After Effects

Chapter 51 • After Effects

I was nervous. So very nervous.

Why had it taken me so long to realise that I couldn't go through with this?

This was a bad idea. Such a bad idea!

And all it took for the right reactions to surface was the car pulling up in front of the huge mansion in which the ball was being held. The car with me and my hammering heart inside!

"Everything good Katherine?" the driver, Raj, asked from his seat in the front. I nodded hesitantly, tempted to tell him to just continue driving and take me far, when I peeked out the tinted window of the Audi and saw Riddian standing rigid and alone before the front doors of the mansion.

His hands were in his suit pants pockets and he was sporting the famous Riddian Remora impassive look which I now knew he reserved for strangers. I could tell he was curious though with the way his head was slightly tilted and the way he rose an eyebrow. This was something I could recognise even from all the way inside the car.

I mentally prepared myself for the evening as the driver got out of the front and came around to open the door for me. When he stepped aside to give me way, I took in a deep breath before letting out my nerves and holding up my coat-covered dress.

"Here we go." I released a breath, and without further delay, stepped out of the car. I smiled at the driver who nodded and then went back inside. It wasn't until the car had driven off into the dark that I remembered that someone was waiting for me. 

I slowly walked towards Riddian, using the confidence I had managed to muster up. As I moved closer and closer to him though, I saw his demeanor change. His once curious face hardened, becoming even colder and hard. My face fell at his reaction and I felt my heart drop. I was however very thankful that it was dark and that he was the one standing under the light and not me.

I hadn't even stopped and settled before him properly when he asked coldly,

"What are you doing here?" His eyes narrowed and furious, surpassing all my imaginations of the heights of his wrath.

I glared at him to cover how stupid and embarrassed I really felt.

"Well, obviously you hadn't gotten the memo. Your description of your perfect date isn't exactly the easiest person to find so your father decided to throw your burden on my plate at the last minute," I explained in summary. No need for the details there.

He glared right back at me with a look that I hadn't seen in a while. A look that I sincerely hadn't missed as it was one that he normally saved for his business clients when he wanted to intimidate them. 

"If I had known that he couldn't find anyone I would have just asked someone else to accompany me. Honestly, anyone else would be better..." he continued, mumbling the last part which I unfortunately heard.

The hurt I was feeling must've escaped onto my face for a second as his face softened and hardened just as quickly when I thought to myself 'why was he behaving like this?'

I pushed away my feelings and continued in the strongest voice I had. There was no way I was gonna let him find out that hurt me so much with just a few words. I mean what was I thinking through? That he'd be at least a bit happy to see me? I knew he'd be angry but I never fathomed that he would hurt me with his words so much.

I cleared my throat, my own gaze hardening and anger simmering at the thoughts that I did nothing to deserve this!

"Well Mr. Riddian Remora, you are free to go pick up someone off the road right now or go in alone cause I have no problem in leaving right now. As a matter of fact, I didn't even want to be here in the first place. Yet I am, because of you and your father," I hissed, spinning around and stomping  off as if the ground was Riddian's face and I could hurt it as much as I pleased.