<b>Chapter </b><b>50 </b>


    Mason


    Now, I’ve had enough. I moved to stand but stopped when Marcus, the jerk, cleared his throat.


    “Kingsley,” He called in a deep voice, exuding <b>royalty</b>.


    Kingsley must have been startled because he dropped her hand, and his face turned bright red.


    Marcus <b>raised </b>their entwined hands for him to see, and he took the clue.


    “You must be her date.” His tone grew bashful, and he hurried around back to his seat when Marcus, the jerk, didn’t reply but kept staring at him with a murderous gaze.


    I grind my teeth and reach for my ss in one swift move. I ced it on my lips and groaned when I realized it was empty


    I looked around, beaconing on the closest waiter.


    Slow musicmenced. Another ss was ced in front of me. I gulped the content down my throat. Listening to Lydia and Marcus, the jerk, speak <b>sets </b>something aze within me.


    Maybe it was the sound of her voice; it was cool and soothing as it had always been, but it was just that this time it wasn’t for me.


    Or, it was the stupid smile <b>that </b>refused to leave her lips as she spoke. And there were small taps on his shoulder and thighs.


    Two others joined our table. Their big smile when <b>they </b>saw Lydia was proof that they were just like the first man.


    However, unlike the fool, they knew to keep their hands to themself.


    Theypletely disregarded me, which was fine. I don’t care at this point because my attention was solely on Lydia.


    I was puzzled at how she seemed to be enjoying herself; the Lydia I know hates being in the spotlight, not thedy who seemspletely oblivious to me.


    Or maybe oblivion is not the correct word since she knew I was seated here by her side.


    But after the first gaze, she didn’t look at me.


    If I didn’t <b>know </b>her better, I’d have thought she was doing this to make me jealous, but I don’t want to delude <b>myself </b>with such thoughts.


    By the time the partymenced, I was in my third ss of wine.


    The MC walked to the stage and soon, Lydia was called. She gave a heartfelt speech and shared a few tears, which was followed by thunderous apuse from the audience.


    Marcus hugged her when she got close to the table, and my hold around the stem of my ss tightened.


    I took in slow breaths to control my emotions.


    I had to keep myself in check before this party turned out wrong.


    “Dinner would be served before the dance, and the proper party began.” The MC’s voice resounded around the hall


    Chapter <b>50 </b>


    Mr Mason. I heard my name and raised my head.


    A woman in a blue dress and heavy makeup stared unblinkingly at me.


    Thadn’t noticed her when she sat


    Why would I when I was too <b>busy </b>ttering my ex–wife?


    She stood from her chair and walked around. “I didn’t see you.”


    “Ani,” I said without an effort to sound cheerful.


    She hugged me, pressing her hall–exposed breast into my face. Her perfume was so strong that I <b>could </b>almost taste it.


    Releasing me from the hell of a hug, she stepped back, “how long has it been, two years? My goodness, you never change, stis fresh <b>and </b>handsome as always.”


    I checked from the corner of my eyes to see if Lydia was listening to our conversation, but she wasn’t.


    She wasughing at the joke of a man who was now standing behind her. Her body was nted to the side so she could see him properly.


    How could she be so close yet so far away? I can basically reach for her hand and entwine it with mine. But at the same time, I


    can’t.


    Having her this close and trying hard not to talk to her was exhausting.


    I tried to remind myself that things had changed between us and being in her presence alone was sufficient, but it seemed I was dead wrong.


    I know this <b>is </b>me being greedy, but I don’t care.


    “Mason? You okay?” Ani asked.


    I didn’t realize she was still speaking, “Oh yes. How’s your mom and all?”


    “I just told you I lost my mom.” my lips formed an oh. “Sorry for your loss.”


    I had been too busy with my thoughts to hear her. I tore my eyes away from Lydia.


    Ani and I spoke some more before she returned to her seat.


    The man speaking to Lydia has also left.


    Most of the people walking around and chatting had returned to their seats as food was being served.


    “Lydia,” I called before I could stop myself. Maybe she didn’t hear because she didn’t turn.


    “Hey, Lydia,” I called again, and this time/she turned.


    “Mason.” She called back, inhaling slowly.


    Staring at her face up this close, her beauty was radiant. Her lips parted a bit to let out air. I swallowed, “did you want to say something.” She asked.


    My words are stuck in my throat.


    <b>She </b><b>stared </b><b>at </b>me for a while, but my brain was shut; I could not think of anything<b>. </b>She started to turn away, and I found my


    that moment.


    “Congrattions.” She stopped. “You got the contract. Must have been hard to pull it off.”


    The ngs of the te and spoon came from the nearest table.


    “Thank you. And no, it wasn’t so hard to pull it off. It was easy since there weren’t anypetitions.” She said matter of factly<b>. </b>


    I want to scoff.


    She sounded so confident as if to say, ‘Hey, Mason, you never stood a chance. The contract has been mine from the beginning


    “You look beautiful, by the way.” She stiffened briefly, obviously not expecting that.


    I didn’t expect the words to slip off my tongue easily, either.


    “I know.” She said and turned, a sign that the conversation was <b>over</b>.


    I should be angry, but no, I was grateful that she had spoken to me.


    Our table was served.


    First–course meal, bava bites.


    My eyes caught the nuts spread on the pie. Lydia is allergic to nuts. She doesn’t seem to have noticed.