HER

Part Twenty Eight

Asa
"Hi" I replied with a forced smile as I shook her hand.
"Asa Preston, Kieran's wife"
Ok... Where did that come from? It almost sounded like I was making my position as his wife clear to her or something...
And why did I introduce myself to her as 'Asa Preston' when I've been adamant about keeping my last name even when people refer to me as 'Mrs. Preston'

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you," She said, her smile a bit too tight "I've heard so much about you"
I'm sure you have...
"You're quite infamous around here" she added.

Where?... The old money circle?
I didn't like the thought of these people talking about me.

"Oh?" I intoned as I looked to my side at Kieran whose attention had already been snagged by another guest
I was left to deal with her alone it seems.

"It came as quite a shock to everyone when the marriage was announced, me included" she continued her mouth twisting a little in distaste. Although she tried to mask it with a smile.
"I mean you were one of my favorite designers"
Were?

"I was?" I asked although I didn't believe her.
And even if she was being truthful, her use of 'were' tells me everything I needed to know about her current thoughts on me as a designer.
"Of course" she smiled.
"Ahh..then thanks...It feels nice to hear that"
Man, this was so fucking awkward.

I think I should just go for it, I was tired of this forced attempt at politeness.
"So are you and Kieran friends?" I tried to be casual about it, even though I know I failed.
"Friends?"She chuckled in amazement, "Kieran and I were practically engaged, we were way more than friends"
Of course

"So I'm sure you could imagine just how shocked I was when I heard he was getting married to someone else. Someone older than me, and him..."She trailed off after letting the meaning of her words hit its mark, her eyes now filled with disdain.
There it was.
"Oh?"I said with a slight chuckle, I was genuinely amused at her audacity.

And it made me want to rile her up
"I'm surprised you know," I said with a casualness that I didn't feel.

"What's surprising?" she asked dubiously.
"It's just...looking at you I would have thought you were 35 at least" I shrugged, which made her eyes narrow.
"So I'm surprised you're younger than me, seeing as how we both look the same age and some might even argue that you look older" I added just before Kieran turned his attention back to us.
She could only glare daggers at me, miss O'Connor was way too rich and well-trained to cause a scene at a public party.
Judgemental middle-aged socialites were not my only worry, it seems.
I hate it here.

###

It was a couple of hours before we were able to leave the party.
Tonight was unarguably one of the worst nights of my life.
I didn't expect Hailey's presence or words to affect me so much.
After meeting her, I felt so... Inadequate.
Like I wasn't worthy.

Why would Kieran throw someone as gorgeous as her aside for me?
I was genuinely baffled.

And now that I could think a little clearer, I remembered where I'd seen her.
Why she looked familiar.
She was a model.
One of the most in-demand models in the industry right now.

And this is whom I had to compete with?
The thought of it was funny and scary at the same time.
Because I know damn well she was up for some competition.
The fact that she still wants Kieran was clear as day. It was written all over her face.
She way she looked at him...

And I know Kieran's mother was behind them getting married one hundred percent.
That's probably one of the reasons why she hates me so much.

She probably had this dream of the two powerful families coming together through Kieran and Hailey's marriage, but I ruined everything when I came into the picture.

And why did I even care so much, it wasn't like I wanted to get married to him in the first place...

*

I was just about to crawl into bed.
But I couldn't take this anymore, I needed to speak with Kieran.

A few minutes later, I opened the door to his home office without knocking.
He had gone in there immediately after we got back. He says he had important work that couldn't wait till morning.

He raised his head from his laptop as soon as I walked in, and his eyes narrowed at the sight of me.

"We need to talk Kieran," I said folding my arms in front of my chest. An action that pushed my breasts up a little.
The movement drew his eyes for a few short seconds before his gaze moved back to my face.
"What is it?"He asked leaning back on his chair.
"Why didn't you say anything about Hailey?"
"Was I supposed to?" He asked, his lips curving slightly in amusement.
His relaxed tone made me see red...
"You were supposed to," I practically growled
And it was so not a pretty sound.
"You guys were engaged to get married, and I had to hear it from someone else...How's that supposed to make me feel" I cried.
He was a nightmare.
I was always fucking crying because of him.

Standing up from his seat with a sigh, he walked towards me but I turned away from him in anger, facing the door.
"Asa, look at me," He said from behind me. But I refused.
"Look at me" he repeated. The slight edge to his voice this time finally made me turn to him as I looked into his eyes, albeit reluctantly.

"Hailey means absolutely nothing to me," He said as he placed his palm on the nape of my neck, cupping it.
"And you shouldn't be too worried about what she was to me. You're the one I chose to marry, not her"
Adding a little pressure to my neck, he pulled me to him placing my head on his chest.
He was right. I shouldn't feel threatened by her.
After all, she was right there. But he chose me instead. I wrapped my arms around his waist, and pulled him closer to me.

Why did the thought of him finding me more desirable than her, fill me with joy?
I was supposed to hate him!

"You looked fucking breathtaking tonight by the way" He added after a while.
"Your dress was gorgeous"

I thought he hadn't noticed...

Kieran

I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly as I looked down at her bent head on my chest.

Call me manipulative, I didn't fucking care.
I will soon be getting what I wanted from her, and that was the only thing I cared about.
I laid my head on top of hers as I breathed in her sweet scent.

Hailey... Will be useful for now.
But she will be dealt with the second she crosses any line with Asa, which I know she will.
It was only a matter of time.