Crossing The Line: A Mafia Affair

NOT THAT GIRL ANYMORE

KRISTABEL’S POV

I breathed in and then let out a shaky breath. I felt like I didn’t belong here. The dazzling lights, the cameras, the gold-encrusted chandeliers, the poshly dressed people in evening gowns and tuxedos, everything…every single thing made me feel like an impostor.

I retreated into myself, summoning whatever confidence I could gather. I reminded myself I was no longer that insecure girl from Boston. No, I had worked my ass off, built myself from the ground up, changed my life, and so I deserve to be here as much as everyone else.

With a confident smile, I continued walking, keeping my back straight and holding my head high.

I was representing my boyfriend Damien and his company tonight. I cannot be anything less than perfect. Damien and I ran into each other at a conference in Beverly Hills when I was eager to network with top companies.

A year later, he proposed to me. Using my business expertise, Damien loved me and kept me up to speed with company affairs.

I had to make Damien proud. I had to show that I am capable of helping him out. I do not want to disappoint him. And it scared me to think about what would happen if he ever finds out…

No, I couldn’t think about that, at least not right now. The past is the past. I had moved on. Damien was all that mattered to me. The past is dead, gone, and buried; there’s no point thinking about it.

“Ma’am, please come with me,” one of the waiters said as he led me to a table with Damien's name on it.

I sat next to a sophisticated-looking older couple.

“Smile, talk, and network,” I repeated like a mantra. I smiled and acted in the way I had seen Damien act for a year now—confident, polite, and conversational.

I smiled and talked, finally starting to feel like I belonged, and then suddenly I started having this nagging feeling that someone was watching me.

I turned in the direction of the gaze. At first, I thought nothing of the man in the navy blue tuxedo, but it all clicked after he moved a bit, and I saw his face more clearly.

His eyes stared into mine, and my anxiety rose like unyielding waves. I could hardly breathe. It felt like my throat was closing in on itself. My heart was thumping rapidly in my chest.

How was this possible? It couldn’t be him…Liam Connor in the flesh.

After all these years, the pain and hurt that I thought I had gotten over came rushing back. My heart was beating rapidly in my chest. I fought to keep the tears back.

“I have to get out of here!” I thought to myself as my emotions went out of control.

I stood up quickly, mistakenly hitting a tray containing glasses of champagne. The champagne spilled everywhere, attracting stares and even more mumbling.

A million thoughts rushed through my head as I headed for the bathroom, eager to avert his glance, calm myself down, and call my chauffeur to bring the car around.

“I need to get out of here!” I thought over and over as I stared into the bathroom mirror, trying to calm down, breathe, and somehow numb all the emotions that I was feeling. Rage, resentment, and sadness all mixed up, creating a new emotion I could hardly understand.

I held on to the cold sink in the restroom, wanting more than anything to leave the event altogether, but knowing that I couldn’t. Leaving would mean disappointing Damien, and I couldn’t do that. He has put so much trust in me that I must stay even though it hurts.

“Breathe in, Kristabel,” I said to my reflection in the mirror. The image of the shy, insecure girl I was many years ago formed in my mind, and the memories of Liam’s betrayal stung even more.

I looked at myself and for the first time I realized that he would probably not recognize me, I looked so different now. I ditched the chunky glasses I used to wear, I no longer need the braces, I have taken my fitness a lot more seriously, and I don’t even have the same hair color that I used to.

Everything about me had changed.

As I realized this, a calm washed over me. I fixed up my makeup, and when I had regained my composure, I headed back to the gala with a smile.

I sat by the bar, sipping a glass of wine, hoping the alcohol content would help me get through the night.

“Hello.” I heard a baritone voice say.

Before even turning to look, I immediately knew who this was: Liam. All the calm and composure I had fought hard to gain melted, and the rage came. I reminded myself to calm down and not make a scene.

I could not talk because I was scared of what I might say, so I ignored him.

“Uhm, I’m sorry to bother you, it’s just that you look familiar,” he said.

“Oh, I don't believe we've met, sir,” I said with a venomous tinge, now looking at him and doing my best to keep a plastic smile on my face.

If my brashness took him aback, he didn't show it and kept his eyes locked on mine. I stood there waiting for him to leave, but he didn't. His eyes wandered from my face to my chest area, which was a bit exposed in my low-cut off-the-shoulder evening gown. I picked up my purse, now enraged by his lack of decorum. I was about to leave the bar area when I heard him say my name.

“Kris?” He mumbled barely above a whisper, and against my better judgment, I froze.

“I don’t know who you are talking about.” I tried but knew I had failed; my heart thudded in my chest as he came closer, his eyes searching mine.

“You’ve changed a whole lot, but I know it’s you, Kris. How can I forget the one person who had tried to ruin my life?” He asked, pointing to the damn scar on my chest that my dress hadn't been able to cover. His face was smirking, which did nothing but grate on my already simmering anger. There was no point pretending now.

“ Is that the lie you tell yourself? You know what? I don’t even care, just stay the fuck away from me! I never want to see you again.” I said, trying and failing to keep my voice calm, and starting to walk away, but his hand held me back.

“And what if I don't!” Liam replied as he pulled me back.

We were so close to each other–too close. I could feel his breath on me, his hand sent shock waves through my whole body. My heart thumped rapidly in my chest. Even after so long, why do I still feel this way? Why does Liam being close to me make me feel like that little girl again?

We both stared into each other’s eyes, and it felt like the world stopped for a second.

“ I’ve been looking all over for you, my love.” I heard someone say, snapping me out of my daze, I quickly moved away from Liam before she got closer.

“You know the crowd is unbearable for me when you're not there,” she whined as she kissed him. An emotion seized me that I could immediately recognize.

Jealousy? I instantly looked down, brushing imaginary dust off my dress. Standing next to her, I could make an international model doubt her existence. She was stunning, and I immediately felt inferior next to her.

“And who’s your friend over here?” The woman asked as if noticing me for the first time.

“I’m Kristabel Hardings, a representative from Bach Industries,” I said with my plastic smile back in position, doing my best to shake off the jealousy and anger that threatened to consume me.

“Nice to meet you, Kristabel. Anyway, I’d like to steal my husband away, that's of course, if you both are done talking,” she replied.

“It’s fine. We are done talking… for now,” Liam said, his tone held a secret message that only I understood.

Hands linked, they headed back into the party while I stood there with that one word ringing loudly in my head.

Husband.