Chapter Five
Colin was caught in a whirlwind of activity throughout the event. He moved smoothly through the crowd, engaging with guests, answering questions, and receiving congratulatory messages on the success of the product as well as having discussions with potential and existing clients.
The dance floor was open and cool music reverberated through the room as some interested guests took up the dance floor and swayed happily to the music. His eyes moved through the crowd casually, as he spoke to a client, and his attention was momentarily diverted as he noticed his wife, Elaine, gliding across the dance floor in the arms of a total stranger.
Her movements were fluid and effortless, her smile radiant as she twirled and spinned with a grace he had never seen before. His face burned and he hastily excused himself from the client. What the hell was Elaine thinking, dancing with someone else at his party? And who the hell was the guy, anyway?
A pang of jealousy and anger surged through him as he watched them, noticing how they seemed to be having a conversation, a happy one in fact, because at a point, she laughed and the man laughed too, and Colin noticed his eyes linger on her low neckline for a few seconds. That was when he decided he had seen enough.
He strode purposefully across the room, never taking his eyes off them, his expression tense as he approached the pair on the dance floor. As he reached them, he cleared his throat, his voice tight with suppressed emotion.
"Elaine," he said tersely, his gaze fixed on her. "Mind if I cut in?"
Her eyes widened in surprise as she turned to face him, a flicker of guilt crossing her face. She had almost forgotten she had a husband. The main host of the party, in fact.
The stranger looked taken aback, releasing her reluctantly as Colin took her hand, his grip firm and possessive.
"I believe my wife and I have some catching up to do," he added, his tone laced with a hint of coldness.
"Of course, sir" the stranger said good naturedly. "Forgive my manners, Mister Anderson. I'm Chris, by the way. Congratulations on your launch. I must admit, you're doing really well." He smiled, revealing a set of perfect white teeth and held out his hand for a handshake, which Colin took and released, coldly, wordlessly.
Elaine struggled to fill the cold silence."Um, Colin, this is Christian Sydney. An old friend of mine. He's an engineer, and he's briefly in town for a project. He was kind enough to drop by for the launch. Chris, meet my husband, Colin Anderson" the lie slipped out smoothly, augmented by a sweet smile.
Colin nodded, tight lipped. "Good to see you, Chris. Thanks for stopping by. If you don't mind, I'd love to dance with my wife."
"It's a pleasure. Please go on ahead. Your wife is a good friend of mine, and it was a pleasure seeing her again." Chris smiled, a smile, Colin was quick to detect, which looked more like a smirk. He nodded, wrapping his hand around her waist and drawing her closer to him. "Indeed. Enjoy yourself, Chris.”
And with that, he led her a few feet away, his grip on her hand tightened slightly, betraying the tension simmering beneath his cool expression.
He leaned in close, his voice barely audible over the music as he whispered words tinged with bitterness. "You were nowhere to be found when we had to take a picture with the product. Instead, here you are, dancing with someone I don't even know from Adam. Someone I don't remember inviting to my party! That was so nice of you. Disgracing me at my launch party. ”
She flinched and looked up at him. "I didn't disgrace you or anything of that sort. I merely danced with an old friend...”
"I have loads of old friends here in attendance too, but you don't see me dancing around with them, do you? Dancing with them first, before my wife!" he fired back, angrily, yet careful to keep his voice even and to not let anyone notice their heated exchange.
Elaine's gaze hardened as she met his. " I'm not going to apologise, if that's what you're expecting. I didn't do anything wrong. You're simply overreacting."
He smiled grimly and drew her closer. " No worries. Let it go. Keep up the appearance. You were doing just great." She understood what he meant and played along.
With ease, they fell into a graceful rhythm, their movements choreographed to perfection as they glided across the dance floor. To the outside world, they appeared to be the picture-perfect couple; smiling, happy, lost in each other's arms.
For a fleeting moment, they allowed themselves to get lost in the charade, to forget the emptiness that haunted their marriage and the secrets they kept hidden from the world.
Christian Sydney was the epitome of charm wrapped in a devilish grin. With tousled blond hair and gorgeous green eyes that could seduce even the most steadfast of hearts. Unlike Colin who had a muscular build, Chris had a tall lean frame, on which he wore an expensive designer suit, making him look breathtakingly handsome. Colin, who had noticed the smirk on Chris's face earlier, seemed to have missed the most important detail; Chris was a master of manipulation and seduction, with a reputation as notorious as his charm.
If only Colin had waited to know Elaine better, had not been blinded by love, that he didn't see the disaster of a marriage he was heading headlong into, Colin would perhaps had been a happy man in a happy marriage, and not a man whose wife's heart was pinned on another, while he, who loved her with everything he had, was just a mere object to fill the void of the absence of the lover she couldn't have. The lover who was now back and ready to reclaim what was once his.
At that moment, Colin was at ease, and happy. Elaine too. But she had different reasons for being happy. Chris. Christian Sydney. The only man she had ever truly loved. He was back again. And this time around, she was determined not to loose him a second time.