Chapter 3

The ball was exactly the way I expected. Wealthy men and women, looking for better ways to spend their money, to make them feel special. 

And I didn’t like it. I wasn’t one to pretend, but it felt like I truly needed to be over here.

My hand was in Trent’s, and he pulled me across the red carpet; the cameras flashed, and my nervousness grew. 

Just when I was about to make a run for it, I felt an arm around my waist, and Trent pulled my body closer. 

Every part of me shut down, because it felt like there was a plan that I didn’t know.

Then his head dipped, and his lips brushed against my ears, sending volts through me, as memories of that night flashed in my head. 

“Trent…” I whispered for fear of my own heart, but his grip tightened. 

“Relax, and keep your head up. You look like a frightened cat.” He said in the softest voice, and I swallowed. 

A frightened cat would be an understatement, so my body relaxed. 

This was a side of him that I had never seen, and somehow, I felt safe. 

“Thank you,” I said as soon as we walked into the room. 

A set of ladies walked over.

“Oh my gosh. Mr. Vaughn. You came?”

“Sir? You are married?”

“We didn’t know.”

I watched with a cold gaze as they frolicked around my husband like I was nonexistent. 

“Yes, he is. And you can’t know because I told him to keep it private. You shouldn’t give pearls to pigs who can’t use them, you know.” I said, giving them a short smile, while I pulled Trent away from there.

“I think we get some drinks,” I said, with gritted teeth, not even turning back to see his reaction. 

It was when we reached the drink stand that I finally turned to face him, and that was when reality dawned on me. 

“I’m so sorry,” I said, looking down, avoiding his cold gaze. 

Did I just throw him across the freaking room because I was jealous? 

“Learn to control your emotions so you don’t embarrass me.” His voice came out, and it felt like a punch to my guts. “Pulling me out of a conversation without letting me speak to my acquaintance is nothing but rude, Camilla. Act like a wife sometimes.”

I looked up at him, his words echoing in my head. Act like a wife?

What did that mean? I swallowed my pain. 

“I’m sorry for embarrassing you,” I replied, holding back the tears that threatened to spill, and my hands dropped the glass of drink. “I’d act better and control my emotions from now on.” I bit my lips, digging my nails into my palm.

Why did I ever think he had changed? Or why did I agree to come here?

“Good. I’d appreciate that. Wait here for me; I need to see the premium partners. They hosted the ball.”

“Good luck,” I muttered, turning my gaze away from him, even though his eyes still lingered on me.

Without another word, Trent walked away, and the ache in my chest vanished along with it. 

There was nothing here for me. I didn’t know anything to mingle with the right people. My hand went to the snack bites on the table, and I slowly nibbled on them while sipping my drink.

My eyes landed on the couples in the room; every one of them had their partners with them as they spoke, but I was left alone, even after being forced to come here. 

“Playing chess is a lot better than this boring place,” I said, with a click of my tongue, turning to take another snack bite. 

“I agree.”

It was short, but the voice was rich enough for me to pause what I was doing. 

“Thank you.” I shrugged and turned back to my little dinner. To think I could cook far better than this. Where the heck did people get so many horrible caterers for such important large-scale events?

“How are you enjoying that? So bland.”

The laughter that escaped me was unplanned, and this time I turned my head to see this person. 

In all honesty, I should have kept my head down.

Staring down at me was a tall man; he should be around six feet four inches, because I was a tall woman myself, and I didn’t wear any long heels. 

His perfectly trimmed beard highlighted his handsomeness, and it captured me along with his bright green eyes. I assumed his age to be around his early thirties. If I was right, then I owed myself a chocolate sundae. 

“You wanna take a picture?” He said, breaking into a large grin. 

I smiled back, “You know, for someone who came to me, I could ask you the same thing.” I said, folding my arms across my chest. 

“Let’s just say I was captured by curiosity.”

“And so am I,” I responded, and then we both laughed. 

I never thought I’d be this free with a man. My relationship with Trent had kept me quite distanced from the male gender. You could say it was trauma.

But it was different with this man. 

“I was just having a taste of the bites because I wanted to find out how to make them taste better,” I explained, popping another snack into my mouth.

“You are a caterer? I actually might need that one day, especially if you can make something better than this. Here’s my card.” He said, and I smiled.

Aside from working as a house manager, I was also quite great at cooking, so I didn’t think it would be bad. 

“I’d call you if I ever decide to make some quick money,” I answered, putting the card into my bag.

Then he chuckled, “Better still, you can call me whenever you want.” His voice held a low meaning, but I chose to ignore it. 

A pregnant woman like me, looking to play around. I wouldn’t have the time if I was thinking about my baby’s life. 

“Okay then, and may I know your name?” I asked back, slowly sipping my drink.

It was at that moment that I felt a hand slip around my waist. 

I had not noticed that Trent was making his way back. Was I so involved in this man?

“Hello, Uncle.”

What?