There's so much I want to say to him, yet I knew it would be better to stay silent. I didn't trust myself to speak around him anymore, I seem to say the most stupid shit when I look into his eyes. Unlike what it looked like the last time I saw it, the department store looked magnificent. It was finished, higher than I remembered and painted a golden and silver shade that made the entrance alone scream luxury. Roman's arm was around my waist as the driver rounded the corner and we stepped down. Reporters and countless cameras flooded the entrance, all rushing towards us and asking a flurry of questions that I struggled to grasp. What bothered me was the flashes from the cameras, they felt uncomfortable and had my heart racing faster than necessary. I slowly tensed, panic rising in my throat as my ears rang and all the tiny hairs on my skin stood on alert. I didn't like it one bit. I couldn't see a thing, I couldn't understand why seeing so many flashes affected me,
“As much as I would love to take all the credit, all of this wouldn't have been possible without my wife here,” Roman announced, practically bragging as his warm arm came around my shoulder. His wife. There was that tingling feeling again. “Is that so?” Henderson’s eyss glinted with realization, “Well then I should be thanking you as well, Amelia, not only have you graced us with the presence of one as beautiful as you, you've also gifted us with such beauty,” He gestured at the wide expanse of the store. “You flatter me, Mr. Henderson,” I smiled like a fool, feeling my cheeks heat up as a compliment. He simply grinned and then nodded respectfully at Roman who now had a rather stiff expression on his face. “I will leave you two to attend to other guests,” Then he turned to me, “I do hope you will save a dance for me, Amelia…” My name sounded rather smooth on his tongue. He didn't call me Mrs. Wellington like the others and quite frankly, it was a breath of fresh air
After the dance, Roman and I were practically dragged away from each other before we even has the time today register or explain whatever it was that had just happened between us. “Let me borrow your wife for a bit,” I heard Greece say rather sheepishly, when I turned around I was surprised to find she was standing with her mother, Victoria. Now, I wouldn't have cared if it were only Greece but…with Victoria? The woman who hates me just for the fun of it? I turned to Roman for help. I gave him a pleading gaze, one he couldn't see through because he was probably too busy avoiding his mother's eyes. It seems they still weren't on good terms after the Tatyana drama. Speaking of which…Tatyana stood next to Victoria. Damn the woman was beautiful, she had shapely legs that went on for days. Honestly, if I swung that way I would definitely want her to have my babies. Multiple. “Of course,” Roman said stiffly, letting go of my hand and surrendering me to the wolve
This event should have been over a long fucking time ago. I plastered on a fake smile as Victoria led me towards a group of about fifteen women seated around an ornate round table. They were all dressed to the nines, dripping in expensive jewelry and designer gowns. As we approached, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being led to the slaughter. A few faces seemed vaguely familiar, but their names eluded me. One woman with striking red hair and emerald earrings the size of grapes gave me a particularly icy stare. Another, a blonde with severe features, wrinkled her nose as if she'd smelled something unpleasant. "Ladies," Victoria announced, her voice dripping with false sweetness, "I've brought Amelia to join us," She said. The woman never ceases to amaze me at how easily her demeanor can switch. Then again, to be the mother and wife of a Tycoon as wealthy as Roman and Yaakov, one would have to be pretentious to keep the business going. She turned to Greece, who had b
I hesitated in the doorway, my mind racing. The last thing I needed right now was another confrontation, especially with Bertha. But the sight of Greece's tear-stained face tugged at something inside me. Before I could think better of it, I stepped into the bathroom and let the door swing shut behind me. "Well, well," Bertha drawled, her eyes raking over my champagne-soaked dress. "Looks like someone had a little accident," She commented with a bit too much joy in her tone. I'm sure she was pissed off at me at that moment. I ignored her, focusing instead on Greece. "Are you okay?" I asked softly. Greece nodded quickly, wiping at her eyes. "I'm fine," she mumbled, not meeting my gaze. "Oh, Amelia," Bertha scoffed. "We all know you're just here to lick your wounds." I whirled on her, my patience finally snapping. "And what exactly are you still doing here, Bertha? Can’t you see me talking to my sister in law?" I snapped at her, knowing fully well it wasn't just the anger fr
It was easy getting out of there, Greece had her own car and her driver was no where to be found. She drove us down to Roman's mansion, talking about who I was as we passed by the lit up streets. Apparently I was a woman who barely showed emotion or cared about anything if it wasn't business or Roman. Like a husk of a person who only thrived on work and a man who would never love me. I sounded pathetic, and I couldn't help the slight shame I felt the more she spoke about it. Once we reached the mansion, Greece asked for some clothes which came as a surprise to me. I'd imagined she would even have a dress in her brother's house. The house was quiet when we came in, it seemed the maids and Trenton had fallen asleep. We moved as quietly as we could. I begrudgingly took off my dress, feeling a twinge of anger the longer I stared at it. Those bitches ruined my night and heavens help me I wanted to have my revenge so badly. We both took a shower and met up in the livin
ROMAN I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, the harsh fluorescent light doing nothing to hide the bags under my eyes or the pallor of my skin. My head throbbed with each movement, a painful reminder of last night's overindulgence. I left the event after my mother confirmed Amelia and Bertha had left together. Colson, the bastard, dragged me to a bar because he thought I looked stressed…of course I did! Henderson kept oogling at Amelia like she was a fucking meal and Tatyana buzzed around me constantly all night, trying to get me to fuck her. It was an insane night, it didn't go the way I planned, not one bit. As I mechanically brushed my teeth, I couldn't help but cringe at the flashes of memory that assaulted me. "You're such an idiot, Roman," I muttered to myself, spitting into the sink. The taste of mint did little to wash away the bitterness of regret that lingered on my tongue. What the hell had I been thinking? Getting drunk like some college fre
ROMAN After breakfast, I headed upstairs to get ready for work, my mind still reeling from the unexpected warmth of the morning. As I knotted my tie, I could hear laughter drifting up from the kitchen - Amelia and Greece, still chatting and giggling as they cleaned up. The sound was foreign in this house, but not unwelcome. I made my way back downstairs, briefcase in hand, pausing at the kitchen doorway. Amelia was at the sink, sleeves rolled up as she washed dishes, while Greece dried them, both still wearing their flour-covered aprons. They were in the middle of some story, Greece's eyes sparkling as she gestured animatedly with a dish towel. "...and then he just stood there, covered head to toe in mud, trying to look dignified!" Greece finished, dissolving into giggles. Amelia threw her head back, laughing so hard she had to grip the edge of the sink. "Oh my God, I can just picture it! Please tell me there are photos!" "Sadly, no," Greece said, wiping tears of laughter fro