Heart fluttering

"Charlotte, why are you still not dressed?" the woman questioned. She looked displeased at her young daughter who was busy painting her nails.

The delicate blonde raised her head. Boredom was written in those eyes of hers. Her short hair laid on her shoulder, and she resembled a porcelain doll.

"Why should I attend? To see that woman smiling with Lucian?" She sneered.

This made the Amber's expression fall. She knew of her daughter's feelings for Lucian, but this was a matter she didn't have much of a say in. She could only look at Charlotte apologetically.

"Dear, you know how your father could be. He was set on having Valerie engaged to Lucian. He wouldn't listen to me. And that Lucian isn't even good for you. He is a mere entertainer, and his reputation with women is terrible.

He wouldn't be even inheriting his family business. I would call this a good riddance. There are better men after you, Charlotte. As in Jonathan Sylvester or Henry Meyers. Doesn't the son of FNT Technology like you as well? He is handsome and admired by all. Moreover, they would know to treasure you—"

Before Amber could continue, Charlotte slammed the nail polish container on the table, causing it to clatter against the marble tiles. The liquid spilled on the fuchsia floor, staining it in silver.

She glared at her mother.

"But none of them are Lucian, are they? I don't care how he is. It doesn't matter how he is or his status. He is the only one that woman cares for," Charlotte stated, "I have to get my hand on him."

"Charlotte," her mother said, "I hate Valerie too, but it's not healthy to revolve your life around her in this manner. You will end up destroying yourself."

"Are you kidding me, Mom? I am not going to be a coward like you. And about that engagement, I will attend it. After all, I need to get some motivation from watching her being happy."

Then, a menacing glint appeared in her eyes.

"It would be more fun to snatch everything away from her when she gets deluded in her happiness."

°°°

Rye nodded her head in approval as Lucian stepped out, clothed in a slim fit suit. However, that expression quickly shifted to a frown when she noticed the stylist fixing the outfit.

Standing up, Rye grabbed the woman's hand and brushed it away rather rudely. Following this, she showed her possessiveness, taking over the stylist's job.

"Absolutely perfect," she commented, taking in the sight of the charming man. Then, her eyes darkened as she added, "Too bad, I would have to share this with everyone."

Her jaw clenched.

Lucian wasn't shaken up by her attitude and pointed out, "You are the one who wanted to do this."

"Right," she responded, "everyone has to know who you belong to."

Lucian only smiled at her.

Unlike Valerie, Rye knew how to flaunt her beauty. In that black evening dress, she looked both alluring and elegant, managing to attract the attention to all those around her. Moreover, her presence itself was eye-catching.

She showed array of emotions on her face, but never did that face of hers turned blank. She got affected very much easily, feeling all the emotions more intensely. From all aspects, she was opposite to Valerie.

Her eyes didn't hide the obsession she had for Lucian.

"We need to get going now. The car is already here," Leslie informed.

°°°

There was a huge crowd. Reporters and paparazzi gathered around the place. The fans were screaming as well. The security guards tried hard to keep them at bay.

The matter was let out through grapevine this is the hotel where Lucian would be having the engagement party, and staring at the proudly smiling woman beside him, Lucian understood the one responsible for this.

Rye tried to make the matter as widespread as possible.

Stepping out from the car, she opened the door to Lucian's side and held her hand forward. There was a twinkle in those eyes of hers. Lucian accepted her hand with a smile and stepped out.

As Rye confidently strutted towards the hotel entrance with Lucian, the man said, "Stop."

This made Rye halt in her footsteps, and she arched her eyebrow at him. His eyes met hers. They held fondness in them, mirroring the one Rye had in her eyes. As they focused on each other, it was as though they were lost in a world of theirs and the others around them disappeared.

Lucian then bent down to place a soft, heart fluttering kiss on Rye's forehead before commenting, "Lovely."

The scene that looked as if it was out of a romance movie made the audiences heart skip a beat, and everyone started to click pictures, wanting to capture this special moment. The photogenic couple made them more hyper.

Rye smirked, and a hint of teasing was present in those eyes of hers.

"Silly, this is not how you kiss," she voiced out before grabbing on to his collar and pulling the man down. Then, she placed her lips on top of his.

Screams spread through the area.