Page 5 of His Beloved Princess
This small gesture meant the world to me. I returned my hand to his elbow, taking timid steps next to him. The lights from the cameras were blinding me, and I tried hard not to blink and to have a perfect smile on my face. I knew how important this evening was, not only for Bastian's company but also for us.
He had never come with a woman to this kind of event. That's why the press was so eager to get a snap of me. I was this month's superstar. I didn't tell mymom or dad or anything. They would see it in the newspaper or on the internet. I tried to talk to Zoe, but she didn't have time. The closest people in my life didn't know how huge of a change was happening in my life at this very moment.
The private assistant just became the girlfriend of the most unavailable man, probably in the whole world.
With that thought, a broad smile appeared on my lips. What would these people do if they found out the true nature of our relationship? They would have eaten us alive. Whips and chains could never escape the safety of our apartment at any cost. I smirked to myself, for a second musing about my panties, which stayed at home. I was at the party, surrounded by reporters and very wealthy people, and my man made me leave my underwear at home with the promise of sex.
Was I really this crazy?
While my mind was wandering between everything and nothing, we entered the hotel, and Bastian led me into the grand hall, where the main event had already begun. I knew the party was for filthy rich people, so I expected to see some pomposity. However, what I saw knocked the air out of my lungs.
The whole round room was decorated in white and gold. Clearly, the designers loved flowers because the first thing I saw was elegant, bohemian bouquets placed everywhere. The buffet tables stood under the vast balcony. I didn't know the menu because many people were there, and we were too far away, but I definitely wanted to try something from the delicious desserts. Yet I had to remind myself that I wore a revealing dress and I couldn't eat like a pig if I didn't want to end up with a food baby. However, my rumbling stomach screamed at me to let it taste something, and I didn't want to deny it its wish.
"Are you okay?" Bastian asked, watching me closely, and I smiled at him.
"Yes, just thinking about the food," I replied truthfully. My mind drifted back to the meals.
"Did you eat today?" he inquired with knotted eyebrows, and I realized that, except for the yogurt and apple, I hadn't eaten anything. Everything happened so fast that I forgot about it. From my expression, he could read my answer right away, and before I could object, he took my hand and led me to the table. Hegrabbed a plate and put so much food on it that three adult men would be stuffed like a turkey on Thanksgiving if they ate it.
"Enjoy, princess." He handed me the plate and fork with a napkin, and I grinned at him. He was charming when caring for me like a little girl. "Do you want me to feed you?" he asked, raising his brow at me, and I yanked the dish from his hand. It would be great to let him feed me, but not in public. We were at the center of attention. We had to follow the rules.
"Took you long enough to show your ass here."
I turned towards the voice while Bastian didn't move a muscle and sipped his champagne. He forced me to eat, yet he started the evening with alcohol. I noticed he was tense, like he expected something terrible to happen, and I only hoped it wasn't because of our conversation in the car. I was overwhelmed by the feelings and this party, and I knew I had overreacted. But I didn't have time to tell him that because his brother, Andreas, joined us with a wide grin on his handsome face. I couldn't believe how amazing all of these men looked in tuxedos.
"Have you prepared a speech?" Andreas questioned, acknowledging my presence with a slight nod.
"No. Why should I?" Bastian countered, changing his empty glass for a full one, making me slightly nervous. He wasn't a drinker, at least he wasn’t while he was with me.
"Don't play dumb," Andreas groaned, placing a cheesecake on his plate. "When is Derek coming?"
Derek Simmons was a businessman who started the company with Bastian eleven years ago. I never met him, but I read somewhere that they separated after a big deal went wrong. However, their relationship must not have suffered any damage. Or perhaps they continued to work together, even when the press claimed something else. It wouldn't be the first time Bastian didn't say everything about his true intentions. He loved to shock people.
"He's on the plane," Bastian answered, shooting me a quick glance. He was controlling if I was eating, and I silently chewed the delicious pasta salad with chicken, giving him an innocent look.
His expression softened for a moment but quickly darkened, confusing me. He was glowering at someone behind me, and I wanted to turn around, but it wasn't necessary. Into my line of view walked none other than Rose Adelaine, making me almost throw up.
She was breathtaking, wearing a long, backless black dress that hugged her fantastic figure like a second skin. The plunging neckline was almost deeper than mine, and the high slit on the skirt revealed her flawlessly shaped leg. She looked like a model, and I involuntarily sighed, glimpsing at her face. Her red plump lips were smiling at my man, her big blue eyes checking him from head to toe, and I felt a stab of jealousy in my heart.
"Good evening, boys," she greeted sweetly, and I noticed Andreas raising his brows at her, briefly looking at his brother.
"Hello, Rose," Bastian said in a neutral voice, making my insides quiver. I hated it when he talked to me like that, and she didn't like it either.
"Aren't you happy to see me? Give me a smile." She flirtatiously winked at him, and I turned my back on them, feeling my temper rising. I put down the plate and wiped my mouth, before grabbing a glass of champagne from a waiter and drinking it in one gulp. I heard her giggling when I was inhaling deep breaths to overcome the urge to slap her face hard.
"You said you weren’t coming. What made you change your mind?" Andreas inquired as he handed, her a drink. Bastian watched her through narrowed eyes, and I realized he wasn't happy about her presence. This knowledge gave me some peace, but I still didn't want her around him.
"I came to keep Bastian company," she answered with a broad smile, and I mentally rolled my eyes. It was my opportunity to make myself visible.
"You're not needed here," I chirped. The amount of sweetness in my voice was so excessive that it almost sounded like I wanted to kill her with a sugar rush. Taking hold of Bastian's hand, I entwined our fingers, enjoying her shocked expression. "I'll make sure he is fine."
"Who are you?" Rose spat, glaring at me like I'd just killed her favorite fish and flushed it down the toilet. Her surprised face gave me so much satisfaction.
"She is my girl," Bastian answered instead of me, moving our joined palms to his lips and kissing my hand. "I told you about her, remember?"
The butterflies in my stomach went crazy, and I couldn't help the wide smile that settled on my face. He took my side. The only thing I was afraid of was that he wouldn't stand by me. I was glad my fears were unfounded.
"That's her?" Rose whined, clearly disappointed. "Are you fucking kidding me?"
