"What?"
"Was I hearing things?"
Did he just say to have me and then walk down the aisle with me?
I was gobsmacked, my thoughts raced at his stupidity, and my veins pulsed with fury.
"Who gave him the right?"
"Who does he think he is?
Indispensable?
No."
His lips curled up, his heart pulsing against his chest; a rhythm I detested so much. I couldn't make out what was running through his mind to make him say something so absurd.
Just when I wanted to duck below his arm, he continued, confidence brimming in his words.
No doubt my silence might have given him the wrong signal.
"Stella, it would be better than being married off to some business partner and used to seal a deal," he said with a smug smile.
His hand lifted from the wall, his fingers grazing my cheek softly. "Why not let me help you?" he murmured seductively.
My temper finally snapped, and just when he thought I was going to give him a response, my palm rained down on him, hard and cold.
Slap!
Slap!
His eyes widened with shock and disbelief, but the next moment it was replaced with fury blazing in the soft light of the room.
"Stella, did you just slap me?"
I exhaled slowly as I regained my balance and straightened my back. I met his furious gaze head-on, a wave of relief washing over me and a cold smirk played on my lips.
"Mr. Bruce George, you should only worry about the affairs of your fiancée. As for that slap…I've wanted to do it for a very long time."
His fist clenched tightly by his side. "Stella, do you think you can slap me and go free?" he drawled, his voice dangerously low.
Noting his suppressed fury, I was sure he wouldn't want to make his presence in my room known.
"You owe me that slap," I shrugged nonchalantly.
He lunged forward to pin me against the wall again, but I stepped aside just in time, leaving him to collide with it instead.
He groaned, clutching his forehead, it seemed he had really hit it. A soft laugh escaped me before I caught the faint sound of footsteps approaching my room.
He didn't seem to notice, his lips parting as if to speak, but before he could, I threw myself into his arms. His hands instinctively snaked around my waist—whether instinctively or intentional, I dared not probe.
My stomach churned with disgust at his touch, but if I wanted to achieve my goal, I had to bear it. The door burst open, and Phina stepped inside.
Seeing us in each other's embrace, her face twisted with fury. "Stella!" she called out furiously.
I sighed softly and stepped back, folding my arms calmly beneath my chest as I met her gaze head-on. "Yes," I answered coolly and unbothered.
Bruce's eyes narrowed, a knowing smirk curving his lips as he glanced at me.
No doubt, he understood exactly what I had done.
He chuckled softly, shifting his attention to her. "Phina, why are you here?" he asked without the slightest hint of guilt.
"Bruce, why are you with her? In her room?" she demanded, pointing accusingly at me.
"Does it matter?" he replied flatly.
Both of us froze.
My thoughts spun.
Did he just say it doesn't matter?
Shouldn't he be anxious to explain to his fiancée that nothing was going on?
Shouldn't he at least pretend to be remorseful to be seen with another lady in his arms?
Was he truly this cold and heartless? or had I simply been too blind all these years?
Phina's sharp voice yanked me from my thoughts. "Bruce, where do you want me to put my face if it was a maid that walked in on you both?" she snapped bitterly
I couldn't hold it in any longer. Laughter spilled from my lips.
"The maids?"
"Your face?"
"You should have thought of that long ago."
Phina glared daggers at me, but before she could speak, Bruce cut her off swiftly.
"Well, Phina, you're getting it wrong. There's nothing going on between us. You should know that." He smirked, then turned to me. "I was only discussing a few pointers about the wedding hall since you wanted her to handle the design."
"Bruce, you might not have any, but you know my sister hasn't let go," she complained.
Listening to her, I found it ridiculous.
Humiliated at my engagement party, and she still thinks I would cling to the same man?
Am I that stupid?
"Sister, aren't you just being insecure because what goes around comes around?" I asked.
"I'm not insecure, Stella. You haven't given up, and I know you're still very much interested and ready to let him have you."
I laughed. This duo had truly refreshed my worldview of shamelessness. One had me insulted and humiliated, the other thought I wouldn't let go.
Am I that clingy and hopeless?
"Phina, don't be delusional," I retorted. "I think you…"
"Phina, I think you should just leave. I need to finish my discussion with her," Bruce interrupted coldly.
"Bruce?" Phina gasped in disbelief.
"Trust me," he said simply.
Phina's glare burned through me. "Stella, you'd better not force my hand," she hissed before storming out, slamming the door so hard the frame rattled.
"You might as well break it…who cares," I muttered under my breath.
With the door shut, silence fell. Bruce and I stared at each other, neither speaking. I waited for him to finish whatever ridiculous talk he had and leave, but his gaze slowly trailed over me, making my skin crawl.
His eyes darkened. I began to wonder what he was thinking or what he might try next.
Surely, it hadn't come to the point of him being a pervert… right?
With his silence, I sighed deeply and exhausted. "Mr. Bruce, can you now leave my room?" I said coldly.
"Stella, I didn't know you could be this manipulative," he said with a smirk, stepping closer.
"Neither did I know you were this shameless and heartless," I shot back.
"Have you considered my offer?" he asked again.
I met his gaze squarely, a cold smile tugging at my lips. "To hell with you…and your offer. You're worth nothing."
His expression darkened, his aura turning deadly as his fists clenched. "Stella, I will make you crawl and beg."
"Bruce," I said defiantly, "I dare you to."