CAELLUM’S POV
“If we are going to pull this off, I need to know that you will not run off every five seconds because your mate is in the building.” Donna was pissed. I didn’t care.
“We already sold our act as a couple,” I said, still looking around for Naledi and that prick Alek.
I couldn’t believe he brought her here. What exactly were they trying to do? Drive me nuts?
“The party would be over as soon as his speech is over. Then we can do whatever we like, and go our separate ways. But for now, I need you to be present. And that includes your mind.”
Donna was becoming a chore to be around. I nodded, half listening and absent-minded. Soon enough, the man in question took the stage and began his speech, thanking everyone for making it to the event before moving forward to tell all of his next steps for his brand and whatnot.
I felt it when my mate entered the room. She looked like a snack and stood just around the corner but something was wrong. A few moments later, Alek appeared by her side and I fought the urge to go over there and impale his hand for daring to touch her.
Naledi managed a smile but it didn’t reach her eyes. I wondered if it was because I was with another woman or the fact that she was with that nincompoop. My guess was both.
The speech ended and sure enough, I was led by Donna to the aged man I couldn’t remember his name to say our congratulations on the launch of his hotels in Italy.
“Congratulations, Mr. Bradford.” Donna spoke with the eloquence of a queen, “My husband and I look forward to hearing from your end as regards the matter earlier discussed.” She faked an Italian accent that passed off as decent to a foreigner.
“Thank you for coming.” He stretched his hands for a shake which we accepted, “It’s been lovely getting to know you. And yes, I will definitely sign off on the papers.”
I couldn’t help the sigh that left my lips when I saw him walk away, speaking to others and totally out of my hair. “Done,” I said to Donna. “Since your Alpha is somewhere here, I suggest you take a ride with him.”
I didn’t give her room to say a word before I made my way out of the place, searching for a duo that stayed in my head the entire night.
I couldn’t find them. Alek and Naledi. I couldn’t find them anywhere. So did Donna, because we ended up going home together. Upon driving into the headquarters, I saw Alek’s car parked in the compound.
Which meant he was here and so was Naledi. They left the party alone. I didn’t know how to feel about that. I stormed into the building, stepping into the sitting room only to find Alek on his way out.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked, praying he could give me one reason, just one reason to blow his teeth out.
“Dropping my date off?” Again with that lopsided grin.
“Your date?” He’s got to be kidding me. “Why the hell did you bring her there, Alek?” I seethed.
He shook his head and had the guts to look amused. “You didn’t know?”
I was losing patience. “Know what?”
“She came there herself. I met Naledi at the entrance of the party. I guess you didn’t know that.”
“Where is she?”
A shrug. “How did it go with Mr. Bradford? Get him on board?”
“Where is she?!”
“Look around asshat!” He swore, eyes aflamed, “She’s YOUR mate. Not MINE.”
Alek had the last word in. He walked out of the house, into his car and zoomed off like his butts were on fire.
I began my search immediately and headed up the stairs with one woman in mind. Now that Alek was out of the way, I could sense her presence around. Faint, but it was there.
When I got to her room door, I turned the knob only to find it locked. “Naledi. Open up.” I ordered, needing to talk to her.
There was no answer. There was no way she was sleeping. I was sure of that. Which brought me to the conclusion that she was avoiding me. A truth I couldn’t take.
“Open this door right now, Naledi.”
No answer.
“It will take me nothing, nothing at all to break this door.”
No answer.
So I did just that. With one kick to the door, the locks broke and the door was pushed open, revealing the dark room and open window. I rushed into the room and switched on the lights, panic coursing through me.
“What is your problem?” She said behind me and I froze right over the window.
I turned around and there she was, in her stunning dress, her makeup washed from her face. “You were here all along?”
“You barged into my room.”
“Because you refused to open the door.”
“You invaded my privacy!”
“You are wearing my mark, Naledi.”
“And I hate it! I hate the fact that you marked me so darned much and I wish I could retract the hand of time and prevent this disaster from happening!”
Her words cut deep. Piercing my heart like a knife. For the past one week and five days, I had wondered – wondered if she regretted it. If she wanted to be with me. If I had made a darned mistake and was doomed to regret it for all eternity.
Hearing her say it was my nightmare realized, and suddenly, I didn’t know what to do. I suddenly didn’t know what to do anymore.
“We have a deal. To break things as soon as the full moon comes.” My tone was cynic. “I don’t care if you regret what has happened or not. We have an expected end anyway.”
I searched for any sign of pain, anything that showed she hated the words that came out of my mouth, even a minuscule hint that she thought this was crazy, that she thought it was stupid to continue with what we had agreed, but there was none.
Instead, she destroyed the remains of whatever hope I held for us by her words.
“I’m glad we are on the same page.”