the various chances

chapter sixteen

Jeremy

God help my poor soul because no number of packets of M&Ms was helping my nerves to rest for a while. Lily was looking stunning, beyond something so gorgeous and breath-taking. The fact that I hate her with so much passion makes me want to drown in the same hate to see what was on the other side of that.

The colour of her dress matched my tie. When I had said about her wearing red, I was guessing some bright red but the dress currently sticking to her body was provoking my wildest fantasies. That low cut of neck, those sleeves drooping down her arm and God help me with that cut running down from the mid of her thigh.

I was going to have a hard time fighting the stares of the men eyeing her like some candy. Lily never realised that she always have eyes on her wherever she goes. Her features were out-worldly and magnificent, like some magical creature resembling to a unicorn or a dragon just discovered it's new powers and rises up in the sky, colours around them show casting the glorious art made by God.

Instead of eyeing her, men needed to worship the ground she'd walk because this woman was among the most powerful ones I'd ever encounter. It could be one hell of a misery, surviving and hanging on to the last thread of hope and a possibility of peaceful ever after.

Another thing that irked me was that she caught the wrapper from my packet. I had been munching on them so as to keep my sanity straight but fuck me when I rolled down the car window and saw Lily Pierce for the first time in the evening. The night sky was a contrast to the silver of his eyes, the darkness of her hair colour and that awesome shade of her dress. She'd look like a vixen, reincarnated with some godly powers and was about to make the people run for their lives.

We were standing in the parking besides my car. She drops the wrapper somewhere I couldn't figure out because my eyes were busy assessing her. She looks up to me and blinks once.

Where are my M&Ms? Fuck!

I clear my throat, a pathetic attempt to straighten my composure, "Let's get going", I say and extend my hand. She ever so gently places her hand in mine after a nod. Curling my fingers around hers, I guide us towards the entrance. Her eyes scan the surrounding.

The decoration was minimal yet it screamed rich and power. The lights coming from a medium sized chandelier casts a smaller and golden shadow on Lily's face and I watch the reflection of lights in her eyes. The ballroom was richer and it's decoration was extravagant. It was difficult to understand the possible wealthier decorations.

We make our way inside. Lily's fingers tighten around mine the moment people came into our view. I lean down and whisper, "relax, I am here." Fuck was wrong with me because being relaxed was the last thing that was going to happen with me tonight. She nods facing me, "just tell me what would they ask and what should I answer them?"

"You are not obliged to answer them if you are not comfortable around them, Lily. It's your choice. "

I watch uneasiness cross her eyes, making me regret the decision of asking her to be my plus one. She gulps and exhales a puff of air, "okay, but cover me if I mess up." "I am sure that won't be a problem" –I say and make us halt before we reach towards the center, turning to face her, I look into her eyes- "just don't leave my side at any cost."

She nods and I give a gentle tug to her hand, a silent request to keep on walking. Towards the center, Lorenzo, Layla and Jayden were talking to each other. I clear my throat once I'd get beside Lorenzo, making all the heads turn in our direction.

Jayden's gaze goes straight towards Lily. This fucker, I swear to God if only he wasn't my business partner.

"You guys made it, welcome Lily", Jayden says with a huge ass smile on his face. Layla's stare told me she had questions but her twin brother looked least bothered. "yes and thank you, Jayden", Lily replies with a small smile on her face. I let go of her hand despite my promise to her.