London Has Your Eyes

Chapter 48. Daniel

I walk around every corner of this fucking endless hall, but I still don't see her. But Liam sees me:

- Hey, bro, - he says, hugging me. -And I knew, I knew you're going to come. Have you talked to the newlyweds yet? They're so luscious today, - Liam points two fingers at his mouth and rolls his eyes as he smiles. Fool. - Have you seen your old lady yet?

- If you mean Alex, then I'm just looking for her, - I answer, continuing to search her with my eyes. - Have you seen her by any chance?

- Saw her on the way to the bathroom. Just like your mother. Have they met yet? - He asks. His words make me feel uncomfortable. I don't know what else my mother will arrange.

- Did you know she paid Kaitlin to keep quiet? - I ask Liam. He opens his mouth in surprise. Apparently he didn't know. - She just confessed it to me. And in Alex, too, you see, she saw an unsuitable match for me.

- Wow! Mrs. Pierce has outdone herself. I didn't know that. I thought Sofia scared Kaitlin. We should've understand that only money could stop her. She was so eager for them. And I wouldn't worry about Alex. She's got a sharp tongue, too. I think she can fight back against your mother. I'd bet on her. Are you by any chance taking bets? Not?

- Prick, - I smile, poking him lightly on the shoulder. - I need to talk to Alex. Looks like that asshole lied to me. They didn't have anything. Which means I freaked out for nothing.

- What did I tell you the other day at the bar while you were pouring grief? There's no proof! Just the words of a man who's trying to steal a woman from you. But who'd listen to Liam when there's so much drama! - he exclaims. - I'm glad you got your sanity back. You need to do something about your emotions, man. They certainly help you in your work. I guess. But in life, they turn your brain off at once.

- Who would say, - Stella exclaims as she comes up to us. Her emerald dress fits her figure in a sexy way. She looks gorgeous. Liam turns around and freezes in place. I swear he's devouring her with his eyes from head to toe and imperceptibly licks his lips. Come ooon. Really? Still?

- Pick up the drool, baby. This luxury isn't for you, - she flirts with Liam, slightly lifting her breasts with her palms.

- I wish there was something to see. What haven't I seen? I remember like it was yesterday, - he tries to parry, still staring at Stella.

- I'm glad you remember. Because memories is the only thing you have. Enjoy, - she says and walks away towards the newlyweds.

- What was that, man? - I ask, laughing. - Stella? Again? Seriously?

- Nah, come on. It's Stella... Pfft... I've been trying to get rid of her for so long... God forbid... don't give a shit, Dany, - he replies, still looking after her.

- Well, well...- I add.

- Haven't you been busy looking for Alex? - He says irritably.

- Got it, got it, - I continue to laugh, walking away.

I'm so nervous that I'm ready to spit out my heart. My pulse is off the scale. My palms are sweating. I walk back and forth, pacing the room. Alex rushes out of the door, burning with rage. Ooh, I know that look. Apparently my mother got to her. I take two big steps towards Alex, grab her arm and drag her behind me. Surprisingly, she doesn't even resist.

We walk into an empty room that turns out to be unlocked. I close the door and push Alex against the wall. She looks at me with her beautiful blue eyes, breathing rapidly. I listen to her breathing until I realize I'm breathing just as fast myself.

- We need to talk, - I finally say.

She nods silently, still keeping her eyes on me.

- I just have to ask you one question. And please, for all the good that's been between us, answer me honestly. Tell me the truth, Alex, I beg you, - I need to hear her answer. I'll believe her, I've made up my mind.

She nods again without saying anything.

- You slept with him? With this Anton. The day you left to wipe his nose, did you sleep with him? - I probably look pathetic, but I don't care. I have to know the truth.

- Are you out of your mind, Dany? - her indignant voice is heard. - What makes you think like that? Anton and I haven't been together for a long time, and nothing happened between us, except for that stupid kiss!

- Damn! - I smack my forehead against hers. What a relief! - How I wanted to hear these words!

- What makes you think anything ever happened between me and him? - She won't let up.

- He said, - at this moment, it seems so stupid to me.

- Just like that? And the most amazing thing is, did you believe him? - she looks into my eyes in complete disbelief. I'm a jerk. Damn it. It should have been so fucked up!

- He was pretty convincing, - I say.

- Was that when you beat him up? - she asks, frowning.

- Yeah, but "beat him up" that's a big word. Just hit him a little.

- I didn't cheat on you, Dany, - she says a little more quietly.

- Alex... I... I love you so much, - I run my finger down her cheek. I've been winding myself up for so long. So much time wasted. Why didn't I talk to her right away? On the same day? I really need to do something about my temper.

- If you loved me, you'd talk to me instead of ignoring me and giving me all this hell. People don't do that to someone they love, Daniel! - Alex tells me.

- I was furious! He told me some bullshit, and I got turned on,- I answer a little harsher than I want to.

- He lied to you! And you chose to believe the man you hate instead of believing me! - She shouts back. - I hate you, Pierce! You put my soul through the meat grinder, and now you have the audacity to talk about love?!

My beautiful, angry woman! Alex's eyes fill with tears and a hand with a hollow ringing leaves an imprint on my cheek. If people could kill with their eyes, I'd be dead by now. And more than once.

- I was wrong. I'm sorry! - I answer just as loudly, rubbing the spot of the blow.

- Shove your "sorry" up your ass! - She says. - Did you think about me a lot while groping for your girlfriend? - She smacks me in the chest with her hand. - And now he's telling me love stories!

- What girlfriend?! - I have no idea who she's talking about.

- That girl from your movie! I've seen your interviews, Daniel. Don't lie to me! - Alex is just furious.

I catch her hands and squeeze her wrists. I get as close to her face as she lets me:

- It was all performance. And...- I start.

- And? - She asks back angrily.

- And I wanted to piss you off, - I admit defeat. - I knew you'd be watching. I hoped you would. I wanted you to be as hurt as I was.

- And I'm supposed to believe that? I saw it with my own eyes! I'm not stupid, Dany! - she's trying to get out of my arms.

- So I'm a good actor after all, - I say, smiling. - It's all a performance. We're playing it, do you understand? It's better for warming up the interest. I'm more likely to be jealous of you for her than you are of me. She likes girls.

- I'm not jealous, - she says quickly. Pfft, who's she trying to fool? I know she's hooked. I can see it by her face, hear it in her voice. I can feel her hands weakening. She's not fighting me anymore, she's watching my lips. My Alex.

- Of course, - I grin. I'm so close, I can feel her breathing. I intercept her wrists with one hand, pressing them against my chest, and with the other, I run my hand over her cheek. Again.

- Dany.. .- she whispers.

And I press sharply against her lips, putting all the feelings that rage inside me into the kiss.