Velvet

Chapter Eleven

Velvet's POV

Darren stared right at Nathan, sizing him up intently in a way that made me uneasy.

My gaze shifted between Nathan and Darren cautiously as their eyes remained locked in a wordless showdown.

Though Nathan greeted Darren politely when first entering, I now sensed unseen depths coloring their interactions.

They were strangers just moments ago, yet something seemed to pass unspoken between them.

Determined to lighten the mood, I stepped between them and asked them to join us at the dining table, where Mom was already done setting the table,

“Do you guys mind joining us at the table? ” I said, trying to ease the mood.

They both sat down on the opposite sides and from the corners of my eyes, I saw Darren watching our every move like a hawk.

My palms grew sweaty as Darren and Nathan engaged in their intense staring contest. I worried one petty glance from either of them could erupt into violence.

I raised my glass of champagne, desperately hoping my attempt at lightening the mood had worked.

The chime of the glasses coming together seemed to break the spell momentarily, and for a brief moment, the air felt less suffocating.

Clearing my throat nervously, I stood up.

“Cheers to new beginnings,” I echoed, forcing a smile as I took a sip of champagne.

They broke the stare at last, turning twin half-smiles my way.

But where Nathan's smile seemed genuinely warm, Darren's carried an edge I’d never seen before.

“Cheers!” they all responded in unison

I glanced between Nathan and Darren as their glasses clinked sharply. The air was loaded, ready to ignite.

Clearing her throat, Sarah addressed the gathering.

“Let's play some music, liven things up!” Sophie cue'd an upbeat playlist and conversation resumed.

Sarah led Nathan to the makeshift dance floor, hoping movement could dissipate tension. But over Sarah's shoulder, Darren's eyes bored holes into mine from where I sat.

I shifted uncomfortably under Darren's intense stare. His penetrating gaze unnerved me in a way I didn't fully understand.

Sophie slid into the seat beside me, following my line of sight.

“What's with him?” she muttered.

I sighed. “Your guess is as good as mine. Darren's been acting strange ever since Nathan entered.”

My friend shook her head.

“Boys. Who needs the drama, right?”

I laughed half-heartedly. While Sophie wasn't wrong, I sensed there was more to Darren and Nathan's rivalry than met the eye.

It could probably be jealousy, who knows, I thought to myself.

Deciding a change of scenery may help, I joined Sarah and Nathan on the makeshift dance floor.

Sophie winked at me knowingly as I took Nathan's outstretched hand.

His touch sent flutters through my stomach that Darren's glare could not diminish. We swayed together to the music as cheer returned to my spirit.

Yet, despite myself, I continued scanning the room.

Darren now sat alone, glowering as he broke chunks of chocolate chips in his hands.

His fists periodically clenched and unclenched, an unmistakable sign of mounting aggression.

I began to fear what may happen if that aggression was unleashed tonight, especially without knowledge of its cause.

Digging for answers seemed my only choice, to hopefully restore peace before things escalated beyond control.

But approaching Darren posed its risks too. For now, I chose simply enjoy my dance, praying the tides would turn more positive before long.

As Nathan and I danced, he spoke bringing me back from my thoughts.

“Velvet, we need to talk. Can we go somewhere quieter? “

Intrigued by Nathan's serious tone, I nodded. Taking his hand, I led him through the room and out onto the dimly lit back porch.

Closing the door behind us, a chill passed through me that had nothing to do with the night air. Nathan ran a hand through his hair, conflicted.

“There are countless things I want to say… But first I apologize"

“For what, Nate?.. You haven't done anything wrong”I asked, confused.

“I saw you the other time when you ran out of the park… and what you saw was not how it was” he continued.

“Nate, relax… " I told him. “You have not done anything wrong, you have every right to kiss whoever you want, and I cannot stop you” Not the exact words I had planned to tell him.

“I know, Vee but I think you deserve to know… Melanie is just a childhood friend, and she forcefully kissed me.”

“Look Nathan, I would rather not be involved in all of this drama… And there is no need to apologize”

“Velvet, I have fallen for you and I don't know how that happened”

My breath caught in my throat at Nathan's unexpected confession. Falling for me—was it even possible?

“Nathan, I…this is all happening so fast.” I gazed up at his kind eyes, now filled with care and worry in the dim porch light.

“I need time to process everything"

He reached tentatively for my hands.

“I don't want to make you uncomfortable. You can take all the time you need to think about it… I will wait for your response.”

He squeezed my fingers gently, offering a soft smile.

I sighed wearily. Nathan's unexpected confession had left my head spinning.

But our moment was interrupted by Darren's presence.

I sighed heavily , trying to process everything while also dreading Darren's impending arrival.

As he strode over, I dropped Nathan's hands nervously. But his calming touch lingered as a balm to my frayed nerves.

“Figured you, Velvet, might want a drink,” Darren said flatly, thrusting the wine glass at me. His stark tone seemed to convey more than the snide words.

I accepted it with a grateful nod, hoping to placate his steadily darkening mood. An intense silence stretched between the three of us.

Nathan spoke gently. “Velvet and I were just discussing how overwhelm-”

“I don't care what you discussed,” Darren snapped, cutting him off.

“I also need to steal Velvet away for a bit'

"Huh?... What do we have to talk about... New neighbour? I asked, quite confused.

My defenses flared at the implication. “No one is stealing me anywhere. And I wish you'd both stop talking about me like I'm an object!”

Darren's jaw worked, struggling to contain whatever fiery emotions were stirring within. His next words came out measured but laced with thinly veiled malice.

“You've always been naive, Velvet. But this city boy, he'll only break your tender little heart in the end.”

“Enough, Darren… You know nothing. Tell me what you have to say before I lose patience.

“Okay fine, but can we talk somewhere private? “

I sighed reluctantly and nodded for Darren to lead the way outside.

As we sat on the beneath the garden, Darren wrung his hands nervously. “There is something important I need to tell you, Velvet”"

I peered at him carefully. “Go on then. But I hope you're not messing with me, and you actually have something to tell me”

He drew a deep breath. “Well, your father and I signed a contract. It is marriage arrangement between you and me.”

Unease crept up my spine. “What arrangement?.. And if you don't know, I don't have a father”

Darren met my gaze steadily. “Your father lost to a challenge, and he chose to use you as the prize, instead of surrendering you me”

I snorted in disbelief. “Don't be ridiculous. We aren't living in a fantasy world.”

“It's no joke,” he insisted solemnly.

Reeling, I processed this preposterous revelation. Anger and betrayal swelled within me for all the years of lies.

“So that's all I am to you—a prize in my so-called father's greedy game? I am not some object to be possessed!”

Darren grasped at my hands. “I understand Velvet, but now I need you because I love you…"

I yanked free, shooting to my feet. “Love? You have a cruel way of showing it.

Consider our arrangement shattered. Just pretend you never saw me, maybe we never met "

Storming away, I ran to my room with tears welling up my eyes.

I rushed to my room, slamming the door behind me.

Through blurred tears, I paced about in anguish. How could I have been so foolish to fall for his words?

I knew his kind—but does he think I am too naive to believe every single word he says?

A knock came at the door.

“Please, let me explain,” came Darren's muffled voice. I ignored it, twisting the lock firmly.

“Velvet, you need to believe me… Everything I said is not a lie” he continued, but his words rang hollow in my ears.