Chapter Five

It felt like my tender heart was being grated by a thin wire, making my body tremble with pain.

I felt lightheaded, unable to move, and couldn't comprehend what was happening.

My breathing pace increased; I was slowly losing it. I hate remembering that painful night; I always end up having a panic attack each time I remember it.

But today was worse, what Leila said must have triggered it and also made it worse. I staggered back and rested on the wall.

My gaze fell on Jared who was busy speaking with some guests.

He smirked at me, his gaze hinted a faint sense of amusement yet his eyes were cold. I felt a cold shiver run through my body and I froze, scared out of my mind.

I heard the door of the bathroom open, I turned and my eyes met Kent's eyes, His brows furrowed.

"Are you blacking out?" He asked. But I was in no position to talk, hence I was just looking at him.

"Come with me," he said as he led me outside, and I quietly obeyed him without making a fuss.

I sat down on a chair, while he stood a little distance from me.

He didn't ask me any questions but just stood there, with his back to me. The fresh air was just what I needed, it had a calm effect, soothing my wounded heart.

"Do you feel better now?" I heard his deep baritone voice.

"You won't even why I am this way?"

"Do I have to, just sticking around the Long siblings could choke you to death. You shouldn't spend much time with them" he was staring into the distance. His back still turned to me.

"So why are you still here, and not out of that gate?" I snapped at him.

"I have a score to settle with them."

So they truly had a grudge against each other; I didn't think he would openly admit it, but I guess he needs my help, or better still, he is using me to get his revenge.

His nerves were infuriating; the memories of how I met him that night at the club flooded my head, but it wasn't clear. But one thing I remembered clearly, was that he approached me.

I got up from the chair. "You hold a grudge against Jared, and you wish to take revenge on him. That is why you approached me to infuriate him, isn't it?"

I had thought that Kent would deny it, but to my surprise, he pulled out a candy from his pocket; unwrapped it, and threw it into his mouth. His eyes filled with a hint of disdain.

He sucked on the candy for a while in silence, still staring into the distance. I was beginning to doubt he heard what I said earlier when he finally looked at me.

"Sam, I do want revenge against Jared and the long family, but I won't stoop so low as to exploit a woman."

I was confused; if he didn't want to use me, why did he approach me in the first place?

"If I wanted to exploit someone, I would pick Leila or Jade over you, obviously you can't keep up with Jared, and you guys are already divorced, remember."

"Then why did you drag me into your silly games?" I spat out, angrily, the very words he said to me, pissed me off. How dare he pick Leila and Jade over me?

After all the risks we took, he dared choose them over me.

Even though Jared and I aren't together anymore, and no one even knew we were once married, I didn't want to be embarrassed in public; if I was caught tonight, I dared not think about the consequences.

Kent didn't say a word to me; he continued sucking on his candy; his cool demeanor was already getting on my nerves. He looked like one without a care in the world.

Maybe that is why he didn't think about what could have happened if we were caught.

"Sam, you shouldn't be around Jared anymore. I saw the look on your face when he stood up for you against his sister."

"I don't know what you are talking about," I nervously said, pretending I didn't for a second enjoy the way he stood up for me.

The smirk on the corner of Kent's face was a bit smug.

"Jared isn't what you think he is; you won't find happiness with him." He continued sucking on the candy in his mouth like a child.

I was taken aback by his words; I was in a dilemma. The words Leila said to me earlier were almost the same as Kent's.

"They know something that I don't know," I said internally.

"Who is Jared Long?" I subconsciously blurted it out.

"You don't want to find out," Kent replied, and that was when I realized I said that out loud.

He spat out the remaining candy in his mouth and turned to me.

"Did you block me?" he interrogated me. Walking towards me, he was almost close when I moved backward.

"No..... I didn't," I instinctively denied it while keeping a straight face.

I don't know how his brain works, but he didn't think I would leave his number lying around on my phone.

He took out his phone and dialed my number, sure enough, mine didn't ring but his phone showed that the call was underway.

It felt a bit awkward, I didn't know what to say in my defense. With a stern face, he snatched my purse from me and took out my phone from the purse.

He took out his number from the block list and handed the phone and purse back to me.

"You shouldn't block me this time, my number might come in handy, especially at night when it feels too cold" he smiled, blew me a kiss, and headed back into the banquet.

While I stood there at a loss for words, I felt wet down there but I quickly snapped out of it.

I have important things to think about aside from Kent's dick.

I began pacing, wondering why everyone was pointing at Jared. I was married to him for two years. Does it mean that I didn't know the man behind the mask he wore in public?

This must be a joke, one played on me by fate.

"Stop this," I scolded myself. Whatever this is, it isn't my problem anymore. I'm no longer married to Jared and as such no longer have ties to the Long family.

Hence, this isn't my cross to bear any longer; I'm just here for the banquet.

"I will enjoy it and get the fuck out of here."

I sighed and headed back to the banquet, Immediately I got inside, I saw Kent speaking with Jared, Jade, and Clark, Jared's father.

I had no idea where Jade came from, I didn't see her earlier, so I guess she just got here. My eyes shifted to Kent.

"I should stay away from that dangerous man too" I cautioned myself.

I spent the rest of the evening keeping my distance from all of them, and when the banquet ended I made my way out of the hotel before they realized I was gone.

I picked out my phone and called Emilia, then told her to come pick me up, and she readily agreed. Which didn't come as a surprise to me, she is dying to give Jared a piece of her mind.

It was a bit chilly but I had no option but to wait outside. A car drove up to where I was standing and winding down his window.

"Sam, get in I will drop you off," Kent said to me. I was tempted to get in but when I recalled my decision to stay away from him, I stayed put. I was startled by the blaring of a horn.

I turned to see another car parked behind Kent, I looked inside and Jared was sitting comfortably.

"Get in Sam, I will drop you off" I was confused, wondering what they were both doing.

But the clattering sound coming from behind me made me turn and my eyes met the angry gaze of Leila and Jade. They looked like they were going to rip me to shred. I was scared for my life.

"Sam! Over here" I heard Emilia's voice, I sighed in relief the moment I saw her car parked behind Jared, I hurriedly got into the car.

"Go, go!" I yelled.