Chapter Six

  Amira's narrowed gaze bore into Aidan's, filled with a mix of incredulity and fury. With a sharp jerk, she wrenched her hand from his grasp, her voice laced with barely contained anger as she addressed him.

"How dare you interfere?" she seethed, her teeth gritted in frustration. "You know perfectly well—"

Her words faltered as Karina's mocking laughter reached her ears. Turning towards the sound, Amira found herself met with Karina's icy stare.

"Patience is a virtue, gentlemen," Karina remarked casually to her bouncers. "There's no need to waste time on insignificant nuisances."

Amira's cheeks flushed with humiliation, her fists clenching at her sides as she fought to maintain her composure.

Karina's threat hung in the air, igniting a fiery determination within Amira. She took a step forward, her mind racing with thoughts of retaliation.

But before she could act, Aidan intervened, his voice tinged with resignation as he addressed her.

"Don't escalate the situation, Amira," he urged softly, his eyes pleading with her to stand down.

"Don't speak to me," Amira retorted sharply, cutting off any further conversation. With a defiant glare, she turned on her heel and stormed away.

As Karina's bouncers took a step forward towards Aidan, he cast a stern glance in their direction, making them keep their distance. Then his eyes fell to the few drops of water that adorned Karina's dress, a silent reminder of the confrontation that had just transpired.

Karina adjusted her hair, pointedly ignoring Aidan's attempt to offer her his handkerchief. With a subtle motion, she signaled to one of her bouncers, who promptly presented her with a personalized handkerchief.

"I don't clean my dress with subpar materials," she remarked coolly, dismissing Aidan's gesture as she returned the handkerchief.

Aidan's brows furrowed in mild offense. "My handkerchief is clean, Karina. It's not subpar."

"Anything associated with unpleasant people carries their stench," Karina muttered under her breath, shooting Aidan a pointed look before turning to leave. However, Aidan caught her hand, causing her to glare at him in irritation. He quickly released her, offering an apologetic smile that only served to annoy her further.

Giving him a warning glance, Karina attempted to walk away again, only to find Aidan blocking her path with his arm.

"Don't act like we never shared a past, Karina," Aidan pleaded, his frustration evident in his tone. "We used to live under the same roof, for goodness' sake."

Karina turned to face him, her expression one of detached indifference. "What do you want, Mr. Algernon?"

"You look stunning," Aidan uttered, his discomfort palpable. "I had no idea you were... K. Everhardt, the famous actress, and the heiress of Everhardt Corporation and Groups."

Karina folded her arms, unimpressed. "Is that  supposed to impress me?"

"You did well, although...”

"Does K. Everhardt look like one to chitchat with the common folk?" She posed a striking question that stung his pride.

"I am not just a commoner. You know me, and we made eye contact twice before now."

"That's absurd. I didn't even notice you," she replied nonchalantly.

"Sometimes lies can hold some truth," he retorted with a chuckle, closing the distance between them. "I know you still have feelings for me, Karina. It's been six years, but nothing has changed."

"Is that a certainty?"

"It's the truth. You haven't moved on from me. That means... you still love me."

Karina let out a short laugh, surprising him. "Impressive conclusion, but I am with someone else now."

Aidan looked around, shaking his head. "I don't see anyone close to you."

"I have said yes to another man," Karina smiled, flaunting a diamond ring she had purposely worn earlier.

"Oh. I highly doubt it was put there by a man."

"Do you want to meet him?"

Aidan didn't respond, simply shaking his head.

"Well, he's here," Karina shifted her gaze to someone behind him, smiling slyly. 

"Darling," she called out sweetly and moved past Aidan to reach the person.

Panicking, Aidan turned to see her embrace another man.

"Honey, I've been waiting for you," Karina cooed.

The man, confused, opened his mouth to explain the supposed misunderstanding, but Karina spoke in a low voice.

"Please play along."

The man smiled at her as if her words had touched a tender spot in him. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

Sneaking a glance at Aidan, Karina chuckled and wrapped her arms around the man's neck, kissing him deeply.

Taking charge, the man pulled her even closer and deepened the kiss, stealing a glance at Aidan before doing so.

Aidan felt a surge of anger and bitterness as he watched his ex-wife in the arms of another man, kissing him passionately. 

He felt his heart being torn apart. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Karina gently withdrew from the kiss, her mind briefly flickering to Aidan's reaction. With a subtle grace, she brushed her thumb over the corner of her companion's lips, leaving him visibly pleased.

Glancing at Aidan, she noticed his stunned expression. Her companion, catching Aidan's gaze, couldn't resist a taunt. "Close your mouth, buddy, or you'll catch flies," he jibed, earning a light giggle from Karina.

Aidan, feeling exposed under their scrutiny, hastily averted his gaze and straightened his tie, feigning indifference. As he made his exit, Karina's eyes followed him, a sly smile playing on her lips.

“This is fascinating.” Karina relished the intrigue swirling around her as she watched Aidan's departure. The man beside her, captivated by her allure, couldn't resist complimenting her.

"You look absolutely stunning, ma'am," he remarked, unable to contain his admiration.

Karina's smile widened at the compliment. "Thank you. And I apologize for my impulsive actions earlier," she said, acknowledging her bold move.

The man grinned. "I would say the kiss more than made up for it, my lady."

She chuckled at his remark. "Indeed."

As he turned to leave, assuming his role was over now that Aidan had left, Karina hesitated. The sight of Aidan's reaction lingered in her mind, fueling a mischievous idea.

"Stop, Mr.," she called out, stopping him in his tracks. He turned back to face her. 

"I want you to continue...as my acting boyfriend and soon-to-be husband," she declared with a wicked grin.

"What?" He was taken aback by her unexpected proposal.