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.”
Veil had never seen Sophia look one bit out of her usually composed self, but the moment those words were out, Sophia’s face bore an expression that Veil found foreign where she was concerned.“What did you just say?” Sophia peered at Anders like she had suddenly lost the ability to keep her eyes wide open. Anders angled his head as he shot her a look, then scoffed.“Don’t act so dramatic, Sophia. You know that’s the truth. I have never told you I loved you, and you will never hear me say that. All the times we met, they were always at your own schedule and request. But you were so wrapped up in the bubble of impossibility that you didn’t see it.”“Oh, I saw it,” Sophia mumbled, nodding. “All the times you would pretend to enjoy the dinners at our place just because of your parents. And how often you would tell me you were swamped with work simply because I asked you to take me out for lunch.”“So why did you…”“Because I want you, and when I want something, I go for it despite the ob
Veil didn't know what happened in the few seconds Sophia spoke to her, but she felt something in every part of her. It started as a small change, bubbling in the pit of her stomach. In that instant, she just wanted to be away from Sophia as far as possible.She looked at her hands waving in the air, distraught at how close it was to her face. Veil had seen too many movies to believe this was going to go any different. The girlfriend always ended up slapping the replacement faster than the man in the picture could blink.But he always came to her rescue in the end, shielding her from yet another brutal hit.Veil glanced at Anders, wondering if he was going to stop Sophia from hitting him if her hands decided to wreak more havoc. The waters with him were not clear, as even though the contract was the only thing placing them in that situation, Veil couldn't help but think it was more. Or perhaps, it was all just her and her damn feelings, expecting something more. The next time Veil fe
Anders wrapped a hand around her waist, pulling her flush against him, as they moved slowly to Stephen Sanchez’s “Until I Found You.” He pushed her out of his embrace slowly, pulling her again onto him in a Cuban dip. Their eyes met, tenderness tugging their hearts together in a choreography no one else could see. In their worlds, only the both of them existed, hearts spinning, hands craving, eyes searching, body moving to the rhythm of the music playing softly in the background. The crowd watched them, with lips moving and hands tapping away at keypads. A few people raised their phones, lights flashing in the distance. Of course, their friends would only buy the stories on two strong grounds: online articles from verified sources and pictorial evidence thrown right in their faces. Veil sighed as she placed her head on Anders' chest, getting lost in the moment. It was all a plot. No one knew that better than she. But she might as well enjoy it since there was nothing else to do. An
It was hard getting a quiet place to talk without the whispers of people trailing after them like bees on a quest. Orleans seemed to think it was all her fault. He didn't need to say it. Veil saw it in his eyes; the accusatory glance he cast her way at intervals, the soft parting of his mouth and how it snapped shut almost immediately. He followed her around as she kept looking for a suitable place, coming up empty. There were either shagging couples or people who wanted to ask her a million questions about her relationship with Anders. One of them had even called her a desperate bitch that wanted to take what belonged to Sophia. No amount of mental and emotional preparation would have gotten Veil ready for this. She heard Orleans sigh exasperatedly behind her. He suddenly grabbed her hand, pulling her along with him as they went through a narrow stairway that seemed to go on and on for ages until they came up to the rooftop. There was a guard at the entrance, but the moment he re
Her hand flew to his chest, pushing him away with all her might. But the strength her wrist possessed was nothing compared to Orleans’ determination to get what he wanted and his obvious obsession with her. He planted a firm hand on the small of her back, pulling her impossibly closer to him as he forced his way. He tugged at her bottom lip, coaxing her to open up to him.Frustration soon found its way to him, and at the same time, anger; anger that she wouldn’t look at him the same way she regarded Anders, anger that he had been nice to her from the very beginning, while Anders made her day intolerable, yet she still chose Anders over him. Veil gasped against his lips, trying to plead with him wordlessly. His hand groped her waist roughly, and her dress raised off the grounds a few inches. Veil’s mind screamed for help. She panicked, using her claws on his skin, drawing as much blood as she could.Yet, Orleans wasn’t stopping. She wished she hadn’t gone to talk to him alone. Hell,