CHAPTER 4

Aldwin’s gaze found me. The serious conversation was broken. His eyes pinned me to a spot for a few seconds, then his friend leaned in, whispering something close to his ear. He gave a nod, then his gaze broke from me, and they continued their conversation.

I felt a sudden chill. I had screamed for his attention with my entire body, and he had glanced. But then, he simply looked away.

I came down from the platform. As I walked to my table, a sudden applause followed me; it was meaningless. Ralph was back; he looked disappointed.

“What was that for?” He asked in a low voice

“I felt like dancing,” my lips curved into a resigned laugh.

He watched me closely as I took a slow sip of my drink.

“You looked horny,” he said flatly, “The whole fucking time, up there, you didn't look like yourself.” He caught my wrist. “What's going on, Kora?”

“Man, I was merely having a good time. I danced.” I said, trying to sound convincing, but his eyes still searched my face.

“No. Is this because of that billionaire? He wasn't buying it. “You've been acting weird since he walked in.”

Was it that obvious?

Ralph seemed different now. He would always let things slide. Everything I did was usually fine by him, so why the sudden inquisitiveness?

“Blame it on the alcohol,” I said lightly. He gave me a long, hard stare, then went quiet.

I tried to keep the conversation going despite his aloofness, texting Lisa at the same time. I lifted my head when someone pulled out the chair Lisa had occupied and sat down.

It was him.

My heart pounded, loud above the music. Now I was looking into his eyes, they were dark and threatening in a way that felt seductive.

“Do you mind?” he asked, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.

“I… no. I don't mind.” I stammered, my heart still pounding loudly. Ralph seemed lost.

“What's your name?”

“I'm Kora.”

“Kora.” He gave a slow nod. “You danced so well.”

“Thank you.” I smiled, a slight shiver running through me.

I glanced toward the VIP balcony, surprised to find his friends watching intently.

“Kora,” he said calmly. “I'd love to marry you.”

My mind went blank. My hands slipped weakly onto the table. What did he just say to me? This wasn't how I imagined it.

Marry?

It was too random.

I sat there, speechless, under the weight of his expectant stare and his friends from up there, then he asked,

“Will you be my wife?”

The bar went still. It felt like a cliché because the music had actually stopped. I wasn't the only one in shock; everyone was, especially Ralph. Aldwin had publicly made it clear he wasn't interested in marriage or any kind of relationship; he had said so himself in an interview, so what the hell was happening right now?

People waited, expecting him to laugh and admit it was a prank, but he didn't.

He said again,

“Kora, I'm asking you to be my wife.”

It was the third time he asked. The noise around us suddenly pulled me out of my daze.

“Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!” The entire bar clamoured, and then,

“Yes.” I said at last, “I'll be your wife.

What just happened? Yes? My voice betrayed me before I was done thinking.

Ralph was in shock. He didn't say a word. And Aldwin, absorbed in his confidence and ego, didn't bother to ask who Ralph was, even though we were clearly together. But I said yes, so his assumption was right, if he’d even bothered to make one.

He lifted my hand, pressed a kiss to the back of it, with his eyes on me. They seemed strangely dark, and then he led me toward his table. His friends watched me in disbelief as we approached. Their stunned faces exchange glances, silently asking the same question.

Ralph left as soon as I followed Aldwin. I was glad he didn't put up a scene.

There was no ring; it wasn’t as though he had planned to get married that night, or even propose to a stranger. It wasn't fate or attraction. He had lost a bet with his friends, and I was the dare he had to pay with.

I said yes, and my life took a sudden turn. I had no idea the proposal was nothing more than an act, born out of pressure and pride. I didn’t learn the truth, not until our third wedding anniversary.

“Hey, beautiful, one of his friends said, reaching out for a handshake as Aldwin pulled out a chair for me.

I shook his hand, “You must be Tommy, my eyes can’t deceive me.” Then I sat down.

“That’s attentive of you, knowing me,” he said with a smile. “You got yourself a beautiful and smart one, Ald,” he said, rubbing Aldwin’s shoulder. His words were laced with quiet mockery.

Ald.

I guessed that was what he was fondly called.

“Of course. Who wouldn’t?” I said, adjusting myself in the chair. “You shouldn’t be surprised by your popularity.” There was a hint of sarcasm in my tone.

“You almost made my eyes pop out with those dance moves,” Tommy said, pointing at the platform.

I smiled.

Tommy, Aldwin’s close friend, was also a billionaire, though far less wealthy than Aldwin. He had inherited a legacy: the Parker Group, a centuries-old conglomerate. He was a certified playboy; every lady’s piece of cake, and was always in the news for one dating scandal or another.

Aldwin, on the other hand, didn’t look excited at all, for a man whose proposal had just been accepted.

His two other friends weren’t as famous as he and Tommy, but they smelled rich. Tommy called for a toast. We laughed, drank, and talked about random things. Tommy was the most excited among them, while Aldwin exchanged very few words. Instead, he kept looking at me; it was more like he was still observing, assessing me. I suppose this should have been the moment when I ran away, but I didn't.

I received cold stares from some people at the bar, while others watched me with doubtful eyes.

“We should take our leave,” Aldwin said, sitting up.

“Noo… you are so boring, the night is still young, Ald. Don’t spoil the fun,” Tommy begged.

“You’ve had too much to drink. Fred, help this loser get home,” Aldwin said, and they all laughed.

I stood and followed Aldwin. He took my hand as we walked out of the bar. He looked at me with an intense gaze, and his dark brown eyes shot a cold shiver down my spine. His expression remained composed, but there was a subtle warning that lingered in his eyes, saying: This man was used to power, and to always getting what he wanted.