A Woman's Empire

XXXI

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

A week had quickly passed and it was already the day of the extravagant ball. Audrielle was nervous to say the least. Looking over at the clock beside the bed, it read four thirty pm and Leo had told her guests were asked to arrive at six. Quickly jumping to her feet, she decided to head for a shower when she realised that she hadn't seen her husband for most of the day.

Making her way out of the bedroom, she started to head down the corridor when she bumped into someone's chest. Someone's strong hand quickly wrapped around her arm so she didn't fall.

Audrielle knee it was Leo, his cologne dominated her scenes so she didn't even have to look up to know it's him.

"Oh, there you are, I was just looking for you." Audrielle smiled up at him and Leo took the opportunity to kiss her lips.

"Shouldn't you be getting ready? You only have just over an hour." Audrielle sighed and nodded her head.

Leo placed a quick kiss to Audrielle's forehead. "I'll be up in half an hour, I still have some things to finish up." He smiled and started to walk away.

"Oh, I was going to ask you if you wanted to join me in the shower, but it seems that you're busy so I'll just take one by myself." Audrielle dramatically sighed loudly so Leo could hear her.

Audrielle couldn't hold back the playful smirk on her face as she watched Leo turn around and look at her in surprise. He quickly strided back so he was standing in front of her.

"Well, I definitely can not pass up that, can I?" He mumbled with a smirk on his face. Audrielle let out a small laugh when she was suddenly lifted into the air and over Leo's shoulder. Giggling out loud over Leo's shoulder, Leo walked into the bedroom and headed straight for the bathroom.

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Steam rose into the air as the hot water splashed onto Audrielle's tan skin. Shutting off the water, she walked out of the shower and grabbed her towel. She wrapped the fluffy white fabric around her body and walked out of the bathroom. Grabbing two different pairs of heels, Audrielle made her way into the bedroom where she expected to find Leo.

"Which pair of - oh..." Audrielle gasped when she saw Antonio sitting on the bed instead of Leo being in the room.

"Where's Leo?" Audrielle asked her husband's brother as she wrapped her arms around her chest as a precaution, just in case the towel were to slip.

Antonio shrugged his shoulders. He didn't know where his brother was going, all he knew was that Leo was not in a good mood when he stormed down the stairs.  "I don't know, probably trying to impress Christian for all I know." He chuckled.

"Oh. Um, well what pair of heels do you think will match the dress?" Audrielle asked as she held up a pair of heels in each hand. One pair was a champagne color that had little crystals stitched into them and the other pair was simple, black Louboutin stilettos. Antonio looked over at Audrielle's dress that had been lied out neatly on the bed. His gaze then went back to the heels.

"The black ones." He pointed and Audrielle smiled before grabbing the dress and disappearing back into the wardrobe to get dressed. When she emerged, she was relieved to find Antonio sitting on the bed again.

"Could you please help zip up the back?" Audrielle shyly asked as she made her way over to him. He stood up and clenched his jaw when he saw Audrielle. She was beautiful. The dark emerald dress made her eyes seem a lighter shade of brown and it complimented her curves wonderfully.

She's married to your brother, Antonio. He had to remind himself as his fingers gently brushed over her bare back. "Done." He said in a hushed voice before adverting his attention back to his phone. Audrielle gave a quick thank you before walking over to the corner of the room so she could quickly do her hair and makeup.

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People mingled as a man played a piano on the stage, the soft melody helping create a mood for the evening. The whole night, Audrielle was stuck to Leo's side, one arm wrapped around his and in the other hand, a flute of champagne. Everyone Audrielle was introduced to, she didn't remember. Some said it was lovely to see her again, as if they had met her a number of times. But with everyone with their mask, she couldn't recognise people except for Leo's family.

She had already had Mrs. Amour, Leo's grandmother, asked her if she was pregnant, and when Leo told her about the test last week, she couldn't help but cackle and told Leo to "try harder next time".

"Leo! It's been forever, man!" Someone suddenly boomed and Audrielle's attention snapped towards a man who was about the same height as Leo, maybe shorter, pushing his way through the crowded ballroom.

Leo seemed to notice the masked stranger and grinned, letting go of Audrielle to hug the guy.

"Tanner, I'm glad you could make it bro!" Leo exclaimed as he led him over to Audrielle.

Audrielle gulped, taking in Tanner's appearance. He wore a black turtleneck under a black suit and had tattoos crawling up his neck. The gold mask he wore didn't cover the tattoo above his eyebrow and his nose and lip ring was visible. He had a gold chain hanging loosely from his neck as well as a large, gold Rolex on his wrist.

"Tanner, this is my wife, Audrielle. Audrielle, this is my best friend, Tanner." Leo stated, and Tanner held his hand out, ready to shake Audrielle's hand. She hesitantly placed her hand in his, but gasped when his lips brushed against it instead.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Audrielle." Tanner grinned, patting Leo on the back. Audrielle smiled. Normally, she would reply, telling them that it was a pleasure meeting you, but she would be lying to herself at that very moment. Something didn't sit right with Tanner and she felt as if she shouldn't trust him, and instead, tried to distance herself from him.

"When did you fly over?" Leo asked, as he took a sip of the alcohol in his glass.

"Last night actually, I was going to call in for a drink but got a bit caught up." Tanner replied. As Audrielle took a sip of her champagne, she could feel Tanner's eyes rake over her body.

"I must say bro, she's a lot different from those blonde bimbos you used to hook up with." Tanner chuckled and Audrielle couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Leo, who's face hardened.

Leo looked at Tanner straight in the eyes, sending him a message to watch what he was saying. He must've gotten the message because he said whoops before giggling. While Tanner and Leo were busy immersed in a conversation, Audrielle decided to get herself another drink.

Walking up to the bar, she decided to order a cocktail. It didn't take long for the bartender to make her drink and soon she was off, making her way back towards Leo through the clusters of people.

But when she went back to the spot she left them, she was only greeted by Tanner's presence and it took everything in her to not roll her eyes.

"Tanner, excuse me, do you know where Leo went off to?" Audrielle asked and Tanner smiled at her.

"I think he went upstairs, someone said Antonio had a bit too much to drink and he's gone to sort him out." Tanner chuckled, pointing towards the entrance of the ballroom. Audrielle thanked him and smiled, before walking away.

"Leo?" Audrielle called out as she walked down the hall, her black stilettos Antonio had chosen, clicking against the marble floor. She strolled into their bedroom, only to find the room empty. Turning back around, she made her way down to the other end of the hall where the spare rooms were. Out of the six rooms on this floor, Audrielle knew only two were being in use, their bedroom and the small library that she would use every now and then.

Deciding to check the library, knowing it was the only other room on the floor that wasn't locked, Audrielle turned the doorknob when she was suddenly pulled back, an arm wrapped around her waist and a hand covering her mouth.

"You scream, I'll kill you."