"This is your grand plan to help me keep my company?" Devra growled lowly.
Darion couldn't help the small grin that pulled at his lips at her obvious irritation.
"It might seem insignificant but it is important to show our mark in society." He explained as he adjusted her arm in the crook of his elbow as they made their rounds in the banquet hall.
The room was beautifully decorated with a chandelier dangling in the middle of the room above their heads.
"Forgive me for failing to see how acting like a little perfect couple will help me keep my company." Devra muttered under her breath.
"It's so much more than that." Darion chuckled and she gave him a sideway glance.
He was enjoying this way too much.
"Why is everyone staring?" Devra could barely hide her irritation as she stared down at several people who blatantly stared at her and her husband as though they were some rare artifact set up on display.
"Ignore their eyes." Darion whispered into her ear and she shivered as his breath caressed the shell of her ear.
"How can I when they are being shamelessly obvious?" Derva retorted.
"They are fascinated that the rumours are indeed true. Your once crippled and estranged husband is now on his own two feet." Darion explained and she bit her bottom lip. She hated it when Darion was right and he seemed to always be recently.
"Just ignore them and enjoy your evening." He urged her and she let out a shaky breath.
Darion stared down at her, appreciating her smooth olive skin and soft features. His wife was a beauty and he woul not tire of staring at her all night.
"Darion." Someone called out to him, stealing his attention away from his wife and he begrudgingly turned towards the man.
"I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it with my own two eyes." The man whom Darion couldn't recall his name smiled brightly at him.
Darion returned the man's smile with a stiff one of his own.
"Are the rumours true then?" The man inquired, his eyes shining with curiousity.
"Wouldn't you like to know." Devra muttered under her breath, loud enough for only Darion to hear and his lips twitched as he struggled to mask his amusement.
His wife was amusing, she was unlike any woman Darion had ever met and he would be damned if he signed any divorce papers without putting up a fight to change her mind first.
"Depends what rumoir you refer to?" Darion replied the man.
"Don't play coy with me Darion, you know exactly what I'm talking about." The man looked at him pointedly.
"They are true." Darion affirmed, not wanting anymore time with the man.
"I think I see someone we must speak to Darion." Devra interrupted before the man could reply.
"Excuse us." Darion said politely and steered Devra away from the man in the other direction of the room.
Darion held onto his wife throughout the night. In truth he didn't need her to be present for all he wanted to do was make a public appearance so that everyone that mattered could see that the rumours were indeed true but he couldn't resist the temptation to be in her company even if she looked at him with cold regard.
"I need to use the restroom." Devra announced before detangling her hand from Darions and stalking away.
Darion retreated into a hidden corner, content to watch his peers from the shadows.
"I thought you would be revelling in your new found station in society?" A voice startled Darion from his thoughts and he slowly turned to face an annoyed looking Gary.
"I grew weary and tired from being a spectacle of fascination." Darion admitted.
"You shouldn't be here at all." Gary commented.
"Is there a particular reason you've sought me out?" Darion kept his face blank.
"What do you want?" Gary asked him cooly.
"Excuse me?" Darion quirked a brow at him.
"What do you want? What would it take for you to stop meddling in my family's business?" Gary explained and Darion's eyes darkened.
"By meddling in your business I assume you are talking about your sister's company which you are trying to steal from right under her nose?" Darion asked with a quirk of his brow.
"That is where you misunderstand Darion. There can be no stealing among family, I'm simply trying to preserve an empire here." Gary shrugged.
"An empire which only serves for your benefit." Darion noted.
"You cannot blame me for being born a son into the Hay family. I do regret that Devra feels threatened by me though." Gary feigned innocence but Darion knew better than to take the man at face value.
"I am offering you a blank cheque Darion. Tell me what it is you want in exchange for you to stop meddling in my business as well as urging Devra to hand over the company to me?" Gary asked when Darion remained silent.
"Don't you think what you are asking for has too much weight? You wouldn't be able to give me what I seek." Darion said slowly.
"Everyone has a price, name yours and I will to it." Gary insisted.
Darion stared ath the young man who was clearly blinded by his family's wealth.
At a later time, Darion would teach him that money couldn't solve all problems.
"You are a weak businessman Gary, it's no wonder Devra would never hand over her company to you." Darion commented, slapping the other man hard...a little too hard on his back.
"The next time you attempt to sway me over, the least you can do is have a solid bargaining chip." Darion added before he walked away from the man without another glance.
Gary stared after Darion's retreating figure with unbridled anger and vowed he would show the man just what he was capable of and he would regret underestimating him.