Kidnapped to love

chapter 51

Dimitri scanned the crowded ballroom once more, an unsettling sense of worry gnawing at him as he searched for Crystal. She wasn’t anywhere he’d left her, and after checking every corner of the room, his jaw clenched in frustration. Where could she be?

He stepped outside, his eyes sweeping over the garden bathed in soft lights, and finally spotted her sitting alone on a bench. A sigh of relief escaped him, but his concern remained. She was leaning back, with a plate beside her, several empty glasses and one more in her hand, her gaze fixed on the stars as she swayed slightly.

As he approached, he couldn’t help but shake his head. “What are you doing?” he asked, voice filled with a mixture of relief and gentle reproach.

Her head turned slowly, and a hazy smile spread across her face. “You came,” she slurred, attempting to stand up but wobbling on her feet. She began to tip forward, but Dimitri reached out, catching her before she could fall.

“Easy there,” he murmured, steadying her. She giggled, gripping his arm for balance, looking up at him with wide, glassy eyes.

“How much did you drink, doll?” he asked, studying her flushed cheeks.

“Just… a little bit,” she pouted, holding up her fingers with a sheepish grin.

He chuckled softly, guiding her back down onto the bench. He reached for the plate beside her, but she grabbed his arm in protest.

“Where are you taking that?” she asked, sounding wounded. “They’re mine!” She clung to his arm, her expression so endearingly serious it made him smile.

“I think you’ve had more than enough,” he replied, gently prying her fingers from his arm.

“Nooo, I want it,” she whined, pouting as her bottom lip jutted out.

He smirked, lifting the plate just out of her reach. “No more for you, doll.”

She huffed and slumped back onto the bench, crossing her arms over her chest in a show of annoyance. Her cheeks were flushed, and she cast him a glare, only making her look more adorable in her frustration.

He set the plate down out of reach, then turned back to her, amusement dancing in his eyes. “I told you to stay inside. What are you doing out here?”

“It was boring in there and embarrassing ” she replied, shifting to cross her legs. She hesitated, covering her face with her hands, her cheeks now deepening to a shade of embarrassment.

Dimitri leaned down, eyebrows raised. “And why so?”

Her voice muffled behind her hands, she mumbled, “Because everyone was staring at me.”

He chuckled, reaching over to pull her hands down gently. “Why wouldn’t they? You’re beautiful.”

She glared at him half-heartedly, cheeks pinker than ever. “That’s not it. Everyone was staring because you announced I was your girlfriend!”

“Of course I did. You are my girlfriend,” he said simply, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.

She let out a frustrated sigh, leaning back with a huff. “why did you announce me as your doll?” She glanced up at him accusingly.

A smirk played on his lips, and he leaned closer, meeting her gaze. “Because that’s exactly what you are,” he murmured. “My doll.”

“It was so embarrassing…” She bit her lip, casting her gaze away. “I know you must’ve read that in my Wattpad stories,” she added, narrowing her eyes at him playfully.

He blinked, looking taken aback. “No, I haven’t read them,” he replied, though a hint of amusement betrayed him.

“Liar!” she accused, poking his chest. “You saw it there; you got the idea from my stories. I know it!”

He shook his head, his grin widening. “It’s not from that, doll. The moment I saw you, that’s just what you were to me. A doll. My doll.”

“Liar,” she muttered, looking away with a slight pout, but her eyes sparkled despite herself.

Dimitri let out a small laugh, his hand grazing her cheek. “Why did you drink, anyway?” he asked, bringing the conversation back.

She met his gaze, her expression faltering. “Why did I drink?” she echoed, the playfulness fading. Her eyes softened, and she looked down at her hands. A moment later, she began to tear up. “Because…” Her lip quivered, and he leaned closer, brows furrowing with concern.

“What’s wrong, Crystal?” he asked, voice gentler now.

She sniffled, her words spilling out in a tangled mess. “You’re cheating on me,” she said, her voice cracking.

Dimitri froze, shock flashing across his face. “What?”

“I heard everything!” she cried, her voice tinged with frustration and hurt. “How many girls are you with, Dimitri? I saw that girl… that beautiful girl, the one your age. I heard what she said.”

Realization dawned on him, and a playful smile tugged at his lips. “Oh… so you’re jealous, huh?”

She blinked at him, her expression fierce, even in her inebriated state. “Yes, I am! So what?”

Dimitri’s smirk only widened, and he pulled her closer, letting his arm wrap around her shoulders as he murmured, “You’re adorable when you’re jealous, you know that?”

Her cheeks flushed deeper, and she pouted. “It’s not funny…”

“It’s cute,” he replied, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “And completely unnecessary.”

She looked up at him with wide eyes, her voice small. “Why?”

He took her hand, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles, his gaze softening. “Because, Crystal, you’re the only one. You’re the only person in my life who makes me feel… this way.”

Her gaze softened, and she let herself lean into him. “Really?”

“Really,” he replied, his voice sincere. “Now, let’s get you home.”