Shouldn't Have Dealt

by Mara Lynne

“Hugo, can I have a change of outfit?”

  It’s not that I do not like it. It’s really gorgeous, but the neckline of this dress is even wider than that of the black, sequined gown I wore at the auction.

  “But we don’t have enough time to pick another one, dear,” Hugo answers as he grazes his palm against the pleated skirt. “Besides, it’s Hunter who picked the dress for you. He said he want you to look like an angel descending from the heavens. And here you are, definitely the divine being he wants to have as a date for tonight.”

  Is it just me, or Hunter just loves to see women’s boobs all the time? I mean, he chooses the most daring dress on the catalog every single time.

  “Maybe we can stick a pin in here.” I don’t really think I’ll be able to stand in front of the cameras and greet people when I look like a naked Barbie doll.

  “Fine!” Hugo seems to be a bit irritated, but he gets over it the moment he found a pin from his bag and manages to fix the problem without risking the aesthetic element of the dress. Although the exposed area has been lessened, thanks to the pin, I think it’s still too much.

  “There! You’re all ready!”

  The great hall of the finest hotel in New Brunswick, Jersey is filled with people, all of them I am unfamiliar with. When I arrived here, my only prospect is to find Hunter Stone and drag him into an empty room where I could run my interrogation on him. I don’t care about how people will see us together. The majority of the guests must have known who I am, but I don’t really care. The press could attempt to intimidate me like how they always tried the past, but I am just here to plaster my smiling face on them and act like a swooning fiancée.

  After a series of nonsense interviews at the lobby of the hotel, I find an empty table where I could sit down and rest for a while. Fifteen minutes have passed, and I see no signs of Hunter in the vicinity. Paul said his boss is already in the hotel, talking with the hosts of the party. I don’t even know what kind of a party I have gone into right now.

  The peace that I enjoy is cut off suddenly when a woman in a sparkling green dress appears right before my eyes.

  “Hi!” she greets with a huge smile on her face. “I’m afraid we aren’t introduced properly, Ms. Grant.”

  I think I recognize her. It’s Laurel Hamilton, Damien’s cousin whom I had not had the pleasure to get to know the last time we saw each other. Well, that was the day when the great revelation happened, and I don’t think I would have the bliss to meet new people then when I was already on the verge of losing Damien’s trust.

  “Laurel Hamilton.” She grasps my hand and shakes it gently. “Oh, my! Where is Hunter? He ought to be with his fiancée.”

  Even if I call the man, I know he would just reject my phone call, like always.

  “I saw him talking with Mr. and Mrs. Price at the bar a while ago,” Laurel says as she flips her golden blonde hair to her back, revealing a chandelier-like diamond earring.

  “It must be some urgent business deal,” I respond.

  “Well, Hunter isn’t the type to allow money matters to slip through his hands.”Laurel sounds like she knows Hunter very well. They’re not blood-related since she’s Mary’s niece, and Mary is Hunter’s stepmother. So how could she speak about Hunter so freely?

  Laurel then, like a queen, executes all the freedom to sit next to me.

  “I see Hunter has not given you a ring yet.” She grabs two glasses of refreshments from the passing waiter and hands over one to me.

  Yes, my fingers are bare, and I’m afraid Laurel has taken notice.

  “We’re not rushing things, Laurel.” This is the best answer for now. Honestly, I don’t think spending for an engagement ring is necessary. The wedding is just for formality’s sake. What we’re after is the marriage certificate and the living proof that we’re together.

  “Hunter must, though,” she murmurs. “To secure his place in the Etheridge clan, Uncle James must pick him over his half brother, Damien. Hunter is illegitimate, and the sole reason he wants the family inheritance is to have the right to use the Etheridge family name.”

  If I heard Laurel clearly, Hunter might not be after the physical wealth. He just wants to be recognized as James Etheridge’s legal first born.

  “Uncle James always wanted to give his name to Hunter, but Aunt Mary was always in the opposition,” adds Laurel. “Of course, she has to take care of the position for her only son, Damien. I can’t wait to see how this will turn up. Hunter’s marrying you to solidify his claim. Damien must act quickly, or Hunter might take everything from him. I have always loved watching family dramas, you know.”

  “Excuse me.” Paul’s voice awakens me from my deep thinking.

  Just the mention of Damien put me into a state of uncertainty again. These two brothers are making this fake marriage more difficult for me. If I allow Hunter to use me to take away everything from Damien, what happens to Damien then?

  “Ms. Mohr, Mr. Stone would like to inform you that he’s waiting for you at the Roosevelt Suite. Shall I accompany you there?”

  Laurel stands to her feet and sits her hands on her wide hips.

  “Say my hello to Hunter, then, Mrs. Stone.” She waves her hand at me before she marches toward a group of young ladies at the far edge of the great hall.

  I follow Paul to an empty corridor that leads us to a private elevator. I believe the elevator is only used by people going to the Roosevelt Suite since it bears the same name as the VIP lounge. The elevator halts at the twenty-third floor.

  “Mr. Stone awaits for you, miss.”

  I cross the doorsill of the lounge to find Hunter pouring wine into a glass. He stands in the manner he warrants everyone’s attention.

  “The dress looks good on you,” he utters without even looking at me. How can he say?

  “You have some explaining to do.” I will not spare time to let him off my grasp.

  “Is that how you greet your Mr. Stone, Mrs. Stone?”

  “Shut up, Hunter! We’re not even married yet.”

  That grin on his face irks me. When he turns to face me, my scrutinizing eyes are able to detect slight changes on his face. His skin color has turned a little dull. His facial hair has grown a bit as well, as though he has neglected personal grooming for days. Furthermore, I think his frame has shrunk. Hunter Stone looks thinner now compared to how he was weeks ago.

  On top of that, he is drinking alcohol despite the fact that he does not look very well.

  “Give me that!” Taking away from his grip his precious glass of wine, I see how frustration quickly takes over his face. “Have you forgotten to eat, Hunter?” I lay down the glass on the table next to the couch.

  “There was a scarcity of food in my office for the past few days.” His monotonous tone does not indicate disinterest in my question.

  “Cut the crap, Hunter! Where have you been?” I clutch him by the arm, stopping him from moving away from me. It seems that he’s not that emaciated as I thought. Hunter’s muscles remain brawny and hard.

  “Angel, I don’t have the energy to argue with you. Can we save that for tomorrow?” His voice sounds undeniably faint and exhausted.

  Hardheaded and persistent as I am, I pursue what I think is right at the moment.

  I look up to him while he does all he could to avoid my eyes. There’s something in them that is missing—the fire.

  “What did Will do to you?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Liar!”

  Hunter tries to step away, but I stop him by holding both his arms. With all my strength, I try to fix him in place without breaking my bones.

  Whatever Will forced Hunter to do have caused the latter massive stress. In a normal situation, whenever I begin to annoy him, Hunter never misses the opportunity to get back at me. Not only does he look physically exhausted, but his attitude toward me has also drastically changed as well.

  “Look at me, Hunter!” My right hand reaches for the side of his face. “What is it you did for Will?
”

  “Angel…”

  “Why can’t you tell me?” I could hear myself softening.

  This isn’t the Hunter Stone I knew.

  “I heard from Eric how George is recovering…” he says.

  “Dad is fine. He’s on his way to Colombia right now with Mom via your private plane. Now let’s get back to Will!”

  It takes him more than five seconds to gain the courage to look at me straight in the eyes. A warm silence occupies the room, and not one of us tries to break it.

  “You don’t need to know, Angel.” Slowly, he takes my hand off his face. “It’s all done. Will’s not going to trouble us, I promise.”

  “But Hunter…”

  Should I tell him how his mysterious absence had twisted my head to the point of not being able to sleep eight hours each night? Should I tell him I thought of his well-being every time I eat three meals a day, wondering if he does the same? Should I tell him that the thought of Will hurting him has been haunting me every day? Should I tell him that right at this very moment, I am longing to embrace him just to make sure he is real—to feel his own skin touch mine and hear his heart beat? Should I tell him how afraid I was without him by my side?

  Gosh, I want to slap his face for being so stubborn.

  I feel tears starting to form at the edge of my eyes, and I hurriedly wipe them away before he sees them.

  “Please, Angel…” Hunter moves closer to me, and I feel him breathing right on top of me. He holds me gently as though doubt is preventing him from taking me fully into his arms.

  “I was just so worried, Hunter.”

  “I’m sorry.” In all honesty, his apology feels more soothing than anything I have heard from him. It’s like all doubts and hate are erased the moment he caresses my cheeks softly with his thumb, his hands holding my face like a precious gem.

  We are like this—our forehead kissing each other, our faces just inches away, and breathing the same air—for quite a while, until I decide to touch his hands to feel its warmth, and Hunter moves a step closer to me. The very short distance between us caused my chest to squeeze and my heart to thump intensely.

  The heat spread across my cheeks as it travels all over my body. Not even the cool air brushing through my almost bare back could keep up with the growing heat.

  I know what is happening within me. Right at this very moment, in his arms, I know where I am heading to. And no matter how I try to shun him away, I don’t think I can do anything to stop it from growing. I think it is too late.

  Too late.

  I feel Hunter’s hands drawing my face close to him, and I do not have the strength to stop the inevitable from happening.

  Chapter 29: Angel’s Resolve

  Our lips are mere millimeters away. My chest is about to explode, and my knees are shaking… but it all ends for nothing when he pauses at the sound of his phone ringing.

  My mouth curses, verbalizing my frustration.

  Hunter smirks at the sight of me disappointed for the disrupted kiss.

  My face, all of a sudden, feels warm, and I have to turn my back on him, so he doesn’t see me turning red. I step a few inches from him to free myself from the growing uneasiness within me.

  Good Lord, what was I thinking?

  The memory of his meaningful smirk flashes right before me every time I close my eyes and shake my head. What could he be thinking after he found me stunned? What could the smirk mean?

  “What is it you want?” The intensity of his voice draws me to listen to him. When I turn back to him, a face of a wolf hungry for his prey surprises me. His forehead creases as his fingers massage the area where I think pain is starting to get him.

  “The deal is over. You got what you want!” Surprisingly, he maintains the volume of his voice—careful but weary. When he catches a glimpse of me staring at him, Hunter visibly calms down a bit, sighs, and turns his back on me.

  It must be Will on the other line.

  Why is he still pestering Hunter?

  I thought everything’s fine now.

  With worry written all over Hunter’s face, I could only say one thing: It’s not yet over with Will.

  “I gave you what you want, what is it this time?” Obviously, Hunter is trying to hide things from me.

  He takes short strides toward the curtain wall where we could see the dark sky.

  I want to get closer and stick my ears to his phone so I could hear more clearly

  Hunter heaves a deep sigh. Even though his back is turned to me, I could see his reflection on the glass wall. His brows are meeting at the center, and his eyes are piercing and dark. I do not like the atmosphere he’s bringing out—it reeks of so much disgust and anger. If only his eyes could kill.

  “I’ll be right there.”

  He turns on his heels and approaches me.

  “I’ll take you home now,” he says without looking into my eyes.

  “What does he need from you?”

  He tilts his head, and slowly, his eyes meet mine. I feel his strong grasps reaching for my arm. They are tight and strong at first but gradually loosen until they feel warm, gentle and caressing.

  “You’re tired, aren’t you, Angel?”

  I shake my head slowly, trying to shake off the uncanny sensation brought by his touch.

  “Now let me take you home.” His one hand travels from my arm to my shoulder until it ends up just above my collar bone. Suddenly, my neck feels scorching hot.

  Bit by bit, he tips my chin up, until we are face-to-face, just mere inches away from each other.

  “I’m not tired,” I say.

  “You are.”

  He silences me with his lips on mine.

  It was gentle, long… and so beautiful.

  I don’t know how I should feel about it.

  I just know it doesn’t feel wrong.

  My insides make me feel sick. It’s not new, but it feels strange—wonderfully strange.

  Hunter draws me closer to him, and I feel his kiss starting to turn rough and more passionate. His tongue is seeking mine, crushing my lips, and I respond to the call of passion rather well.

  Have I gone crazy to act like this?

  Am I putting myself in trouble now?

  It feels so wonderful, so liberating, and yet a shadow of distress is there, I won’t deny.

  Perhaps, it’s because I know who is kissing me—Hunter Stone, the man I swore to abhor, the man who pays me with money, the man who doesn’t even deserve this attention and response from me. Just the knowledge of who he is makes the kiss a little unpleasant, but not entirely. Hunter has disarmed me and made me forget how awful a man he is.

  When our lips part, I find myself panting.

  “Don’t do it,” I whisper, catching my breath.

  His thumb traces the outline of my lower lip. His eyes are smoldering like fire, like he wants to devour me again, like my lips are sweet temptations he finds so difficult to resist.

  “My apologies,” Hunter answers, his gaze still fixed on my mouth. “It won’t happen again.”

  “Swear it to me, Hunter Stone.”

  “I swear.” His gaze drops to the floor. “Time to go.”

  The whole time we are going down the elevator, Hunter’s hand clasps mine tightly as though somebody’s going to steal me away from him. His silence means more than words. The sudden call he got from Will has angered him so much. With the way he’s holding me so tight that I think I am going to lose blood circulation around the area, suggests that he’s very much disappointed. Whatever happened with their deal, I am happy my parents are on their way to Colombia now.

  When we reach the lobby, the paparazzi swarm around us with their tape recorders, cameras, and microphones. There are so many of them that Hunter’s security could not keep up. I feel like my body is being pushed in all directions. I got hit by the camera lenses and hands push my back, until I feel a tough grasp around my waist, pulling me toward Hunter’s direction. He pulls me close to him, and I am l
iterally pressed against his body. He’s tall and strong, and he is protecting me like how a man protects his woman.

  I do not notice that we have already stepped across the hall’s safety until he removes his hold on me.

  What are we doing inside the hall? Didn’t he say we’re going home now?

  People’s eyes briefly land on us as we approach a table near an ice sculpture of a fish sprouting water from its mouth.

  “Mother?”

  “Oh, Hunter!” Victoria turns to face us with her usual bright smile, and it widens, even more, when she sees me beside his son. “Angel! It’s so nice to see you here!” Victoria kisses me on the cheek as though she has not seen me for years. “I am very much pleased Hunter is taking you with him in special events like this.”

  I am suddenly reminded of the lies we have embedded into this wonderful woman’s brain. I can’t help but feel sorry for her.

  If she only knows…

  “Are you two leaving?” Victoria asks.

  “Angel’s not feeling well. I’m taking her home.”

  I do think I’m tired, but not feeling well? I don’t think so.

  “That’s awful, dear. Have you met the Dawsons?”

  I shake my head.

  Who are the Dawsons, anyway?

  “Well, maybe next time. You’ll come with me to Cheryl’s bridal shower, won’t you?”

  “Mother, we really have to go,” Stone says, pulling me away from Victoria.

  “Angel, dear, I’ll call you soon, okay?”

  As Hunter maneuvers the steering wheel, his phone keeps ringing.

  “It’s Will, isn’t it?”

  It’s just him and me in his car. His security team was following us until we entered a familiar lane. Shouldn’t they be guarding Hunter now that his life is in danger?

  “Listen, Angel…” He says, his eyes directed on the road. “I’ll drop you off at Ray’s place, but I’ll be back after I deal with this.”

  “Why? Can’t I just go with you?”

  His eyes furrow.

  “If it will not take long, I think I can stay in the car, Hunter.”

  “Angel…” He sighs.