Kidnapped to love

chapter 49

As the dance ended, Dimitri gave Crystal a soft smile before letting her hand go. “I have a bit of work to handle, doll,” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Stay here, enjoy yourself. I’ll be back soon, and then we’ll eat together.”

she just nodded

But as the minutes ticked by, it felt like hours. Crystal found herself standing awkwardly in the middle of the crowded room, glancing around, hoping to catch sight of him. Her boredom quickly morphed into mild frustration. Why did he have to leave me here alone after making that big announcement? she thought, crossing her arms and shifting from one foot to the other.

The whispers and glances weren’t helping. People were staring at her, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that everyone was sizing her up, curious about the girl Dimitri had introduced as his girlfriend. She sighed, muttering to herself, “Honestly, Dimitri, was it really necessary to make that grand announcement? Now everyone’s staring…”

Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice someone approaching until she heard a voice beside her.

“So, you’re the one who finally stole Dimitri’s heart.”

Crystal turned to see a strikingly beautiful woman, around Dimitri’s age, with a polished look and impeccable makeup. Her smile was perfectly warm, yet something about her eyes made Crystal feel uneasy.

Crystal forced a polite smile. “Oh, um… yes, I suppose.”

The woman’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she looked Crystal up and down, clearly assessing her. “Well, you’re quite… different. I mean, Dimitri’s had plenty of attention from women, but you must have something special to have caught him like this.”

Crystal shifted uncomfortably. She wasn’t sure what the woman meant by “different,” but it didn’t exactly sound like a compliment. She was about to brush it off when the woman leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a soft, almost conspiratorial tone.

“You know, he and I… we used to be close.” The woman’s lips curved into a knowing smile, and she gave Crystal a lingering look. “In fact, I’d dare say closer than he’s been with anyone else in a long time.”

Crystal’s heart twisted with a pang of jealousy she hadn’t expected. She struggled to keep her face neutral, but she could feel her pulse quickening. So, this is someone from Dimitri’s past… "how many girls he was with "she thought, feeling a flare of possessiveness.

“Oh, really?” she managed, keeping her tone light but biting back a flood of questions. She didn’t want this woman to see how much her words affected her.

The woman’s smile grew, as though sensing Crystal’s discomfort. “Oh, yes. We spent  a lot of time together,” she continued, her tone laced with just enough implication to make Crystal’s blood boil. “In fact, he used to tell me I was the only one who truly understood him.” She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes glinting with a subtle challenge. “Maybe he’s moved on, but some things… well, they never really go away, do they?”

Crystal clenched her jaw, her mind racing. Every word felt like a jab, meant to remind her that she wasn’t Dimitri’s first or only choice. What game is she playing? she wondered, a flare of jealousy twisting in her chest. She took a steadying breath, refusing to let this woman see her falter.

“Well,” Crystal replied, forcing a smile as she met the woman’s gaze, “Dimitri might have had many friends before, but he made it pretty clear that I’m the one he’s with now. And that’s what matters to me.”

The woman’s smile tightened, her eyes narrowing slightly.