Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

ELLIS POV

My tie was perfectly straight. I loosened it anyway, as if that small act could settle the restlessness inside me.

The full length mirror showed a man in a black tux with combed hair and everything in its place. I looked like someone who had it all together. I looked like a Valmont.

“No strings attached and no feelings involved” I’d repeated those words almost forty times since morning.

I reached for my cufflinks, but my hands weren't steady. The first one slid into place while the second slipped from my fingers and rolled under the dresser.

I stared at the floor for a second before dropping to my knees to bring it out.

My phone buzzed on the dresser to notify me it's time to leave.I fastened the remaining cufflink, picked up my jacket, and slipped it on.

The drive to The Hall took twenty minutes.I sat in the back of the car, watching London slide past the window. Saturday evening crowds filled the streets. People gathered outside restaurants, and couples walked hand in hand. Everyone looked like they belonged exactly where they were.

The driver mentioned traffic near the Strand and I made a quiet sound in response.

The Hall came into view at the end of the street. A row of expensive cars parked along the entrance. Women stepped out in gowns that glittered beneath the lights. Most probably cost more than a year's rent in the city’s finest apartments, a silent display of wealth and power.

This was exactly the kind of event my mother loved.

The kind I had spent the last two years avoiding.

The car stopped.I stayed where I was for a moment, my palms resting against the cool leather seat.Then I stepped out.

The night air stung my face.I stood there looking up at the grand entrance.I checked my phone for any messages from the unknown number but found none.I slipped the phone back into my pocket and headed inside.

The ballroom gleamed with polished marble, crystal chandeliers, and smelled of expensive perfumes. A string quartet played in the corner, nearly drowned out by the steady hum of conversation.

Margaret found me within seconds, a champagne flute balanced between her manicured fingers. Her smile was polite, but it never reached her eyes.

"You're here."

"I said I would."

“You look thin” Her gaze swept over me, taking in every detail

"Well you aren't exactly bothered,dear mother" I replied while taking a drink from the server.

She slipped her arm through mine before I could say anything else and guided me into the crowd.People greeted me,shook my hands and exchanged compliments.

I smiled and said the right things as expected, after all I have a role to play.

“Ellis" My father appeared just long enough to nod.

“Father" I nodded back and that was all.He disappeared into the crowd before I could think of anything else to say.

Across the ballroom, a couple caught my attention.

The man leaned in to whisper something making the woman laugh, the sound bright and beautiful.It wasn't the practiced laugh I had heard all evening.

I knew who they were before anyone introduced them.

Alex's parents.

They looked nothing like mine.Margaret steered me toward them.

"Catherine,James," she called her perfect smile appearing on cue. “I would like you to meet my son, Ellis."

Alex's mother turned.She had Alex's green eyes.

“Ellis" She smiled warmly and reached for my hands. "We have heard so much about Velles Design. Your spring collection was beautiful."

"Thank you" I smiled.Nothing about her felt forced and I really appreciate that in the moment.

James Hawthorne shook my hand with an easy smile."My wife made me read every interview you gave after the Paris show."

"James," Catherine said with a laugh, nudging his arm.

"It's true."

I couldn't help smiling at the two.They fit together so naturally it was hard not to notice.

Then Alex walked in.He crossed the ballroom with the same quiet confidence he carried everywhere.

His eyes found mine almost immediately.

“Alex!" Catherine hugged him before turning back to us. "Come meet Ellis Valmont."

His gaze settled on me, calm and unreadable."We've met."

"Professionally," I added.

"Of course."

Catherine smiled, satisfied.

Alex held out his hand,“Mr. Valmont."

"Mr. Hawthorne”I held mine out to his.Our handshake lasted only a second.Long enough for his fingers to brush lightly against my wrist before letting go.

Conversation carried on around us, but I barely heard any of it.Alex stood only a few feet away.

Close enough for me to catch his cologne.The same one from that morning.The scent still clung faintly to my memory.

I looked toward the classical quartet instead, following the slow movement of the violin bows.

"Ellis"Margaret touched my arm again and I turned.A woman stood beside her, her dark hair pulled back into a sleek knot. Elegant and composed, she looked perfectly at ease in a room like this.

"This is Victoria Chen," Margaret introduced.

“Our families have known each other for years. Her father and yours are discussing the business."

Victoria held out her hand,“Ellis I've been looking forward to meeting you. I loved your Paris show."

"Victoria.”I shook her hand and stepped back

"Oh, the Chen family."Catherine smiled as she stepped closer."What a small world."

"Mrs Hawthorne!”Victoria smiled back, hugging her.

Catherine looked between us."You two are about the same age, aren't you?"

"They are," Margaret answered.

That was when it clicked.This wasn't just another gala for my mother,she had invited me here to play matchmaker.I looked at her and she met my eyes without blinking.She had already decided how tonight was supposed to end.

I stayed another forty minutes.Forty minutes of Victoria being perfectly pleasant. Of our mothers keeping the conversation alive,of my father and James Hawthorne drifting into a discussion about investments.

Forty minutes of pretending not to notice Alex every time he moved.Finally, I've had enough."I'll be right back"I said standing up.I slipped through the crowd and stepped onto the terrace.

The night air hit me immediately. I rested my hands on the stone railing and looked out over the London skyline. Behind me, music spilled through the open doors with the clink of glasses and quiet laughter.

I closed my eyes and tuned out the noise.

Footsteps sounded behind me.I didn't turn,I already knew who it was.

"Did you know?" I asked, opening my eyes.

"No"Alex stopped a few feet away.

I looked at him.Half of his face was lit by the light spilling through the ballroom doors."Your mother seemed happy enough."

"My mother doesn't know anything, Ellis." He let out a quiet breath. "She just likes seeing people happy."

"Well Mine doesn't,Victoria's just the latest attempt.”I laughed

For a while, neither of us spoke.

"We should go back inside."I said after some time but still did not move.

His footsteps came closer and I felt the warmth coming from his body.He stopped beside me.His fingers brushed my cheek before it settled against my face.

"Alex... don't"I turned my head, trying to pull away.

"Ellis..."

"You don't get to do this"My hands came up against his chest and pushed him."Not after that morning."

"I know",his eyes met mine.

"Then stop!"

Instead, he kissed me.I should have pushed him away instantly.I knew I should have but before I could protest again.Glass shattered behind us and we broke apart.

Theo looked livid and was moving towards us while the champagne flute lay in pieces across the stone, but he never looked down.

He crossed the terrace in quick strides.One hand grabbed Alex's jacket and the other drove into his jaw.

The crack echoed through the night.Alex stumbled into the stone railing, his hand flying to his face.

"Theo!"I shouted, horrified.

Theo stepped in front of me,his chest rising and falling with each breath.His knuckles were already turning red.

"Are you okay?"his eyes searched my face

I stared at him still in shock.I have never seen him like this.Behind him, Alex straightened slowly.

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth without taking his eyes off Theo.

A movement at the doorway snapped me out of daze.Victoria stood there, a glass of wine poised delicately in her hand. Her eyes fixed on the three of us.No one dared to speak.

The music from the ballroom faded behind us, leaving the terrace wrapped in silence and unspoken questions.

“How long has she been standing there?” I thought.