CHAPTER SEVEN
1142 Words
ISABELLE
The ball, like every other year, is a flurry of wealthy aristocrats, soft music, fine dining and carefully selected media coverage. Each place at a table sold for twenty-five thousand and that did not include the huge amounts of money donated by the guests. All of the money went to charity, and this year, the ball was for orphaned children.
My gaze wanders around the room in search of my father. I've been glued to Santiago's side all night long as he made small talk with people. When I finally find my father, he is at the front of the room, clinking his glass to get the attention of everyone present. The conversations begin to subside and when the room finally falls silent, he starts to speak
"Thank you all for coming here today. As you all know, My daughter recently got married." I feel many eyes turn to look at me and hear a few low whispers spread through the guests. I know exactly what they are whispering about. I'd been engaged to Ethan for two years. I'd attended this ball with him twice. News of our engagement had been announced publicly in this very manner. And now I was on the arm of another man. Married. I try to pull away from Santiago, but he tightens his arm around me.
I suddenly wish I hadn't agreed to come.
My father continues, seemingly oblivious to the unrest he's caused.
"I would like to introduce her husband, my son-in-law. The CEO of M.D. Corp and a new major shareholder in Gallo Empire ".
New major shareholder? I peer up at him. A round of applause erupts in the room and Santiago flashes the fakest smile ever as the reporters take multiple pictures of us. He doesn't seem bothered in the slightest about the attention, but I'm right beside him and having so many eyes on me makes me nervous. By the time they finally announce for us to be seated, I'm wishing for the ground to open up and swallow me.
We are seated at the same table as my father. I don't miss the way they look at each other with contempt. Wasn't Dad happily introducing Santiago just now? I look between them with confusion.
"How are you Peach?" my dad asks softly, worry evident in his voice. Santiago's hands tighten firmly around mine. Drawing my attention to him for a second before it returns to my father.
"I'm fine Dad." I mean, other than the fact that I was married to Santiago under unconventional circumstances, I really am fine. I still need to talk to him though. Nothing about this feels right.
"Charity for orphans." Santiago's voice cuts in. "Ironic isn't it?" he's looking right at my father who seems very uncomfortable. My eyes move between them. "I wonder how many of them lost their parents at the hands of people they trusted" His words make my father get out of his chair abruptly sending it clattering to the ground as he storms away from the table. I stare at Santiago, trying to make sense of what just happened. I know he knows I'm looking at him, and when he refuses to acknowledge me, I stand up to go after my father. I'm barely out of my seat when Santiago stops me "Sit down"
"I..."
"Sit down Isabelle. Don't make me repeat myself "
"I... I need to go to the bathroom " I lie. Hoping he can't hear the desperation in my voice. He lifts his head to look at me. Giving me a questioning look and for a moment, I think he knows it's a lie. I'm surprised when he actually allows me to leave.
Walking away from the table quickly, I head towards the direction of the bathrooms. As soon as I'm out of sight, and the sounds of the ball fade behind me, I make a detour and head for the doors at the end of the hall. If my father isn't inside, he must be outside. I'm a few steps away from the doors when a figure steps out of the shadows and clasps a hand around my mouth, stifling my scream of terror.
"Shhh... Hey, it's me"
"Ethan? " my heart finally grows calm. Anger replacing my fear. "Ethan, what are you doing ?" my voice is a loud whisper as I look around.
"I've been trying to reach you. Your father wouldn't tell me anything. I've been worried" The concern in his voice makes me feel guilty. Over the past few days, I'd been so wrapped up with Santiago and my dad, he hasn't even crossed my mind once.
"What's going on Isabelle? " his eyes search my face desperately.
"Ethan..." I whisper. I can't do this.
"Tell me what's going on Isabelle. Who is that man? Do you need help?"
Santiago. I've been gone for a while now. He must be starting to suspect my disappearance.
"Ethan you need to leave." my voice is panicked. If Santiago catches us, I'm not sure how he'll react.
Instead of doing as I say, He takes my hands in his and steps closer to me. Now he is just too close and my heart beats faster.
"Isabelle, I need to know if you are in trouble. I can help you"
I shake my head profusely. He needs to leave. I might not be in love with him, but I don't want to see him get hurt.
"No Ethan. You can't get involved" I grip his hand pleadingly. "I'm sorry I embarrassed you and I appreciate your concern, but I'm married now. You have to let me go" My heart breaks a little as I watch his expression crumble. I hate myself right now. I hate Santiago more.
"I love you Isabelle" he finally says the words I've been dreading for the past two years. I've always known he was in love with me, but I never felt the same way. I'd only agreed to marry him out of obligation. Hearing him say these words now, I really don't know how to respond.
Before I can finish processing his words, he closes the tiny distance between us and presses his lips to mine. Pinning me to the wall with his body, he kisses me fervently. It's the first time he's ever done anything like this. Throughout the time we were engaged, he only gave me an occasional peck. Nothing like this. Never like this.
When I finally recover my senses, I push him away from me with all my strength. But it is too late because my eyes shift over his shoulder and land on Santiago's figure looming behind him. Rage is written all over his face.
"What the hell is going on here?"
I suck in a sharp breath. And all hell breaks loose.
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