"Thank you, Mr. Stone."
"Mr. Stone?" Dan came closer, sneering. "Since when have we been using surnames?"
I tried to steady my breathing, my insides feeling like they would crumble. The last thing I wanted was to set my eyes on him; it unleashed painful memories.
It wasn’t the times I looked at him like he was the only man I loved, but the sight of him fucking another woman.
Disgust crawled through me. "What are you doing here?"
"Piper’s mom secured a good deal for me, introduced me to some big shots. You know I have always wanted to work in RealHouse, but was never qualified, remember?"
How could I forget?
It was everything to him, but this was Midnight City, where the influential ones had more chances than those who worked hard.
"That’s lovely."
"Aren’t you happy for me? I mean... I know we’re not together anymore, but the least you can do is show you are."
I exhaled slowly, trying my best not to lash out. So I fixed my usual fake professional smile. "I’m not sure it’s my happiness you should seek."
"Come on, Catherine, don’t be like that."
"Be like what?"
"You’re bitter about what happened, I get it. But you know the last thing I wanted to do was hurt you, right? I screw that up."
I nodded. "Yes, and your option was leading me on until your grand finale. Well done."
"Catherine."
I took a step back when he got too close, my hands crammed in front of me, then he saw the diamond ring.
Slowly, his broad eyes went back to mine, as if demanding an explanation, but I don’t owe him any.
"Have a nice evening, Mr. Stone." I walked, but he blocked my path.
"I saw you with your boss. I thought you quit."
"Get out of my way."
He let out a dry laugh. "Did he give you that ring? Are you engaged to him or something?"
"It’s none of your business, Mr. Stone."
"Stop calling me that!" He yelled, grabbing my arms. "Have you been fucking him behind my back? Is that why, out of all his secretaries, you were the only one who stayed longer? I knew it! There was no way someone like you could have worked for Ares King."
His accusation was like a dagger to my heart. How he could make up things baffled me. Dan was always so sweet. He couldn’t even throw words to save his own skin or step up against anyone.
Maybe I never truly knew him, after all.
I yanked myself away from his hold, and I slapped him hard on the cheek. "I worked so hard for us, so fucking hard! I gave you my heart, and you crushed it as if it were nothing. The only one who destroyed everything we worked for was you. Don’t you dare pin your faults on me!"
He clenched his teeth. "Then we both hurt each other. You cheated on me, too."
I exhaled harshly through my nose, chest burning. "Have you gone insane?"
"You always played the victim, always. It was always about work, now I know why. You’re a slut!"
It felt like a blow to my chest. Without another word, I push past him.
"Cat—"
A hand seized him before he could grab me.
"Reed!"
With a tug, Dan fell to the ground like he weighed no less than paper. Reed dipped his hand into his coat and pulled out a gun.
What the—!
He cocked the gun, ready to shoot Dan, but I stopped him, holding down his hand.
"W-What are you doing?"
"He’s causing you trouble, Mrs. King."
What happened to a good old-fashioned beating?
"H-He’s just a nobody who got frantic."
Reed shifted his eyes to me. "Are you sure?"
"Yes! This is my first time in public, so fans can get crazy. Don’t kill him... please."
"As you wish." He retreated his gun, and I let out a breath of relief.
Dan struggled to stand, stuttering his words. "Cat—"
I swung my leg right at his groin, and he cried out, collapsed to his knees, and clenching his balls.
"That should teach you!"
Reed stared at me with a surprised look before a smile curled on his lips.
I cleared my throat. "We should go inside."
I hauled his arm so that we would leave before Dan started talking.
"Thank you for showing up."
"Mr. King sent me to be with you when you left for the restroom. I stood outside for an hour waiting."
Crap!
"I did go to the restroom, but I needed some air too."
"Understood."
We were back at the ballroom, but Ares wasn’t at the table. I sat, confused, looking at Reed, but he was already back in his position, standing next to the column with his hands crammed in front.
Ares came into view, sat next to me, and I fixed my expression, keeping my smile in place.
"Sorry I took so long." I drank my champagne, but paused when I saw a stain on his hand. It wouldn’t have been obvious if it weren’t on the table.
They didn’t serve us anything that had red sauce, so what is that?
When Ares caught me staring, he used his handkerchief to wipe his hands, calmly.
The mic gave a sharp feedback whine when someone grabbed it. "Unfortunately, Mr. Voss won’t be with us the rest of the evening. Please let us proceed to the next affair."
~☆~
The drive back to the penthouse was a quiet one. I wouldn’t call this night a complete success, but the message was passed to the public.
Ares King has a wife.
I spent the rest of the evening drinking too much champagne until Ares stopped me. If he hadn’t, I would have given them a night they wouldn’t forget.
Me: Talk to me, T.
I stared at the last message I sent to Tori before dropping my phone on the rear console. I’m not texting her again. If she doesn’t wanna talk to me again, then fine!
My phone rang, and my eyes veered to it. The name Dan, with red heart and kisses emojis beside it, popped up.
Ares’ eyes flickered to the screen.