Anders had his eyes on them fully, totally ignoring the worker explaining what was left of the construction. A muscle worked in his jaw as he gave the man beside Veil a long, hard stare.He could see the man stammer, his eyes darting between Anders and Veil. After a long minute, he skittered away like a mouse with its tail trapped between its legs, but Anders had seen more than enough.Returning his attention back to the worker, he made mental notes of the points highlighted before deciding he had had enough.“Great job thus far,” he said, heading to the entrance with the worker beside him. “I like what I see. Keep it up.”The worker nodded politely to Anders and turned to Veil. “Hi, Ms. Hart. I was wondering why you didn’t come in with Mr. Rodriquez as usual. Don’t tell me the sweat and grime are beginning to get to you already.”“It isn’t that,” Veil answered, forcing laughter through her throat. She didn’t feel any of it, not even when the man’s eyes raised in humor. She wanted to
After dropping Veil off, the driver took Anders to his home to get ready for the dinner. While in the bathroom, he heard his phone ring but ignored it, making a mental note to attend to it the moment he got out.Ten minutes later, with a towel draped across his waist, revealing the path to his torso, Anders traced wet footprints on the floor as he sauntered to the side of his bed, unplugging his phone from where he had left it to charge.It was his mother.Returning to his closet, Anders called her back and placed the phone on speaker.“Hey baby,” her warm voice filled the room and immediately put Anders’ nerves at rest. She had had that effect on him since he was a child. Anders had never been close to his father because of the expectations his old man kept tossing his way.But his mother had a different disposition entirely.“Hey, Mom!” Anders smiled. “Missing me already?”“You wish. I was just calling to ensure you haven’t forgotten about the dinner tonight. I know you say you don’
Veil wasn’t allowed to check the mirror all the while the professionals worked on her, moving her from table to table. The massage was her favorite part, and she had slept off for a few minutes before being woken up with a gentle tap on her back.June showed her face at intervals, making jokes about how her best friend still insisted it was just the specifications of the contract that warranted all of that.“I don’t think he would actually go all this length for some …” June winked, not wanting to say the word ‘contract’ in front of the people in the room.“That’s all this is,” Veil said for the umpteenth time, shaking her head. The lady working on her makeup gave her a look. She shot June a scowl, but her best friend didn’t budge.“Are you sure you’re not lying to yourself?”Veil chose to ignore her, singing a lullaby in her head to drown out June’s questions. After a while, she saw her leave, and silence returned to the room once again.She hadn’t been allowed to use her phone to ma
Even June didn’t say a word. That was the moment she knew it was either the most beautiful moment or an epic failure altogether. Her eyes were raised, and her lips parted in surprise. Veil knew it was more than enough expression that she looked great. But she refused to believe until I had seen for myself.June could be pulling her legs. She liked doing that.A full-length mirror was pulled out, and Veil’s eyes widened as she took in her reflection. She couldn’t believe that it was the same person who stared at her back from the mirror. Sure, she had Veil’s eyes and facial structure, but that was where all the similarities ended.The person watching Veil from the mirror looked like she had just walked out of a fashion magazine, with her smoky eyes regarding her with such intensity that she felt little in her presence. Her makeup was impeccable and blended beautifully with her natural skin tone.Red lipstick adorned her lips and made her look powerful like she could take on the world w
“Are you ready?” Anders asked Veil as the Limousine halted outside the banquet hall. The ghosts of soft conversations from people going into the hall traveled over to them softly, but Anders didn’t pay attention to all of that.He couldn’t take his eyes off Veil throughout the ride, no matter how hard he tried. She was breathtaking, he had to admit. The dress clung to her body like a second skin, and her sweet smell serenaded him, making him feel drowsy, like he had just had too much alcohol.His d*** pulsed in his pants as his eyes met her cleavage at the top of the dress, but more than that, he felt the strong need to protect her tonight. He knew how it was going to get in there, with everyone trying to show they were better than one another.Anders regarded her softly, his lashes almost touching the bottom of his eyes.“I don’t know,” she sighed, smoothing out invisible creases on her dress. Her pulse raced, and her heart thudded against her chest. She tried to take in deep breaths
The moment they stepped into the hall, there were ushers waiting to take them to their table. Anders didn’t let go of Veil, not even for a second, as they trailed behind the ushers until they reached the front of the hall.His name was on a card in the center of the table, printed in fine calligraphy. Lucas and Amanda were already at the table, but they got up to welcome Anders and Veil.The ushers slowly took their leave as Amanda practically pried Veil off Anders’ arm, pulling her into a hug. It wasn’t awkward, and Veil found herself relaxing in Amanda’s arms, even hugging her back.“The last time we saw you, I was too drunk to say anything intelligent,” Amanda gushed, pulling out of Veil’s arms softly. It’s so amazing meeting you here. You look so stunning—like STUNNING!”Veil laughed. “You look great too.” She meant it.Amanda was wearing a backless shimmering gold dress that fell to the ground beautifully. It had a cowl neck at the front, and small mirrors hung all over the fabri
Flawless was the only word that came to Veil as she watched Sophia strut in, her head high and her poise immaculate. She commanded the room, and Sophia was fully aware of that. She used the power it gave her, wielding it through the guests.Her body was covered in a white dress—she was the only person in a white evening dress in the room. The dress cascaded like water from a fountain to the ground, the beads sewn into the bodice sparkling as she walked up through the aisle. Her cinched waist was draped with softer fabric, almost having a seductive look mixed with sophistication and elegance.The light caught deliciously in the dress, and it seemed to pull every single person in the room. All eyes were on Sophia and the plunging neckline of her dress. It seemed to sway along with her as she moved, taking the guests with her.Veil suddenly felt so conscious. She returned her gaze to the table, surprised to meet Anders watching her. She would have sworn that he would have been as lost as
Anders felt Veil stiffen beside him at Amanda’s announcement. Slowly, he put his hands around her, lightly grazing her bare shoulders, just to let her know he was there with her and for her.He saw Sophia approach from his peripheral, looking stunning as always. But Anders was beyond looks where she was concerned. The tail of her dress swept the pristine floor as she navigated the tables, a smile playing on her lips as she stopped by their table.She looked around slowly, her eyes regarding everyone silently for a couple of seconds. Anders thought it was unnecessary, but it had always been Sophia’s thing. She said it was a way to size everyone up and let them know that she wasn’t easily intimidated.Well, for Anders, he called it bullying.Or perhaps it was just his distaste for Sophia acting all out.“Hello,” she waved, her thin, shiny bangles catching the lights. I’m Sophia De… Oh! You must already know me, seeing as you are seated with people who are quite familiar with my person.”