Unravelling the Billionaire's Bride

OL

ns-she was one of the awardees, and she'd overheard Casper (her boyfriend) telling his friend he had a surprise planned

lf and had a dressmaker sew it specially for the occasion. She lifted it to check if there was any overlooked crease when she heard a c

pproached the car. "Why are you blushing? You

awardee and..." She lowered her voice and stared at the car floor. "Casper

No wonder you're gr

ica entered the highway and

of me. Why are you in such a hurry? The p

traffic. "I want to get there early so I c

meone who has two guys fightin

ou know, like my soulmate. When I do, I'll stop chasing boys a

crazy boy-chaser like you." An

ollege stories to tell." She grabbed

covered in white, with a stripe of maroon tied around the back of each chair and a centerpiece on each table. A backdrop with logos of different companies who sponsored the contest and the th

on as they were seated, Jessica brought out a bottle of Barcadi's Extra Rar

ou know I don

special. You sh

aid, her gaze fixe

en't you?" Jessica relaxed her b

and briefly covered her face with bo

you don't

hot up from her seat excitedly, but she had only taken two steps when she halted-a girl was on Casper's arm. She recove

irl as Bella, the contest's overall w

smile, but the excitemen

ella elbowed him. She disengaged from Casper's arms and smil

ations on winn

ed hand for a while before

and he offered to escort me in. He's such a sw

en as obsessive, so she j

Bella left them alone. Anna made to hug Casper but he held

tain will be obvious on it. She pointed to their table, "th

as cold. I'll si

eyes, "Casper, is

ed moving to the back before

e heard the MC tap the microphone and clear his

ted seats at the front, close to the stage. His brows furrowed slightly as he scolded his secretary in low t

if no potential investor will be i

"I'm thinking of how to wr

MC's voice bellowing from the speakers. "But your mother has been on my neck. She assumes your single status

ck. Your loyalty should be to me, not my

he same opinion. You're too good to

husband and

saying that Ethan will present the contest's overall winner's award as the one that made the most impact on their school for that year. Ethan s

dampened expression as she came back to take her seat

ends." Jessica gave her one of the two glasses of Baileys Original I

d it suspiciousl

oison you or some

on't trust you despite what

the glasses. "Just to assur

t again, "what

, and cream." Je

a velvety mouthfeel, so she drained the entire glass. "It's smooth, I li

want to have you swaying to the

will that

nd out." Jessica laughed, e

zation, "oh no!" She frowned

Anna. "It's just for you

ogram, the moment you've all been looking forward to ladies and gentlemen," he paused f

y to the front. Miss Bella Smith, Miss Anna Ben

ady there, and she saw Casper going towards the front as well. She

all on Dr. Ethan Cole to do the hono

r. He pretended not to notice that she held his hand longer than usual, he didn't want to have anythin

speech, she said, "I'm glad the judges recognize

I'd like to share this with a special someone," she paused for her words to settle and draw more at

hancellor to present her award, and he was already waiting on st

ed into the mic again. It was th

our award." He gestured to t

pture her before she walked back. Everyone was looking at her now, for her behavior was not normal. Jessica, who had been pacing near the front, caught her as soon as

her friends. The two stopped laughing when they saw her approach them. She stood before Casper, looked him straight in the eye,

to her table and sat with an express

was capable of violence, but he'd seen color drain from her cheeks in shock when the ov

. Her boyfriend must have jilt

you s

gged, "M

ut," he

him a surreptitious look before turning to some stu

spected." She

mp her." He mused. "She's the most b

glowing compliment, coming from you.

from her, "Don'

ck off. But on a serious note, more than beauty,

en betrayed, Ethan k

s invited to open the dance floor. The dance was the main reason Clar

I'm going to break your heart this evening, darling." He stood

table, held out his right hand, palms upward, and s

he alcohol egged her on, so she took his hand. He smile

ecovered from the shock, phones were held up to capture the moment. The journalists that were present busi

hands, her shoulders shaking with a soundless laugh. "Oh, Etha

accentuating her curves. Her auburn hair had been swept up, the reddish-brown strands woven into a braid that hugged the side of her head

th as it fanned his collarbone. The smell of Bailey's chocolate and cream was

r blink rapidly to keep tears back but it escaped, forming a

at only she could hear him above the music, "yo

p, confusion in her ey

portantly," Ethan guided her into a gentle turn that gave her a clear view of Bella where she stood close to the refreshment table with a face

ar, "Did you see them speechlessly watching with paine

ic stopped, and he led her slowly away from the dance floor back to her sea

owed again and co

are you

ladies." She said

op her. "You shouldn't go alone,

pot." She jerked her arm away from his grip, "why is everyo

hrough the crowd in hope of seeing Jessica. He was unsuccessful, and Anna had already gone through the passageway that led

r in time before she fell and she placed a hand on his shoulder to support herself. He looked at her face and saw that her eyes were filled a

ckness of her brows, the slope of her nose, the sharp curve of her jaw, and her

ngers brushed the skin behind her ear as if asking for permission. She shiv

been thinking about doing this all evening. His lips were firm and warm, one hand tangled in her hair while the one a

matching his bold rhythm. She felt like she was floating in the air, a moan escaped her lips. It was that sound that brought Ethan back to his senses. He brok

yes wide, chest heavi

effortlessly through the back exit to where his car was parked. His driver had gotten out and opene

here Miss Bennett lives and

h another young la

measured look but relaxed when he remembered she sat at the same t

e door and tried to pull her out only to fin

have paid more attention to your

er. "I thought she was safe

should," he stressed the 'gentleman' word, "but you've left. If it were

so because she was the one that gave Anna the drink, knowing full

car, I'll ta

here in

tell me that you intend t

" He said in a tone that does not allow further argument. Jessica d

otions like that? He doesn't know if Anna would remember the kiss or not, b