Chapter three
1189 Words
Kate POV
"Shit." I cursed under my breath as soon as I saw his face.
It was the same guy who's car crashed into mine and I slapped him with a cheque earlier today.
I clenched my jaw and my hands tightened into fists while I waited for him to humiliate me in front of everyone.
"You stupid bitch." Gilbert laughed, "Do you have any idea who you're messing with? You're done for."
My mother twirled the champagne in her glass while smiling at me like she'd just watched her worst enemy dig a grave for herself.
"I didn't think you'd be this desperate to prove a point, Kate." she said, "I'm impressed with your talent of falling into trouble."
"Desperate whore." Gilbert snapped, frowning at me as a vein popped up on his forehead.
Wait... Was he angry?
Out of nowhere, a hand slipped across my lower back so gently that I didn't jump away in fright.
"How dare you insult my fiancée right to my face?" the stranger's voice came like that of a beast trying to hold back.
"Your fiancée? Since when?" Gilbert scoffed, "we just got divorced today and you think I'm going to fall for some cheap trick?"
The whispers around us rose as everyone voiced their opinions at the same time.
"Fiancée? But he hates women. At least since a year ago after the incident." someone said.
"He's definitely lying. She doesn't even have a ring on her finger. That pornstar definitely did something to push him this far." another added.
"And did you hear? She just got divorced today. So, that means she's been having an affair."
"No way. This is all just a big lie. He has only ever loved one woman and stayed away from all others since she left him." a woman retorted.
My heart raced like never before. I felt like I was dragging a complete stranger down with me in this mess. I couldn't let it continue. I had to confess and straighten things out.
I felt the stranger's fingers tighten a bit on my waist and I got even more nervous. Were we both getting embarrassed by everyone and by the looks on my mother's and Gilbert's face, they truly enjoyed it.
When I turned to look at the stranger, he had a smile on his face. "you already have another woman by your side, don't you?"
Gilbert's breath seemed to have seized for a moment and my mother coughed, almost choking on the champagne she just sipped.
Gilbert was about to say something again but to everyone's surprise, including mine, the stranger let go of my waist and went down on one knee in front of me. It was like nothing anyone said in this space meant a damn thing to him.
"Kate," he spoke my name ever so softly as he took out a small box from his pocket, "will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the world?"
My jaw dropped as soon as I saw him reveal a red diamond ring.
Red diamonds are the rarest of its kind and worth millions of dollars per carat. How did he get his hands on one this big? Just who was this man?
His eyes stared at me like I was the only thing that carried meaning on earth.
I looked at the furious and jealous face my mother carried and the angry face of my ex-husband and I smiled sweetly at them just to rub it in.
Even I thought they'd manage to expose me in front of everyone and make things worse but this stranger saved me.
Finally, I turned to the man kneeling in front of me. He was good at this. I should be grateful he even took it this far. And to think I doubted he would help me.
But where... How come he had a ring like this with him this entire time? Was he planning to propose to someone?
I lifted my hand, praying that a random woman wouldn't walk up to me and slap me.
"Yes!" I answered, acting as excited as possible. "Yes I'll marry you!"
He slipped the ring into my finger and thankfully, it fit perfectly.
Claps and cheers erupted around us and I hugged him in front of everyone as soon as he got up.
"Just a hug?" he whispered to me.
I felt my cheeks heat up for some reason and I quickly separated myself from him just in time me see my mother and ex-husband storm away.
I sighed in relief and slowly, everyone went back to minding their own business. However, we were approached by an older man who looked so happy.
"Son!" he exclaimed, chuckling but then coughing a little at the end.
"Dad." the stranger seemed genuinely surprised, "I thought you wouldn't be able to make it here tonight."
"Nonsense! My only son is taking over my legacy today and I'd be absent?" He replied, giving his son a hug while I looked around for the Haringtons' PA.
I spotted him just stepping into the building. It's like he left earlier. I started making my way towards him, knowing I had to be fast I could finally leave this hell hole.
With a light tap on his shoulder, I managed to get his attention.
"Oh!" he exclaimed then smiled, "Mrs Austin Kate. It's so nice you made it.
I sighed in relief, knowing that he didn't witness all the chaos I caused in an event held by his bosses.
"It's Miss Kate now. I... I'm divorced." I explained hesitantly.
"Oh... I m sorry to hear that. How are you feeling?" He has asked.
"I'm fine." I answered, "I came to meet my future business partner as you said." I changed the topic with a smile.
"Yes. I'll take you to him now." the PA replied.
Before I knew it, a hand took mine. I turned to see the stranger who helped me and I felt my hand sweating.
"I'm sorry about the incident on the road. I shouldn't have done that." I apologized. "You were so kind to have helped me out today and I really appreciate that."
I tried to remove my hand but his grip only tightened.
"You can let go of my hand now. I don't think anyone would suspect..."
"Suspect what?" the stranger cut off my words while I just stared at him, not knowing what to expect.
"You're my fiancée. Why can't I hold your hand?" he smirked smugly.
My jaw dropped but I quickly sorted out my thoughts.
The ring! I didn't return it. That's what he must be after.
My gaze accidentally snapped to the PA and I noticed how awkward he must be feeling from the look on his face.
"I see you've already met my boss, Mr Sebastian Harrington. Your future business partner." he smiled awkwardly.
"What?!" I exclaimed so loudly that some people turned their attention to us but I quickly smiled, standing closer to the stranger and acting natural.
"Good." he whispered to me and I instantly felt annoyance biting into my skin.
- Writer
