Chapter Nineteen

Alina POV

My grandfather didn’t look pleased to see me, the anger on his face only deepening as I walked through the front door of one of his penthouses with my purse in hand. This was the agreed location and also to avoid any cameras that might follow me.

I smiled awkwardly at him, and he just scowled even harder. “You’re are going to tell me what is going on”

“Sure I am”  I agreed, sounding a little more defensive  than I had intended.

He wasn’t exactly known for being the forgiving type.

“What is going on? First it was the sudden marriage, and now those photos? Why did you not mention them?”

“I didn't know they were in existence until yesterday grandfather” I bowed my head in shame. It didn't matter how much of my past I had tried to erase, they seemed to always find their way back to me, to where they truly belonged. It didn't matter if I hid or not.

He sighed, running his hand down his face “Why couldn’t you have called first? It takes time for things like this to process.”

“It was the last thing on my mind but my husband handled it” I mumbled.

He took my face in his hands and forced me to make eye contact.

“You see Alina when your parents lost you, you were only five and their world came crashing down. Now you are back and having to do everything by yourself and no one understands why you did the things you did and what you went through. You are young and still getting used to life again, you need help and if you don’t call for me, I won’t be able to help you. I need to know that none of these would affect my company” He held my gaze firmly as if he were telling me there were no other options.

That I could either trust him. I felt tears sting my eyes. Maybe it was because he mentioned the parents I never got to meet, maybe it was because I needed to let him know that I wasn't weak, that I could handle it: " Please just don’t cut me out. Don't keep me in the dark”

He released my face, letting out another sigh. “For now I will be watching you closely”

I knew he wasn't bluffing. When I returned to Sebastian, there was a dress laid on the bed, with matching jewelry and shoes.

“What are these for?”  I asked, looking at the items in question.

“Get dressed, we are late” He answered, grabbing the outfit off the bed and giving them to me.

“Where are we going? And you didn't think it was important to inform me first? You can't order me around Sebastian. I had a life before all of these, I still have a life. I would appreciate an earlier notice next time”

“Just get dressed Alina, you need this”

“You don't know what I need!”

“Get dressed Alina, at least this should be a thank you from you. I saved you again, remember?” I hated the smirk on his face when he spoke. He knew he had won the argument and I hated him even more for that.

I still didn't move. I remained there, glaring at him even though he now had his back turned to me.

When he eventually turned around to look at me. “It's a gala, Alina, get over yourself”

“What gala?”

“You will see when we get there, get ready” His voice was clipped and left me no choice but to obey.

Sebastian drove us in his BMW, I sat beside him in silence, I didn’t want to get upset further but also wanted some answers on how he had cleared those pictures.

“When we get in, smile and hold onto me. We would pose for a couple of pictures and then we would move. Of course some dumb asses would ask questions, ignore them”   he stated calmly.

“I know how it works” I barked at him.

“You've been to a gala with a man in the last five years? I would have seen that somewhere” He chuckled to himself.

Motherfucker!

We arrived at the venue about fifteen minutes later and were greeted at the entrance by a tall blond guy with a fake grin plastered on his face. His eyes looked over Sebastian body briefly before focusing on me.

“Good evening Sir and Ma’am”

Sebastian nodded shortly in response while the guy opened the door and led us in.

There were cameras everywhere flashing like crazy, I was sure it scared people half to death but that was a lie. They were all used to it. The lights and unnecessary shouting made my anger and headache worse so instead of moving to the side, I just stood stock still as Sebastian tried to steer me away from the flashing cameras after we had taken a few pictures.

His hand guarded my waist  tightly, preventing the flashes from blinding me. I didn't know when relaxed behind it.

Once we were inside, he didn't let go. I was not oblivious to the stares I was receiving

from people standing nearby. I could feel my cheeks burn slightly under the intensity of the scrutiny. I could hear them whispering to each other behind my back.

“Put your head high, never cower over gossip” He whispered, the words almost brushing against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. “They are here to judge you, you might as well give them something to admire”  He added, his lips moving to my ear as his hand moved slowly across my lower back, causing goosebumps to rise up my body.

“Moreover you look better than every female here”  He continued with a husky voice. I didn't want him to stop whispering in my ear. I pushed that dark desire down the fiery pits of Hades.

Sebastian wasn't lying, the dress he picked for me  was elegant yet classy. The bodice hugged my bust in a sexy manner showing off my cleavage, and highlighting my breasts in a moderate yet soft way. I was wearing black heels that gave me a nice height which made me appear taller. My makeup was subtle yet elegant as usual. The effect was amazing.

“Thank you” I muttered  quietly, smiling gratefully before I could stop myself. He seemed satisfied with this answer.

We moved to a group of men all in suits similar to the one Sebastian was wearing but none seemed to look perfect in it like him. He introduced me, and every time he said “My wife” they responded with an overly enthusiastic handshake.

After a while, we got champagne while still exchanging pleasantries. Sebastian excused himself to use the restroom and I was left to feed my eyes to my drink and pretend to listen to one of them talk about work while staring at my feet. After I finished the wine, I took a deep breath and began to look around me in order to gather information about the crowd. It was then I felt a hand around my waist. I thought it was Sebastian until I heard that oddly familiar voice.

“Hello Alina”