Chapter 30: The Fundraiser

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~(Y/N)~

After months of planning, it was finally time for the big fundraiser. Earlier today I had met up with Hanji to get a good look at the venue, she did an excellent job decorating. But now back at the hotel with her, I got changed in her room allowing Erwin to get ready and leave before me. I wanted to surprise him with the dress I picked out.

Walking out of the bathroom face fresh full of makeup and hair perfectly intact, I revealed the dress to Hanji and watched as she looked at me in shock. It was an off-the-shoulder, floor-length red satin dress, it hugged my figure in the right places while at the skirt it poofed out, and on the right side, there was a slit revealing my leg. "Oh my god, you look divine!" she says, all while circling around the dress.

"You think so?" I wonder.

"Uh, hell yeah. Erwin won't be able to keep his eyes- much less his hands off of you when he sees you," she says. Hearing her say that brought a smile to my face, I could just see his face now, in shock but happy to see me.

"Okay we better hurry, I don't wanna be late," I tell Hanji as I slip on my shoes. We both then made our way out and downstairs to one of Zeke's cars that were waiting for us. Thankfully I hadn't seen my boss, part of me wondered if he was coming in late.

~Erwin~

At the party, I stood by the bar waiting for my date to arrive. (Y/N) insisted we change separately, and leave the same way in order to surprise me. I thought it was silly because I'd find her beautiful in anything she wore. I downed my second drink before leaving the bar, heading for the large staircase leading up to the entrance, I looked up hoping I'd see her walk in.

The music played loudly and the chatter from people around me drowned out most of my thoughts. That was until I looked up at the top of the stairs again. There standing at the very top was (Y/N), she had a dark coat over her dress which was soon taken off of her. My eyes widened slightly at the sight of what she was wearing, it was elegant. She looked absolutely breathtaking, but from the corner of my eye, I could see I wasn't the only one admiring her.

Quickly I intercepted Zeke making sure I had (Y/N). As she descended the staircase, her eyes locked with mine as she smiled sweetly. By the last step, she took my hand in hers, once she was completely down, that same hand traveled up and wrapped around my arm as I led her to the dance floor.

Luckily the song changed as we stood before each other, after taking her into my arms we both moved in time with the music, swaying left and right. We weaved through the crowd of other dancers but they didn't matter to us.

Then gently I pushed (Y/N) outward allowing her to twirl around, I pulled her back in quickly almost catching her which made her laugh. We danced for quite a while before I spun her out again.

~(Y/N)~

I held Erwin's hand tightly, I didn't expect while away from my date that someone would snatch me. But I should've suspected a certain someone would. Yanked from my boyfriend, I was pulled into the arms of another, forced to dance. Of course, Zeke had planned this. "Hello beautiful," he greets.

"Hello, Zeke...what do you want?"

He chuckles and pulls me in closer, "Humor me for a bit, won't you?" he asks.

It's not like I had much of a choice, if I left him he'd just find me again later. "Fine, but keep your hands above the waist," I remind him.

"Of course, this surely isn't the place for things of that nature. But if you're willing maybe-"

"Ew, no," I cut him off all while giving him a look of utter disgust.

"Right, apologies,"

For the next five or so minutes, we danced at a fast pace, it wasn't as good as Erwin's but I couldn't hold that against Zeke, he was good at a lot of things. And it just so happens he's not the best dancer. "Clearly you have something to say so just say it," I then blurt, I was frustrated with his looks and silence.

"Are you sure? I was so hoping Erwin would've told you,"

A little confused, I start to look for my boyfriend, "He's lying you know," Zeke adds. My head darts back at him now looking even more confused.

"What?"

Then I spun out away from him for a split second. After pulling me back in, he held me against him hiding my face in his shoulder as if he was comforting me. Then I could feel his beard brush against my ear as he whispered, "Erwin's not who you think he is, he's been lying to us all," darting my head up and away from him I shook my head.

"You're lying,"

With that, I yanked away from his grasp and was prepared to leave him. But now with my back to him, he came up behind me, putting his hand on my stomach practically flush against him, he whispered in my ear, "Ask him, surely you must've noticed how odd he's been acting, ask him what precinct he works at, why he's so obsessed with me... and if you need more proof from me...you know where to find me, sweetheart,"

Disgusted, I rip his hands off of me and quickly walk away. Erwin then came into view and quickly veered off to his left making a beeline for the bar. I didn't order anything, I just needed a minute to collect my thoughts. Erwin...a policeman? Or... maybe that's what happened to his friend maybe they were partners. It would explain why he's out late and running off. And that friend of his...Levi, he must be in on it.

"(Y/N)!" I heard Erwin call, my heart rate seemed to spike upon hearing him. Quickly I turned to face him. I wasn't ready, because if what Zeke was saying was true, that Erwin was lying then- "(Y/N) please, let's go somewhere quiet,"

Hesitantly I took his hand and followed him through the crowd. We made our way through the crowd of dancers to a doorway. As he opened the door, I stepped in, he shut it behind us and we continued on a little further until the music wasn't so loud. We turned to a dark hallway and finally stopped. My mind was still racing, going over each possible excuse as to why Erwin was keeping secrets. "Zeke told me," I suddenly blurt.

The blonde turned and looked at me, his eyes were soft and sad clearly guilty. "I was going to tell you, I just didn't know how to say it right and-"

"Well, it explains why you were so obsessed with Zeke. Why... you got so close to me so quickly," I mumble the last part.

"(Y/N) I swear I didn't want you involved- I was also assigned to look out for you," he explains. I raise my hand a bit making him go quiet. Assigned?

"What?"

The blonde stood there before me letting out a long sigh. "I'm a detective, and I've been working to bring Zeke down. For months we've been keeping an eye on him when we heard he may be selling women. But I was also told to protect you because we noticed that his last assistant went missing and when he made you his assistant we figured you were next on his list-"

"Just...hang on," I was trying to wrap my brain around so much, I needed a minute.

"Sorry," he mumbles.

For a couple of minutes, it was silent between us, I had so many questions but I wasn't sure what to ask first. I understood why he couldn't tell me all of this but at the same time, I couldn't help but feel like I was used. "I understand if you hate me, I don't blame you one bit. Zeke has already fired me so if you wish to never see me again...I understand,"

Chucking I shook my head at his words. "It would be easier that way... to hate you but I don't Erwin. I can't hate you. If anything I'm doing my very best to understand it all. I'm upset yeah, but that's kinda normal when you find out your boyfriend isn't who he says he is. I'm almost scared to ask if everything between us was a lie too. If you were just dating me to make it easier to get to Zeke, but I don't think it's a lie, but then again I don't know what to believe right now,"

Silent now, Erwin looked at me in slight shock. Then grabbing the skirt of my dress, I let out a quivered sigh and say, "I-I'm gonna go, I think we've both had enough for tonight,"

"I'll walk-"

"No...no I- I need some time right now," With that, I took off back to the hotel, eventually finding he was following me back. But I didn't care, I just had to get out of this suffocating dress. 

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