I froze in my seat, feeling all eyes turn toward me. "What is Dylan trying to do...?" I wondered silently."Not her," Dylan announced, breaking the tension. "The little lady at the next table." As the attention shifted away from me, I followed the gazes of the others to the neighboring table, where a beautiful young girl sat, clutching her toy with a sunny smile. "That's my wife!" Dylan declared, and the room erupted into laughter."Thank goodness," I muttered, releasing a relieved sigh as the tension dissipated.Dylan POVFrom my vantage point on the stage, I observed Charlotte's nervous reaction as all eyes turned toward her. I couldn't help but smile as she visibly relaxed, relieved to have escaped the spotlight. I knew all too well that thrusting her into the public eye would only drive us further apart and jeopardize any chance of winning her back. That was not a risk I could afford to take at this critical moment.Locking eyes with Charlotte, I noticed her fleeting glance in my
"D-Davidson?!" I stammered in shock, the music fading into the background.His expression was unreadable as he held me, surprise and something else flickering in his eyes."Charlotte, I didn't mean to startle you," he said softly, his voice barely audible over the music.My heart raced as I tried to make sense of the unexpected events. The dance continued, with the shifting dynamics between Dylan, Aaron, and now Davidson adding an unforeseen layer of tension within me.I glanced back at Aaron, who stood there with a shocked expression, and then turned to face Davidson, who still wore a smile on his face."Charlotte, I didn't expect to run into you here," Davidson said, his tone friendly as he held me in the midst of the dance.Memories of our time in college flooded back, as did his persistent requests for a date and my decision to focus on my studies instead of romance at that time. Now, as I looked at him, I couldn't deny the change in him. He seemed more confident and put together,
"She isn't leaving with anyone," the voice declared, drawing our attention.Startled, I turned to see Dylan stepping forward in slow, cool steps, his expression resolute.Davidson and Aaron turned toward the source of the voice, and I felt a knot of anxiety tighten in my stomach as the tension between Dylan and Davidson escalated. Davidson let out a smirk and spoke, "You must be joking, man," as he moved forward, his confidence shown.Dylan's response was firm as he stepped closer to Davidson, his expression unyielding. "You think so? Well, I don't," he retorted, positioning himself in close proximity to Davidson."You can't just come here and start talking nonsense, man. Just move away. I'm already dealing with enough competition," Davidson countered, his tone edged with frustration.Dylan chuckled in response, his stance unwavering. "I think it's about to get a lot tougher with me here," he added, his words with determination."I don't think so," Davidson shot back, his eyes shootin
"What the hell are you doing?" Dylan erupted, rising from his seat in a fit of anger as he glared at Allison. I looked up at Allison again to be sure, and then I looked down at my wine-drenched clothes, feeling shock and embarrassment at the same time as what had just happened. "What have I done to deserve this?" I asked silently, bewildered by the sudden turn of events.Allison recoiled as Dylan advanced toward her; she moved much away from him, then, out of nowhere, she exploded, her voice ringing out through the restaurant as she yelled in anger."What the hell am I doing here?" she exclaimed, her words laced with fury, drawing the attention of everyone in the vicinity."Why are you here with this slut of a woman?" She continued, her voice rising. "You've hardly been home since you got back with her, Dylan. Am I not good enough for you? Can't you have me and be at peace, huh?" She shouted, her accusations reverberating through the space.Amidst the commotion, murmurs and whispers r
"Ah!" I screamed in terror, my heart pounding in my chest as the unexpected sound reverberated around us.The bustling hotel fell into a stunned silence, and a wave of panic rippled through everyone as people stopped in their tracks, their expressions mirroring the shock and fear that had gripped me.Dylan rushed to my side and enveloped me in his arms, providing protection in the midst of the chaos. Instinctively, I drew even closer, seeking comfort in his embrace."Everyone, get inside!" the hotel manager urgently called out, attempting to restore order. However, before we could react, another gunshot shattered the air, freezing me in place with fear."Charlotte, let's go!" Dylan urged, his voice filled with urgency, but the shock had left me paralyzed, unable to move.Realizing the urgency of the situation, Dylan swiftly scooped me up in a bridal-style carry, his swift and decisive actions carrying me back into the safety of the hotel lobby. Amid the chaos, I clung to him tightly.
"Who could that be?" I murmured in shock, and Dylan paused, his eyes locked with mine."Who is that?" Dylan's voice broke the silence, and his brows furrowed in confusion. "Is that Mr. White?" the unfamiliar voice on the other side of the door inquired."No, you've got the wrong door," Dylan responded, his tone firm yet polite."What's your entry pass, sir?" The voice persisted."5541," Dylan replied, his gaze briefly leaving the door to meet my eyes as I lay there, emotions flickering across my face.With a hint of apology in his tone, the voice on the other side of the door retreated, the sound of footsteps fading away. Dylan turned back to me fully, a soft smile playing on his lips. In a silent reassurance, he leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to my lips, a silent promise of the intimacy that awaited, one that I was anticipating.After our kiss, Dylan turned me over and guided me to sit on his lap with my leg crossed around him, his back against the bed's headboard. I could feel
Charles POVUpon arriving at the mansion, I entered the quiet living room, finding it empty. With determination, I made my way towards Allison's mini-flat, only to discover it locked, indicating her absence. Remembering my task from my boss, I retraced my steps back to the living room, where I encountered Grandma Adaline and Mrs. Grace, Allison's mother, entering the room."Good day, Grandma Adaline," I greeted her respectfully, breaking the silence in the room."What are you doing here, Charles?" Grandma Adaline inquired, her expression curious and slightly wary."I was sent here by my boss. He wants me to deliver something to Miss Allison," I lied, hoping to ease any concerns.Grandma Adaline turned towards Allison's room, prompting Mrs. Grace to provide some insight: "Grace, is Allison around?""No, she left early this morning, mentioning she had an important errand to attend to," Mrs. Grace replied."When will she be back?" I inquired, feeling urgency creeping in as I realized the
Fury and confusion swirled within me as I whirled around, seeking out the source of the sudden, searing pain that had lanced through my skull. Before me stood Grandma Adaline, her weathered face a mask of stern disapproval, brandishing her walking stick with a steely resolve. To my astonishment, Grace stood beside her, clutching another stick in her trembling hands."So, I was hit by two sticks?" I quipped incredulously, my voice edged with disbelief and indignation."You deserve it," Grace retorted, her tone laced in anger that sent a chill down my spine.Grandma Adaline's voice cut through the tension, thick with concern and reproach. "Why are you doing this? Why did you drag her like that, Charles?"Struggling to contain the tumult of emotions churning within me, I offered a halting justification, my voice tinged with a hint of defensiveness. "My boss told me to do it," I explained, my words hanging heavy in the charged silence that enveloped us.The mention of Dylan's involvement