Page 56 of Illicit Games

I don’t think I could’ve survived seeing him with a date. I’d most probably be trying to kill the woman by throwing daggers at her with my eyes.

“Thank you!”

I drag my gaze away upon hearing Bianca thank the bartender. Picking up my drink, I take a sip. It instantly soothes my nerves. Well, some of it.

“Where’s Aunty Lily?” I question about Rosalie’s mother. “Didn’t she help organize this? I thought she’d attend.”

“Oh, no. She and Uncle Danish flew back to France last night.”

“Wow, they’ve really stepped away from all the limelight.” Their love story is the kind that puts one’s faith back in love after they stop believing in it.

“Yeah, I’m happy for them.”

“Me too.” Sipping on my drink, I remember the announcement I read in a tabloid last week. Cautiously, I ask, “I heard Arya is getting married soon.”

Bianca tenses at the mention of her younger sister, for whom she got into a marriage of convenience with Dash. When her parents shunned her, she ended up losing Arya too. Yet I hope maybe now she’d reach out to her big sister.

“Did she call you to tell you the news?”

“No.” Sadness laces her voice. “I haven’t talked to her in two years.”

“I’m so sorry.” I step closer, rubbing her shoulder.

“It’s okay.” Wiping a tear away, she smiles. “I’m happy for her and Aryan. I just never thought I wouldn’t be at her wedding, you know?”

I hug her, whispering, “I know, Bee.”

Pulling back, she finishes her drink. “We should find Dash and Nathan.”

“Why don’t you go ahead?” I reply, not yet ready to be around Nathan. “I’m going to step out for some air.”

“Okay.”

Downing my drink, I saunter to the glass double doors in the corner that lead into the garden in the back. On my way, I catch my reflection in a mirror mounted against the wall. Slowing down, I study myself.

The fitted rose gold silk mermaid dress is a work of art. The thin straps hold the cups and the deep V neckline in the front, which accentuates my breasts. My back is completely bare as the dress dips to just above my ass. The gown is the perfect blend of daring and elegant.

The makeup artist did their magic, making my hair and makeup flawless. I look so different with my strands curled in beach waves while keeping my bangs straight and falling over my forehead.

Every inch of me is perfect, yet the sparkle in my eyes is missing.

The light only seems to shine bright like a diamond when I’m with Kian. The dress is gorgeous but I don’t feel beautiful or confident. There’s a hollowness inside my chest, like someone drilled a gaping hole inside, leaving me to bleed out.

Finding it difficult to breathe, I tear my gaze away from the mirror and storm outside. I keep walking until the light spilling from the hallway is no longer touching me. Until I’m away from the microscopic eyes of the partygoers inside.

Noticing a bench under a stunning flower arch, I go toward it and sit down.

The soft evening breeze teases my flesh, raising goosebumps. The pressure in my lungs recedes and I exhale into the darkness.

It’s so much more pleasant out here, sitting under the glittering stars and the moon. I remember from when I was little, my mom and I would lie on the terrace and count the stars whenever there was a power cut at home. Doing so would put me to sleep.

I’m reminiscing over the memory with a fond smile when a noise coming from the bushes on my right startles me. I abruptly stand and move backward, scared some animal will jump out.

A yelp escapes my mouth when my heel gets caught in my dress and I go tumbling down. I smack against something hard just as strong hands grip my waist, breaking my humiliating fall.

Mischievous blue eyes gaze down at me. “Hey, beautiful.”

“Justin!” I gasp.