The reception hall was buzzing with life. The Interior decorators had outdone themselves. It was beautiful. The bride was stunning in her white dress; simple but beautiful. The groom looked star-struck. I do love weddings but didn't seem like it was in the cards for me.
Emma and I had done our best with the wedding cake; a five-tiered masterpiece adorned with white flowers and gold accents. The dessert table was overflowing with oliebollen - a Dutch dessert, fried beef, fish, smoked chicken, and mini cupcakes. I heard murmurs of admiration as the guests took bites of their preferences.
Emma nudged me with her elbow, grinning. "Do you hear that? That's the sound of success. Kaching!!!" I wish I could borrow some of the girl's excitement sometimes.
The bride's sister approached me to thank us once more and she promised to book us for her birthday party in a few weeks. Everything was going smoothly. The couple sliced the cake and fed each other, their expressive love affair bringing tears to my eyes.
It was time for the couple's first dance and the lights in the room dimmed and music boomed from the hidden speakers. As the bride and groom swayed to an Ed Sheeran song, Emma leaned in close.
"That could be you one day, with Greg".
"Emma, we have been on one date. And you are already planning a wedding,"
"One date and a roll in the hay," she winked. "Besides you're hot, if you give yourself a chance, there will be a line of suitors behind Greg."
I took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, "Let's just get through Greg only first, yeah?"
Emma opened her mouth to respond, but a deep, familiar voice from behind me interrupted her.
"Care for a dance?" I froze, the glass of champagne almost sliding out of my hands to the floor. I knew who it was before I saw him. that rich, sexy voice that used to turn me to mush every time he whispered in my ear. Slowly, I turned. Damian Blackwood stood there, tall and annoyingly handsome in his expensive suit. He had on a little smile - not the charming kind, the kind that says 'I got you.'
Emma's mouth drooled as she stared at him. She nudged me in the ribs and casually said "I'll leave you two to it." She sauntered off, fist-pumping at me behind Damian, if only she knew who he was.
"Damian," I said evenly. "What a surprise."
"Didn't expect to see you here. Isn't that something?" he replied, the stupid smile still on his face. "Are you going to leave me standing here, Sofia? Or will you leave the best man of the ceremony you catered standing there? Everyone's watching,"
The best man. Of course, he was.
I glanced around and he was right…people were watching. The last thing I needed was bad publicity. I put on a very professional smile and extended my hand, "One dance."
His hand slid around my waist, slowly, carefully, knowingly as he led me to the dance floor. Just as I had predicted, my body remembered, it felt natural to have his hand taunting me, tormenting me.
"So, a baker un? I didn't know you bake," Damian began as we moved to the rhythm of the music.
"Because that part of me didn't interest you," I replied curtly.
"Sweet Surprise, is it?"
"Do you always ask questions during a dance?"
"Only when the partner is intriguing," He smirked, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
"And you're just learning that now," I asked looking up at him. His hands gripped me tighter and pulled me close to him. I could feel him down there, growing. It wasn't uncomfortable, hell, if we weren't in a room full of wedding guests, I probably would have pulled out my underwear myself.
"I wasn't given the opportunity to,"
"You had two years, how long does it take to learn something tangible about someone," I shot back.
"I'm slow. Blame it on a bad experience,"
"You have no excuse,"
"You look good, Sofia. Happy." I was used to his deflection tactics. But this time, I didn't mind. The less he got out of me, the better.
The music changed and I pulled back. "Thanks for the dance."
"See you soon, Anita," that knowing smile crept on his face again and to resist the urge to wipe it off, I turned on my heel and made my way to the dessert table where Emma was. I couldn't wait for the night to end.
"You lucky bitch," Emma whisper yelled.
I grabbed a glass of water and gulped it down. "I beg to differ,"
Emma leaned closer. "You know, he hasn't taken his eyes off you since you walked over here. Looks like Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome might be joining the long list of suitors,"
"Emma, drop it," I warned, making sure she heard the seriousness in my voice but she was right, he was still watching me.
The night couldn't end fast enough, I tried as much as possible to maintain a smile while I handed my cards out to guests who asked for them. I kept busy, avoiding Damian's piercing gaze whenever I caught him watching me from across the room.
We packed and loaded the van, when we got into the privacy of the van, I told Emma. "That was Lucas' father,"
Emma's mouth shaped into an 'o' as she reached to start the van. "Oh my God, I am so sorry. I didn't realize… Are you okay, though? I mean, really."
"I don't know," I admitted. "He's here now, Emma. He knows where I am. He knows who I am."
"Yeah, that might be true but you are stronger than you give yourself credit for. You're still not going to tell him about Lucas?"
"What is the point?" She was right. Damian might have found me, but this time, I wouldn't let him control my life.
"Well, one thing though. He is still gorgeous," I admitted and Emma laughed starting up the van.
I stared out the window, if Damian wanted to play games, he would find I was in control. And I'd make damn sure he knew it.