Chapter 3 The kiss before the goodbye

Chapter 3: The kiss before the goodbye

The morning sun did little to ease the storm swirling inside me. I was halfway through the gates of campus when Jasper stepped out from behind his car like some ghost refusing to stay buried.

"Elena," he called, blocking my path. "I know you're doing all this to spite me, but I still love you."

I stopped, arms crossed, my bag sliding off my shoulder. "Did you just say love? Come on, Jasper. You don't get to talk about love, not after the way you betrayed me."

He exhaled like a wounded child, but I wasn't falling for the act, not anymore.

"Elena," he pleaded, stepping closer. "You know I don't love Cas. I just need her wealth and I want you by my side. Why don't we continue what we had even while I'm married to her? After a year or so, I'll divorce her and marry you."

I stared at him, stunned. My silence was not agreement, it was disgust turning into fury.

"You are evil, Jasper. Playing with her heart like that and now you want me to be what? Your mistress? In your dreams."

His expression twisted, mouth tightening as though he was offended I would dare judge him.

"Don't defend Cas. I know how she and her mom have made your life hell. Let's join forces Elena and ruin them together."

I laughed not out of humour but disbelief. "Even if I wanted revenge, I wouldn't stoop that low. Especially not with you because you are not any different. You're a cheat, a disloyal and manipulative man."

He smirked looking as arrogant as ever. "I know you still love me and you can't stay away from me for long."

"Keep dreaming, Jasper. We're done and I've moved on."

His eyes flickered with something darker, like possession then he gave a half-smile and strutted back to his car. "We'll see about that, sweetheart."

And just like that, he drove off, leaving behind fumes and unwanted memories.

I pushed past the buzzing in my head and made it to class, but his words gnawed at me. How could I ever have fallen for someone like that? My final year of medical school should've been filled with focus and dedication, not betrayal and a manipulative ex who didn't know how to let go.

By the time I got home, my head was pounding. I took a long shower and wrapped myself in my robe, trying to forget Jasper's face. I needed something.....anything that could change my mood.

As if the universe heard me, the doorbell rang.

The dress had arrived.

I rushed to the door, my heart quickening. When I opened the box, my breath caught. The dress was nothing short of breathtaking. It was designed in black and gold sequins that shimmered under the light. It was elegant, yet daring, with a slit that hinted at power and confidence. My fingers trailed over the smooth fabric as awe curled inside me.

How did Nathan know my size? How did he know this was the exact dress that would make me feel... radiant?

I slipped it on and it hugged me in all the right places. The slit revealed just enough thigh to tease, while the neckline showcased my collarbones like I was carved out of ambition and fire. My reflection in the mirror startled me. I didn't look like the girl Jasper had broken rather I looked like a woman who had been rebuilt to look sharper, bolder and untouchable.

The jewelry that came with it sparkled like stardust. I added light makeup and styled my hair into soft curls and even my favourite heels, ones I hadn't worn in a year, seemed to bow to the occasion.

At exactly 6:58 PM, the limo pulled up. Nathan stepped out, looking sinfully handsome in a sleek black suit. His hair was combed back, and his eyes..... those relentless eyes held something between admiration and desire.

"My pretend-date is looking so gorgeous," he said with a half-smile.

"You sent the dress," I replied, blushing. "That's what brought out the beauty."

He stepped closer, his gaze dropping from my eyes to my lips and then down my body. "Not exactly, i guess you don't know how pretty you are, Elena with or without the dress."

I knew that look. It felt dangerous, lingering and so familiar. I slipped into the car before it could burn me.

Inside the limo, the air thickened with tension. He kept staring. Every time I glanced at him, I found him already watching me.

"Nathan," I asked, finally breaking the silence, "why do you keep staring at me like that?"

"I can't seem to get over you, Lena," he murmured.

My heart skipped a beat.

"Well, you will. This is a pretend date, remember? It's not real."

He leaned in, voice darker now. "Then why don't we use this time to continue from where we stopped that night?"

I opened my mouth to object, but his lips silenced me.

His kiss was nothing like Jasper's, it didn't demand rather it devoured and every second pulled me deeper. He traced my bare back with his fingers, then gently tugged me onto his lap. The limo hummed forward, but inside, time stood still.

He kissed me like I was the air he had been starving for.

And maybe, I was.

I couldn't resist. I wanted to give in.

His hands danced across my back then...... my thighs. My body melted into his and I kissed him harder, our lips tingling and our hearts thudding. He whispered my name against my neck like it was the answer to a question he'd been dying to ask.

Then.........

"Hmmmm........" a sound of someone clearing their throat. "We've arrived," the driver who was also Nathan's best friend and personal assistant announced flatly.

I jerked off Nathan's lap, my cheeks flaming like fire. He straightened up, ran a hand through his hair then adjusted his jacket. I touched up my lips quickly, silently praying my dress hadn't wrinkled.

We stepped out of the limo and flashes erupted like fireworks. Paparazzi, reporters all looking like a bunch of hungry wolves.

"Is she your girlfriend?"

"Isn't she Jasper's ex?"

"Where did you two meet?"

Nathan didn't flinch. He just placed his hand at the small of my back and guided me inside like I was royalty. His presence next to me made me feel shielded and desired.

Inside, the buzz shifted. All eyes turned to us. Whispers trailed behind every step we took.

Nathan was quickly swarmed by businessmen, shaking hands and exchanging empty pleasantries. I remained poised, but every now and then, I felt his eyes flicker towards me, as if reminding me that I was the most important part of his night.

Then came a familiar face, Mr. Cain, Nathan's father.

"Son! How have you been?" he said, patting Nathan's shoulder. "I see you forgot about your old man."

Nathan chuckled. "Never, Dad. You know how business gets."

Mr. Cain's eyes shifted to me, his expression curious. "And who might this beautiful young lady be? Wait... isn't she Jasper's ex?"

"Yes, Dad," Nathan said without hesitation. "I came across her... and I liked her, we're dating now."

The older man's brows rose, but he didn't protest.

"Well, well... you have taste. Elena, is it? You're welcome. We were supposed to meet you when we got back from Singapore, but then we heard about the breakup. I'm sorry Jasper did that to you."

I gave a polite smile. "I'm fine, Mr. Cain. Nathan has been... taking very good care of me."

He laughed and clapped his son's back. "That's my boy."

The night passed with toasts, compliments, and too many curious glances. Then came the inevitable.

Jasper walked in with Cas on his arm.

I didn't flinch. I looked straight ahead, my head held high. But I saw their faces, the shock, the jealousy and the unspoken war.

I had won this round.

But the victory was short-lived.

After the party ended, Nathan escorted me back to the limo. We drove in silence for a while, the hum of the engine was the only sound between us. I glanced at him, expecting warmth, mischief or anything... but what I saw chilled me.

His eyes had gone blank and cold.

"Elena..." he began, voice detached, "let's not meet again."

I blinked. "What?"

"I used you to get into that party. My mission's accomplished. So let's not... complicate things. Don't call. Don't wait. This was just a one-time thing."

He didn't even look at me as he spoke.

He just... gestured for me to leave.

I sat frozen, disbelief hitting me harder than the kiss we ever had.

"What... what are you saying?"

He sighed, eyes still avoiding mine. "I needed someone to make a statement tonight. That's all."

My throat tightened. My chest burned. "So you used me... just like Jasper?"

No reply.

I climbed out slowly, heels scraping the pavement. My legs wobbled, but I didn't stumble. I wouldn't give him that.

He didn't say goodbye. He didn't even wait to see me enter the house.

The limo pulled away, red taillights vanishing into the dark like everything good in my life lately.

I stood there, under the dim porch light, a black-and-gold goddess had been stripped of her crown.

I have been used....... Again.

And this time... it hurt ten times more.