Chapter 2 Old Flame Resurfacing
1023 Words
Just behind Arthur, a swarm of reporters followed closely, their cameras and microphones unrelentingly focused on the chaos.
Arthur released his grip, and the drunken man lost his balance, crashing to the ground with a heavy thud. Expressionless, Arthur flexed his wrist and coolly instructed a nearby bodyguard, “Take him away.”
The bodyguard quickly moved to lift the man off the floor, preparing to escort him out.
“You can’t just—”
Elise was about to ask the bodyguard to call the police when Arthur stepped beside her, cutting off her words.
Then, his warm fingers intertwined with hers. Elise froze, staring at their joined hands, her mind blank, completely forgetting what she wanted to say.
“Sorry to keep everyone waiting,” Arthur addressed the flashing cameras with calm confidence. “Just a little trouble, but it’s all sorted now.”
Henry, the assistant, began guiding the crowd back into the main hall as the reporters quickly followed, their flashbulbs continuing to pop.
*****
As Arthur and Elise stood at the center of the stage, he turned to her, his gaze intense.
“Thank you all for joining us on this special occasion,” he said, looking back at the crowd, with an unusually gentle tone. “Elise is a kind and talented person. She has brought joy and inspiration into my life.”
Hands shot up among the reporters, and one boldly asked, “Mr. Locke, your relationship with Miss Harper has progressed so quickly. Can you share some details?”
“We met at a dinner party, and I fell for her at first sight. Later, I discovered we had crossed paths in college; it feels like fate,” Arthur replied smoothly, as if he had rehearsed this dialogue countless times in his mind.
“Our relationship has indeed developed rapidly, but I believe that when you meet the right person, you won’t hesitate to seize the chance.”
He smiled slightly, pulling Elise closer by the waist, his fingers gently brushing her side, sending a shiver down her spine.
Noticing her stiffness and confusion, Arthur gently tilted her face toward his shoulder, signaling her to lean into him.
The gesture appeared tender under the flashing lights, resembling a deep embrace, but Elise felt an overwhelming pressure, forced to comply and nestle against him.
“Mr. Locke, when do you plan to hold the wedding? How did you propose to Miss Harper?” the reporters pressed on, eager for more insight into their future plans.
Arthur paused for a moment, then replied, “We’re still discussing the exact date for the wedding, but it will certainly be a grand event in the near future.”
“As for the proposal, it’s quite personal, so I can’t share the details. But I can tell you, when she said yes, her eyes sparkled like stars. It was the happiest moment of my life.”
His gaze toward Elise was filled with passion, as if she were his one true love.
As the questions continued, Elise’s heart raced, and her legs wobbled, nearly causing her to stumble.
Noticing her distress, Arthur frowned and addressed the reporters apologetically, “Thank you all for your enthusiastic questions. I know it’s been a long day, so let’s take a break.”
With that, he led Elise to a nearby lounge.
*****
Once inside, Arthur closed the door, and the hand around her waist suddenly withdrew. His features tightened with displeasure, eyebrows furrowed, and his lips pressed into a straight line, the softness in his eyes seemingly vanished.
Elise rubbed her temples, trying to calm herself.
“You were too stiff out there,” Arthur said seriously.
Unable to hold back, Elise retorted, “You were late. Of course I was nervous.”
Feeling somewhat guilty, Arthur sighed and stepped closer to smooth out her wrinkled dress.
“Did the bodyguard call the police for that waitress?” Elise suddenly recalled the earlier chaos, worry creeping into her voice.
Arthur paused for a moment, then replied coolly, “That’s not your concern. Henry will handle it.”
His response irked Elise. It was clear that people in his circle only looked out for one another.
'By ‘handle it’ he meant just getting rid of that drunk, right? He won’t face any real consequences, right? And what about that waitress? She’d just suffer in silence?' Elise wondered silently.
Her anger bubbled to the surface, and she sneered, “So what should I be concerned about? About my absent fiancé? Or how to avoid being seen as a joke?
Arthur’s brow furrowed deeper, his gaze sharpening. “Even if I hadn’t shown up, you should have managed that situation. It’s your responsibility as my future wife.”
Elise couldn't hold back any longer. Just as she was about to retort, a knock on the door interrupted them. It was Henry, who broke the tension with his timely arrival.
Henry approached Arthur and whispered something in his ear.
After listening, Arthur raised an eyebrow and instructed Henry to steer clear of the reporters and bring someone into the lounge.
Standing by the window, Elise thought about how to quickly end this charade. She wouldn’t allow anyone to cover up the truth right under her nose.
Suddenly, a soft touch on her shoulder broke her train of thought. She turned to find Arthur standing beside her, draping a shawl over her shoulders.
Elise realized just then how cold the air conditioning was, making her off-the-shoulder dress feel too thin.
Even seeing a hint of regret in Arthur’s eyes, she refused to back down.
“What do you want?” she asked, her tone icy.
Arthur sighed. “I know it’s tough for you to face all this alone, but there were urgent matters today, and I did my best to get here.”
Elise pressed her lips together, not responding.
“Elise, I understand you’re angry, and you have every right to be, but today was an exception.”
Seeing Arthur’s sudden softness, Elise felt her anger begin to wane, like a frayed kitten being gently stroked.
- Writer
