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CHAPTER 13
I sighed for the hundredth time as I looked at myself in the mirror. I rubbed my hands down the soft material of my black strapless gown. It was beautiful, simple and elegant. I admit I looked pretty. My hair was tied up in a perfect bun with the side strands curled and falling on my face.
Yeah, it's Friday night. The masquerade is tonight. I know it's a very important day for my father and Joffery and pretty much everyone as we are going to announce our merger project but I have a very bad feeling for tonight.
Well you cannot blame me for being so pessimistic. Nothing goes well when I am together with Ryder and Joffery in the same room or if my father and Ryder are in the same room and tonight my dad is going to find about Ryder and Jofffery's business deal. He is so going to freak out, I have called extra security. You know, just in case.
I slipped into my silver pumps and grabbed my silver clutch. Giving one final glance to myself in the mirror I left my house. John was waiting downstairs with me and he opened the car door when he saw me approaching me.
"Good evening Miss Smith. You look beautiful." He smiled at me.
"Thank you John." I replied and tried to get inside the car as swiftly as I could. Trust me that is not at all easy in something that I am wearing. After around a twenty minutes ride, we reached our destination and John parked the car at the front gate of the hotel.
Okay Katherine calm down. There are going to be flashes and mics and media all over you so try not to trip. Do whatever just don't fall. You don't want to make the front page on your butt. I let out a long breath and got out of the car and as expected I was surrounded by cameras and mics at once with people asking me so many questions that I could not even understand in between so much of noise. I heard someone shouting over all the buzzing.
"Miss Katherine, what's the big announcement tonight?"
I turned towards the source of voice and gave my perfect smile for the camera.
"You will have to wait and find out."
I ignored all the other questions and followed two men dressed in black suit who safely escorted me inside. Well these are the perks of being famous and rich. I am sure Joffery cannot even breathe without making it to the headlines.
The voices died down once I made inside the hall. I need to give some credit to the two men. Everything looks so perfect here. The hall is looking beautiful and there is some soft music playing in the background. I took out my white and silver feather mask from my purse and put it on. It covered almost entire of my face so I was kind of hoping Ryder would not find me, well for as long as possible. Eventually I have to go in front of the cameras with him and Joffery.
I walked down the grand stairs that led to the hall. People were gathered in small groups with glasses of expensive wines in their hands and wearing designer clothes. All the faces were covered in colorful masks and I felt like I was on a different planet. I reached the bottom of the stairs and I kind of felt lost in my own party. That was until an arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me a little closer to his side.
" Joffery." I said, turning around and looking at him.
"Katherine. You look beautiful." He whispered in my ears. I smiled and took a step back.
"You are not wearing your mask. It's a masquerade." I said eyeing him up and down. He looked really handsome in black and white tux. His hair gelled back and it made him look really good.
"Yeah, I was waiting for you."
"How did you recognize me?" I asked frowning.
"I saw you on the stairs, putting on your mask. Not that I would not have recognized you otherwise." He smirked.
He saw me. Does that mean Ryder has seen me as well?
"Where is Ryder?" I asked looking around.
"I have not seen him, guess he hasn't arrived yet. Being late is Ryder's specialty." Joffery said looking around, hoping to find Ryder. I heaved a sigh of relief. I get some more time before the drama starts then. I grabbed a glass of champagne from a waiter and took a sip. Am I even ever sober around these men?
I was about to open my mouth to speak when a figure stood beside Joffery. She was wearing a baby pink strapless gown which looked stunning by the way.
"Mr. Parker, nice to meet you again." She said. I think I recognize that voice from somewhere. She took off her mask and smiled at Joffery. And of-course it's the pink panther. Why am I not surprised?
"Alysha, how are you?" Joffery smiled at her.
"Great, looking for my husband actually. He ran off to somewhere as soon as we reached here."
"Well, that's Ryder. Have you met Miss Smith yet?" Joffery turned his head towards me and I wanted to hit him so hard. Calm down Kat. He does not know anything.
"Katherine this is Alysha, Ryder's wife and Alysha meet Katherine. Our new business partner."
"Katherine as in Ryder's...." Alysha spoke but I cut her off before she opens her mouth far too big.
"Alysha. Fancy meeting you here. How are you?" I asked trying to sound as polite as I could.
"I am good Katherine. Listen I did not get the opportunity to apologize that day for ruining your dress."
"Don't worry about it. It's old news." I gave her a closed mouth smile and took a sip of my drink. All I wanted to do was pour it over her head.
"Am I missing something?" Joffery asked looking confused.
"We... Umm.. We just ran into each other once." I replied.
Before Alysha could say anything, a reporter interrupted us and asked Joffery and me reasons for throwing this party. Joffery told them to be little patient and that we will reveal the big news soon.
I talked to the other people for a while. Joffery really did make it big. Almost every important person from the city was here and after talking to all these rich snotty people for more than an hour I started feeling light headed. So, I excused myself and headed towards the powder room.
So far no sign of Ryder. But I can feel his gaze on me. I know he is watching my every move. I could sense someone's hard gaze following me everywhere I went, eyeing every person I talked to but he hasn't shown himself. I am fine with it. The farther he stays, the better.
I stepped into the silent hallways, away from all the noise and people. An hour and a half and I already wanted to climb inside my comforters and watch Netflix. These heels are killing me. I was about to enter the washroom when a pair of hands pulled me from behind. I gasped as he pushed me against the wall and put his hands on either side of me, captivating me. a familiar scent of aftershave hit me and a shiver ran down my entire body.
Ryder stood in front of me in a black suit and a plane black mask that covered the upper half of his face.
"R..Ryder . What are you doing?" I stuttered. The proximity of our bodies was making me dizzy. Ryder leaned in closer. I could feel his breathing on my face. I stood steel, our lips would touch if I made even a slightest.
"You look beautiful tonight but did you really think I would not recognize you? I remember every little detail Kat. I remember how you walk, how your lips twitch and your eyelids flutter when you smile. I remember the sound of your laughter. I remember it all Kat."
I think my heart stopped beating hearing those words. I could not breathe. He was too close. I need air.
"What are you doing?" I asked again but my voice came out in a soft whisper. He is making me vulnerable. He is making me weak.
"What I wanted to do since the moment I laid eyes on you in that Walmart." He whispered.
In one swift moment Ryder covered the centimeters between us and before I knew his lips were on mine. My eyes went wide with shock as his body pressed against mine. My whole body was tingling. The same sensations I used to have years back ran through me. My heart was exploding and then I kissed him back. I dropped the clutch I was holding as my fingers tangled themselves in his hair. Ryder bit my lower lip and a moan escaped my mouth. My knees felt weak. Ryder wrapped his arms around my body to support my weight as we deepened the kiss. Nothing changed. It still felt the same, the same fluttering feeling in my stomach, like my body was on fire. It was nothing wrong happened these last three years, like everything was fine.
And that's when realization hit me hard. I opened my eyes and pushed Ryder away with all my force. He looked shocked at first then hurt crossed his eyes and I instantly wanted to cross the difference and hold him again. I suddenly started feeling cold. I wanted his hands around me again. I wanted to kiss him again. But I couldn't. Because all these years did happen. He did give up on us.
So before I could do another stupidity and kiss him again, I walked away from there without another word. I could hear Ryder calling after me. I could hear the pain in his voice but I didn't turn around. I needed to get away from him so I ran. I ran away from him once again.