A Scatter of Pearls
ZAIA. “Have I already told you that you look beautiful tonight?” Someone
whispers in my ear. My breath hitches, not sensing him coming closer and I
almost turn when a hand touches my waist, stopping me.
His scent fills my nose and I smile, tilting my head and poking my eyes out
playfully at Atticus. “Twice actually,” I say softly, sipping the champagne from my
glass. He smirks. “I guess I just can’t express it enough.”
I am about to reply when Dad taps the microphone, capturing my attention.
“Ladies and gentlemen, all esteemed guests, may I have your attention,” Dad
says, making the chatter die through the hall.
We are in one of the lavish five-star hotels not far outside of the Crystal Shadow
Pack territory for Dad’s dinner party he is hosting in my honour.
The night has been a blur of meeting people and making small talk, and not all of
them are werewolves, hence Dad’s use of a microphone.
Atticus raises his eyebrows playfully at me as we both give Dad our full attention.
Atticus’s pack and our pack became allies thanks to the friendship between
Atticus and
Although Atticus still makes it clear that I am the one he wants, we are simply
friends, but I won’t deny that I appreciate having him in my life. Even the children
like having him around and call him Uncle too.
It’s nice having a friend. I never heard back from Valerie and, for some reason,
the emails that I sent returned to my outbox with a “failed’ notification.
“As everyone knows, my Daughter Zaia Toussaint has been a great asset to my
company for the last few years. Being voted in as managing director of the
company last year by the board itself. I can assure you that had nothing to do
with me!” He chuckles and others do, too.
He takes a moment, allowing the rush to die down before he slips his free hand
into his pocket and looks at me.
“Well, it’s the truth. She has proven herself greatly and not only to me but to our
company. Her hands-on approach to handling every hurdle, as well as her work
ethic and professionalism towards our clients, have not only been appreciated by
others, but above all by myself.” Dad continues.
I watch him, as I adjust the pearl strap of my ivory-fitted dress that reaches the
floor. My hair is pulled up in a stylish updo with a small pearl hair ornament. A few
small items of pearl jewellery adorn my ears and hands. Winged liner and glossy
lips finish off my look.
I can sense many eyes on me as Dad continues and a few whispers, which I
don’t bother with. “It has been a while since Mr. Simmons has been
contemplating retiring from his position and tonight, hot only will I be announcing
the new CEO of Toussaint.
Enterprises but also the heir to the majority of this empire! It is with my greatest
pleasure to announce none other than my daughter, Ms Zaia Toussaint!) Dad
says and everyone begins clapping as the cameras pan on me.
My eyes widen in surprise. Yes, I have aimed to grow, to do better every single
day, but I never expected Dad to name me his heir this soon.
“Congratulations, Red,” Atticus whispers in my ear, taking my glass from me as
Dad holds his hand out to me, motioning me to step onto the stage. I look up at
Atticus, my heart skipping a beat. He knew…
He winks at me, and I take a deep breath, smiling for the cameras as I make my
way over to Father, and allow him to help me up the steps to the stage. I glance
out at everyone gathered here, waiting for the clapping to die down. Right… a
speech…
How do you do that when you are not expecting it?
“I am speechless,” I begin, rewarded by light laughter, and I smile. “I want to
thank everyone for attending tonight and being a part of this beautiful moment. I
want to thank my father for believing in me, the board members for always
supporting and guiding me and above all, I want to thank my mother, Melanie
Walton for standing by
my side through thick and thin… last but not least, I want to thank Atticus Payne
for always being an incredible friend, and for always supporting me. Thank you.”
I brush a strand of my hair back, tucking it behind my ear, only for it to slip out
again. Everyone claps and Dad gives me a hug, congratulating me as the
camera flashes blind me from all directions.
Soon, an influx of people are surrounding me, and I’m lost in the sea of faces as I
try to remember everyone’s names. I’m almost out of the crowd when I suddenly
feel as if I’m being watched.
An intense gaze that reminds me of one person and it makes my heart pound. I
close my eyes, my heart thumping, goddess why does it feel like…
I spin around, my eyes darting around the hall before I find the doors on the far
end, but all I see is the back of a man in a black suit, but it’s only for a second
before he disappears from view…
Dinner is over and I’m glad that the hard part is over. I’m exhausted mentally
from all the socialising, and I just want to head home and curl up with my babies.
I have just gotten off the phone with Mom, having excused myself to go to the
ladies’ room.
I had bid the kids goodnight before ending the call. I know I need to return… the
quietness of the hotel hall is pleasant…
“Come on, Zaia, just a few hours left. Get back in there.” I tell myself as I look in
the mirror at my reflection.
I adjust the strap of my dress, pulling a face. I know my personal assistant picked
it out, but this single pearl strap just doesn’t feel enough to support my breasts.
Well, I’ve made it through more than half of the evening. Just another hour or so
to go. I’m sure I’ll be fine.
I sigh heavily, before pasting a small smile on my face and exit the ladies’ room,
almost tripping over the hem of my skirt. I frown, bending down as I tug it free
and smooth it out.
Not looking where I’m going, my arm knocks into someone, making me gasp as
something catches on my pearl strap and to my horror, the violent tug breaks the
string, making pearls go flying everywhere.
I feel my dress come loose and my hands instantly go to my dress, my heart
thundering.
“I do apologise, I…”
My heart thuds as the husky voice behind me trails off.
A voice I recognise…
“It’s alright,” I say quietly, refusing to turn. I scan the hall, my eyes darting back to
the bathroom door as I clutch my dress to my breasts.
“Allow me,” his seductive voice comes, still making goosebumps rise on my skin
as he reaches over and pulls the door open. His intoxicating scent hits me and
I’m about to rush into one of the stalls when his fingers go to the side of my waist.
“What are you…” I trail off, as his fingers. brush the satin until he grabs a hold of
the string that once held the pearl’s- in his fingers, and he tugs it.
My heart is pounding as he steps closer, and I step away, but it’s a mistake
because I now see him in the mirror before me. However, I refuse to look at his
face. If I don’t see it, it’s not true…
“Let go,” He commands in his deep voice that for some strange reason still has
an effect on me. I spent years trying to get rid of those emotions… I don’t need
him back in my life!
Why did this have to happen? “I said let go,” he repeats, yanking at the string and
1 gasp, loosening my hold a little. Deftly, he pulls the strings tight, yanking me
against him.
My heart thunders, my breasts heaving as the heat of his body envelops me, and
his knuckles graze down my back, making my core clench and awakening a
terrifying desire I never knew still existed within me.
His heart is racing too as he ties the two ends of the string, yanking on the dress
a few times. He finally lets go, but my heart is still thudding.
“There,” he says quietly. Swiftly pulling out the pins from my hair and allowing it to
cascade down my back. “Easy fix.”
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,
I’m no longer able to stop myself
from looking up at our reflection and
3 5
my heart thuds It’s him. The same
black hair that I loved to run my
fingers through… the same piercing
blue eyes that seem to see right
through me, that chiselled jaw and…
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“You look even more beautiful than I remember…” he says, shocking me. My
eyes widen as I remain frozen.
He runs his fingers through my hair, but it’s then when I remember the faint scar
that his mark left on my neck after his rejection that I am brought back to the
present. I step away from him and turn, glaring up at him.
“This is the ladies’ room, Mr King. Do you need me to show you to the door?” I
ask quietly. He doesn’t respond, his eyes raking over me shamelessly, but what
shakes me the most is the carnal hunger that’s clear in them.
Why are you looking at me like that, Sebastian? “I wouldn’t mind you showing me
a lot more than that…”
“Excuse me?” I ask sharply.
He looks away frowning, and it’s then the slight scent of alcohol hits me. Is he
drunk?
“Three years… Who would have thought that a business deal I want to reject
would bring me to the same place as you…”
I don’t respond. Tonight is my night, and I will not let anyone destroy it. “You look
good… You’re doing incredibly for yourself. CEO of Toussaint Empires… I
commend you. Congratulations.”
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“ » :
Excuse me,” I say emotionlessly.
Three years may have passed, but I
have not forgotten what he has done
to me. I move towards the door,
when he speaks, making me freeze,
“
my hand on the door handle. “How
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are they?” he asks quietly. Visit
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My heart thuds as I stare ahead.
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« » . .
Good,” I reply, keeping it short. I push
open the door when he suddenly
grabs my arm, yanking me back
inside and kicking the door shut with
his foot. He pins me against the door,
making my eyes widen as my back
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“I know I’m the last person you want to see right now… but… I think you deserve
to know that Valerie’s family have decided to pull the plug. If you want to see her
one last time, then you should do so now.”
My heart thunders as those words sink in, and I stare up at him, my body filling
with dread. “What do you mean, pull the plug?” I ask. My throat feels dry and my
stomach churns.
“Three years, Zaia… She’s been in a coma for three years. There’s nothing more
we can do. The doctors and her family have given up.”