The chain around my neck shone brightly, while my eyes lost their spark when I looked at myself in the mirror. I didn't remove it from the day I put it on. Mr. Wolfe only turned a blind eye to it, which was truly a surprise.
I got ready in a classy dress and applied the makeup to enhance my features, but the natural glow of excitement was missing. I let out a frustrated sigh and held my face in between my palms while recalling the kiss Mr. Wolfe and I shared.
We had many intimate moments before, but I never truly felt I cheated on Matthew. I always felt I was acting according to the contract, but for the first time I felt like I truly cheated on him.
I shut my eyes for a moment, cursing myself for the things that had happened. The evening sunrays made me realize it was not the time to think about things but to start to the location before it gets too late. A moment later, I calmed myself down from my overthinking, and then I stood straight to leave, but before I walked out of the room, Mr. Wolfe entered in his expensive suit.
"Elira, I want you to come with me." He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall as he said, "We are going out."
His unexpected words sent waves of shock across my body. My fingers trembled as I spoke, "I already told you that I'd be going out this Friday."
"I never agreed to it, did I?"
"But…"
I recalled the moment again. He only let out a sound of acknowledgment but never gave me any permission. Just because he didn't disagree, I assumed I got the permission I wanted.
"No!" I shook my head. "I really need to go. Please."
He scoffed and shook his head, surprised. "Am I being too lenient with you these days? You are really thinking of getting things done your way."
"No, Mr. Wolfe! It's not like that." I walked towards him and held his hand, begging him with my eyes. "I am requesting you. Just this time. I'd do anything after this."
For a second, his gaze fell on the Matthew's gift that I wore with pride. He said in his malice-filled tone, "Requesting me? Fine, I'll grant your request, but let me go with you."
I left his hand while processing his words. The only thing I ever wanted was distance between him and Matthew. I could never let them meet with each other.
He clenched his jaw as his gaze fell on my hands that were slowly leaving him. "Tell me. Is it okay with you?"
He knew I didn't want them to meet each other. He was doing it only to stop me from attending the event.
"Mr. Wolfe! Please…"
"There's no need to beg me. Either take me with you or you come out with me. It's a fair trade, don't you think?"
My face turned pale, realizing I couldn't attend the inauguration. I couldn't be there to witness Matthew's success. My heart cried in pain as if it had been stabbed continuously with a sharp blade.
"What do you say?" He raised his eyebrows.
"I'll go with you to your party." A lone tear escaped my eye, which I quickly wiped away.
A satisfied smirk appeared on his lips, and he took out a jewelry box from beneath his suit. Handing it to me, he ordered, "Since you are coming out with me, remove that cheap thing and put this on."
He was a man who never forgets. I quarreled with him about removing the chain, so he put me in a situation to remove it with my own hands. He even took away the reason for which I got Matthew's gift in the first place. How cruel could one be?
Having no choice, I removed the chain. My mouth opened wide in shock when I saw the necklace Mr. Wolfe brought. It was the same one that I loved in one of the stores on that luxury street.
He didn't wait and quickly fastened the necklace around my neck. The once simple chain was totally replaced by an expensive necklace. It felt like he was taking Matthew away from me and made his way to me.
"Beautiful." He whispered into my ear. "Let's go."
Taking my hand into his, he dragged me out. I didn't care where he was taking me, and everything around me felt blurred while my eyes filled with tears. The tears of helplessness, breaking promises, and telling lies.
I sent a text to Matthew: "I am sorry. I suddenly caught a cold, and now my temperature has increased. I can't come today. I'll meet you later. Please forgive me and enjoy your evening."
I looked outside the window at the blurry city lights while my head swarmed with millions of thoughts. Being a gentleman, Matthew might forgive me for not attending the event like I promised, but I could never forgive myself. I suddenly felt numb and stared at the void, not caring about anything.
Only when the car came to a halt did I realize we had reached the location, but it was the last thing I cared about. My gaze was still on Matthew's message, which I received a few seconds back.
Matthew: You can't do this, Elira. You really can't do this to me.
Mr. Wolfe dragged me out of the car, and I only followed his steps, not paying attention to the location or my surroundings. My fingers were on the screen while I thought of another lie to send.
"Mr. Wolfe!"
A familiar voice that hit my ears distracted me from my cell phone and sent a chill down my spine. My forehead started to sweat while I thought my brain was only playing games. Slowly, I turned around and raised my eyelids to see the person whom I didn't want to see.
And the banner behind him that had the letters "AcadM" in bold stopped my heart for a moment.
"Matt?"