Chapter 3

RUBBY'S POV 

The private lounge was beautifully decorated with lights and some Christmas decorations were left up but not so much. Tonight was supposed to be not only my third anniversary with Nolan but also our engagement night. It was all screwed up anyways but I couldn't bring myself to cancel. Since I already had Alexander, I decided to introduce him to my friends. At least he was someone worth introducing.

Cynthia was holding court at the centre, swirling her wine and directing pointed questions at everyone. Becca was lounging in her chair with an amused smirk, waiting for something dramatic to unfold. Why she was always doing that, I don't know 

“I love New Year,’’ she grinned. “Look at all that cheer. I'm freaking going ice skating this year! I can't wait to have your mother's turkey, too, and go crazy with all the food and resolutions.”

I chuckled lightly.

“Rubby,” Cynthia said with an edge of impatience, “are you seriously going to keep us in suspense? Where is this man of yours?”

I smiled tightly, smoothing the folds of my red dress. “He’s on his way. Alexander’s got a demanding schedule, but he’ll be here soon.”

“Alexander,” Becca said, her tone sceptical. “Is that his real name or just a placeholder for someone you made up?”

Laughter bubbled around the table, but it grated against my nerves. They didn't really believe me did they? 

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I said sharply, cutting through their mockery. “You’ll see for yourselves when he gets here.”

Cynthia raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Well, I hope he’s worth the hype. Because I don't remember you talking about any Alexander. You were always all about some Nolan dude unless Alexander is his middle name.” She frowned against her glass as she took another drink. 

My stomach twisted at the mention of Nolan. The only reason I took this long to introduce him to them was because he was always feigning business. He was either overworking at the office or on a business trip or generally unavailable and as a result, the girls didn't get to meet him.

Thinking about it now made me realize how stupid I had been not to see he was avoiding it on purpose. I mean three whole years?

“Where's Trisha anyway? Wasn't she supposed to be here like an hour ago?” Becca asked. 

My lips pressed into a frown. She had better not show her stupid face here after what she had done. 

“Shouldn't we call her or something? To make sure she's alive at least?” Cynthia asked worriedly and I rolled my eyes. 

She was very much alive, riding Nolan's dick probably. 

I opened my mouth to retort when the door to the lounge flew open with a loud bang. My heart dropped.

Nolan.

He strode in like a storm, his sharp suit failing to mask the fury etched into every step. His eyes locked on me with a mixture of anger and disdain.

What was he doing here?

“What the hell is this?” he barked, his voice slicing through the festive atmosphere.

“Nolan,” I said coldly, stepping away from the table. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” he snapped. “An engagement party? Really, Rubby? Who’s the poor fool you’ve roped into this charade?”

Gasps rippled around the room, and Cynthia covered her mouth in shock. 

My blood boiled in anger. I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of causing a scene before my friends.

“You need to leave,” I said firmly, glaring at him with all the anger and pain welling up inside me. I was going to do something drastic if he didn't step out of here. 

“I’m not going anywhere,” he snarled, advancing toward me. “I think everyone here deserves to know what kind of woman you really are. A liar. A cheater.”

Wow! The audacity of this man!

“You’re calling me a cheater?” I shot back, my voice rising. “You’re unbelievable, Nolan. You’ve been sleeping with Trisha behind my back for who knows how long!”

More gasps followed from Cynthia and Becca. I guess they didn't see that coming. 

“Stop lying!” he barked. “Don’t try to twist this around, Rubby. You’re the one flaunting some stranger to cover up your dirty laundry.”

“Stranger?” I laughed. “Now that is funny because I remember that stranger throwing you out of your own office. Do you need me to remind you that you are beneath him?” 

He grabbed a glass of champagne from the table and hurled the contents at me. The icy liquid soaked through my dress, and the shock of it stole my breath.

Did he just… This was freaking Chanel. Ohhhhh! This bastard was going to get it. 

“Nolan, enough!” Cynthia yelled, jumping to her feet. “I won't let you embarrass my friend further! Get lost before we call security on you!” 

But he ignored her, pointing an accusatory finger at me. “You’re nothing but a desperate, gold-digging slut!”

The room erupted in murmurs. My cheeks burned, but I refused to let him see me cry. There was no way in hell. No matter how embarrassing this situation was, I wasn't going to let him gain the upper hand and make me look like a fool before everyone. 

“You want to talk about desperation?” I snapped. “Let’s talk about how I got you your job, Nolan. How I supported you every step of the way while you took me for granted and slept with my best friend. You’re nothing without me. And that’s why you’re here—because you can’t stand that I’ve moved on. Alexander is more of a man than you’ll ever be, and it’s killing you.”

The mention of Alexander seemed to push him over the edge. His hand lashed out before I could react.

The slap echoed through the room, freezing everyone in place. My cheek burned, but it was the humiliation that struck me hardest.

My hand slowly went to my cheek as tears stung my eye 

“Rubby!” Cynthia gasped, rushing to my side. 

“What kind of animal are you?! Hitting a woman in public just because she doesn't want you anymore? Are you a beast?!” Becca leaped from the table and literally attacked him, giving him a slap of her own. Everywhere went silent almost immediately after it. 

For a moment, Nolan stood there, his chest heaving. Then, as if realizing what he’d done, he dropped to his knees in front of me.

“Rubby, I’m so sorry,” he sobbed, grabbing my hands. “I didn’t mean it. Please, forgive me. I don't know what came over me, I swear…”

“Get off me,” I hissed, yanking my hands away, but he clung on. I have heard those lies over and over again in the last three years. 

Every time I got him a little pissed, he would hit and then claim he didn't know what got into him. 

“Please! Baby please listen to me…” he cried, pulling a small velvet box from his pocket. My breath hitched. “I know I messed up, but we can fix this. Marry me, Rubby. I love you. We both made mistakes, but we can move past this. Trisha was just a one-time fling, and I know you don't love Alexander or whatever his name is. Please don't leave me, baby; I swear I love you,, please…”

He opened the box to reveal an elaborate diamond ring.

“You’re insane,” I whispered, trembling with anger and disbelief. His behaviour hit me faster than whiplash andi almost stumbled back. “You think this fixes anything? After everything you’ve done?”

This man was unbelievable! Hours ago, he wasn't even thinking towards marriage, but just because Alexander came into the picture, he suddenly couldn't live without me.

He even had the audacity to lie that Trisha was a one-time fling when he was planning to reject me before my friends for her. 

“I love you,” he repeated, his voice cracking. “Please marry me…”

The door opened again, and relief flooded me as Alexander stepped inside. His sharp blue eyes took in the scene: me, soaked and trembling; Nolan, on his knees with a ring; and my friends, frozen in stunned silence.

“What’s going on here?” Alexander’s calm, commanding voice cut through the tension.

Every eye turned to him.

“Alexander,” I said, my voice trembling with a mixture of relief and emotion.

His gaze softened as he walked toward me, shrugging off his coat and draping it over my shoulders. Then he turned to Nolan, his expression hardening.

“Is there a reason you’re still harassing my fiancée?” Alexander’s tone was icy, laced with quiet authority. His eyes flickered to the box in Nolan's hands. 

Nolan stood, his face contorting with disbelief as he sprang to his feet. “Fiancée? You again? Aren't you sick of this whole pretence? Who the hell do you even think you are?!”

“Someone who doesn’t tolerate this kind of behaviour,” Alexander said coldly. 

“Rubby—” Nolan began, but Alexander cut him off.

“I think it’s time you left,” he said firmly.

The room held its breath as Alexander stepped closer to Nolan, who finally seemed to grasp that he’d lost. With a scowl, Nolan turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Alexander turned back to me, his expression softening. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, tears threatening to spill. 

He gently cupped my cheek, his touch grounding me. “Good. Because the next time he comes near you again, he won't be able to use those legs again. You are mine, do you understand? Mine!”

I nodded slowly, completely shocked out of words. I knew he was saying it for the sake of it but it was fine for now.

“You're late!” I said as I playfully nudged him. He was about to say something when his jaw suddenly tightened as he reached for my face. 

“What happened to your cheek?” He asked and I gulped hard. He touched it and pain shot through my nerves as I winced. 

“It was that asshole! He hit her!” Becca chimed in before I could say a word. This was going to be more complicated than I wanted. 

Without a word, Alexander walked out of the lounge, after Nolan. 

Shit!