Song Rec':- One of The Girls — The Weeknd ft. JENNIE and Lily-Rose Depp.
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Getting ready wasn't a daunting task for me. I started my makeup at 4 PM, even though the party didn't begin until 8 PM. Castiel had texted me from an unknown number, letting me know he'd be here by 7:30 to pick me up. That deadline pushed me to work faster while also trying to prevent Reese from blowing up the house with her wild antics.
I'd called Stella to babysit while I was out, and she was delighted with the idea. She said the toxicity at her place was suffocating and she needed a breath of fresh air.
Aside from the fact that Reese was familiar with Stella, I didn't trust anyone else to care for her while I was gone. It was either I worked from home with my child or took her with me, even if that meant she could burn down my office. If that happened, I'd just rebuild.
By 6 PM, I had my hair styled in a low sleek bun. Stella arrived and helped me zip up the dress I had bought just the day before—a black crepe gown with ruffle shoulders, a satin finish, and a corseted bodice. It was simple, but I accessorized with jewelry and a black purse to elevate the look. I added another pair of black Louboutin pumps and spritzed on some Coco Chanel.
I chuckled to myself when I realized I had subconsciously packed a bag for Reese, even though she wasn't coming along.
At exactly 7:30, my phone beeped with a message from Castiel, notifying me that he was outside. Not wanting Reese to see him yet, I sneaked out while she was preoccupied with Ms. Rachel in the kitchen alongside Stella.
I held my breath when I saw Castiel leaning against his black Koenigsegg Jesko. He wore his wire-framed glasses again, dressed in a black suit and black Tom Ford shoes. An eye-catching diamond wristwatch glistened as he fiddled with his phone. He radiated luxury and charm—an undeniable fact I'd never tell him. For a substitute teacher, he seemed to be earning more than expected. I assumed he had borrowed the car to impress me, but this man clearly wasn't concerned about my opinion.
I texted him to say I was outside. He looked up as I approached, maintaining eye contact while I smoothly strode in my heels. He quickly averted his gaze and cleared his throat.
"Quite early for my taste," he commented.
"Same here," I murmured, forcing a smile.
"Let's go before we're late," he reminded me. He graciously opened the door for me, and I settled in as he slid into the driver's seat. Soon, we were off.
When we arrived at Darwin's mansion, I unbuckled my seatbelt but he gently held my arm.
"What's up?" I asked calmly, watching him pull a jewelry box from his pocket.
"Give me your hand," he said. I spread my palm out. Castiel opened the box and slipped a cushion-cut diamond ring onto my ring finger, which I estimated to be about two carats. I'd accessorized with multiple thin band rings, and this one accentuated them beautifully.
"What's an engagement without an engagement ring?" he asked rhetorically.
"Wow, this is lovely. Thank you," I grinned.
I had always pictured myself wearing an engagement ring when I was younger, but that dream had faded long ago. Even if this was a fake, it felt special. However, I planned to return it after the event; I doubted he made enough from his teaching job to afford diamond engagement rings.
We stepped out of the vehicle, and Castiel locked it before taking my hand, intertwining our fingers as we entered the mansion with the assistance of a few domestic staff members.
A warmth settled in my stomach as we moved inside. The knot of anxiety I had felt on the way here began to loosen; he had a way of calming my worries. But as we stepped into the main hall, all heads turned to us, mouths agape in shock. When I glanced at Castiel, he seemed unfazed.
"Elspeth, my dear!" Darwin chirped, squeezing his way through the crowd.
"Good evening, Mr. King," I replied, smiling.
"Castiel Stepanov! Long time, no see!" Darwin chuckled, extending a hand for a handshake. Castiel, however, ignored it.
"Still have a thing for parties, I see," he said, eyeing the crowd with a critical gaze, his tall frame towering over Darwin.
"Wait... you guys know each other?" I asked, bewildered.
"Is he your fiancé?" Darwin inquired, a flicker of surprise in his voice.
Castiel released my hand and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer. "Yes," he answered for me.
"The great Stepanov is getting married and didn't bother to tell me?"
"If my beloved hadn't insisted on having you invest in her company, you'd still be ignorant of my marital status," he quipped.
Darwin laughed awkwardly after a moment of stunned silence. Castiel raised an eyebrow, while I stood there, puzzled by how this was all unfolding.
"How do you two know each other?" I broke the silence, curiosity urging me to ask.
"Purely business," Darwin shrugged. "Even if he's a punk, you've struck gold, Ms. Loughton. A high achiever for his age," he added.
I looked at Castiel, who was smiling widely at me. "I must say, I'm pretty lucky myself."
"Good luck with the wedding, by the way!" Darwin added, leaving me utterly perplexed.
"Thanks," Castiel replied.
After we settled at a table, I glanced at Castiel, who was intently watching a pianist play in the corner of the room.
[Who exactly are you, and how do you know Darwin?] I texted him as Darwin left to welcome more guests.
His phone beeped, drawing his attention from the pianist. He grinned as he read my text and began typing a response, then returned his gaze to the music.
I looked at his phone, only to see he had sent me a link to a blog post. As I scrolled through it, I realized he owned the company meant to supply all electronics for my firm, Xenonov. How could I have missed this? I had always assumed their main branch was in Tokyo since I had seen multiple stores during my visit.
"Why didn't you just say so?" I voiced my concern, disbelief coloring my tone.
He chuckled, "Where's the fun in that? It's better if people brag for you, Madame."
I frowned.
He stood and offered me his hand.
"I don't dance," I replied, bluntly turning down his offer.
"Who said I wanted to? Do you want to waste the night, or do you want to attract more investors for your business?" he asked, and I shut my eyes tightly in shame for my earlier assumption.
Reluctantly, I took his hand, and he led me toward a group of business-minded individuals. He stood behind me, letting me shine as he introduced me to each person, allowing me to chat and showcase my legal knowledge while promoting the firm.
Parties like this had always been a double-edged sword—great for building connections but equally capable of tearing people down. It played out when Darwin raised a glass to toast, "To the new couple in town! Castiel and Elspeth!"
Instead of applause, silence blanketed the hall, and from where I sat with Castiel, I could hear whispers.
"Couple? Is he the father of her child?"
"I don't think so. Castiel would never settle for someone as loose as her."
"Why trap a young man with pregnancy? Such a cheap sl*t."
"She's been glued to him all night; it's clear she forced herself on him."
My hands trembled under the table, fists clenched in anger as I tried to suppress my feelings. Castiel scanned the room, shooting a glare at Darwin, who had lowered his glass.
"Why the silence? Is your sense of reasoning dead?" Castiel's deep, resonant voice vibrated through the room. I glanced at him, pleading with my eyes; it was best if we left.
"You don't..." a girl started but quickly fell silent. I recognized her as A-list model Edna Waltz.
"I don't?" Castiel challenged, demanding an answer.
"It must be a joke or something, right? I mean, everyone knows Elspeth Loughton is promiscuous by nature. Surely, you don't understand what you've gotten yourself into, Mr. Stepanov," she continued boldly.
I opened my mouth to defend myself, but he silenced me with a raised palm and a sharp click of his tongue. "Is that so?" he inquired.
"Umm... yes—"
"Mr. King, are you going to stand there and let this b*tch disrespect my fiancée?" Castiel boomed, sending a shiver through the room.
"Excuse me?" Edna said, visibly taken aback.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Stepanov," Darwin quickly interjected.
"I want her arrested," Castiel demanded, and Darwin nodded at a guard, who stepped outside to summon the police.
Edna shot to her feet. "Are you serious right now? I said nothing but the truth! You'll lock me up because of her? After everything we've had in the past?" She hissed as the officers placed handcuffs on her. It was surprising that no one was filming this spectacle.
Wait—was she his ex?
"Wait!" Castiel yelled again. "Bring her here." He motioned with his hands. "Make her kneel," he added, a sly smirk on his lips.
The officers followed his commands, and I couldn't shake the thought that this could have been my fate if I didn't have Reese.
"Apologize, and don't make me repeat myself," he ordered.
At this point, Edna was vibrating in rage, her head hung low.
"We have a party to continue. Don't waste my time," Castiel added.
"I'm so sorry, Elspeth," she growled.
He turned to me. "Do you accept her apology, my darling?"
I blinked, momentarily forgetting who he was referring to. "Oh, it's fine. It's fine," I answered.
"You can go." After Edna was escorted away, Castiel reached for my hand on the table, giving it a gentle squeeze as he raised his glass. "About that toast, Mr. King?" He chuckled as though nothing terrible had just transpired.
Darwin snapped out of his astonishment and cleared his throat before raising his flute of champagne. "To the new bride and groom, Castiel and Elspeth!"
This time, to my surprise, everyone stood and applauded. Castiel smiled, drank down his glass, and looked at me.
"Let's go." He said, standing up and offering his hand again.
As we left, I pondered three things: Why do people always feel compelled to comment on others' lives? How powerful and wealthy was Castiel to command such attention? And who exactly was Edna to him?