Chapter 3: Whatever happened in Vegas finds its way home

I expected shock. He should laugh at me and my sickly wild ambition. Maybe, become furious and send me aware. But he assessed me with renewed interest.

“ I knew I was going to like you,” he said and released me. “ I will give you a month to divorce your brother?” he made a mock sign. “ He gets what he wants. You get what you want. And I have myself an exclusive for a year. A win for all.”

We were soon back in the hall, but not too long after, silence fell in the hall.

“ Permit me to introduce you all to my son and heir, the future of Kingston group of companies…” his voice amplified through the help of the microphone. My eyes wanders to the side of the stage, and froze midway.

“ You can't be serious!” I mumbled.

“ Do you know him?” Adam asked. Between the sheer disgust of knowing what plans he had up his sleeves for me, and the guilt gnawing at my chest, I nodded. 

And the next lie that crept to my lips sounded lame, but believable. “ He was my student.”

His eyes lights up quickly. I sneer inwardly, and sought a shade from any possible sweep of his gaze in my direction. Heart palpitating within, I let out a deep breath, with reality sinking in.

“ I just made a deal with his father. His father. How am I going to survive a year under the same roof with him?”

I shake it off. It's been a long time, and I have no doubt that he must have met a girl of his liking.

“ I'm just worrying for nothing. After all, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”

Minutes later, father and son are going around, exchanging formal greetings with the guests, but for some reason, it feels like Mr. Kingston is leading his son directly towards me.

“ Adam…Moraine, this is Luthor. Luthor, meet a promising business partner. Of course, you both have met. This is his sister,” he said, and gave me a knowing look. I get it. Introducing me to my future stepson.

All along, I keep my eyes off Luthor's, but he wears a noticeable smirk. I was almost spared the torture of being within an arm's length from him, when Adam blurted out my lie.

“ It's my pleasure to meet you again. My sister says you were her student.”

My heart paced a mile in a minute. I would come off as a liar if he said no.

Luthor arched a brow, and gave him a nod. 

I feigned a smile, keeping my eyes on Adam as he chattered on. From the side of my eyes, I can see and feel the burning gaze of both father and son on my chest. 

The hall suddenly feels stuffy and cramped.

“ I'm afraid I will have to bid you all a lovely evening. I need my beauty sleep.” I said to no one in particular.

The men nod in understanding, but I wasn't expecting Mr. Kingston to invite me to stay in his guest house overnight. Before I could protest, Adam agreed that it was best for my health.

I fight the urge to roll my eyes, but Luthor's voice filters in, supporting Adam.

It appears that whatever happened in Vegas, doesn't stay in Vegas anymore.

I remember every detail like it was yesterday. It was a chaotic evening, a drunken night, and an unplanned s*x with my colleague.

It's been two years now. I buried it away from the earshot of my happy marriage.

It should have stayed buried, but Luthor is back.

As my husband's business partner.

Hexed to a haze of thought, I have tried to keep my feet moving since his arrival. I didn't expect this turn of tides.

Late in the night, Adam was still up with Luthor's father. I had retired to bed, expecting his figure by the door anytime soon.

We needed to talk. About everything.

But I heard a knock, and the second I opened up, the familiar holiday scent from Vegas hits my nostrils.

“ What are you doing, Luthor? Why are you here?”

He stifles a laugh. “ You didn't really think it would be easy for you to get rid of me after the note you left, did you?”

I blinked twice, heartbeat thrumming in my ears. 

“ I said I was sorry…”

“ I don't want your apology, Moraine. I don't give a f*ck about it. I came home to find you. And you will finish what you started by that beach side.”

I swallow hard, steadying my heartbeat. 

“ I'm married,” I said it like an announcement. “ At twenty five, you have your future in front of you. Yet you choose to come here…”

He cuts in huskily. “ In search of the woman who took my virginity.” He flatly replied, tone icy and sharp. Raw with possession and arrogance. 

This is not the young man I knew. This isn't Luthor anymore.

“ Leave,” I commanded.

He cackled, shaking his head. “ Do you not understand how things are going to be from now? I never wanted any part of my father's dirty business, but I returned home to him because of you. You don't seriously think you can send me off, do you?”

“ And what's that bad excuse of me being your former student, and of your husband being your brother?”

I shake my head, as if to dislodge the pull I feel towards him.

“ I needed to make something up and that was the only thing I could think of.” I said, ignoring the latter part of his question, and turned away from him.

His steps fall with a thud, drawing closer with every quickening breath. His Adam apple bobs as he swallow, getting dangerously close to me. “ You never told him about us? And he never mentioned me to you either.” He chuckled. “ What a couple!”

He lets out a deep sigh.“ I'm pained, you know. So, what was it to you? A one-night stand?”

I couldn't take the bait. I turned my back at him, choosing silence over a conversation. He fumed and flounced away, leaving me hanging by a breath.

“ Hopefully, he will back down when he finds out I am getting married to his father in less than a month.” I thought, listening to his receding footsteps.

Adam didn't come to bed the entire night. No doubt he must be thinking that his plans are in place already. The guts of him to sell me out for his ambition.

Dawn the next day, Mr. Kingston hosted us at breakfast, and when we were about leaving, he sent his son, Luthor, to drive us home.