The One

Bully: Part 1

Though the eyes of the crowd were upon them, they dared not meet Christian's piercing gaze, for his intoxicating scent enveloped Karol like an invisible cocoon, declaring to the world that she was indeed his mate—untouchable and cherished. The moment he strode into the grand hall, he became a focal point; whispers ignited among the guests, all clamouring for his attention, while his mate, caught in the shadow of his charisma, felt like an outsider amid the overwhelming intrigue.

Yet, the feeling of isolation did little to dissuade her. Standing resolutely by his side, she knew they were meant to be together. His firm grip clasped her hand, an unbreakable tether as she scanned the crowd for familiar faces. After agonising minutes of searching, fortune smiled upon her like a sly companion; she spotted their family mingling nearby. With a subtle tug on Christian's sleeve, she beckoned him closer, her voice urgent yet excited.

"I saw them, let's go," she urged.

"Wait for a moment—" Christian began, his politeness hanging in the air, but before he could finish, Karol's enthusiasm pulled him along like a current.

"It's inappropriate to just leave them behind, you know," she countered, her determination shining through.

"Whatever, Christian. I will always put my family first. I just feel so left out right now," she confessed, the vulnerability in her tone betraying her strength.

Before he could respond, they reached their destination, their family gathering.

"Hi, guys," she said with a forced smile, greeted by casual hellos from relatives who sipped champagne and engaged in lively conversation.

Minutes stretched into an eternity as the others resumed their chatter with the other guests, leaving Karol feeling adrift once again. This time, she decided to remove herself from the intoxicating atmosphere, fabricating an excuse to slip away from her sister.

"Sissy, I need to go to the loo for a moment. If you see Christian, do tell him, okay?"

With a swift nod from her sister, she turned and made her way towards a waiter busily attending to the refreshments at the edge of the hall.

"Excuse me," she queried softly amidst the clinking glasses and laughter, "can you point me to the loo?"

The small waiter abruptly halted, suddenly shy, his gaze fixed firmly on the ground. "Please follow me, miss," he replied, maintaining his gaze downward as he led her away from the banquet.

As she trailed behind him, she felt the weight of prying eyes upon her, whispers flitting through the air, too soft for her to discern, but sufficient to set her nerves on edge.

"Here it is, miss," the waiter announced, gesturing towards the restroom.

"Thank you so much," she said gratefully.

Once her task was completed, she stepped back into the grand hall, only to be halted by a sight that sent annoyance bubbling inside her; a girl was clinging to Christian, laughter spilling from her lips. Karol rolled her eyes and shook her head softly, her heart sinking a little further.

Turning on her heel, she wandered towards the south wing, searching for solitude, perhaps the backyard or a quiet garden to gather her thoughts. After a few aimless minutes, she discovered the peacefulness of the backyard, the man-made jungle beckoning her with its shadows and secrets. She sank into a chair, inhaling deeply, relishing the quiet moment away from the glittering chaos of the ball.

But her serene solitude was soon shattered by a raucous commotion. A lady's voice carried disdainfully through the air, "Stupid omega!" as she dragged the very same small waiter toward the backyard, his head bowed low, eyes downcast, as though he wished to disappear.

With a contemptuous shove, the lady sent him sprawling a few metres away, and Karol's confusion morphed into righteous anger, her expression hardening. Without a second thought for the waiter, the lady sneered, "Why did you even appear in front of me?!" Her two companions smirked, sipping their champagne and enjoying the spectacle.

The lady continued her cruel tirade, "Didn't I tell you to—" but her mockery was interrupted as Karol sprang into action, unwilling to stand by.

With fury simmering within her, she approached them, her voice ringing with authority. "Stop it! What are you doing?!"

"This is none of your business," the bully spat, her contempt palpable.

Karol stepped defiantly in front of the waiter, extending her hands to help him up. "The moment you kicked him mercilessly, it became my business," she declared, brushing off his trousers with gentle care.

"You—" the first bully began, but was cut off by the voice of the other lady, who hovered distantly.

"Let it be, let's go," she said dismissively.

Karol ignored their retreating figures, her focus solely on the small waiter. "You okay?" she asked, concern lacing her tone.

"Yes, I'm okay. Thank you," he replied softly, and for the first time, he looked up at her, a grateful smile illuminating his face in a sea of darkness.

"You have a lovely smile," she said, trying to lift his spirits as she guided him towards the nearest chair. "Stay put for a moment, will you? I'll fetch the first aid," she added before darting off, leaving the waiter alone. She spotted a passing waitress. "Excuse me, do you have a first aid kit here?"

"Just a moment," the waitress replied.

A few minutes later, the waitress approached her, the first aid kit clutched in her hands. "Here you are, miss. Please return it to the kitchen staff when you're finished," she said.

"Thank you! I will," she replied. She took the kit and returned to the waiter, who was patiently seated. Sitting beside him, she opened the first aid box, gently holding his chin. "Let me see," she said, slowly tilting his face upwards.

"There you are. Wow, you have such beautiful light hazel eyes," Karol exclaimed, her smile radiant as she winked before applying medicine to his wound.

"And it's done. There you go, cutie," she concluded.

"Thank you so much for your kindness," said the waiter.

"Most welcome, cutie pie. May I ask your name?"

"Sam."

"Hi Sam, I'm Karol. You remind me of my sister; she has dimples just like you when she smiles."

"I bet your sister is stunning. Thank you for saving me, Karol," he said gratefully.

"She is, and she's kind too. Anyway, I need to get back inside before my family turns this place upside down. Make sure to get some fresh air, okay? See you soon, cutie pie," she said with a warm smile as she gathered the first aid kit and started towards the door.