CHAPTER2
907 Words
(Amara's POV)
"You're late," Elias stated sharply as I walked into the dining room.
My heart was pounding as I froze at the doorway. Perfectly clothed in a fitted suit, he sat at the head of the table and stared at me with his icy gray eyes. His presence made the room feel colder.
I said, "I'm sorry," as I felt smaller in his presence.
Elias kept his eyes on his newspaper. "I'll take you to a charity event this evening. Prepare by seven o'clock.
The order was oppressive. "Yes, of course," I said, even though Lukas was on my mind constantly.
I took a seat at the table and tried to concentrate on the food. The scent of food made me sick, and my stomach was in knots.
Finally, Elias looked up, his eyes sharp. "Is there a problem?"
I gave a short shake of my head. "No, no problem."
His dark eyes scrutinized me, seeking something I wasn't certain I could provide. All right. Don't be late this evening.
With my hands shaking beneath the table, I nodded. "I won't be."
A sense of comfort passed over me as he turned back to his newspaper. But the uneasiness returned as I picked at my dinner.
''Amara, smile. "After all, you're my wife," Elias remarked as we made our way into the gala, his hand firmly around my waist.
Glistening gowns, champagne flutes, and the cacophony of speech that seemed unbearably loud to me filled the event. I felt uncomfortable in my plain black dress, and I couldn't help but notice how heavy Elias's presence was next to me. I felt like a doll on show because of the strong, almost possessive, hand he placed on my waist.
Elias introduced me to people whose names I instantly forgot as we mixed with the mob. They all gave me a curious yet contemptuous glance, and despite my nausea, I made myself grin.
"Elias, darling!" a woman's voice cut through the cacophony before calling out.
A tall, attractive woman with long, blond hair caught the light as she approached us.
Elias said, "Selene," in a calm voice.
Selene smiled, but it stopped short of her eyes when her gaze shifted to mine. And Mrs. Voss must be the new one. How... endearing.
I made an effort to grin as my gut knotted up. "Thank you."
As Selene responded, "Oh, Amara, it's so lovely to meet you," her tone was brimming with dishonesty. "Elias talks about you... sometimes."
Elias was exuding tension, and I could feel it. He said, "Amara, this is Selene Blake," in a neutral voice. "An old... acquaintance."
With a sound too harsh for comfort, Selene chuckled. You're too nice, Elias. Didn't we have a lot more in common than acquaintances?
Elias's jaw tensed, but he said nothing. Desperate to take my mind off the anxiety, I looked around the room. I saw him at that point. Lukas. He was standing close to the door, observing me intently, his face unreadable.
I hurriedly said, "Excuse me," and moved away from Elias. "I need to... freshen up."
Elias briefly tightened his hold on my waist before releasing me. "Don't be long," he added in a hushed, almost defensive voice.
With questions flying through my head, I nodded and rushed to the bathroom.
Elias whispered in a low, menacing voice, "I saw you talking to your father," as we were leaving the event.
With my heart racing, I froze. "I wasn't—"
"Don't lie to me," Elias said, his eyes glaring. I am aware of his abilities. You'll be sorry if you work with him.
I started to object, but a car screamed to a stop next to us before I could say anything. A man in a mask leaped out and pointed a revolver at Elias.
My voice was drowned out by the commotion as I screamed. Elias pushed me to the ground and used his body to protect me. In the calm street, the sound of the gunshot was overwhelming.
The masked man was gone when I looked up, and Elias was holding his shoulder with blood dripping from his fingers.
"Elias!" I sobbed and stumbled to my feet.
His face was pallid but resolute as he winced. He clenched his teeth and muttered, "I'm fine," but I could see the anguish in his eyes.
"But you're hurt—"
He interrupted, "I'll handle it," with a tone of urgency despite his icy tone. "Get in the car."
I wavered, caught between fear and compliance. There was no arguing with the expression in his eyes. My hands shaking, I struggled with the door as I assisted him into the car.
I kept thinking about the man with the mask as we drove away. Who was he? Why had he attempted Elias's murder?
With a trembling voice, I said, "Elias, who was that?"
His breathing was shallow as he reclined in his chair. His voice was hardly heard as he muttered, "I don't know, but this isn't over," which chilled the air.
My heart was pounding as I gazed at him. What was he trying to say?
His head sagged to the side and his eyes closed before I could inquire.
I said, "Elias!" and shook him. "Elias, wake up!"
But when he didn't answer, panic took hold of my heart and the world around me descended into chaos. I had gotten myself into what?
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- Writer
