Dallying with Ryder

A questionable compliment

The large dining hall required no decoration to increase its appeal . The vintage design and dark interior of the large room had been eloquent enough at serving the purpose of allure and it was best to not try to off set the grandeur of it by draping it a different colour thus losing its luster and essence . The only thing that had been added in terms of decorations had been highly held vases with long stemmed flowers in them placed in staggering tables . The flowers were a mix of fully - bloomed lilys and long stemmed white roses . The stark white had lightened the room and also gave it a very bridal , wedding feel to it . It also serves amplify the drama of the room .

I made light conversation which was mendatory with a few people as I made my way over to my assigned and designated seating spot and ,

much to my dismay , my seat for the rehearsal dinner had been assigned to the same table as , not only Louis - which I would have been expecting anyways - but also his parents .

Portia and Samuel Smith had doted severely on Louis seeing as he is their only child which made it understandable that they would so . Whether or not they were aware of our strained relationship , they did not show it and , instead , they both had always looked to us with admiration and excitement . I always tried to figure out whether their beaming approval had anything to do with actually liking me or if it had everything to do with the power Louis marrying me would bring to their family along with elevating their footing in society .

Like right now , Portia had been looking at me like she could already imagine her future grand - children exiting my body as she raised her glass of champagne to her lips .

" You look lovely as always , Liana . " Portia said analysing my dress further as I let out a small smile at her compliment .

Louis swallowed a bite of his lobster then proceeded to clear his throat . " She does, doesn 't she ? " The words rushed out from his mouth and I know that there was more to his agreeing words because Louis was never known for being agreeable in the slightest . After all , it was highly unlike him to compliment me without an after bite of criticism that followed . " But - " Ahh , there it was . I look a sip of my own wine to cover the twisted way my lips had set . " She would have looked far better in the Ralph Lauren I picked out for her . " He added and I clenched my jaw but forced out a smile soon after .

" Nonsense . I think she looks increasingly fetching . The red compliments your complexion . " Samuel interjected whilst he threw Louis a brief warning stare that told him not to upset the golden goose .

Louis ran a hand through his thick black hair that matched the colour of his eyes . He clearly was annoyed by his father' s mild admonishment becausec, of course , no one could tell Louis to stop when he chose to be insensitive .

I sighed at the same time as Portia did except she sighed with an expectant smile on her red lips whilst I sighed in exasperation . She straightened her shoulders and clamped her hands in front of her . Her eyes danced between Louis and I with a sparkle in them as a suggestive smile flowed over her thin lips .

" So , my dears , when can we expect an engagement ? " It was a good thing that I had not decided to take , yet , another sip of the bubbly liquid from my fluted glass because , surely , I would have choked .

Louis , on the other hand , had smiled tightly to his mother . " I can 't think that it would be far off . " My eyes widened at that just as he turned to face me expectantly . " After we iron out a current misunderstanding , I don 't see why I should hold back an engagement . " The scoff that escaped my lips was uncontrollable .

I knew full well that the ' misunderstanding ' that he had been refering too was me choosing to work in New York and not follow him to wherever his new job took him . It wasn' t like I was being unreasonable . There was simply no job openings for me there . Did he really think that I was so desperate for a proposal from him that I would sacrifice my entire career for it ?

I straightened my shoulders and held my head high reminding myself that I did not need to tolerate this rediculous man any longer . " I do not believe there is any misunderstanding between us but rather the issue of you refusing to accept my choices . " I said tightly , finally reaching for my glass and taking down a refreshing sip .

Louis ' nostrils flaired and his black eyes had darkened at me speaking up for myself . " You do not need to work at all . " He stated and I bit back a laugh . As if I would trust him to be the one in charge of my finances granted how horrid his nature had been .

The fact that he felt threatened by my career and independence only proved to me how wrong he was for me . " Quit my career to be ruled and dictated over by you ? " I asked rhetorically with a bite of mock redicule . " I could not think of a worse life . " I spat out yet still maintaining my composure .

Louis tried to intimidate me with a glare but I met it with a hard one of my own refusing to let him best me . I had put up with him for way too long when I should have left him at the six month mark when he had began showing his true colours .

" Come now , I' m sure Louis didn 't mean it like that . " Samuel began to reason and I had grown tired of this facade that seemed to grow harder by the minute to maintain . Louis broke the eye contact and turned to his father .

I looked at Samuel , too , annoyed at him for trying to side his son when he was so transparently in the wrong here . " I 'm sure he meant it exactly like that . " I reached for my glass and pushed my chair back . " If you would excuse me . " I pushed my chair back and rose to my feet .

I ignored the hissy whispers from Portia and Louis willing me to return to my seat before any attention would be drawn to us but I could not care less .

I needed some air. I needed to breath past my simmering anger so I could think other thoughts but the one that I had been seeing right now of throwing a glass of champagne in Louis ' face . It was my brother' s wedding nuptials ! I could not cause a scene and I did not intend on doing that either .

I just needed some fresh air out of this dining hall because the entire room half felt stifling .

There had been many curious glances thrown my way especially as guests were done with their meal and had began socialising when I whooshed past them in my haste . I made sure to smile like nothing was amiss until I found the terrace doors to the far left of the room . The moment I emerged through those doors and the cool open air hit the bare skin of my arms and face, I inhaled deeply finding it effortless to breath out here than it had been back in there .

I was sick and tired of this . I was exhausted with Louis and this fake game of pretend I could not understand I had played a part in for so long .

I had made up my mind then and there . This relationship with Louis had become unbearable . The thought of being proposed to him and , let alone , actually marrying him made my stomach drop in the most sickening of ways . A gentle breeze brushed past and I found myself crossed my arms over my torso to rub over the goosebumps that formed .

The light out here was dim and provided me with sufficient protection from being discovered while I processed my thoughts and I decided to make myself more unfindable by sinking further in to the dark corner of the terrace .

I couldn' t break up with Louis this weekend . No , that was not possible at all . His family would be here all weekend just as the other guests would . It was best to wait , I decided , until after the wedding and reception ceremony . The last thing I wanted is to cause a scene and steal the attention from Chase and Casey .

A shuffle of mismatched doorsteps had had my shoulder perched high as I heard some one step out on to the terrace as well .

"You sly dog. I did not think you 'd be attending . " I heard my brother say from the doorway of the terrace and relaxed my shoulders again .

" It seemed fitting especially considering that I am the only friend you have . " Ryder ! His voice had not been quite like is was all those years ago . There was a distinct raspiness to it , an alluring gruff manly note . Not that he had sounded feminine back then , not at all , but it only seemed to have developed further .

The both of them had stepped out onto the terrace and were yet to notice me until they were fully out and in the open . I should thank the poor lighting out here that still kept me concealed and I noticed . Chase turned his head towards the dining hall as Casey had called for him .

" I will be right back to listen to your dilemma . " Chase said already stepping away from Ryder leaving him behind as he made his retreat .

No , Chase . Come back !

" Ahh , and so it begins . " Ryder said flatly but Chase was already gone .

This was the most unfavorable situation . Who escapes to the terrace during a rehearsal dinner to discuss a dilemma ? I mean , I know I did but I had good reason for it . I figured if I pressed myself against the wall and took refuge under the shelter where the insufficient lighting did not reach at all , I would be safe until Ryder decided to get back in .

It was all going well until my leg had hit the copper flower pot causing an audible thud and I winced at the zingy feeling in my foot . Ryder swung around and I shut my eyes cursing my luck . It took him a second to adjust his eyes to the poor to no lighting but the moment he did , it was not long before he had made me out .

His face had become unreadable and blank . " Liana Sinclair . " My name rolled of his tongue like he was testing it himself .

I sighed and emerged from my failed attempt of concealing myself , my buzzing foot no longer at the forefront of my attention at this particular moment . " Ryder Huxley . " I said tightly not strong enough as him but sufficient enough to conceal my dislike for him.

His gaze flicked over my face like he was inspecting it to find a flaw and when none could be found , his eyes traveled the length of my body and , even though , I had been dressed in a more conservative ruby red evening dress , I felt the need to cover myself from his prying , searching eyes .

" You have changed a lot since I last saw you . " He said like he had made an approval of my appearance. Did he expect me to look awful or unkept ? It sounded so to me .

I scoffed . " You mean since the last time that you were nuisance in my life , then yes , I agree . " I stuck my chin out defiantly and saw a fascination overcome him before his face turned unreadable again . " After all , things flourish when they are away from that which stunts their growth , or so I hear . " Ryder was sharp and intelligent and he certainly caught my insinuation with no difficulty at all .

He laughed , a deep throaty sound that reverberated through my chest . " Perhaps , that is true . I must admit that you have excelled in many things . " My face lifted slightly in attention . " School , university , and now your new job but - " My eyes widened before it narrowed . Was he keeping tabs on me ? Surely , Chase would not be mentioning my wellbeing to Ryder . " the only thing questionable about you is your choice in significant others . " He said mockingly and my jaw clenched . Of course , he would do this . Follow a compliment with picking at a flaw .

What gave him the right to comment on such a thing . " How can you even say such a thing ? " I shook my head and decided against egaging in this conversation with him. "If only it were any of your business but it is not . " I said as calmly as I could manage . The last thing I wanted was to give him the satisfaction of getting under my skin .

" Of course , but you must know that I am not the only one who shares this opinion . " He probed further , a smug look overcoming his perfectly carved face .

I raised a brow at him. " Am I to believe that you have begun sharing in worthless gossip ? " I tsked at him .

He merely shrugged at my question . " I do not see you two lasting for too long , let alone both the empires being joined . " I grit my teeth and glared at him .

Oh , the nerve of him to even say such a thing but this was Ryder and I was not surprised at all . His entitled nature knew no bounds and his ruthless nature never allowed him to care . " I do not care what it is you see or do not about my relationship . At least , I am capable of maintaining a relationship which , as far as I am concerned , the same thing can not be said for you . " I snapped and felt my nose twitch . It was time for me to head back in .

He was not offended my comment but the corner of his capable lips tilted upwards and I knew that this was the reaction he was trying to illicit from me and I , like a fool , played right in to his hands .

" So fiery . A man like Louis will never be able to handle you . " He observed and I gasped at that .

He ignored my expression . " He will only seek to dampen your spirit . " I hated how right he was about this . I hated that the possible even existed for him to be right about any thing at all .

I chuckled and crossed my arm over my chest . " And you know better than every one , don' t you ? " I raised a brow at him but then narrowed my eyes as he arrogantly nodded .

I once escaped the room and came here to seek refuge , but the situation had reversed itself in a matter of minutes . I did not wait for him to utter another word of humiliation , nor did I say a thing to him before I walked around him and got away from the terrace . As I headed back in , I took deep steadying breaths trying to calm my frustration down ignoring how much I felt like a tennis ball being tossed from one end to the other .