Melanie.
My eyes should be on Malachi. This handsome hunk of a man, holding me in this tender embrace. Dancing with me. Rather, they're on Regan.
His tux, like Malachi's snug. Perfect. We're dancing an Italian dance. The Heartstones decided to go all Italian in celebration of their Venetian heritage, despite being Americanos. Much like the Tenshaws, who hail from Naples.
It's funny that both families originate from the same nation, yet they hate each other.
I still find it commendable, the degree of self-control Malachi showed, in the midst of the embarrassment that occurred, earlier. He didn't flinch. He was confident, despite Regan and his brothers. I admire that in him.
The instant my eyes fell on them, memories of how Paul Heartstone and his three sons killed my family flooded back. I shrunk in fear. But Malachi was like a support. He got me this mask specially, to hide from them. Told me he has a surprise for me tonight, here.
My eyes accidentally fall on Regan's pair of onyx orbs and I flinch, as I see he's been looking at me. I tear my eyes away from his heated gaze.
"You should be focused on me, not him." Malachi speaks.
It's not a warning. A supplication. I raise my eyes and find an intensity in his, that burns me. Desire, hot and sizzling. I shake my thoughts.
Malachi can't have desire for me. It's preposterous to think so. I know the kind of girls he moved with prior to me. Models.
"What did you do to your boyfriend, after you accepted my proposal?" He asks, his eyes penetrating my soul.
Am trapped in those remarkable golden eyes of his. They're like the light that burns in the golden chandelier up the ceiling.
"He didn't call me back, after I told him. Actually he enthusiastically congratulated me. I found that odd." I smile, nervously.
Talking to him always makes me nervous. I recall last night at his parents' when he told me I have a family in him now. It was Heartfelt.
"What made both your families hate each other this much?"
I see Lucas Tenshaw nearby, who seems to be on guard duty, rather than dancing with his beautiful wife, like he pretends to be.
Malachi shrugs. "It started long before even our grandparents were born. Over a piece of dough." He smiles, slyly.
"Dough?" I'm puzzled.
He nods, laughing.
"And that, Seniora Tenshaw, is all I can divulge." He leans in, close to my ear.
Sniffs my scent. "You smell like flowers." He pulls away, his eyes focused on me.
A glint in his eyes. My chest hurts and I just discovered that all that time he leaned into me, I stopped breathing.
Is it possible for a man to stop someone's breathing?
He smiles, appreciatively. The party guests all happy. After the next dance, the auction of the new product from the Heartstones, an anti-aging serum, would begin.
The music ends, another begins. We're about to walk out of the dance floor, when Regan steps in, halting us.
"Hello, Malachi, mind if I dance with your pretty wife?" Regan asks.
I draw closer to Malachi, who shields me, protectively. I love he protects me. Malachi's arm stiffens. His calm exterior, hiding the tension in him.
"If my wife doesn't mind." Malachi's tone is tight.
"Am sure she wouldn't mind. She's a pretty little thing." Regan sneers.
The smile on his face doesn't reach his eyes.
"Do you want to dance with him?" Malachi asks me, lowering his head.
I nod, quietly. I want to be a good guest. Nodding quietly, Malachi hands me to Regan.
"Break her, and I'd break you." Malachi warns lowly, cutting Regan a cold glare.
Regan smiles, menacingly.
"I broke her long ago." He grabs me, walking away, before Malachi gives a rejoinder.
"Why are you doing this?" I ask tersely.
Regan doesn't smile. He presses me closer.
"Because I can, Rita."
"I'm not Rita." I retort.
"Shh…If my brothers and father hear, they can hurt you again. And you wouldn't want that, would you?" He leans in, his lips grazing my ear.
I flinch. Trying to ignore the flame his touch ignites.
"Are you threatening me?" I ask, firmly.
His eyes dance with something dark.
"I don't need to. It's the truth. You come into my territory, parade your husband in my face and you think I'd just allow it."
"Go to hell." I spit on him and walk away without looking back.
I reach Malachi, who regards me with concern. His expression, taut and I don't want him suffering another embarrassment. I don't want them knowing it's me. Am scared.
"Let's go." I try pulling him.
Rather, he tugs me to him. To others, we're just a couple in an embrace. But to us, we know the truth. He leans in, that tingle on my neck, my ear, from his breath on me.
"Don't you want your gift?" He asks, quietly.
I look at him, confused. Instantly, a picture flashes on the projector. Everyone's phone rings. Even mine. Even his. I check mine. It says;
Fraudulent Activities of Heartstones' Clients.
My eyes open wide at the heading. Falling on the projector screen. It's fraudulent activities with tax evasions' evidence and pictures of clients. Their faces flashing on the screen and fraudulent business dealings. Some of the faces are present at the party.
There's pandemonium everywhere.
"What's this?" Everyone is questioning.
I look to Regan and I see horror on his face. His entire family.
"Let's go." Malachi takes my arm.
The last I see of them, Regan and his brothers struggling to end the projector image.
Inside the car, my body is strumming with adrenaline. My body, ignited by the horror I saw on Regan's face.
The victory I feel, seeing them humiliated.
Without a thought, I fall into Malachi's arms, clutching him tight in an embrace. Tears stinging my eyes.
"What's this for?" Malachi asks quietly.
"Thank you."