styled and flicked over her shoulder on one side, exposing the beautiful cream skin there. Her lips, though it only had nude lipstick, still accentuated is fullness and heart shape, so inviting, it reminds me of that night we kissed, and I yearned to feel her soft lips under mine again. All in good time though.
Seeing her reminded me of her encounter with James earlier. I’d seen and heard every single thing he told her out loud. I couldn’t help it, my eyes drew to her the moment she arrived at the reception, and though I was surrounded by friends trying to get my attention, I couldn’t care less. Not when that 5’5 woman has my attention entirely.
Truth be told, I couldn’t be more grateful she didn’t rebuke back at James after those last words he said to her. He wanted a reaction out of her, which he doesn’t deserve in the slightest. After everything he put her through, the last thing he needs is to get under her skin and see it as well.
She did a good job hiding it, though I could tell from the hands she fisted by her side that it took everything in her to not rebuke back, just as it took everything in me to not go over there and claim her right there and then. But, I know it was something she needed to do on her own, and knowing her, my presence would’ve annoyed her more than make her feel relieved.
So, I left the talking and soft part up to her. She shouldn’t have to waste her energy and anger on him-that’s my job, and I intend to clean it up for her so she does not get her pretty hands dirty. After everything she’s gone through, I’m more than willing to be her executor.
“Nah, I’ll leave her to herself. She seems to have things to round up.” I said instead, offering Nathan a smile. Sparing her one last lingering glance, I turned around to face Nathan again a pat on his shoulder, “See you later, man.” Not waiting for his response, I turned around and made my way out of the reception, deeming my work done for the day.
Slipping my hand into the pocket of my pants, I pulled out my phone and dialed the first number there, bringing the phone to my ear as I made my way to the parking lot. He picked up after the third ring, and I wasted no time giving him my instructions immediately. “Pull James Donnelly’s company into the mud, make it go bankrupt in 24-no, 12 hours,” It’s already halfway through, I’ll just make it faster. “Also, check which hospital his father is in, and pay his medical bills if it hasn’t been cleared.” James said Alexander Montague said he’ll pay, but I doubt he’s already done so since he hasn’t gotten what he wanted exactly.
“Are you ruining, or helping him?” I could hear the confusion in Carter’s voice, as he wondered what’s going through my mind. He doesn’t know my reasons, since as much as he knows about me, I wanted to keep Isabella’s secret to myself.
“What do you think?” I spotted my car, the sleek black Lamborghini parked amongst the other rows of cars there, then unlocked it with the remote in my hand. Stepping into the passenger seat, I shifted the phone to my other ear. “I have some beef to settle with the old man, and I can’t exactly do that when he’s sick or dead, so I need him as alive and healthy as possible.” Then, I’d make him feel the pain of the abuse Isabella went through in his hands. That is why I need him healthy. I can’t break someone that’s already broken. If that’s the case, I need to repair it, then break him again, in my way this time.
“Got it.” Carter, like the good assistant he is, didn’t ask further questions regarding that. He’d never said a thing about my so called dark side, as others like to call it. The perfect example of walk, and talk like angel, you’re the devil type. Instead, he switched the topic. “So, how was the wedding? Particularly, how was your encounter with Miss Montague? Should we expect good news?” I should’ve known that wouldn’t get past him and that he wouldn’t shut up about it.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.