Chapter 3
"Whitney, aren't you supposed to be getting engaged to Esmond? What brings you to call me now?"
Halsey's voice was dripping with mischief, like he couldn't wait to see the drama unfold.
I leaned against the icy wall, my voice still thick with tears.
"Halsey, you said you wanted to have a drink with me before. Is that offer still on the table?"
Halsey was quiet for a few seconds, then burst out laughing.
"You bet. The offer still stands.
"With an invite from a beauty like you, how could I ever say no?
"Send me the address, I'll be there in a flash."
After hanging up, I grabbed a cab and headed straight to the hottest nightclub in town.
I ditched that fancy dress and slipped into the sexiest spaghetti strap dress I owned.
I wanted everyone to see that I was not defined by Esmond.
I would be better off without him.
Half an hour later, two hashtags exploded on the trending list. It read: [Esmond Adams dumps his fiancée at the engagement party.]
The other one read: [Whitney's late-night date with Halsey Field.]
I scrolled through the nasty comments on my phone, watching the Adams family's stock tank, and a cold smirk tugged at my lips.
This was only the beginning for Esmond.
I would pay him back for every bit of humiliation he gave me.
I was slouched in a booth at the club, throwing back drinks one after another.
The pounding music and flashing lights made my head spin.
Halsey sat across from me, watching with a smirk, clearly entertained.
"Didn't peg you for someone who could drink like that," he teased.
I didn't bother responding and just downed another shot.
"Aren't you worried Esmond will come after you for this?" Halsey asked.
I set my glass down and finally looked him in the eye.
"He is nothing to me," I said with a cold sneer.
Halsey raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"Interesting.
"How come I never realized you were this interesting before?"
He leaned in, reaching over to pour me another drink.
I dodged him.
"Halsey, I only asked you out for a drink, nothing else," I said coolly.
Halsey didn't take it personally and leaned back against the couch.
"Fine, let's drink," Halsey said.
We kept drinking in silence, neither of us saying a word.
I knew what Halsey was thinking.
He wanted to see Esmond make a fool of himself.
I was the pawn in his little show.
I couldn't care less.
We were both using each other.
By midnight, I was pretty tipsy and ready to call it a night.
Halsey offered to walk me out, but I brushed him off.
"No need, Halsey. I got this," I said.
I wobbled out of the club and hopped into a cab, heading back to my apartment.
This was a high-end apartment the company rented for me. It was super secure.
I swiped in and stepped into the elevator.
The booze was kicking in hard, my head all foggy.
When the elevator doors slid open, I leaned against the wall, stumbled to my door, and tapped in the code.
The door clicked open.
The apartment was pitch black.
I didn't turn on the lights and made my way toward the bedroom by memory.
I'd barely taken two steps when someone suddenly grabbed my wrist from behind, their grip like iron.
I jolted, the shock sobering me up almost instantly.
"Who are you?" I shouted.
In the darkness, a tall figure towered over me, casting a shadow that swallowed me whole.
The air was thick with a scent of tobacco and booze, familiar yet somehow strange.
It was Esmond.
I wondered how he got et in and how he knew my password.
Before I could react, he yanked me hard, slamming me straight into his chest.
My back slammed into the wall, the pain making me suck in a sharp breath.
He pinned me in the corner, one hand braced by my ear, the other gripping my chin, forcing me to look up at him.
In the darkness, I couldn't make out his face.
But the danger radiating from him was almost suffocating.
His voice was rough, laced with barely contained anger. "Where did you go?
"Who were you out with?"
I tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let go.
He was way stronger than I expected.
I snapped coldly, "Mr. Adams, you're hurting me.
"We're nothing to each other now. Let me go."
He laughed, the sound dripping with mockery. "Nothing to each other?
"Whitney, did you forget? We're still engaged.
"Legally, you're still my fiancée."
His grip on my chin tightened, making me wince.
"So this is how you act as my fiancée?
"You go out drinking with my biggest rival, get yourself trending online, and tank the Adams family's stock?
"You've got some nerve."
His grip was so tight it hurt, and I could feel tears threatening to spill.
"So what?" I fired back.
I looked him dead in the eye, fearless.
"You left me for another woman right at our engagement party. Why can't I go find another man?"