Business Always
CHAPTER 3—AMELIA POV

After I get changed into comfier clothes, Alexander and I sit down on my couch and turn on a movie. It's mostly background noise as we get to talking.

"We've been engaged for a couple months now. I think we should start thinking about wedding plans," he brings up.

"What do you want to talk about? I don't want to rush anything." I squeeze his hand.

"I just want to know where your head is at," he says. "We don't need to plan anything, but I would like to know what you're thinking."

"I want to get married in the summer," I say. "Then, we can even have the ceremony outside."

"Well, then, we don't have to worry about it for a while, but we do need to think about Mia Alesky's Halloween party tomorrow night," he says.

"Do we have to go?" I moan. Halloween and Christmas parties are always too chaotic. They're only times of the year where everyone lets their professional side melt away and have fun. However, they usually get out of control very fast.

"It'll be fun. We can leave as soon as you want to," he compromises. I eventually give in.

The rest of the night passes quickly, and Alexander eventually ends up going back to his house. We decided not to live together until after we got married to have something new to look forward to after the wedding, even though we both spend nights at each other's houses frequently.

I decide to look in my closet, deciding on what to wear now rather than rush myself the next day.

The last time I went to a Halloween party was with Xavier, 5 years ago, as his fiancée. It was the party where he cheated on me. That was the first red flag of many-and I ignored very single one.

may front lave Jeerritleriániesctitri him: Hèn,' 1'improrady utte personiten latesttermos{* right now. But I know for a fact that I had never been disloyal to him when he was mine.

I skim through all the dresses I own. I don't want to go in costume but rather in something simple and casual. Alexander and I had decided not to do a couples' costume. I've hated the idea of that since the last party.

I call Jodie, hoping to ask her what I should wear.

"Hello, what do you want?" she answers, sounding rushed.

"Are you busy?" I ask, not wanting to disturb her.

"I'm out with Leroy. Can it wait?" she asks apologetically.

"No worries. It isn't important." I end the call.

I finally decide on a red dress, which I'll pair with a red pair of devil horns. After getting everything ready for tomorrow, I get some sleep. I have nothing urgent to do at the office tomorrow, and the party isn't until the evening, so I can sleep peacefully with no alarms.

The next day, I wake up in the afternoon, and after a long shower and eating some food, it's already time for me to get ready. I dry my hair and add in some leave-in conditioner before tackling my makeup.

I decide to go for a dark eye look paired with bright red lipstick that matches my dress. It takes a while to put on my dress since it's tighter than I expected it to be, but there's no other place I can wear it without getting any judgemental looks. It's a silky material that hugs my figure very well. My big curls contrast the tight dress, and I put on the horns and red heels before leaving.

I get n Buber to the club that Mia rented out for the party, planning on meeting Alexander there.

When I arrive, I see the party is already in full swing with people dancing and drinking. I scan the room, but Alexander is nowhere to be seen. "Hey, where are you?" I call and ask him.

"Sorry, babe. There was an emergency at the office. I'll be an hour or so late," he says and ends the call before I can respond. I groan and make my way to the bar, deciding to wait it out until he gets here.

"Can I get a gin and tonic?" I ask the bartender after I sit down. Most of the bar stools are empty as everyone is holding their drink as they dance. I sip quietly on my drink, swaying my body to the echo of music, which is barely audible from the bar.

"Is this seat taken?" a very familiar voice asks. Without even batting an eye, I already know exactly who it is.

I act like I couldn't hear what he said, casually sipping on my drink and ignoring him.

His ice-cold hand rests on my exposed shoulder. "I asked...is this seat taken?"

I put my hand onto his, holding it there for a moment before pushing it off of my shoulder. Using the heel of my shoe, I kick the bar stool next to mine out from underneath the counter, exposing it for him to sit down. "Be my guest," I mutter.

"Engaged and all alone?" he asks in an increasingly sarcastic way. "Where is that little fiancé of yours?"

His words are demeaning and irritating, but I don't want him to walk away, so I speak, bluntly answering his questions. "He's running late," I say.

He hooks his foot around one of the legs of my barstool and turns it around so I'm facing him. His foot stays secure around the leg of my chair, just in case I turn back. His eyes have a glint in them as he eyes me up and down, making me feel incredibly self- conscious. I look down at my feet, trying to get my hair to cover my face.

He places a finger underneath my chin, lifting my head up so my eyes met his.

I take this moment to refamiliarize myself with his face again. His sharp jaw is still

visible despite the slight stubble he has grown. His eyes are mysteriously unfathomable under the low-lit setting of the club.

I see a tease of a new tattoo on his neck peeking out of the collar of his shirt.

"Are we meant to be the devil tonight, Miss Davis?" his smooth voice asks me. I swallow the lump inside of my throat and nod, his eyes glaring into mine.

"What are you supposed to be?" I ask quietly. He's wearing the same usual black suit as always.

He uses his other hand to pull a pair of sunglasses out his pocket. "Men in black," he

answers.

"R-right," I stutter, his presence suddenly so overwhelming that I can't even talk properly.

"I'll be keeping you company until Mr. Fiancé is back. Is that alright with you?" he asks so compellingly that I have to agree.