Chapter 21. Kian's Heart Halted...

When they arrived at the Rivera Shopping Center, Kian, Emiliano, and several burly bodyguards walked inside without caring for the numerous stares they received from the public. It was expected, after all, that Kian Hart was a famous handsome, and wealthy businessman. The dream guy of many girls. 

"Is he…?"

"OMG, is he Mr. Kian Hart?"

"I've never thought of meeting him here! I am so lucky!"

"Quickly, take a picture!"

People started to surround him as always, wherever he was, he was meant to be the center of attention.  However, Kian didn't care for that, all he needed was to find that woman and stop her from going along with Marina's plans. There was no way she would attend the Carltons' party.

If that woman dared to go, she would not only humiliate herself and the Hart family, but she would provoke Marina to feel sad and guilty about it. Her health would be put at risk again from sorrow and depression. 

That can't be, he won't let that happen when the treatment was working and Marina was starting to show a hint of recovery. 

"Where is she?" Kian asked urgently at the thought of Marina.

They had walked by several shops of the Hart family, but that woman was nowhere. He thought that she may be using her position as his wife to buy the entire shop, after all, she was such a greedy woman. 

"A few shops in the front, sir," Emiliano had the security footage from the mall on his tablet. He was a bit confused by Eva's new appearance; however, it wasn't his place to say anything.

Kian could hear some whispers from people around as he continued moving forward. 

"Is she Mrs. Hart? I didn't know Mr. Hart was married; this must be a joke."

"That was that other woman said, it must be true… but she is cheating. How shameless."

"But… she is beautiful, maybe Mr. Hart tried to hide her…"

"What are you saying? She is a slut!"

"You were blushing too when she was walking around. You even followed her."

"You… shut up!"

Kian frowned, "Beautiful? Cheating? What is going on?"

He continued, that woman was closer, a bit more and he would see her for the first time after a year. This time, he won't fall for her scheming, he will make her listen to him. His heart suddenly trembled, eagerly. 

Emiliano watched Kian's expression as they neared the place. As expected, only Mrs. Reed could make his boss change his expression. His usual calm and indifferent face was replaced by an impatient look. 

He could already see the three women and Mrs. Reed with a man standing in front of Madame Curtis's shop. Just a bit more and they would be there; however, Kian stopped in his tracks. 

"Is she… that woman?"

It was as if he had seen her for the first time. However, she was not the gentle and pretty-looking girl he remembered, now she was… different. 

"Sir?" Emiliano called and looked behind at the other bodyguards who just shrugged, not knowing what to say.

When the group of women left and Eva was about to turn around, Kian's heart halted for a second. The pain he felt that morning when he went to the hospital came back hitting his chest. He pressed his hand over his heart, which was beating harder as if something wanted to escape. 

"What is going on?"

"Sir?" Emiliano moved closer with worry in the eyes. "Are you okay? Shall we go to the hospital?"

"No," Kian breathed deeply, controlling those unbearable feelings. He felt as if his body recognized someone he missed eagerly. 

Madame Curtis talked to Eva at that moment, and Eva entered the shop the next second with a man behind her. However, Kian couldn't walk towards her, not even call out her name. Only when he stopped seeing her, did he react.

The store door closed but Kian's gaze still lingered there for a second before walking toward it and entering the store too.

No one would stop him; he had a special pass. The hidden and main investor of Madame Curtis's business had always been him after all. That's why Marina was one of Madame Curtis's favorite clients.

Emiliano watched the entire scene too. He couldn't believe that Madame Curtis would choose Eva too. Maybe Marina had something to do with it. 

"Sir?" Emiliano whispered again as he followed Kian through the door. 

As usual, the reception was empty, some dresses were displayed inside and the interior doors leading to the private changing rooms were closed.

However, they had seen a glimpse of that woman entering the changing rooms with a few assistants. 

This time, Emiliano couldn't help but praise that woman. He knew she was pretty, but now she looked stunning. His heart skipped a beat for a moment when he saw her, but the feeling suddenly disappeared when she entered the shop. It was like magic.

Guilt grew up in his mind. He couldn't be attracted to his boss's wife. It was crazy.

"Let's go," Kian said and opened the door to the changing rooms.

Kian and Emiliano had already entered when Ana appeared from the main entrance. 

"Mr. Hart?!" They didn't hear her. "This… I must save them!"

Thomas watched that stupid Ana run towards the entrance a second ago. "What the… Dammit!"

"Let her be," Gabriel told him with a mocking smile, "She won't be able to do anything and they won't believe her idiocy anyway. Maybe they'll get rid of her once and for all."

"What are you talking about? If she dares say anything to Mr. Hart about the card, we're done for."

"She won't tell him anything," Gabriel whispered to him, "in fact, she won't even be able to find them inside that store."

***

In a private VIP dressing room with a mirrored stool around, Eva and Seth enjoyed the attention of Madame Curtis's assistants. 

All with similar faces, almost as if they had been cut from the same mold, similar height, and complexion, wearing the same uniforms, skirts, and navy-blue jackets. Hair combed in a bun and natural makeup. They were all smiling and acting like dolls. It was fun to watch them, or so Eva thought. 

"I have an offer for you," Madame Curtis returned with a sexy, crimson dress in hands. Her assistants also brought three other outfits, and some men's suits too. Seth blushed.

Eva looked at the crimson dress and smiled, it was indeed the work of a genius designer. 

"You're going to Samantha Carlton's party, right?"

The lady left the dress in the fitting room and signaled Eva to enter, "Marina told me all about it and I asked me to prepare this dress for you. I was about to call you to come to the shop, but it seemed that you came first. Don't get me wrong this was going to be a favor for my lovely Marina, but seeing you… You are special. Very special. It can't be a favor… that won't be wise."

"I like the dress," Eva smirked, looking at the dress and touching it gently, "Indeed the work of an artisan, marvelous embroidery, a technique from centuries ago."

Madame Curtis' eyes shone with a spark of green, then returned to their normal color. 

"What do you want?" Eva smiled, "This is a befit attire for me, but I won't give my blood that easily. Even with a dress like this, it is not enough to pay the price for a single drop of my blood."

Madame Curtis was not surprised. Those who owned a dress from her were bound by a blood contract with her. Although they did not know what it was about. They signed the contract without knowing exactly the magic behind it. 

"I won't ask for your blood..." Madame Curtis smiled. "But... maybe I will ask for a little of your power and protection when needed."

Eva nodded, "Fine... as long as your dresses are still to my taste, and your other type of service is at my disposal, then you will be protected by my shadow."

The attendees were all shocked and looked at Eva in amazement. No one had been so bold as to ask Madame Curtis for such a thing without giving their blood in exchange. They did not understand what she meant by her shadow, though.

Madame Curtis carefully observed Eva and nodded. If her intuition was correct, this woman would bring about a major change for her kind and for the entire world. She had to trust her for now and watch her movements carefully. "My establishment is at your service."

"Perfect," Eva nodded, "Let's see the dress."

"By the way," Madame Curtis looked at Seth with a bit of envy in her eyes. She could see that the man had Eva's mark and her trust. If she were to have the same mark it would be advantageous. "Is this 'man' your assistant, Mrs. Ha…?

"Miss Reed," Eva replied, "Eva Reed, my other identity is about to expire very soon. And yes, he is my assistant, Seth Keagan."

"We have an outfit prepared for him too, he can try it on in the other fitting room," the old lady ordered the assistants to guide him. 

They all had shiny eyes and were very willing to help him. The man was handsome, strong, and had such dominant pheromones they couldn't help but desire. 

Seth was intrigued and glad to have a suit of such quality. In his delight, he couldn't see the danger hidden in those women's eyes. Some of them were already licking their lips.

Eva could distinguish the intention of the group of assistants and just smiled. If her little assistant had a little fun every once in a while, she didn't mind it.

Seth smiled as the women guided him to another changing room. 

It seems that having Eva as the leader and his Master was not a bad idea at all.