CHAPTER 93: HE WAS STARING

Braelyn’s POV

We left the store heading for the gala venue. It was a short ride but felt like the longest ever. My mind raced about what was going to happen tonight.

I didn’t have enough time to prepare my mind because the car had arrived.

I could already hear the frenzy of the reporters over the other guests. Lucien glanced at me. "Are you ready?"

I smiled at him. "Does it matter?" He chuckled at my words. Lucien slowly covered my face with a mask before slipping one on his face.

"I guess we will find out for ourselves." He chimed teasingly, still carrying that foreign grace. The door was pulled open for us. He stepped out first then gave me his hand like a gentleman.

The reporters didn’t notice us at first because they were all bussing around Amelia. She was the star of the night, being in charge of such a big project, and Raphael stood diligently beside her. Even with a mask on, everyone recognised her presence..

"Who is that?" Someone asked, looking in our direction. Soon the reporters were drawn to the masked figures. A round of gasps followed. "Does Mr Volkov have a secret brother.?" The venue went into a frenzy at Lucien’s first public appearance.

"The lady also looks familiar..." Another chimed

"Is that Mrs Volkov? I thought she wasn’t showing up."

"What are you saying, Mrs Volkov is the one being accompanied by Mr Volkov?" another person hissed. I could see Amelia visibly tensing up at the whispers, but she held up her smile at the camera.

Lucien’s hold on my waist didn’t relax, it stood as an anchor.

The whispers continued as our appearance attracted more whispers.

"She is Mrs Volkov. I heard the real Mrs Volkov had dark hair." Someone chirped in debating on who the real Mrs Volkov was. I didn’t really care..I had expected as much.

Gasps started to run along. Most of them were surprised I showed up since I had been absent from social events for over a year now. It was for my mental health but it created an avenue for Amelia

She started showing up at events with him. Some even had praised them publicly for being such a match, and over time, they forgot my face. The whispers had died off to an extent, but I became a ghost in Raphael’s story.

*****

My mind flashed back to a few days ago, when Raphael and I had run into each other in the hallway. I was nervous to see him after the bedroom incident but he didn’t dwell on it when he said

His body was straight, his gaze was infuriatingly calm. "I would be accompanying Amelia for the gala. We are going as business partners due to her project." He had casually said

My shoulders stiffened, I was a bit surprised. It was the first time he was telling me about her being his plus one. In the past, Amelia only came up when I could not fulfil the role myself.

He normally looked disheartened then and tried to urge me not to hide in my shell. I didn’t think much about them showing up together. I trusted Raphael and thought they were just friends and the gossip blogs were spouting rubbish.

How naive had I been not to know my husband was cheating right under my nose. He probably was secretly elated when I turned down those invitations. It gave him the chance to go with his mistress.

"It’s fine." I chimed. He looked stunned at first. He was expecting resistance which I didn’t give him

"You don’t have to explain what you do with your lover. In the same way, I am not obligated to," I chimed gracefully, crossing my hand in front of me. Holding them tightly to hide the slight trembling

He turned around as I walked by. "You don’t have to stay holed up at home. I know you hate public events....but you have to attend this one, it’s important for grandpa..." He quickly event

I stopped baffled by his reasoning. He knew how important appearances were for events like this, but chose to go with her ..

Either way, he saved me from the dread of pretending to be a happy couple with him. Raphael’s voice softened as he added.

"I am only accompanying her on the red carpet to speak about the project. It’s just business but I will save a dance for you." I scoffed. His words indeed carried some reasoning. This was her project launch alongside the fundraising event.

He was getting good at his excuses. "I said it is fine, Raphael, you don’t have to spare your precious time with me. Lucien would accompany me." I informed him before walking away not bothering to spare him a glance.

******

The cameras were still flashing lights at us and we kind of found our way next to Amelia and Raphael. He was next to me, his presence domineering as ever.

"You look lovely." He whispered, leaning towards me, which didn’t skip the camera’s attention.

"Thank you," I muttered, still holding my smile. His expression remained calm. I didn’t bother to return the compliment.

Our little interaction had confirmed their suspicions. Lucien’s grip tightened around my waist as the reporters went wild, taking pictures.

We came with different partners, didn’t bring a large uproar as I had expected, but I could see the glint of curiosity in their eyes.

Raphael leaned towards me and planted a soft peck on my cheek. A low groan rumbled in Lucien’s chest but he held it in for appearances.

"Enjoy the night and don’t worry about the press. I will handle it." He whispered in my ear. His cinnamon scent, carrying a hint of tobacco, flooded my senses. He was smoking again.

We maintained a polite smile beneath the mask. Raphael nodded at the reporters and then guided Amelia out. Amelia exchanged looks with me, her eyes were hostile but she hid it under her perfect smile.

My eyes flickered, noticing something odd. He wasn’t holding her; his left hand was crossed behind his back, creating the illusion that their relationship was indeed formal.

"Your eyes stray a lot." A pang of warm breath fanned my ears drawing my attention back to Lucien. I held my breath as the cameras continued to flash.

Lucien’s hand wrapped around my waist as he whispered slowly. "Breathe." We slowly exited the red carpet and entered the venue. Music was playing, the soft classical melody filled the room.

The main event was yet to start, so guests went around socialising and waltzing on the floor. I could feel their gaze on me, only God knew what stories they had to say.

"I can recognise those hazel eyes, Mr Volkov. They are the sharp gaze of Lucien." A gentleman approached, recognising Lucien immediately despite his mask.

Lucien smiled at him. "You have sharp judgment." He said. The gentleman laughed, then introduced himself as a representative of a board member.

It was obvious he wanted to curry favour with Lucien thinking he was naive since it was his first time on the board. Others approached striking up conversations with.

I smiled and laughed even at dry jokes. Socialising as I should, taking casual sips from my wine glass, which the waiter passed on earlier. Lucien was doing remarkably well with the crowd.

But the entire time I couldn’t relax because of a piercing gaze that never left my back. My eyes reluctantly glanced over and our eyes met. Raphael was socialising with some investors alongside Amelia, but his gaze didn’t stray from me for long?

My fingers curled tightly around my glass. He couldn’t be jealous, could he?