130 The Other Woman ButÂ
ComplicatedÂ
My blood ran cold, and my breathing turned shallow. I had no idea how I found it in me toÂ
form a smile.Â
1Â
“Contract? I’ve no idea what you mean.” I grabbed my purse to leave, hastening my steps, with my heart feeling as if it were about to drop on the floor.Â
“Catherine…” Naomi drawled softly, stopping me. I faced her, observing as she dropped her mascara inside her purse and pulled out a cigar, shoving one between her lips.Â
“You do,” she murmured, her words more assertive, which made the silence heavier than the weight in my chest.Â
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130 The Other Woman But ComplicatedÂ
Naomi released a sharp sigh, taking the stick off her lips. “This conversation would have been easier if I were simply an ex–girlfriend. But it’s not, and I know you don’t wanna hear it, but youÂ
have to…”Â
“Hear what…?” I asked sternly. “So far, I think you’re speaking nonsense.”Â
She scoffed, shaking her head with a sad smile. “I’m not Catherine, and I understand your defense, it’s a good response, but let’s face it… I used to be you, and I know it because I know Ares. It’s his pattern.”Â
The sex contract.Â
“As someone who fell for him when I knew I shouldn’t…” Her gaze turned wistful, more in despair than pleasant emotions. “I’ll give you some advice.”Â
“Advice?” I questioned, insulted. “That won’t be necessary-‘Â
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<Â
130 The Other Woman But ComplicatedÂ
“Don’t let the devil get your soul and your heart. There will be nothing left. I’d have been in your place if things had played out as they were meant to be. I’m glad I’m not… Which is why you should know this.” She closed the distance between usÂ
and whispered in my ear. “The devil always gets bored.”Â
Naomi leaned away, smiling at me before leaving. I just stood there momentarily, trying to comprehend what had just happened, disarray clawing at me like spikes puncturing my mind.Â
Naomi was right. This would have been easier if she were an ex–girlfriend or past lover. This makes it far more complicated, and it affected me in more ways than I wanted to admit.Â
I turned on my heels and exited the restroom. At the end of the hallway, the three men waited, backs to me and eyes moving as if scouring for any danger.Â
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This was a fucking Gala. Half the people here were celebrities, and the building security was obviously doing their jobs. This was too much. It didn’t feel like protection, it felt like beingÂ
1Â
watched. OÂ
I spotted a group of dancers in costumes approaching, and without a second thought, I blended in with them, passing a look over myÂ
shoulder.Â
I followed them closely, and I had no idea the second floor was this big. It seemed like it was reserved for the entertainers, and judging by the number, this night was gonna be a long one.Â
I slowed down my steps, looking at both sides before I slipped through a door on my left, hoping I would get some quiet.Â
I shut the door behind me, and the loud laughter from downstairs was dimmed out. I pressed my forehead against the wood, taking heavy swallowsÂ
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130 The Other Woman But ComplicatedÂ
down my dry throat. But the hasty footstepsÂ
jostled me out of it.Â
“Let me go!”Â
Someone’s struggling.Â
“Keep fighting, and you’re gonna kiss my fucking fist, again!”Â
That’s Nico’s voice.Â
“Move, dammit!”Â
I heard a grunt, and the closer they were, I could tell they were coming here.Â
Shit! I’m not supposed to be here.Â
My eyes swept the room, and by instinct, I went into the closet I saw, attempting to close the door, but it couldn’t shut because it was held back by something.Â
I pulled harder until it successfully creaked closed, but not all the way. Hearing the door, IÂ
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aimlessly searched for the switch in this messy closet, the smell of old perfume and leather clouding my nose.Â
I found it and turned the lights off. That was when the door burst open. I peeked at the small space and found Nico dragging someone in.Â
T–Theo.Â
“This fucker!” Nico growled.Â
“Calm down.”Â
That was Reed.Â
“Calm down? How am I supposed to do that when I told the boss I had him only for the fucker toÂ
bolt?”Â
“We’ve got him already, let’s wait until he getsÂ
here.”Â
He? Reed was definitely talking about Ares; this was the reason he left so unexpectedly.Â
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130 The Other Woman But ComplicatedÂ
Out of the blue, Reed punched Theo, and he collapsed to the floor.Â
“What was that for? I thought you told me to coolÂ
off!”Â
Reed rubbed his knuckles, eyeing Theo with a bloodthirsty look.Â
“Would you look at that? You broke his fuckingÂ
nose.”Â
“He deserves more than that.”Â
Theo whined in pain.Â
“Quite whining like a baby, genius!” Nico barked.Â
Okay… this is shitty. They should have handed him over to the authorities, not gang up on him like bullies! @Â
1Â
And what’s Theo doing here?Â
Regarding his tailored suit and hairstyle, he must have been listed for the All Hallows‘ Gala.Â
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130 The Other Woman But Complicated.Â
Was he around all this time?Â
Knowing Theo, he would have made his presence known. A shiver shot through as realization hit me. Except he didn’t want to be seen.Â
Suddenly, the doors opened, and I heard multiple footsteps. When they all got in position, another was singled out, slow and controlled. From the glimpse of handmade leather oxfords, I knew it was Ares.Â
The heavy silence sealed the air. It was alarming that no one dared to make a sound, as if fearing for the worst.Â
I could feel it too… because over here I tried to slow down my breathing, and stay still, or else I would give myself out.Â
Ares appeared fully in my line of vision, hands buried in his pocket and standing so still like a statue, his eyes never leaving Theo.Â
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It was two minutes of strangling silence before Ares unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat on theÂ
sofa.Â
I moved quietly to my left so that I could observe everything more clearly.Â
“Get up!” Nico hissed and forced Theo to sit on his knees.Â
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