Tyrant King

Chapter Ten

That was by far the best meal I have ever had. Susan made homemade chicken parmesan, with a rosé sauce instead of the traditional tomato. I insisted over and over again that she teaches me how to make it. I ate enough to keep me full, but I didn’t want to over eat when all I could think about was the dress I was going to wear. The last thing I wanted was to feel bloated and gross all night.

“Boss…” Mark popped his head in. “Someone’s here for Nora’s hair.”

“Great, send her up and Nora will be right there.”

He looked across the table at me, nodding his head in the direction of the door. I got up and left without a word. I went back to the same room I picked my dress in. I had decided earlier that I would get ready tonight in here, away from Gabriel.

A young girl was waiting in the room for me. She had set up a chair and vanity in the middle of the room, motioning for me to take a seat. “Hi, you must be Nora.” She said.

“I am. And you are?”

“Oh, my apologies! I’m Katerina, but everyone calls me Kate!”

She was quite chipper. “Nice to meet you.”

“May I see your dress? It will better help me decide how to do your hair.”

“Actually, I was thinking of an elegant low bun.”

“Oh sure! I can do that.”

I walked over to where the dress was and unzipped it, pulling out the bottom to show her.

She shrieked, “Oh my gosh! That is so beautiful! Okay, okay, come sit. I have the perfect idea!”

A little over an hour later and my hair was finished in a low bun with small curls hanging down to frame my face. I’ve never had it done by anyone before, so I was surprised by how much I liked the process.

There was a knock at the door, Kate called to let them in. Gabriel walked in and froze. He completely checked me out, top to bottom, and I wasn’t even in my dress yet. “You look beautiful.”

I blushed. “I don’t even have my dress on yet.”

“I just wanted to let you know that we’re leaving in 15 minutes.”

“Great, I’ll be down in 10.” He nodded and left the room.

“Wow, that man is just yummy. I could eat him for dinner.”

I don’t know why but her words didn’t settle well in my stomach. I turned to face her, making her gasp at the dark look on my face. “That is my husband, you would do well to remember that.” I said calmly.

She looked down at her feet, her face flushing. She muttered an apology under her breath before turning to pack up all the stuff she had brought. I walked over to the dress, pulling it off the hanger gently.

“Would you like some help, Mrs. Silver?”

“Yes, but please don’t call me that. My name is Nora.”

“Okay, Nora. Why don’t you slip into that and I’ll zip up the back.”

I nodded, heading into the bathroom so I wasn’t showing her my naked body entirely. When I was finished, I stepped out and she gasped before coming behind me and securing the zipper into place. “I take back what I said earlier, you are worthy of being eaten.”

Before I could respond, she ran out of the room, leaving the door open. A few seconds later, Gabriel walked back in. He didn’t stop this time, but his steps did falter slightly. “I have something for you… turn around.”

I did, giving him my back. His hands came above my head holding something between them. I felt the little pendent rest on my chest and his fingers doing the clasp up behind me. I reached up to touch it, seeing that is was a circular ring with wolves around it. He gently took my elbow and turned me to look at him.

“This is beautiful, Gabriel.”

He looked at the pendent in my hand and then my eyes. “Not as beautiful as you.” I felt my face heat up when he reached his hand up to rest it on my cheek. He turned suddenly, giving me his elbow. “If you would…” he said.

I slipped my hand around his hard forearm, resting it there gently. We walked in silence to the car and the silence continued to the venue. The closer we got, the more nervous I was. I hadn’t been in town long before I was forbidden to leave his house, and I certainly hadn’t been out since. Now I was going to a gala function, dressed in something I never would’ve been caught dead in before. It felt like I was playing a role that wasn’t quite meant for me.

When we arrived, Gabe got out first before coming to my side and opening the door for me. He offered me his arm again, noticing that I was shaking slightly. “It’s going to be fine, Nora. Just smile and relax.”

I nodded, holding my head a bit higher and plastering a smile on my face. It was just one night, right? I could do this. As we entered the building, the music lowered and all eyes turned to us. We were both handed a champagne glass, and I clung to mine like it was my life saver.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for joining us on such a special day! We are here tonight for two very good reasons. First, I want to say thank you to everyone that has helped to organize and set up tonight, we couldn’t have done it without you.”

Gabriel had captured everyone’s attention with his loud voice and dazzling smile. I felt small beside him. I hadn’t even noticed I was shrinking away until his arm came behind my back, pulling me up straight again.

“Tonight, open your hearts and your wallets in support of giving our children a safe and happy community to live in!” Everyone cheered loudly while applauding. “And one last announcement, if you will! Please welcome back home, my wife… Nora Silver!”

Many people continued cheering and offering congratulations to us. Of course, there were some I noticed around the room that didn’t seem too pleased with our arrangement. At least they’re not the only ones, I thought.

Gabriel was whisked away to chat amongst his people, leaving me standing alone by the doorway. I noticed the open bar off to the side and made my way over. “A double of tequila, please.” I said to the bartender.

“Well, well, well… look what the wolf dragged in.”

I knew that voice. I turned my head to the side, a huge smile breaking out on my face. “Nate!” I pulled him into a giant hug. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing… Mrs. Silver.” I could see the teasing look in his eyes. “I always knew you’d come back to him, you know. All our late-night talks about how in love you were!”

“Shh… Nate, keep your voice down!” I laughed looking around. “That was a long time ago.”

“And don’t I know it. How the hell have you been, Nora? It’s been what, 10 years!? My god, how much you’ve changed.”

He took my hand and backed up, twirling me around. I couldn’t help but continue laughing. Nate was my best friend for as long as I can remember. I never imagined I’d see him again! “I’ve been good. As good as one can be when their father has been kidn*pped, that is.”

“Stop! You mean to tell me someone took your old man?”

“Yes… that’s actually the only reason I’m here.”

Nate held up his finger in front of my face, touching his opposite ear. He looked over at someone behind me and nodded. “Sorry, Nora. I have to go handle something quick. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other now.” He winked as he walked away. I couldn’t stop smiling. I looked at the bartender, signaling another.

A couple hours later I was still sitting at the bar. I hadn’t seen Gabriel in a while, but every time I did some new woman was hanging around him, laughing and touching his arm. I stopped looking for him when I felt like I was ready to explode with anger.

I felt someone walk up beside me but refused to look. “Hello again, Nora.”

I cringed. I never wanted to see this woman again, and here she was purposefully coming to annoy me. “What do you want, Rae?”

“Oh nothing. Just wanted to see if you’ve weaseled your way into Gabriel’s bed yet. But from the looks of things, he’ll be taking someone else home before you.”

I didn’t know what I was thinking. Maybe it was the alcohol, I wasn’t sure. I turned to face her, and my fist connected with her nose. She stumbled backwards, but I wasn’t done yet. “Keep my husband’s name out of your mouth, you stupid little girl.” I raised my fist to hit her again when I felt a strong arm hook around my waist, pulling me backwards. I knew it was Gabriel, I could smell his cologne. “Let me go! I’m going to teach her a lesson!”

“Nora… enough.” He said. “Stop fighting me and settle down.” He turned towards Rae, who was now standing beside her father and trying to get her nose to stop bleeding. “What did you do, Rae?” he asked, a warning in his tone.

“Nothing, Gabriel. She just attacked me!”

He looked back at me to see me shooting daggers at her with my eyes. “I’m not dumb enough to think you did nothing to have my wife react that way.” He looked at Rae’s father. “Get your daughter under control. And the next time she says or acts any way indifferently to my wife, there will be severe consequences.”

Rae’s father’s head nodded. “I understand. I’m sorry. And I’m sorry for my daughter’s behavior.”