Ashley’s POV

Run.

My breath hitched at the look in his eyes. There was a certain coldness and malevolence in his gaze. It only amplified with each ticking second instead of lessening.

To the point that the feeling became choking.

What is with his murderous look?

I frowned at his hostility towards me.

I was already caught in the complexity of my thoughts the moment he stepped out. His presence was troubling me for unknown reasons.

His face was bothering me.

Those eyes were bothering me a lot

They looked so familiar.

I wore my heels hurriedly and stood up to leave. It seemed like the wisest thing to do instead of engaging in any other action with this nameless stranger.

I focused my eyes on the floor and tried to walk out and pass him without making my nervousness noticeable.

I gasped loudly when he grabbed my arm right when I crossed him to prevent me from my sweet escape.

I was doomed.

I couldn’t hide the wave of terror that ran through my whole body in the form of a shiver at his touch.

I held my breath when he turned me roughly toward him. I was now looking directly at him.

There it was again.

The feeling of Deja vu.

My heartbeat and breath quickened in pace for unknown reasons.

He was tall; six-something with a buff body. The fitting of his expensive black suit outlined his defined muscles.

His face was attractive but screamed danger. His features were sharp and defined.

His jet-black hair was styled to perfection to complete his flawless looks.

This man in front of me was insanely handsome.

But the most mesmerising feature of his entire existence was his eyes.

Sharp and captivating steely grey eyes.

“Leave me” I tried to shake his iron hold on my arm.

What was this feeling?

It was not normal. Not in any way.

I felt the same fear after so many years and it put all my senses into flight mode.

“Let go,” My burrows furrowed when he refused to listen. “Ow,” I cried out in pain when his hold on me tightened painfully.

Something shifted in him.

“Who are you?” He asked coldly. “What are you doing here?”

“I–” My mouth turned down in disdain at his disrespectful tone and action. “Who are you?” I shot back.

He jerked me closer to him and towered over me intimidatingly. His action made me more uncomfortable with his invasion of my personal space.

It was unnerving and palpitating.

“I was not doing anything that your brain could be inferring.” I tried to speak as calmly as possible. “I and my friend got separated. I was just looking for her.” I said without shrinking away under his gaze.

I won’t let him enjoy the fact that he was scaring the shit out of me.

“Are you done with your interrogation? Let me go now.” I wiggled in his hold but he didn’t bat a lash. “Let go or I will scream.”

“I would like to see you try, princess.” He smirked arrogantly. I held my breath when his face moved closer to mine.

“I–”

“Sssh!” I felt his hot breath against my lips. “Be quiet. I hate talkative women.”

It felt wrong.

It felt dangerous.

Goosebumps rose on my body when I looked back into his eyes.

He was toying with me. Like a predator chasing its prey for the sake of fun.

It was the same feeling.

I looked at him appalled when he snatched my ringing phone out of my hand.

The nerve of this jerk!

“How dare you?” I tried taking my phone from him. “Give me my phone–” I closed my eyes to control my emotions.

He was holding me against my consent and now he dared to snatch my phone!

The fuck I care what happens.

“Let go of me right now,” I yelled and pushed at his chest to break free. “I said let go of me.”

“I don’t intend to.”

My blood churned at his dark and sinister response. I could see my reflection in his ruthless eyes and the outcome of my expressions in his evil smirk.

He let go of me suddenly and I ran back after snatching my phone from him.

I could feel my heart in my mouth. I could feel my heartbeat ringing in my ears.

“Ouch,” I looked at Marie startled when she bumped into me right after I stepped out of the room. “Blast it, dammit,” Marie cursed loudly.

I grabbed her hand and walked away from there hurriedly.

“Ash?” Marie yelled but I kept dragging her. “Stop, will you?” She yanked her hand free. “Why are you running like a madwoman?”

“Where did you disappear to?” I yelled back. “You just poofed.”

“I poofed?” Marie said incredulously. “I just went to the bathroom. If you had paid a little attention, there was a door there.” She pointed in an imaginary direction. “What idiot runs off like that?”

“I know one.” I retorted smugly. “It’s true though. Stupidity is contagious”

“What are you two doing?” We paled when we faced Ellie. She was fuming. “Can you two act your age for once and not cause havoc with your tongue and actions?”

“Yes.” We said in unison. Marie stuck her tongue out at me when I glared at her through my periphery.

“I want to introduce you to our honourable hosts.” Ellie looked at Marie sternly. “You too, Ashley.”

“What? Why–” I stopped when I saw the silent warning written all over her face.

“I will not hesitate to drag you down.” Ellie threatened calmly. We just nodded and followed her back to the ballroom. “Behave” Ellie hissed and went ahead of us.

They are our hosts?

They held grace and a strong persona above average. Even a child could tell them apart from the rest of the crowd.

And the world.

“Mr. and Mrs. Rothschild,” Ellie said pleasantly, “Let me introduce you to my daughters.”

I closed my eyes and cursed inwardly.

“This is Mariana Lawrence and she is Ashley Belford.” She looked at us affectionately.

“Good evening,” Marie greeted them first, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, and thank you for inviting us. The party is–” Ellie shot Marie a deadly warning, “Lovely?”

“Such lovely girls you have,” Mr. Rothschild shook Marie’s hand. “If you don’t mind me asking, why are their surnames different?” He scrutinised me closely as he shook hands with me.

“Ashley is my daughter’s friend,” Ellie answered. “She is very dear to me.”

“Ah,” He nodded in understanding. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, dear.”

“Likewise, Mr. Rothschild.” I returned his polite smile.

“Call me Michael,” He let go of my hand and looked at the woman who came by his side. “My wife.” He circled her waist. “Samantha Rothschild.”

She was breathtakingly gorgeous.

Ash-blonde hair and blue eyes. Samantha was young and beautiful like no other woman of her age.

Michael was no less either. His hair was greying at the edges but he still looked handsome.

He reminded me of someone.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Samantha smiled at us politely.

These people didn’t look normal to me in the least. I had seen many powerful and influential families but these people were on a whole different level.

“Aren’t you lovely?” Samantha smiled brightly at us.

I couldn’t help the nervousness when her gaze moved back to me. I was slightly startled when she held my hand.

I felt a weird sensation inside me.

“It is so nice to meet you.” She said while looking at me affectionately.

I just managed a smile in return and pulled my hand out of her grasp as gently as possible.

“I wish my sons were here to meet such lovely girls,” Samantha said happily. “They would have loved your company.”

Marie looked my way at this. It was a clear sign to run away.

“Where are they, Michael?” Samantha asked her husband. “I haven’t seen both of them. Where is Nathaniel?”

“Nathaniel?” I said his name without thinking.

Samantha looked at me and smiled.

There it was again, the weird feeling.

“Nathaniel is my eldest.” She said, “He is not what you would call a people’s person.”

“Mother!” He came and stood next to his parents.

The world either stopped or everything was spinning too fast.

“I am glad that you finally decided to grace everyone with your presence,” Samantha said, slightly amused. “Where is your brother?” She asked him.

“Here.”

The answer came from behind us.

Blimey! These brothers were something else.

This one inherited his mother’s eyes and hair colour. He seemed less intimidating than his brother. He was equally tall and well-built but was slightly on the lean side. He was dressed elegantly in a grey suit.

“He is my youngest, Mathew” Samantha introduced him to us. “Greet,” She whispered to them. He stood next to his brother and nodded toward us.

Both of them were staring, no, they were glaring at us.

“They hate us, no?” Marie whispered in my ear.

“I think we should leave the young ones to talk,” Samantha said suggestively. “They will be more comfortable once they are alone.”

Both Michael and Ellie nodded at her.

“Make sure you are polite and hospitable.” She patted Mathew’s arm while walking away with Michael and Ellie.

It was awkward.

“Hey!” Marie nudged me, “As much as they are good-looking and all, I don’t want to be anywhere near them. Shall we go?” I nodded in agreement. “Excuse us, please.”

Marie dragged me away before they could have responded. She only stopped when we were out of their sight and range.

“Here,” Marie took two glasses from the waiter and handed me one.

“I want to leave,” I said tiredly. “It was already a hectic day for me.”

“Me too.” Marie seconded my thought. “Let’s just leave. If we told my mother, she would force us to stay until the end.” We put our glasses on the table nearby and walked toward the exit. “The moment I saw those brothers, I wanted to leave.”

“Really!” I faked curiosity. “It looked to me like you were blushing when you saw Mathew.” I laughed when Marie looked at me.  “You fell hard at the first sight?”

“You should have seen your face when Nathaniel came.” I stopped laughing altogether. “Nothing could beat the speed at which your face lost all the colour.” She snickered. “I thought you were not afraid of anyone.”

“I–”

“Aren’t you girls…lovely?” We halted in our steps when the said topic of discussion came in front of us suddenly. “Where to?” Mathew sauntered towards Marie with his hands shoved in his pockets.

I looked at Marie when she slowly stepped behind me.

His lopsided smile was a clear sign of mock.

“I am Mathew Rothschild.” He held out his hand for me but his eyes were on Marie. “You are?”

“Ashley,” I shook his hand briefly. “It’s nice to meet you.” He just nodded in response.

His gaze was fixated on Marie.

“Aren’t you going to introduce yourself?” Mathew asked amused.

I stepped aside to let them come face to face. I just shrugged when Marie glared at me. 

She was not the only one scared.

“I am Marie.” She said sourly but Mathew didn’t seem offended in the least. If any, he was totally amused.

“If you don’t mind, Ashley,” He smiled my way harmlessly, “can I borrow your friend for a while?”

Marie looked at me with a clear no in her eyes.

“Actually, we–”

“Oh, thank you so much, darling,” I could only blink when Mathew dragged her away.

“Hey, I–” I stopped when Nathaniel stepped in front of me to stop me from going after them. “What?”

“Dance with me,” He commanded rather than asking.

“Sorry, I–”

He didn’t let me finish and dragged me to the dance floor.

I glared at him when he forced me around in front of him amidst the dancing couples.

“I’m sorry,” I said through clenched teeth. “I can’t dance.” I turned to leave but Nathaniel hugged my waist and pulled me into his body.

I grabbed his shoulders on reflex when he turned me in his arms.

“I said I can’t dance” I tried to pull away. “What the hell, I don’t want to dance with you.”

“I didn’t ask,” He replied coldly.

I could feel my anger surfacing. I despised snobs like him.

“You should have, Mr. Rothschild. Like a proper gentleman.” I wiggled in his hold. “Now if you please,” I glared at him. “Let go while I am still asking nicely. It will be less humiliating for you.”

“Is that a whimper or a threat?” Nathaniel mocked. “Or a challenge?”

“Suit yourself,” I replied calmly.

“You are feisty.” He mused darkly. “Makes it even more interesting.”

What is wrong with this man?

“Try and get away if you can,” He leaned towards my ear. “Before the song ends. I challenge you to break free of me, princess.” I squirmed uncomfortably when he whispered in my ear huskily. “Let’s make this a little more interesting.”

“I will,” I hissed back at him. “I am going to break free of you.”

“Is that so?” Nathaniel looked at my face keenly. “If you could.”

I bit my bottom lip in nervousness when he kept looking at me. His eyes moved to my mouth as well.

The indifference in his eyes was replaced by an unknown hunger.

It churned my insides with unknown fear.

Nathaniel forced my one hand on his shoulder and held the other in his free hand. It was hard to keep up with his fluid pace. I was constantly struggling to break free of his hold.

I noticed how some people looked our way and passed hushed murmurs.

It was annoying Mr. Rothschild as well.

“Listen!” I finally broke free and stepped back from him. “Stop it, okay?”

Nathaniel didn’t say anything. He just grabbed my hand and spun me. I gasped when my back came in contact with his front.

“You–” I could feel the heat in my cheeks when his arms locked around my waist to prevent me from moving.

“Not a chance,” Nathaniel whispered in my ear and swayed us slowly. I pressed my lips in a thin line when he turned me in his arms and pushed me into his body more than necessary.

“I–”

“Sshh,” Nathaniel put a finger on my lips. “Don’t look away.” He grabbed my wrist gently and put my hand on his shoulder again.

“Why are you doing this?” I could hear the exasperation in my voice.

Nathaniel pinched my chin to keep my eyes on him and tightened his hold around my waist.

Everything else began to blur out the longer I gazed into his steely pools.

What was I going to say?

I didn’t look away even when Nathaniel let go of my chin. All I could see was him and all I could hear was my insane heartbeat.

I couldn’t read a single emotion in his unreadable eyes.

They were cold, empty, and apathetic.

“You could have asked others,” I found myself asking. “I saw how women were looking at you. They could have danced with you willingly and happily. Why force me?”

“It doesn’t seem forced to me,” Nathaniel said arrogantly.

My eyes widened in realisation a second too late. The song ended and Nathaniel released me from his hold.

“Come on, let’s go” I was still processing things when Marie dragged me out of there. “I can’t believe it. I can’t believe them.” She was blabbering nonstop. “Are you listening?”

“Huh? What? Yeah, you are right.” I lost her there.

“You were not listening at all.” Marie deadpanned.

“Can we leave now?” I pushed past her and tapped on my side of the door.

“Yeah, you are right.” Marie nodded and unlocked her car. “This can wait. We should get out of here first.”

We got in the car and she drove out of there without wasting another second.

“I knew it was a bad idea to come to this party.” I hid my face in my palms. “I told you to let me go home but you had to make your miracles happen.” I glared at her.

“I made a fool out of myself in front of that arrogant arse. I don’t even know how to undo it now.” I hid my face in my palms again.

“What are you going to do now that you have lost the bet?” Marie said gravely.

“What?” I looked at her in confusion. “Bet? What bet?”

“The bet,” Marie looked at me oddly. “His brother, Mathew?” My frown deepened at her reply. “You don’t know?” I shook my head in denial. “Blast it,” She cursed loudly.

“They placed bets on us.” Marie spat venomously. “I am telling you, next time I see his face, I will kill him with my hands only.”

“I don’t care about it,” I said offhandedly. “Let them be.” Marie nodded at this. “Mathew seemed nicer than his brother,” I said after some time.

“As if.” Marie scoffed.

“What happened?” I asked curiously.

“HE IS NOWHERE NEAR NICE” she yelled furiously. “He is a total arsehole, that son of a-”

“Okay” I interrupted her before she could complete her insult. “Let’s just forget about them, okay?”

We were totally beaten and absolutely hungry when we reached home.

“I am hungry,” Marie whined. “We should have at least eaten. The food looked yummy.”

“You are impossible.” I chuckled and took off my shoes. “Let’s change first and then cook something. I am dying to get out of this dress.”

“And Nathaniel was dying to tear off your dress.” I turned to Marie in utter astonishment. “He, my dear mate, wants to sleep with you. His brother, oh so frankly, asked me to warn you because he thinks you are too innocent for his brute brother.”

“What?” I was lost.

“It only makes things more suspicious, no?” Marie sat on the armrest of the sofa. “They are very odd. Everything about them is odd and creepy.”

“I am going to change first” I disregarded every single word she just said.

Marie nodded and we both went to our rooms.

I closed the door and leaned against it. I just stood there for a minute and then went to my cupboard. I changed into comfy clothes and went down.

Marie came a moment later and we started making dinner.

“Is it done?” Marie looked over the pot.

“It’s almost done. Set the plates, will you?” I turned off the stove and followed her with our dinner. We dug into our food the moment we served ourselves.

“You are amazing,” Marie grinned at me. “Your husband is going to be one lucky man.” She swooned over her thoughts.

“Husband?” I mused. “Why is it that every discussion ends with my husband?” I stood up and carried the plates to the kitchen once we were done. “I am not looking for a husband. Plus, you are not a bad cook. Your husband will be very lucky. You are a complete package.”

“Don’t let anyone hear you.” Marie scoffed and placed the cups on the counter. I started making coffee for her and tea for me. “I don’t understand why you are so obsessed with tea.”

We came back into the living room and sat on the sofa.

“I am not obsessed with it.” I took a whiff. The aroma always calmed my nerves. “I just prefer tea over coffee.”

“Weird preference.” Marie scrunched her nose.

“Likewise,” I whispered back.

Marie turned on the smart screen  and started flipping through the channels aimlessly.

“They are bonkers,” Marie said suddenly.

I looked at her in question when she turned off the screen and faced me.

“He wants to sleep with you. How can he just decide it? And that arsehole brother of his,” Marie glared into space. “He challenged him instead of stopping him. They made a bet out of it like it was no big deal. How can they do so?”

Her voice rose with her anger.

“Marie,” I patted her arm. “Calm down.”

“I cannot calm down.” She yelled. “I am super pissed. How come you are not? Why are you so calm?”

“Why would I get worked up over what they do?” I replied calmly. “It is bonkers. Let them think what they want.”

“You danced with him.” Marie pressed. “You should not take men like Nathaniel so lightly, Ash. They are super psychos. The one with his looks are. I have seen it in movies.”

“We are talking about real life here,” I shook my head. “He won’t be able to do anything,” I assured her. “I won’t be running into him. He is going to forget it as soon as the day breaks. I am telling you, it was just a whim.”

“Why are you so confident that he is not coming after you?” Marie said in exasperation.

“Because we belong to two different worlds,” I said simply. “We just crossed paths by chance tonight. It won’t be happening again.”

Marie looked at me with pursed lips.

“Though it sounds flattering that a hot man like Nathaniel is dying to get under my skin,” I tried to lighten her mood. “He won’t be able to. I am too picky and I am sure Mr. Arrogant won’t have time to pursue some random girl.”

I stood up and stretched my arms.

“But I will take your advice. I will be extra careful.” I smiled at her. “And you too.”

“What?” Marie asked, confused.

“Mathew,” I answered.

“Oh. Yes, I will be.” She stood up as well. “I don’t want to see his face again. That guy is so full of himself.”

“They all are.” I agreed. “Let’s sleep now. Good night.”

“Good night,” Marie said back and we went to our rooms.

I had to mail designs to Serene.

But I had no strength left in me. I went straight to bed after turning off the lights. I turned to my side and stared out of the window.

“Nathaniel Rothschild,” I whispered his name unconsciously.

I swear I had seen those eyes somewhere.

It didn’t take long for me to slip into the dreamland.

But those words soon followed to haunt me.

I don’t intend to.