CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-SEVEN
She hadn’t prepared for it, hadn’t known he would get up the stage to formally introduce her to millions of people as his at the same time. A loud echo resounded in her head as she watched him smile sweetly at her, and then in a split second, his expression went from goofiness to genuineness. His eyes raked through her as he parted his lips.
“I don’t want to know what the world feels like without her. It is the reason why I’m doing this here today.” Zayn moved slowly from the podium, but to Rina, it appeared even slower than normal as her heart pounded against her chest and her head reeled with everything that was happening. She tried to remind herself that none of it was real that even though he hadn’t told her about that bit, even though surprise was etched into her features and perhaps, a red patch on her cheeks like every girl in her situation would have been, it still was a product of an agreement made a while back.
Rina caught the little wink reserved for her as he got closer, walking around the table so he was right by her side. The crowd went crazy with sighs and whispers, and reporters zoomed in on the moment, with flashes of light going off a million times every second. Their proximity would have bothered Rina, but not tonight.
Tonight, she squealed in delight in her head at intervals, then reminded herself that Zayn wasn’t in love with her as he’d just publicly declared to the world. Her eyes widened in surprise when he knelt, looking straight into her eyes.
“I’m sorry I’m doing this right here because I know how much a space like this means to you. You would have wanted to show the world that you are not who they think you are the rumors that have continuously been shown online. But I want to be a part of that too. I want to go to events and tell people that my woman isn’t who they think she is, and that I am proud of her every single day. I want to go through this period with you, cheering you along the way because I know you are a star, and that your light deserves to be seen by everyone. So, Rina Power, will you please be my wife?”
Despite the fact that Rina could tell that was where it was leading from the moment he got on stage to talk about how loved he felt by someone, Rina still heard a gasp escape her lips. Her eyes widened as he retrieved a velvet box from his suit jacket and opened it, revealing a diamond-encrusted ring. It sat right there, staring at her, and Rina felt herself lose her ability to breathe for the umpteenth time.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” George squealed from beside her, his hands going up to cover his mouth. It took time for Rina to shake out of the initial surprise, but when she did, she rose from her seat and smiled sheepishly at Zayn before nodding. It wasn’t much of an act, because it was the same as she smiled at him every day, the one that showed her eyes shining and her pulse racing; the one that if she wasn’t careful, she might end up falling deeper than she could handle.
“Yes,” she whispered, perfectly playing the role of a flustered girlfriend who hadn’t seen a proposal coming. “I will marry you, Zayn Graham.”
Zayn seemed to heave a sigh of relief, before slipping the ring onto her finger. He got up and pulled her firmly yet gently into his arms, holding her tight, the way he did when he kissed her at the door of the hotel. Rina felt herself give into the moment, and she didn’t bother to fight it, because it worked for her. The whole world could see them gushing over each other, and the article would be confirmed but on her own terms.
The whole room went into applause, pulling Rina back to the present. Zayn kissed her on the lips in front of anyone, lingering longer than a fake kiss should have before pulling away. The host walked up to the stage to announce that the party could go on, while Zayn stayed by her side, holding her hands and looking straight into her eyes, like she owned his entire universe and nothing could stop it.
“Congratulations, Rina,” George gushed, his eyes full of excitement. Isaiah held out a hand to Rina and squealed in delight. “You are getting married! Oh my God. I already have the whole mood board planned in my head. You deserve this, Rina Power. I wouldn’t have met you personally if not for George here, and from what I know of you, this is only the beginning of your comeback. I am just so happy you found love.”
Love. That word sent Rina’s heart into a frenzy. Zayn was looking up at the band calling the guests softly onto the dance floor with their piece, and Rina could stare up at him without unabashedly. Love. She knew none of that existed between them, at least not where Zayn was concerned. So why did she feel this way, utterly confused, excited, sad, and wanting more? She needed to remember that their arrangement had specifically highlighted that there shouldn’t be any physical relationship.
Perhaps, Zayn was right when he stated that feelings did complicate things.
The launch and official opening had turned into a party, with guests slowly getting off their seats and waltzing into the dance floor. Zayn turned to Rina with his sexy eyes and muttered in a low tone, setting everything she had tried to hold on to off. “Will you do me the honors of saying hello to the guests with me? Now that I am engaged to the most beautiful woman in the world, I just want to flaunt you off at every chance I get.”
No one was listening in. There was no reason for Zayn to put up the act at that moment.
Still, he did.