CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
Mirabelle walked through the crowded mall, her heels clicking against the polished floor. She didn't want to be too obvious but as she strolled through the room her eyes scanned the sea of shoppers, finally landing on her target– Fiona Hardin.

She was browsing through a rack of shirt seemingly oblivious to the world around her, she was pretty of Mirabelle didn't put her emotions into it she could see why Raven was intrigued by her.
Mirabelle however didn't find it amusing having this woman take her spot, she wasn't sure what she was going to say as approached plastering a quick smile on her face.


" That would look nice on him" she said and Fiona turned from the shirt and she found herself face-to-face with a striking woman whom she immediately recognized from the cafe the woman that had bumped into her as she had been walking out.


She was beautiful, she had long curly brown hair that ran to her waist and her eyes were a soft crystal green that sparked with life and a quiet shyness.
"Hi," she said with a warm smile, trying to be as pleasant as possible. She didn't want to give away too much too soon .

"I remember you from the café. " She mumbled and Mirabelle smiled while nodding
"Yes, that's right. And you are?" she mumbled peering into her face
" I'm Fiona, Fiona Hardin" she mumbled underneath her breath, she looked to her and smiled softly as if she had not known her name

"Mirabelle Hales," she replied, extending her hand. She saw a tiny flame as Fiona's eyes widened in recognition, as she tried to work out how she had not realized it. It was to be expected, she was not sure if her fame was big enough to warrant knowing boyfriend's and such but she was very certain that her reputation as a model was well known.Her face had graced countless magazines and billboards, she was a beautiful woman and a very wealthy one too it would be madness to not know her.


"It's nice to meet you, Mirabelle," Fiona said, shaking her hand.

"What brings you here?"

"Shopping for a birthday gift," Mirabelle explained, holding up a sleek leather wallet.
"For my boyfriend." She mumbled

Fiona flushed her face filling with red as if she was going to fall into the floor and Mirabelle smiled, so the marriage was not in the open.
" Are you shopping for someone too" Mirabelle asked and she nodded
" Yes"
" A boyfriend" she mumbled wiggling her eyebrows, but Fiona shook her head, confirming her suspicions


"How long have you and your boyfriend been together?" Mirabelle asked as they moved to a display of watches.
" It's not a-" she started to argue but then stopped ,as if she had made some sort of decision in her mind in that moment
"A while now," Fiona replied cautiously and Mirabelle nodded her agreement
"But we've been keeping things quiet for... various reasons." she mumbled beneath her breath and she smiled so it was a secret arrangement
Mirabelle nodded, trying to make her expression ad understanding as possible.


"Relationships can be complicated. My boyfriend and I have our share of ups and downs too." She mumbled and patted her hand softly with little emotion
"Thanks for the chat, Mirabelle," Fiona said as they left the store.
"It was really nice talking to you."


She smiled looking to her with a soft grin pushing her glasses over her eyes
"You too, Fiona. I hope your boyfriend loves his gift," Mirabelle replied with a warm smile her glasses shielding her eyes before they parted ways

Mirabelle excused herself and walked away, her mind flashing back to the day she decided to hire a private detective to follow Raven.
It had been a random decision but one that had proved fruitful and very provident if she was allowed to think about it for long
She had been suspicious of Raven’s behavior, his complete insistence that he would not marry her and the detective had confirmed her fears which had turned out to be worse than she had known.

Raven was married to Fiona Hardin. The news had initially enraged her, filling her with enough jealousy and anger to last a lifetime.


But now, standing in the mall, she felt a sense of superiority. She had met her competition and was convinced she could easily get rid of her.
Fiona Hardin was nothing special an abandoned daughter who's parents didn't want her and a wife hidden from the world by he'd husband. She was shy and not confident in herself at all. It would not take much go get rid of her.

She went home and changed her clothes, nothing would come from rushing her decisions this night for now she needed to calm down and think.
Mirabelle pushed open the door of the only exclusive club in the city and the one she liked the most later that evening, ready to unwind and plot her next move.

The club was dimly lit, and pulsating with heavy bass music. She made her way to the bar, looking over the bartender he was cute but not what she needed tonight , she moved closer to him ordering a cocktail while looking into the crowd.

The bartender slid her drink towards her and she took a sip from it, she wanted to dance. She gulped the rest of it and walked into the dance floor
She moved her body to the music easily flowing with the rhythm, she felt free and good for the first time in days
" I knew that was you" a voice whispered into her ears a little to close.

She whipped her head around in surprise and glared at Corey Finely who's eyes were lit up when he saw her, a confident grin or was it a smirk in his lips
“Mirabelle, fancy seeing you here.”

She smiled, leaning in closer and raising her voice above the bass of the song
“Corey, what a pleasant surprise.”

" Is it though" he asked, his hand coming to her waist she looked to him brow arched and he shrugged but didn't pull away.
They chatted for a while, their conversation laced with flirtation.
He leaned in more than necessary and she did the same , Mirabelle felt a rush of excitement filling her veins ,Corey was charming and undeniably attractive.
He was rocking against her slowly, they were moving not really dancing but moving together on the dance floor filled with dozens of people, they moved together, their bodies pressed close increasing the heat making it like she would sink into him

The alcohol and the music created a heady atmosphere, and Mirabelle felt a thrill she hadn’t felt in a long time. Corey’s hands roamed her body, and she responded eagerly, lost in the moment.
" I want you" he mumbled and she smiled leaning into him a bit more
“I can’t wait any longer,” Corey whispered in her ear, his breath hot against her skin.

" Let's find somewhere quiet" she mumbled and he nodded dragging her along as he led her to the bathroom, and they locked themselves in a stall.
Their kisses were urgent, and their hands fumbled with clothing.

He raised her legs up, and pulled down her pants rubbing his fingers over her folds, she whined moaning softly from the touch she reached for his trousers and pulled the sipper down shrugging them of his hip
" Now" she hissed

He thrust into her and she sighed, gripping his shoulders tightly he lifted her hip and pressed her into the wall hard and then he began to move, hard and fast , then slowly until he felt she would scream

" Stop being so slow" she hissed and he laughed
" You'll come to my apartment" he murmured and she shook her head
" Can't" he slowed even more and she cried out in frustration

" I'll kill you' she grunted and he smiled
" I can keep going, my place" he asked and she hissed

" Yes, please yes" she begged. He kissed her neck and increased his pace, she held on to him and soon she was coming, her pussy clenched and her sight darkened like she was about to faint.

He came within her and she sighed resting her head against his neck.
He pulled out of her and she smiled softly

" You are very good at this" she mumbled and he laughed
" I've never had complaints"

" Your place then " and he nodded they made their way to Corey’s penthouse, where they spent the rest of the night in bed and on other various surfaces.

He pushed her into the bathroom stall, their desire was just as intense as from the club, he took her under the steaming water.
They fell into bed, their bodies entwined as they explored each other again, she fell asleep exhausted

The next morning, Mirabelle woke early, she stretched over the bed her limbs sore from all the nights proclivities. She glanced at the sleeping Corey, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. As much as she enjoyed their night together, she had no intention of lingering.
She dressed quietly, careful not to wake him, and slipped out of the penthouse.

As she exited the building, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw Raven’s name.
A surge of annoyance and total amusement ran through her; his timing was impeccable as always.

She answered the call, her voice cool and as composed as she could manage
“Raven, what is it?” she asked when he muttered her name

“we need to talk,” Raven’s voice was tense.
" I don't know why we need to talk" she mumbled baiting him

" Don't test me, I know you saw her " he hissed and Mirabelle smiled with all the cockiness she felt in the world.

" Meet me at the Clubhouse in two hours" he ordered and she smiled
" That's not how this works darling. I'll be ready in three"

There was a pause on the other end, and Mirabelle could almost hear Raven’s frustration.
“I'll see you " he said finally, before hanging up.

Mirabelle smiled as she slipped her phone back into her purse, her mind already racing. She needed a plan, something that would force Raven to see things her way.
Meeting Fiona had only strengthened her resolve. She wasn't ’t about to let some hidden wife stand in her way of having Raven Qing. He was her's.