But I couldn’t help it. This ugly sensation seemed to rise its head every time some other woman whirled around him like a bee. I wanted to hide him somewhere every time one of those bees came into my sight.

“What’s the matter, Rosebud? You seem to have lost interest in the dance,” he asked, his voice close to my ear.

I didn’t turn to him. “What told you that?”

“That adorable scowl on your face. It looks like you’re planning to murder someone in a very innocent way.” His tone was filled with amusement.

This time I did turn to him, frowning. His face was inches away from mine. “It’s nothing like that. And no one can murder in an innocent way. A murder is a murder. And it’s always vicious.”

A deep chuckle left his lips. Leaning in, he kissed my nose. “My Rosebud can.”

“How?” I asked, dumbfounded.

“With those turquoise eyes of yours.” His voice turned husky as he pinned me with his hot gaze. “Just like they did to the conscience of my heart and turned it into a slave of theirs.”

My heart stopped beating down my chest as I sucked in a breath. A delicious shiver ran down my entire being. Those stormy eyes of his engulfed me whole in their flames.

“Mr. Valencian!” Mr. Hakimi’s voice tore his attention from me. “Sorry for the interruption, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to have a word with you.” The old man threw me a glance of apology.

I didn’t miss the unreadable look Arthur gave me from the other corner of the room. His face was blank of any emotion.

“Sure, no problem.” Ace turned to me. “Stay here. Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be back in a minute, all right?”

I rolled my eyes, my wild heart still thumping under my rib cage. “I can take care of myself. You go.”

Still hesitating, he nodded. “Just don’t go anywhere alone. If you need anything, call me.”

When he was finally assured I wouldn’t go anywhere, he left with Mr. Hakimi. But not before sending me another glance.

I let out a deep breath I didn’t know I was holding.

Grabbing my purse, I got up and asked the passing waiter where the bathroom was. Once I was away from the hubbub, into the bathroom, I let the cool water calm my nerves.

Closing the tap, I grabbed some tissues and dabbed onto my face. My eyes met the reflection of mine.

With every passing day, he was breaking my walls. The boundaries I made around my heart to keep everyone away from it. Especially him. But I was finding them crumbling, crumbling with his presence, actions, and words.

How long could I hold myself from falling again?

“Tsk, tsk! Look who I got here!”

TWENTY-NINE: OMINOUS