The Bully's Contract

Not Once Did He Look

Elena's POV

My eyes weren't on the clock but soon we were done and I stood in front of the mirror, ready and fitted perfectly. Despite the fact that I hated the disproportionate bulges and how my body looked, I couldn't deny the beauty of the dress.

Mrs Gable didn't look impressed but she didn't say anything else. “It's time" she turned around and began to walk away. It was my cue to follow her and I did so immediately.

Outside, Julian waited. He wore a dark suit that he matched with black loafers and cufflinks that matched it. I swallowed hard as I looked at him. Even if I wanted badly to deny it, he looked dashing and handsome. I hated that I had to acknowledge that even when I didn't want to.

“She is ready" Mrs Gable said to him and then left immediately. We were now alone.

My eyes stayed on the ground, unable to hold his gaze.

“Let's be on our way" was all he said and when I looked up, it was to see him already heading towards the car. I felt a small sting at his actions, my heart dropped a little. He had ignored me and what I wore like it didn't even exist.

I followed behind him but just as I reached, he was inside the car and the door closed on my face. I jolted backwards in fright at the sound. My mouth had fallen open and I was sure I looked like a fool.

Before anything else could happen, I turned around and headed towards the other door where I entered the car from. He didn't seem to care as I slid into the leather seat behind him. He had his eyes on his phone.

My eyes lingered on him a little, unable to look away immediately. It was as if he held some sort of magic over me that held me there due to how little I wanted to look away. He looked handsome, dashing even. If he didn't treat me the way he did then-

“I hope you know what tonight is" his voice broke into my thoughts.

I looked up to find him looking at me. His eyes were blank, zero interest in them. I was about to speak but he did before I could.

“I'm having dinner with my business partners and associates. They know you as simply my wife, nothing more and nothing less so you'd better act like it." His eyes dropped down my body slowly, tracing it and then met my eyes again. “You better be on your best behavior. You will not put me to shame"

I flushed, my eyes darted away again. “I will" was all I could say. I didn't have any other words at that moment and I didn't know why.

Instead of looking at him again or the empty car, I looked outside instead. The streets were empty but bathed in streetlights. There was a small jolt of memory as I stared, I remembered when father and I had simply gone on late night walks.

My mind was still far away when suddenly the car stopped. It was that and the sound of voices outside that brought me back to reality. I looked outside to see the paparazzi waiting outside. They had cameras set and microphones already shoved towards the car.

I felt myself startle back in anxiety at the sight of them. Nothing had prepared me for this despite the fact that I knew Julian was an important figure. I squeezed my hands into fists behind me the longer I stared.

Beside me, Julian hadn't even faltered a little bit. “You better behave" he warned me while he typed something frantically on his phone.

Soon, outside the car, several men surrounded the car, especially by the door. They held it open and Julian stepped out first. I waited for the door to close but surprisingly it didn't. He smiled at me and gave his hands for me to take.

When I looked at him, he only raised a brow and I handed it over. He took my hands in his larger ones and helped me out of the car with a smile. My heels hit the concrete under me, a crunch broke into the air.

I kept my head down as we walked into the house unable to look at the paparazzi. It wasn't an action that Julian would have appreciated.

Once we were inside the house and the door had closed behind us, my hands were dropped. I stared at Julian as he walked ahead of me without even glancing at the servants who had greeted both of us.

As we walked down the shiny hallways and cool rooms, I felt vividly the absence of his hands holding mine. I hated how much I missed it. The feel of his hard hands holding mine tightly. A part of me wanted it again even when I shouldn't have.

Soon we were inside a large room. There was a huge dining table with almost ten seats. I scanned the table for where we would be. Julian headed straight to the three men already seated at the table.

They exchanged greetings and soon their eyes were on me. Julian turned around me as if he was just remembering that I existed. He nodded my way for me to come closer and of course I didn't have a choice so I did as he asked.

When I was close enough he smiled, “This is Elena, my new wife" he said the words with surprising warmth that I knew he didn't feel.

The men smiled at me, stepping closer. The first man, a tall man with blonde hair and blue eyes, stretched his hands towards me. His eyes dragged slowly on me, “I'm Zach, an associate of Julian's. It's unfortunate he didn't invite me to the wedding"

I took his hand politely and smiled back. Even though I was unsure what to say, courtesy demanded that I said something anyway. “It's a pleasure to meet you"

The second man stepped forward. Although he was shorter, he held himself in a way that felt more powerful than the other men. “I'm Louis, his partner" he gestured towards Julian. His eyes were dark and piercing like he was trying to read me.

The third man stepped in as well. He was the tallest of all three with a bald head but sparkling eyes that shone like water. "It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Danny, the host of this dinner” he grinned, "Along with your husband of course” he added.

I smiled at all three men but before I could speak,Julian had. "Let's go find our seats. I'm hoping he set it up like I asked” his words were directed to Danny but me as well as he walked towards the table.

We walked to the table where I saw that the seats had been tagged. I found my name quickly and headed towards it. A part of me had expected him to be beside me but when I reached my seat, it was to find another name there. Julian had already found his seat and it was just opposite mine.

It didn't take long for the room and table to be full. Soon there were about seven other men around the table and only a woman other than me. She had come to me to introduce herself, Aria. She had been nice but I hadn't let my guard down. It could be one of Julian's games. I couldn't be sure.

It was just as we the toast was about to begin that I felt a pressure beside me. I turned to see a man slide into the seat beside me. He looked at me with a smile, “Well I might have been late but at least I got to sit beside you" he winked.

I smiled before quickly turning away, unsure what to say. It had seemed like he was flirting but I wasn't sure what to think.

My attention was now on Julian who had stood up. He smiled, the cup in his hands.

He cleared his throat and was about to speak when the door opened and suddenly he stopped, his eyes were on the door.

"Victoria” I heard him whisper.