An Engagement Of PARALLELS

14- Reyna

Velma is taking the stairs two at a time to reach me. She is going to get herself injured if she keeps behaving like a teenager. I'm all for age is just a number but even I won't run on stairs like that.

Pulling my bottom lip in between my teeth I check my reflection in the mirror again. This is as good as it's going to get.

Margo's tone was non- negotiable when she announced that we ought to have an engagement party for the world to know. She keeps on claiming that people need to know that the most eligible bachelor of America is no longer eligible, so that he can't cheat.

Velma slaps on my hand, the harshness stinging on my skin. "Ouch! What was that for?"

"STOP EATING YOUR LIPS! That's Maverick's job," she chides.

Margo and Maverick's grandmother share glances and I wish to be disappeared from the scene. "I am just nervous," I say , eyeing Velma, hoping to communicate that she needs to stop embarrassing me in front of my in laws. Her returning smile is sly and charming at the same time.

"I'll never understand women these days," Nana muses and throws a cursory glance at me. "They look like that and are still grappled by fear. Honey, it's Maverick who should be nervous."

I laugh almost choking on it. They'll never understand. It's not about the looks. The world Maverick and I belonged to before getting engaged was completely different. That difference screamed from his face when he came to my house for shifting and I have no doubt it will scream from the faces pf everyone who will see me walking beside him, questioning why I deserve to be at that place instead of a daughter of some other business tycoon.

That thought leaves me with annoyance but at least I'm not nervous anymore.

"Maverick's waiting for you Reyna." Somebody calls from the door.

I look at Velma and she nods her head in confidence. I take that confidence but it vanishes into the air in seconds. Unease, anticipation and panic floods me as I take a step out of the door.

Maverick is standing there with some of his friends and Marshall. It's Marshall who spots me first with a smile and then hits Maverick in the gut to get his attention.

Whatever Maverick was saying, he stops mid sentence and pushes off the counter he was leaning on. His eyes trails the length of my being and the glance he cast me is nothing but heat.

Like a buffoon, I flush all the way to my hairline. Yeah that will go well with the red dress, you tomato!

My heart vigorously thrums in my chest as he approaches me. Maverick is a talented man. Sometimes, his mind surprises me with the ideas he come up with for the company. His work ethics are unparalleled. Its not for nothing that the employees call him the devil and takes his notes seriously. He works harder than all of them, earning the respect outside the office as well.

But all of this doesn't dims the fact that he is alse terribly good looking. And it feels like this is the first time I'm seeing him with his hair neatly combed and black tux in place.

"You look divine." He smiles trapping my body against the door frame. His thumb pulls down on my bottom lips until it escapes my teeth. I wasn't even aware that I  was biting on it .My insides melts and dissolves into nothing.

Pressing his lips to my ear, he whispers, "I'm a gentleman Reyna but don't tempt me like that. You're already wearing red." He kisses my bare shoulder, his scruff teasing my skin before intertwining my arm in his. And shamelessly my skin breaks out in goosebumps, telling him the effects he has on my body.

He glances at me, a sly glint in his eyes but doesn't comment anything. When the music pours into the hallway, our planner cues us to move. Maverick guides me down to a red carpeted hall.