Page 4 of His Beloved Princess
"She can be a bitch at times," he stated matter of factly, and I smiled bitterly, remembering very well how highly unpleasant a person Miss Adelaine was. "She will provoke you. I want you to be prepared."
"Prepared?" I yelled, glaring at him, yet he looked like he expected me to act like a lunatic. He wasn't disturbed by my behavior.
"I'm sorry, princess. I should've told you earlier." He squeezed my hand tighter when I wanted to yank it away. "You have nothing to worry about. You know I'm yours."
"Are you?" I spat, staring daggers at him. "She had you, too."
"Rose belongs to the past," he muttered in a calm, soothing voice, brushing his nose against my naked shoulder. "We didn't have a conversation about our previous relationships yet. And it wasn't my intention to ruin our night. She confirmed that she would come to the party two hours ago."
"So you could've told me two hours ago!" I rumbled, crossing my arms over my chest, trying to avoid his touch.
"I'm sorry, princess," he breathed into my ear again. He had never apologized twice for one thing, and in less than ten minutes. I saw in his eyes that he didn't lie, but I was hurt. This revelation was eating away at my self-confidence.
"I want permission," I blurted out, my mouth saying the words quicker than my brain could comprehend what I asked for. "If she touches you, I'll make an awful scene."
"Princess," he sighed, looking directly into my eyes, but I didn't flinch. He was mine, and I would never share his attention with another woman. Period.
"Permission, or I'm not going," I stated, holding his gaze. He must have seen that I was deadly serious because, after a fewseconds, he nodded.
"Okay, Electra," he agreed, his voice soaked with defeat. "You have my permission to do whatever you see fit if she crosses the line."
"Thank you," I said, reaching out to take his hand, but he jolted it away, leaning into his seat. My heart painfully clenched in my chest. Did I just overstep his boundary?
3
The Event of the Month
Bastian
The car slowly moved to the hotel where the party was held. We waited in line while the guests before us exited the limousines and posed for the photographers. It was the event of the month. Everyone who meant something was there, from politicians, lawyers, doctors, and police commissioners to economic wizards and IT technicians. Shareholders from my family's company also accepted the invitation.
Four years ago, I bought four companies. Each specialized in a different department, but I fused them, purchasing the biggest building in the city my people could find and relocating them under the same roof. From Monday, the entire new corporation would be on its way to becoming the most successful business in the world.
I was already on the list of the wealthiest people on this planet, yet money wasn't my main interest. I had enough for a few lifetimes. I wanted to make a change. I had the power and resources to make it happen. This dream of mine could become a reality. Tonight was just the beginning. However, what should've been the best night of my life was turning into a nightmare.
I offered Rose Adelaine a job contract after she broke up with her ex when he sold their sex video to a porn company. Thanks to my quick reaction, she didn't suffer public humiliation. But her boss already found out about her, according to him, sick lifestyle and kicked her from the firm. She came to me with pleading eyes, begging for help, and I couldn't refuse. The protector in me couldn't say no to her, even when I knew it would cause trouble.
Still, Rose was excellent at her job. She was confident, brilliant, and knowledgeable, and her hardworking nature and great looks were a deadly combination. It was the right decision to sign a contract with her, yet I seriously regretted it.
In time, when I got into a work agreement with Rose, my relationship with Electra was in the early stages. We hadn't even dated yet. Not in my most horrible dream could I predict my princess‘s reaction to my ex. She was possessive of me, and because of her past, when her ex-boyfriend cheated on her, I knew she didn't do this because she demanded my attention. She didn't manipulate me. She was terrified of losing me.
I knew what I had to do. I had to show her that she was the only woman in the world I wanted by my side. But her ultimatum had my palms sweating. I backed off because she needed to feel some power over this situation.
Still, the last thing I needed tonight was a scene. I trusted my girl not to do anything stupid, yet the uneasiness settled in my stomach, forcing me to think about all the possible ways to get out of this unharmed. My reputation was crucial for business, and allowing jealousy to damage it wasn't an option. The best thing I could do was stop this nonsense beforehand.
Electra
My hands trembled slightly, and my stomach twisted when the car leisurely moved towards the red carpet. Massive double doors into the hotel were opened,and bodyguards guarded the aisle. Reporters were behind the black tape, separated from the guests. Every photographer tried to take the best photo, to catch the critical moment, and I just couldn't help but think about my high-heeled strapless stilettos. Somehow, I knew I would end up in trouble because of them.
A bodyguard opened the door for me, helping me out of the limo. While taking my long dress from the car, Bastian walked around the vehicle, stopping next to me and offering his hand. I took it with a small smile, and he winked at me. It was the first sign of affection since our little confrontation.
Inhaling sharply, I delicately put my hand under his waiting arm with a bent elbow and curled it back over it. But I felt something tugging on my feet when I wanted to take a step. Bastian turned to me, glancing at me with one raised brow, and I frowned, looking down. The hem of my dress was stuck in the buckle on my shoe. If I moved, I could destroy the gown before we even entered the party.
I quickly assessed the situation. Still, the best thing to do was to crouch and take it out. I didn't pay attention to Bastian standing beside me, who most likely was trying to figure out why I didn't move when he wanted to pose for the photographers. I took my hand from his arm, intending to free my dress, when, to my great surprise, he bent on one knee and did it.
A slight gasp left my lips, but then I was dumbstruck by the reporters, who went crazy. Everyone wanted a picture of the great Bastian Thorn kneeling before a woman on the red carpet.
My heart raced when he stood up, straightening to his full height and grinning at me. He publicly showed everyone how a man should take care of his woman. He didn't hesitate; he didn't bark at me to solve it. He dealt with it like it was nothing out of the ordinary.
