Terms and Temptations

Chapter 3

Serena

Was I really doing this? I stared at myself in the mirror, brushing invisible dust off the black, stunning dress I had on.

My short hair was in waves, and even though I looked absolutely beautiful, with the makeup I had on it was a bit too much I hoped people wouldn’t recognize me.

Who was I kidding? Even if I had surgery to change my face, they would still recognize me.

A knock landed on the door, making my heart jump. I slowly walked to the door. Hesitatingly, I opened it and of course, he was standing there. That disgusting grin tugged at his lips.

“I asked you to wear red.”

“Yes, that is the exact reason I wore black.”

He smiled. “You still look breathtaking.”

I turned around to get my purse without saying anything to his compliment.

I think it was perfect I had black on because as I was leaving my building, I was dead.

Before we even got to the gala, the press would have realized the pictures, giving birth to the next big thing for gossip blogs to eat up.

And when we got to the gala, my parents would be there and they would see me with him and I would have a lot of explaining to do so my father doesn’t put a bullet through my head.

Fucking perfect.

“I want to take my own car,” I said, standing in front of him in the doorway.

He paused for a split second. “Not a chance, Serena. We are taking my car.”

“Adrian, please. This is a bad idea.”

“If you stop overthinking it, it would help,” he replied nonchalantly before offering me his hand.

I pushed them away, slammed the door behind me, and started walking, leaving him behind.

When I got to the car, he had already caught up to me and opened the door. As I got in, I felt my heart do a three-sister in my chest, telling me this was bad.

Within seconds, the car started moving, and New York was so beautiful tonight. As we sped through the road, I couldn’t stop looking at him from the corner of my eyes.

I didn’t want to admit it to myself, but Adrian was unrealistically handsome, and the way he always carried himself with so much confidence it was both intimidating and impressive.

I saw that smirk returning to his lips.

“You know, stylishly staring is very detected, right?”

I laid my back on the chair, this time facing him and not the window.

“I wasn’t staring.”

“Is that so?” He leaned in closer and closer. Until Our faces were inches apart, his lips almost on mine. I froze in place.

My heart was beating faster than ever. His cologne was so good. It felt like if I moved even a muscle, our lips would touch and in this moment, it didn’t feel like such a bad thing.

My breath caught in my throat as his eyes searched mine, flickering between my eyes and my lips. I wanted to push him away or something, but instead, I just sat there, unmoving.

Then, just as I thought he was going to kiss me, Adrian smirked again and pulled back.

Asshole.

But why would I even want him to kiss me? Oh God. This was definitely going to be a long night that was for sure. I was glad there was alcohol where we were headed, because that’s what I’d be drowning myself in for the rest of the night.

“You are cute when you pretend I don’t still have the same effect I had on you a couple of years ago.”

I didn’t reply, just looked out the window, because I knew my voice would betray me and he wasn’t wrong.

The rest of the ride was silent, and when we finally arrived, I felt my entire body shaking. Cars were already parked the elite of the elite where the only ones invited to functions like this. Paparazzi and press were everywhere.

Without warning, he got down from the car, walked to where I sat, and opened the door.

He offered his hand, and without thinking, I took it because I wasn’t sure I could stand without support.

“You look pale,” he pointed out as we started walking towards the entrance.

“My parents are here.”

“So are mine,” he smiled.

And before I could say another thing, the blinding lights started followed by the gasps and whispers. I wanted the ground to open and let me fall in.

“Is that a Callaway with a Moreaux?”

“Aren’t those two families at war?”

“No wonder everyone says she sleeps her way to the top.”

The whispers kept on coming. I knew we were the ones everyone would focus on tonight, not even the gala.

I wasn’t sure how Adrian was comfortable with all of this, but he was and he was even smiling, making everything worse.

The ballroom was packed, and lucky for me, I saw a waiter pass by with a tray of drinks. I took two glasses, downing them immediately.

“Calm down, Serena,” he said gently, taking the cups from my hand as I kept panicking.

“I can’t calm down! My parents would have seen me by now and how do I explain this? Where do I start from?”

Before I could finish, he pulled me into his arms in a hug, and the slow music started playing.

“What the hell?” I said, trying to pull away.

“Your mother is behind me. Just dance you all can settle your differences tomorrow.”

He was such a good dancer, and I felt myself becoming calmer. I was actually enjoying myself. He smiled so good, and being in his arms was so much better.

Suddenly, I pulled away as the music stopped. Images of the night we shared a kiss appeared in my head. I was 18 and stupid. It was a mistake that he capitalized on, watching as I was humiliated without doing anything about it.

I started walking away from him.

“Hey… hey Serena, what is wrong?”

“Nothing,” I cut in sharply before he could say anything else.

I walked to where drinks were stacked on the table and I started drinking until I could no longer feel anything but I didn’t stop.

I told myself I didn’t feel anything, but being here brought back all those memories, and I hated why it still hurt so much.

“You need to stop,” he tried taking it from my hand.

“Serena!” I heard that familiarly strict, horrifying voice. “What the hell is the meaning of this—and what are you doing with him?”

“I… I… Daddy, I can explain—”

“Didn’t she tell you, sir? We settled our differences. The rivalry is over.”