Chapter

The evening was a blur of fake, soft laughs and gentle hellos. Keeping that smile on was harder than it looked.

I learned that some of the women accompanying the rich men were also prostitutes and sugar babies. I got a few hostile looks from the ladies here and there, I avoided them the best I could. Caelum was a natural. He did the talking and complimenting effortlessly.

We had just finished talking about the furniture deal to The Wilsons, when someone said,

"Long time no see Rosette." I went taut. This voice.

Caelum turned around turning me with him.

Behind us stood a man in a white shirt and grey pants holding a champagne glass with one hand while the other, in his pocket. His blond hair gelled slick back and his blue eyes eyeing me.

Jacob.

Didn't Thomas and Katy say that he wont be coming?!

Caelum glanced at me, "And who might this be?" he asked, his face an unreadable rock.

Jacob brought a hand to his heart. "I'm sorry Mr. White, I didn't quite see you. I am Jacob, Rosette's –,"

I cut him off without thinking, scared of what he might say, "Acquaintance.. We were in the same department." Caelum raised an eyebrow at my snapping but kept the same face

Jacob smirked. He knew what he had caused me to remember.

"Hello brother." Noah. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything." He came into view, wearing a sky blue coat with a sliver bow.

Caelum did not move his eyes from Jacob.

"Not at all. I was just taking my leave." Jacob said as he gave a small bow and disappeared into the crowd.

Noah stood in front of Caelum. "Can you stop looking like a dracula. I'm afraid you will scare the quests away." he snapped

Caelum glared at him. I was trying my best to hold in my laugh.

"What?! Just stating the facts." Noah raised his hands in protest.

Caelum's expression softened a bit.

"You look stunning ,sister." Noah complimented me while grabbing a glass of champagne from a staff distributing it, and handing it to Caelum.

I beamed, "Thank you, Noah"

He looked at Caelum, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I would love ask your lovely lady for a dance." He offered me a hand.

I looked between the brothers, Caelum sighed softly and said, "Don't make trouble."

I took Noah's hand as we glided onto the dance floor giggling.

......................

On the dance floor, Noah was flawless. He swept me with him to the beats and strings of music. His body floated like a drop of water in a flowing river.

"You dance beautifully Noah." I couldn't help but compliment him.

"Thanks." His eyes twinkling, "I have been dancing since quite an early age."

"So you took lessons?" I asked, an attempt of making small talk.

"Yes, I learnt ballet, salsa, hiphop, folk dances and I'd rather not mention the ones Caelum made me take." He grinned.

He was devilishly handsome, and charm flowed like smooth wine when he talked. I guess it ran in the family.

"You're so beautiful." I whispered.

SHIT! DID I SAY THAT OUT LOUD!

He chuckled heartily, "Am I sensing a brother swap?" he asked, mischief lining his eyes.

I giggled softly, "Just stating the facts." I said. His smile widened showing his teeth.

"Any girlfriends." I asked. With that silver tongue, it would be a pity if he said no.

I was expecting anything between a number of names to a shy smile, but instead his face turned a little nonchalant. I guess I had asked something too personal

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked-," I started apologizing but he cut me off.

"No.. no please don't be sorry... I just.." this was the first time I had seen Noah short of words.

"If you want to share anything, you can tell me." I smiled and added, "I'm very good at keeping secrets."

He smiled a bitter smile. "I.." he started, "I prefer boys." I couldn't keep the shock from my face.

I saw his eyes sadden. He must have mistaken my shock for disappointment.

"Noah, I did not-," I started but could not find the right words, "I was just shocked.. I'm sorry if that looked like anything else. Its totally fine to have different preferences." I took in a deep breath.

"Do not for a second feel scared to do the things that make you happy. Whatever comes naturally to you, should be embraced. You are a wonderful person, don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

He smiled. His eyes filling fast with tears.

"Thank you" he whispered, as he pulled away and excused himself. I let him go. It must be hard on the boy to carry this secret while thinking it was something wrong.

I searched the crowd for any familiar faces, but Caelum was nowhere to be seen. My cell phone was out of signal as well. A five star hotel without signal. Perfect!

I walked around in the crowd earning some looks from some people Caelum had found better to ignore.

It was really not a good idea to walk around the crowd looking for him. I decided to go inside the hotel and ask the manager or someone to call Caelum. I was near the pool , which was at the back of the hotel, so I had to go around the hotel to get to the reception.

After a few meters the crowd began thinning and I was totally alone on the paved path surrounded by small decent bushes and plants.

I took out my phone to check whether my signal was back or not when a honey covered voice purred,

"We meet again Rosy." Jacob. Again. "Did you perhaps get lost? Or were you seeing another billionaire suitor here? Quite kinky." He smirked

The color was draining fast from my face, but thankfully the place was dimly lit.

"What about you? You seem to be on the same path as me. Perhaps you are meeting one of your many suitors." I snapped.

He looked taken aback for a second. "I didn't know you had such a vicious tongue. Showing your real colors now?"

I had had enough of this conversation. "Hope you have a good night, Goodbye Jacob." Saying so I turned around.

I had taken a step when he came ahead and encircled his arms around me from behind. "What the hell do you think you are doing!?" I yelled.

He brought his lips near my ear. "Shusshh... you don't want that billionaire of yours to see this, do you?"

"Let go of me!" I hissed at him. My hands were trapped under his arms.

"Do you know, I always thought myself to be incapable of love. And I used to love that." His arms tightened on me. His voice full of vengeance. I struggled to get out of his grip.

"I will scream if you don't let me go." I hissed back, but he scoffed and turned me around to face him. His grip still firm.

"Try screaming and I'll kill you here." Something in his eyes told me it wasn't an empty warning.

"What have I done to you?!" I gave up fighting. He was too strong for me to take down. I had to make him lower his guard.

" 'What have you done?!!' " he repeated pulling me closer. "Remember the time when you refused me because you had a sister to take care of?. Where is that sister NOW!?" he yelled.

"I never wanted a relationship with anyone." I said. Guilt punching holes into my chest.

He let out bitter laugh, "What about now, huh? You are ready to suck him because he has money?", His eyes on my lips, hardly a centimeter away from his.

"I love him." I lied through my teeth. Desperate to stiffen the quilt and hurt.

" Hahaha! love him where? In bed?" he smirked. "I am sure I can satisfy you, my innocent Rosy. Wont you give me a chance?" he purred.

I was flaming and the tears were flowing out of nowhere but somehow I managed to find my voice "No! I will not-," but he cut me off, crashing his lips on mine. I was kicking and punching.

My stomach coiled till I could feel raw pain. Disgust flowing in my blood.

I needed to escape, but how? His grip on me only grew firmer. I closed my eyes. I could not bear his face.

He would rape me. Everything would go downhill again. Everything is my fault. I hurt him before. Is it fair that he gets to take revenge like this? I cant do anything.

My brain was pouring all the poison I had refused to drink these past weeks. When I felt a third hand grip my arm roughly. I opened my eyes to find Jacob on the ground. Blood dripping from his nose. I looked at who the hand belonged to.

"Caelum." I whispered. His other hand fisted. He punched him.

His face a portrait of rage and anger. I knew I should have felt scared, but between all that chaos only one emotion coursed through my veins. Relief.

"We are going home." He said without as much as looking at me as he started walking towards the limbo dragging me behind him.

................................................

.

💗💗💖