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The rest of the evening is uneventful. More food comes out, one course after another until we get to dessert. I am stuffed and cannot eat another bite, but the one and only thing I know about the wealthy from reading is that if you turn down something offered, it is like a slap in the face, so I eat the darn chocolate mousse, willing myself not to vomit. When the plates are removed, I have never been so happy about anything in my life. Blakes looks at me and smiles, nodding his head before he is tapped on the shoulder by the butler. He whispers something in his ear before he promptly gets up from his seat and looks at me with his eyebrow raised. It is amazing how quickly you can learn tiny nuances about a person when you spend every day with them. That gesture, as subtle as it is, was his way of letting me know he has to walk away and asking me if I am alright. I smile and pat my stomach, letting him know I am going to the ladies’ room.
Bathrooms are awkward places as it is but imagine being in the home of the man you are sleeping with’s parents, nauseous and hoping like hell no one walks in while you are occupying the restroom. Generally, you go to a person’s house and there is one toilet, so this is not something you have to worry about. That is not the case here. His mother had an actual powder room built into the restroom. Fancy and irritating.
I am just about to flush and get up when I hear two female voices. One I think recognizes as Angelica Witherspoon, the other, I am not sure. I hold my breath, praying they are simply in here to check their makeup and nothing else. Well, it seems they came in here for conversation as well.
“Who was that girl Blake walked in here with?” the unknown woman asks.
“I have no idea. Probably some poor girl from a charity he is doing. You know how big his heart is.” I am trying not to let their assessment get to me, especially since there is no way they haven’t seen us together in the papers and on the news.
“True. That makes him a great Governor and great husband material. Except, isn’t she the same one he has been photographed kissing and bringing to all the functions lately?” That's right ladies. Me. Not you!! Sorry. My inner brat is dancing right now.
“Perhaps. I don't worry about such things. Whoever she is, she is a passing phase. I am the one wearing the family heirloom on my engagement finger. Everyone who is important knows our match was predetermined. He can have his fun for now.”
“You are so bad Angelica.” the other woman laughs. “When is the official announcement going to be made?”
“Soon. I suspect that is why his father called him away. Come on. Let’s get back out there.” My stomach cramps and everything spins. Oh, God. Engaged? Announcement? No. It can’t be true...can it? He wouldn’t do this to me? Even as I am asking myself this, the rational part of me is shaking her head telling me I have been delusional. She is reprimanding me for being swept off my feet and falling for a man you know next to nothing about.
I want to crawl on the floor, wounded and bleeding from the place just pierced in my heart, but I won’t fall apart here. Not here in front of these people. No. I have to get out of here. I have to go. I peek outside the door and see no one. Taking the opportunity, I walk toward the front door, head down, tears falling from my face. I am almost at the front door when my phone rings. I don’t bother looking to see who it is. Right now, nothing matters.
“Lilah, sweetheart, I have been so worried.”
“Markis.” I hiccup his name in relief and shame.
“Lilah, are you crying? What has happened?”
“I… need to g-go home.”
“Darling, are you hurt? Where are you?” I am stagnant. That’s where I am. I am standing in front of the front door, bawling my eyes out, listening to the man who has treated me with such respect and to whom I have hurt, even though he may not know it, trying to fix whatever is wrong with me from across the country.
“Not hurt...” I try to explain, unable to control myself. “Markis I…” before I can finish, the phone is ripped from my hands and Blake looms over me, angry and concerned.
“Markis is it? This is her fiancé. Do not call her again.” Markis must have said something back to him because I see his jaws tighten and his grip on my phone. “There is nothing she needs to say to you I haven’t just said. She is no longer your concern.” He hangs up and I just stand there like an idiot, crying, watching as he breaks the communication with someone who has been nothing but nice to me. My hand reaches for the door, but he stops me and lifts me into his arms. “I have been looking everywhere for you. I don’t know what happened, but we will not discuss it here. We are leaving.”
