with the crowd.

Close to an hour had gone by when Leonica finally excused herself from the center of the crowd and headed for the restroom.

Quickly, she fixed her hair, make up and did a few prep talk to her reflection, reading herself to head back into the crowd of socialite m, before stepping out of the restroom. However, she hadn't taken more than a step out of the restroom when the build of a familiar figure suddenly blocked her way.

Leonica took a step back, as to avoid bumping into the figure. In the process, she allowed her lavender eyes wander up to the face of the person blocking her path,

The moment her eyes landed on the face in front of her, they widened along with her breath ceasing.

Even after five years, with his ashy black hair, dull grey eyes and pale complexion, Leonical could instantly recognize the man in front of her

Her ex husband, Gabriel Bryce.

She's The Mother Of My Child.

If one word could accurately describe the way Leonica was currently feeling, that would be,

Breathless.

Seeing Gabriel up so close after five years and not even having been mentally prepared, shook

her to some extent.

What was he doing here?

Forego the fact that this even was especially meant to business attendants, Anastasia had sang it like a lullaby in her ears about how he had quit attending social activities, and as a result, she had let her guard down and attended the annual banquet without a worry in the world concerning running into him.

Shit, she cursed in her head. How had she been so careless?

Taking another step back, she tried to put some much needed distance between them, while schooling her expression.

There was no need to have any sort of expression that would show that his presence was getting to her.

As a matter of fact, there was no need remaining within the same space as him.

She needed to leave.

With that passing thought in her mind, Leonica lowered her gaze, seemingly attempting to ignore his presence and walk away. However, she had not taking more than a few steps pass him when she felt a stern grip on her wrist, pulling her back. "Leonica-" Gabriel began, the sound of his voice calling her name after five years sent shivers through the white-ette body. However, she harshly interrupted him before things could go any further.

"Get your hands off me." She sent a glare in Gabriel's way.

Her words, contrary to what she had expected, caused Gabriel's grip to tighten around her wrist. "All these years...where the hell have you been?" He demanded.

'Ever so rude.' Leonica chuckled inwardly at his behavior before responding.

"That's none of your business." She stated, her tone cold and flat.

"None of my business? What the hell are you saying?" Gabriel growled. "You suddenly disappear off the face of the earth for five fucking years and now you're telling me I shouldn't bother asking you where you've been?" "Exactly. After all," She paused and abruptly yanked her wrist out of his grasp, surprising Gabriel. "I'm a stranger to you, correct? We are divorced, so what's there to care about the location of someone you don't even know?" Leonica's words struck Gabriel like a sharp knife and he felt a knot in his chest tighten, unbeknownst to him, his emotion was also displayed on his face.

Speechless.

Seeing the look on his visage, a feeling of satisfaction wash over Leonica.

and walked off, leaving him

you going?!"

over her shoulder and disappeared into the crowd,

she was far away from Gabriel, Anastasia suddenly ambushed her, grabbing her by the arm as her eye

said woman. "You won't believe me if I tell you that I've just found you, the best partner for

Leonica's brows creased. "What?"

her other free hand was busy dragging her towards the dance floor where people

that I'm not interested in anything like that right now, Annie. So stop

tried to reason.

I'm not gonna

"But, I-"

stopped her and pulled

once more, however, a certain someone's presence caught her eyes and her words died

Why was he

noticed her gaze, announced. "Ah I see

mind finally processing the words her friend

She questioned, turning her eyes back to her. "You mean he's my...no

ever so slightly, luckily, Christian

stepped out of his grasp.

glance at Anastasia who gave them both a wave, pointing towards the speakers which were now subtly playing a

being pushed under a bus washed over her, however, she quickly

we begin?" Christian offered, a hand out

and then around her to see all the eyes which were on them, wait for her to take his hand and

her palm

what to say and how to act. She had after all, deliberately

process, she missed a beat

in the nick of time, pulling

his face a few inches away from her's. "There's no need to

"I'm not nervous dancing."

"That's a

song's rhythm. "I'm just not good

seen you dance a couple of times, you could out dance Shakira if you put your mind to it." Leonica

chuckle.

retorted with a small smile on

""Am not."

"Are too."

head and rolled his eyes in a playful manner. "Fine, have it your way. I'm

1. QUINE OEM, CHI

"Let's do just that."

again, except this time, it was

danced, they were unaware of the pair of dull grey eyes that had been watching them for the past couple of minutes, and right now, said pair of eyes

floor to find Leonica, only to see her beginning a dance with Christian. What's worse, their interaction seemed

even Christian's bed partners could interact freely with him like that, heck, they didn't even have the right to approach him in public, talk less dance

Leonica had broken that

on his forehead as he saw Christian spin Leonica and pull her back to him, ending things with a dip as

to the dance floor, the spectators, clapped their hands, Gabriel moved from his spot, approaching Leonica and Christian who had just finished

formal bows.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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