Strings

Chapter 7

"A swarm of reporters and paparazzi is waiting outside for us right now, the second we exit the building" he continues.
He motions me to come forward. I take a gulp and walk towards him.
He guides me towards the massive floor to ceiling windows and asks me to peer down.
The view was magnificent from up here and I just knew the view of the whole city must be dazzling at night.
My moment of admiring the view instantly comes to a halt as I peer down to see such a large a swarm of reporters and press that I can see their masses extending till the street across from up here.
I instantly paled up and I couldn't help but feel more terrified.

"They'll snap at us incessantly and will throw a ton of questions your way" he continues.
I open my mouth to say something but no words came out. Just looking at the swarm of reporters from up here had me overwhelmed. I have no idea how I'll deal with them let alone answer whatever questions it was that they were gonna throw my way.

"You don't have to say anything, just stick close and I'll take care of the rest." He says sounding slightly irritated.
I felt so hopelessly incapable but I would like it very much if he actually did take care of it.

"Shall we?" He asks opening the doors for me and extending out his hand.
I gape at it for a little while and then hesitantly latch my arm around his. We walk towards his private elevator, with Layla's mouth hanging open. I couldn't help but feel a little satisfied at that and before I know it I had let out a soft giggle.
Hayden looks at me with an eyebrow raised, his face looking amused as my face flares up with a bright shade of red when I quickly shake my head and focus on my steps.
He must be thinking I am a complete lunatic.

The elevator ride was awkward and quiet with Hayden typing away at his phone. The doors open and he takes my hand, taking me towards the massive doors of the office.

"Ready?" He asks. My face couldn't have possibly looked more paler but I manage to nod.
As soon as the automatic doors open he lets go of my hand, disappointing me and I am surprised as to how much I depended on his contact for support as I pale out even more.
But not a second later his arm comes sliding around my waist, pushing me flush against his body. His arm firm against me, keeping me steady. His scent completely engulfing me as My face flares up and I am grateful that he wouldn't be able to look at my face.

As we step outside I am blinded by the massive number of cameras clicking away at us.

"Mr. Knight is the news of your engagement true?" A reporter asks and I wonder if it was really necessary for him to scream into his mic like that.

"Yes, Its true, I am engaged, please meet my lovely fiancé Avery Marshall." Hayden responds his voice as smooth and calm, like he was talking to a little child.
He nudges me slightly, as he loosens his arm a little although he was still holding me firmly by my waist.

I take a deep breath, and flash the loveliest smile that I could muster, towards the flashing camera of the reporter.

"Ms. Marshall please show us your ring!!" A couple of reporters practically yell and I slightly lift my hand flashing away my beautiful massive ring.
The thought gives me more jitters as I ponder at it. My ring.

"Mr. Knight what does your previous girlfriend Vivienne Adly have to say about this"

"Mr. Knight does this mean you have ended all contact with Serena Smith, prior to this engagement?"

"Supermodel Anastasia Lockhart made a glamorous appearance with you for her birthday bash, what does she think about your sudden engagement?"

"Mr. Knight when will the wedding take place?" Another reporter asks, as the multitude of cameras don't stop clicking for a second.

"The wedding will be taking place shortly. That's all we can say for now. No more questions please" Hayden responds, and then his arm tightens around my waist again, pushing me completely onto him.

We walk towards his car as security surrounds as trying their best to keep the reporters from completely attacking us but that does not stop the cameras from clicking away.
Overwhelmed, I bury my face into Haydens chest, an action I didn't even realize I was doing until he stiffens for a second before tightening his hold on my waist even more that I didn't even think was possible; as he continues to push past by the reporters.

He opens the car door for me, helping me inside and smoothly makes his way towards the other side of the car before slipping in.
My body goes cold immediately from the lack of contact and I couldn't believe how close he had held me and how I had literally buried my face in his chest as the driver drove us away from the mass of reporters.

I rest my head against the side of the car neither of us saying anything as the silence envelopes around us. I felt so tired and I hadn't slept properly for days.
I feel my eyelids getting heavy and the last thought that came to my mind before falling asleep was how tiny I was standing next to him even in my heels.

***
I woke up to the elderly driver gently nudging me up "Miss, we've arrived" he says gingerly.

I sit straight, slowly rubbing my eyes looking around to see us parked outside my home.

"Mr. Knight had to go attend to some business. He asked me to drop you back home."

"Oh well, thank you, Mr.-" I say as I step out of the car.

"It's Mr. Abel, but please call me Ben." He says chuckling.

I smile warmly at him, "Ben it is then! Thank you for dropping me home" I say again.

"You're most welcome" he says, smiling back at me before sitting inside and driving away again.
I look at the car zipping by and I realize that the sweet and elderly Mr. Abel had given me a genuine smile and I was so taken back by it because I hadn't received one for so long.

As I climb the stairs towards my room, I realized I no more smelt like fresh peaches as I usually did because of my body wash. Sniffing at my blouse I go red as Hayden's cologne enters my nostrils and the picture of him holding me tight makes its way into my head again.

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HEY GUYS!

I hope you absolutely loved this surprise chapter as much as I did writing it.

I'd like to mention and credit @CookieLouise for making that LOVELY cover that I have attached above.
I absolutely love it! Please do check out her profile and her work!

Please vote and comment! I love reading what you think of Hayden and Avery.
Until next time lovelies!!
Xxxxxx