Chapter 2

  Selene’s POV

  My eyes widened in shock, still unable to fully process what had just happened and his confession, when he shoved me out of the office and slammed the door shut behind me.

  What just happened here?

  The crowd we had somehow attracted slowly dispersed, whispering and it had taken me everything not to break down there.

  

  Holding tightly what was left of my pride, I walked to the elevator.

  

  As I entered my hands immediately gripped the railing for support, as I tried to steady my breathing. 

  What have I done?Was this what they called a scam?

  Both had entered my life to ruin mine and who knew how much longer they would have kept up with this game of theirs.

  

  How? How had I been blind to everything?

  

  Vera had introduced Mattew as her step brother and although they were more touchy than every other sibling I have met, I never questioned it.

  

  I had no reason to because it was common sense that siblings don’t sleep with each other… I felt a tear slip out.

  

  For six years, they had deceived and manipulated their way into my life, and never had I thought that they… another tear slipped out.

  

  That explained the looks I had gotten at the lobby. 

  

  They knew? Everyone else but myself had known that Mattew and his step… his mistress, Vera had been pulling a scam on me and no one thought to help me?

  

  My arms slowly wrapped around myself as I bent down and let my emotions get the best of me.

  

  I don’t know how long I stayed like that, my body trembling with every sob.

  

  Upon realizing that it was almost as though the ride was never ending, I slowly gathered myself and raised my teary eyes only to catch a glimpse of a pair of shoes at the far end of the elevator causing me to freeze.

  

  My stomach twisted in shame as I realized I had just cried my eyes out and he had seen it all. 

  

  Slowly, I forced myself to stand, hunching over as though shrinking could make me disappear and my teary eyes met his.

  He was trying his best to look like he wasn’t staring and as though he had felt my searching eyes on him, he turned to face me.

  His expression was neutral, unreadable, and thankfully he made no move to invade my space and for a second, I forgot where I was, forgot the humiliating state of my face, the mess of my hair, the tear-streaked makeup, as his grey eyes held mine.

  He was tall…well over six feet and had this aura of authority around him that made the elevator feel so smaller…I was quite certain I had disgusted him.

  Judging from his tailored perfectly fitted suit to his glistening watch, I was certain he was a friend of Matthew or perhaps a business partner.

  I found myself shamelessly staring even as every nerve in me screamed to look away… I couldn’t not when I felt so drawn to this man.

  He didn’t say anything and held my gaze, watching as I watched him.

  “I’m sorry you had to see that but I’m fine.” I found myself muttering, caring less if I sounded convincing enough.

  I looked away, unwilling to keep up with the staring contest.

  “I can see that.” He replied, sending shivers down my spine, “and if it makes you feel any better, I didn’t see anything.” 

  Gosh. I was so shameless!

  And no it didn’t make me feel any better.

  Finally the elevator stopped and he pulled me back before I could leave.

  “What are…”

  He lifted me up and before I could protect, I caught sight of the people that stood outside waiting to see my shameful walk of shame.

  And without saying anything, I leaned into his jacket, not missing the smirk that had filled his face as I did.

  He smelt heavenly.

  I tried so much not to think of the peering eyes around me until he placed me into the cab.

  “I think you are too pretty to be crying on the elevator floor for loser boys!” His smooth baritone voice fanned my neck as he whispered before shutting the door behind him.

  I was foolish and not pretty, I wanted to say to him but I gave Uber my address, not even bothering to ask when he had ordered me one.

  By the time I made it home, the thread keeping me together had completely frayed. 

  I barely managed to close the door before collapsing into the bathroom. I sank under the shower, mascara running, hair sticking to my tear-streaked cheeks, and sobbed until I had no more tears to shed.

  I couldn’t even remember myself before marriage, I chided myself endlessly. 

  But right now I was an absolute blind and naive fool. 

  I had completely loved and trusted Matthew and for love's sake I had sacrificed my life, my career, my ambitions, all to fit his desires and for what? For this betrayal.

  And yet… beneath my pain, rage flared.

  Four years of my life flushed down the drain because I believed in him over common sense and red flags.

  I wondered what dad thought of me right now? He had always disliked Vera and I had told him to his face that she was the only family I knew.

  I felt my anger towards them grow… everywhere in this house was beginning to remind me of him, I couldn’t stay here. 

  I needed to do something… anything…to reclaim even a piece of myself.

  So I washed up and packed all I owned in this house, placing them by the door, before leaving the house.

  I found myself at a club for the first time I’d been out since I met Mattew. 

  The music that blasted from the speakers filled my ears and I took in the bodies grinding on each other with flashing disco lights…

   I couldn’t believe how much of myself I had to lose to fit into the image of family he had created.

   As I sat at the bar, the bartender gave me a look before he flashed me a knowing smile, “What can I get for you sweetheart?”

  Blonde with ear piercing and a charming smile, he was a pretty boy.

  “I don’t know,” I replied honestly, as no bar drink could come to mind right now, “Just hit me with something hard enough to make me loosen up.”

   He tutted.

  “Long day?” He asked, trying to stir up a conversation.

  My eyes met his and I flashed him a sad smile, “Yeah… I had the worst day ever.”, I replied, biting my lips to stop myself from losing my composure.

  “Here. This should help… wanna talk about it?” He asked as he dropped a tray of shots in my front.

  I chugged a glass down and winced as the burn surged down my throat, my head instantly light.

  “Good lord! What the fuck is this?” I groaned scaring him to chuckle.

  “Something you’d need for tonight!”

  Soon I was blabbing about everything that had happened whilst he listened, refilling my cup whenever I asked for more.

  By the time I was done, I knew I was half drunk because it didn’t hurt anymore.

  “You know what, honey?” He suddenly interrupted my rants, “you should let all your energy go on the dance floor and show us what you got!”

  I shook my head and he pushed, “you’ve been through a rollercoaster of emotions today… I think you should let loose even if it’s just for today.”

  “Surely you haven’t forgotten how to move your waist in four years, find someone for the night… you won’t remember half for this tomorrow.” He added shutting down my argument.

  Wouldn’t cheating make me just like Matthew and Vera?

  Fuck it! I was getting a divorce already so nothing could ever make me like them.

  “You are still thinking about these snakes?! Just forget everything and see how tonight plays out!” He pulled me out of my thoughts and motioned towards the dance floor.

  After much persuasion, I found myself out there. It felt good to let loose, just like he said.

  At first, I moved awkwardly, trying to find my rhythm as the beats pulsed through me. 

   Closing my eyes, I ignored everything around me except the pounding bass, letting it drown out the memory of today's humiliation.

  Arms flailing, with my hair sticking to my sweat-soaked face, tears that had escaped my eyes from earlier now mixed with alcohol. 

  I let the alcohol fuel my recklessness and found myself dancing like I had nothing to lose because I didn’t anymore…

  I danced until I was sore, and screaming with girls I didn’t even know. 

  

  The club was blazing, lights reflecting off sweaty skin, loud music pounding while alcohol buzzed through my veins. 

  

  I got lost in it.

  

  And then I felt it.

  

  My skin prickled as I tried finding who was causing holes into my skin.

  

  Goosebumps spread over my exposed flesh as my eye scanned through the people leaning against the rails.

  

  Then sitting down on one of the fancy leather chairs with a whiskey in his hand, he sat staring at me.

  

  My breath ceased.

  

  Dressed in a black suit, was the man from earlier on.

  

  If I was thinking properly I would have questioned if he was a stalker but I wasn’t… not when his eyes held mine with that look in his eyes.

  

  Heat washed over me.

  

  Maybe I was imagining things, but I didn’t stick around to find out, my legs were already moving toward the stairs. 

  

  I told myself it was nothing but his eyes never left mine until I got to where he stood, his eyes challenging me.

  

  Surprisingly, the bouncers let me through.

  Without thinking, I dropped on his lap, shooing the pests that just hang around him, not touching him.

  “You are drunk…” he said, his baritone voice causing shivers to flow through my neck where he had leaned in.

  Up close, I almost gasped  at how good-looking he was. From his sharp jawline, to hollow cheekbones, long lashes that would make any woman jealous.

  

  Christ.

  “Well thank you, Captain obvious,” without thinking, I slowly closed the gap between us, my hands tracing lines on his beards.

  I kinda loved this drunk me.

  Clear headed me would have never done this… even to Matthew.

  “How long have you been watching me?” I asked, my thumb brushing slowly over his lower lip, testing him.

  “My eyes haven’t left yours from the moment you stepped in here,” he replied, his voice low sending warmth pooling down in my stomach.

  Everything about him was hot or maybe it was the alcohol speaking? Or maybe it was the way he said it.

  “Then you should have made the first move,” I challenged, shifting closer until I was straddling him. “Or were you not man enough?”

  He groaned, his hands sliding slowly around my waist, “You’re here now,” he murmured, his breath warm against my neck, “Do you plan to tell me why? And why you are drunk?”

  With my eyes never leaving his, I brought it to my lips and gulped it down.

  I shook my head before reaching for the glass of whiskey still in his hand. Without breaking our eye contact, I brought it to my lips and drained it slowly, the burn matching the thrill I was feeling.

  “I didn’t come here for small talk, Mr….” I whispered.

  The music pulsed around us, “Aries… but call me Dimitrios!”

  A slow smile filled my face as I shifted my hips slowly, letting the rhythm take over. 

  My hands braced on his shoulders after finding my balance, I started moving against him.

  His grip on my waist tightened.

  I didn’t know what unwinding but I hoped it was enough to send my message across… I wanted out of here just for tonight.

  My hair fell around my face as I leaned even closer, our lips slightly brushing before I pulled away.

  As my body moved against the music, I could feel his restraint shake as he watched me take control.

  “You’re playing a dangerous game,” he warned, voice rougher now as he tried holding me still.

  “You underestimate me Mr. Dimitrios” I whispered.

  I rolled my hips again, slower this time, feeling as the air between us charged more.

  His hands flexed against my waist, sliding slightly, but he didn’t do what I had expected.

  I could hear my heart beating loud… louder than the music.

  Right now I wasn’t thinking about the consequences anymore. I felt wanted and I loved it.

  I leaned in, my lips hovering near his ear, “We should get out of here.”