And there he was- The Man who ruined me Standing there.laughing like my past never burned him.
My chest rose and fell in rhythm,it ached - burning sensation spreading rapidly like a fire that was lit with fuel.
He stood in the center of the room ,ever so composed.one hand tucked in the pocket of his well tailored suit.the other hand holding a glass of champagne that was half way down.
I laughed.not because anything was funny,but because it was easier than crying.It was the easiest way I knew how to hide my emotions.
That the one man who had crashed my dream could live so freely across the room laughing out hard at dry jokes.
He sipped from the glass of champagne,I was silently hoping he would choke on the wine and spill it over the guests he was chatting with. He was just too happy.
Everywhere began to spin.I guess I must have stared too hard.my eyes spinned round and round like a merry go round. Everything turned into blurr, every sound soon faded away and the only person I could see was.
Mr Voss….
His haircut matched perfectly with his squarely-oval shaped face with no flaws and edges behind.The kind of face that wasn't that loud but still lingers after a night date with rose and petals ,a quiet restaurant and some fancy dishes.
His eyes sharp and blue, eyebrows hairier than mine,lashes short and scanty,it would have been countable if I were up close.
His stance was so confident and unreadable.The way he stood one could tell that he was an arrogant brat
A rich one
I would have gone to him and given him a spank on his behind if not for the two hefty men glaring from opposite sides at him. like dogs ready to attack .
He was untouchable,
You know what, scratch that…
He is untouchable....
Immediately my body began to vibrate , every nerve, every hormone was active.some rush of adrenaline, spiking my veins.
My finger's trembled behind my clutch.I told them to stay still but they twitched like they remembered how it feels to be broken-Traitors to my pride.
I hated him. At least that's what I thought,but hate doesn't make your heart race.The last time I saw that face it accompanied my ruins.I still wake to remember that day.
I wanted to scream,throw the glass in his handsome face but pride glued my feet to the ground.If he saw me crumble he would have won twice.
He wouldn't get that pleasure.not now not never.
I walked confidently -deep into the party like a prey stepping into the lion's den. Each step I took, my heels made contact with the tiled floor.
"Click _click_click"
A steady rhythm that could cut through even the thrum of music and laughter.
Each step I took was deliberate -clean and calculated,the kind that declared authority.
The crowd shifted ,and for a second his gaze snapped to mine .
In the split of a second -that's all it took for the air to thin around me.My throat felt dry my chest tightened.
His smile froze.
The laughter faded.
And that familiar gleam in the eyes that once promised me a bright future and ended everything instead..
I looked away almost immediately. I told myself it was a tactic,not a weakness.
Lena's voice broke through the storm in my head .
"There you are! I've been looking all over for you - Oh my God,are you okay? You looked like you've seen a ghost."
"Maybe I have ," I said quietly.Slowly darting my head towards him.
He was already moving _ pushing through the crowd, slowly, deliberately -like the parting of the red sea.
People greeted him, smiled at him. He smiled back almost as if it was rehearsed.But not once did his attention stray.
It was fixed. On me
My pulse kicked.My throat tightnend.Every cell in me was screaming "don't flinch"
" Clara Brooks" he said when he finally stopped a few feets away.
His voice cold , steady and unmistakable.
The sound of it hit harder than I expected.
"Luke"
The name tasted bitter in my tongue, heavy on my lips .
He smiled faintly almost showing his perfect dentition "Didn't expect to see you here"
"Trust me" I replied "neither did I"
There was silence.The kind that speaks louder than any music.That wraps itself around you waiting for who will break first.
His gaze swept over me -once,a sinister smile plastered on his lips .
"Still dramatic, I see"
I laughed softly under my breath"still arrogant I see"
The corner of his mouth twitched. That same almost smile that he used to wear before saying something that ruined me.
And just like that the room disappeared.It was just him .Me.And the feeling of everything I had lost.
He moved closer to me ,The faint scent of champagne and perfume clinging to his suit .
"You always did enjoy making entrances" he said.
"I don't make entrances" I replied evenly "I recover from disasters , usually the ones you caused "
He chuckled under his breath.
"still dramatic "
"Still heartless " I replied with a scorn.
His jaw tensed but his eyes didn't flinch "you haven't changed"
"You'd be surprised how much ruin can change a person"I shot back .
The word ruin landed between us like glass hit a tilled floor. For a second his facial expressions changed . And he quickly adjusted his expression.
That same composed arrogance.
"Clara don't allow your past to define you "
"Oh you mean the past you created "I smiled.
In a moment, something changed his expression, regret -maybe.But before I could read it he erased it from his face.He smirked and said.
"I'd see you soon, don't be late this time around"
With that he emptied the remains of the glass in his hand and handed it over to the passing waiter.
He walked away before I could ask him what he meant.
That statement alone meant he was planning something.
Only this time I'm not aware …..
That was more than the confrontation itself..
My pulse still hadn't slowed down when Lena appeared again.
" What did he say to you?" She asked
My hands shook,my breathe unsteady.I replied
"Something I'd regret finding out" ….
To be continued...