Now That You're Here

Chapter Two

She was regretting it the moment she stepped out of the washroom. She couldn't help but think of all the guests down there and her thoughts inadvertently revert to Cindy’s fiancé—Stefan Diamond—the CEO of the vast Diamond hotels and resort empire.

Rella felt an involuntary shiver run down her spine at the thought of him.

     He was as intimidating as he was sophisticated with an air of enigma around him. No man had ever made her as flustered as she was each time he was close or when she thought of him.   

     Rella had met him three weeks ago and had learned about the proposal. She had been reeling from the aftermath of her break up with Ryan but Stefan had come as a shock to her.  Cindy was rebellious and impulsive while Rella seemed so reserved at some point she had been dubbed a wallflower. It was no surprise at all that Cindy would get a match like Stefan Diamond and there was no doubt at all that the two were smitten with each other Cindy had all but purred like a slick kitten when she told Rella, "he's so hot I feel like I'm going to die whenever I look at him!" Then she had dramatically fanned herself.

  Rella had been wary of him right from the very first day, there was something about him she couldn't quite put her finger on but she knew he was dangerous— not like  a serial killer or anything of the sort— he just seemed to discomfit her every time and it didn't help that he was sinfully gorgeous with his aristocratic face; his firmly set jaw, his cobalt blue eyes that were cold and calculating always having a certain glint of mischief in them. He was intimidating enough without having to throw in his massive built and broad shoulders which only made her more affected by him than she could ever allow while reminding herself at every turn that he was her sister's fiancé. While Rella could never measure up to her twin's air of cool sophistication she was more than contented with being only in the background. Even when they were still teenagers, Cindy easily outshone her and she had been the shy little Rella.

       She scanned the crowd for Stefan and only felt her nerves flaring uncontrollably. What if he realises she wasn't Cindy? And what if she messes up everything? The questions only made bile rise up from the pit of her stomach to her throat before she swallowed nervously and tried furtively to calm her exploding nerves.

     Rella relaxed a bit when she saw no sign of Stefan and decided warily that she needed some fresh air. She wobbled uneasily as she threw the French doors open and let out a whoosh of breath. At least she would have time to gain her composure back before she face him she told herself. She had just closed her eyes and was beginning to enjoy the feel of the balmy air on her skin when he spoke, "I thought I may have to call the cops to make you come to your own party." Rella stuck one foot against the other and she found herself losing her balance. She flung out her arms in a desperate attempt to hold herself. Her ankle had twisted in a wrong angle.

Large pair of arms caught her at the last minute, wounding around her protectively.

     "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Rella almost couldn't move and speech had evaded her and it's not because she was hurt but the thought of Stefan Diamond wrapping her in his embrace was more than she had bargained for, he had caught her off guard. She’d never expected him to be on the balcony of all places.

      Slowly she lifted her head and her breath caught in her throat when she found herself staring into his beautiful eyes, she saw his expression quickly change from annoyance to concern when she didn't move.

      "Are you hurt anywhere?" She shook her head slightly regaining her senses.

      "Ah, er, I...I am fine." She stuttered a response but he stared at her sceptically.

Rella cursed herself silently, why was she stuttering? Cindy would never stutter especially in a situation such as this.

      "Really? It didn't seem that way." She could swear she saw a smirk but she was too displeased at their lack of contact when he extracted his hands from her to care. She watched him bury them deep inside his pants' pocket.

      "Where were you? I got worried when your mom said she couldn't find you."

       "Oh, um, I was freshening up a bit."

For a moment he looked like he was going to say something but he thought better of it and instead he held her gaze steadily and suddenly appeared pleased with whatever it was he seemed to have discovered. His eyes roamed languidly over her frame and his brows furrowed. Rella squirmed uncomfortably under his careful scrutiny and knew she had to up her game and play her part well or this evening would be a disaster.

     "Shall we?" Stefan eventually put out his hand to her. For a split second she wondered what he was talking about and flushed profusely when she realised. She placed her hand in his outstretched one and felt a jolt of electricity when he gave it a light squeeze.

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