CHAPTER 4: An aura of mystery

BELLATRIX...

“Bloody fuck!” the man attached to the strong arm said in a deep growl, holding me against his firm chest. An intoxicating scent of fresh mint mixed with the faint aroma of tobacco and filled my nostrils. I looked up and then looked up some more—he was nearly two heads taller than me. Finally, I met a pair of cold forest-green eyes that stared at me with displeasure.

I gulped.

Dressed in a custom-made tailored suit, with neatly styled midnight hair, the mysterious man exuded strength and individuality. I probably shouldn’t have stared at his insanely alluring features, but my greedy eyes were unstoppable. Neil was a handsome hunk, but this man exceeded worldly limits.

“What are you doing?” He frowned, obviously not impressed.

“I—I didn’t mean to,” I slowly murmured, giving him a pleading gaze.

I found being in his arms distracting, and his scent blurred my head. It was as if I was being pulled toward him. Yet, it had to stop. He pulled away, initiating the break. A cold void embraced me. Guiltily, I had enjoyed the warmth that exuded from him for a brief moment.

“Fucking hell!” he said in another deep growl.

I stumbled back, wondering what I’d done. Confused, I looked up to see that he seemed even angrier than before, his forest-green eyes laced with thick annoyance. My eyes roamed over him until I saw his perfect suit stained by my blood. “Oh, no!” I gasped, covering my mouth in embarrassment.

Then I remembered the rush I’d been in, and terror crowned within me. I looked behind me and then at the man again. I should have fled by now. If only I hadn’t stupidly messed up.

“My apologies,” I blurted. “Let me clean this for you.” I desperately tried to wipe the blood from his suit. To my misfortune, I only spread it further. “Oh God, I—” Panic surged through me as he pushed my hand away.

“Leave it.” His icy tone made me pause and step back.

It was so gnawing to look up into his eyes. How could I have been so blind not to see such a mountain in front of me? I was doomed.

I looked back at the villa again, fearing that someone would come out at any second and drag me inside. It was only right for me to take responsibility for his suit, but I had no time for that. I needed to get out of there.

“I really am so sorry, sir, but I need to leave now.” I tried to flee, but his firm grip fell upon my wounded arm. A jolt of pain spread through my veins, and I whimpered. Perhaps he caught a glimpse of the bloodied scarf wrapped around my hand, because he immediately let go of me. However, he didn’t move aside.

Instead, his icy glare gradually traveled from my head to my feet. Smudged makeup with dried tears, messy hair, dirty and torn dress, injured hand—great, I looked like the sole survivor of a tsunami. He’d probably never crossed paths with a woman who looked like such a pathetic joke. But as much as I would have liked to change my tormenting and humiliating situation, I had to leave before I got caught.

“You’re hurt,” he said, his eyes narrowing. “Where are you running like this?”

I looked back at the villa again. It was quite surprising that I hadn’t yet been caught. Maybe my parents were busy taking care of their preferred daughter. But time was ticking, and I didn’t know how long my luck would hold. I had no choice but to sidestep the stranger.

Just as I scooted passed him, the villa door swung open, banging against the wall and making me flinch at the sound.

“There you are!” Neil’s words pierced the wind, stopping me in my tracks. “How dare you insult me in front of everyone, Bellatrix! Come back now, before I force you to.” Venom and disgust dripped from his voice.

As if it wasn’t enough, the work of art beside me cocked his perfect brow. “Bellatrix Valdez?” A hint of curiosity entered in his icy stare. “So you are the woman of the night—his fiancée.”

I felt a sudden nausea hearing his words. Not because there was a glint of mockery in his tone or because he recognized me as Neil’s fiancée, but because of the reminder of my blindness. I had wasted years, hoping to form a forever connection with Neil. God, I felt such pity for myself.

I glanced at Neil’s evil face before turning to the man and speaking from my heart. “I was, but not anymore. I canceled that bullshit, and I’m so fucking proud of it!” I hurried on my way, no longer caring about the egotistical bastard or my family and their pretentiousness.

“Get out of my way, brother,” Neil said, and my brain stumbled inside my head. Had Neil just called that man “brother?” Since when did Neil have a brother?