A Scandal With Mr. Nightwood

Sunlight penetrated through the window, cascading over my face, dragging me back to my senses as I woke up to a room that didn't belong to me.

My head throbbed, a reminder of too much tequila and a heartbreak that hadn't quite died. 

I reached out, expecting to feel Zayne’s warm skin, but the sheets beside me were cold. Empty.

“Huh..? Zayne?”

A note sat on the nightstand next to a tray of gourmet breakfast. ‘Had to leave. Sorry.’

Professional. Cold. Just like the man himself. 

I laughed bitterly, the sound echoing in the massive suite. 

What did I expect? A confession of love? It was a one-night stand, a strategic move in his war against Edric.

He must have done this to claim his enemy’s woman and I, out of heartache. 

Smiling to myself feebly, I pushed my wet hair behind and since I was starving, I ate everything, grabbed my things, called a cab and left his place.

Rose and I were sharing an apartment after disowning my family — yes, I disowned them.

I went home, Rose was absent. Must be enjoying her night too.

Smirking coldly, I decided to rest for the time being before the top-class gathering where I had to solidify my steps.

By 8:00 PM, I was standing in front of the mirror, Rose watching me with a mix of awe and concern.

"You look like you are going to a funeral, Kristine," She smirked, wearing her shoes.

"I am," I smirked back, applying a coat of blood-red lipstick. "Edric’s."

Feeling bold tonight, I had chosen a dress that was practically a weapon, floor-length black lace, backless, with a slit that climbed dangerously high.

All eyes must be latched on me. I was the CEO of Scents’n’Secrets, topnotch fragrances after all. 

I was a woman of perfume and power. I wouldn't let them see me bleed.

Tonight, people would consider my attention a privilege.

“My, my, aren’t you becoming bolder?” Rose teased, scanning me from top to bottom.

“One should be when they have to stand alone,” I replied derisively, picking my purse, holding my head high and leaving for the party.

The second I entered, I could feel the eyes following me, studying me thoroughly, but I had decided to make it MY year. 

I won’t lose to them. 

But, then, I felt it. 

Him.

The air behind me shifted, growing heavy, powerful.

 A hand, large and familiar, grazed at my back, tracing a line on my spine. The heat of it burned through my lace dress, sending a traitorous shiver straight to my core.

"Avoiding me already, Sweetheart?" Zayne’s low, tempting tone reached my ears.

 "I am not avoiding you, Mr. Nightwood,” I didn't turn around. I couldn't, “I am just... sober now."

"Sober is boring," he murmured, his hand tightening slightly on my waist, pulling me back until my heels were locked between his. 

"And you weren't boring last night. You were a masterpiece of screams."

I could feel myself getting excited by the thought of him pinning my hands, of making me scream his name, of turning me into a senseless mess— 

What the fuck am I thinking!?

"Stop," Hoping to impede the attraction, I shifted to face him with my steps retreating, "It was one night. You left a note, remember?"

"I left breakfast too," he corrected, closing our distance with his gaze darkening, "And a warning, remember?"

“By the way, what a masterpiece you have created,” He commented, pointing at Edric’s bandaged head.

I rolled my eyes, folding my arms at my chest, indulging in the sight where he was making up excuses to hide his deed.

“I think I should go now,” 

Before I could snap back, the sound of a fork hitting a crystal glass rang out. The room went silent.

“Everyone, on this auspicious day, I have an important announcement to make,”

Oh? The bastard even had to say something?

On the raised platform, Edric stood. He looked pathetic with the bandage wrapped around his head, but he was smiling. 

He looked at the crowd, his eyes landed on me, distressing me. For a second, he faltered. Then, his gaze shifted to the woman beside him.

Amie.

He shifted to one knee, dropping my impishness.

“Amie, you are everything I could possibly desire, my love, my happiness, and will you do me the honor of showing you how much I love you for the rest of our lives?”

My chest constricted badly, the future we were supposed to create was purloined from me, brimming tears in my eyes.

The pain I was trying to hide through makeup, through lust, through any possible means burst when he offered Amie a ring.

“Will you marry me?”

“Oh my God, Edric! Yes! Yes!” 

I stood miserably. Lips quivering, soul being torn apart, strength draining.

For how long was he taking advantage of me? For how long was this going on behind my back?

How could he do this to me?

My steps stumbled, colliding with Zayne's who was behind me all this time, observing my agonizing reaction with amusement.

He didn't offer a shoulder to cry on. 

Instead, he gripped my shoulders firmly, forcing me to stand straight. He leaned down, his eyes boring into mine, cold and calculating.

"Don't you dare cry," he hissed, "Look at them. They think they won. Are you going to let them keep thinking that?"

"He's marrying her, Mr. Nightwood," My broken tone came, "He is giving her the life he promised me."

"Then take it back, Kristine" Zayne said, a wicked smirk playing on his lips, pressing it against my ear.

"Or better yet, take everything he owns. Including his dignity."

I looked at Edric, who was now kissing Amie, back to the heartless businessman, Zayne Nightwood — the man who hated Edric more than anyone. 

Growling, I hit his chest, making him chuckle. 

Indulging in my utter defeat, it infuriated me as I walked away with tears glistening in my eyes, cursing both of them. 

I was back at the apartment, the black dress shredded on the floor. I wasn't crying anymore. I was pacing, my eyes wild.

"Kristine, stop," Rose pleaded, trying to grab my hands, “We can just leave. Move away. Start over."

"No," I snapped, “I won’t run away. Not this time,” 

“I wish they die, I wish the worst would happen to them. I wish they never live happily after what they did to me.” I growled, throwing the nearby vase in the air, losing my composure and strength before falling on the ground.

“Hold yourself, Kristine. You can’t lose. You have a child to think about,” 

“They…” 

Sniffling, I pulled away a little, wiping my teary eyes roughly, smearing the immaculate eye look, curling my hands in a fist.

“They will pay, Rose. Like hell they will get their happy ending after destroying mine.”

Holding my hands to help me calm down, she asked softly, “But, what are you going to do?”

Shifting back, resting my back against the couch, I hugged my knees close to my chest as a fierce fire of revenge bloomed in my empty chest.

This won’t end easily, I won’t let it and for that, I would stoop to any level. 

Placing my hand over my stomach, no longer in my right state of mind, breaking the boundaries of ethics, I enunciated darkly.

“I think I know exactly what to do, Rose. Edric will pay hell for betraying me.”