Criminal in love

Chapter 15

      Dimitri could not stop fidgeting where he sat at the back row with Regan. The hall was crowded to the brim and some people were standing in clusters.

Dimitri didn't have the time or composure to enjoy the vastness and beauty of the hotel. He turned to Regan whose eyes were scanning the entire area and at the same time was watching the podium. Sasha helped her this morning to dye her hair red and fixed her lashes.

She looked a little different, but anyhow she was still his princess and the hold she had over him was getting stronger. She turned and their eyes clashed. He frowned and she quickly looked away.

Good. He had to let her know that it wasn't willingly he brought her here, so next time....well.....

      Regan's heart wouldn't stop beating. She was so excited to be here, but so far she has not set eyes on her father or brother.

At the same time, she was sad that Dimitri wasn't happy. He made that very clear to her. Her mind travelled back to what happened in the morning.

*******

Flashback

Regan felt someone shaking her gently but impatiently. Her eyes flew open and she took in her surroundings.

Why was she sleeping on a couch in the living room?

Then she remembered.

She didn't want to stay in the same room with Dimitri, since he didn't agree to let her go to the hotel's opening ceremony to see her father and brother. Very immature of her, yes, but he was being selfish.

He appeared in her line of view and she jumped, almost falling if not for his arms that steadied her.

She turned to him and he was scowling at her, she scowled back.

"Leave me alone" she squirmed in his grasp. He let her go and frowned.

"Get dressed. Gionee and Sasha would soon be here to help you disguise" he growled. "Disguise for what?" she asked hopefully.

He hissed and walked away.

   

     When she found that she would be going to the ceremony, she was so happy that she hugged him.

It hurts that he didn't hug her back, but hey, she was going to see her family.

***************

          Regan shook her head to gather her thoughts. There's no need to think about what happened in the morning.

She patted her hair and sighed. She hated red hair. She hated the colour red as a whole. About a year ago, if someone told her she would one day dye her beautiful black hair red, she would have laughed.

      Noise rented the arena and she turned to the podium to see Ted Rivers taking the microphone.

She listened.  

       It is with great joy i welcome you all today. As you all know, i invited my very good friend and partner Mr. Abraham McAlister to this event and it is with profound respect i call him to this podium.

Mr. McAlister, your cue....

     There was a deafening silence and then, a standing ovation, as her father mounted the podium and took the microphone from Ted, hugging him.