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“Should I?” I was taken aback. Had we met before? I was sure he was just a stranger nearly hitting me with his car, but now I wasn’t sure anymore.
I scanned his face carefully, starting from his side-shaved, raven-dark hair pleasingly falling onto his forehead, down to his beautifully gleaming aquamarine hooded eyes, straight nose, and dark stubble enhancing his sharp jawline and narrow lips. Inch by inch, but I still hadn’t remembered meeting him before. I was pretty sure I would recall the beauty of this man. I took a deep breath, fighting the growing urge to taste those alluring lips of his. I cast my eyes to catch him hungrily gawking down at my lips. But unlike me, he was composed, his breath slow and steady. I could tell he knew how to control his emotions. I, in turn, was barely restraining myself from throwing myself at him like a beast unleashed from its cage, devouring him. My body refused to obey me, trembling under his touch as he ran his fingertips down my bare arm. Hell, I wasn’t sure if I could bear the sexual tension between us. Deep down, I begged him to break finally and kiss me. Or even better, fuck me. I was craving his touch underneath the clothes lingering against my skin. He leaned down even farther so that our lips were parted by nothing but our warm breaths. He rested his forehead on mine, trapping me with both his arms.
Was he fighting the urge to kiss me like I was?
“You don’t know what you’re doing,” I breathed against his lips. “If my father sees us here, he will hurt you.”
He didn’t seem to care about what I’d said. Instead, he scoffed, smirking provocatively, which was hot to me. It was the first time I met someone indifferent to my father. Before, everyone else had always been so tense, petrified even as soon as I mentioned my father. Or even worse, when he was around. But Shane didn’t give a damn, which attracted me even more to him.
“I’m not afraid of your father,” he whispered, slowly stepping back before looking piercingly into my eyes. “I’m not afraid of anyone, Melanie.”
I looked at him, somewhat intrigued. “Who are you?”
He stood still like a statue, focused on me before stating, “I’m Shane Vergoossen.”
Vergoossen.
My blood ran cold. I should’ve run away after hearing this surname, but of course, I didn’t.
The Vergoossens were the most powerful family I had heard of in the United States with Dutch roots thus the unique last name. The business magnates and investors owning a variety of companies. According to Forbes, the wealthiest family in the world. Although the Vergoossen family was well known, I did not recognize Shane. Yes, I heard that name often, but they tended to avoid media and stay low-key. There were some rumors they had associations with the Mafia, hence why they were so rich and influential, but to me, it sounded surreal. Supposedly, Shane, being Karl Vergoossen’s oldest son, was the heir to the Vergoossens’ empire. I had no idea if any of this was true. All I knew for sure was that Karl Vergoossen was the greatest enemy of my father. It all made sense to me why Shane wasn’t afraid of him. The Vergoossens did not fear anything or anyone. On the contrary, people feared them. But what was he doing at my house? At the lion’s den?
“If you want to get out of this ridiculous engagement thing, be at the back of the service entrance.” His raspy voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “Eight o’clock, sharp,” he added before turning on his heel and leaving through the other door leading to a reading room no one ever used and through which you could reach the back stairs.
How the hell did he know about it?
TIME PASSED, AND I got back to my engagement party. Theo dragged me to join his parents, who, as he claimed, were dying to talk to me. I sat by the round table beautifully decorated with white cloth, golden ornaments, cream, and pale-rose peonies. The dinner was already served, and a delicious smell of food was reaching my nose. I had Theo making jokes on my right and my parents laughing at his every comment on my left. In front of me were Theo’s parents grinning proudly at their son and his sister, who definitely didn’t enjoy her evening.I could relate.I glanced across the room, wondering what was going through the heads of all the guests. A lady in red that I’d never seen before was flirting with a man in a dark suit, not paying attention to his date sitting just beside him. I wondered if that was how my life would look if I married Theo? Once a cheater, always a cheater, no?
I scanned the room further, realizing all the important figures were there. Nothing new. My father was a famous politician and businessman. Another question ran through my head: was the rich people’s world so rotten? Was it a standard for them to cheat? Did love even exist in this world of money, power, and fame? Even though I was raised among the wealthy, I’d always felt I didn’t fit into this world. Maybe because I knew I had nothing. Everything belonged to my father, who, for some reason, despised me. I wasn’t a “spoiled rich girl” like other girls from society. I knew I was on my own.
I took a deep breath, focusing on what was happening at my table. Despite the chatter and laughter, I couldn’t concentrate on anything but Shane’s image before my eyes and the unconventional suggestion he made at the library.
“You look phenomenal in that dress, darling,” Victoria, Theo’s mother, exclaimed before taking a long sip of her champagne. She looked so much like her son that it was impossible not to guess they were family. She had golden waves the same shade as her son, fair skin, and hazel eyes. She was gorgeous with exceptional taste in fashion and particularly attentive to her appearance. Although she was in her forties, many had mistaken her for Theo’s sister on plenty of occasions. Even her own daughter, Natalia, who was only sixteen, sometimes looked more mature. Natalia, in contrast, favored their father. Long thick hair in the deep chocolate shade, golden skin tone, and amber eyes, just like Robert.
“Thank you, Mrs. Ledford,” I replied timidly. Victoria had the overwhelming kind of aura that made it impossible for me to feel comfortable around her. She craved attention and loved being in the spotlight, unlike me.
“I agree with my mother, Melanie.” Theo slid his hand around my waist, smiling. “You outshine the brightest of the stars tonight.”Cliché.
“You should go to powder your nose, sweetie,” my mother squeezed my arm gently, semiwhispering into my ear. “It’s nearly eight. It’s time for the proposal. You should look your best.”
“Eight?” Suddenly my heart started pumping heavily again. Everyone looked at me, somewhat puzzled. I was barely composing my nerves because I knew I didn’t want to marry a man who just a few days ago was fucking my so-called friend. I didn’t want to live my mother’s life unhappy and without love. At the same time, I was hesitant about whether I could trust Shane Vergoossen or not. Most likely not. But could it stop the invisible, irresistible pull toward this man?
Be at the back of the service entrance. Eight o’clock, sharp.
Shane’s husky voice was rumbling in my ears. With each passing second, my heart was beating faster, more forceful. My breath was unsteady, heavy. What was I supposed to do? I had no idea why he showed up in my life at my engagement party. What were his intentions? I was damn sure he had some ulterior motives, yet the scent of this man, his lingering touch, and mesmerizing eyes held me captive. Intoxicated. Craving more.
My mother nudged me discreetly, whispering, “Melanie?”
I cleared my throat and put down the napkin that I was nervously squeezing in my hand. “Excuse me. I need to powder my nose,” I said before leaving the table.
I was rushing toward the restroom, adrenaline growing in my veins. Everything around became a blur. I couldn’t hear the tittle-tattles or the slow classical music. All I could hear was my heartbeat.
“Melanie.” I felt a firm grip on my left elbow and turned to see my boyfriend. “Do you want me to accompany you?”
“To the toilet?” I breathed heavily.
“Yes, you look pale.”
“No,” I huffed. “I’m just a little stressed. That’s all.”
