Edmund stood there, his jaw tight, his eyes burning with icy frustration. " That was completely uncalled for. You have no manners."
Alexa finished her bite, slowly, deliberately. A small, confident smile played on her lips as she looked at him, not with anger, but with a cool amusement. '' And you, royal boy'', she said, her voice a soft, dangerous taunt," Are in line as the Duke of Italy. You're supposed to have a private collection of manners, not just a public one. After all you're the one who just got tied to me for a 100 million dollars."
He leaned in, his voice lower , a dangerous whisper, that was meant for her ears alone.
" This isn't over," he said, the words as cold as ice. " Not by a long shot. You've made your little joke, but you will find that a 100 million dollars buys more than a diary. It buys time, influence."
" Good," she whispered, her voice a low, perfect taunt. " I was getting bored with the peace."
Lionel stood by a large window, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked outside the window. He seemed miles away, lost in thought, his gaze fixed on the bold, abstract shape of the Henry Moore sculpture outside the museum.
A hand appeared beside him, holding a flute of champagne. " You look like you need this," James said , his voice quiet.
Lionel blinked, as if walking from a trance, took the glass with a small, grateful nod. ''Thank you", he said.
James spoke," Cheers," with a little smile on his face. Lionel smiled, and took a small sip, returning his gaze back to the sculpture, the darkened path beyond it. " I just ... I don't understand the purpose of all of this. "
James leaned aganist the wall next to him.
" Don't tell me," he said with a sigh. " But I have a feeling our next few days are going to be intense. "
Lionel pinched the bridge of his nose. " Yeah, I was hoping for a solidwork of silence, paperwork. "
" Silence and paperwork are a myth", James said with a dry chuckle. " Our bosses just want to keep the momentum going. And after tonight, I'm sure they'll be more motivated than ever, like today."
Lionel took a slow sip of his champagne. " I suppose. His Grace's schedule is equally unforgiving. From tomorrow, we're meant to visit several places in Geneva." He glanced at James. " I feel like all we ever do is to travel, manage expectations. "
" Welcome to the club, " James said with a tired smile." At least we can agree on one thing: a good flight, strong drink, managing our bosses."
Both smiled to each other and took sips from their glasses and looked through the window.
The crowd buzzed with gossip, but for them, the world had shrunk to a small, private battlefield in the middle of a crowded room.
Edmund's eyes, however, held no amusements. He took a deliberate step forward, his own drink —— a glass of deep red wine—— held loosely in his hand. '' You think this is a game?" he retorted, his voice a low, furious whisper. " You've just signed on a very long- term contract with me, I assure you, my company is a great deal more tedious than you can imagine."
Alexa's lips curled into a small,slow, confident smile. " I'm not worried. I have a feeling I'll be enjoying every single moment of it."
Just as he was about to deliver another cutting remark, a young waiter rushed past, trying to navigate a narrowed gap in the crowd. In the close quarters , his arm brushed aganist Edmund's, causing him to stumble. Edmund's hand lurched forward, the glass of red wine tipped.
A gasp rippled through the immediate crowd. A shocking crimson blot spread across the pristine white fabric like a stain on a perfect canvas. Alexa froze, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock,utter disbelief, as she stared down at the ruined dress.
She slowly lifted her gaze to his, the silent fury in her eyes more potent than any curse. The furious,scathing retort was already on her tongue, ready to tear a new verbal wound. " You—" , she began, the word, a blade.
Before she could finish, his band found her bare elbow. His grip was firm, tight, a shocking electric jolt went through her, a quick, electric shiver that has nothing to do with the anger. He leaned in, his mouth so close to her ear that she could feel the warmth of his breath.
" Don't, " he whispered, his voice a low, urgent command. " Don't make a scene. Cooperate. "
His fingers dug into her arm, implying not to ruin anything like last THE GREAT PASTRY WAR. A quick glance over her shoulder confirmed his words; the crowd was watching, they were the main event.
For a moment, she fought it, the rage, a hot, pulsing thing in her veins. Then , for the time being, not to ruin their reputations, she swallowed the words, the fury, impulse to throw her own glass of wine on him. She gave a small, stiff nod.
The corners of his lips tilted into a brief, triumphant smirk. " Good", he whispered.
The secretaries, seeing the absolute disaster of the dress, moved with practiced efficiency.
Without a word, they steered both Edmund, Alexa toward a quiet table in the corner of the room, one that was thankfully unoccupied. James brought a few wipes for Alexa to clean the stain from the waiter.
" And here," Lionel added, handing her a bottle." Cold water is best for red wine stains."
Alexa took the bottle , using to wet a wipe , press it aganist the deep stain.
Edmund stepped closer, a flicker of genuine regret crossing his face." Look, I'm sorry," he said, his voice low.
She looked up to him, her eyes sharp." You did it on purpose, " she accused , her voice in a sharp, rough tone.
" No, I didn't do it on purpose," he snapped, his voice a low.
Her eyes glittering with a challenge. " Really. Liar," she snapped, her voice a low, furious hiss.
" I am not a liar", he countered, his control beginning to fray. "But you really are a pazarella".
A flicker of confusion crossed her face, quickly replaced by suspicion. " What's that? 'Pazu' or whatever you called me. Don't tell me you just cursed me in your mother tongue... in Italian. "
His lips thinned into a smirk, a flash of something dangerous in his eyes. He leaned in, his voice a quiet taunt.
" Yeah," he said. " I did. What now?"