Like the plague

“Look this way Myra.”

“Miss Myra can you smile this way!”

“I love your dress, was it made by a popular designer?”

“Please, one more photo Myra!” the photographers shouted as we walked the red carpet. Camera lights flashed repeatedly but I was used to it by now. My nerves were more active than usual that night. Seeing as it was my first outing after texting Pierce. I hated to admit it but not hearing from him was making me very nervous. Especially since there were rumors circulating that he would attend this event.

My sister tugged at my arm and I looked beside me.

“Is it always like this?” Lily asked, awe written on her face. I was glad I had decided to make her my plus one for the party that night.

“Not always, but this is a double event. We’re celebrating the birthday of the CEO of the label and the success of our new TV series.” I explained to her, pushing thoughts of Pierce to the back of my mind.

I did not want to be there, but Lily’s presence made me feel m better. A total mind improvement would be hearing that Pierce had declined the invitation. I would have, but I could not risk Lancaster’s wrath. He in the other hand, he could do whatever.

“Look at the camera Myra.” A photographer called.

“What’s the name of your friend?” someone else asked.

“Her name is Lily, and she’s my sister.” I said and hugged her to my side.

After we had taken enough photos we moved into the big dome.

The room was elegantly decorated, with flowers hanging from the ceiling giving an ethereal design. With my eyes I tried to find Hannah in the crowded room.

“There!” Lily called, pointing towards the bar area. There I saw Hannah, speaking with a veteran author, no doubt discussing the possibility of turning the woman’s book into a series. Her husband standing diligently at her side.

As she waved us over, the author saw an opening and hurried away before Hannah noticed. I was glad to see her. Even though we had talked on the phone about my current situation, I hadn’t seen her since she’d made my life even more complicated by handing me the test kit.

She shook her head subtly answering the question on my face. Pierce had not arrived yet. There was still a chance that he would not show. I breathed out ignoring the pang in my chest.

It wasn’t that I missed him, I just needed to SEE him. It was driving me crazy that he had not tried to reach out after my text. Yes, I blocked him, but this was Pierce, if he wanted to find me he would.

It proved what I already knew; I wasn’t a priority right now. Not with Tami back in the picture.

She gave me a knowing look when I reached her side. Hannah still thought it was wise that I told Pierce of my Pregnancy.

“If he insists you get an abortion, then don’t. It’s your body, your baby. But leaving him in the dark is going to bite you in the ass, Myra.” She warned, after I told her my final decision.

I would not be changing my mind, and I let her know before I made her swear to not breathe a word about my baby to a soul.

“About time you arrived.” Damien, Hannah’s husband, told me and crushed me in a bear hug. “Maybe i can actually have fun at these things,”

“Oh don’t be a spoilsport. We had a deal. One night here and I do whatever you want for a week.”

They bickered while I scanned the crowd, my heart skipping when they landed on someone that looked remotely like him.

And then, in the middle of a small crowd I saw him.

Pierce was still as mesmerizing as the first day I had met him. Dressed immaculately in a dark business suit worn over a crisp blue shirt, he towered over the men in the room effortlessly, if not by height , then by his imposing and intimidating presence. My relief at seeing him was crushed when I spotted the woman next to him.

Tami had her hand in his and was smiling pleasantly, her beautiful dark blue dress matching his suit perfectly. A beautiful couple to every eye.

I could feel my heart breaking into a million pieces again. Why did it still hurt so much? I forced my eyes away from them before my calm exterior would crack.

I reminded myself that my sister was present. I was in public.

Hannah gave me a sympathetic look, and I nodded with a smile. I was fine.

I tried not to think about the fact that all I got from Pierce at public events were little stolen looks. About how he looked quite comfortable with Tami by his side.

I tried not to think about how humiliated I was feeling. He was probably happy that I had broken things off without him doing anything.

“Who is he, Myra?” Lily asked, awe written on her face.

“A ruthless son of a bitch.” Hannah offered. My sister looked at me expectantly.

“A businessman, one of the many wealthy ones here tonight, Pierce Blackwood.” I told Lily. That was all she needed to know about him.

“Is he one of your friends?”

“No kiddo, never has been, never will be.”

I had kept my relationship with Pierce a secret from my family, hoping to publicize it when we got serious. We never did, and I never mentioned it. There was no use to do so now.

“Don’t call me kiddo.” She scrunched up her nose in protest.

Suddenly a large hand grabbed mine , startling me. Beautiful blue eyes attached to a well sculpted face stared down at me mischievously.

“Adams!” I sighed in relief. Whatever stress I felt, I knew he would make me laugh it all away. Since Adams had met me during our audition for Gossip and dreams he had become a permanent fixture in my life. The type of friend I could call on if I ever needed a break from my life problems.

“When did you show up?” I asked breathlessly.

“Just a second ago. Then I came in search of the most beautiful group of women. You look lovely, Myra.” Adams whispered the last sentence, and drew me closer, his hand resting on my exposed back. “Hannah…” he added playfully.

“Nope” she answered, lifting a hand up. “You get the silent treatment for a whole month for missing the Lindsay interview.”

“Help me.” He begged me, cracking me up. A familiar pair of eyes caught my attention.

“I think Sarah’s giving me the stink eye.” I told him, and waved at her with a bright smile on my face. She might have been watching me because of Pierce, and I did not want to feed her bitterness. I laughed in surprise when Adams swung his arms around my shoulder and kissed my cheek.

“She’s angry because you snagged the most handsome man in the room tonight.” Adams could not be described as delusional. With his towering height and lean physique, he was a absolute head turner, sadly the only person that had my attention tonight was Pierce.

“Lucky me, I guess.” I joked letting a more natural smile spread over my face.

“If anyone is lucky, it would be me. I get to stare at your beautiful face for the rest of the night.”

Color crept up my cheeks. “What have I told you about trying out your pickup lines on me? I don’t appreciate being a test subject.”

He grinned and leaned into me, his head resting in the crook of my neck. “It’s not a pickup line Myra. I mean every word.” He whispered hoarsely. I rolled my eyes. Adams got like this once in a while. It would last till he found some model or foreign speaking waitress to obsess over. I hoped it would happen sooner than later.

“I thought you said you didn’t know him?” Lily asked with a frown on her face.

“Know who?”

“Pierce Blackwood.”

Adam raised a brow at me, and I flushed beside him. He had never brought it up while we talked but I was sure he had heard the rumors of my relationship with Pierce.

“I don’t.” I answered with vehemence.

“Then why is he walking towards us?”

My body went taut when Hannah’s eyes widened in surprise, confirming what Lily had said. She looked at me with concern and then behind me.

“Myra.” A deep velvety voice called from behind me. A voice that had hunted in me in my dreams and followed me like the plague. Slowly I turned and my heart leapt into my throat.

His dark gaze regarded me coolly, and all I could think of was the pleasure I would feel if this happened on another day. A day where Tami was just a spectre in his past.

“Pierce.” His gaze moved followed Adam’s hand as he placed it back on my shoulder. I fought the urge to remove it. “Surprised to see you here.”

“Can’t miss em all” He said with a frown when he noticed I wasn’t doing anything about Adam’s hand. I hoped his statement went unnoticed by the others.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr Pierce.” Adams said.

Pierce made no move to respond, but stared at his hand like it could wither away from my shoulder.

Adams slowly retrieved his arm. Hannah noticed the awkwardness and stepped in quickly.

“Pierce! It really is a surprise. I’m sure Lancaster will be glad to see you’re here.”

“Of course. I hope you’re doing okay? I saw Myra at the hospital accompanying you for your tests.”

”What?” Damien asked confused while my heart dropped in my chest. “What test, love?”

“She’s fine.” I butted in, hoping Pierce did not hear him. I could hear Hannah whispering in her husband’s ear as I spoke. “It was nothing serious.”

“I’m good Pierce. Thanks for asking.” She confirmed with a smile. My heart slowed. “So uhh Lancaster?”

“Funny you should mention him. He said something about needing to talk to you.” Pierce looked directly at me and I realized that something was off.

“I’ll go find him in a bit, thank you.” I answered calmly.

“I’m heading in that direction, we might as well go together.”

Before I could process his action Pierce’s hand grasped my arm tightly and pulled me. “Come along Myra, let’s not keep the man waiting.”