Billionaire Flawed 1(209)

He's so handsome, Helen said when she came to visit. He really is quite the most handsome man I have ever seen. Much more handsome than Edward.

The sound of the name Edward shocked Emily. She'd thought of him all winter, every day, and for some part of every hour. In the end, she'd forced him out of her mind in a savage attempt at self-preservation. Now he was there again. Helen wasn't correct, Edward was far more handsome than Christopher, but Christopher was adequately handsome. He also had good prospects in the bank which his father ran, and Emily saw a decent future for herself with him.

The British Bankers Association Ball is always on the third Saturday in May, and this year was no exception. Emily, tired by the winter and depressed by her failed relationship with Edward, had decided to wear the green dress which showed off her breasts so well.

Emily was surprised how well Christopher could dance. Much better than Edward. Christopher for his part, didn't take his eyes off Emily for a second that evening. When she moved her breasts jiggled seductively, and he felt himself getting hard on at least three occasions.

Emily, will you walk with me outside, we can ask Helen to accompany us? Emily agreed and as they walked, Helen, who'd learned much about being a chaperon from Emily's previous encounter, stayed a discreet distance behind them. Helen was jealous, Emily always took the most handsome men. Christopher made Helen feel like a silly schoolgirl, and when she looked at him, she felt warmth rising in her belly.

Helen held her hand to her mouth and tried not to scream in frustration when she saw Christopher go down on one knee in front of Emily. When she saw Emily nod, she ran back into the ball.

Mr. Christopher has asked me to marry him, Emily said to Helen upon her return to the ballroom.

I know, I saw him. And I saw you say yes.

Helen, please be happy for me, you should see the grumpy expression on your face. But Helen couldn't hide her disappointment.





Emily hadn't wanted to go to the Duke of Marlborough's ball. It held unpleasant memories. It had been at this ball, a year ago, that her life had fallen apart when she'd overheard Edward talking about her in such a despicable way. She was no longer surprised by his behavior on that evening. On several occasions during the current season, young women had told her that she'd had a lucky escape, from him. When she inquired why, all of them told her the same thing. That he'd become a serial womanizer, a rake, who spent no more than two weeks with each of his conquests before moving mercilessly to the next.

Christopher had eventually persuaded her to go because it was the highlight of the season, and because he wanted to be seen with her. She'd been very insistent that she didn't want to go, but he'd called her mean and narrow-minded, so she'd relented.

It was just like the previous year, crowded. Emily turned as many heads as she had done last time, and Christopher was just as proud of her as Edward had been.

When Emily and Christoper danced, she suddenly felt it. It was like a surgeon's lance, piercing the back of her head. As she weaved her way around the other dancers and back to Christopher, the feeling intensified making it difficult for her to concentrate.

When she looked to her left she saw him standing at the edge of the dance floor, his eyes fixed on her and a look of hurt etched across his face. She felt her heart racing and tiny drops of perspiration developing on her upper lip. Her legs felt numb, and she had to stop the dance.

What's wrong, Emily? Christopher asked as he followed her. You can't just stop in the middle of a dance.

Christopher, I told you I didn't want to come to this ball, for God's sake, leave me alone, she said. He stopped and watched as she made her way to the ladies room. He went to join Helen and her group, much to Helen's delight.

When Emily emerged from the comfort of the ladies restroom, Edward was waiting for her. He took hold of her arm and pulled her into a corner where they were relatively free from view.

Emily, what have you done to me? Edward asked.

What have I done to him, what a cheek, she thought. I have done nothing to you, Edward. You are a dishonorable man and I treated you as you deserved to be treated. Emily felt her heart fluttering and her knees shaking. She could see how crushed he was, and it pained her. She wanted nothing more than to feel his naked body on top of hers, but he had said something terrible, and she could never trust him again.

Why do you say I am dishonorable, please justify yourself?

Justify myself? Justify myself? Emily was close to rage. It is you who should justify yourself. I heard what you said to those men last year, at this very ball. What you said was cruel and unforgivable. You used me for your own indecent gratification. You will never do that to me again.

But Emily you left without speaking to me. You have no idea what went on in that conversation. You jumped to conclusions.