Dallying with Ryder

Wedding and a Drama.

I darted my eyes through the open drapings covering the large window situated just behind , but off set , to where I had been standing and getting myself ready for , yet , another day . The skies outside were the lightest and brightest of blues with translucent clouds scattered about . It had been one of the factors that Casey had been very concerned about - having her wedding ruined by untoward weather . It was more than safe to say that she would be more than happy and relaxed to see just how on her side the weather has been today . . well , for the entire weekend really .

It was finally the day of the ceremony which meant that I was so close to being free from Louis ' and his over - bearing presence for good . The acknowledgement that the weekend was rapidly coming to an end have been has already brought a sense of lightness to my shoulders . It was really unexplainable but I simply could not wait to end this off and be free from Louis and his expectant parents .

I did feel foolish for not doing this sooner , for not sticking up for myself , instead of putting up with his ridiculous behaviour . After all , I was not the one who needed him . It had been , in fact , the other way around . Nevertheless , I could not escape that sinking feeling of knowing that I had let this carry on for long to the point that it was now appropriate for us to be engaged granted how long we have been publically dating .

The fact that Chase had even noticed how clearly Louis was only with me for superficial reasons had added to my regret . If he had seen it , how many other people of our high society might have made that realisation first ? If they had , then I was undoubtedly a subject of gossip and mocking laughter at my stupidity .

I just did not know how to break it off . It was also the notion that our families were so keen on it , my parents included . Only now , I could not stop myself from wondering if they had only played along thinking that this was my happiness , that I had truly loved Louis despite out visibly distant dynamic . I would not put that passed them really , more so , because Chase actually did do exactly that . Play along to the point where he actually asked me about an engagement without so much as trying to deter me until I had expressed my distate for such an outcome .

I gave my head a small shake and reminded myself that we all make mistakes and we learn from them . Once thing was for sure though that this was my biggest and most embarrassing mistake . Stop thinking about now ! My mind admonished me as it had been going on in circles around this .

If is only a matter of twenty four hours ! twenty four hours and I would be unbound and set free from the dreadful shackles . Ultimately , it was better late than never .

I let out a huff to recompose myself and get my attention back to readying myself . I reached for my dangly gold ear rings that went well with my champagne coloured off - the - shoulder dress , when a firm knock sounded on my suite door . I frowned not knowing who would drop by at this time . We barely had much time for the ceremony and I would assume that every one would be getting ready to make their way to where we needed to be .

I shrugged to myself and settled on it either being my mother or Gabby dropping by to ask for a lip tint or something like that .

" It' s open . " I said loud enough for whoever it was to hear.

Turns out , I was wrong since it was neither Gabby coming to borrow something and it certainly was not my mother . Much to my unpleasant surprise , Louis stepped in through the open door .

He was all clad in his navy blue suit that fitted him well . His dark hair combed back and styled in a way he maintained only for special occasions . He was not bad looking , not at all . In actuality , he was entirely far from it . With his shark jaw line , strong features and facial structures , he was quite pleasant to the eye but his inner self was too strong to over look anything else .

" Are you ready to go ? I thought it would be good for our image to make an entrance together today . " He said and I bit my lower lip to prevent me from retaliating .

Classic Louis . Everything was for image and publicity or money , and our relationships was all three to him and his family . Had it not been a publicity stunt , he would have never even dropped by here this morning , let alone asking me to make an entrance with him by his side .

" I am nearly done . " I clipped the second ear ring to my left ear and then took a step back to analyse my look for a moment . The dress was a designer floor length dress that hugged my body perfectly but also managed to flow quite effortlessly giving it a softer look . with a delicate high slit running from my ankle and bordering very close to my upper thigh , this was no boring dress .

I kept my make - up neutral to not overpower my dress seeing as it was rather fancy and I did not want to look like a unicorn threw up on me . My hair had been done earlier by a stylist that was pre - booked and he had done an amazing job at doing a flirty yet mature hair do for me and leaving loose tendrils to frame my face tastefully just as I had asked for .

I noticed Louis approach me from behind and , once he got close enoughn, I also saw the darkness in his orbs as he took in my appearance. His eyes had dropped my face and lowered itself to feast on my bare leg and cleavage .

I felt myself tense up as I looked around nervously . " We should get going before we get late . " I said feeling uncomfortable with him looking at me like that and being so close to me . I turned around only to find Louis standing an inch away from me .

" Soon , " He started , his voice low and musky . " we will soon be engaged - to - be married and you will be all mine . " He rasped like this was the most tempting offer to me. " We will be bound in ever way that matters . " He whipsered in my ear and shiver of disgust coursed through me but he only took it to me that I was enjoying this .

His fingertips had reached out to trail over my bare thigh and my shoulders stiffened .

I shuddered at the unpleasantness of just his touch but , again , he had taken it the wrong way . " We have about ten minutes to spare . " His hand pushed my dress to the side and he pressed me against his crotch to feel his bulge between his groin prod my thigh . I placed my hands against his chest and pushed him away but he did not let go .

" Louis , no . " I said firmly and his grip had grown painfully tight over the back of my thigh . I winced at the pain that spread through out the region .

His orbs had darkened to display his unleashed anger and frustration . " You are my girlfriend ! Yet I can' t touch you . I can' t f**k you as and when I' d like to . We are going to be married ! " He said deadly low in my ear but that was enough for me to gather myself and push him away harder this time , propelled by my anger and distate and reminders of how I should have left him sooner .

Louis stumbled back a few paces but caught himself before starting at me with fury in his eyes . " I could not allow such a horrible thing to happen . Maybe if you had treated me as your girlfriend , as someone you actually loved , then you would have had unlimited access to me but that isn' t why you' re dating me let alone your choice to have me as your bride . " I said through tightly clenched teeth and saw his nostrils twitch but I was not backing down . Not now when I was.so close to my freedom . " It is a publicity stunt just as much as it is for the money and power you and your family would gain by being married in to mine . " His Adams apple had bobbed as he swallowed uncomfortably . I scoffed . " Don' t think that I am stupid and blind to not have known this for a while now ! "

Was he that delusional to assume that I would not have figured it out when the truth of the matter was that obvious . " You may be able to marry for money but I will never do such a thing . " I spat at him and his nose flared . " I can' t allow myself to be trapped in a marriage that is loveless . " I pinned him with a serious glare .

His lips were pressed in a hard line but had relaxed to speak again . " We can' t be dating forever , you know . " He said like I was meant to be scared by such a thing . " At some point , you and I will have to be married . " He really thought he had all of this figured out to his plan .

" And that is a good thing that we can' t be dating forever . Anyway , Louis , now is not the time for this . We will talk properly after the reception this evening . " I said calmly , raising my hands in defeat and temporary truce , even though Louis was far from it .

I moved to walk pass him and he gripped my arm tightly again and I knew that that was going to bruise in a few hours . " You can not leave me ! Where else would you go ? You will never be able to find someone as influential and powerful as me . " He said proudly and I fought the urge to laugh in his face .

He certainly was delusional , then .

If he is as powerful as he believed why marry me to strengthen him ? I was more of an asset to him than he ever would be to me . I was certain of that much with Louis .

" And that is the point . Now , before you leave any other marks on me that I may choose to use against you and ruin your precious image , let go of me . " I said through clenched teeth and yanked my arm out of his hold and he let me go .

I grabbed my clutch from the vanity and was almost halfway through the door . " If you won' t marry me then what the f**k are we doing here , Liana ? " He nearly yelled .

I took in a heavy breath , exhausted by this already and finally reaching my tolerance threshold . How has I put up with this for so long ? " I am waiting until the end of this weekend . " I started , turning around slowly to face him and finally state my own choice . " Let Chase get married properly and with no interruptions after which we shall split up on mutual agreement . " I saw his eyes widen as his ego took the hit that I was the one jilting him . " We can split peacefully and , should the media make a huge fuss about it , then we can simply say that it was a peaceful decision because we no longer wanted the same things . " I explained rationally but he was not on board with that .

His clean shaven jaw and twitched and his murderous eyes challenged me for even suggesting such a thing . When Louis began walking closer to me , my heart lurched in fear but I remained composed .

He paused just shy of a step away from me with his tall frame towering over my petite one . " Just because you see something going a certain way does not imply that I will comply with you . You may choose to act hush about it but do not expect me to . " I frowned not catching what he was saying . " You will marry me . You have no other choice . " He spat out before knocking my shoulder with his arm as he abruptly brushed past me to leave the room .

There was something about the way he said it that instinctively let me know that he was going to stir some s**t up but we just had to make it until the end of the day today and nothing would matter after that . I let out a huff visualising the negativity leaving my body as I did so and finally left the room that had become tainted with Louis' presence .

Once I had left the room , I could not bring myself to go directly to the chapel after my nerves and mind were in such a buzz . I decided to take the longer route only so I would have more time to calm myself so I could show up as jovial as I would be expected to . That , and it also bought me some time that I would not have to spend socialising .

The chapel down below was breathtaking. Done and designed by Europe 's most finest architects , it was definitely a sight to see . When I got there , most of the rows were filled as it was nearly time before the ceremony would commence . I smiled courteously at the guests that spotted me as I made my way further down the side of the aisle trying to avoid verbal conversations as hard as possible . Gabby spotted me then raised her hand and waved me over to her empty spot next to her on the third row from the front . I quickly made my way to her and got settled in .

" I was beginning to wonder where you were . It isn' t like you to be late for anything , least of all your brother 's ceremony . " I rested my clutch against atop of my lap and rested at being able to relax seeing that I had found a seat .

I shook my head trying not to think of Louis again . " I got caught up with something but I 'm happy I' m here before Casey can make her walk down the aisle .

Chase had already been standing at the front awaiting his bride . His hands were locked in front of him but his fingers drummed along his other hand out or nervousness , I presumed . Chase turned his head to his left side and that' s when I saw Ryder dressed in a stark black suit with the classic , crisp white dress shirt under his blazer that clung to his broad chest - that I now had a visual of - like a second skin . He wore a white rose with a sprig of baby' s breath pinned to the side of his blazer . Some thing as pure as a white rose did not seem fitting to be pinned against a man as ruthless and rough as him . Ryder whispered something to Chase with a huge grin on his face causing Chase to laugh and say something back to Ryder that had him chuckle in return .

How did he have my brother fooled in to being his closest friend ? Despicable , intolerable Ryder . Could no one see how truly evil he had been ? Was it just me that could see right through his charming smile and witty humour ? Perhaps it had been the astonishing amount of influence that he had encompassed . Yes , that had to be it .

I was still looking at him when his eyes scanned the room and caught my gaze glaring at him . That mischievous smirk he had seconds ago slowly began to fade away as he looked at me with an unreadable expression . I should have looked away but his strong gaze had rendered me motionless until all I could do was watch him back .

Luckily , the orchestra began to play the wedding tune that Casey had picked out and the room fell silent . Ryder looked away from me and to Chase and I had quickly rose to witness Casey make the walk down the aisle . With each step that she took towards Chase , all I could think about was how each of her footsteps would soon set me free as each passing moment brought me closer to ridding myself of Louis for good . I could start my job without the baggage and complications that he brought along .

The reception began shortly after and I was determined to make the most of it . Besides , this had been the last week before my schedule would begin full swing with work . Between speeches , and dancing, and plenty of booze , I was mindless by the end of it all . Every functioning , stress ridden thought had vanished from my mind rendering me completely care - free . So much so that Louis ' glared of admonishments had not phased me at all by the time I was downing my third shot . He didn' t stand there for too long . Instead , he stormed out of the venue completely to cool off , I presumed .

I found Gaby dancing away with Paul , Casey and Chase kissing lovingly as they tried to dance with their lips being occupied and I just standing there . . Alone .

The sudden wave of loneliness washed through me and I frowned . This had never trouble me before now . In fact , the idea of being by myself was usually appealing . Gosh , it must be weddings and the emotions it inflicted . I wasn' t lonely at all in fact I had . . I had . . What is going on with me ?

A wave of dizziness hit me and I swayed slightly . It was the booze ! That would explain it all . I needed some air since the smell of sweaty dancing bodies mixed with the scent of over powering cologne and perfume had began to give me a headache . I spotted the open door at the left right where Louis had walked through an hour ago . Huh , he still hadn' t returned .

I sauntered over to the door still very much in my senses and not completely drunk yet just the slightest bit tipsy . I pushed pass the crowd until , finally , the refreshing cool and open air had assaulted my nostrils . I inhaled deeply , reveling in the clean smell and rested my back against the wall . I was estatic to see that I was alone out here and I could have a proper a time out from people .

That was until I heard someone whimper shakily . I frowned thinking someone was wounded but I couldn' t gage where the distressed voice had come from . I straightened my body and strained my ears until I heard rustling of . . clothes ? A zipper being undone and fabric tearing harshly . It was all coming from the side of the venue building and I was determined to look in to this .

When I neared the side of the building , I heard the loudest moan followed by the sound of skin slapping against skin . My eyes narrowed then widened the size of saucers when I made sense of what exactly was going on .

Louis had his pants and underwear around his ankles whilst a naked Camilla straddled him with her hair completely dishelved and her lipstick smudging down to her chin . I nearly threw up at the sight but masked it with a cough which had them both stare at me like a pair of deers caught in headlights .

" What is going on here ? ! " I asked mortified to think that of anyone found out , I would look so awful right now .

Louis all but pushed Camilla away from him and I looked away to shield my eyes from looking at Louis . I didn' t wait not seeing why I should even be here expecting anything less from Louis but I was furious nonetheless . Of course , I fully intended on breaking up with him but he was compromising my reputation by being so risky with Camilla out in the open . I swung around instead and stormed back in the direction of the reception party . Booze . I need more and I needed it now .

" Liana , wait ! " I heard Louis call for me over my shoulder .

I spared him a glance to see him rush after me in just his underwear . God , surely he had better sense than to follow me like this . " What do you want , huh , Louis ? " I kept my voice low to not draw any attention to this disgusting situation .

" Do not go in there . Marry me ! Marry me ! " I looked at him in disbelief as he got down on his bare knee looking like a mad man .

" Are you f*****g insane ? " I lost it . " Asking me to marry you when I saw caught you balls f*****g deep in Camilla . " He blinked several times .

" But you did not want to and she was open to me . " He shook his head like he knew he was speaking nonesense . " I need you . My family needs you . Our wealth will be combined , Liana ! We will be powerful . " I looked at him as he begged pathetically and decided to strike him where I knew it would hurt .

His ego .

" I need to confess something , Louis . " I started slowly and saw his eyes grow serious . " I have been cheating on you , too . " Oh that hit him .

Typical Louis , expecting me to take him back after cheating on me yet flip the roles and it was completely different opinion .

His brows drew together . " W - With who ? " He asked with an unexplainable urgency as if the ' who ' was more important than anything else right now .

I had to think . I had to think of someone . Someone better than Louis in rank , stature , standing , and even physicality . That would shatter him .

My eyes darted through the reception doorway and I caught sight of Ryder going through the motions of conversation with a few men standing around him .

Someone like Ryder . Oh , that will kill him .

Camilla appeared after having fixed herself up again as best she could and my anger sprouted all over again . I ignored him , swung around and stormed back to the reception eager to get away from the both of them .

When I entered the reception again , the energy was no long as up beat as it had been when I left but everyone seemed to have settled down a little but it was no where near being dead . I couldn't help but noticed the hush of whispers and stares that had been directed at me and I frowned until I saw those gaze dart behind me .

Oh , these utterly brainless s**t heads !

It was clear to anyone with a pair of eyes about what had transpired . Camilla looking bedressed and crumpled . Louis is his goddamn underwear for goodness sakes ! Did the man have no brains at all ?

Louis seemed unaware of the room let alone his compromised situation . His anger had clouded his vision and that was all he was focusing on ! My solution was escape . . at least , initially but it had crumbled away when Louis opened his mouth and made it horrifically worse .

" Tell me , Liana , who the f**k have you been seeing behind my back ? " He demanded and I saw red . Not only had he dishonoured me but he had now given the entire room an impression that made me look like I had wrong him first .

" Louis , you need to leave . " I said quietly trying not to look at anyone or make eye contact .

Louis shook his head and I wanted to scream at him . " Fine , Louis , you want to know ? Let me show you . " I did not want to do this but I had to . I really really had to .

My eyes searched , though it didn' t have to for very long , because I knew exactly where what I sought had been stationed . Ryder , like every one else , had stopped all conversation and seized all movement and had been observing this fiasco play out . Not wasting any time , I strode towards him , determine to make Louis feel absolutely worthless . Knowing that a man like Ryder may have had me , even though a more horrible image could cross my mind , would instantly shut Louis up and shatter his ego .

Ryder became frozen in his spot when he realised that my footsteps took me straight to him . His eyes widened in warning and then surprise when I did not heed him . My body had picked up momentum with each step and , by the time , I had reached him my body had crash against his knocking half of the air out of my lungs . He felt like all muscle beneath the fine fabric of his well - tailored suit .

I did not wait for him to say anything neither did I say a thing except clash my lips against his and taking him , myself , and the the rest of the room by utter surprise ! Ryder was ridgid at first , fighting some silent battle but I continued to kiss him yet he did not push me away . I slid my hands over his chest and around his neck and , finally , I felt him move . His arms wrapped around me like a vice , pressing me to the firm contours of his body . His lips began to move and I was no longer in control because he kissed me angrily , wildly and I knew , in that moment , that he was going to make me regret this .

" f*****g unbelievable ! You were messing around with him ? ! " Louis yelled having lost his self respect .

Ryder let me go and I became aware of how much of my weight he had been supporting . " Oh , come now , Louis . " My head snapped up at Ryder' s low voice . " Do not act self righteous . If I am not mistaken , I do believe I' ve seen you lifting up the dresses of more than just one female this weekend alone . " Great , Ryder . Just damn great . Was that his payback ? Making me look even worse .