Chapter 3
The newcomer in a black trench coat stood tall, blocking the hallway light.
His dark eyes glinted coldly as he scanned the room, casting an invisible pressure on us.
Finally, his eyes landed on me, lingering for a couple of seconds before moving on.
The tension in the room finally broke.
"Silas? Weren't you busy today? I thought you weren't coming."
Silas entered the private room confidently and sat opposite me.
"Just happened to be around, came to pick someone up," he said.
"Did you get them?" someone asked, looking at the door. "I don't see anyone."
Silas's lips curled into a faint smile as he shot me a subtle look.
"No rush," he replied.
I felt guilty and ducked my head, trying to shrink.
"Perfect, looks like everyone's here now," Giselle said, stepping in to smooth things over.
She suddenly spoke up, trying to ease the tension.
She pulled Ashur back, raised her glass, and said, "Rare we all meet, so let's toast. Oh, Maeve can't drink." Giselle smiled, then suddenly looked shocked.
"So Maeve, how about I set you up with a boyfriend?
"Once you've got yourself a boyfriend, he can drink for you.
"That way, my Ash doesn't have to worry about you all the time."
She stared at me, eyes flashing with displeasure.
Everyone heard the sarcasm. In the silence, I saw Silas, lounging beside Ashur.
"No need," I said with a smile. "I already have a boyfriend."
As soon as the words left my mouth, there was a sharp crack.
Ashur's face darkened as he crushed the wine glass.
Shards of glass dug into his skin, and his palm was instantly slick with blood.
"Maeve," Ashur gritted out, his voice low and dangerous. "What did you just say?"
Giselle gasped and quickly called for a waiter to bring the first aid kit.
Ashur didn't flinch, his eyes fixed on me, unfeeling.
"Say it again," he demanded. I enunciated every word. "I said, I already have a boyfriend."
"Yeah, right," someone snorted with obvious disdain.
"Come on. Everyone knows you've liked Ashur for years," another said.
"Maeve, Giselle's just being kind. No need to fake a boyfriend to reject her," someone called out.
"Or is this just your way of messing with Ashur?" another challenged.
Everyone suddenly had an 'aha' moment.
Ashur's expression softened, and he sighed, sounding reproachful. "Maeve, don't say things to spite me."
I was so done I nearly rolled my eyes.
I began, "Believe it or not. Tonight, after this drink, all our misunderstandings end.
"From now on, I don't want to hear another word about breakups or drama because of me.
"If you want to stay friends, stop dragging me into your messy love games."
I grabbed my bag, reached the door, paused, then turned back.
"Silas, can you walk me out?" I said.
The moment I spoke, everyone gasped and stared at me in shock.
Ashur spun around, his voice sharp. "Maeve, who do you think you're calling?"
Silas smiled, stood, and walked over to me. "No trouble."
Ashur tried to run after me, but Giselle stopped him. He clenched his fist, cutting deeper into his palm.
His voice shook with fury. "Maeve, you think you can walk away?"
I didn't look at him and left the room.
The car was getting warm.
I stayed silent in the passenger seat, speechless.
My phone kept buzzing. Ashur kept calling.
Fed up with the constant ringing, I switched it to silent.
Silas leaned in, buckled my seatbelt, and stayed close.
He was so close, the faint scent of cedar drifted to me.