Ezekiel led Aurelia to a private section of the bar, away from the prying eyes of others. This made Aurelia a little uncomfortable, but she didn’t dare to refuse.
“I’m glad you could make it.” Ezekiel turned to Aurelia, his eyes softening in gratitude.
They stood before a stunning collection of exotic wines from the nineteenth century, meticulously displayed on polished mahogany shelves. The dimly lit room highlighted the wines’ rich hues, casting a warm glow on the delicate glass bottles. Aurelia’s gaze wandered over the impressive selection, recognizing some of the rarest vintages.
Ezekiel gestured to the collection. “Some of the finest wines in the world. I thought you might appreciate them.”
Aurelia’s eyes widened as she reached out to touch an 1869 Chateau Lafite. “This is incredible. Thank you for inviting me.”
Ezekiel smiled, pleased. “I’m glad you’re impressed.”
They both settled in a brief moment of silence and as Aurelia turned to admire the collection, Ezekiel’s gaze wept over her, his eyes lowering in subtle desire as he did so. He bit on his lower lips, tracing each delicate dip and curve of her body, realizing why Luke was so crazy about her.
He also noticed she wore the heels he got for her, and it made his chest flutter with a foreign emotion.
One that he’d desperately tried to suppress.
“I see you wore the heels I got you.” He pointed out, and Aurelia glanced at him, her cheeks heating up in shy embarrassment.
“Uhm yes, they seemed best for the occasion.”
“They look good on you,” Ezekiel said honestly, and Aurelia’s eyes widened momentarily.
“Thank you.” She muttered softly, looking down at her feet. They looked beautiful on her.
“You look good as well.”
“Really?” Ezekiel hummed, tilting his head to the side with a playful smirk. “You think I’m handsome?”
Aurelia hesitantly nodded, instinctively knowing he was teasing her again. “Everyone knows you’re handsome.”
“Hmm?” Ezekiel pouted, unsatisfied with her answer.”I don’t care about what everyone thinks though.” He took a step closer, narrowing his eyes as he leaned to her eye level. “I asked what you-Aurelua Ravenwood-think.”
Aurelia chewed on her bottom lip, and Ezekiel’s smile widened as the color of her cheeks deepened. He would never get enough of teasing her.
After much deliberation, she finally spoke. “I think…. you’re beautiful.”
This catches Ezekiel off guard and soon he matches the color of her cheeks. “Beautiful you say…” he tried to play it off by laughing, but he couldn’t deny how fast his heart was beating. He caught his breath, looking off to the side.
“No one has ever called me that.”
Aurelia giggled softly at his reaction, amused by how the tables had turned. “Are you blushing?” so she decided to do the teasing for once.
Ezekiel scoffed, but he couldn’t meet her gaze. “No, I’m not.”
Aurelia pursed her lips, playful mischief dancing in her eyes.
“Then look at me, Mr. Sterling.”
“You should be careful of what you ask for Aurelia.” Ezekiel drawled, still not looking at her. He didn’t know if he would be able to control himself if he faced her now. Not when his skin heated up at the sound of her laughter.
“Would you like a drink?” Ezekiel asked, gesturing to the wine collection. “I guarantee it’ll taste better than it looks.”
Aurelia nodded, and Ezekiel expertly poured two glasses of 1870 Chateau Margaux. They sipped their wine, engaging in effortless conversation, their banter flowing like the wine itself.
As the night wore on, and the glasses emptied, Ezekiel’s demeanor shifted. His words slurred slightly, and his laughter grew louder. Aurelia’s cheeks remained flushed, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
“I could have never imagined.” Aurelia began, looking up at the chandelier that dangled directly above their heads. “In a million years, I would have imagined being with you like this.” She confessed honestly, recalling the days she would always look forward to his movies. Everyone had a celebrity crush, even married people. And for Aurelia, Ezekiel was that celebrity.
She’d admired him from a distance, seeing him only on screen, and she was satisfied with that. But now she stood beside him.
She’d danced in his arms. Kissed him, laughed with him, and even teased him. It all felt surreal. But as always, insecurities would always creep in.
This was all too good to be true. Too good to be of pure intentions.
“Are you this nice to all your female fans?” The words slipped off her tongue before she could stop them.
Ezekiel’s expression turned serious, an underlying sadness flashing in his eyes for a moment. It was gone by the time he turned to her, a gentle smile brightening up his features.
“Are you admitting that you’re my fan?” He asked carefully and Aurelia chuckled heartily, the alcohol making her lightheaded but far from drunk.
“Yes, I am a huge fan.”
Ezekiel hummed, going forward to refill her cup and his. “Is that also the reason you added me to your bucket list.”
Aurelia flinched, her gaze zeroing on the crimson liquid. Looks like she wouldn’t be able to avoid this topic. “Maybe.” She admitted truthfully. “But it was a childish thing to do, I’ll appreciate we don’t talk about it.”
“Why?” Ezekiel suddenly leaned forward, causing Aurelia to let out a gasp at his proximity. Wide-eyed, She stared at him, seeing how his amber eyes had turned glossy, the effect of the alcohol kicking in. “Does that mean your want for me is superficial?”
He was drunk.
“I-I didn’t say that.” Aurelia internally panicked, her face turning redder than her drink. “It’s just-”
“Just what.” Ezekiel cut her off, his lips curved into a taunting smirk.
Aurelia gulped her spit, feeling the air in the room get thicker with each passing second. “Can you…please move back a little bit?” she dared to ask, But Ezekiel did the complete opposite, his arms snaking around her waist and pulling her flush against his chest.
“Mr Sterling…” Aurelia gaped, her drink spilling on her at the sudden movement. It splashed on the deep V cut of her dress, and Aurelia flushed as the smooth liquid dripped down to her cleavage.
She wanted to push him away, but for some reason she couldn’t. Maybe she had drank a little too much herself, or maybe it was his charming appeal that caused her to relax in his hold.
Ezekiel’s gaze zeroed in on her cleavage, his eyes darkening. Without warning, his head dipped low, his lips brushing against the peak of her breast. His tongue flicked out, tasting the wine on her skin.
Aurelia’s eyes widened, startled. The sudden intimacy sent shivers down her spine.
Just as Ezekiel pulled back, a mixture of lust and excitement on his face, a harsh voice cut through the air.
“Sterling!”
Aurelia immediately recognized the voice. It was none other than the CEO.
Ezekiel, still leaning in, didn’t register the warning. Luke’s fist connected with his jaw with full force, sending Ezekiel stumbling backward.
Aurelia gasped, her skin paling in horror as Ezekiel crashed into the collection of wine, the glass bottles shattering against his limp body.
“Mr Sterling-” she rushed to help him, but Luke grabbed her wrist and pulled her in the opposite direction, towards the exit. “Hey!” She trashed against his hold, wincing in pain as his grip only tightened. “Let me go! He’s unconscious!”
Luke ignored her, her words flying over his head. He was livid, his chest heaving with boiling rage. He didn’t want to believe what he said, he didn’t want to believe she could stoop so low.
On getting outside, he dragged her to a private alley and finally let her go, pushing her against the wall.
Aurelia coughed out, her back stinging with pain. Tears glistened in her eyes as she looked up at him, wondering who the man before her was.
Luke towered over her, his gaze devoid of any trace of warmth.
“Do you remember the terms of our contract?” Luke seethed, his voice low and menacing. “Do you!!”
“Don’t yell at me!” Aurelia shot back at him. “You can’t use the contract to do as you damn please!!” Her anger matched his, recalling the wedding and how he’d broken his promise. Now he comes here after days of silence. No apology whatsoever, only anger.
“Oh?” Luke scoffed, his lips spreading into a sadistic grin.
“So the contract means nothing to you then? You said I could trust you, didn’t you?”
Aurelia’s brows furrowed, her confusion evident. “What are you talking about?”
Luke’s smile fell, his hard gaze pinning her to the wall. “You seriously don’t know?”
Aurelia flinched as his hands slithered up her dress, gripping her thighs and spreading them apart. She bit back a moan, mentally cursing herself for getting aroused despite the situation. Or was it the wine that messed with her?
“I don’t know,” she said breathlessly, her eyes lowering seductively. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Luke gritted his teeth in annoyance, but his hips moved to grind against hers, his hard length pressing against her core.
“Shall I remind you?” He arched his brow, his fingers tracing the wet patch of arousal on her thong. Luke cursed under his breath, his head dipping low to bite her throat.
“Ah!” Aurelia gripped his shoulders, feeling her knees grow weak. “Stop it,” She protested, although her body resisted against her will. “We’re in public.”
Luke laughed against her skin, the sound dark and mocking.
“That didn’t stop you and Ezekiel did it.”
Aurelia stilled, her heart stinging.
With shocking strength, she pushed Luke off her, raising her hand and slapping him across the face.
Luke’s eyes widened, his head turning at the force of the slap.
Aurelia’s chest heaved, the insult cutting deep into her like a knife. But instead of blood, tears rolled down her cheeks.
“You asked if you could trust me.” Her voice cracked as she spoke, and although she hated it, hated how vulnerable it made her, she didn’t back down. “But you never did right?”
Luke kept his head low, his hands balling into fists at his sides.
Aurelia waited for a response, for anything even. But it never came. She couldn’t believe he thought so lowly of her. Has everything they’ve experienced been for nothing? Is he yet to see how much she cared for him? How could he easily say such a hurtful thing?
Aren’t her feelings valid, or did he only see her as a mere tool to possess and control? It frustrated her, him and her feelings frustrated her. And the fact he had nothing to say made it worse.
“To hell with you Luke.” she spat, her voice trembling with rage.
With that said, Aurelia stormed out, leaving Luke standing alone in the darkness.
As Aurelia walked away, her heart was pounding in her chest. She knew she had to get away from Luke, from the toxic web of emotions that threatened to consume her.
Meanwhile…..
Ezekiel winced as he checked his wounds through the mirror, but his shoulder quaked with amusement as he fought the urge to laugh.
“You look oddly happy.” He caught sight of Veronica through the mirror, greeting her steel gaze with a broad smile.
“Hello to you too cousin.”
Veronica rolled her eyes, flopping on the couch and crossing her legs over each other gracefully.
“So…” she started, her gaze lingering on the shards of glass and spilled wine on the ground. “Did your plan work?”
Ezekiel straightened up, tossing away the blood-stained towel he’d used to tend to the cut on his back. A price he had to pay to get the results he wanted. He was far from drunk, already pouring himself another drink from the surviving wine in the collection.
“Of course.” He looked down at his phone with his free hand, watching Luke and Aurelia through the surveillance cameras he’s set up around the building.
“You underestimate me, cousin.”
Ezekiel’s grin widened maniacally as he watched Aurelia slap Luke, raising the device to show Veronica as well.
“I’m always two steps ahead.”