Chapter 6
2051 Words
Liora's POV
After I spoke coldy, Kade didn't spare me another glance, he quickly got up and rushed out the bathroom after being mishandled and embarrassed. I massaged my temple and let out a deep breath, closing my eyes in relief. I could still feel myself shaking a little and I tried to calm myself down. A part of my wondered what would have happened if Rowan hadn't showed up. I couldn't believe Kade had just tried to take advantage of me.
That dammed bastard!
Leaning against the opposite sink like he belonged there, like he hadn’t followed me in moments after I fled from the private room. Arms crossed, one eyebrow raised was Rowan. Of course, he was still standing behind me and staring with a crooked smile. I had no idea why he was even here but I guess I had to be thankful that he was here. He had saved me after all.
“You’re ruthless,” he said, voice lazy, amused. “That poor bastard looked like he was about to piss himself. I’m almost impressed.”
I exhaled slowly. “You followed me.” I said to him, ignoring what he just said, I didn't want to talk about Kade, my mood had been ruined because of him.
“i think you're missing the whole point here sweetheart” He smirked and I looked the other way not wanting him to see my face which was now turning red. He was a sweet talker as always,
“You blushing huh,” Rowan said smoothly, pushing off the sink. My eyes widened and I cleared my throat.
He came closer, casually, like he wasn’t making my heart race ten times faster. I caught a faint trace of cologne, It smelled like him, addictive.
He c****d his head to the side, staring at me. “A little thanks wouldn’t kill you, you know. For rescuing you.” He said in a voice that told me he was taunting me.
“I didn’t need rescuing,” I said, adjusting my blazer. My reflection in the mirror looked pale, like I’d scrubbed my expression clean of everything except calculation. It was a lie, I did need rescue for Kade.
“Sure,” he said. “But you got it anyway. From your very own one-night stand.”
My stomach tightened at his words and I pursed my lips staring up at him. "What do you mean Rowan.” I said I'm what felt like a whisper.
“You know what I mean Liora. Stop staring at me like I'm a stranger” He said with a chuckle.
“You are a stranger. Just one I made a mistake with.” I said with a blank stare at him.
Rowan clicked his tongue, mock offense flickering across his features. “A mistake? Harsh. Especially from someone who was pretty enthusiastic at the time.” He said me with a smirk
“Is this really the place?” I blushed, knowing what he was talking about.
I crossed my arms, trying not to flinch when my nails dug into my own skin. “Look, thank you for stepping in, but you don’t have to play hero. I can handle creeps like Kade.” I said trying to sound tough but it was obvious I failed.
“Clearly. You eviscerated him. He’ll probably need therapy.” He said shrugging. Then leaned back, resting one hip against the sink again like we had all the time in the world.
“Well, I could buy you a drink as a thank-you.” I offered to him.
He smiled. “Don’t be cheap, Liora. Especially not with me. You think a bill covers it? Not after you let me see how soft you really are.” He said with a teasing smile and I knew exactly what he meant.
I felt my cheeks heat. “You’re disgusting.”
“And you’re pretending this didn’t mean something.”
“I don’t have time for this.”
I turned, gripping the handle again, this time yanking the door open.
Behind me, Rowan called after me, voice low and cutting: “Careful, Liora.”
I didn’t respond. Just kept walking away from the bathroom.
The hallway back to the private room felt too short. When stepped inside, I forced my mouth into a smile I didn’t feel. Raya was already mid-sentence, glass in hand, eyes sparkling.
“There she is!” she sang out. “Were you powdering your nose or plotting murder? You were gone forever.”
“Bathroom line,” I lied.
She didn’t believe me. Her grin turned wicked. “You missed it—guess what I did?”
I blinked, grateful for the shift in topic. “I don’t know. Ordered three more bottles of wine?” I asked raising my brows. This was something she was very capable of doing.
“Please, I’m not that predictable.” She practically bounced in her seat, dark curls spilling over her shoulders. “I submitted one of your old pieces—remember the garnet and obsidian choker? I entered it in the Calla Showcase. Under your alias, Nine"
My stomach dropped. “Raya…”
“It won, babe. First place. Nine is officially on everyone’s radar?" She screamed as my eyes widened in shocked. I couldn't believe my ears
My fingers curled slightly around the edge of the tablecloth. “You entered my work without asking me.” I whispered.
“Yeah, because you’d say no. And look—look what happened!” She held up her phone, showing me the email: a crisp logo, the words “Congratulations” in bold serif.
I stared blankly.
“Big jewel houses are already reaching out,” she added, practically vibrating. “You’re about to blow up.”
“That’s… great,” I managed to say, this was amazing truly"
“You don’t sound excited." She pointed out with a frown.
“I’m just… processing it”
"I know it's a little unbelievable, you have so many people wanting to work with you now, we have to celebrate" She said with an excited smile.
I nodded I'm agreement, this sure was great news. Maybe if Kade hadn't tried to assault me, I would have been in better mood.
“Come out with me tonight,” she said suddenly. “Blow it off. I’ve got a few model friends dying to meet you. Straight and everything.”
“Not tonight Raya.” I said, trying to laugh it off.
The next day, The first call came before I even rolled out of bed. It was an unknown number. I let it go to voicemail. Then another, different city code. Then an email. Then five more. By noon, my inbox looked like a bidding war. Jewel houses I’d only whispered about in my wildest daydreams were suddenly begging to work with Nine. Nine. Not me. They didn’t know Nine had my face. They didn't know Nine was me, Liora. I ignored them all.
Even when Selene’s family company—the prestigious white-gold empire her father ran like a monarchy—sent an offer. I read the email twice, mouth twisting at the irony. Of course they didn’t know. Selene would rather die than imagine I could be Nine. I didn’t reply to their email. I didn’t tell Raya either. She was already giddy enough for the both of us.
Two days later, I stood alone at the bottom of the banquet hall stairs, trying not to adjust my dress again. I hadn’t meant to come alone. My grandfather Alpha Quinn, was supposed to walk me but he’d fallen ill the night before. Something respiratory, the doctor said. He’d insisted I still attend. So here I was.
In black silk and long sleeves, sheer in all the right places, high neckline, open back. Minimal jewelry, just obsidian studs and a ring I’d made myself. I looked like someone else. Someone untouchable. That was the point.
Inside, the hall shimmered under crystal chandeliers, full of people with old names and newer scandals. I sipped something sparkling, mostly to give my hands something to do. Nearby, two women in tight satin were gossiping with wide eyes and fake laughs.
“They say the heir is here tonight,” one whispered. “The granddaughter. Of him, Alpha Quinn”
“No way. No one’s seen her in years.”
“She’s probably not even real. Just a cover so they don’t ask about his successor.”
I stood half a foot from them. They didn’t glance twice at me. That’s always been my favorite trick—how easy it is to disappear right in front of them. If only they knew the person they were gossiping about was standing mot so far away from them and listening in on everything they were saying.
I took another sip, ignoring them. Then the crowd shifted. People looked at the entrance and started mumbling. Heads were turning and my brows raised as I wondered what all of these movements was about. Then I saw them walking in and I immediately understood why. There they were with fake smiles, holding each other and posing as the perfect couple.
Selene and Kade had arrived. Their heads were help up high and they moved through the crowd like royalty, like they owned the place and I simply rolled my eyes at them.
Selene scanned the crowd like she was hunting and then her eyes landed on me. And something in her fake perfect smile broke. She didn’t wait.I saw the moment she made the decision—heels clicking against marble, chin lifted.
“Oh my goddess,” she said, loud enough to turn heads. “Is she supposed to be here?” she said and people stopped talking and immediately turned to Selene to know who she was talking to. One thing people loved at gatherings like this was dramas.
I didn’t move, I wasn't fazed by her at all. Selene pointed at me like I was a stain. “Security,” she called. “Can someone get security? She’s not on the guest list.”
Whispers spread fast and lips started moving as people stared at me, trying to figure out who I was but I didn't care.
“I have an invitation,” I said calmly, reaching for the small clutch under my arm. My heart wasn’t racing. Not anymore. Selene couldn’t humiliate me unless I let her.
“You forged it, obviously,” she snapped. “Why else would you be here?”
“Because I was invited.” I said the obvious answer, this wasn't a party where anyone without an invite could be in.
“You expect anyone to believe you belong here?” Her voice cracked a little on the word “you.”
I almost felt sorry for her. Almost. Then, before I could reply, a hand wrapped itself around my waist. I looked up in surprised and saw Rowan staring with a displeased expression on his face. Of course it was Rowan. Strangely I felt calmer now that he was here and didn't push him or his arm away.
He stepped forward like he was claiming territory, his touch light but deliberate. His other hand slid into his pocket, posture relaxed, but his voice was sharp.
“She’s with me.” He announced and we felt the entire room stilled.
Selene blinked. “Excuse me?” She blurted out in disbelief.
“You heard me.” Rowan's lips curved as he enjoyed the expression on her face. The crowd turned like it was a single creature, watching. He tilted his head, eyes on Selene. “Bit dramatic to call security over my guest, don’t you think?”
“She’s not your guest,” Selene snapped. “She’s nothing. She’s just—”
“Just the woman Kade cheated on,” Rowan interrupted smoothly. “Or did we all forget that part?”
Gasps filled the room, audible gasps and everyone turned to Kade who immediately went pale.
“Rowan—” he started.
“Save it,” Rowan said, eyes hard. “Your mate’s right here, and you’re still making eyes at your mistress. I figured someone should say it out loud.”
- Writer
