His Last Choice

Chapter 7

His last Choice

This sensation was unfamiliar to Hailey, a curious intrigue that captivated one part of her mind, but deep down, she recognized it was a diversion that would lead to nowhere. She couldn't afford to get lost in it, especially not when tensions were already escalating with her older sister, Celina.

She made a determined effort to set aside whatever thoughts plagued her mind. With deep, cleansing breaths, she exhaled slowly, allowing tension to melt away. Suddenly, a gentle knock on the door interrupted her moment of solitude, and she heard the familiar voice from Rose, her attendant, bringing her back to the present.

"Milady, the moment has arrived." Rose's voice floated through the door I had been leaning against. Earlier, she had bid me farewell, promising to return when it was time for the celebration at the Pavilion, nestled in the expansive garden beyond this grand mansion. I inhaled deeply, steeling myself before I swung the door open. Rose stood there, her face beaming with a smile that radiated warmth and excitement at the sight of me. My heart raced as I cautiously made my way down the second-floor hallway. I could feel the presence of someone behind me, and it's Rose, my knees trembling and my palms slick with anxiety. Despite the urgency of my nerves, I steeled myself, forcing my posture to remain upright as I approached the staircase leading to the ground floor of the mansion.

Down below, I spotted a few familiar faces and heard the distant sounds of the world outside, amplifying the tightness in my chest. With each step I took, my internal voice echoed louder: "Hailey, get it together. You cannot afford to embarrass yourself on your first day in this pack." I knew that first impressions were everything, and I couldn’t afford to falter now.

Wearing fancy clothes isn't new for me, but shoes are a different story altogether. When Rose insisted I wear those high heels, I had no idea where she found them. It’s not a style I'm accustomed to, but I didn’t feel confident enough to push back. So, I reluctantly slipped them on. Each step down the stairs was a careful process; I was hyper-aware of my footing, afraid of slipping. My focus was so narrow that I failed to notice a man waiting at the bottom. His voice boomed as he asked, “Do you need help?” The depth of his tone caught me off guard, and instinctively, I lifted my gaze, losing sight of the step beneath me. In that moment, I realized I was losing my balance and that I was about to tumble down the staircase.

Just five more steps down the stairs between me and the source of that voice that had so taken me by surprise. As I stumbled, he reacted instinctively, seizing my hand with one of his while my other hand instinctively found its way to his shoulder. Shock coursed through me as our eyes locked, each gaze holding the weight of the moment. Time seemed to freeze around us, akin to a delicate dance halted mid-step. Our faces hovered merely a breath apart, and I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin, heightening the intimacy of the encounter.

I didn't recognize this man; perhaps he was just another guest at the celebration. We locked eyes for a brief moment before he broke the silence. "Who are you?" he inquired, his breath hitting my face like a sudden gust of wind. My gaze was drawn back to him, and an unexpected wave of discomfort washed over me. Then I noticed one of his hands resting possessively on my waist. I cleared my throat, feigning composure, and that’s when he finally let go.

“Milady, are you alright?” Rose asked, concern etched on her tone.

“What a relief,” I nearly had a heart attack,” she added, feeling a rush of adrenaline.

“Fortunately, you had acted swiftly, Sir- “ Rose, standing nearby, was momentarily speechless, as if she, too, was grappling with the stranger's identity. At that moment, I realized I had completely forgotten about her following me down the stairs.

"Harvey?" A familiar male voice pierced through the air, drawing our attention. Both three of us turned towards his direction.

"Leon!" The man exclaimed as a wide grin illuminated his face. My brow furrowed with confusion, a whirlwind of questions flooding my mind. Leon’s expression shifted, revealing a blend of surprise and genuine delight at the sight of this man he called Harvey, they exchanged a fist bump, their joyful greeting a testament to a bond that clearly ran deep.

"What brings you here?" Leon asked, eyeing the man with curiosity. "When did you arrive?"

"You know, I always come here to visit Uncle," Harvey replied, raising an eyebrow. "What about you? I didn't realize you were planning a visit; it's been a while since I last heard from you."

I could see the sheer delight on their faces as they reunited. If I hadn’t known that Leon was an only child, I might have thought they were siblings. "Yes, it’s been ages since we last saw each other; we were just kids back then," Leon said, nodding in agreement. Harvey continued, "Well, Uncle sent me here because he mentioned there was a celebration, but I had no idea it was a welcome party for you." Meanwhile, Rose and I stood like statues at the bottom of the stairs until Harvey finally turned to us.

"Anyway..." I was momentarily speechless, my gaze dropping to the floor. He took a few steps closer to where Rose and I stood, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Apologies for the wait, but could you remind me who this stunning lady is?" His playful stare sent my heart racing, and I felt heat rush to my cheeks as his seductive grin captured my attention. I wished the floor would open up and swallow me whole to escape his intense gaze. Just then, Leon cleared his throat, breaking the spell and drawing our attention back.

"She's actually my wife.”

I watched as the playful smile faded from the Harvey’s lips the moment he heard about Leon's gesture.

Leon step closer and took one of my hands, holding it with an intimacy that felt entirely out of place. Was I imagining it, or did I catch a glimpse of disappointment flicker across Harvey’s face when he realized I was Leon’s wife? “This is Hailey, my wife,” Leon said, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made my heart race.

“Oh, is that so? What a shame; I thought…” Harvey began, a teasing tone lacing his words, but he trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air. “What?” Leon pressed, seemingly intrigued by the man’s unfinished thought.

“Never mind,” Harvey replied with a charming smile. “Still, it's a pleasure to meet you.” He said and what he did next surprised me.

He took my free hand and pressed a kiss to it, a gesture that felt both courteous and intimate. I felt the sudden tension in Leon’s grip tighten, as if he were trying to crush my bones in warning. A flash of pain shot through me, but I bit my lip, fighting to mask my reaction in front of Harvey and Rose.