Chapter 62

Mia swayed from left to right, the pillow flanking her on the left losing its already compromised balance and dropping onto the floor in an inaudible plop. Mia groaned and cuddled into the warmth on the right side of the bed, her eyes prying open and she shot up into a seated position, her neck twisting about as her eyes searched the room frantically.

Harvey was not in her immediate sight. She detangled her legs from the sheets and eased her toes down onto the marbled floor and tip-toed towards the bathroom, her eyes scanning the floor for any sign of his clothes or accessories.
Harvey had come back to her room last night and they hadn’t said two coherent words to each other, eventually falling asleep in each other’s arms into the wee hours of the morning. He’d stayed with her last night; she had to repeat the words in her head. The lack of his presence causing her brain to wonder if she’d had some explicit dreams, but it wasn’t a dream, the soreness between her thighs reminding her of that as she cautiously eased her ear to the bathroom door and then edging it open. Mia peered into the sombre toned bathroom gingerly, straightening and opening the door wider.
Harvey was not here. She didn’t know exactly when he left but she sensed it couldn’t have been too long, his side of the bed was warm when she woke up. She draped a robe over her body as a knock sounded outside the door. She winced as she skipped over, rotated the handle and peeped outside.
She was bombarded by a puffed chest and rigid posture as he gaze travelled upwards towards the face. Mia didn’t need to see facial features to know exactly who it was.

“Rough night?” he laughed, giving her a boyish smile. Gabriel’s observed every inch of her body, his eyes trained on her taunt nipples pushing against the silk fabric.
Mia cleared her throat and tugged at the sides of her robe as if it was possible for it to cover more of her body. “Had trouble sleeping.” She patted her hair with her hands in an attempt to tame the mess that it was in.

“Looks like you fell asleep in your makeup.” He reached out his hand and traced the side of her lips with his thumb. Her red lipstick had smudged and now a slight hue appeared around her lips. Mia tugged her face away from his grasp.

“What’s in your hand?” she deflected. Any explanation would be an over-explanation and that would signal confusion. She couldn’t risk inadvertently giving Gabriel reasons to suspect her.

“I know you are not a heavy eater in the morning,” he held out a brown paper bag towards her. “So I got you some chicken puffs, I know they are your go-too savoury snacks.” He smiled, seemingly proud of himself that he’d remembered how to please her. Mia huffed in surprise, smiling uncomfortably.

“Thank you.” She relieved him of the tiny package. She wasn’t ungrateful per se, she just couldn’t give him points for remembering a tiny detail. There were hundreds of details she knew about him, that didn’t signal love or affection, it was an unfortunate consequence of all the time they’d racked up together.

“Wedding ceremony begins at 2pm.” He reminded her, tapping on his watch.

“Oh, what’s the time right now?” Mia questioned, her voice sounding groggy to her own ears and her eyes being yanked down by invisible strings. She hoped to get another hour in bed.

“It’s almost noon.” He said, watching as her eyes and mouth widen into perfect circles. “Better get cracking then,” he laughed. “Will be back at your door at quarter to two.” He said as he trailed away.
Mia pushed the door shut and slumped against it, exhaling all the air in her lungs. She literally hadn’t the time to unpack everything that happened last night with Harvey. She had about two and a half hours’ worth of getting dressed that needed to be done in one and a half hours. She shovelled a chicken puff into her mouth, “God, that’s so good!” she exclaimed, her mouth full and over-flowing as he set out her accessories, clothes and shoes before heading to the shower.

*He said he loved us.* Lady Evil-Hour swooned as the shower spurted to life and water rained down on Mia. “Not now.” Mia scolded. She couldn’t think of that. It made her dizzy, her heart doing somersaults in her chest. He couldn’t have meant it, right?
Mia scrubbed away at her body, remembering every kiss and finger trail that made her skin burn with fiery passion. Even now her body tingled with want despite the slight pain throbbing between her legs. She was disappointed that he’d been gone before she woke up, but it was good timing. She couldn’t imagine the scene if Gabriel had seen him in her room, she shuddered to think it.

Mia sighed, what the hell was she to do now? They’d taken two steps forwards and regressed ten steps back. How could she leave him a second time? This time she wasn’t sure she could bear to say goodbye. Then again, it crossed her mind that she was merely overthinking the situation. “It was just one night,” She said as she wrapped the towel around herself and dragged her feet out the shower. “For all we know, he doesn’t even want to see me again.” She swallowed past the lump in her throat.

*But he said he loved us.* Lady Evil-Hour frowned and Mia sighed. Men often used love as a weapon, a trap to keep women hooked and pliable. She had to remember the state Gabriel left Taylor in. Mia couldn’t rely on words alone. That had never bided well for her.

***
Harvey buttoned up his shirt, adjusting the collar at his neck, leaving the two buttons closest to his neck undone, a tiny expanse of skin visible. He dragged his navy blue jacket over his black silk shirt, tweaking his cufflinks as he gave himself a final once over in the mirror.
He snatched up his wallet, keys and phone, shoving them all into his trouser pockets as he exited his room. He made his way down the corridors coming face to face with Raya.

“Ta-da.” She did a twirl in a rainbow coloured number, her hair half up half down.

“Am I having a stroke or are you actually on time?” he immediately glanced at his watch in mock terror, “or am I late?” he dramatized. Raya gagged at him and hooked her arm in his as they made their way down to the wedding hall.

“Someone’s in a better mood today.” Raya teased through clenched teeth as they moved into a crowd of persons loitering about outside of the hall.

“A night away from you did wonders for my patience.” He shot back as they eased their way into their seats and waited for the ceremony to begin. These things were usually never on time and they were certain there would be a delay of at least half hour.

Harvey gazed around the room, people were beginning to flood in and take their seats, the pastor at the front of the alter awaiting the start of the ceremony. His eyes made four with hers and he saw her suck in a huge breath, biting her lower lip.
Mia had been hyper aware of Harvey’s entrance into the hall. She noted a few women turning their heads as he walked by, their husbands entirely unaware of their wives’ attention being drawn towards this sex God. Mia felt a tinge of liquid annoyance at the sight of the women. She wondered how much female attention he was used to getting. He appeared powerful and incontestable as he strode further; like a mafia boss out on a rampage.

His eyes were holding her captive now. His gaze unwavering and hard. Not a flicker of emotion reflecting on the surface. It was as if she didn’t exist and he was staring at an empty space. Mia didn’t know the protocols for this situation. He’d left before they had any opportunity to speak and now she didn’t even know if she had permission to even say, ‘hi’.
Before any further thoughts could cross her mind, Harvey winked at her and turned his head away. The tension in her joints melted away and a small smile occupied her lips.

Raya traced Harvey’s line of sight and narrowed his eyes on him. She leaned back against her seat and huffed.

“You had sex with her didn’t you?” Raya’s loud gasp ending in a snicker, an irate man in the row in front of them spun around to shoot them a disapproving glare. Raya smiled at him charmingly and his mood instantly altered, showing her his teeth as a peace offering. His eyes flickered to Harvey and he immediately thought twice of any further disruptions.

“Do not speak rubbish.” Harvey leaned closer and whispered for only her to hear, his eyes shifted to Mia again. A scowl appearing on Harvey’s face at the sight of Gabriel encircling his hands around Mia’s waist. He was leading her to a seat. Harvey turned away, his temper urging him to tear the wretched man away from her.

“I had noticed you disappeared last night but I didn’t think anything of it.” Raya was racking through her brain, trying to formulate a timeline. “No wonder your mood has improved.” She shoved him slightly.
Harvey remained silent, “Even Mia is glowing.” She sounded impressed.

“The ceremony is about to begin, be quiet.” He shushed her unwilling to talk on the subject.

“I can smell the drama.” Her eyes lit up at the thought of it. Harvey Regal in a scandal…who would have thought?