Fifty

Wether he has forgotten,- although, I doubt it- nothing about the woman in front of me is forgettable, or he is pretending to have forgotten, his presence bolsters me, his intentional aloofness soothes something deep inside me, that I can't quite put a name to it.

Especially, knowing that when the time comes he will keep his word, and be faithful to me. Regardless of his insidious past.

Amalia laughs nervously, smoothening the non-existent creases in her dress, and in doing so, she brings her hands to her voluptuous chest, my eyes snag on the movement of her hands and inadvertently to the pebbled nipples drilling holes into the smooth fabric. Wonderful, now she is openly flirting with Mason, probably well aware of his weakness. Well played, Amalia. Well played.

The stem of the glass groans under my steely grip, and I feel Mason's thumb begin to draw circles on my back. No doubt in an attempt to soothe my rising anger. She is openly ogling Mason, coyly smiling at him, her wintery eyes glinting with something feral, unlike anything I've ever seen in anyone else.

" Once again, you'll have to forgive me, but I can't place you," Mason breaks the oppressive silence that has settled over us, weighing down the air, and making it impossible to breathe.

Amalia licks her bottom lip, suggestively looking straight into Mason's eyes, " We've spent the night together a few years ago. We met at a business dinner, " A furious blush creeps up her neck, settling over her high cheekbones. Mason remains quiet on my side, waiting for Amalia to get to the point. I'm dying to hear what she has to say.

" Maybe we should have this conversation in private, " She suggests, her gaze finding mine. So far she has openly flirted with Mason, it's only fitting that I openly glare at her.

Mason clears his throat, " Miss Thornhope," She's a thorn alright, lodged in my very rakey side. Having to share him with Ava is bad enough, now I have Miss 'Look at my boobs' vying for his attention as well.

Smiling at him, she sighs dreamily as if her name on his lips carries some hidden meaning. Perhaps it does. To this day I have no idea what he did with them in his bedroom. But whatever it is, it must've been life-altering because Amalia is like a dog with a bone.

" I'll keep this short and sweet" His voice rumbles closer now, and his hand splays on my back, lending me his warmth, and dare I say some of his strength.

" Whatever it is that you're looking for, I suggest you keep looking," Her features harden all of a sudden as Mason takes a step forward, encroaching into her space, cutting my view of her but offering me a clear view of his expression. By now I know Mason well enough to know when his temper is slipping out of his control, and judging by the tense set of his mouth and his unwavering steely gaze, I know he is angry.

" You are not to approach Miss Abernathy or anyone in my entourage, seeking contact. I've made myself clear, that our fleeting fling was just that, fleeting. Unremarkable, just like your previous attempt to enter my good graces," A whimper slips past Amalia's lips at Mason's authoritative tone, and the unflappable demeanour.

" Do I make myself clear? " He takes a smooth step back, Amalia's shoulders sag, and her whole countenance changes from vibrant and confident to defeated.

" Yes, " She pushes past her tight lips, her eyes flicker with something aking to resentment if not accusation.

Mason shoves a hand in his pocket, his other hand, has now slipped into the curvature of my waist, fingers digging into the soft flesh there keeping me rooted to the spot. Not that I'm in a rush to leave.

" Good," He says glancing around the room, " Enjoy the rest of your evening," He smirks, and dips his head as a way of saying goodbye.

Chin trembling, stiffly Amalia turns on her heels to leave but changes her mind, and turns to look over her shoulder, " I hope you understand that your chances to expand your business ventures into Takkara have just become null and void. Not while I'm alive, anyway" The threat is delivered with a cold, controlled tone, her wintery gaze pinned on myself. Great.

Mason chuckles, " Well, " He shrugs," Then I guess is a good thing that Timeea is my aunt then, " He turns his back to her before she can answer, but I can see the way she begins to sputter, flustered at the revelation. Even if himself doesn't believe and it is quite a wild card to bring into play, it has the intended effect on Amalia. Shock is written all over her angelic face, and I can't help but revel in it.

He drops his hand to his side, and casually slips it into his pocket, his eyes find mine and I can see that he is rattled by the exchange, probably more than I am, " I have to apologise, Canim," He says under his breath aware of the countless ears nearby probably trained on us. The exchange hasn't gone unnoticed, rich people can't be angry loudly they have to do it quietly, covertly. God forbid a scandal, right?

Releasing the breath I was holding, " It was to be expected. I suppose there is more where that one came from," Nonchalance, is my go-to approach, because, well, we are surrounded by quite a few people, and there is no need to throw a fit since Mason has dealt with his past lover, and made it clear that he is not interested.

Smirking, he hums," True. So very true," He heaves out a sigh looking around the room and we find the group of women huddled together around Amalia, probably soothing her battered ego. I know how she feels. Been there, done that and I can confidently say that it isn't fun.

" It is my past. I'll handle it. There no need for you to get dragged through the mud for my indiscretions," He offers me one of his warm, candid smiles while I try my best to stay rooted to the ground. What just happened, cemented my faith in Mason, our relationship and our future together. No matter how uncertain that future might be.