CHAPTER SIX : Our Wedding Night

KATE 

“What kind of bride ditches her wedding reception before the toast?”

I sighed in frustration. “An unhappy bride.”

To save face I returned my attention to the wardrobe, desperate to put something on, but not before I saw his mouth twitch at my statement.

Where were my clothes? They were here before I went down to the reception.

“You think this marriage is a joke, don't you?”

I paused.

“Do you even realize what is at stake here?”

His voice was calm, even, unreadable as always. Although I thought he must be angry, who wouldn't be? Then again I didn't care. Damn him.

I spun around “Of course I know what's at stake, your bloody reputation everyone seems to give a damn about.”

The suite was quiet for a moment. Until Leon took a step forward, then another and another, leaning in till he was a breath away from my face.

“My bloody reputation is now your bloody reputation Katie.”

My chest was heaving slightly. The air was suddenly clouded with his scent and I couldn't breathe well enough. Then came the cold, which seemed to have descended from nowhere, biting my skin. 

I shivered, wrapped my arms around my shoulders all the while maintaining eye contact with the son of a bitch, literally.

“I can't find my clothes.” I blurted out.

Leon scanned me from head to toe. I tightened my arms, gripping my shoulders. Was it just me or was the room getting colder? Maybe the AC was turned on too high. Or maybe it was because my hair was still wet from the shower. 

Whatever the reason was, I had to find something to put on, my shivering was getting me annoyed.

“My clothes. I can't find them. I mean they are not here.” I was trying hard not to stutter. The last thing I needed at the moment was for Leon Romano to see me looking weak or vulnerable.

Leon's eyes stayed on mine for a few seconds more before he brushed past me and went over to the wardrobe.

I tried not to look back at what he was doing. Was he looking for my clothes for me or what? I couldn't help but wonder.

A white shirt dangled in front of my eyes from a hanger, held by Leon's hands from behind.

“This should do for now.” he said.

I took it, speechless.

“Change in the bathroom, I'm not going outside to wait.”

I scoffed and left.

Leon was standing by the windows when I came out, pouring out wine from a bottle. 

I shut the bathroom door softly so he wouldn't notice my presence but there was no need as his gaze was solely on the city lights beyond.

It was still a bit chilly. The shirt he gave me was an office shirt, not suitable for myself in any way or for the cold I was feeling. Where were my clothes anyway?

Leon turned, went over to the table and filled a second glass with wine. He came to me holding both glasses, stretched forth one.

His gaze was gentle. I unconsciously let out a breath, then quickly grabbed the glass to cover it up.

“A toast.” He said.

“To our PR scandal cover-up wedding?” I said with a hint of annoyance.

He smiled.

“Must you always strive to be so unpleasant? My dear bride, it's our wedding night.”

He pulled me close, our bodies touched. I froze. He brought his head down on my neck, breath hitching. 

“Camera.” He whispered. “Window”

I blinked, then took a peep. There was a drone hovering around outside the window. The world must have really gone mad.

His lips captured mine instantly. It was brief but it left me lightheaded. I didn't even notice him taking away my drink or dropping both glasses on the table. From then on everything moved so fast.

He swung his suit jacket over my shoulders, intertwined my fingers with his and pulled me out of the suite. There were bodyguards in the lobby but they made no attempt to follow.

We took the elevator to the ground floor which was swarmed with journalists, flashing cameras and outstretched mics. My vision became a blur.

There were no bodyguards around. Leon held my hand tighter, and if he was someone else I would have taken it for reassurance.

He pulled me out of the elevator, weaving through the crowd, ignoring them all. Some of them cheered, others whistled loudly.

There were more people outside who came to cover the wedding reception. Seeing us emerge from the hotel they went into a frenzy.

Over a dozen security men appeared from different angles immediately, shielding us and making a path to pass. Leon kept his hand intertwined with mine, still moving swiftly. 

His white Lambo came into view, recklessly parked in the middle of the parking lot. As we approached, Bryan, who was standing before the car, threw the key in our direction. 

Leon caught it mid air, gave Bryan a nod which he returned like a secret code or something.

He opened the passenger seat and held my shoulder, to guide me in I guess. He got in and we sped off into the night, leaving behind the chaos I still couldn't believe we came out of in one piece.

It took a while before I could get my mind to relax. Leon didn't seem affected in any way. Eyes on the road, he looked calm, cool and collected, not a single hair out of place on his head.

“Where are we going?” I asked to fill the silence. He smirked in a beat.

“Where do you think your clothes went?”