GIO
Driven by an urge, I rose from the bed, closing the distance between us until I stood just behind her. In the reflection of the window, her face was visible, but her gaze seemed distant, as if it was fixed on something far beyond the glass. I understood all too well the ghosts of memories that must have been playing through her mind.
Tenderly, I rested my hands on her hips and lowered my chin to rest atop her head, a silent gesture of comfort. “Millie-” I began, my voice a mixture of concern and reassurance.
“Alyssa will be there,” her voice broke the silence, a quiet admission that finally brought her eyes to meet mine within the reflective surface.
“Yes,” I affirmed, understanding the weight of her apprehension.
She nodded, a sharp, almost resolute gesture, before attempting to step away from my embrace. However, this time, I couldn’t allow her to retreat. “No,” I growled softly, my grip on her waist tightening. “Don’t magnify this into something bigger than it is.”
A flicker of anger crossed her features, and unexpectedly, she jabbed her elbow into my side. Caught off guard, I released her, taken aback by her sudden resistance. Swiftly, she turned around to face me, her eyes ablaze with a fiery intensity. “Bigger than it is?” she repeated, incredulous, her palms pushing forcefully against my chest. I had to stifle a grin, realizing that responding with amusement would have been entirely inappropriate. But as I glimpsed the glistening sheen of tears in her eyes, any trace of amusement within me evaporated.
“Millie, I couldn’t care less about Alyssa,” I asserted earnestly, my voice holding a rare sincerity. “It doesn’t matter to me whether she’s at the party or not.”
“If it truly doesn’t matter, then why did you keep the party a secret from me?” Her voice wavered slightly, a mix of hurt and frustration lacing her words.
“Because I knew exactly how you’d react, and unfortunately, I was right,” I admitted with a sigh.
Her brow furrowed, a sign of her inner turmoil.
“Come on,” I encouraged gently, reaching out to take her hand and guiding her back towards the bed. She followed my lead, slipping back under the covers. I joined her, pulling her close, but I could sense that her body was tenser than usual.
“She’ll try to taunt you about the infidelity,” she voiced her concern, her tone a fragile whisper.
I ran my fingers soothingly along her back. “I’ve said it before, Millie. She’s nothing more than a scheming rat attempting to degrade a queen. Just ignore her.”
A heavy sigh escaped her lips. “I’m not sure I can.”
“You are a princess of the underworld, Millie. You were raised to stand strong against men like me. Standing up to someone like Alyssa should be a walk in the park for you.”
Millie tilted her head, a mixture of contemplation and vulnerability in her gaze. “If you hold her in such low regard, why did you spend time with her?”
“It wasn’t like I was in a relationship with her. She was a casual partner,” I clarified.
“I can’t fathom being intimate with someone I don’t have genuine feelings for. I’ve only ever made love,” her words held a delicate sentiment.
I tenderly traced my knuckles along her spine. “Before you, Millie, I only knew physical connections. Emotions weren’t a part of those interactions.”
“But if you disliked their presence so much, how could you stand spending time with them after being intimate?”
I furrowed my brows, contemplating her question. “I didn’t linger afterward.”
Her eyes widened with disbelief. “You had physical relations with them and then immediately left?”
“Yes, that’s right. Why would I have stayed?”
She regarded me as though my perspective was utterly foreign to her. “But what about intimacy? Didn’t you ever crave closeness?”
A soft chuckle escaped my lips. “My dear princess, you have a rather skewed perception of who I was. The side of me you know is a rarity that only you have witnessed.”
Supporting herself on my chest, she looked down at me. “Yet with me, you enjoy it?”
I couldn’t help but be struck by the fact that she still needed confirmation. “No,” I murmured, my voice sincere. “I cherish it.”
Her lips curved into a radiant smile, and she pressed a gentle kiss against my lips. As if anyone could ever compare to Millie.
~*~
Sebastian’s demeanor exuded satisfaction, resembling a contented cat that had just lapped up a bowl of cream. His peculiar penchant for trouble had me convinced that, against all odds, he might even relish the idea of being married to Harper. Fortunately, their wedding was slated for the upcoming summer, sparing me the ordeal of enduring their exasperating squabbles for now.
As we discussed the impending celebration, Sebastian’s crassness took center stage. “I’m hoping there’ll be a fine catch at the party. A night of indulgence is much needed,” he crudely remarked. My retort, albeit muttered under my breath, came quick and sharp. “Feel free to set your sights on Alyssa. She’s quite the expert in certain endeavors,” I replied, my tone laced with disdain.
Sebastian’s contemplative expression suggested he was contemplating my proposition. “Not sure if I’m interested in your leftovers. You’re all right with that?” he inquired with a smirk.
A scoff escaped me. “Believe me, I couldn’t care less.”
He seemed to offer a knowing nod, his voice turning grave. “Just remember, she might make advances on you, Gio.”
Inwardly, I prayed that wouldn’t be the case, though the nagging feeling persisted that Sebastian might be onto something. I had wounded Alyssa’s ego, a girl accustomed to having her whims catered to. I stood as the first man who hadn’t succumbed to her charms. Despite the urge I harbored to exact revenge for what she had done to Millie back in the Sphere, my hands were tied. Father’s command held a firm grip, and our ties to Senator Black were simply too valuable to jeopardize.
Before I could continue the conversation, Millie emerged from the bedroom, casting a spell of breathtaking awe upon the room’s ambiance. Her figure was draped in a gown of molten gold, its elegant lines cascading down to embrace the floor in a gentle embrace. The dress, sans sleeves and embellished with a regal bejeweled collar, added to her radiance. Her lustrous blonde tresses cascaded in artful waves around her countenance, framing it like a halo. In that moment, she exuded the aura of a true sovereign.
Sebastian’s low whistle reverberated in the air, voicing the collective sentiment. “Alyssa will certainly be green with envy.”
Millie descended the staircase with a grace that bespoke her lineage, and I instinctively moved toward her, offering my hand as a silent gesture. Her delicate fingers intertwined with mine, and a tentative smile tugged at the corners of her lips, betraying the nervousness simmering in her eyes. “You look absolutely stunning, my princess,” I murmured sincerely.
A confirmation echoed from Sebastian, his voice tinged with admiration. The rosy hue that dusted Millie’s cheeks bore witness to his words’ impact. A gentle squeeze of her hand from me sought to offer reassurance amidst the whirlwind of emotions that coursed through her.
~*~
As we crossed the threshold into Senator Black’s opulent home, Millie’s grip on my hand was taut, her anxiety tangible through her fingers. Yet, her countenance remained a mask of composure, every inch the picture of regality and grace. I guided her through the grand entrance of the brownstone townhouse, trying to shield her from the storm within.
Then, in the midst of the elegant crowd, I spotted Alyssa-worse still, she spotted me.
A subtle apologetic glance from Senator Black and a feeble attempt by Alyssa’s brother to steer her away did little to deter her. With deliberate confidence, she sauntered towards us, a vision of audacious allure. She was adorned in a tight, gold sequined minidress that barely skimmed her thighs, leaving little to imagination. The neckline plunged daringly, putting her ample bosom on display.