I blinked, looking up to Florian, who now, more than ever, seemed like the man I used to know. His eyes were cold and focused, and the sharpness of his gaze could effectively slice through an enemy.He gently pulled me with him, and I took the first step forward. I turned, my eyes falling on the red carpet we were walking down, and I felt the weight of their potential presence suddenly fill me.People started to clap and stand up, and I turned around to the crowd on my left. Just happy elegantly dressed people clapping their hands. I swallowed and turned to the left. My brain slightly blurred out Florian so I could see the crowd. To my relief, I couldn't see any of them. I heaved a sigh of relief and started to turn around when I saw it. A beaded sheer glove that I remember my mother buying the last piece of. I remember how much I had loved them back then, and right now, it did nothing but knock the air out of me.My lips parted, my feet merely following Florian's lead at this point.
Blood drained from my face, and I turned to Florian, my eyes wide, my chest heaving. My heartbeat slowed to oblivion, and I could barely hear my own heartbeat or even feel my own feet.Frederick Wood. That was my father's name. That was....Florian's expression was blank, his eyes watching me keenly as the announcement continued, something about how the companies will be remodelled and restructured under the new leadership of CEO Florian Hunt, who will take the liberty to assign new workers for each of the companies he had acquired.I turned sharply, and as predicted, my parents were on their feet for the first time ever since the party started, and my mother looked like she was ready to give up the ghost. My dad was trying to look a little bit more composed, but he was doing a bad job at it."There is still a tiny bit more," Florian whispered to my ear, his hand running down my arm. "The party just started, sweetie."I turned to meet his eyes, and the darkness in them threatened to d
"Don't you fucking dare!" My father suddenly yelled, causing me to look up, fear reverberating through me as I met his rage filled eyes.I could hear Florian chuckle behind me, and I swallowed hard, gripping the pen tighter. All I wanted was to run behind Florian and hide, but I knew I should start sucking up for myself now. Against the abuse. Against the pain.I sniffed hard, then looked up, meeting his eyes."Why not? Why did you let go of your little company, Mr. Frederick?"Florian broke into a laugh behind me, and it only thickened my skin, only made me want to go lower than I already have. They had so much fun breaking me apart over the years. Why would they be angry now that it was my turn? Why would it hurt then for me to find my own way?"You... how dare you?" My dad said, stepping forward slowly. "You cooperated with that man to snatch my company from me?! You disguised as an investment and...""You needed investment?" I asked, my eyes darting to my mother. "Why? Did taking
"Roxanne, please. Pleaase, I am begging you. We have debts, we have.... we have so many things to do and... the hoise, Roxanne. Do you want us to have to sell the house? Do you want us to..."I blocked it all out as I leaned over the documents, reading the first clauses. Florian was right. This was much better than spray painting them.I blocked out my mother's pleas and, without a word, signed on the papers. The hall was silent, but Florian started to clap, causing the entire rom to immediately lighten up with a round of applause.People began to stand up, and soon, it turned to a standing ovation. It was exactly the sort of validation I needed after standing up to my parents for the first time in my life.Floroan came up beside me and kissed my cheek before taking the documents and handing them to his attorney."You did well, sweetheart. You are a brave, strong woman."I nodded, turning to him. He gave me a small smile, and I bit down on my lips, letting out a small, shaky breath.I
I could feel Florian's presence behind me even without looking up to the mirror, as I tried to focus on opening the dress he had brought for me. I removed the lid of the box, then slowly pulled out the most exquisite light blue material.It was a big ball gown, and I brought it to my body, my eyes falling on the material. Slowly, I looked up, and Florian was watching me, his eyes fixed on my reflection in the mirror."It's beautiful, Florian."He gave a small smile and slowly covered the distance he had initially given me so I could unbox the dress, then brought his hands slowly to my waist. His fingers ran up my spine till he got to the zipper, his other hand moving across the open part of my back to push my hair over my left shoulder.I watched him in the mirror, almost a little enchanted, my entire being lighting up with the mere awareness of his presence in this relatively small space.He slowly pulled the zipper down, and I felt the dress loosen around me, the misty air hitting
The lights, the music, the roaring applause, all of it got to my head even before I got to drink any wine. It was crazy how addicted the sort of love Florian could give had me in a matter of seconds, and the minute he had his lips against mine, parting and seeking slow, dominating entrance, in front of men and women who respected him, it.. it did something to me.It altered the chemistry of my brain and messed with my rationality. It felt like every other kiss I have had, excluding the first one between us in that closet, faded away into nothingness.I sighed as he broke the kiss, then gently touched my nose. "You still taste like exotic fruits, Roxanne."I slowly stuck my tongue to the roof of my mouth, my chest slightly heaving. "Exotic fruits?""Uh huh," he said, laughing. "Lest I forget, sweetheart..." He leaned to me, his thumb running slowly on my throat. "I prepared a violin for you."I gasped, my hands coming to my mouth. He laughed as he slowly moved away from me, letting go
I can't quite remember the rest of the night, mostly because it was more mundane compared to everything that had happened before that. I could remember doing a few toasts until I got a little tipsy. I could remember the wave of congratulations and the way Florian had taken me straight to the car while carrying me bridal style.Now here I am, sitting in the car, staring off at the stars, my chest heaving, my lips slightly parted. I felt free. Like a star in space. Ready to fall. Ready to break free. I have never felt like this all my life.The door opened, and I turned to see Florian standing by the door, the driver holding the door open for him. Someone was on the other side, talking to him about something, but his eyes were fixed on me, his hands pushed into his pockets. He looked like a dream, like the ghost of the love I never had. Like the ghost that just keeps on haunting me. The ghost that I never want to let go of.Maybe if I was completely sober, I would just sit there and w
The sound of my zipper opening up brought me back from the utter delirium my mind had wandered off to, and I swallowed, looking down as my hand was finally freed, and my dress fell down to around my waist.My eyes looked up to Florian, who was already watching me. His eyes were mostly shielded, and I swallowed as his hands ran down my chest, then stopped right above the straps of my bra."How drunk are you, Roxanne?"I shrugged. My mind was a fog, my body was on fire, and honestly, maybe I was a little more than tipsy. Maybe I was a little...He pulled me closer, his kisses slow as they spread across my neck and shoulders. My hands pushed into his hair, and I let out a gasp of respite, my frustration gloating away with the satisfaction of finally feeling him in my own fingers. "Tell me," he whispered against my skin as his kisses went lower and lower.The car suddenly stopped, and I opened my eyes, my chest heaving."M... maybe a little?"He laughed against my skin and leaned away. W