Page 2 of King of Deception

“I did, and it’s true.” I grabbed Jude’s arm once again. “Will you excuse us? Just a sec.”

As I hastily dragged Jude out of the venue, I angrily mumbled swear words from under my breath. I had only been here an hour but had already downed three glasses of champagne in an attempt to calm my nerves. My presence at this wedding was solely aimed at networking and making an impression on our CEO. Yet, here I was, struggling to squeeze my ex-boyfriend out of my life.

“Ella, wha—”

“Now listen, you prick,” I hissed as I turned to him, wagging a finger in his face. “It’s been six whole months, and I can’t believe we’re back here. And tonight of all nights—”

“Ella?” My boss’ voice startled me, prompting me to hastily plaster a smile on my face as I turned around.

“Jack! I’m right here.”

“Where’ve you been?” He quickly nodded at Jude. “It’s time for a group photo.”

“Go, sweetheart,” Jude forged a humble gaze. “I’ll find you later.”

Dear God.

As I let my boss lead me back inside for the picture, my stomach turned, and I felt momentarily dizzy. Why was this happening to me? It wasn’t like I was the prettiest woman Jude had ever been with, nor was I the most exciting. In fact, he and I didn’t share much aside from good sex. And as much as I knew how highly men valued that, I simply couldn’t believe that sex alone was the reason behind his perseverance.

“You’re breaking up with me? You can’t seriously mean that!” he exclaimed over six months ago.

“But I do, Jude. This can’t work. I’m twenty-eight years old now, and I shouldn’t have to settle, just because it’s easier than breaking up.”

“Is that really why you’re leaving me now? Or is there someone else?”

“Oh my God, Jude! This is exactly what I’m talking about!” I yelled. “For a successful Wall Street broker who happens to also look like a fucking model? You’re wildly insecure!”

“Insecure?” he shouted before smirking and snorting, belittling me. “You call my love for you insecurity?”

“Who told you that this is love? It’s possessiveness, Jude, and it’s crazy!”

“You know what’s crazy?” he started tossing the living room cushions around, one by one. “Every fucking word that’s coming out of your mouth right now!”

“Why? Just because the universe bestowed this great gift that is you upon me? C’mon!”

“You have no idea how much you’re hurting me right now, Ella,” he angrily threw another cushion, and it hit the television set, making me wince and automatically recoil. “You’re fucking cruel!”

“And you need to get a grip!” I screamed, placing both hands on the sides of my head. “I can’t live like this! Tiptoeing around you, God forbid I say something you don’t like, and you turn the apartment into a fucking war zone!”

“Oh, really?” He chuckled, pushing forward his chest in a primal gesture that I never appreciated. “Right, it’s not like I’m the one who pays the maid every time she comes around.”

“You’re such an asshole.” I took a step back, knowing that my words would anger him more.

“And you’re an entitled bitch who’s taking the best thing that’s ever happened to her for fucking granted! Fuck you!”

“Not anymore.” Fueled by fury and slightly offended by his insinuation that I was somehow using him for money, I turned around and grabbed the packed bag that I had strategically placed behind the bedroom door. “This shouldn’t be too hard, then.” I marched toward the door, and he caught me by the arm in an excruciatingly tight grip.

“You can’t live without me, and you know it,” he hissed in my ear.

“No? Well, I think I did fine for my first twenty-six years.” Yanking my arm free, I hastened my steps and stormed out, slamming the door behind me.

“Champagne for the shot?” The waiter’s voice brought me back to the present moment, and when I looked around me, everyone amongst whom I stood held a full glass. To really sell a celebratory pose, I quickly grabbed a flute and pushed aside my hip, grinning before the camera’s flash blinded me.

“Congratulations, Mr. Engelbert,” I finally got close enough to speak with the CEO. “Such a wonderful ceremony.”

“Oh, thank you, Emma.”

“El—Ella, Danny,” Mr. Johnson quickly corrected him. “Ella Rose Boraine; the brightest young mind in my department today.”

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