Chapter 118
ERICA
Dinner at my father’s house was as excruciating as I expected,
I sat at the long mahogany dining table, hall–histening as Owen and my father droned on about investments, stocks, and God knows what else. It was the people that had me love interest in things that were a part of my daily life. Their voices blurred into background noise, my mind slowly numbing from the sheer boredom.
Instead of paying attention, my gaze drified to the chandelier alsove us, its crystal pendants gleaming under the golden light. I remembered bring a child, staring up at it and imagining what it would be like if one of those crystals fell. Would it shatter into a million tiny pieces? Would my father even notice, or would he simply replace it without a second thought–just like everything else in this house?
1 shifted my focus to the pristine dining setup. The polished silverware, the expensive china, the perfectly arranged floral centerpiece–everything screamed wealth and perfection. Everything was an illusion
I glanced at my mother. She sat quietly, her hands folded in her lap, offering nothing to the conversation. She never did. Just like always, she was merely a spectator, existing in the same space but never truly present.
i exhaled softly, shifting in my seat. God, I wanted to leave.
Then, my phone lit up on the table
I resisted the urge to check it immediately, but when the name Cillian flashed across the screen, my interest piqued.
1 rolled my eyes.
So now he decides to text back? After leaving me on read?
Still, curiosity got the better of me, and I glanced down at the message
Cillian Come out.
My brows furrowed.
quickly typed back
Me Hula
His response came instantly.
Cillian I’m waiting outude your father’s numsion
My eyes widened.
Mc Funny, Hilanous ma
illion. Are you coming out, or do you require my ass(MANER?
burp breath.
If he was actually outside, there was no guarantee that he wonddda t
at de exactly what he was threatening. This was Cillian we were talking about reckless, infuriating, impredictabile Callum. He could waltz in here at any moment, make a scene, and i wouldn’t even be surprised.
The problem!
That would be like dangling a carrot in front of faler
Hany father got even the slightest whiff of something between Callian and me, he would pounce. Nothing would delight ham, more than serting me up with a Kniga brother, hapercially suurune sa wealthy and powerful as Cillian
I gritted my teeth before typang lack
Me: Wait there
Chapter 118
I didn’t trust him to stay
y put. Now I just had to get out of here
I named back to Owen and my father, interrupting whatever riveting conversation they were having about–what was it now? Shipping contract The global market? Who the hell cared!
“Owell can we talk?”
Both of them turned to me with expectant expressions,
“Just between us?” Tadded.
giving my father a pointed li
look.
Owen immediately pushed back his chair. “Of course.
I caught the sharp clench of my father’s jaw, his gaze narrowing in suspicion. He knew something was up. He didn’t trust me. Not one bit.
Good
1 stood up, smoothing down my dress, and walked out of the dining room with Owen following close behind.
As we made our way down the hallway, he finally asked, “Are we going outside?”
We stepped onto the front porch, the cool night air hitting my skin like a breath of freedom.
› did a quick scan of the driveway. There was Range Rover, probably Owen’s car.
My eyes o
My car was gone.
Instead, a sleek black McLaren was parked there, its glossy surface gleaming under the lights.
My stomach flipped, Cillian. He was actually here.
“Well, what is it?” Owen’s voice pulled my attention back.
1 turned to face him, inhaling deeply. “Look, Owen, you’re a really great guy, and I’m sorry for this, but my father invited you tonight with a purpose. He’s trying to set us up.”
To my surprise. Owen didn’t look offended. Instead, he just shrugged. “Well, don’t be sorry. I don’t mind, actually. You’re beautiful and smart, and we’re both sbugir.”
I interually winced
I had expected some kind of polite dismissal, maybe an awkward laugh. Not this
Actually. I’m not looking to date right no
now,” I said carefully.
I thought I was being clear Crystal clear
But Owen smiled, like I hadn’t just turned him down. “I can wait. We can take this slow. I want to give this a try. I really like you.”
I barely contamed a groan.
their was sotne kind of possibility here when tad just said there wasn
Before I could respond, a deep, taunting we cut through
“You ne masking the joint, gennusTM
The words were shop, edged with animement that didn’t reach the speaker’s eyes. I didn’t heat hain approaching, but suddenly, Cillian was right beside me I sensed as his presence wrapped around me like an iron cape
“She door like you” He considered Owen
harp gaze, the corner of his mouth barely lifting in a harsh mock sinile.
Cheen stiffened, his posture straightening. “Mr. Knight
Gülçarë’s lips curled slightly, tur gesture not quite a unide. “Owen“:
The way he said his name–bored, domassive–made si abundudly clear who held the reins here
1:23 PM et et
Chapter 118
“If I haven’t been clear earlier. Ill be now” Gillian’s voice dropped into something dark, dangerous, “Stay away from Erica.”
A sharp inhale caught in my throat. There was no mistaking the threat laced in those words.
I was tempted to ask him to knock it off but considering how Owen didn’t take a hint, he would think I was interested in him. Not that it matter. After being subjected to Cillian’s intense warning, I doubt he would want anything to do with me
You’re not taking anything slow. He continued, his tone almost mocking “Because you won’t look at her again. Am I understood
Owen’s face paled slightly.
i would
I half–expected him to argue, to insist that I could make my own decisions. But after being subjected to Cillian’s intensity, he folded almost immediately.
Yes. Understood. He e muttered
Cillian’s mask of politeness slid back into place, his expression shifting into something more cordial, literally just a mask.
“Glad we could clear that up” He flashed a charming, insincere smile before placing his hand against the small of my back.
My pulse jumped.
I wanted to shrug hus hand off. Not because it was making me feel strangely warm and tingly, I should have told him that I could handle things on
But I didn’t. Because the truth was–1 didn’t want to go back inside.
So I let him guide me toward his car, the scent of his cologne mixing with the crisp night air, my skin still buzzing from the way he had just effortlessly dismantled Owen’s intentions.
This wasn’t how I expected the night to go.
But, I wasn’t complaining.
3/3
