Chapter 7 The Gala (Ii)

• ARYA'S POV
• I was still trying to process suddenly meeting my Ex in a gala when a man approached us.
• “Logan.” He called.
• Logan’s posture shifted instantly.
• “Mr. Harrington,” he replied.
• The man’s eyes slid to me.
• “And this must be the fiancée everyone’s talking about.”
• I forced a polite smile.
• “Arya,” I said.
• His handshake was flirty as it lingered before he finally released my hand.
• "If I wasn't trying to put up a good image, I would have pulled my hand from his."
• “Nice meeting you." He said with a wink that made my skin crawl.
• Logan didn’t introduce him further.
• "If you don't mind, I want to introduce my fiancée to some people." He said taking me away from Harrington.
• “Sorry about that,” Logan said, already guiding me away.
• "You don't need to be, it's not lime you are the creep that was touching me."
• We moved deeper into the crowd, exchanging brief greetings with people whose names I instantly forgot.
• I nodded, smiled, played my role.
• It was fun at some point I won't deny that, well it was until it was not.
• My Ex Carson saw me.
• I thought I would successfully avoid him all night until I met him smiling at me.
• "Can I go early." I said to Logan who had not left my side since we stepped into this place.
• "We leave together." He responded.
• I couldn't help looking over to Carson every minute.
• The way he kept smirking at me whenever our eyes met was creepy.
• "If you're not comfortable, we can leave." Logan said.
• I think... Logan noticed.
• "Yeah, let's go now." I said as I softly dragged him with me.
• Just as we headed towards the exit, Carson accosted us.
• "Hey there." Carson said, stepping right into our path like he’d been waiting for this exact moment.
• I rolled my eyes.
• Also, I felt Logan’s hand tighten slightly around mine.
• I tried to leave but Carson …shifted to block my path again.
• “Leaving so soon, Arya?” Carson’s voice carried that same smug edge I remembered, that same look he always had on his face like everything was a game he’d already decided he’d won.
• I exhaled slowly, forcing calm into my tone.
• “Yes, Carson. Some of us don’t enjoy lingering where we’re not wanted.”
• His eyes flicked briefly to Logan’s hand wrapped around mine, then back to my face. The smirk didn’t fade, it...sharpened.
• “Not wanted?” he echoed. “That’s funny. I remember a time you couldn’t get enough of me.”
• My jaw tightened.
• I had this strong urge to knock his teeth off.
• Beside me, Logan shifted slightly, I really didn't want him having the wrong idea about me.
• “That was a long time ago,” I immediately said, flatly. “People do grow up.”
• Carson let out a low chuckle. “Do they? Or do they just pretend better?”
• I felt Logan’s thumb brush lightly against my hand.
• “We’re done here,” Logan said, his voice calm but firm. No raised tone. Nothing.
• Carson finally looked at him properly.
• “And you are?” he asked, though the mocking glint in his eyes said he already knew.
• Now I was furious.
• “Considering you had to fake your identity just to be here, I’m not surprised you don’t even recognize the very people you’ve been pretending to be your entire life.”
• Carson blinked.
• For a split second, just a second; that smug, untouchable expression cracked and I was satisfied.
• “What did you just say?” he asked, his voice quieter now but threatening.
• I took a step closer, my heels clicking softly against the marble floor, my grip on Logan’s hand loosening only so I could fold my arms.
• “You heard me,” I said, tilting my head slightly. “Or do you only recognize people when you’ve memorized their bank statements first?”
• A couple nearby slowed. Not obvious, but enough for us to notice.
• Carson’s jaw tightened. “Careful, Arya.”
• “No,” I cut in, my voice still calm but sharp. “You be careful.”
• "And incase you want to know who he is so bad, he is my fiance."
• Logan didn’t interrupt. He didn’t need to.
• I've waited so much for this day, the day I make Carson feel as small as he had always made me feel.
• Carson let out a short laugh, trying to recover. “So this is what you’ve become? Bold and stupid enough to talk back because you found yourself a rich fiancé?”
• Logan looked like he wanted to get physical with him but I quickly held him.
• "He's not worth it." I whispered.
• Turning to Carson I smiled, even though I felt like slapping him across his ugly face.
• “No,” I said softly. “This is what happens when I stop covering your dumb tracks for you.”
• That landed.
• His eyes flickered.
• I leaned in just slightly, lowering my voice so only he could hear.
• “Tell me,” I murmured, “does anyone here know how you really got invited tonight?”
• His expression hardened instantly.
• There it was.
• The fear I've longed for him to feel.
• It wasn't so obvious, but it was something.
• “You’re wrong,” he said under his breath.
• I pulled back, shrugging lightly. “Am I?”
• I sighed, "well since you say I'm wrong, how about I inform the guards outside of an intruder, telling them your real name."
• “Everything okay here?"
• The new voice cut cleanly through the tension.
• Mr. Harrington.
• Of course.
• His gaze moved between us, interest flickering in his eyes like he’d just stumbled onto entertainment.
• Carson straightened almost immediately, mask snapping back into place. “Perfectly fine,” he said smoothly. “Just catching up with an old friend.”
• “We are no friends,” I corrected flatly.
• Harrington’s brows lifted slightly, amused.
• Logan took my hand again, "We were just leaving,” he said.
• Harrington’s lips curved faintly. “Already? The night’s just getting interesting.”
• Carson’s gaze darted between us again, lingering on our joined hands.
• Something I can't quite read flashed behind his eyes.
• “This isn’t over, Arya,” he said quietly.
• I met his gaze without flinching.
• “It is for me.”
• The silence was strong.
• The moment those words left my mouth, Logan turned, guiding me past both of them without another word.
• None of them dared to stop us.
• The moment the doors shut behind us, I let out a breath that felt like it had been building for years.
• I felt so proud of myself.
• Outside, the night felt colder, and I didn't notice I had a wide smile on my face until Logan pointed it out.
• "You seem very much happy and satisfied."
• I looked up to him, "Of course I am."
• "Sorry you had to witness all that." I apologised.
• “That was… not how I planned tonight.” I muttered, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear,
• Logan glanced at me, one brow slightly raised. “You didn’t plan on publicly dismantling your ex?”
• He seemed... amused?
• I huffed. “Tempting as it was, no.” I responded.
• When we were finally down the stairs, at the parking lot, I became aware we were still holding hands, and I quickly took back my hand.
• He didn't react.
• "He's not going to be a problem, is he?" He asked.
• I shook my head slowly… then stopped.
• "But that doesn't mean underestimating him."
• "Tonight was ok."
• “At least your reputation survived the night,” he said lightly. “Your ‘fiancée’ didn’t throw a drink or start a scene.”
• I smiled. “You call that not a scene?”