For Better, For Worse: The Serpent's Contract Wife

Chapter 128: Who Wants Candy? [1]

I got a lot of attention the moment I walked through the academy doors.

I did my best to avoid them but I ended up spending an hour or more when I got swept up in the hallway.

I successfully got through it after acting like a normal dancer who had just made her first big performance. I couldn’t entertain any excitement because half the time, my eyes searched for Clara, waiting for her to pop up from a corner.

She had been doing that an awful lot, so why stop now?

"Hey!"

I turned to Chris when the others finally let me be.

"Should you be here?" I asked.

"I should ask you the same question. We both got breaks, don’t we?"

Crap!

"Yeah... yeah! I just thought I’d stop by and do a little stretching."

Chris narrowed his eyes. "But I think sitting and watching TV sounds more appealing."

I let out a laugh, but it was more forceful on my end. Right at the corner of my eye, I saw Clara.

"I was actually gonna call you."

Chris’s words pulled me back.

"You were?" I asked looking back to that spot but she was gone.

"Yeah, didn’t you get the group chat?"

"Group chat?"

"About the coming Gala?"

"The Gala..." I mumbled, losing my train of thought.

"I’m gonna take that as no."

"I promise I’ll check the group chat when I can," I replied.

"Alright—"

I didn’t let him finish his words as I scurried out. I walked down the hallway where I last saw Clara. It led to the locker room.

I walked inside, and the few girls there were already leaving, except one

"You’re late!" Clara snapped the instant she set her eyes on me.

Someone’s in a foul mood this afternoon. Well, join the bus.

"There wasn’t time written on the card."

"The date was meant to tell everything. Which meant you should have been here first thing in the morning."

"Maybe your congratulatory card should have been more specific with details."

She scoffed. "And here I thought you wouldn’t make it. You made the right choice."

I chewed the inside of my mouth. It wasn’t like I had a choice to begin with. I know that now. Shane would have made me do his bidding with or without my consent. He had all the right moves in place because all he needed was me.

"I’m here now. How about you tell what this function is exactly?"

Clara eyed me for a bit before stepping closer.

"I think we should consider the most important thing at this moment. You wanna get your revenge on Zade despite your conflicted feelings. That was a very smart move, exactly why you’re perfect for this, because you have always had a way of pushing whatever you’re feeling and moving forward no matter what."

Her perspective of me was scary, but I wasn’t so surprised, given the fact that we were once friends before our fallout.

However, she was wrong. I didn’t come here driven by revenge. It wasn’t the factor at the moment.

"We should get a move on. Ask questions later." She walked ahead.

I lingered for a moment before I followed behind. We descended the flight of stairs, and I knew exactly where we were going.

"I can’t just up and leave," I said.

"I’m aware."

"I don’t think you understand."

"Yes, I do. Zade is out of the city, so his brothers are keeping a close eye on you. They may be very vigilant, but they won’t be in your place of work."

I gulped. Seems like she had this all planned out.

"All we have to do is finish up on time."

"Finish what?"

She opened the door. "After you."

"That wasn’t an answer."

"Maybe if you had come earlier, I would have given a debrief for your spoiled ass. Now, move."

I swear to God if I ever get the chance, I’m gonna scratch her fucking eyes out. I made sure I glared hard at her as I walked out through the back entrance.

"Off you go now... I’ll hold the fort while you’re gone." She slammed the door shut.

"What—"

The tires screeching against the asphalt made me whip my head toward the car.

I backed away as a group of men got out, and before I had the chance to get away, they grabbed me and put a bag over my head.

~☆~

The bag came off, and I squeezed my eyes shut when the light got in.

"Mrs. Salvero..."

I heard a singtone voice.

"It’s alright. You can open your eyes now."

I did, and everything was blurry at first before I saw Shane, well, at least the first thing I caught was that pinstripe suit of his.

He chuckled deeply, his fingers rolling around what looked like a ball or stress ball, perhaps?

"Been so long, hasn’t it? My apologies for not attending your big day. As you’re aware, I’m still hunted down by your husband. Make it harder to keep up public appearances."

I leaned back on the seat, maintaining calm because I couldn’t afford anything other than that. Men like Shane preyed on any slight vulnerability.

"There’s no need for an apology because you weren’t invited."

He wagged a finger at me. "Still got that sharp tongue. One of the things I love about your Mrs. Salvero."

I passed a look around the room that looked like it came from Glamourland. Dressers were filled with scattered makeup products, and bras and panties hung in a few not-so-private places.

"Where am I?"

"You’ll know soon enough. Candy!"

The curtains parted as a woman dressed in nothing but a bikini with rhinestones stepped through, her heels clicking against the floor sharply.

"Is that her?" she asked sensually, like she was about to get down on him if needed.

"Yes, Candy. Remember, you have limited time." Shane checked his watch as he rose to his feet. "Make me proud, and you’ll get your reward."

She sank her teeth into her bottom lip, practically eye fucking him, and he did the same.

Dear Clara... I don’t know how to tell you this.