Chapter 45 - Delusive words (1/2)

Lily fled to her rest room. She sat down on a leather chaise longue and let her feet dangle out of exhaustment.

”Bring me a glass of water, please.” She asked one of the maids and took a moment to catch her breath. Then she looked at the clock and decided that nobody would miss her for the next twenty minutes. She wanted to relax just for some minutes. She felt so exhausted. She didn't know why. But fatigue kept her down.

Lily drank the glass of water that the maid had brought to her, before turning to the small buffet especially prepared for the family members of de Valois. She happily tried some appetizers and enjoyed the exclusive desserts. She put her hand on her cheek and hummed a soft tune as the taste of the fine tarts melted on her tongue. Her cheeks turned red with delight. She was so happy about the little desserts that she almost forgot the ticking clock.

Reluctantly, she went back to the ballroom. Four young debutantes ran giggling past her, but there were hardly any people in the corridors.

Lily hurried to get back into the ballroom, but was suddenly torn back. She gasped loudly as she bumped her head into something hard. Out of reflex, she laid her hand on her head.

Her other hand was held as if a vice would clamp it. When she raised her head, she thought she was facing Alexandre's gaze. She thought Alexandre was looking for her. Since she had been lingering too long in the rest room.

But her eyes met a pair of ocher eyes.

”Pascal!” She startled.

It was Pascal!

Lily bit her lip. A warning tingling irritated her skin. Heaven, she was such an idiot. Nelli had warned her and she walked around so indifferently.

”Hello Lillien.” The girl did not know what happened to her, she could not decipher the look on his face. He had not changed in the two years since she last saw him. He still looked like a handsome young man. The hazel hair was combed back slightly. His facial features have always had something daring. But now a new component was added. He suddenly seemed so threatening and intimidating. The blood pounded in her head.

”It's been a long time, Lily.” He emphasized her names, in that familiar way. But Lily wanted nothing more than to run away. ”Didn't you miss me?” He asked with false care.

”No!” She defiantly raised her chin. She saw a flash of something in his eyes for a fraction of a second. Anger?

”Let me go, Pascal!” She grinned and bear it. ”I'll be expected.”

”You won't!” He interrupted her brusquely. ”Only I expected you.” Suddenly his voice sounded so gentle. But Lily admonished herself not to believe him. He was a talented actor who knew how to manipulate her.

Lily pulled at her hand. But his grip only got tighter. So firm that it hurt. She squinted. Then he pulled her into a side corridor. Lily braced herself against him, tried to free herself. But his grip became more dominant. Without mercy, he dragged her after him before he stopped. Pascal smiled, revealing his brilliant white teeth. He looks like a bloodthirsty vampire. She stared at him. Powerlessness.

”You had hurt me, Lily. Why would you marry him?” He asked with deceptive gentleness. ”I loved you. I still love you.” He said. The hall was only sparsely lit. If the previous passage was empty, then in this one was a ghostly void. It was so quiet.