Tangled Hearts

CHAPTER 4

Confrontations

The house was alive and busy by the time I came downstairs, wedding preparations in full flow. From florists to caterers to designers, all busy at it. Mother was in her element, barking orders left and right as she bid to have everything under her control.

My stomach twisted and tangled in knots as I watched them, unable to do anything else. A formless pressure pressed onto me; all this for a marriage I never agreed to. My eyes dimmed as spasms of pain rippled through me at the thought.

“What are you doing here? Why aren't you dressed yet?” Mother's voice snapped me out of my daze as she stared at me. “You're having lunch with Dominic in an hour and you're still looking like this,” She clicked her tongue in displeasure.

My breath caught in my throat at the thought that the lunch had been arranged by my mother who felt it was a nice public gimmick. A stab of pain hit me as I walked back upstairs, my entire life decided for me, and I'd become just a Co-actress to play a public gimmick. I wiped my eyes; I could only bet everything on Clarice’s plan.

My heart thudded as I considered the risk but what plan didn't have risks? it was my future on the line, I just hoped it would work.

Dominic had picked a classy restaurant, it was a bit high end, compared to the previous one. My hands were sweaty as I texted Clarice, show time I thought. “I've just entered, you can begin.” I exhaled slowly, trying to calm down.

As I walked in an attendant led me to a table by the window, this time Dominic was already waiting. I could feel his piercing eyes on me as I approached, he looked impeccable in his suit, with not a single hair out of place.

“Elara,” Dominic’s voice was smooth as his eyes jumped to meet mine. “How are you?” My breath caught in my throat and I avoided his gaze, scared he'd see through me.

“I'm managing,” I didn't think you cared, I smiled, but my eyes were dark.

Dominic chuckled, his baritone voice sent tingles into my belly and I shivered, uncomfortable with the feeling. “I don't care, Elara,” he picked up a wine glass. “But since we're about to be married, I think I should care,” his eyes locked onto me. “Don't you think?”

I shrugged, trying to look as nonchalant as possible. A sense of satisfaction welled up within me when I noticed the slight annoyance in his eyes. Good, I thought he should be annoyed.

I focused on my lunch, completely ignoring Dominic. I could feel multiple gazes on me, I didn't have to turn around to know the reporters were out in the street, already taking pictures of us together—ready to go cook up another headline. My stomach churned at the thought.

I was mid-way through my sausage when my phone buzzed twice then stopped, and my heart stopped. That was our agreed signal for when the plan was to begin. Dominic noticed my weird expression, “Is there a problem?” he glanced at me.

“No,” I avoided his gaze and I shook my head. I noticed someone, a woman out of the corner of my eye, she headed straight for our table, her gaze was locked on Dominic. She was wearing a clingy dress, It clung to her, fitting her like a glove.

“Hello, Dominic,” the woman's voice was smooth, and she smiled as she walked up to us. She stopped beside Dominic’s chair, her hand touching his shoulder. I could feel stares from the other guests in our direction.

“Do I know you?” Dominic frowned as he assessed the woman, his gaze hardening. I looked down, hiding the faint smirk on my face.

The woman's smile wavered but she smiled, “You're pulling my legs, Dom,” she called him with a pet name. “I've missed you,” her voice lowered to a sultry tone.

“Is this what you do with your spare time?” I steeled my voice, disgust on my face. “I'll be taking my leave,” I said.

Dominic’s hand clutched mine, “Wait,” he glanced at the woman, his eyes icy cold. “I don’t know who you are and I don't care either, this is your last chance to leave, or else,” His words hung in the air, his threat evident.

The woman hesitated, her cheerful exterior beginning to c***k. “I…” She stuttered, “Maybe you don't remember me, but I think you'll remember some other time when you're less busy perhaps,” she chuckled as she glanced at me, her meaning couldn't have been more obvious.

I could hear faint murmurs and whispers from around. Well played, I mentally gave her a thumbs up, wherever Clarice had found her, she was good. Her words implied she'd see Dom later while giving her room to make a graceful exit.

“You dare?” Dominic’s face darkened like an approaching storm. “I could have you arrested, detained and persecuted for this,” he growled. “Now tell me the truth, who sent you?”

The woman’s eyes widened, her eyes glanced at me for a split second, “I'm not lyi—”

Dominic cut her off, “I’m not interested in whatever story you're trying to cook,” his eyes narrowed as he stared at her. “You can either tell me the truth, or I'll make you regret it.”

Oh no, a bad premonition arose in my mind as I watched the exchange between them. Leave, leave, leave, I silently repeated, praying she'd somehow hear my words and leave.

The woman's mask of calm slipped off as she stuttered, succumbing to pressure, “I… I'm just doing as I was told,” she blurted out, she didn't meet Dominic’s gaze. “It was just a job, I don't know who hired me.”

Damn! My heart sank as I listened to her words, Dominic arched a brow, “You were paid?” he glanced at me, his gaze full of suspicion. “Elara,” he began, his lips curled up into a cold smile, “Would you know anything about this?” His eyes poked holes into me.

My heart skipped a beat, “I don't know what she's talking about,” I kept my expression neutral, also shooting the lady a death glare. My eyes met his “Are you accusing me?” I asked, my voice harsh.We glared at each other, none of us backed down.

Before either of us could say anything, the door to the restaurant swung open, breaking the tension. A man walked in at that moment, my heart skipped a beat as I stared at him. “Lucas?” My heart thudded, as a sense of disbelief shrouded me. What was he doing here? He was my ex, we'd broken up on bad terms last year, I hadn't seen him since then. My breath hitched in my throat as I stared at him.

“Elara?” Lucas’s dark voice whipped through me like a warm breeze, melting my insides. I exhaled a sharp breath and avoided his gaze. Lucas shifted to Dominic, his initially warm gaze became cold and steely. “What's going on here?” he directed his question to me, totally ignoring Dominic who was right beside me.

Dominic’s eyes narrowed and his stance changed slightly, he stared coldly at Lucas “Who are you?” his gaze was sharp as he stared at him.

My heart jumped to my throat as my eyes shifted between the two of them, the hostility between them was palpable.

“Lucas, this is Dominic, my fiancé,” I introduced,my voice shook a little. “Dominic, this is Lucas… my ex.”

Maybe I shouldn't have said that, my words sparked a reaction. The two men glared at each other, neither willing to back down. The air was stiff with the tension between them, and I could feel

the moment walking dangerously on the edge of something explosive.