Chapter 002

Mrs. Klein rushed over to where we were and called for me in her high pitched siren voice, throwing all the attention on me.

What is with this woman?

“Look at you! I haven’t seen your handsome face in years since your wife passed away.” She boomed. As if her voice wasn’t loud enough.

From his peripheral view, Killian can see Penny watching the drama with rapt attention.

This is the moment right here. The one everyone seems to have been waiting for as the hall is now pin-drop silent. It is the first time in two years since I have been to any event in the society.

Two years since Hannah died in the helicopter crash. They all want to see and know how I am doing but no one dared to drive up to the manor and ask. This is where they want to get their juicy gossip.

“Shall we have this dance, honey?” The woman next to me asked him sickly sweet. Penny. Her sultry voice pulled him out of the trance he was briefly in.

It has been long since he has physically been in any of those functions.

The request was foreign to him. I look at her under the bright light. She was dressed in an alluring dress and her steps were one that demand attention which captivated you. Her gait was fiery but her small round face with brightly coloured pouty lips begged to be cradled on his chest.

What was that weird inexplicable feeling? Maybe it was become he hadn’t been in a close distance with anyone in years.

“You murdered her!” The woman screamed at the top of her lungs. “She is not here anymore because of you!” The woman adjusted her Olive hair after she was done yelling.

Everyone was completely focused on the drama that had ensued. They all lived for the gossip. Their exquisite jewelry and expensive outfits couldn’t even hide their ugly fascination towards the situation.

Killian pulled Penny behind him to shield her from the onslaught of the woman’s fury. The action surprised her so she stumbled on my heels and crashed into his back. Way to be clumsy amidst this situation right then.

His mind ran through various reasons that may have this woman working shamefully as an escort.

It was unbelievable how Freddy convinced him to hire an escort.

“Any time now.” She says, almost impatiently with her hand stretch outwards. Human body contact had been foreign to him for almost two years now. Living in solace had its detriment.

He turned around and paid her no attention. The next thing Penny did really surprised Mrs. Klein and him

She grabbed his hand in hers, causing them to both gasp at the lightning spark that ran through them. Her gaze snapped to his in a second. He could in her eyes that she was confused about what just happened. Killian felt the same way.

Undeterred, she drags me with her to the centre of the dance floor like a woman on a mission. The dancing couples all part like the sea when they see us. The action spurred some murmurs but Penny could care less.

She placed her soft palm on his hard chest which she could feel through the clothing, making him snap his gaze at her. The touch was foreign. He desperately wanted to blame it on his inactiveness with women over the years.

Killian placed my hand on her small tiny waist and the gasp that left her didn’t escape him.

They started dancing to the slow music as the limelight was mainly on them. His gaze was locked on hers as was hers locked on his. It felt like it was just them in the huge hall. The blue swirls in her eyes captivated him. Outside earlier when she arrived, they looked sea green under the dull light.

All eyes were on them, wondering why another woman was on Killian King’s arm after several years. It was the first time he had left his sanctuary.

“Mr. King. Your mind seems far away.” Her voice called onto him, piercing into the dreadful memory of the loss of his beloved wife.

“I….” Killian was at a loss for words as he couldn’t remember her name.

“Penelope Winters. Or just call me Penny in short.” She supplied, shrugging her shoulders.

Killian felt embarrassed for getting caught and covered it with clearing his throat.

“Right.” Killian responded. He had no interest in making no small talks.  He just wanted to get the evening over with and retire to his cave.

He watched eyebrows furrow.

“You are not big on talking, I guess.” Penny commented.

Killian twirled her some distance away from him and pulled her back with her back meeting with his front as the tempo of the song increases. The action made her gasp in surprise but she caught on just right.

Hmmm… A trained dancer. Is it all part of the job?

“Do you feel uncomfortable?” She inquired with concern etched on her face.

Her questions started to get on his nerves.

“Stop talking!” He pulled her closer grunted out in her ears. The close proximity made Penny’s heart skip a beat, coupled with his intoxicating cologne that made her head feel faint.

“But I -” He cut her off immediately.

“I didn’t pay you to annoy me. This dance is over.” Killian said and pulled away from her abruptly, making her trip over her heels but she maintained her balance at the last minute. The warmth he felt disappeared with his action. Coincidentally, the song stopped at the same time so no one suspected anything.

Killian turned around to walk away.

“How dare you show your face here, Killian?!”