5. THE PROJECT

His hand remained extended towards me and for a brief second I contemplated ignoring, but then Alex was standing right behind me. Letting him watch a little show isn't bad for me.

The whispers grew and the blinding lights from the Chandeliers above seemed to shine brighter as I took Aiden's hand.

If he could betray me so easily then I can as well. Playing too. He smiled, pulling me closer and I returned it bright and charming.

The orchestra shifted into a slow rhythm as he guided me into the dance floor. My eyes remained locked on his as we waltzed gracefully into the dance floor amidst other guests and politicians.

Everyone instinctively stepped aside leaving two presidents dancing beneath the crystal lights.

"You still dance terribly?" Aiden asked, raising his brows and pulling me closer by the waist.

A laugh escaped me before I could stop it. Soft and enchanting. "You are about to find out," I said, taking a step forward.

"You always stepped on the shoes of your dance back in high school." he said and I stopped for a moment before continuing. The transition was smooth.

"You noticed, I never saw you" I replied squinting my eyes at him and he pulled me impossibly close that even a little movement needed effort.

"You didn't really check."

Across the ball my eyes caught Alex's figure, his jaw clenched so hard it could snap. I kept watching him but something still kept connecting us together, then my gaze dropped to my belly.

It's still there, so innocent. Of course it will, and so I won't blame you. I spoke to the structure deep in me that barely even had a form yet.

But I am not gonna put all the blame on you. Love doesn't die easily anyway.

My gaze travelled back to them and I saw Serena whisper something in his ear. His fingers dug into his palm more and he stepped aside creating a subtle distance that could be brushed away by anyone.

But certainly not me. I had watched their little distance grow big continuously ignoring it still growing so wide.

The music ended and Aiden finally released my waist and hand stepping back. "You looked lost".

"Lost in the past, probably" I said and he traced my gaze to Serena and Alex equally looking at us.

"Do you still love him"

Aiden asked and my muscles visibly tensed, my lips trembled just slightly then disappeared as if it was never there. I didn't answer because the answer was unsettling and it hurt so much even after the betrayal.

"Do you..." He probed again and turned to him, my lips parting to say something but was interrupted.

"Miss Lancaster, the Governor's request for a drink with them," a waiter said, holding a tray filled with empty glasses.

I looked at Aiden one last time before walking away, he followed anyway. Just as Alex used to be when equal love still existed between us. Or I thought it did.

As I drew closer to where Alex stood, he took a step forward, but Aiden casually moved into his path and I cleared my straight path a little walking away.

"Excuse me" I heard Alex said behind me turning to follow me, but Aiden pulled him back again maintaining a polite smile.

"No, you need anything Mr. White" he asked in his deep baritone voice and I looked back just in time to see Alex's eyes hardened.

"This has nothing to do with you" Alex said, but Aiden casually said "Not yet" then walked away.

I returned to the Lancaster Estate just after midnight. My feats passed through the front door and everywhere was quiet, just what I needed.

I walked to my room, dumbed my earrings on the dresser table and kicked my shoes wherever they sat comfortably, then I sat on the edge of the bed.

The midnight air was both comforting and soothing, blending with the quietness I had already gotten used to.

Sleep came quicker than I expected. The tree was just too exhausting.

By morning, I just ran through my routines as usual and drove to the Lancaster company. I rode my private elevator and walked into my office. I only visited this place thrice, when I was an intern ship under Grandpa.

But now I am here full time, I sat on my swivel spinning around, looking at my sector for a few seconds and then focusing on the paper works in front of me. "Good morning, Boss" Kevin entered holding two files. I nodded and he placed one of the files on my desk. "The Moore Holdings logistics agreement" he said.

I read two pages and nodded while signing it. I handed it back to him. He placed the second file quietly, not reading out loud as the first.

My gaze traveled through the folder locking on the words White Technologies.

I opened it noticing the partnership proposal renewal. It was the biggest electronic deal every company wanted.

Two years ago I had created this channel because Alex wanted international suppliers. I had to convince the board secretly to open doors under a commercial arrangement.

He celebrated for weeks and thanked everyone, except me. I guess I was always useless in his eyes. I slammed the file shut pushing it away "Withdraw Lancaster's authorization" I said.

Kevin hesitated but moved seconds later.

By afternoon, business headlines spread across executive financial platforms.

LANCASTER PRESIDENT CLOSES $48 BILLION INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT

KIERA LANCASTER RETURNS AS PRESIDENT

LANCASTER GROUP ANNOUNCES NEW GLOBAL EXPANSION

The Lancaster's stock climbed higher and I knew somewhere Alex was waiting for an opportunity. I stood up walking out of my office.

I exited the building with Kevin beside me and black cars waited outside "Kiera..." Someone yelled my name and I stopped, I will always recognize that voice,

"Was it you, the canceled deal" he stepped closer.

You used your family's power to destroy my company, he spat and Levi moved forward but I raised a hand stopping him.

Alex laughed bitterly "So this is revenge?"

I looked at him for a long moment before speaking quietly "What can a useless woman do?" I asked.

"A useless woman stopped helping and you fell, hmm"

A black Aston Martin rolled to a stop beside us and Aiden Moore stepped out "Am I interrupting?"

Alex scoffed "Stay out of my marriage" he warned stepping closer to Aiden.

"Marriage" Aiden asked and Alex callically shut up. I turned towards my car but Aiden beat me to it, I smiled at him,

"Thanks, but I could do it myself" I was about to enter when Alex called out again.

"How much of my success has ever truly belonged to me?”