Chapter 04

"You just did," she replied calmly, she but knew all too well that a man like Mr. Doyle would make sure to know the identity of his escort to a masquerade ball. That was fair enough. And on the other side she trusted Elijah for protecting her true identity.

"Or do you prefer Jessie ?" Lucas brushed his nose against her ear once more. Swaying her to the side.

"Rose, is perfectly fine," she replied , starting to feel nervous. Lucas slowly moved his hand and rested it on the small of her back  causing her to shiver to the heat of his hand, he guided her hand  that he wasn't holding up and placed it to his neck  as he stepped closer to her, And then swayed  her to the left and then swayed her to the right,  and she gave  in to the rhythm of the waltz  that was playing.

Jessica followed  Lucas' steps carefully , trying not to trip over her own shoes since her dress was longer than what she'd normally wear. But deep down she knew something else was distracting her, He was impossibly tall, handsome and his name was Lucas Doyle.

"Am I making you feel uncomfortable Rose ?"

"N-No, I'm fine" she replied nervously. Was he reading her mind or something ?

"Do you trust me ?"

What's with the questionnaire Jessica thought inwardly. But she knew better than to let everything out. And wearing a mask  might help her a little.

"I do not know you" she replied properly

"Never heard of me, not once? Oh, I'm hurt,"

"I've read about you" Jessica said, while focusing on the waltz' steps.

"hum... interesting, have you read  that I have an insatiable appetite ?" and he caressed the small of her back with his thumb, causing another wave of shivers run down her spine.

Jessica knew what he was up to, he was not the first man  who  tried to take advantage of the situation to try and woo her. This arrogant male having her between his hands was up to something and she felt that this was only the beginning. She breathed in deeply  before saying,

"I'm sure a man of your status knows exactly what is written about him in the papers, " flashing him with a platonic smile .

"Touché!"  

Jessica did not savor her moment of glory any longer  than that. When Lucas  dangled her to the side and leaned in  closer while grabbing her waist firmly , Jessica swung  by Lucas' hand and her body floated in the air for a second, two , three, four.. The seconds seemed interminable minutes , while she was in dangling in the air and the only thing holding her from falling was Lucas' firm hand around her waist. They were in the middle of the dance floor surrounded by hundreds of guests and the media  whom she forgot a while ago. She was so caught by his presence,. Lucas leaned in even closer brushing his nose against hers  , was he about to… kiss her? WHAT THE HELL ? dear Lord  Jessica's heartbeat accelerating . adrenaline rushed inside her body.  Her eyes closed for a moment ,She sure did not expect THAT to happen.

"I was referring to sea food" he said mockingly. Jessica opened her eyes again to meet his dark devilish orbs. And Lucas smiled.  After that he lifted her up and continued swaying left and swaying right to the rhythm of the last notes of the waltz.

Jessica caught up on air , trying as much as possible to keep cool and composed. But Damn his devilish smile was stirring her from the inside. Having mixed feelings and sensations she did not expect to feel. This man was dangerous for her own sanity. Arrogant, teasing and at times he was sweet and empathizing. Jessica did not know how to react anymore. Even Rose had no clue. The later being the fearless part of her, the side that can control her emotions as she pleased. She knew that she had to be more careful around him.    

The waltz ended  and the orchestra started playing another melody. Lucas step back but had his hand on the small of her back still.

"Come, I'd like you to meet Joshua ," he said and Jessica all but obliged, It was not like she had a choice. After all she was paid to accompany this man for the evening and she was beholden to do so. She should clear her mind in a minute. Soon they met with a couple The man had blond hair and honey  like eyes while the women between his arms was a read head with piercing blue orbs, they both wore black  at the exception of their blue masks . Jessica started to think  that she was the only one wearing a dress of color.

"Look who's here amore, Lucas!" the man greeted him enthusiastically

" Joshua, my friend !" Lucas shook his hand vividly  

"Rose, sweetheart, I'd like you to meet, Joshua Davidson, my old time friend and financial manager . Jessica nodded and Joshua stretched a hand . She glanced at Lucas who smiled before putting her hand in Joshua's  who leaned and kissed her hand in reverence.

Jessica though surprised at the gesture, she inclined in response.

"Nice meeting you Mr. Davidson"

"Pleasure is all mine" Joshua said before letting go of her hand

Lucas then   stepped closer to the red headed woman and gave her a friendly kiss on the cheek,

"Miranda!  Dearest, " 

"Lucas! Dear, "

"Meet Miranda Moore, my soon to be wife," Joshua said

And Jessica smiled

"Ah.. finally! Miss Rose, I've heard a lot about you," Miranda said stepping closer for a friendly hug  

"Nice meeting you too " Jessica obliged

"So how did you two met ?" the red head inquired as soon as she stepped back.

Jessica looked in Lucas' way silently waiting for his permission to talk since he informed her earlier that she should introduce herself only when he allowed her to.

Lucas widely smiled saying "You tell her, "

 Jessica looked in Miranda's direction again and said smiling

"We met during a gala in Monte Carlo"

"Oh ! That’s why you left Jack at the altar? " Miranda shot.

"Rumors were true then ," Joshua added

Jessica's smile soon faded,  caught by surprise, she  did not know what to say to that.

 WHAT ? she screamed inside. Lucas did not mention anything about Jack except the fact that he was his step brother and that she as  Rose was supposed to be friends with him , and hell he didn't mention any fucking  altar for that matter . what was going on for God's sake ?!!

"I'm  not surprised that Lucas' charms work like magic" Joshua added, winking at Jessica

"His money works as well," Miranda topped  eyeing Jessica from head to toe not so friendly as seconds ago.

"Excuse me…"

"Excuse us," Lucas interrupted Jessica and Miranda's gossip with an unruffled smile and drew Jessica away towards the exit. She followed eagerly  before she crippled in shame .

Shame ? No ! Jessica had no reason to be ashamed ,she did not do a thing to be ashamed of , She should be enraged because of Lucas , he never mentioned any of this to her! What was he thinking ! what the hell was going on with Jack and why would this Miranda think whatever she thinks right now. What the hell did that mean? 

" What the hell was that ?" she managed to say when they were far enough from Joshua and Miranda .

"Don't  listen to her, Miranda is the queen of gossip, she's the modern gossip girl"

Lucas assured continuing forward steps towards the exit

Jessica barely had the time to comment on what  Lucas said  about that when the crowd of journalists caught them as soon as they stepped outside the ball room

Uh Oh.. speaking of perfect timing. Jessica wanted to scream at them.

They flashed them with their cameras and  microphones, taking hundreds of pictures of them

"Mr. Doyle do you have any comments on the rumors we heard about you lately ? "

" Mr. Doyle,"

"Mr. Doyle please enlighten us about what really happened in Monte Carlo?"

"Mr. Doyle,"

"Mr. Doyle please,"

"Mr. Doyle,"

"Mr. Doyle, please any comments about the scandal in Monte Carlo ?"

" Mr. Doyle"

  "Mr. Doyle what did your brother say about the rumors involving you with his late fiancée, "

"Mr. Doyle,"

Lucas was standing still as the crowd blocked their way . he was securely holding Jessica close to him ignoring the journalists  Jessica was flabbergasted by the huge fuss that it was, she wanted to cry.

One of the journalists held a microphone towards Jessica  and asked her

" Miss Rose, Is it True that you left Jack  at the altar because you were having an affair with his brother Lucas in Monte Carlo  ?"