“I cannot say I am sorry.” Constantine stroked my hair and touched my lips. “You are too tempting.”
“I-I can’t. I’m sorry.” Later, I tried to calm my breath. Of course, it was unfair for Constantine since I just used him. But then, it was the fastest way to make Ethan hate me.
“No, it is alright. I shouldn’t move too fast.” He smiled and kissed my forehead, then lifted my body and returned to my seat.
We didn’t talk anymore until we arrived at a five-star hotel. I blinked. What would we do here?
“Relax. We will enjoy great meals and music tonight. The hotel has a prestigious chef of the 5-culinary star. Tonight, they also have a live orchestra.”
I gaped. Only for dinner, we went to a luxurious hotel. It should cost a fortune to eat here. I bit my lower lip, feeling guilty because of involving Constantine in my situation with Ethan.
“What are you thinking? You bit your lower lip again.”
“Nothing.” I shook my head. “It must cost you a lot for us to have dinner here.”
“Why not? High quality deserves a good payment.” Then he stared at me. “Besides, you deserve it.”
“Stan ….”
“Let’s go.” He opened the door for me and held my waist. “You smell good.”
“Only soap and shampoo.”
He kissed my shoulder. “I like it, truly sensuous.” Constantine touched my waist lightly and created a small circle with his thumb.
I shivered because of that. Some people smiled at Constantine and me. When we sat, I heard many around us talking about Constantine and me.
One said, “The new girl of the nobleman?”
The other said, “It’s as sexy as before, but the former is plumper than this one.”
“Well, but this one is more classy. I love her hair and dress. She is sexy, but it fits her well.”
“Yeah, the former girl is quite sexy but trashy. However, the young lord surely has sharp eyes to spot the best women.”
“With his looks, money, and influence, I don’t think any woman will refuse him.”
“Also, his performance in bed.” A woman giggled, closing her mouth with her hand.
“Oh?”
“I heard from one of his mistresses, the lord can satisfy them from night to morning non-stop.”
“Wow! So, do you think he has bedded the girl he is with now?”
“Maybe, look at her lips and creased dress. They may have done it before coming here.”
“I need to go to the ladies’ room.” Then I stood and left Constantine.
In the ladies’ room, I looked at myself in the mirror. As the women said, my lips were swollen, and the dress creased here and there. I shook my head. What was I thinking? I had taken too high a risk to leave Ethan.
I grabbed a tissue and dampened it with tap water. Then I patted the tissue to my lips. I shouldn’t meet with Constantine again. Otherwise, I might involve myself in a relationship I didn’t want.
Next, I washed my hands and splashed cold water on my face. It calmed me a little. Then, recalling what happened in the car, I could only blame myself for my foolishness. If I were carried away longer, we might end up having sex.
Then I bit my lower lip. If Ethan knew about this, he would be mad. It was something I expected, but then why did I want to weep now? What should I do?
If I maintained a distance from Constantine, I would be safe. However, I couldn’t convince Ethan that I wanted to end our relationship. If I continued with my pretense, I might end everything with Ethan.
I closed my eyes. What should I do? Ethan’s voice of ’a young and powerful witch’ and ‘true love’ crossed my mind. I took deep breaths a few times since I was about to cry again. Maybe it was the best for all.
Then, after calming myself, I knew I should continue this drama. Since I loved Ethan, I wanted him to be happy. If the sacrifice was something I had to do to make it happen, let it be. I took another deep breath. I had to do this for Ethan.
I splashed the cold water again on my face and dried it with a tissue. Then someone entered the ladies’ room.
“Miss Helena Starr?”
I turned my body to face her. “Yes? I’m Helena.”
“Oh, Lord Constantine asked me to check if you were alright. I am your server for tonight.”
I nodded. “Yes, please let Lord Constantine know that I’ll be right back in a minute.”
“Yes, miss.” The server left me.
I stared at the mirror, smiled a little, then walked back to the table. “Sorry, I’m nervous because so many people talked about us. Thank you for asking the server to check on me.”
“I’m worried something bad happened to you.”
I reached my hand to hold Constantine’s hand. “Thank you for worrying about me. I’m okay. At least now I’m better.”
He nodded. “I have ordered the chef’s specialty. So, we only need to wait.”
“Stan?”
“Yes?”
“I want to ask you something.”
“Go ahead.”
I took a deep breath. “I hope you won’t be mad at me.”
“I won’t know if you don’t tell me.”
“I agree to go with you again because I want to end my relationship with Ethan.”
Constantine stared at me. “Good. Then why should I be mad at you?”
“I … I use you to make him angry. So, if he sees me with you, he will be angry. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t do it.”
Contrary to what I thought, Constantine grinned. “My darling, I am thrilled that you chose me to be your accomplice.”
“Oh? I’m so relieved that you aren’t mad at me since I feel guilty.”
“Not at all. I’m honored that you trust me enough.” Then Constantine moved his chair to be next to me. “Have you informed Ethan that you would go with me?”
I shook my head. “No, but I told Red, Ethan’s friend, to tell him I would go with you.”
“He might come any time.”
“Around nine maybe since I told Red to tell Ethan.”
“I see, but who knows if he asked around? We must make our pretense more convincing, don’t we?”
I stared at him. “So, what do you suggest?”
“Easy. Let’s pretend that you are mine from now. So, when Ethan finds us, there won’t be any doubt you have cheated him.”