The One Who Left | In Progress

{ Ch. 22 }

I lose track of time and before I know it it's time for the last dance of the night before things get crazy again. If only I could find my crazy runaway heart instead. "Act bored Della." Noah nuzzles my cheek and I watch the scenery with a blasé nonchalance. Noah leads me across the room, introducing me to everyone, from semi famous philanthropists to age old founding families.

Apparently, according to looks sent my way, I'm cheap trash even though I'm slaying it like a goddess. Who gives a fuck about rich snobs anyway. "Noah, when exactly does the actual gala begin?" I greet another rich man, with the nose of an aristocratic miser, with a gracious nod. "When all the people leave and only the founding families stay." He whispers snaking an arm around my waist, pulling me closer toward him as we pass a group of boys watching me like hungry wolves eyeing a steak.

"Oh, so for two hours I have to endure these people with their upturned snotty rich ways?" I whisper shout and he leans in, nuzzling my neck. "No - only for the next ten minutes, and you'll have to act like you're having the time of your life in the meantime." His words sound threatening but the deep huskiness of his voice sends me into flurry of delight. The teenage fangirl inside me cheering for him and the way he makes me feel.

"The people we are about to meet are very important so please love... try to be as aloof and uninterested as you possibly can - and acting in love with me wouldn't hurt." I don't think I'll have act being in love with you. He says with a panty dropping smile and I glare at him. "You owe me so much for having to suck up to you."

"Ahh, well if it isn't the prodigal son, Mr Noah Slater." A boy greets, looking the same age as Noah and I. "Heath Olson." Noah greets with a smile that looks faker than the Adidas bag Larkin bought at the dollar store last year. "Heath this is my girlfriend Delilah Kade." Noah said be aloof. I got this. "A good catch Slater, a pleasure to make your acquaintance Ms Kade." I look away from the boy with the dazzling green eyes. "I know." Noah's fake smile turns into a genuine one in an instant. Heath raises a brow, almost accusingly.

"So Ms Kade are you by any chance related to Derek Sterling?" His knowing smirk sends a flare of anger to my brain. I smile, amused by his unsuccessful jab, I wave it off. "Old news Mr Olson, Derek and I might be related but we are not family." Sorry for the lie Dad. My light gray eyes go white and Heath looks at me with something akin to respect. "Very well Miss Kade." He bows his head slightly and strolls away. I turn to a momentarily shocked looking Noah and I snicker. "How was that Slater?" He raises a brow. "Well done babe." He claps his hands, lightly applauding. I faux curtsy, "Why thank you kind sir." I laugh and my arm slips through his. "Although your eye still twitched slightly when you said it." Noah remarks amd I roll my eyes. "That's because you know all my tells just as well as I know yours." Noah nods graciously. "Touché. Would you like to dance with me Della." He says my name with this usual mischievous eyes. Oh hell, here goes trouble.

"Please be seated." A tall aging woman announces, looking almost identical to the boy seated next to me. Fuck, and we were just about to dance. She has a brown bob and a beautiful dark blue evening dress on with a pair of black heels that matches her elegance and poise. The trademark rich and relatively famous - if you're in the right circles at least. "As you all know, my husband and I have decided to retire from our family business and pass it on to our son Wolfram Slater." We fall into our seats, ushered by a not so gentle waiter. Noah tenses beside me as we sit, but nonetheless claps politely like the rest of the well behaved aristocracy.

"Zachary Wolfram Slater or more commonly known by Zachary Wolfe is our company's face in New York City..." The woman gives a long ass speech, that's one thing I know for sure - she just goes on and on and on. "Now without further ado welcome, Zachary Wolfram Slater."

Wolfe enters and immediately starts talking on and on and on about profit, growth and corruption increases in the city and how well their 'business' is doing. What I noticed however is that he mention's nothing about Noah or his gang - or any of the other family members - not even himself.

He doesn't mention how bad their virtual security is or how the FBI is hot on their trail.

Wolfe looks the same as he usually does. Dirty blond hair, cobalt blue eyes, well built frame and subtle intensity that would make Einstein second guess his theories.

Noah sits silently beside me, my hands and jaw clenched in fury. How hypocritical of him, to stand there like all is right with the world. Like he didn't kill Wyatt. "Relax," Noah whispers in my ear, sliding his hand into mine and he holds it tight. "The night is almost over."

"I hope you have a plan for this one Noah," I whisper in reply - eyes staring daggers at the man on the platform in the center of attention, and he murmurs. "Patience, Della." "Now I'd like to give over to the man who made this all possible... Noah Slater."

I furrow my brows. Wait what? "Noah?" I look at him confusion clouding my eyes. "Relax Dels, I've got this. Your brother is going to come for you, go with him alright." He mutters standing up and I nod.

"I know all of you have put in a lot of effort to get rid of me." Noah says, and the people murmur restlessly, some looking nervous. "Toast to my brother and mother for almost getting it right." He says with a straight face and I panic. What are you doing Slater? I get up gracefully, Noah said I have to go. Where is Lark?

"Wolfe, I have to thank you for bringing her to me." Lighting flashes in his eyes. "Thank you mother for blackmailing the mother. Before anything else though I want to say..." Noah looks for my eyes and when he finds them he looks at my frantic expression. "I love you Delilah Kade. That's why I have to do this." He draws a silver gun from a holster. "I don't take well to manipulation." "Ma'am, you have to sit down," A waiter grabs my arm and I take no note of him, only having eyes for the boy I loved... holding a gun aimed at me. "I love you - don't do this," I beg.

And with that he shoots me. I don't believe the gunshot or the pain that shoots up my spine...

Or my blood blossoming on the front of my dress, spreading like poison.

Or the man standing in front of me looking like he was just as shocked as the rest of us.

Or the panic, people clawing each other to get away.

I don't believe the teardrop that falls from my eye.

Or the deafening silence.

Or the broken peace.

I thought I meant more, I wanted to to say. I look up to the horrified expression on Noah's face, quickly masked - but too slow for me, his eyes are tortured as I fall to the floor. There was so much I wanted to say. The blood seeped through my long fingers as I try to staunch the blood.

"Delilah!" Lark shouts running to me. "What have they done?" I want to speak, to tell him its Noah that's done this to me, but I'm afraid that if I do it'll be my last words. Huh, to think I didn't see me going out like this.

I could feel the life slowly seep out of my body and I just wanna close my eyes. "No, no, no, no, no, Delilah!" Lark screams. "Stay awake Dellie." His broken whispers send my heart racing and I can feel my pulse ebbing softly in my ears, ringing with sounds of the gunshot.
Sorry Lark. Forgive me. I close my eyes, falling into a dreamless sleep.