Bianca's POV
The Marcon estate felt like a palace.
It had been decorated to appease other high profile families just like the Marcin family.
The lights were brighter and everyone had been urged to dress early for the event.
Kenneth was hosting a high-profile function, his business associates, his investors, and all their spouses , just as I looked were all scattered across the ballroom, all of them either sipping the expensive wine Kenneth had made them serve or they were trading words with each other.
And me? I was trying not to disappear from the whole event.
I couldn't just leave. Kenneth was forced to introduce me to someone new, when they caught wind of a fiancee.
I stood near the edge of the whole thing, a glass of something in my hand, I wore a silk navy gown that Kenneth had picked for me earlier that day. The fabric hugged my curves, but made my moves feel like I was swimming...I looked stunning, just as I wanted, just as Kenneth wanted.
Still, I didn't feel like I belonged here. In this ballroom.
I smiled when Kenneth introduced me to a few people. I made sure I said the right words and nodded at the right jokes. But it was still exhausting. I wasn't used to pretending this much. The lies, although we're easier to keep saying over and over again, but the feeling of knowing you lied to someone you just met had a sting on me.
I stayed close to the large windows, for air and for some space.
But attention, unfortunately, always seeks to find you, when you dress this good.
"Hey there, beautiful."
I turned and I instantly regretted hearing those words.
Kelvin.
Kenneth's younger brother.
He had that familiar smile on his face, the smile that showed trouble before he even opened his mouth to speak. And tonight, that smile has teeth too.
"You're hiding," he teased, shaking his drink lightly in his glass. "Parties not your thing?"
"Just needed a moment from everything," I said politely, trying to keep my distance from him.
But he didn't get the hint.
Instead, he moved closer to me and without any warning, reached for my hand. "Come on, one dance won't kill you."
"I don't…." I began complaining, but he was already pulling me towards the open space in the center of the ballroom.
I looked around, hoping Kenneth might see us, might intervene and stop this. But he was in conversation with a group of men in suits, too busy to notice.
If the universe wasn't also against me, the music shifted into something slower and smoother. Kelvin placed a hand on my waist, pulling me closer than was necessary.
"I can see why Kenneth's keeping you close," he whispered near my ear.
My gut twisted.
"Kelvin, I really don't want to dance," I muttered, trying to step away from his body.
But his hand didn't let go.
"Oh, come on. Don't be shy now."
His fingers pressed into my back, forcing our bodies to stay together as we moved across the floor. I felt like I was trapped, like everyone was watching and yet no one could save me from this.
I smiled lightly, trying to mask my disgust and uncomfortable expression from everyone but deep own I didn't need this.
"I said I don't want this," I whispered sharply.
Kelvin just chuckled. "You should learn to loosen up, Bianca."
As the dance brought us a step closer, his hand slipped, just slightly, lower than it should have. I stiffened.
That was it.
I pushed away from him almost immediately and stepped backwards.
"Excuse me," I said sharply and I turned on my heel, and left the dance floor before he could say another word.
My chest rose and dropped slightly in anger as I walked away. I didn't care if it was obvious. I didn't care if anyone thought it rude.
I couldn't breathe with his hands on me.
I climbed the staircase quickly, ignoring the guests that came down ignoring their curious looks. I climbed until I made it to the quiet hallway near the guest rooms.
I stepped into the room I had found empty and closed the door softly, letting all the tension from my body release.
That was not the kind of intimacy I had signed for.
I sat on the edge of a chair and took my heels off, trying to rub out the pain I felt. I didn't hear when the door opened, not until I felt it…..someone behind me.
"Bianca."
Kelvin.
I stood up almost immediately. "You shouldn't be in here."
He smiled, his eyes somewhat calm and sharp. "You left so fast. I figured something was wrong. Wanted to check on you."
"I'm fine," I said, voice firm.
He stepped forward. "You sure? Because I think maybe you're just….overwhelmed, tired. You're not used to being adored."
"Kelvin," I warned, "leave."
But he didn't.
Instead, he closed the gap in one long step, grabbed my wrist, and instantly pulled me toward him.
Before I could react, his lips pressed into mine, it was sloppy, unwanted and was forced.
Anger rose up in me. My hand moved on instinct, gathering every power I had. And then….
SLAP.
The sound, louder than music that was playing downstairs.
His head was turned to the side, by the weight of the slap.
I stood there, anger clearly written in my face, my palm getting red from the force which I used.
"If you ever try that again," I warned him, "I swear to God, I won't just slap you. I'll ruin you."
Kelvin blinked, clearly surprised at my words.
And then I walked past him, walking straight into the hallway.
I didn't care what he thought.
Didn't care what anyone would say if they saw that.
I wasn't going to sit and watch someone turn me into their toy, like some cheap girl.
And certainly won't take it from Kelvin.