They Used To Look Perfect Together

While they made their way through the crowds towards the people waiting patiently for them, people couldn't help but stare at them and whisper things that didn't seem too pleasing to the ears. 

Eleana could hear a few women gossiping about her and Ayden's sudden change of relationship a.k.a their so-called breakup. 

"How could he leave her for an outsider? Is he out of his mind! They used to look perfect together" A middle-aged woman dressed in a purple shining gown that covered her anklet whispered in a hushed tone to her group of friends. They all nodded at the part where she said they used to look perfect together. Eleana also used to think the same for so many years. She lived in that white lie for ages but now she was finally out of it. 

"Exactly. Ms Davis is such a gem. Everyone in Vancouver wants her to marry their son. Yet Ayden Campbell dumped her. What a pity!" Another woman in a green dress sighed sorrowfully, making her group of friends nod at her words and look at Eleana with pity which she absolutely detested. She hated it when people pitied her.

Her whole life she was the subject of people's pity. She hated it.

She hated it when people pitied her when her parents died in the plane crash. 

She hated it when they pitied her when her snobbish and money-minded relatives dragged her down just to swallow her parent's wealth. 

Now they were pitying her for her broken engagement. And among all of those, she hated the last reason the most. 

It hit directly at her pride which she had built in all those years. It only took Ayden Campbell to crash her dignity and pride along with her heart. 

"I am planning to send my son to ask her out for a date. It's clearly a golden chance for us. I hope they will click instantly." Another big-mouthed woman squealed in a happy tone making everyone tease her with envy. They also wanted their sons to grab the chance and woo Eleana. 

Eleana swallowed the hard lump that had formed into her throat with bitterness. She was sure Ayden, his parents and Natasha, all of them heard those women's gossip. But none of them made it obvious. Getting a grip on the overflowing emotion, Eleana straightened her back and held her head high while plastering a big fake smile on her face. Soon their journey was cut short as they reached where Mr Cameron and Mr Matthews were standing along with a few other men. As soon as they came face to face with them, they all smiled and greeted them. 

"Ahh Mr Campbell, you are finally here. We have been waiting for you for ages." Mr Mathews was the one to speak up at first, he casually glanced at Eleana and passed her a smile which she returned.

"Excuse me for making you wait Mr Matthews. I was looking for my Princess and it took me a while to find her." Philip apologised with a smile. Both Mr Cameron and Mr Matthew nodded in understanding.

"So you are the famous Eleana Davis? I have been very eager to meet you, Ms Davis. We have heard a lot about your talent. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Mr Cameron praised Eleana while forwarding his hand for a shake which Eleana gladly took with a grin. 

"Hello. You are flattering me Mr Cameron but Thank you. I have heard a lot about you and Mr Matthews too. I really look forward to our collaboration. I hope we could work and achieve our success together." Eleana spoke for the first time in a while. She took her hand back from Mr Denver Cameron and forwarded it towards Mr Corbin Matthews which Mr Matthews gladly took with a smile.

"I love your confidence. We also look forward to working with you, Ms Davis." Mr Matthew replied in a gentle tone. He was an Elderly man around 60 years old with grey hair, dressed in a navy blue tuxedo. His facial features made him appear to be kind and Eleana knew it was true. Mr Matthews was famous for his generosity. 

"Ayden, Dear. It's good to see you back. I hope you enjoyed your stay in the USA. I heard it's a beautiful country with good-hearted people." Mr Matthews kind voice made Eleana come back from her thoughts as finally, she remembered about the two detestable people standing beside her quietly. She glanced towards Ayden and found him shaking his hands with both Mr Cameron and Matthews. Thankfully Natasha left his arm which she was clinging onto as if her life depended on it. 

"Thanks, Mr Cameron. Indeed, the USA is beautiful but my heart lives here in Vancouver. So I can never leave it for anything else." Ayden replied with a chuckle that sounded like music to other people's ears. His voice was always deep and husky. It sounded like a lullaby, putting everyone in a trance whenever he spoke.

"Ah, I see. So who is this pretty lady with you? I haven't seen her before." Mr Matthews indicated towards Natasha with a smile. She smiled back like an angel while fixing a strand of hair behind her left ear. Ayden placed at her once before turning his attention towards Mr Matthews. He seemed to take a deep breath before opening his mouth to introduce Natasha.

"This is Natasha Davis. My girlfriend. And Natasha this is Mr Matthews, our business partner." He introduced Natasha to everyone curtly. Natasha came a little forward before forwarding her hand towards Mr Matthews. Both Mr Matthews and Mr Cameron seemed a little startled hearing Ayden introduce Natasha as his girlfriend because they had previously heard that Ayden Campbell was engaged to the only heiress of the Davis Corporation, Eleana Davis. So they both glanced towards Eleana with a confused expression to which Eleana simply smiled forcefully. She then turned her head towards another direction to avoid their questioning gaze. They seemed to understand the situation and didn't express their confusion.

"Hello Mr Matthews, it's nice to meet you." Meanwhile, Natasha came forward and greeted him shyly. Mr Matthew smiled and shook his hands with her. Natasha then shook hands with Mr Cameron. 

"It's nice to meet you too, Ms Davis. Pardon me for asking but  are you related to Eleana Davis here?" Mr Matthews couldn't hold his curiosity and ask. For a moment, Natasha had a complicated expression on her face but soon she composed it and replaced it with a smile.

"Oh yes. Eleana and I are cousins. My father is Lincoln Davis." Natasha clarified sweetly. 

"Oh, I see. I have met your father a few times. I heard he had a daughter but never metk her. So you are the one." Mr Matthews beamed in recognition. Natasha giggled and then nodded.

"Yes. I'm the one." She replied a bit meaningfully while taking Ayden's hands in hers. Ayden stared at their joint hands for a while then averted his eyes with a neutral expression. Heade no sign of removing her hands from his. On the other hand, Eleana silently watched those exchanges from the corner of her eyes while discussing their upcoming project with Mr Cameron. 

Her heart ached painfully at the lovey-dovey scene unfolding in front of her eyes. Once she was the one who held his hand like that with pride but now she was simply a side cast.

Why was she always the one who got easily replaced?

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After the small chit chat with the clients, Eleana excused herself and moved in another direction to calm herself again. Those crowds, their fake persona, smiles and sugar-coated words were making her sick in her stomach. She needed to get out of here otherwise she might break down here. She started to move her legs faster while avoiding eye contact with anyone. Soon she reached the valley which led to the backdoor. She sighed in her heart and took a U-turn to exit the venue when all of sudden someone called her from behind. She halted in her steps and soon found herself frozen in her place. 

"Eleana, wait!"

That voice! She recognised it without even turning around. The only voice which could give her chills and put her in a trance belonged to none other than Ayden Campbell or should she say Her heartbreaker. 

Eleana could hear his footsteps coming nearby every second. She wanted to run and avoid talking to him but her traitor heart didn't let her move. She bit her lips to get a grip on herself and prepared herself for whatever was coming next. 

As soon as Ayden reached where she was standing. Eleana turned around with a composed neutral expression. She raised her eyebrows, silently asking him to continue why he was here. 

Ayden looked at her neutral expression and had complicated thoughts about it. All of sudden he was at a loss for words. It's been two weeks since he had talked to her about breaking their engagement. In those two weeks, he thought of contacting her but decided against it. He thought it was better to give her some space. She needed to deal with the news. But now it seemed too awkward for them.

"Are you going to just stare at my face?" Eleana's impatient snap brought him back from his thoughts. She was scowling at him. He heaved a sigh and ran his fingers through his hair to get his grip together.

"I just wanted to check if you are alright or not." He started scratching his neck. Eleana rolled her eyes at his words.

"And why wouldn't I be alright? I cracked a big deal. I'm happy." She cut him off, uninterested in his bullshit.

"Yeah. I'm happy for you. Congratulations!" Ayden expressed sincerely. He was indeed very happy for her for getting the deal. It would help her to get huge recognition in the international fashion world if she finished this project perfectly. 

"Thanks. Now please excuse me. I have more important things to do." She said flatly. Ouch! Her words stung. She had never spoken to him in that tone. Ayden couldn't help but feel a little bit suffocated. His face turned gloomy. 

"Let's go. I will drive you home." He ordered in a heavy tone.

"Thanks but no thanks. I have my car." Eleana directly declined. She didn't want to stay with him in the same place let alone in a small car. 

"I wasn't asking." He replied firmly before reaching out his right hand and grabbing Eleana's hand in a tight grip. Eleana let out a yelp as he pulled her with him while taking long and fast steps towards the exit.

"What the hell are you doing? Leave my hand. There are people. They might misunderstand us." She tried to free her hands while shouting but Ayden paid no heed to her. Eleana felt frustrated the way he was dragging her and not listening to anything she was shouting.

"Aren't you afraid your finance will know you are holding hands with your former finance and driving her home?" This time Eleana taunted with a chuckle. 

"I don't give a fuck!" Came his stern angry reply which made Eleana chuckle more loudly.

"Of course, you don't. Who knows it better than me." She again taunted, smiling in bitterness. 

Ayden seemed to pay no heed to any of her taunts. He brought her near his car and opened the passenger seat for her. 

"No." Eleana firmly refused before crossing her hands over her chest. 

"Get into the car Eleana," Ayden ordered impatiently, his voice was rough indicating he was very angry. 

"I said no. I don't want you to drive me anywhere. I don't want you near me. Go back to your fiance." She snapped angrily before turning towards her car but all of sudden she was yanked back and scooped in Ayden's arms. She let out a yelp before wrapping her hands around his neck. Afraid of any sudden fall which was very unlikely to happen.

"You devil! What are you doing? Put me down." She cursed him angrily. But Ayden didn't mind her, instead, he took her in front of the passenger seat, pulled the car door open with one hand and threw her in with a thud before shutting the door and getting in himself with another one. He looked very angry and it made Eleana angrier because he had no right to be angry with her. He has already lost the right the day he broke their engagement and her heart.