After Stuart had called Liam had led Mia to the event hall and after sliding his hand around her slender waist and getting no reaction except a stoic expression, he'd decided to stick with the original plan of ditching her at the party. A ravishing beauty he couldn't touch was the same as a doll worth no attention, an accessory. He'd rather go for something that would respond to his desires.
At the entrance of the hall they wore their masks and Liam gave her a soft nod before entering, walking to an opposite direction. Mia wasn't surprised as she stepped into the hall. It was dimly lit so that you could barely make people out. A bright spotlight made it's way around the hall and as she entered the hall it rested on her, all stares dragged to her and none were willing to leave her. In her usual elegance she took a glass of red wine from a waiter and walked her way to a dimmer corner in her desperate attempt to avoid attention and recognition. After a while of their hungry eyes not being fed people eventually looked away but she'd already become the topic of the night. In five minutes three men had walked up to her but she hadn't even replied. She simply flashed them the engagement ring she'd been wearing since she had been wearing since she turned sixteen. It had worked effectively but the silent murmurs and stares disgusted her so she slid through the back exit, walking down the terrace until she'd found her way to the poolside. She sighed sitting with her leg in the water. After five minutes or more a voice broke the silence, "Rough night?"
Mia wasn't in the mood to even look up. She'd have ignored it but the voice sounded soothing in a fresh baritone texture, "Maybe." She heard the footstep walk closer towards her.
He walked graciously in soft, firm steps, filled with authority that sent goosebumps round her skin. He stopped beside her and she heard him remove his shoes and socks before sitting next to her, dipping his leg in the pool, "Let me guess, the stares?"
Mia scoffed sighing deeply, "What do you want?"
He chuckled, "A pretty girl in distress sitting outside when the party is inside, I might as well act the knight in shining armour and keep you company."
Mia closed her eyes allowing the evening breeze to rush at her face, the moonlight glowing on her face, "So why aren't you in the party?"
He watched her closely, she was more beautiful than in the papers. How could some bastard treat her that way?, "Let's say I don't find it particularly interesting and besides why be inside when a beauty like you is here."
Mia scoffed, "So you're one of those hungry dogs searching for some girl to devour?"
He chuckled, "Well I'm neither a dog nor am I hungry but devouring you wouldn't be a bad idea."
That finally got a soft laughter from her, "That's a pretty crazy thing to say to a girl you don't know." As she laughed, her white teeth seemed to make her smile even sweeter.
He smiled, "Well I've been called crazy among many others. Being called crazy by such an ethereal queen doesn't exactly seem like a bad idea as long as it means she's smiling. "
Mia sighed softly, throwing her hair backwards, "You're a flirt. "
He replied smoothly, "I'm good at worshipping beautiful things; good and bad. " It was an honest reply, more honest than she'd ever realise..
She glances at him. He was wearing a black mask that hid most if his features but his eyes.... They were silver, a sliver that seemed alive yet mysterious. Like they knew it all and just found amusement in watching you lie and plot, "Isn't there some pretty girl waiting for you inside. For one I hate drama and I definetly don't want to be involved In some unintentional scandal. "
He chuckled, his voice was deep and spelt of trouble in so many ways, "Unintentional scandal? " He seemed to be testing the words in his mouth, "People like me don't get into scandals, the media wouldn't dare... And the only pretty lady worth my attention is sitring beside me now. "
Mia scoffed, "Alot of women have fallen victim of your words, haven't they? I can't lie they have a certain charm to them but tgey spell nothing but trouble. "
He smiled but said nothing else and instead stared at the sky, "They're so many secrets, so many lies, so many falsehood in the world. Giving charming words to those who deserve it, to remind them of their worth.... certainly that isn't trouble. "
Mia sighed closing her eyes, "My worth? What exactly is my worth? I'm just some doll dressed up to look pretty and to endure, a cover for something that isn't even worth it. "
He turned to look at her, a glimmer in his eyes, "Little star you are worth more than you can imagine. "
The way he said it was like it was true, the confidence in his eyes made her heart quaver for a second, "Little star.... My mother used to call me that. Why little star? "
He looked at her thoughtfully, "There's a lot of deceit and plotting, the sky is dark with envy and blood, covering many truths. And in that dark, there's you who has managed to stay strong and bright in that chaos. That's... strong of you. Your mother would be proud. "
Mia turned to him, her eyes going watery for a while before she quickly wiped at them, "That's sweet but I can't afford to cry... I have mascara on. "
He let out a laughter.
Mia laughed softly, "What? Because a lady is strong and independent doesn't mean she can't care about her looks. "
He smiled, "I agree. A lady who is forever strong and firm should have a place or someone she can be treated like the queen she is....
Someday I'd love to be that someone to you. "
Mia flashed him her ring, "I'm engaged."
He chuckled and replied, his voice going serious, "You've caught my attention Mirabelle, no man breathing air can stand in the way of you being mine. You've been mine the moment I looked at you and I cherish what is mine. "
The way he aaid each words like he was sure, like he meant it, like it was a promise. She shuddered slightly.
Just at that moment her phone rang. It was Liam, "You slut where are you? I met Mr. Ortega. The Mr. Ortega and I need my loving, compliant wife by my side so that he cn trust whatever I tell him. He's been asking for you and probably is one of those old bastards in search of their preys. I need you here, by the wine stand now!"
He cut the call on her.
Mia sighed softly getting up, "I should leave now. I can't say I didn't enjoy our conversation, your charm is a breath of fresh air. " She wore her heels and turned to leave.
He raised a brow, "Aren't you curious about me? Not even my name? "
Mia smiled, "Well I'm sure many women are thrilled by the walking sin stance and all but I'm not. I'd prefer we never cross path again. "
He smirked getting up, "Walking sin? But don't all the good girls want a bad boy who can protect them and do the dirty things they're morality won't let them?"
Mia scoffed, rolling her eyes, "That's too cliché don't you think? Sorry but I can protect myself and I don't want to be involved in whatever dirty thing you have in mind."
He was standing infront of her now. He tucked her hair behind her ear as he leaned into her ear, "But you do. You've become my princessa now and no one, not even that bastard you're engaged to can hurt you again.. " He leaned back, "And I promise to make him pay for ever cut and bruise you've ever had to endure. "
Her cheeks were red from his breath on her ear and even as he pulled back she could still feel it, could still hear those words, those promises, "Don't... Stay away from him and from me. "
His face went serious, his grey eyes looking deeper under the night light, "I can give you everything you want but that... That I cannot do. "
As he walked into the ballroom a part of her mind tugged at her,
Who was he?