Erica:
Evening came and I found myself standing in front of the mirror.
My eyes were sad and my fingers were trembling. I couldn’t believe I was still going to the party. I
had spent the whole day thinking about it and every thought had ended in disaster. I saw my life
crumbling right in front of me. I saw myself losing Lorenzo’s trust and my family would be
ashamed of me.
I held the tears back and stared at myself in the mirror again.
“It’s just a formal gala. It’s just a formal gala.”
It had been my mantra for the entire day. I didn’t know if it was going to work, but tonight, I was
going to find out.
I grabbed Lorenzo’s coat and draped it over myself. I didn’t want my kids to know where I was
going and I reasoned that Lorenzo’s scent on me would help me keep my senses sharp, despite
how weird he had been these few days. I had still not gotten another call from him.
I gave myself one final look and grabbed my handbag. Lorenzo’s coat made me look like a sleuth.
If only I had a hat to complete the look.
I was grateful that Dante hadn’t called me. It was good for my nerves; they were frayed enough
as it was.
I walked out of my room to the living room and saw my kids watching a cartoon.
“Mommy!”
Elma was the first to sense me and she dashed to me and jumped into my arms.
“Mommy, where are you going dressed like that?”
“Stop with the questions, Elma. Mom needs her space.”
I was fascinated by how matured Ethan tried to be. A smile crept on my face and I set Elma down.
“I’m just going for a stroll. I really need to clear my head. In case I get back late, don’t wait for me.
I’ll ask Clarissa to make dinner for you.”
I was just about to leave but Elsa threw a question at me.
“Could you buy us take-out when you get back? I’m getting tired of Clarissa’s cooking.”
“Elsa!”
“Leave me alone, Ethan!”
They were about to start another round of bickering but I was able to intervene just in time.
“Hey, it’s alright. I will get take out. Just text me what you want.”
I spoke with finality and slipped out of the house. My heart was pounding in my chest as I got to
my car and grabbed the steering wheel.
I whipped out my phone and read the text Dante had sent me earlier. The gala was held at ‘Lush
Royale’, somewhere on the Northside of the pack.
I was shaking as I put my car in reverse and pulled out of the driveway. I was on the asphalt and
was speeding down the road.
There was no turning back. Maybe there was but I was reluctant to do so.
I pulled up in the parking lot and got out of the car, clutching Lorenzo’s coat closer to my body to
calm my nerves.
The venue was beautiful and exotic and for a little while, the scenery made me feel relaxed.
Maybe this wasn’t such a bad experience.
I walked into the club and was greeted with beautiful lights and music blasting the speakers. My
ears hurt and covered them so that I could get adjusted to the pitch.
I looked around and was greeted warmly by pleasant faces. I felt the knots in my stomach come
undone. This wasn’t so bad. It was actually a very decent gala.
However, I spoke too soon. I looked across the room and I saw herLaura!
I gritted my teeth angrily. What was she doing here? I was trying my best to process her presence
when I saw Dante walk up next to her and he slipped his arm around her waist.
I felt smoke nearly come out of my ears. I should have known that he was still the old Dante I had
always known. Selfish and greedy, only looking out for himself.
I turned away from them and stormed away. He hadn’t seen me yet and I was hoping that we
would never cross paths all night. I was already here so I was going to make the best of tonight.
“Hello, beautiful. Might I have this dance?”
My brooding was interrupted by a calm silky voice behind me. I turned around and was disarmed
by the bright green eyes that stared at me.
“Good evening,” I said politely, feeling all my anger disappear in minutes.
“Good evening. I hope I’m not interrupting anything?”
I shook my head.
“Good. Then I was hoping that you would love to dance with me. I saw you come in alone and I
thought that it would be a crime to let a goddess like yourself be without a plus one. My name is
Javier by the way.”
I blushed and pushed my hair back behind my ears. His manners were captivating and his voice
was soothing.
“I’m Erica and I would love to dance with you.”
He took my hand and led me to the dance floor. We glided across the polished marble and I felt
my soul fly free. Javier was an excellent dancer; he didn’t miss a beat.
We got talking about work and ideas for our businesses. He pitched me a few and I was
impressed. I gave him a few ideas concerning his interior design industry and he seemed blown
away by my initiative.
“I can see why you are such a good business lady. I never thought about making tables like that.”
As he spun me around and dipped me low, he pulled out a card and slipped it stealthily into my
purse.
“Maybe we can talk later. I think it will benefit our businesses very much.”
I smiled back but soon I felt myself being yanked from his grasp.
I nearly tripped on my heels and twisted my ankle. As soon as I got my footing, I was disgusted to
see who it was.
“Dante?”
He glared at Javier and he took the hint and walked away from us.
I tried to escape his grip but he grabbed me tighter and pulled me through the crowds.
“Let me go! What are you doing?! Dante!”
He didn’t say a word to me and pulled me into a dimly lit lobby and pinned me against the wall.
I groaned in slight pain. I tried to get away but he pressed me to the wall.
“When did you get here?”
“And how does that concern you?” I snapped back.
I felt his hand go to my throat and his face lowered to my ear.
“You forgot that I was the one that invited you. You should have told me when you came.”
His breath was gentle on my neck and his scent tinged my nostrils. His voice was deep and husky,
filled with lustful desire that made my knees weak.
“I didn’t want to bother you. You seemed to be having a good time with your plus one.”
I was desperately trying to save myself; I didn’t want to fall for him again.
I watched his eyes darken as he stared into my soul.
“You are one to talk. I saw the way you were dancing with that guy. How slutty can you be? Going
from man to man to get what you want.”
He lowered his lips to my neck and I felt his lips brush my skin gently.
“Just like the day you had my cock in your mouth. I can still remember the warmth and the way
you looked at me with those seductive eyes. The way you groaned as you slurped me. Fuck! You
enjoyed it and seduced me into signing that contract”
He planted a kiss on my neck and my body shivered in delight. I was losing myself to him. My
thoughts were coming true.
“and now, you will probably do the same to that guy you danced with. Isn’t that right, whore?”
My hand landed firmly across his cheek and he stepped back in surprise. I was no longer under
his spell and was fuming.
“That is enough, Dante!”