Odette could not control her rage, because she knew that every word he said was a lie, she bit her lips trying not to burst out into tears, she didn't want to go weak in front of this arrogant billionaire,  and without a warning, she raised her hand and her palms made harsh contact with his cheek, her hand hit so hard that he threw his head backwards, his cheeks burning

''Get out NOW!'' she shouted her index pointing at her door, he just glared at her, his hand coming up and adjusting his jaw, she squinted her eyes and raised an eyebrow, but he saw a devilish lining his face and he walked towards her, she tilted her head quizzically before he could make another move to kiss her again, Another slap lined his face making him groan and look at her in utter and pure confusion, his cheeks reddened a bit because of the blow, his hand holding his burning cheek.

This time his jaw clenched in anger and a strange fury ignited his eyes,  he snaked his fingers around her neck and pulled her closer, she was panting due to the loss of oxygen as he tightened his grip on her throat, blocking her air pipe, stopping the supply of oxygen, he got up and whammed her onto the wall, she winced I'm pure pain and looked at him in horror .. now she was scared, the power in his eyes was the strongest she had ever seen, he was not a man to be messed with.

''No one dared to disrespect me with words and you dared to slap me? Answer me woman!'' he roared making her pant. Liquid Courage was now flowing through her, his fingers tightening to leave marks on her skin. Tears streamed down her eyes as she clutched his wrist trying to break free.

''Don't kiss me with the lips you kissed her or touch me with the hands with which you fucked her, I have the self-respect to Carter!' she whispered , each word full of fury , her face glowering, his eyes zeroed to her clenched fists and his eyes widened

Eric was taken aback by her words, his hands slowly leaving her neck with horror ''Ho-How did you know that I -1'' he blabbered running his ring-clad fingers through his luscious hairs and hitting the wall beside her and made an inhuman sound, his hair throwing onto his face with the power. He withdrew his hand and hissed looking at his knuckles.

''I saw you both Mr Carter, Am not blind, I wasn't born yesterday, I know what this all means, I understand that you love her, then stop playing with me!'' she screamed on the verge of tearing up, her fingers knotting with her hairs with frustration, she pushed eric away who was coming forwards to hold her, making him looked down tensed, he pulled his lower lip between with his teeth and looked onto her face writhed with anger and sadness, His perfect brows knotted in pain, his heart clenched tightly

Odette did not know why she was crying, what was the reason for her extreme pain as she fell on the ground crying hard, gripping the expensive carpet she let her tears seep into the knots of the woven wool on the floor.

Eric knelt beside her, his toes cracking with the motion, softly wrapped his hands around her, he pulled her closer,  she did not fight this time, and leant onto his chest, wrapping her arms around his muscular body, she hid her face onto his chest, she felt pure unadulterated fury towards him and at the same time felt.. safe.

''I am sorry, please forgive me,  I will make sure that I will never hurt you again, not again, we all make mistakes once don't we? I know it's too soon to say this but, I have grown to care for you more than I knew I could,  Odette, don't cry again please, Nova, she said that she can't come back to me otherwise they will kill her,  I don't know who they are and she took a promise from me that I will not come and search for her, And I keep my promises, I won't return back to her love, Trust me, I promise to be by your side, Please ..'' he whispered softly smoothening her hair, his fingers feeling the softness of her hairs.

She looked at his eyes that reflected her face, he was not lying, 'because eyes never lie' Her mother used to say, she smiled gently and slowly held his collar, wrapping her other hand around his neck, he smiled softly at her, his fingers softly grazing her face, she closed her eyes and cherished the feeling of his fingers.

She softly pressed her lips onto his making him close his eyes,  one of his hands snaked around her waist while the other held her face in place, His thumb running circles on her cheek,  it was different, it was not harsh and powerful as before, it was gentle and full of .. love? He moved his lips in sync with her his hand grazing its way up her waist making her shiver.

''This does not mean I forgive you, Mr Carter, I still hate you!'' she snapped pushing him away, making him raise his hands and give out a confused expression, his upper lip folding.

''OUT!'' she laughed in a lively making him grunt, he stood up and dusted his shirt, before walking out whispering ''Women.''

A few weeks later

''Dad no! How can I attend that ball? Last year I had attended that it was boring as hell, there is nothing other than dancing and drinking, Please dad I know it's official and it's important for your reputation and all but still '' Eric argued, his hand running through his hair with frustration as he clenched and unclenched his jaw, he was stopped by the wave of Ruben's hand.

''Eric! Do you know your mom and I used to attend The Golden Ball every time? Every year we used to bid you goodbye so that we can attend the ball? Don't make me ashamed of you! and look you have a girlfriend this time, don't you? So proud of yourself? Go with her then young Carter!'' Ruben snapped glaring at his son, Eric threw his head backwards and groaned, he ran his hand over his face.

He and Odette had not spoken for the rest of the week and he rarely sees her as she was always tangled up with her studies, jotting down notes on the table, running around the room unable to drink in the concept and less sleep, he could always see the light to her bedroom with light, he rarely saw her smile after what happened between him and Nova, he would always look into her face as she sat quiet and ate food every day at the table, whenever he tries to start a conversation, she finds any excuse to dodge him, thinking of how she would react he started walking towards her room, his hands dug deep into his pockets, he stood in front of her room and slowly twisted the handle and the door creaked open, he was welcomed by the void and darkness.

He started walking, the sounds of his boots reverberating through the empty and long hallway, as gentle music wafted through the air and he heard the sound of the piano, he softly opened it to see Odette deeply engrossed in playing the delicate instrument, Some of the tendrils of her hair fell over her face as a smile touched her face, fingers working delicately on the keys.

He smiled silently at the innocence and serenity her body was emitting, She is such an angel of a human, he leant on the doors til, watching her play beautifully, he softly walked towards her without making a voice.

Silently, he placed his palms on top of hers making her gasp at the sudden interruption, she turned her head slightly to see him so close to her that she could feel his breath, her eyes gazing at his lips that was so near hers,  He softly kissed her cheeks, his hands moving the baby hairs from her face. 

''I missed you'' he whispered,  leaning down slowly and kissing her neck softly tenderly, his hands gliding down the side of her body she mewled softly and stood up suddenly .. 

'' And I did not'' she smirked crossing her arms across her chest with naughtiness and teasing playing on her face, but she knew she was lying, she missed me badly, his smirk, his baby blues, his heavenly odour, everything about him was special for her.

'' That's a lie and I can see that shouting at me through those beautiful eyes'' he chuckles, grabbing her by her waist and twirling her in the air making her scream out loud, she held onto his shoulder blades, he raised her up tighter, his feet moving in circles, he laughed hearing her tinkling laughter reverberating the room. 

''Why are you here?'' she question as he placed her down, she inhaled deeply and raised her eyebrows with power, he shook his head and chuckled at the display of her cuteness.

''I need you to come with me to The Golden Ball, and that's not a request, it's a matter of pride for us, and each year the eldest carter and his lady visits the ball and grace it with their presence,  this is an Order and you have accepted it no matter what because its a matter of your and my reputation, and I know you deeply care about me'' he said in a stern yet teasing tone, his hands tying at the back as he leant forward.

He noticed her face changing, her smile slowly fading to form anger ''I will not! What are you going to do? Shoot me? The go on, shoot me, It's better than being a slave! I won't be your slave! I am not your play doll!'' she cussed suddenly grabbing his collars harshly, pulling him down harshly

He looked down at her hands that were hooked with her shirt and then back at her face, her breathing hard and fast as she glared at him,  he took her hands from her collar and pressed his lips onto her knuckles, the feeling making her retreat her hand as if she touched burning embers

''What do you expect from me Mr Carter?'' she snapped, her doe shaped eyes narrowed in fury that flowed through her veins, her palms fisted on both of her sides to control the urge to slap that beautiful visage of him.

'' I expect more than this from you my Odette'' He whispered leaning onto her, his fingers playing with the tendrils of her hair that fell on her face, making her freeze under his touch.

He breathed near her ears making her grasp the collar of his crisp suit and close her eyes in pure pleasure, his breath fanned her delicate skin, making her fall herself into endless ecstasy from where she never wanted to rise from.

''That's it flower, All you had to do, is Come with me'' he continued his sweet torture by kissing the soft spot between her neck making her mewl in pleasure. She craned her neck as he ran his tongue over her delicate skin.

'' No! No Mr Carter, I won't..'' she whispered back, her voice shaking with pleasure, he was making her feel different but she was not losing herself into his trap of pleasure, his seductive nature can't charm her, as she uttered these words, she felt his hands grasp her waist roughly pulling her petite body towards him, his touch was setting her on fire, her mind was blurred and in a complete jeopardy, she was losing herself into this man. She couldn't help but fall for those blues.

''Stop! You are crossing the line you said you never will! You are manipulating me!'' whispered with fury,  looking at his face that was just inches from hers, she couldn't help but ponder over the thought that why was he such a man whore? Why is this man making her feel something different of what she never felt before, an emotion that she shunned for all her life, he was pulling her back into something she never desired.

''I am sorry for that '' he said suddenly his hands retreating from her waist, and moving backwards, she started breathing perfectly after his proximity was over, she adjusted her dress and decided to go for it, what wrong could happen over there?

''Fine, I will come with you for this special ball or whatever, but what will wear? how will I go?'' she asked raising an eyebrow at him

''It takes place in 2 days and, your gown will be delivered to you, don't worry about that yeah? I have asked for special dressmakers to make the most beautiful gown for you baby'' he whispered softly, she sighed and nodded at him.

♡  ♡  ♡

As every day passed Odette got tenser about the dance, she had never attended a ball before, never waltzed, never went on a date and never even wore a gown, and she was flabbergasted on getting the honour of being the lady of the night to the esteemed carters, the gown they delivered at her doorstep the day before was long and elegant, it was a black halter back gown that had a front partition that showed her perfect curves, it had a gothic reflecting as it sewed with dark satin, it made her skin glow.

^ 𝙾𝚍𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎'𝚜 𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜 ^

''Deep breaths Odette, deep breaths,  You are gonna be okay? Yeah?'' she whispered to herself looking at herself in the mirror, running the needles of her comb through her hair, smoothening it, she ran her hand along her chest down to her waist, she turned and touched her revealing skin in the back.

She craned her neck when the door slowly creaked open, Her eyes widened when she saw Eric in his usual dark black, but he looked gorgeous in his suit and tie, His Armani jacket, perfect gelled hair, he was looking down and clicking his diamond cufflinks and looked up and her, a small smile touching his lips.

He slowly walked towards her, his expensive perfume filling the void, he came and stood in front of her, his hand slowly raised and ran his knuckles over her cheeks, his head tilted to the side, she sunk her teeth onto her lower lip and looked at him through her lashes

''Beautiful'' he whispered softly drinking in all of her beauty, his eyes running down at her gorgeous frame, she looked up into his eyes deeply, red slowly touching her cheeks. She never knew why such a small word from his mouth was making her feel so elated.

''May I?'' he asked rubbing his thumb over her lips gently, she nodded, he dipped his head softly and let him capture her lips in a tantalizing kiss, he caressed her face softly while kissing her as gently as possible.

The door suddenly smashed open making them rip of themselves from the kiss with a jump,  a clearance of a throat could be heard, they shot their head backwards and saw Ruben standing on the door with a gloomy expression, his hands crossed across his chest.

Ruben strode towards with his head held high like a king towards a meek Odette and stood in front of her, Odette looked down as a sign of respect to Ruben, he just grunted.

''Child'' he whispered to Odette taking her hands in his, Eric stood by the side with a frown, His eyes moved over his father's face, full of suspicion, Ruben took out a delicate diamond chain that had an intricate pattern drawn on it, He slowly took Odette's hand in his and placed it on her palm and softly closed her fingers, Odette looked at him, unable to understand why he gave her this delicate piece of art.

''Tie this around your neck and go the ball, because this is the chain I gave Dora on the day I took her to the golden ball and since then I never left her side, This necklace was my promise to her that I would love her, cherish her and guide her till eternity, We couldn't have that eternity alas, but I know you will perfect for my son Eric, I have been observing for that past few days, you are calm like the tender waves of the river, you are sweet like the birds in the morning, you are the epitome of innocence, and that is the type of girl I desire for my son, No one could be perfect for him like you in this world, Not even Nova my child, you'' he whispered softly, with a small smile playing on his lips, Odette nodded her head, her eyes getting glossy.

''Dad! Don't you dar-'' Eric started with his index finger pointed at Ruben, Ruben simply scoffed and shushed Eric with a wave of his two fingers, Eric's nails dug into his palms, his ring popping out with fury, he just looked away muttering a curse.

Ruben softly placed his wrinkled palms on Odette's rosy cheeks, patting them a little, with a small smile, he turned away and walked his way out, giving the room a welcome for silence.

''Mr. Carter ..'' Odette whispered breaking the void,  to Eric who simply looked at her with a blank face, his expression, inscrutable ''If you don't mind, would you help me wear this?'' she asked extending her hand that held the necklace towards him.

A sigh left Eric's lips and nodded,  he took the delicate piece of art and moved all her her hair to the side, He leant forwards and wrapped the thin chain around her neck, his breath making her fist her dress, with a click her fastened, placing his hands on her shoulders, they looked at each other's eyes through the mirror, she retreated with a small kiss on her neck making her insides melt.

She smiled and mumbled a 'Thank you, he held out his hand for her, raising an eyebrow at her, she smiled and slid her palm onto his, he wrapped his finger around her hand and guided her downstairs.

''That necklace, my mom always used to wear that every day, Keep that safe '' Eric whispered as he opened the door to his luxury vehicle.

♡  ♡  ♡

The car's tired stretched halt in front of a royal building, expensive red carpets laid on the floor, women and men dressed exquisitely screamed pomp and wealth, swarms of paparazzi ran around the aristocrats questioning and capturing them within the magic of the cameras.

The door to the expensive car opened and Eric placed a single well-polished and shoe-clad outside and all the attention was on him, a huge gasp left every breathing soul's mouth as he knotted his brows and stepped out, adjusting his cufflinks yet again, he gave the cameras a smirk running his fingers through his perfectly combed hair, a dreamy sigh left every lady's mouth.

Eric hooked his fingers with the handle of the car and pulled it open, he bend down and gave his arm to an extremely hyperventilating Odette who was breathing hard seeing the crowd that awaited her, she gave him a tight-lipped smile and linked her hand with his bicep, she got out carefully but halted when a strand of satin got stuck with her heels

Without further thought, Eric went down onto his knees and slid his hand into her bottom gown, unhooking the thread from her shoes, she unknowingly felt her heart race with his every action, he got up and adjusted his collars while they were blinded by a thousand camera flashes.

She looked up at his face as a smile touched her lips, he bit his bottom lip and winked at her before wrapping his right hand around her thin waist, purposefully gliding his fingers along the thin layer of her gown making her shiver.

''Mr Carter, is Miss Willow your girlfriend? Is that the relationship you share with her?'' a media person shot pushing the mic onto Eric's face, an expression of disgust was pasted on his face as he gave the man a weird look.

He quickly turned and placed his palm behind her ears and pulled her closer, tilting his head a little he pressed his lips along with hers, kissing her gently, she placed her hand on his chest and smiled softly as he left her lips, Eric's smiled in satisfaction as flashes followed by as they made their way into the palace.

The ballroom was magnificent, everything looked like it was made out of solid gold, the carpets, the chandeliers, the chairs and every single detail in every piece of chiffon, this is the golden ball.

Her eyes moved in awe looking between the crowds of elegantly dressed men and women along with royal looking children running between their feet, Odette's grip on Eric's hand tightened as every eye paused to look at the couple, she heard him exhale deeply with patting her palms gently.

''Mr Eric Carter! What a pleasant surprise! You came to the ball this year! Mr Ruben must be very proud of you!'' a chubby old man tottered towards then chuckling, Eric gave the man a sarcastic smile and nodded. 

~𝙾𝚍𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎'𝚜 𝙿.𝙾.𝚅~

I knew from the start that Eric was one of a kind, he was charming, dark and every girl's dream, except mine, but my heart couldn't help but fall for his amazing looks and devilish personality, he ruined my life and my heart couldn't do anything but fall for my devil.

''May I have this dance angel?'' I heard his deep voice, I looked at his face and then at his extended hand, I chewed on my lips and gave him my hand, he quickly pulled me close, his hands falling on my waist as our other hands linked together, I looked down at his legs as the music flowed in and he started to dance, I followed his footsteps as he slowly swayed me to the gentle music

As the notes picked up, Eric gave me his index finger and I twirled on, He tied his other hand in the back and made me twirl more beautifully, at the end of every twirl our eyes locked, he linked our fingers together and pulled me close again, his breathing hitting my face gently, he tightly wrapped his arm around my waist and dipped me deeply, the ends of my hairs crazing the marble below.

He bend down and wrapped his hand around my knees and pulled me up, My hands falling on his shoulder blades for balance, I looked down at him, his gorgeous eyes, his parted lips and his gorgeous frame.

Right as he allowed my heels to touch the ground he grabbed my face and kissed me deeply, softly and mostly, lovingly.

♡  ♡  ♡

Hey beautiful people!

That's another chapter! Hope you are enjoying this book with me!

𝚆𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝚆𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎 ,

𝙳𝚒𝚊𝚗𝚊 

𝙰𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙴𝚍𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢 - 𝙶𝚊𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚕 𝙰𝚗𝚍𝚛𝚎 𝙱𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚌

https://youtu.be/wIft-t-MQuE