CHAPTER 5:THE GALA
747 Words
Chapter 5: The Gala
The dress arrived that afternoon.
Elena stood before the full-length mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back. The gown was a masterpiece—deep red, clinging to every curve before flaring out at the bottom. The fabric shimmered under the dim lights, the thigh-high slit revealing just enough skin to be both elegant and scandalous.
She smoothed her hands over the silk, exhaling.
This wasn’t her world.
But tonight, she would have to make them believe it was.
A knock at the door made her heart jump.
“Elena.”
Abina’s voice. Low. Commanding.
She turned as the door opened, her breath hitching at the sight of him.
Dressed in a black tuxedo, he looked devastatingly sharp—his broad shoulders filling the tailored suit effortlessly. The top button of his shirt remained undone, revealing a hint of golden skin. His dark eyes raked over her, slow and deliberate.
Something flickered across his face. Approval. Possession.
“You’ll do,” he murmured.
Elena arched a brow. “High praise.”
A smirk tugged at his lips. “Come.”
He extended a hand.
She hesitated for only a second before slipping her fingers into his. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver up her spine.
This was an arrangement. A contract. Nothing more.
Then why did her pulse race when he led her down the grand staircase?
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The Arrival
The gala was held at one of London’s most exclusive venues—a ballroom dripping in crystal chandeliers, gold accents, and an air of old money.
The moment they arrived, all eyes turned to them.
Whispers. Stares. Curious, envious glances from women draped in diamonds and men who had long feared Abina Varela.
Elena forced herself to keep her head high.
“You’re already causing a stir,” Abina murmured against her ear, his breath warm against her skin.
She fought the shiver that threatened to betray her.
“Good.”
His low chuckle sent a dangerous thrill through her.
Then, just as they reached the heart of the ballroom, he did something unexpected.
He slid a possessive hand around her waist, pulling her flush against him.
“Elena,” he said smoothly, addressing an older couple who had approached, “meet Senator Holt and his wife.”
Elena plastered on a polite smile. “It’s a pleasure.”
The senator’s wife gave her a once-over, her lips twitching in something that wasn’t quite a smile. “And how did you and Mr. Varela meet?”
Before Elena could answer, Abina’s grip tightened slightly.
“She walked into my life like a storm,” he said smoothly. “And I decided to keep her.”
A shiver ran down her spine.
The senator laughed. His wife looked unimpressed.
Elena fought the urge to glare.
Abina leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, “Careful, mi esposa. They’re waiting for you to stumble.”
She tilted her head just slightly, her own voice a breath against his skin.
“Then I guess I better make sure I don’t.”
His low chuckle was almost approving.
She had the distinct feeling that this was a game. And that she had just taken her first move.
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A Dance with the Devil
The evening wore on. Elena played her role well—smiling, conversing, allowing Abina’s hand to rest on her waist as they moved through the crowd.
But then came the dance.
“Dance with me,” he murmured.
It wasn’t a request.
She placed her hand in his, and he led her onto the dance floor. The music was slow, intimate. His hand pressed against the small of her back, pulling her close.
Too close.
Her heart pounded as they moved, his body a commanding presence against hers.
“You’re handling this better than I expected,” he murmured, his fingers tracing slow circles against her back.
She swallowed. “Disappointed?”
His smirk was wicked. “Intrigued.”
Her breath hitched as he spun her, then pulled her back against his chest.
“I told you,” she murmured, her voice just a little unsteady. “I’m not afraid of you.”
A dark promise flickered in his gaze.
“Not yet.”
The words sent a shiver down her spine.
And for the first time since she signed that contract, Elena wondered—
Had she just made a deal with the devil?
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End of Chapter 5
- Writer
