5. Scandals & Lies

DAHLIA

My heart thumped in my chest, which rose and fell erratically. Stepping back I looked at the clearly drunk and dishevelled Warren. It was the first time I was seeing him since that day and although I had invited him to show him that I didn’t need him, I did not expect him to be in such a state.

“Dahlia! So is this the bastard who you left me for?” He spat coldly as he staggered towards me.

“Security!” I heard father thunder. Warren was ruining their relationship as much as he was his own.

Warren glared at me; I could see the anger he felt as he looked me over. He had spent the last 2 weeks pleading, begging and promising to do better through texts, emails and every other way possible. I refused to listen. Once a cheater, always a cheater. The only interaction from my side had been when I sent him the divorce papers. Papers he would never sign without a fight.

“Mark my words! I will destroy the both of you!” He hissed, keeping his voice low as he advanced. Dane stepped forward, placing an arm in front of me. He moved me behind him, making my eyes widen.

“I knew you were a loser from the start, but if you’re trying to bully a woman then you're worse than I thought.” He said icily, my heart raced as I looked at his broad back. No matter how arrogant he was, he had some compassion.

“I’ll show you who a loser is, just you wait.” Warren said dangerously as a few security guards reached him, pulling Warren away from them. “Dahlia is the one who was having an affair! Not me!” He shouted to the now quiet room.

I gasped in shock; how dare he accuse me when I was not the one who had destroyed this marriage!

“Everyone saw her in the office kissing him!” He shouted before he was dragged from the room. I remained still, knowing my face had lost a lot of its colour My heart was pounding from what had just happened. Just then two men from the company board of directors hurried over. Both were strong supporters of Warren and didn’t really approve of Dane.

“Is this true Ms. El Nazari?” Mr. Jameson said, he was a rather short man with a bushy moustache.

“I did hear the rumours.” Mr. Arash said, his dark eyes glaring accusingly at me.

“No… it wasn’t like-” I tried.

“Did you kiss him?” Mr. Jameson cut in.

“She did.” Dane said coldly, his hazel eyes filled with anger and for once I was glad there was someone who didn’t care about being liked. “It was one kiss out of anger, there is nothing between us. Whilst Murdock has been engaging with his secretary in more than just kissing and yet you think Ms. El Nazari is in the wrong here? Why, because she’s a woman? Let me get one thing clear. I’m the CEO now, and I demand respect. Remember who you’re speaking to, the acting head and the CEO. One more word against her and you can leave the same way that piece of trash just left.”

The two men were struck silent, never had they expected Dane to speak so disrespectfully towards them. I was as shocked as them, but a part of me felt proud of the fact that Dane wasn’t pretending to be anyone for anyone's sake.

“You will regret your words boy.” Mr. Arash hissed before they walked off. The crowd was slowly beginning to disperse and the hum of conversation started once again. I could see my father watching us and I knew he was curious about the kiss. I didn’t want to talk about that now.

I gave a small smile, showing him I was alright but I was shaken. Warren's words and the scene he had caused had left me hurt. I was beginning to feel as if I had control but once again it was spiralling out of it. I looked at the finger where my wedding ring once sat and felt a pang of pain. Stay strong, I told myself.

“Thank you.” I said quietly to Dane, looking up at him. His face was once again unreadable.

“Don’t thank me, just stop going around kissing random men.” He said in his low deep voice, his gaze flickering to my lips before his eyes met mine and my heart skipped a beat remembering that kiss. His lips had been as warm as his personality was cold. He looked away first, breaking our trance and I was glad. He downed his alcohol.

“Well then… should we meet the rest of the assholes?” He said, making my eyes widen as he referred to the Company Board of Directors so disrespectfully.

“Uh yes…. let’s…” I said, taking a breath as I led the way, suddenly feeling very self-conscious that my back was fully on display.

-----

The evening had gone by in a blur. I remained strong although I heard the whispers that crossed through the room like a passing breeze. Some snippets sometimes caught my ear, and at other times I tried to not even hear them.

I spent the night stuck by Dane's side, introducing him to everyone. I learned aside from being devilishly handsome and arrogant, he knew what he was doing when it came to business. He was smart, witty and confident. Which only made me increasingly satisfied with my choice and it was enough to outweigh the negative comments that swirled the hall tonight.

My father had looked rather tired and had left shortly after dinner. I knew his health was only getting worse and it scared me too. The party was now almost over and I decided to take my leave too. I felt tired from all that walking and talking, and I knew Aria would be waiting for me when I got home.

The few dances I had agreed to from the elderly gentlemen who tried to cheer me up had worn me out. I had refused all the young vultures who now saw me as a piece of meat to dig their claws into.

I stepped out into the cool air, two bodyguards accompanying me when the blinding flash of cameras went off making me stop in my tracks.

“Is it true Dahlia?! You’re the one who cheated on Warren Murdock?!”

“Dahlia, is it true you’re having an affair with the new CEO?!”

“Was this all your plan to oust Warren to make space for your new lover!?”

The shouting made my already pounding head worsen. I hadn't drunk much but the pressure of the night had built and I felt overwhelmed.

“Please give us space.” One of my bodyguards said firmly. However no one listened, the cameras flashed blindingly surrounding me.

Suddenly I felt vulnerable, how easy was it to make the woman look like the one in the wrong? Why was I the one who was being portrayed as the villain? The reporters didn’t relent, pushing closer. A few other security guards hurried out to assist us. I was trying to keep up my mask of calmness, but it was getting harder. Even when the first drops of rain began to fall I didn’t notice, only the hurtful comments and accusations echoed through my mind like a never-ending recorder on repeat.

“Dahlia! Tell us how many men you have been with behind your husband's back?!” The last comment made me snap back to reality and I glared at the reporters.

“None!” I said, but my voice was drowned out by all those around me. They didn’t want to listen. The rain began pouring down, only adding to the chaos. Suddenly a hand appeared on my back making me tense and turned to see none other than Dane, his shades were back on making it even harder for me to read his emotions.

“Walk.” He said firmly, guiding me through the crowds, the security was doing its best to keep the angry crowd back. Markus was already waiting by the car but it was completely surrounded. “I’ll drop you.”

I looked up at Dane, surprised that he even offered. He guided her over to the valet, who was standing next to a sleek yet modest black car. The reporters were so hyped about stopping me from leaving they didn’t even notice the other car present. Dane grabbed the keys from the valet and we both got in quickly. We were already turning to leave before the reporters realised what was happening.

“She’s getting away!”

I closed my eyes leaning against the leather seat, placing a hand on my chest.

“Address.” Dane said curtly. I gave my address keeping my eyes closed, my heart hammering in my chest. I didn’t have the energy to open my eyes, I could feel his eyes on me at times but I was grateful he didn’t say anything.

Only when we slowed down at the mansion and the security let us through the gate did I open my eyes. I turned to Dane as he slowed down, stopping outside the steps that led up to the mansion entrance.

“Thank you.” I said softly, not knowing what else to say. I shivered looking up at the night sky, the rain was pouring down in buckets now and I realised we were both rather wet.

Dane took his jacket off and held it out to me not even glancing at me. A frown on his handsome face. I took it, my fingers brushing his making me slowly look up at him, the next words left my lips before I could even stop them.

 “Would you like to come inside for a coffee?” I asked softly.