EllaMy eyes widened at the attendant’s comment. “What do you mean by ‘he really likes me’?”She hesitated, as if she was unsure how much to reveal. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop earlier, but you guys aren’t exactly quiet,” she finally said, her eyes darting to the curtain behind which I had hidden from Logan—and my own reflections—just minutes before.
EllaLogan’s words had me feeling as though the fire that the sales attendant had started had just been stoked.“All done?” he asked, pushing himself off of the wall.“Not even close,” I growled.
EllaLogan pulled up in his sleek, black car, and the moment I opened, I could feel his eyes on me.“You look... wow,” he said, clearly searching for the right word. “Would you mind doing a little spin?”Feeling my cheeks flush, I spun around, the fabric of my blue dress swishing around me. I h
Ella Logan’s grip on my waist tightened as Leonard appeared again, his eyes more calculating than ever. “Ella, your father is coming tonight, correct?” I swallowed hard, my eyes darting around the extravagant room as if it could offer me a way out of this situation. “Yes, they got caught up in traffic, but they’re on their way.” Leonard smirked, sipping his champagne. “And what about your little sister? Will she be gracing us with her presence as well? I’ve heard so much about her, you know.” My jaw clenched. There was something in his tone, something that went beyond a man simply asking about my sister. He was probing, although for what, I couldn’t be sure. “I wouldn’t invite my sister to a gathering like this, Leonard.” I stopped myself short, sensing the edge in my voice. I was about to add something more but bit back the words. The glint in Leonard’s eyes was unmistakable. “I see.” He looked at Logan. “Well, I do hope tonight won't be a disappointment. Edrick and I have s
Ella The moment my eyes found my parents making their entrance into the grand hall, I felt like I could breathe a little easier. Shaking off Logan’s hold on my arm, I weaved through the maze of socialites and mobsters, until I reached them. “Dad, Mom,” I greeted, my arms wrapping around them in a fleeting embrace that made all of my worries melt away, even for just a moment. “Ella, you look beautiful,” Moana, said, pulling away to study me. Her eyes carried a mix of pride and concern. Classic mom. My dad, along with her, gave me that fatherly once-over. “You okay, Ella? You look a bit tense.” Before I could reply, a looming shadow descended upon our intimate circle. Leonard. He was like a vulture circling roadkill on the verge of dying, just waiting and biding his time for it to take its last breath. “Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, I presume,” he said, stepping in with that air of confidence that only heightened my anxieties. “Leonard Barrett. Very pleased to meet the esteemed
Ella The bathroom door clicked shut behind me, and I felt an immediate shift from chaos to calm. The soft lighting created a gentle glow on the cream-colored marble tiles, soft music played over the speakers, and the air smelled like soap. I let out a soft sigh of relief once I realized that I was alone, and made my way over to the sink. I glanced at myself in the mirror—flawless makeup, perfect hair, a dress that fit like a glove. I looked like the perfect picture of control, but I felt like the exact opposite. My heart was still racing from the dance with Logan, from the way his eyes glinted in the soft light of the ballroom, from the way that he so nonchalantly mentioned that our arrangement was almost over. But most of all, I was still reeling over the fact that I… was actually sad about it. With a sigh, I leaned on the marble countertop, taking in slow breaths. In, out. In, out. Suddenly, the door creaked open. I jerked my head up to see Moana walking in, a
Logan The room was a blend of laughter, chatter, and the soft notes of a violin. Dressed in a tailored tuxedo, I mingled among our guests, pausing to speak with business associates and family friends alike. My mind, however, kept driving back to Ella. She had run from the room so suddenly when our dance ended. Something about it was jarring and rather unlike her. “Did I offend her somehow?” I asked my wolf. My wolf was silent for a moment before responding. “You were awfully casual about the end of your arrangement. I think it hurt her.” I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. “But she didn’t want to be with me. I don’t understand how…” “Don’t be dense, Logan,” my wolf hissed. “She clearly likes you; she’s just scared of your future, of your life. And for good reason.” I was just about to respond when I was suddenly pulled from my internal conversation as my father, seemingly out of nowhere, materialized at my side. With his salt-and-pepper hair neatly c
Ella Emerging from the bathroom with Moana, my shoulders felt a little lighter after our chat. Talking to my mom had always been therapeutic, and I was glad to finally get the truth off of my chest, especially to someone who had experience in the realm of fake relationships for publicity. We made our way to the bar, weaving through the sea of ostentatiously-dressed mobsters and businessmen. I felt like a lamb amongst wolves, like prey waiting to be devoured. “Come on, let’s get a couple of martinis,” my mom suggested. “One for you, one for me. It always helps at events like this.” My mom put in our orders, to which the bartender nodded and began preparing our drinks with swift expertise. While we waited, my mom turned toward me, her eyes twinkling as she scanned the crowd. My father was standing off somewhere, having an animated conversation with someone who I didn’t recognize. One would have thought that they were old friends, though, judging from how my father