CHAPTER 5
1697 Words
At the end of, I won. He wouldn’t let me, but i was me for a reason and i was not going to back down until he gave in, and finally he did but …… on a condition that we leave early which i was not gonna do.
We were currently in his car , driving to Lena’s apartment, which was twenty minutes from my home. I was dressed up in a black dress which rested till my thighs with a pair of sleek black heels. My hair was open , falling on my back and i felt pretty.
He was sitting on the driving seat with his usual cold look on his face making me roll my eyes. What a cold man.
As we drove through the city streets, I casually placed my hand on his thigh. I felt him slightly tense but kept his eyes on the road.
A smirk played on my lips as I slowly trailed my fingers closer to his groin, my touch light and teasing.
His hand shot out, gripping my wrist firmly. I could see him clenching his jaw and a playful smile appeared on my lips.
“Eleanor,”
He warned, his voice low and edged with a mixture of irritation and something I couldn’t quite place.
“Don’t.”
But I wasn’t deterred. Instead, I leaned in closer, my breath warm against his ear.
“Why not?”
I whispered, my fingers continuing their slow, deliberate journey.
“Afraid you can’t handle a little distraction?”
His grip tightened, and he glanced at me briefly, his expression hard. His green eyes gave me a warning, but I was not scared.
“This isn’t a game. Stop it. Now.”
Ignoring his warning, my hand moved further, my touch becoming bolder. I could see the conflict in his eyes, a battle between his professional duty and the undeniable tension simmering between us.
Honestly , I didn’t mind having him as my bodyguard. He was fun to play with, and his reactions were my favorite. Maybe he was not that bad, but i love my freedom more, and I can’t let anyone take it from me.
With a sudden, decisive movement, he pulled the car to a stop at the side of the road.
Turning to me, his eyes dark and intense, he spoke through gritted teeth.
“If you keep this up, there will be consequences.”
My heart raced, a thrill of defiance coursing through her as a sinister smirk appeared on my lips.
“Is that a promise?”
I challenged, my voice soft but laced with daring.
For a moment, he simply stared at me, his expression unreadable. Then, with a resigned sigh, he released my wrist.
“You have no idea what you’re playing with,”
He muttered, starting the car again, but i heard it.
“I have all the ideas. “
I chuckled, turning my head away, trying to hold myself back from bursting into laughter. He’s such a giving reaction.
We arrived at Lena’s apartment, the music and laughter spilling out into the hallway as I approached the door. I knocked, and within seconds, Lena flung it open, her face lit up with excitement as she pulled me in her arms , kissing my cheek.
“Ellie! You made it!”
Lena exclaimed.
“Of course,”
I laughed, stepping inside.
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
As we walked into the vibrant living room filled with partygoers, Lena’s eyes flicked to the man standing protectively by my side.
“And who is this?”
she asked, her eyebrows raised with curiosity.
“This is Dante,”
I said, a hint of pride in my voice.
“My new bodyguard.”
Lena gave him an appraising look before smiling warmly.
“Nice to meet you, Dante. I hope Ellie isn’t giving you too much trouble.”
Before Dante could respond, a familiar voice cut through the air.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Eleanor. Still a single 23-year-old potato, I see.”
My heart sank as I turned to face her old school rival, Vanessa. Vanessa’s smirk was as condescending as ever, her eyes gleaming with malicious delight making my blood to boil.
“You know, Vanessa,”
I began, her voice steady but laced with irritation. I didn’t expect her to be here.
“I think you’re mistaken.”
Without giving myself time to second-guess, I grabbed Dante’s collar, pulling him into a bold, passionate kiss.
For a moment, the world seemed to stop, the partygoers around us pausing in surprise.
When I finally pulled back, Dante looked momentarily stunned but quickly masked it with a cool, composed expression.
“See?”
I said, turning back to Vanessa with a triumphant smile.
“Not single.”
Vanessa’s smirk faltered, replaced by a flicker of disbelief.
“Well, it looks like you’ve managed to find someone to put up with you,”
she retorted, trying to regain her composure.
Dante stepped forward, his presence commanding.
“If you’ll excuse us,”
he said, his voice calm but firm,
“we have better things to do than entertain petty insults.”
Vanessa huffed, turning on her heel and stalking away, leaving me and Dante standing there.
Lena, who had watched the entire exchange with wide eyes, burst into laughter.
“That was amazing!”
she exclaimed, giving me a high-five.
“You sure showed her.”
I smiled, feeling a rush of satisfaction. I glanced at Dante, who was watching me with an unreadable expression and a glare making me bit my lower lip. He sure made it clear that no rumor or sandal but I’m damn sure , there was gonna be a rumor of us.
“Thanks for playing along,”
I said softly, still thankful of him for helping me out.
Dante nodded.
Suddenly Lena held my hand and pulled me towards the crowd and everyone seemed to have focused their eyes on us …… specifically me. I smiled awkwardly as she grabbed everyone’s attention by clapping her hands.
“Attention everyone. So finally, our Eleanor , the famous, is here. “
The crowd cheered and i smiled genuinely , feeling so happy. My eyes met Dante’s, who stood at the back , staring at me with his beautiful green orbs making me forget everyone but him.
He seemed to have made me feel something which I hadn’t felt in years and this man , I haven’t even known for a day has made a special place in my heart.
The party was in full swing, the music loud and the lights flashing in sync with the beat. I was in the center of the dance floor, my inhibitions lost to the rhythm and the alcohol coursing through her veins.
I danced with wild abandon, my hair whipping around me as I twirled, a carefree smile plastered on my face.
Dante stood nearby, his eyes glued to me. He watched my every move and i was are of that.
[ The way she moved, so free and uninhibited, sent his thoughts into a frenzy. But his attention was soon drawn to a man weaving through the crowd, phone in hand, snapping inappropriate pictures of Eleanor. ]
All of a sudden , i noticed Dante’s jaw clenched, his fists tightening. He pushed through the throng of people and reached the man just as he was about to take another picture.
Without hesitation, Dante’s fist connected with the man’s jaw, sending him sprawling to the floor. The music screeched to a halt, and everyone turned to see what had happened.
I stumbled over, my expression confused and concerned.
“Dante, what are you doing?”
I slurred, trying to grab his arm not realizing what had just happened.
He didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on the man groaning on the floor.
“Get up,”
he growled, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. His voice deadly calm.
“And get out.”
The man scrambled to his feet and bolted, leaving his phone behind. Dante grabbed my wrist and began to drag me towards the door.
“We’re leaving,”
he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
I furrowed my eyebrows and yanked my arm free and plopped down on the floor, crossing my arms defiantly.
“No! I’m not leaving!”
I declared, my voice petulant.
“You can’t make me.”
Dante stared at me, exasperated.
“Eleanor, get up. This isn’t the place for you right now.”
I shook my head, my eyes glassy with alcohol.
“I don’t want to. Carry me if you want me to leave.”
Dante let out a frustrated sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“You’re impossible.”
I looked up at him, my expression suddenly softer, more vulnerable.
“Please, Dante. I just wanted to have fun.”
He crouched down in front of me, his voice gentler.
“I know, but it’s not safe here. People are taking advantage of the situation. You need to trust me.”
I pouted but eventually nodded.
“Okay, but you have to carry me.”
Dante sighed again, though a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
“Fine.”
He stood up, bent down, and hoisted me over his shoulder, my squeal of surprise drowned out by the resumed music. A surprised smile on my lips as i playfully rocked my legs back and forth.
As he carried me out, I half-heartedly protested wanting to stand now.
“Dante, put me down!”
“Not until we’re out of here,”
he replied firmly, navigating through the crowd.
Once we were outside, my protests faded, and she rested her head against his back.
“You’re really strong,”
I murmured feeling sleepy as i gently rubbed my eyes.
Dante chuckled.
“And you’re really stubborn.”
A giggly smile appeared on my face while my eyes were closed.
“But you care about me.”
“Yeah,”
he said softly, more to himself than to me .
“I do.”
- Writer
