Love Like You Never Loved Before

After talking with Mason and Mary, my task for that night was completed. I just needed to meet Christopher’s family and that would be all for the night. While waiting, I found a quiet spot and sat down to eat, but Lyle was not done mocking me yet.

“I can’t believe you’re so desperate that you’re checking an old man out.”

I pushed his hand away. “That’s enough, Lyle Smith. I just want to enjoy the party tonight, but I’ll play along if you insist on picking a fight. I have nothing to lose, and I can readily put everything I have on the line, but can you? You have too much at stake if we fight here.”

“You’ve got some balls, don’t you? You really did a good job putting up a gentle front in front of me for all these years.” Lyle’s grip tightened around my shoulder.

I lifted my leg and drilled my heel right into his shoe. A painful frown carved on his brows although he did not shout out loud. Some of the reporters were laughing among themselves looking at us.

I knew Lyle could not clarify his relationship with Crystal before the reporters. He could never bring himself to say that he found out he was still in love with her after they broke up. I did not see why I should deprive the two lovebirds, so I did not say anything bad about Lyle back there.

It was not like I did not know I should have just taken the chance to badmouth him in public, but I knew my attempt would not amount to any damage to him. The public would at most say he was a charismatic and attractive man who could not make up his mind between two women who were head over heels in love with him, but society would not be as merciful to me. They would say all sorts of mean things about women.

I ignored Lyle and went ahead to get some food. I could feel Lyle’s disgusted gaze on me as I ate away.

“You may leave if you don’t like how I eat. I don’t want to lose my appetite because of you.” I did not have time to eat because I was busy getting ready for the party, so I was famished. As I was busy stuffing food into my mouth, someone passed me some caviar, which I had been thinking of getting.

“They are getting more caviar ready in the kitchen. I can ask them to hurry up if you like them.” A man’s coarse voice resounded beside me as I chomped on.

I looked up disconcertedly and saw a stranger. His face bore a slight resemblance to Christopher, but this man behaved more maturely.

I conjectured that he must be Christopher’s elder brother, the firstborn, and the person in charge of the Lane family. I quickly stood up as I wiped away the food on the corner of my lips. I only realized my blunder after I held out my dirty hand toward him. The idea of meeting Christopher’s brother made me fidget so much I was not myself.

I darted my gaze around looking for a napkin when I saw the butter on my hand. I gave Lyle a nudge, who was already greeting the man, hoping he would help me, but he simply frowned at me in repugnance when he saw my unsettled state.

Darius noticed it and pulled out a white handkerchief from his pocket in a gentlemanly manner. After I wiped my hands clean, he took his handkerchief back without the slightest hint of revulsion. He talked to Lyle for a bit before excusing himself. I was impressed by how well he carried himself.

His bearing did his family’s fame and prestige justice. I could not believe even Darius was so perfect. He behaved so cordially to a stranger like me.

“It’s time you stop lusting over him. He’s already married and has a family,” Lyle berated. “You never fail to surprise me, Yvonne Tanner. You even manage to catch Darius’ attention. He’s known to be an unfriendly person.”

“Whatever.” I dismissed his comment tritely despite feeling confused. If what Lyle said was true, then it did not make sense why Darius would treat me so amiably. It was not like I was anyone important.

I was still married to Lyle, so even if Christopher wanted to enter into a relationship with me, he would not break it to his family, at least not yet.