Darius gave a small surprised frown before a chuckle left him, “To celebrate the fact that you actually made it a week” Despite her attempts not to, her lips curled into a wide smile, her eyes dropped from his to stop the laugh which was bubbling below the surface. “Well a real milestone”, she chuckled, holding back a small moan as he dropped a kiss on the nape of her neck. A tremor skated down her spine.
The party that night had been one she was nervous about, the venue one she knew well, her family having been patrons of the charity for years. She knew that her family and all her acquaintances would be there, the thought of all of the people she had known her whole life seeing her paraded as his latest sex toy, complete with a pet collar, she thought ruefully to herself making her uncomfortable. He however, had been nothing but a gentleman, Sara surprised but delighted at his change of attitude to her.
Darius led Sara around the room, the two stopping often to talk with different acquaintances both of his and hers. Unlike the previous gala they attended together, he introduced her as his girlfriend, this surprising Sara who felt relief seeing so many people she knew. Finding themselves alone, she turned to him, a smile on her lips as her eyes looked deeply into his, “Thank you” His look of confusion saw her add softly, “For upgrading me from ‘companion’ for two weeks” He held back the small laugh, his lips twitching, “You are very welcome”
Sara found herself enjoying the night, Darius’ hand resting on the base of her spine comforting as they walked, surprising herself as this thought ran through her mind. Laughing at a joke as they were moving from one group, she froze, her eyes staring in horror at the group who had just arrived. Darius looked down at her with concern, his eyes following where she was looking. “Is that Nigel?” he queried gently, her eyes flying to his. “Yes...how did you know?” Seeing the grim set of his mouth as he looked back over to the group, his voice low, “I have my secrets too, Bella”, before once more turning to her. “Would you like to go?”
Blinking in surprise, she gave a small shake of her head, a feeble smile pulled to her lips. “No. That man is not going to make me run away” rewarded with the approving look on his handsome features. “Bravo Miss Balfour”, he grinned dropping a small kiss on her lips, the two continuing around the room, though Sara noticed that Darius had been careful not to set a course that the two would meet, thankful for this consideration.
For another hour they made their way around the event, Sara finally excusing herself to go to the washroom. As she left, moving up the small corridor back to the main hall, she felt herself grabbed, the hands pulling her into an alcove. Holding back the small squeal of shock, she turned finding herself face to face with Nigel. “Hello Sara”, he said softly, his eyes all over the woman who had once been his wife. She felt the panic rise, her eyes darting to the corridor for any sign of another person, however, they were alone. Taking a deep breath, she faced him, aware as he blocked the way. “Hello Nigel”, she finally managed, her eyes showing the anger she felt. “You look amazing...stunning”, he simpered softly, his hand moving to touch her shoulder as she shrunk further against the wall. “What do you want Nigel? I am with somebody so if you don’t mind I would like to return to them”, trying to push past him. He blocked her way, his face reddening as anger took hold of him. “Yes...I saw that...didn’t take you long did it?”
Sara recognised the tone, growing quieter, “We are divorced Nigel. It is for the best” She saw as his eyes filled with sadness, the anger draining from him as quickly as it had risen. “Sara...this is a mistake. We were good together you and I...we were happy. I loved you. I know that you could learn to love me ...I know it” Now she looked up at him in complete disbelief, “You hit me Nigel...do you really think I could love somebody who did that?” His demeanor became one of guilt as he looked back at her.
“I loved you Sara...I still love you...but you taunted me with the fact you didn’t love me. It wasn’t my fault, it was yours” She stared back at him with pity in her eyes - pity and anger. “No Nigel. It was not my fault. You knew the day you married me that I did not love you...and your violence...that is unforgivable” Raising herself to her tallest, she looked coldly at him, seeing the anger once more return, his fist clenching as she gave him a contemptuous glare. “Do you want to hit me again Nigel? In front of all of these people...what would mummy and daddy think of that?” She saw the fear cross his face as he stepped back, Sara taking her chance as she moved around him, needing to get away.