Aurora's Gambit: Defying Destiny

Chapter 11

Safety

"Engagement?!" I hissed, my voice low but furious. "What the hell is going on?"

Maverick didn't answer. Instead, he gently took my hand and led me through the crowd towards the stage. I tried to pull away, but his grip was firm.

As we reached the stage, I spotted my so-called family in the audience. Phoebe is smiling and clapping, while Gabriel and Kairo looked so pissed.

What the hell is happening? Why are they already here? Don't tell me they received help from the male lead?

"Smile," Maverick whispered, his voice a mix of command na siyang ikinairap ko.

Of course I did not smile. Why should I?

The applause was deafening, and I felt like I was in a nightmare. How could everything change like this? This was not in the plot!

As the applause died down, Maverick leaned in close. "I'm sorry you had to find out this way, Kinara. But I need you to trust me."

"Trust you?" I spat, keeping my voice low so the guests wouldn't hear. "You've trapped me here, lied to me, and now you expect me to marry you?"

"My father is pressuring me," he admitted, his voice tight. "I need a bride, and your family agreed to the arrangement because they needed my family's assistance regarding the recent attack that was committed against your family. This will benefit both our groups."

"My family?" I shot back. I felt my anger slowly building up inside me.

Hah! They are not even my real family. And yet they have the guts to sold me off to some man? How dare them?

It looks like my attack backfired on me. I wonder how much of the novel's flow did I change that it became so twisted like this?

The man on stage spoke again. "To celebrate this joyous occasion, let's have the first dance of the newly engaged couple."

I was about to decline but Maverick's grip was so tight that I could not even budge.

He led me to the center of the dance floor, and the music started. I followed his lead, my mind racing. How could I get out of this? C'mon! Mag-isip ka Aurora! You are a one of the top agents for sure may naiisip kang paraan para takasan ang gulong ikaw lang din ang may pakana, 'di ba?

My thoughts are in shambles as we swayed to the music. Still, our movements are graceful and in sync. To the onlookers, we must have looked like the perfect couple. Yung tipong pang prinsesa at prinsipe sa mga fairytale.

That would be the case if I was the old Kinara. But I'm not the novel's heroine anymore. And I refuse to follow the fate of the heroine. I refuse to be with this man in front of me.

As we danced, I felt a piercing gaze on me. It was intense, almost palpable, and it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Halos manginig ako sa lamig ng mga titig na nagmumula sa mga matang nakatingin sa akin ngayon. I glanced around discreetly, trying to identify the source.

And then I saw him...

Those pair of grey orbs. I cannot be mistaken. He is here. Lucian is here!

Lucian Cassius stood at the edge of the dance floor, his eyes locked onto mine. My heart skipped a beat. His expression was unreadable, but his presence was unmistakable. What was he doing here? And why was he watching me like that? He looks pissed.

Maverick must have noticed my distraction. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice a mix of concern and annoyance.

"Nothing," pagsisinungaling ko, habang pinapanatili ang seryosong mukha. "Just a bit overwhelmed."

Before Maverick could question me further, the lights flickered and the music stopped. Gasps and murmurs filled the room as guests looked around in confusion.

"What's happening?" I whispered, my heart pounding.

Before Maverick could respond, a series of loud bangs echoed through the room. The supposed waiters pulled out guns, and the crowd erupted into chaos. Nagkanya kanyang takbo ang mga bisita para makapagtago at iligtas ang mga sarili mula sa putukan.

"Stay close to me," Maverick ordered, his grip tightening on my hand as he pulled me towards the edge of the dance floor. May binunot sya sa likuran ng kanyang pantalon. It was a gun.

Akala ko pa naman mabobore ako buong gabi. Buti naman pala at may bakbakang mangyayari.

I was about to ask Maverick for my own gun too, but suddenly, someone grabbed me from behind, yanking me away from Maverick. I struggled, trying to break free, but the grip was too strong.

"Let go of me!" I screamed, kicking and twisting.

"Shut up and stay still," a harsh voice hissed in my ear.

I was dragged towards the exit, my heart racing with excitement. Just as I was about to fight the man who dragged me through the doors, a figure stepped in front of us, blocking our path.

Grey orbs, silver white hair, and just from those features, I know it was Lucian. His eyes blazing with coldness and determination. "Let her go," he commanded, his voice cold and deadly.

My captor sneered. "And who the hell are you?"

Lucian didn't respond. Instead, he moved with lightning speed, disarming the man and knocking him out with a single punch. He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the exit, his grip firm and reassuring.

"Come on," he urged. "We need to get out of here."

We ran through the chaos, dodging panicked guests and gunfire. Lucian's men, who had been disguised as guests and staff, were engaged in a fierce battle with the attackers, creating a path for us to escape.

As we neared the main doors, another attacker appeared, aiming his gun at us. Lucian pushed me behind him and lunged at the man, tackling him to the ground. They struggled, but Lucian quickly overpowered him, knocking him out cold.

We successfully exited the place and outside the venue, a black SUV was waiting for us, and Lucian's men ushered us inside. As the car sped away from the chaos, I turned to Lucian, my breath coming in ragged gasps, epekto siguro ng pagtakbo at pakikipaglaban na ginawa namin kanina.

Nang maikalma ko na ang paghinga, hinarap ko si Lucian para sana may sabihin sa kanya.

"Lucian, I—"

Naputol ang sanang sasabihin ko sa kanya. He silenced me with a gentle kiss. "We'll talk later. Right now, we need to get you to safety."

Author's side note:

A short update for today hehe. Happy reading everyone!