Chapter 4
1852 Words
I fidgeted with my dress nervously.Rosella insisted that I wore the outfit in which she had chosen.Wearing this dress was a very very bad idea.Even though most of the guests were on the dance floor there were still a lot of eyes on me.
I stole a glance at Brent and regretted it immediately.He always took my breath away when he wore a suit.His shiny hair had fallen over his forehead and damn it looked sexy as hell,my heart made a leap in my chest,why was he so stunning looking?He was standing next to Lois,to anyone who didn't know him he would seem happy but studying him now,I knew some emotion was raging inside him,I just couldn't fathom what had him on edge.
"Belle we need to talk."
I tore my gaze away from him to look at Rosella who stood in front of me with a worried look on her face.
"What's the matter?"I asked concerned.
"Miles was called out last minute on duty so he would be here a little later than expected."she explained."I'm so sorry."
Just like I expected,did I really think tonight was going to be okay?
"Excuse me."A young man about the same age as Brent said as he approached us.
"How can we help you?"Rosella asked.
"I apologise for disturbing you ladies but I just had to come compliment this young lady on her beauty and ask if I may have the pleasure of this dance."
My eyes widened as I stared at the guy in shock.I studied him more closely,he was actually kind of good looking.
Not as good looking as Brent...then again no one was in my eyes.
"She would love to have this dance with you."Rosella said with a bright smile before I could even have a chance to think of a response.
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Brent's POV:
My knuckles tightened ,my head pounding in frustration as I noticed that there wasn't a single guy in the room who didn't have their eyes stuck on Belle.
I did not like it one bit!
"Brent are you even listening to me?"
"Hmm?"I asked forcing myself to look away from Belle and gaze at the woman in front of me.
"You've been in an entire different world ever since Belle walked in the room."she complained.
My head snapped up at that."Not this again Lois.I've been over this with you over and over again.There is nothing between Belle and I."
She didn't look convinced but I was used to it by now.
"I guess that guy is her date."she said her eyes zeroing on something behind me.
I rose a brow at her."Who's date?"
"Belle."
My eyes followed her gaze and I froze.
That wasn't Miles.
I frowned as the song changed to 'How do I Breathe' by Mario.Who the hell was the dj for the night?
My eyes narrowed when the guy's hand travelled down her back to bring her closer to his body.
"Brent!"
"What?"I asked,still eyeing where the guy had his hands...if he only made one wrong move,that was it.I would kill him.
"Did you even hear what I just said?"she demanded.
I sighed."What did you say?"
I needed to get my head together,today was my engagement night and instead of admiring the lady next to me I was focused on Belle who had her arms around another guy.All of a sudden the song seemed to describe my life....where the hell did that thought come from.
"How is the happy couple?"Rosella asked as she approached us.She had a knowing smile on her face and I narrowed my eyes at her.Lois might not sense the sarcasm in her voice but I definitely did.
"We are just great."Lois answered with a bright smile hooking her arms around mines and leaning her head against my shoulders.
"Why don't you guys join the dance floor with everyone else?"she questioned.
"That's not such a good idea--"
"That's a splendid idea!"Lois cut me off.
Before I could refuse Lois pulled me to the dance floor right opposite Belle.She didn't notice us at first but when she did I could of sworn I spotted a hint of jealousy.My eyes locked with hers until she finally looked away.
I tried hard to pay attention to Lois this time but my eyes still wandered to Belle,I needed to ensure the guy didn't put his hands where it shouldn't be.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen.We've reached the stage in the dance where everyone has to switch partners with the person opposite to them."the dj said.
Lois stiffened next to me at the announcement,she knew this meant I would have to dance with Belle.I had to assure her that it was just a dance or she wouldn't let me sleep in peace tonight.
"It's just one dance."I assured her before giving her to the i***t who was just dancing with Belle.
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Belle's POV:
I kept my head down as Brent approached me.
He grabbed my waist and pulled me flush against his body.My pulse began to race and I forced my breathing to slow down so as to calm my racing heart.
He leaned down so that his lips were inches away from my ear."Put your hands around my neck Belle."he murmured.
My head snapped up to glare at him.
"Why should I?"
"It's a dance sweetheart.Now are you going to or should I do it for you?"
I gasped,Brent never called me sweetheart...at least not when he was sober.
I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck stubbornly.
He slid his hands lower down my back and I shivered against his touch.He gripped my hips and pulled me tighter against his body as our body moved in synch with the slow rhythm of the music.My senses were on overload,the smell of expensive perfume mixed with pure masculinity made me giddy...I felt so at home in his arms that I never wanted to let go.
"What the hell are you wearing Belle?"he asked midway through the song.
I narrowed my eyes,not this again.
"It wouldn't take a genius to see that it is a dress."I snapped.
"Every single guy in this room can't take their eyes off you because of this dress."he growled.
"And what does that have to do with you Brent?"I asked taking a look at Lois in the opposite side.She looked like she wanted to shoot someone,that someone was most likely me.
"If you were to bend down every single guy in the room could see what you wore underneath...including me."he whispered into my ear ignoring my question.
"Again,what does that have to do with you?"I asked trying hard not to let it show how much his words affected me.
His grip on me tightened."If any one of them lays a single hand on you I will have no choice but to beat the s**t out of him."he growled into my ear."Do you see now what it has to do with me?"
I gasped.Brent's gaze was so heated and intense that I had to tighten my hold around his neck as to not fall from the weakness in my knees.My heart began to thump harder and it became much more difficult to think of a proper response to his question.
Was it bad that I liked the idea of Brent beating a guy for my sake?
Before I could reply Matthew,the guy I was dancing with before tapped Brent on his shoulder."It's time to switch partners again."
I didn't miss the hard mutinous glare that Brent shot him.The look so deadly that Matthew had no choice but to look away.
"The dance is over.It's time for the exchange of rings."Brent told him coldly,refusing to let go off me.
Exchange of rings.
Dancing with him had made me forget about what today was really about.Could I really watch Brent getting engaged to my cousin?
I hated the fact that just the thought of those two getting engaged brought a stinging feeling straight to my gut.
It was simply unfair,why did it have to bother me that they were getting engaged?Why did I feel a pang of jealousy whenever I saw them together?
I pulled away from Brent's strong grip,furious with myself and my traitorous body.
"Lois is already waiting on the stage for you ."I pointed out to him unable to hold back the venom from my voice.
At the mention of Lois,Brent seemed to snap out of whatever trance he was in.Without another word he walked away from me and onto the stage where Lois waited impatiently for him.There was no mistaking the faint stirring of jealousy that rose in me.
I watched on helplessly as they positioned themselves to exchange the rings.
Leonardo made his way to the stage as he was told to give the speech this evening."Good evening ladies and gentlemen.Due to time I've made this speech very short.I would just like to congratulate my brother on finding happiness and finally getting the woman he thinks he loves..."
'Thinks' he loves?
"Since the day Brent was born he has never failed to make us all proud of him.From what I've heard from my family Lois also seems like a decent person.So from the bottom of my heart I wish you two all the best from the entire family."
Was it just me or did that speech seem forced?
I pressed my hands to my forehead trying in vain to ease the pain from the headache I was receiving.They were going to exchange rings now.
"Hi sweetheart."someone whispered in my ear.
I jumped in shock at the close proximity from the guy next to me.He was so tall that I had to strain my neck to stare at his face.His breath wreaked of alcohol and I was positive he was drunk.
"What do you want?"
He grabbed my arms roughly."How about we take a stroll outside, just me and you."
I shook my head in fear."I'll rather stay inside and watch the engagement ceremony."
The guy's grip on my hands tightened."I insist ,you look as though you need some fresh air."
"Let me go."I gritted out trying in vain to get my arms out of his tight grip but failing miserably.
The guy shook his head and my fear increased,looking around the thick crowd frantically to find a familiar face who could help me.
Before I could call for help I looked up in time to see Brent's fist planted into the guy's face.
There were gasps and screams all around us as Brent picked up the guy only to punch him again.
"How dare you touch her!"Brent growled continuing to punch the guy.
I touched Brent's arm lightly."Let him go.I'm alright."I assured him softly.
He looked up at me,his expression furious."Did he hurt you?"He demanded as his eyes roamed my body.
I shook my head and his eyes softened.
His gaze scanned the crowd and a string of curses left his mouth.
I followed his gaze and realised what the problem was...all eyes were now on us.
How would it look that the guy getting engaged lost control for a girl whom he wasn't getting engaged to?
- Writer
