Contract Marriage starring Love and Revenge
Chapter 29. Dancing

Chapter 29: 29. Dancing

I don’t like this. I don’t like this at all. I don’t like the way she’s staring at Duke. I don’t like it because I know that stare. I know that look in her eyes, it’s the look she gives when she sees something she wants.

I really don’t like this.

And that’s not the only thing I don’t like... I also hate the smell of rosemary that is slowly feeling up my nostrils, so much so that it’s making me nauseous. Rosemary; it’s Alicia’s signature scent. She’s been using it for such a long time that whenever I smell it, I instinctively think she is around me even though she is not.

It’s a lovely scent, but I’ve grown to despise it bitterly.

"Champagne, aren’t you being rude? Won’t you introduce me to your partner? We’re cousins after all." She says. Gosh I hate her.

"Well, I suppose I can always introduce myself." She shrugs. Why can’t I say anything? Why does it feel like my voice is lost? I have so much I want to say to the two of them standing in front of me right now and yet, I can’t say anything and I can’t bring myself to stop staring at them either.

"Hi, Alicia Gold." She says with her hand stretched out to Duke. There she goes, sounding so sweet and nice. I want to tell him not to take her hand, not to shake her outstretched hand. I want to tell him but I still can’t face him.

Will he take her hand and kiss her knuckles just like he always does to me? I will hate that. I will really, really hate— Huh!

I gasp in shock as I feel our fingers slowly interlock. My gaze that I could not tear from Alicia and Rowan finally turns to face the man beside me.

I look from our interlocked fingers to the face of the man whose eyes are still on me... Did they ever waver? Did they look her way? I don’t know, all I know right now is that those beautiful gray eyes are still on me right now.

Only me.

I hear Alicia scoff as she slowly withdraws her hand.

"Mr Grand, you might not know this, but I am Alicia Gold, CEO of—"

"Dearest," He purrs the words so sweetly I think I might die. "they’re playing my song," his eyes, I can see them and they are filled with only one thing, "would you honor me with a dance?" Me... I am all that’s in his eyes right now.

And that... for some reason is so comforting.

"Hmm?" He hums and places a kiss in my hand, completely ignoring the two standing before us.

"I’d love to... But I’m a horrible dancer." I confess.

"Good, that means I get to take the lead." He smiles at me as he rises to his feet, taking me with him, again ignoring those two.

Before moving fully onto the dance floor, I steal a glance at Alicia and Rowan and I can see her boiling with anger. She can’t even hide it.

She must be mad that he ignored her. Thee look on her face is that of disbelief. Heck even I can’t believe it! For the first time, someone ignored Alicia!!! He ignored her!!

God have mercy, but I am so happy right now.

"How are you?" He asks as we slow dance amongst other couples on the dance floor.

"Better than I thought I would be." I profess before adding, "thanks to you." and he smiles.

"You really look beautiful tonight, Dearest. The dress suits you." He compliments me again and I can’t stop the rush of blood in my system, nor the blush that rises to my cheeks.

My lashes fall over my eyes as I try to control my smile, "I_ I like your cravat too." I blurt out the only thing I can think of.

"Why, thank you. I picked red to match your outfit." He confesses and it only causes me to blush even harder. Knowing that he not only got me a dress, but dressed himself up to match my own outfit, makes my heart flutter and makes me happy beyond words.

He twirls me around and at that moment, I catch a glimpse of Alicia looking at us with hot eyes.

And I’m tempted to ask, "What do you think of her?" What is wrong with me! Did I just say that out loud? I think I did! I definitely did! I must really have said it out loud! Champagne you’ve lost your mind.

"Of who?" He asks and I wonder if he’s just pretending not to know who I’m talking about or he seriously has no clue of who I’m talking about. The look on his face seems as though he really has no clue.

"A_Alicia I mean. What do you think of—"

"Nothing." He cuts me off and I stare up at him. Those gray eyes are solely on me. The hand at the small of my back is suddenly getting hot as he draws slow lines there. Up and down and up and down, he strokes the center of my back as we sway to the rhythm, "I don’t think anything of her because there is no space in my head to process the thoughts of anyone..."

He bends himself to my level, bringing his head to rest side by side with mine and his breath fans my cheek, causing a sweet tingle down my system. Then he whispers "Anyone but you, that is."

He brings his face directly in front of mine, and I struggle to keep my eyes on him. There’s something about the way he looks at me that just stops me from thinking of any other thing. It completely draws my entire focus to him, blurring my mind to every other thing around me.

Just him.

"Can I kiss you?" He suddenly asks and my eyes move around in shock, my mind also feels as though it’s lost signal. It’s blank...

Only one thing keeps playing in my head... Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss.

I open my lips to speak and, "I—"

"Too late, the song is over." He smirks as his hand on my back slowly slips onto my hand and he broadens the space between us, gives me a charming bow and places a kiss on my knuckles.

Was he just playing with me!!!

Ahhhh!!

He’s laughing! I want to punch him so much right now. "You are so— Huh!" I gasp as Duke slams into someone as he turns around.

Or did the someone slam into Duke?

And why am I not surprised... Alicia.

"Oh my goddess! Oh my gosh, I am so, so, so sorry Mr Grand." She’s saying while trying to get closer to him all in a facade of wiping off the wine she just spilled on him.

"Let me help you wipe it off and—" He suddenly grabs her wrist, stopping her from touching him any further. Silently, he stares at her for a second and I can’t help but wonder what’s going through his mind right now.

Maybe because I’ve read too many novels, but this is one sure way to make two people meet. In fact it’s one of the oldest tricks in the book. The spill a drink by mistake and fall in love after trope. Although I doubt that this was a mistake.

Could he be thinking that she’s beautiful? Is his heart probably beating for her?

Crazy thoughts go in and out of my head but then I stare at his face and it seems to be an unfamiliar face. Or maybe it’s just the expression on his face that I haven’t seen before.

What’s that expression? That dark expression. Why does it send shivers down my spine? Why do I feel glad that I’m not the one he’s staring at with those eyes?

"Leave it." He says and drops her hand like a used tissue.

Then he turns to me and it’s like there must have been a scene cut out because that change of expression can’t be possible. The dark eyes are gone and the man staring at me right now is completely different from the man who was staring at Alicia a while ago.

"I should go wipe this off." He says and I nod. "Will you be okay?" He asks, giving Alicia and Rowan what I will term as that famous bombastic side eye. A laugh almost tears out of my lips but I hold myself back and nod again.

"I’ll be fine." I assure him with a smile. He nods and walks away, leaving me with these annoying creatures of the devil!

...

"So you got married again." It’s Rowan. Did he seriously just ask me that question?! More importantly, the audacity of the man to walk up to me and even speak! I’ve been trying to keep my eyes away from them since Duke left, I didn’t think he’d be so shameless as to walk up to me and say a damn thing!

"And here you were always claiming you loved me, only for you to get married to someone new just as soon as you find out we’re divorced."

A scoff comes from deep within my throat and out of my lips as I slowly turn my head to stare at the idiot in front of me. He’s alone.

Where did Alicia go?