Chapter 19: Chapter 19

19

Derek's yell made heads turned towards their direction and Kathleen felt like the ground should open and swallow her to save her from this embarrassment, she felt like running away but before she could put those thoughts into action, Derek grabbed her hand, as if he knew exactly what she had planned to do.

Christine didn't waver at his tone, she kept her smile in place and repeated, "congratulations"

Derek tone lowered but not less deadly, "I asked what you are doing here" he repeated, Kathleen was also wondering what she was doing here, Christine turned to the guests, "attention everyone, I have something to say" Derek's eyes narrowed on her as he wondered what she was up to, Kathleen tried to remove her hand from his grasp but he just held on tighter, he looked at her briefly, "I won't allow you go anywhere, you'll mark your place in my life publicly, don't worry about her, I'll handle it"

Did she hear him right? He wanted her to mark her place in his life? She glanced at her hand in his grasp, her place was with him, he wanted her to stand by him, she would gladly do so, she smiled inwardly, not minding Christine causing chaos, he said he would handle it, she just have to trust him, she stared at him and nodded, he was staring at her waiting for her response and breath a sigh of relief when she nodded, he turned back to watch the ongoing drama unfolding.

"As you all know, I was once the love of Derek Deloux life, he loved me wholeheartedly and couldn't live without me, he does run to me for comfort each time he was pained as only I knew how to comfort him and also run to me to share every moment of his joy" Kathleen's heart pricked at Christine's words, she could imagine the kind of love they had shared and she wondered if he still loves her.

"I was his first and last Love, although I took his love for granted and betrayed him, it was after he had gone out of my life that I realized how deeply I loved him" she paused staring at Derek, "I was glad when I heard he was back but was heartbroken when he came back with a wife, did he actually forget me so quickly? I didn't think so, so I went to ask for his forgiveness, if he truly loves his wife, I am happy for him and glad he finally finds happiness, so I am here to wish him all the best".

There was a tense silence as everyone stared from her to Derek, "I want to clear the air right here and now" Derek spoke up and all eyes turned to him, Kathleen gazed up at him wondering what he was about to say. "I once loved this lady here no doubt, she was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with" Derek paused, gazing at everyone, Kathleen felt pained in her heart, how he must have loved her, "I left home for years because of her betrayal but unknown to be, Fortune had another package in store for me" Derek continued still maintaining eye contact with everyone.

"I was lost without her but now I am so glad of her betrayal, if I had married her, I would have lived a life of misery but Fortune brought this beautiful woman standing beside me into my life" Kathleen blushed as all eyes turned her way, Derek turned to Christine, "thank you for what you did because if you had not done so, I wouldn't have met my queen here, and let me correct you something, you were my first love but not my last, this lady who I am holding her hand is my wife and my last love, I appreciate your best wishes, thank you".

Someone whistled among the guest and there was applause.

Christine stood there for some minute confused, she had thought to infuse some distance between them while playing innocent but she had ended up fooling herself and Derek wasn't done with her as he spoke loudly, "I didn't invite you to our party, you can leave or the guards will help you, it's your choice"

The guests chuckled and Christine blushed in embarrassment, she stared at Derek angrily and sighted the guards coming her way, she quickly turned on her heels and ran out of the house. Derek breathe out, he hadn't realized he had been holding his breath, he turned to Kathleen who was regarding him with a look of pure respect,

"Now where were we?" He asked her bringing his lips close to her ears so she could hear him amidst the music now going on, " dance with me Kath" his breath trailed her neck and she shivered, she love the way he pronounced her name, she felt heat pooled in her belly as she stared into his beautiful blue eyes, he flashed a simple and she found herself drowning in his eyes, she turned her head a little and her lips met his, his eyes darkened immediately, "yes" she whispered back at him and he looked confused for a minute, " I'll dance with you" she said clearing the confused look on his face, he held out his hands and she placed her palm in his as he led her to the dance floor.

Kathleen had just finished dancing with Derek, her feet hurt, she wasn't used to dancing as she already felt like pulling her heels and flex her toes, she had been standing all day, receiving congratulations from guests and involves in one conversation or the other with them. she sat down to have some drinks and Stefan sat down beside her, she wondered what he wanted from her.

"I see you're very tired" he observed, staring at her weary face and she nodded, sipping her drink.

"Does that mean you're putting off dancing with me?" Kathleen glanced at me confused about a befitting answer to give him, she had no intention of standing up from where she was sitting, she was too damn tired already, he would have to accept her apology.

he placed his palm over his chest and squeezed his face, "I'm hurt"

"Oh no don't be" she quickly interjected, "I'm just so tired and my feet hurt, I'm sorry"

He gave a wry smile, "don't be, you need a foot massage? I can do it"

"What?" Kathleen gasped, wide-eyed

"Just kidding" his tone was light and Kathleen looked at him wryly, "I just want you to loosen up, you look tensed"

Kathleen heaved as she went back to her drink, "mind if I drink with you? you owe me that at least for not dancing with me" Kathleen turned her head towards him and he grinned, looking boyish and mischievous and she grinned back at him.

"Can we be friends?" he was pushing his luck with her despite knowing she was married, well, there was nothing wrong in being friends with him, she could use another friend apart from Mary in this new life of hers, he brought out a card and gave it to her, " here is my phone number, you're free to call it any time" he glanced meaningfully at where Derek was standing across the room, "hope your husband wouldn't mind you having me as a friend"

She frowned, why would Derek care about who she decided to make friends with? He had numerous girlfriends flocking around him, she was not doing anything wrong, she would be nothing more than friends with him. She shook her head taking the card and staring at it, it had his name and phone number boldly imprinted on it, "I'll make use of it and my husband wouldn't mind".

"Let's drink to that then, to new friendship, cheers" Kathleen brought up her glass to hit his and giggled. He stared at her,

"you're beautiful", Kathleen blushed at his words, it's been a while she heard such compliment, too bad, the man she desperately wished to hear a compliment from had never thrown one her way, and this simple word from a stranger turned friend made her wished it was Derek telling her those words and whispering naughty words to her ears, her gaze searched him out, he was staring at her across the room, an unnamed expression on his face, the force in his gaze had heat melting in her stomach, she sat transfixed, unable to tear her gaze from him, he was by far the most handsome man present, his broad chest pronounced in the outfit he had chosen to wear, standing in all his six feet, his blue gaze penetrated her, electricity zapped across the room, a strand of hair fell across his face but he made no move to put it in place, Kathleen felt like running her hands through those full dark hair and along his chiseled jaw. she knew those hair were soft already, she had felt the texture, oh God! She was falling in love with this Playboy who is her husband, it would be a disaster for her if she allowed herself to fall for him, she would be just another of his plaything, it would be better for her if she kept her emotions in place. Derek started coming towards her and her eyes widened in anticipation Stefan's gaze followed hers, watching her expression, "you love him, don't you?" He said knowingly and Kathleen jerked her gaze away from Derek, she flushed at his observation like a kid caught with his hands in a jar of cookies.

"He's my husband, nothing wrong with it" she replied defensively.

"I never said there's something wrong with it, although I'll have to warn you" Kathleen stared at him, "Warn me about what?"

"I heard he leads such a promiscuous life, I just want you to be careful"

"Are you by any means putting my wife up against me?" Derek's voice sounded from behind them and they both turned immediately to see him standing right behind them, a displeased look on his face as he glowered at Stefan who looked discomfited,

"No, I was just....."

"I'll have to tell you to stay away from my wife" Derek growled cutting him short, Stefan's face puffed but made no reply as he simply walked away, Derek turned to Kathleen,

" You don't have to be so brusque with him, he is only trying to watch out for me"

Derek glowered at her, "I see, you're now defending him to me"

"He's my friend and friends watch out for each other" Derek scoffed at her words, "friends, since when?"

"Since today, it doesn't take years to make friends, and given your reputation, he was only concerned about me" she argued hotly and Derek felt hot inside, he refused to name the emotions raging inside, all he knows was he doesn't want to see her with any male, "you can't be friends with him"

He said, turning his back to her and moving away, she charged after him, "why can't I be friends with him?"

"Because I said so" he threw over his shoulder and Kathleen could barely hear him because of the music still playing, she was furious, how could he stop her from making friends, Stefan was a nice young man and charming, she don't see anything wrong with being friends with him. Derek stopped abruptly, turning to face her and she crashed into him, he caught her just before she fell, his strong arms encircling her waist. Kathleen's eyes rounded as she suddenly found herself in his arms.