5. A thanks? Is that all?

ELOWEN

The man whom I had only witnessed in interviews, news, and billboards was actually standing right in front of me.

He wore an expensive dark suit with a white shirt beneath; somehow, it was his signature dress code because whenever I had seen him, he had been wearing the same style. His sleek black hair brushed back, emerald eyes sharp and cunning, and that sharp jaw covered with carefully trimmed stubble.

The man is undeniably handsome, so much so that it suffocates unknowingly…

“Quite the scene.” He said again, his deep voice carrying a smooth weight of command.

Perhaps another time I would have carefully interacted with a man like him, but now—I wasn’t in the mood.

“Funny, isn't it? Seems like you've enjoyed it quite a bit.” My words rolled out bitterly. Tonight wasn't supposed to be like this, yet here I am.

“Well, it depends.” He leaned casually against the railing, letting his words flow smoothly. His eyes caught the glow of the city; for a second, it felt calm, yet it was a perfect disguise.

From experiences in this male-dominated business world, I knew he's a predator at ease, every inch of him is curved with danger.

He didn’t move, he only watched me with that unnerving gaze, seemingly studying me. “I must say, you were more entertaining than the scene itself.”

“Glad, at least someone had fun.” I scoffed. My tone was flat, the heat of insult coiling within me.

He slowly walked to my side. I blinked, unable to understand his motive. He only gave me a small smirk, though, before holding a glass full of wine out to me. “Feel, you deserve it.”

I glanced at him once and then at the glass. I had a mind to decline, almost, but—if relief had walked over itself, why deny it? Therefore, I took the glass and slightly raised it at him. “Thanks for the generosity.”

“My pleasure…” He muttered and then took a sip of his own wine. All the while, his eyes were on me, and that did something within me more than it should.

I looked away, blinking. What the hell is happening?

“It's a crime to wander alone when you have charming company beside.” His words disrupt my thoughts, forcing my eyes on him again.

His smirk, very mild, yet—it's there, almost piercing.

I swallowed, and blinked twice, only with a realisation hitting me… Is he—flirting with me?

He leaned forward a bit, “I know I'm handsome, but don’t give that look, tempest, it might burn more…”

Whoa! What!? I gasped in silence, my eyes widened at the shameless audacity of the man.

I was almost prepared to snap back at him, when—

“Elowen?”

A familiar tone fell behind, almost startling me as I stumbled backwards. I turned on my heels and there he was, Adrian Hale, standing with his false charm.

He appeared dishevelled, his face drained of colour.

I raised a brow at him, “What do you want now? Wasn't it enough already?” Annoyance rolled out of my lips.

“You—” He perhaps wanted to raise his voice, but seeing my sharpness, he changed his approach. “You can't suddenly decide anything alone, Elowen. We should talk it out.” His fake calmness was too fake.

I couldn’t help but chuckle, “Seriously?” I leaned against the railing behind. “Did you inform me before dropping your pants for your whore? You didn't. So, it's now equal. I opted for divorce and that's final.”

He froze, his smug mask cracking just enough to show the storm beneath. “Do you think walking out changes anything?” His teeth clenched tightly. “What will you do alone? You have nowhere else to go, nor do you have any identity.”

The corners of my lips twitched bitterly. He pretends as if he knows everything about me, while in reality, he knows nothing of who I truly am. If only he had known, he and his family would have worshipped my feet.

But great he didn't know, otherwise how would I have known his truth.

“Listen to me, Elowen.” He spoke again, stepping a bit forward. “Quit this drama. You've already done enough nonsense. You wanted to publicise our relationship, didn't you? I'll give it to you if you are a good girl.”

I only stared at him in disbelief. How could someone be so shameless?

He just used a coaxing tone he always does. Whenever any argument arose, he would touch me, he would toss a bouquet of flowers before me, thinking it was his way of apologising, I would melt and give in. Each time it was my apologising, thinking it’s not shameful since he's the man I love.

Now, he made it clear that it was not. My giving in meant begging to him, and that crawled my skin with utter disgust.

I chuckled out loud, all the while feeling a burning gaze on me beside, and that's when, something struck me…

“Well, the thing is, I don't need your recognition now, not anymore.” I moved to my side, touching Alexander Veyrek's arm slightly, “I have better than you now…”

I felt both men stiffen, one away from me and the other beneath my touch. I turned to the man beside me. His eyes were stuck on me, unreadable. Well, he chose to start it; I'm just taking it a bit further.

The warmth of his radiated through my palm; it was intense and suffocating, yet the game had begun already, and I couldn't back off now.

Adrian's face dropped, his expression darkened, his eyes had reddened, “you—” He perhaps wanted to scream or worse, beat me?

But then his eyes flicked past me, toward the man leaning against me. And just like that, he faltered.

His tone lowered. “Elowen, listen to me—”

I wanted to cut him off, but before I could, suddenly I felt a warm touch on my waist and before I realised, I was pulled to his sturdy chest almost violently.

I gasped, my eyes shot up only to meet the most evil smirk I had ever witnessed. His hot breath tickled my face, “Didn't she say it's over, Hale?” His gaze fell on Adrian. “Didn't you hear?”

The darkness in his tone even sent a chill down my spine.

The silence stretched. Adrian’s confidence shrank, as if he’d been stripped bare.

Adrian swallowed, “Sh-she's my wife.” His tone shook, trying his best to control but failed.

“Oh?” Alexander’s brow raised, revealing the cut in his sharp brow, “I thought she already signed in divorce papers.”

“We…” He swallowed again, “I want to discuss this privately with her.”

I laughed coldly, the sound slicing through his facade. “There is nothing left to discuss.”

“You heard the lady, Hale…” Alexander’s support strengthened my stance more, although I didn’t like it, I couldn't deny the effect either.

For a moment, I thought Adrian might explode. But then, with Alexander there, he only fumed, his eyes reddened, “This isn’t over...” With that, he turned around and strode away with his bleeding pride…

The silence he left behind was deafening. My chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, my hands trembling, though I forced them still. My breathing is shallow.

It took me a while to get a grip on myself, and when I did, the first thing I did was free myself from the suffocating man.

“I—umm, thanks…” I muttered, looking away as I rubbed my bare arms. Suddenly feeling so cold and empty.

“Is that all? A thanks?” His lips twitched slightly, making my breath hitch.

I swallowed hard and looked up at him; although his gaze was burning me within, I didn't let his presence intimidate me, I couldn't.

“Yes, a thanks.” I said, steadying my voice. “You were entertained today, weren't you, consider it as the payment. That's all…” Uttering those words, I turned on my heels and walked away from that overbearing place with my head held high, although my back was burning with his intense stare and my heart was throbbing madly.

I hope we don't cross paths next time…