Revenge Rule #2: Pain reminds you you're alive and they are not.
Alexander, for the very first time, had been forced to come to a party. He loved partying and women (of course), but sadly he had come with his wife, Ivy Mortetti. His timid, shy wife was seated beside him in a long blue dress.
She looked like she belonged in the kitchen or beneath him, not beside him and definitely not at a party like this.
He needed a woman who sparkled, who shines with no effort, someone who could match him. Ivy, however, was a wet towel in heels. He should have left her ages ago if she didn't own half of his goddamn company because of her family.
Her presence was like a leash, and he hated leashes
"....Ladies and Gentlemen Lilac Callen!"
His attention was pulled back to the stage at the sound of that announcement and for a second he forgot how to breathe.
On the stage was the most breathtaking and sexiest woman he'd ever seen in his life. She had her eyes closed swaying slowly with the beat and as she danced her hands traced over her body painting desire over her skin.
How he wished those were his hands all over her, Alex felt himself get a physical reaction once she opened her eyes and those amber eyes met his over a crowd of people. Until the performance was over and she left the stage Alex's eyes remained fixated on her. Instinctively he rose up as she left ready to head backstage to meet her but Ivy caught his wrist, "Where Are You Going?" She glanced around surreptitiously then said, "People are watching Alex."
Her words were said with a smile but they almost felt like a threat.
Forcing a smile on his face Alex pried her hand away from his wrist with more force than necessary, "I was just going to visit the restroom but I could wait."
Ivy winced but only nodded, "Sit down darling, let's enjoy the show."
Internally rolling his eyes he sat down, God he hated her.
☘︎ ˖
After all the performances everyone moved to a huge hall with clusters of high tables, on each table were transparent vases with beautiful flowers, for the official opening and Ezra's speech. Alexander was having a conversation with someone when the huge doors opened and she walked in. Effortlessly, she stole his attention.
"Excuse me." He said, his eyes fixed on her as he stepped away from the person he's been talking to. Before he could approach her though he was intercepted by his foolish wife, Ivy.
"Darling come over. That's our table" She pointed at the table close by, her grip on his arm was strong and he almost stumbled when she pulled him backward.
"What is wrong with you Ivy?" He said through gritted teeth, stabilizing himself.
"What do you mean? I'm just showing you to our table." Her smile was shy and tentative. Watching her Alex brushed aside any feelings of suspicion he felt, 'right Ivy was just a simple shy girl'
"Do not interfere with my business!" He pulled his arm away from hers roughly.
"Okay." She lowered her head frowning.
Feeling frustrated he grabbed a glass from a waiter now just watching her. She stood there for a minute or two before getting a glass of champagne from the waiter's tray and started making her way to..HIM!?
Under his fervent gaze she slowly approached his table and..
Completely bypassed him heading to Ezra's table.
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Alex snapped his head to follow her movements making Lilac smirk triumphantly.
"Hello Mr Vega"
Ezra and her shared a brief hug, a 'i-know-you-but-we-are-not-close' formal hug. Except they explicitly told someone no one could tell they were related, with her long black hair and up-turned hazel eyes, medium stature Lilac looked more like her mother than her father who was Ezra's brother.
"Thank you for attending my launch and for your wonderful performance Ms Callen."
Her hazel eyes gleamed meaningfully. "Thank you for having me. I've discovered a lot just by being here, it's truly an honor." She smiled.
She gave him a brief nod then moved to the table close by, Lilac leaned against the table her eyes on the band playing one of her favorite songs.
She couldn't help turning to glance at Alex though, he was talking to a new person his arm hovering above his wife's waist, they looked like a perfect couple but everyone present knew that was not the case. She got lost in thought staring at his face and slowly got transported to the past. She remembered the woman who had eyes just like Alex, with brown longer hair. The woman who always seemed to tower over her,
That bitch mother of yours is finally dead!
The song changed to a song suitable for slow dancing, and the guys led their partners to the dance floor, she barely noticed anything happening around her lost in her memory.
Lilac felt a light tap on her shoulder, she gasped whirling around Alexander Dey was right there offering her his hand. Seeing his face so close looking so much like the one that haunted her dreams made her take a step back.
"Is something the matter?" He softly asked taking one step closer.
She couldn't be messing up on the first day! Before any of her plans even started so she stood her ground even though everything in her wanted to move backwards.
"Is there something you want from me?" Her lips tilted up into a small smirk.
Alex held his hand out, "I couldn't help but notice you staring at me intently, so i came over to ask.."
"May I Have This Dance?"
'No'
How she wished she could say that to wipe that cocky smile off his face but instead she had to smile, put her bag and drink on the table and place her hand in his, "Yes."
While he led her to the dance floor her eyes met Ivy Dey was staring around with an almost bored look, she didn't seem affected that her husband was going to dance with another woman instead of her.
However once Ivy met her eyes she gave her a shy, almost complicated smile her eyes flicking between them both
'Interesting, very interesting' Lilac thought, moving her gaze back to Alex.
Alex placed his hands around her waist. Lilac's heart skipped a beat and she bit her tongue to prevent the curse that almost slipped out. She closed her eyes briefly, forcing calm 'Deep breaths Lilac, deep breaths.' Her skin burned where his hands lingered but she refused to let it show even a little bit.
He pulled her closer to him and she did her best to stop herself from gagging.
They began dancing. "My name is Alexander Dey, pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Alexander Dey huh?" Her lips curled up to a soft smile, "I'm Lilac Callen and the pleasure...is all mine." She lowered her voice and whispered the last part in his ears.
"You can just call me Alex Miss Callen." He elegantly twirled her as he spoke. God, she fit so wonderfully in his arms, just the feeling of her brushing against him made him want to do so much more than just hold her waist but all that would have to wait.