The Cursed Proposal

Chapter 25: The Emotional Twirl

Tonight, Sebastian arrived at the gala wearing a black-and-white tuxedo custom-made by his favorite tailor on Savile Row in the UK. The tuxedo complemented his somber and refined demeanor as a CEO. It was sharp tailoring and timeless elegance emphasized his darker, introspective side - a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing in his mind and heart.

His thoughts were on high alert, replaying his last conversation with Kaya. His heart pounded as if it were punishing him for hurting the only woman he had ever loved. He tried to push his emotions aside, but the guilt and longing gnawed refused to be silenced.

Sebastian entered the gala, and the bustling room seemed to pause as he strode toward the center. He scanned the crowd, his sharp gaze locking onto Mr. Armand. The whispers began immediately, some voices tinged with admiration, others with disdain. Women's eyes lingered on him, their curiosity piqued by his solitary presence.

"Ah, Sebastian, glad you could make it. But where's your plus one?" Mr. Armand greeted him, raising an eyebrow.

"The lady couldn't make it," Sebastian replied curtly, unwilling to elaborate.

"Oh?" Mr. Armand's brow arched as he gestured across the room. "Then who's that beautiful lady?"

Sebastian turned, his breath catching as he saw Kaya. She was radiant in a black gown adorned with red roses, her smile brighter than the crystal chandeliers above. But his admiration quickly turned to unease when he noticed the man beside her. The stranger's hand lingered on Kaya's back, and her easy smile in response.

Sebastian's jaw tightened as a question echoed in his mind forcing himself to take a steady breath. He told himself not to jump to conclusions since Kaya wasn't like any other woman he'd dated. But the longer he watched, the harder it became to quell the storm brewing inside him.

Maybe it's nothing, he thought, his fists clenching at his sides. Maybe they're just old friends catching up. But the way the man's hand lingered on Kaya's back, the way she didn't pull away—it felt like betrayal.

Excusing himself, Sebastian strode toward them. Kaya's hand brushed the man's arm, her smile too free, too familiar. Sebastian stepped between them, his presence imposing.

"Hello there mate, Do we know you from somewhere?" Sebastian asked, his tone polite but laced with steel.

Kaya's eyes widened in shock, but she quickly recovered, slipping her hand into Sebastian's. She forced a smile. "There you are! Took you long enough," she said brightly, turning to the man. "Mr. Malcolm, meet my fiancé, Sebastian Blackwood."

The man's smile turned mocking as he extended a hand to Sebastian. "Ah, the fake relationship is on again, huh? Dimitri Malcolm. Kaya's boyfriend."

"Ex," Kaya corrected sharply, slapping Dimitri's hand away before Sebastian could respond. "He is my ex-boyfriend. We haven't spoken in ten years, even though we're in the same industry."

Her quick explanation felt rushed, almost like she was covering something up. She clung to Sebastian's arm, her body language overly demonstrative, as if trying hard to sell their facade. Sebastian didn't like it. She had never acted this way before - not even in front of people they needed to convince.

Dimitri's smirk deepened. "Nice meeting you Mr. Blackwood. And you, beautiful... call me when you're done playing house with this man,"

Sebastian's blood boiled. How did Dimitri know about their arrangement? Only a select few were privy to the truth: Alexander, Emily, Ethan, Jackson, and Liam. No one else. Yet, Dimitri was, throwing their secret in his face.

As Dimitri walked away, Sebastian turned to Kaya, his voice low and controlled. "Care to explain how your ex knows about us, Ms. Lane? Not that I'm making assumptions, but now it's clear why you're so eager to prove yourself. You want this to end quickly, don't you?"

Sebastian couldn't help it to be bleak on where this conversation was going. His mind couldn't separate what was real and what wasn't anymore, as jealousy consumed all of his senses. He knew that he wasn't worthy of her love that was why no matter how hard Sebastian tried to get close to her, she blocked her way.

Kaya's eyes flashed with frustration. "You're talking nonsense. I've done nothing wrong," she retorted. "He just trying to stir up trouble for the both of us for a headline."

Sebastian's patience snapped. "Please, stop making excuses. I'll happily let you go. Don't worry about my reputation; it's been under attack for years. I'll survive."

He was suffocated, his eyes weren't clear anymore and his head was about to explode for all the emotional thinking he had to put his body through. He turned on his heel, heading for the garden. The noise of the ballroom faded as the cool night air hit him. But, it didn't soothe the fire raging within.

"Bastian, wait!" Kaya called, chasing after him. She grabbed his arm, forcing him to stop. "Why are you talking rubbish? There is nothing wrong with any of my actions! I... I was just helping Benson because no one else would listen to him."

"Do you even realize what you're doing?" Sebastian asked, loosening his bow tie harshly. "You push me away like I'm the enemy, but with him, you—" He stopped, his words catching in his throat. "You're so different. So... open."

Kaya crossed her arms, her tone icy. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, please! I'm not bloody stupid. I could see you across the room watching his every move with sparkles in your eyes, touching his arm with slow seductive movement, and whispering nothing but sweetness in his ear," Sebastian snapped.

Kaya's face hardened. "That's ridiculous. He's my ex and nothing more. He only approached me because of you! You need to have Liam check your eyes!"

"Oh really? So, you meant that I, Sebastian Blackwood is wrong?" Sebastian yelled at her.

"Yes!" she yelled back at him. Her breath was all over the place as she kept breathing in and out fast. "Look, I'm here for you. I'm sorry if I looked like I was avoiding you, but you keep pranking me with your silliness and sometimes I'm torn between what's real and what's fake."

Sebastian's jaw clenched, his voice dropping to a low, simmering tone. "You're torn? Between what's real and what's fake? Kaya, everything I've done—everything I've said—has been real."

Sebastian could see Kaya's eyes widen, but she quickly masked her surprise. "Then why do you keep pushing me away? Why do you act like you don't care when it's obvious you do?"

Sebastian's jaw tightened, his hands clenching at his sides. "I don't—" he started, but his voice faltered, the weight of his emotions catching up to him.

Kaya stepped closer, her gaze unwavering. "You don't what, Sebastian? Care? Feel anything? Because if that's the case, why do you look at me like that?" Her voice softened, but her words were sharp, each one landing with precision.

He opened his mouth to respond, but the words tangled in his throat. His heart raced, his mind a chaotic storm of denial and longing. He could feel Kaya trying to search for his eyes, but he shut them, afraid to look at her.

"Wait, Sebastian, are you..."

To be Continued.