Chapter 5 SPARKS And SHADOWS (Ethan’s POV)

“Can you explain what the hell were those photos for, Vanessa?” I growled, already losing my cool, my hand gripping her arm roughly, and I cared not. All I needed was to wipe off those smirk from her face, and the grip did just that effortlessly.

Her eyelids fluttered more like a practiced actress, earning a smile from me. Her perfume was a misture of Jasmine and danger, and that made me feel not in control.

“Just a proof,” she purred. “My contribution to the proof that your sweet little wife of just weeks old has been seen entertaining Adrian Knight freely behind your back.”

“And I noticed they’re time stamped for tomorrow.”

“Which means one thing,” she said, making an annoying sign with his hand, “you are left with nothing more than twenty four hours to do your research and figure out if you really trust her… or the trust should be on me.”

I allowed her to leave, already disgusted by her presence. “Well, if you must know, I trust no one.”

My words were more of a shield. Under it, I still felt unsettled, a thought I had paid deaf ears to: what if all she had said was the truth?

And yet… when I looked at Demilia’s face, the one she wears the moment she stares at the threats wasn't in anyway giving the look of a woman who's pretending and scheming behind my back with the enemy.

Her vulnerability wasn't faked that night. It came out too real. I could see through it all...soft, raw and honestly human. It hit in ways I never imagined.

To keep up appearances and clean up my public image, I decided to attend today's gala with Demilia. It is an an event which I have no excuse not to attend. Attending it is very healthy for my company, shielding me from the public eyes.

By evening, the gala was in full swing as expected. Every side that I turned, there were glittering chandeliers, champagne flutes every corner, polite but annoying laughter which completely masked every hidden knife many people carried in the room. I spotted her with much ease across the floor in a deep red dress. The dress did wonders to her body as it clung tightly to her curves like temptation. Every man’s head turned to her direction, with no exception of me.

She moved differently tonight that I almost didn't recognize her. It wasn't just the dress, not even the elegecy accompanying the dress, but because in her eyes; I could smell danger, I could see the unknown.

I took few quick strips and I was right beside her. “You did your assignment, cleaning up well tonight.”

She didn’t spare me any look. “And you have the appearance of someone hunting something.”

“Maybe I am, you never can tell.” I swiftly handed her a glass of champagne. “Don't move too far, stay close tonight.”

Her laugher came out blunt and humorless. “Why do you suggest that? To keep up appearances as in the contract?”

“Let's just say to keep you breathing,” I said, totally disappointed in the tone of my voice.

Her gaze finally landed on me, too sharp for someone I bought with my money. “You still have the thought that Adrian’s a threat?”

“I think everyone present today in this room is a big threat. With no exception of you.”

She carefully set her glass down, giving it a light click. “Then maybe you should start by getting hold of yourself, and stop staring at me like you have the agenda of dragging me into the nearest dark corner.”

I leaned in without thinking. “Maybe I do crave for that.”

The words had come out much hotter than they should have been. We were both smittened by it.

Her breath hitched like she never expected such response from me. “You hate me.”

“I don’t hate you, darling,” I said, my tone even softer than could remember in years. “I just hate the fact that you gradually changing the narrative, making me lose focus, to lose control.”

The tension existing between us intensified greatly, until the moment I heard her mutter, “Then stop talking now.”

I didn’t heed to that. Rather, I kissed her.

It wasn’t the soft kind of kiss. Neither was it polite. It was a whole mood of collision, of anger, of deep desire bottled up for years, and something dark that neither of us wanted to name. Her tender fingers curled in ways I couldn't explain in my jacket before she shoved me back.

“This doesn’t change anything between us,” she voiced still breathless, the moment she freed herself from me.

“Maybe it's time we both admit that it changes everything,” I countered her opinion.

From across the room, I sighted another of my nightmares; Vanessa. Her glare alone if given the permission is able to set the drapes on fire. Adrian, on the other hand, didn't show any sign of jealousy, not even for a second. Instead, she smiled mischievously like he had won something priceless.

I could see clearly how Vanessa watched with a smug, poised and predatory look. She obviously has something up her sleeves.

I narrowed my eyes trying to figure out if I invited him. “Why exactly is he here?”

“I didn’t invite him,” she replied too quickly.

“I don’t believe the crab of coincidences,” I muttered in disbelief, suspecting she was taking my softness for granted, and would love the other side of me more; Ethan Blackwell ruthless side. And I'm ready to always be him any time.

Just an hour later, while I was busy discussing with an investor, I glanced up, only to see Adrian leading her like her lover toward the balcony. A rush of rage tightened my chest at the sight, and I wondered I am so bothered instead of making her pay as planned.

I moved to quickly, leaving the investor in the middle of our discussion, but Vanessa blocked me, her hand seductively sliding over my chest. “You’re seriously getting yourself worked up for nothing, for a low life, Ethan. I think you don't need to be around them to know what they are doing. I have everything in control, you should see this.”

Her touch alone was a provocation I couldn't fathom what it was. I could feel her stares almost like a blade, threatening to cut me into pieces.

She quickly held out her phone. It dawned on me that she has a tracker on them, and could watch them anytime. Demilia and Adrian were on the balcony. I watched as he continued leaning closer each second, his mouth moving with him whispering something. She was shaking her head to whatever he was trying to convince her to do, but she didn't take the liberty of walking away either.

And then…

I noticed him slip something into her hand.

It looked small, like a metallic.

Then it dawned me that it might be a key.

To what exactly, I had no idea.

But I my plan is to get to the root of everything between them before the night was over.

The night raged on, the air surrounded by potential violence. It was more like tasing iron in my tongue, suddenly giving me the urge to control, to be in charge as I used to be.