The Prince's Leased Bride

The Chesire Grin

Alice chuckled as she watched her friend return to the bar area, “My best friend’s growing up too fast.” She murmured to herself and leaned back the velvet couch, relishing the firm cushion against her aching head. She still hasn’t seen Kevin anywhere but she could greet him later- and his fianceé too. Maybe she would.

“Or perhaps you’re far too caught up in staying young?” a deep voice asked with a tinge of amusement. She snapped open her eyes and saw no one in front of her who could have been talking to her. Everybody else were on the dance floor or at the bar section.

Weird

Was she imagining that husky voice? A heavy sigh came from behind and she glanced back to see a man leaning on the other side of the couch. Numerous double sided couches in a bar? That was pretty neat.

“Oh I didn’t see you there love.” She giggled for not noticing his presence sooner. “What were you saying?” she could make out his dark locks of hair and well-formed shoulders beneath a dark, rich tuxedo. He looked attractive from this point of view, was it the same in front?

“You’re absolutely pissed perhaps?” the same voice that screamed sexy serious. She bit back a laugh, a mysterious stranger making an offhand comment like that, she liked it.

“I’d like to think of myself as a bit tipsy~” Alice tilted her head, trying to look at the man from a different angle. He still wasn’t looking at her, did he even had an idea on what she looked like?

“Really? Care to join me for some wine then?” She blinked her eyes and grinned; now that was an offer. She grabbed the ledge of the couch before hauling herself up.

“I don’t see why not misteer~” The surroundings were a bit of a blur but she climbed towards the other side of the couch and landed with a small thud. It gained herself an amused look from the male, who she finally was able to get a glimpse of.

“You’re a rowdy one huh?” his eyes peered over her, dark grey that reminded her of storm clouds matched fair skin with high cheekbones. If she had no idea who was the bachelor, she’d quickly assume that he was the one celebrating the party. Her eyes trailed down his tux-clad chest, it did nothing to hide his well-formed figure. “Eyes up here darling.” She froze; did she get caught eyeing him up? Alice felt heat burn her cheeks. Well she won’t paw on him though, she promised Lizzie to behave.

“My bad, so what do we have here?” she directed her gaze at the glass table, an elegant bottle of wine already opened up and some wine glasses. Alice reached for the bottle and sniffed it, “This smells delicious.” she looked at the male, did he smell as good as this? Probably better.

“It’s a bit fruity I guess…” The man averted his gaze for a moment. Was it out of shyness? The man reached out for a glass and held it out to her. No words were needed; she poured him a glass, the red liquid enticingly filling up the container. She could drink this straight out of a bottle and she w- the man took the bottle from her hands, their hands brushing slightly as he did. His hands were warm and yet made her skin feel tingles.

“Here, you can drink from this glass; I’ll pour myself another one.” His voice commanded obedience and she could only accept the drink from him. Alice took a small sip of the wine, she couldn’t imagine what his thoughts would be if she drank straight from the bottle.

Who was he? Was he Kevin’s friend? Or his fianceé’s friend? That made an uncomfortable feeling settle at her stomach, an attractive man who was friends with the fianceé. The girl must have been gorgeous.

“How does it taste?” the man twirled his drink for a bit, “It’s the best that the mini bar had to offer, a vintage wine.”

Oh man, Alice took another sip, slower this time. “It’s really fruity and goes down well.” His lips curled up for a moment,

“Wines are made from grapes so that’s a natural thing to say. The alcohol percentage isn’t too high either but can help maintain the buzz you’re having. I can’t help but feel that you need it.”

“I’m just a bit tipsy love, thank you for the drink though.” Alice gazed at the man enshrouded by the dimness of their surroundings. It made him look all more mysterious as if he didn’t belong here, as if they were in their own little world. She could barely hear the blaring music from the dance floor, “Are you with the bride or the groom?”

“Does it matter?” his lips quirked a bit as if in plain curiosity but his eyes held a glint of mischievousness. Alice exhaled a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. He was right, or was he wrong? However those look from his eyes…

“It’s just some pleasantries but an answer would still have sufficed my curiosity.” She took another sip, a swig to be honest. The man seemed to be aware of his ‘mysteriousness’ and that made it a bit infuriating.

“Well, it only seems fitting if the one who asks, answers her questions first does it not?”

“I’m with the groom… I think. I came here with my best friend, I didn’t really get invited.” Alice took another sip, “I wouldn’t be surprised if his fianceé threw my invitation in the garbage if Kevin actually was stupid enough to invite me.”

“That makes it appear as if you’re unwanted here, were you in bad terms with Sofia?”

She blinked, so her name was Sofia. “Well I was Kevin’s… well he’s my ex. No fianceé in their right mind would invite exes right?”

He chuckled, “I suppose you’re right.”

Silence

He still hasn’t answered her question!

“Why come here then? No high-valued woman would attend her ex’s hag do party.”