Chapter Three 

It has been Six months after the divorce and the accident, I decided to move on with my life. I got a new job working as one of the directors at Emerald Events, a company that does event management. I guess it's natures way of compensating me for my failed marriage.

I recently brought back a contract worth five million dollars from Kentucky; my boss, Louisa, has treated me as a big contributor to the company. After lavishing me with rewards, she even gave me a seven-day vacation, adding it up with my annual leave.

I finalized my divorce a couple of months ago; ever since that incident at his house, I had never set eyes on that bastard. Even while in divorce proceedings, he just sent his lawyer to settle things like I was some rag he was too eager to discard.

I thought letting the case drag on for long would make him realize and maybe come back to me, but I was just delusional.

Jared never had any sort of feelings towards me; for all I know, this charade called marriage was only a transaction to him.

I was packing up my stuff to leave for my vacation.

"Knock knock."

I turned to see Louisa standing right outside; the door was open, so she walked into my office before I could say a word.

"Mrs. Flint," I called out, surprised to see her in my office.

"Are you all set?" she asked, and I nodded in response.

"Good, could you please honor this invite before you are officially gone?" she said, handing an envelope to me.

I pulled it open, and for a second I was unable to move, dumbstruck while staring at the name on the invite.

"Is something the matter?" she asked.

"No, I thought Phillip handled this kind of stuff?"

Trying hard to hide my emotions.

"Philip has an emergency; his wife was rushed to the hospital a couple of hours ago," she explained.

"If it's going to......"

"No, no, I will take care of it." I hurriedly cut her off, faking a smile.

"I know I can count on you; enjoy your vacation." She walked out of the office.

I was livid for a couple of minutes wondering what to do. I thought about delegating it to one of my underlings but knowing Louisa well, I knew better than to.

"She is back, Leila Long," I whispered to myself.

Mentioning the name, I unconsciously gritted my teeth so bitterly that my knuckles turned white.

If there was anyone in the world I hated most, it was certainly her. I grabbed my stuff and stormed off.

I slept for a few hours at home. Later in the evening, I dressed up for the party.

Emilia was furious when I told her about the ceremony; she opted to be my plus one, but I quickly rejected the offer.

When she offered to drive me there, I knew there was no winning, so I obliged.

By the time she arrived to drop me off, I was already prepared.

She dropped me off at the Celest Hotel Lobby.

This was the hardest decision I have ever made since I decided to move on. I was feeling all kinds of emotions, a mixture of nervousness and anger.

The welcoming banquet that the Long family held for her was magnificent, virtually inviting all the dignitaries in New York with whom they had good relations. At this moment, the banquet hall was in a state of joyous frenzy.

I cannot believe I was in the same room with these despicable people. The moment I walked in, the set of eyes that caught my attention was Jared.

I could see the surprise on his face, but I ignored him. I picked up a glass of drink from the table, and I turned when I bumped into someone.

"Oh shit," I exclaimed; luckily, the champagne didn't spill on either of us.

"Sorry," we both chorused. The stormy blue eyes staring into mine were kind of dreamy. His smile was cute.

"Hi, I'm Klein," he said, smiling. I smiled back at him and shook his hand. Looking at him like I was hypnotized.

"You are?" He whispered, bringing me back to reality. My gaze wandered off, and it met with Jared. Even though he was with Jade, his attention was on me. I could feel his discomfort seeing me with Klein. I looked away, trying not to pay attention to him.

I was still talking with Klein when Leila walked in, holding hands with a man. She returned completely changed; she still resembled the object of my past hatred.

My eyes darkened, mad with anger.

I haven't seen her for a year. She had transformed from her initial boyish look into a gentle and soft-spoken lady, becoming much more beautiful. She wore a white dress, and her long, wavy hair flowed down her back, making her look quite dignified.

The man she walked with caught my attention; my mouth fell open.

"What is going on?" I asked myself. She walked past me and gave me a disdainful look, holding Kent Miller tightly, like she was showing off her trophy.

My eyes met with Kent's, and he smiled mischievously. Winking at me, they walked past me.

She went to introduce him to her family; I don't know if it was an illusion or not, but when Kent turned around and his eyes met with Jared's, I felt Jared seemed like he suddenly tensed up. His usually cold and distant noble aura suddenly turned dark for an instant.

I looked at him strangely, but before I could find out anything, his eyes had already returned to their usual calm state.

"Brother, this is the man I mentioned before, the excellent returnee entrepreneur and the young CEO of the multinational company, Jewel Group, Kent Miller! He's the one whom I invited through much persuasion to add glamour to my event. Please take good care of him, brother!"

She announced happily. I could tell she was just showing him off to get to me.

The sound of the music broke them up as Kent was dancing the waltz in the dance pool, with his arm wrapped around Leila. And his gaze fixed on me.

I tried to avoid his gaze while trying to mind my business when a familiar cologne hit me.

"What are you doing?" Jared asked, giving me a good stare. But I ignored him.

"Have you no shame, Sam, flirting with a man in my presence?" he scolded me while I stood there speechless. I was asking myself if he wasn't the same bastard who divorced me for no good reason.

I turned my gaze and eyeballed him; I turned almost immediately to leave, and I was face to face with the bitch I hated for so many years. The reason I was in this mess in the first place.

"Who is this beauty?" Kent said, smirking mischievously, his eyes flirting with me.

"This is Samantha Long, my wife," Jared introduced, holding tightly to his side. Startling me. It was the first time after two years of marriage he addressed me as a Long and as his wife.

The surprise written on Leila's face was so satisfying.

"Ex-wife," I quickly added. Jared glared at me, but I ignored him.

"Yeah, she is no longer a Long," Leila added, trying hard to get on my nerves.

"It's a pity; it must have been heartbreaking to part with such a jewel," Kent said, smiling. I was taken aback by his words.

Jared's face didn't look very good, but he maintained his composure:

"What a shame," he added.

"Miss Jewel, if you would spare me a dance," he said, holding out his arm. Leila's face darkened. I wasn't going to take his hand, but the moment I noticed how pained they both were, I quickly took his hand.

And he led me to move forward to the dance floor. Although I didn't look back, I could somehow feel a set of "sharp" eyes unabashedly glaring at my back.

Preferred the sight of a frustrated Leila.

When the beautiful melody unfolded, I was already held by him around my waist, and my body involuntarily moved along with his dance steps. His warm breath was sprinkled on my ear, and between breaths, I could hear my uncontrollable heartbeat.

Holding me, he lightly kneaded my waist with his fingertips and said in a seemingly sighing tone:

"You've lost weight since the last time I saw you; was the divorce messy?" I couldn't mutter a word.

"You are blatantly flirting with me, aren't you afraid of causing jealousy in your girlfriend?"

When we changed our dancing angle, I hinted to Kent from the corner of my eyes, but unexpectedly, he laughed lightly and asked me back:

"Girlfriend? You're talking about Leila? Your ex-sister-in-law?"

"Isn't she?"

"Samantha Jewel, not any woman is worthy enough to stand by my side." He beckons me, a hint of teasing in his deep gaze, "Rather than worrying about Leila seeing us, worry about your ex-husband."

He hinted to me with his gestures. I smirked.

What does he mean? Is he not Leila's boyfriend? Just then, he suddenly lowered his eyebrows, unexpectedly kissing my lips lightly like a dragonfly skimming on the water.

Although this kiss was stolen discreetly from the gaze of others, amid the crowd, this impudent man took such liberties with me, putting me in a passive position, and making me quite annoyed. Just when I was about to stomp on him, he let go of me, nonchalantly walking out of the dance floor.

In between, both siblings immediately appeared in front of me. I carefully glanced at Jared, who seemed to have no abnormal emotions, only subtly holding my shoulder while Leila, clinging to Kent's arm, asked coquettishly.

"Kent, were you dancing with her just now?"

She had already seen me dancing with him; she must have been jealous, hence coming over to cut in. Unfortunately for her, I recalled what he had told me:

Not any woman is qualified to stand by his side.

She is not qualified yet.

Although this had nothing to do with me, as long as I think about how this self-conceited pride of the heavens is groveling to a man who does not take her seriously, it's quite amusing.

Thinking this, I found myself genuinely laughing. To cover up my inappropriate expression, I took a sip of the red wine given to me by the waiter.

A smile brimming on Kent's lips, his gaze directly fell on me. "Miss Jewel's dancing was superb; it was my honor."

Immediately, Leila disputed, "Kent, I also want to dance with you."

His gaze descended, a cold light hidden in his eyes, "Miss Leila, you're still a child, not worthy to play the games of the Elders."