My head spun when I realized who was in front of me. Tears filled my eyes when I looked at Matthew's shocking face. Even though he didn't say anything, the look on his face told me the betrayal he had felt.
"She is Elira." Keiran's voice echoed in my ears while his arm snaked around my waist. Pulling me closer, he said, "My person."
Matthew switched his gaze between us, probably bursting his head with millions of thoughts, just like me. I didn't understand what was going on between Matthew and Mr. Wolfe.
Matthew's gaze fell on my neck, which was shining with the expensive necklace Mr. Wolfe bought for me. I could see a thin layer of water formed in his eyes, which he quickly controlled.
The betrayal look on his face shattered my heart, and I bent my head down, scared and embarrassed.
"He is Matthew. He secured a loan from one of the finance companies I own, and what's more, I am planning to become an investor in his company."
I took a step back, thunderstruck. The only question that hit my head was WHY?
Keiran continued, "Oh, you both know each other, don't you? I don't have to introduce you to each other. She talks about a certain FRIEND…"
Matthew interrupted him, "Yes, Mr. Wolfe! She is just someone that I know." Then his gaze fell on me as he said, "We met like a few times. We don't have any relationship to even call each other as FRIENDS."
Like a thin glass, my heart broke into a thousand pieces. Tears that I had been controlling started to roll down my cheeks after hearing his words.
"Is it?" Mr. Wolfe simply smirked.
I could understand what was going on inside Matthew's head. He was probably thinking I betrayed him and became Mr. Wolfe's girlfriend. He also didn't want any issues between him and Mr. Wolfe, so he was playing along. Little did he know, it was all the monster's doing. Mr. Wolfe knew each and everything, and he set it all up.
"Thanks for coming. Please enjoy." Matthew didn't stay for another minute but walked away.
Furiously, I looked at Mr. Wolfe, and when I was about to shout, he said in his low tone, "Careful! You don't want to ruin his party, do you?"
Such a fool I was! How could I be so careless and ignorant when he was taking me to the place where I had to attend? There was no one in the world who was as stupid as I was.
"Keep quiet if you want everything to go smoothly. Poor guy, he already spent a lot on this."
Then I looked at the two-floored building that was neatly arranged with a few indoor plants, chairs, and a few pieces of equipment related to the academy. Guests were present on both floors, enjoying their drinks while I stood in the middle of the hall not knowing what to do.
People gathered around Mr. Wolfe as if it was his day. Ignoring him, I stood still, and when I raised my head, I saw Matthew looking at me from the top floor with his hurt-filled eyes.
Before I even attempted to do anything, Mr. Wolfe held my hand and dragged me to the nearby sofa.
"Sending signals to him while you're still bound by the contract?"
"How can you be so cruel?" I gritted my teeth.
"Oh, darling, you haven't seen even one percent of my cruel side."
"Why are you doing this? You knew I was coming here, yet you played with me. And what are you doing with Matthew? Why are you doing this?"
"This is business, Elira. He wanted a loan, and I arranged it for him. Now, we are planning to run this together."
I fisted my palm, controlling myself from slapping him. "For you, everything is a business, including people's feelings. You play with humans' emotions."
"Is it just me who's playing here?" He scoffed. "You played with that idiot despite signing the contract with me, and just now, he lied to me about not having any kind of relationship with you just because he wanted me for his business." He then leaned closer, saying, "Trust me, Elira, if I were him, I'd have ignored everything and landed a punch on the person who grabbed you like a possession."
We both looked at each other angrily until the sound of speakers interrupted us. Matthew stood on the stage and started his speech, maintaining his composure. He kept it short and simple, but only I knew that he had prepared a long speech but couldn't be able to speak anything after seeing me with Mr. Wolfe.
After the formal introduction, the party started with people drinking, slow dancing, and chatting with each other.
"Congratulations again." Mr. Wolfe shook his hand with Matthew.
Matthew let out a small smile. "It's all because of you, Mr. Wolfe. Without you, I wouldn't have been here."
I hated the gratitude look on Matthew's face. His eyes gleamed with respect whenever he looked at Mr. Wolfe.
"No! You already had initial capital, an idea, and bravery. It's all because of you."
Initial capital? I looked at Matthew, who looked scared. In a second, he shifted his gaze away. Just like how I was embarrassed to make an eye contact with him when I got caught. If he already had the money, why didn't he help me with Mira's treatment?
For a second, Matthew and I looked at each other with lots of questions in our heads.
"To the new beginnings."
A smirk appeared on Mr. Wolfe's face as he toasted to Matthew. Matthew smiled at him and sipped his drink, which really felt like a new beginning for three of us.
The party continued, and I excused myself to go to the washroom, as I couldn't see them both talking. I only wanted them both to stay away from each other, but too late, Matthew had already been indebted to Mr. Wolfe in the name of a loan. And, by their words, I could understand Matthew really needed an investment for further development, and he couldn't risk bothering Mr. Wolfe about anything. He was trapped. Just like me.
I texted, "Matt, I am really so sorry for everything. I will call you and give you an explanation. I did not betray you, Matt. Please trust me on this."
I waited for his message, but I didn't get any. When I walked out of the bathroom, a pair of hands grabbed my waist and dragged me into a nearby room.