“Thank you, Erik.” She took the tissue from Darius and dabbed at her eyes. “I wish you both the best, truly I do.” She reached over and squeezed Belle’s wrist. “Congratulations. I hope you’re happy together.”
“Yes, Belle, congratulations,” Darius said, beaming at the camera. “Erik has chosen you to be his Fiancé.”
“What do you say, Belle, will you accept the charm and marry me?”
“We’ll get her answer, after this commercial break,” Darius said. The curtains shut, blocking them from the view of the audience. The commercial played in the background.
“You said the line wrong. It’s would you be My Future Fiancé? Marry implies we’re actually responsible for the wedding,” Darius said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
All pretense of upset disappeared from Irina’s face. “Well, I guess that means I’m done. Nice to meet you Belle, Erik. Darius, I’ll see you back at the apartment,” Irina said.
Fury overtook the shock Belle was feeling and she couldn’t speak, the words caught in her tight throat. “What the hell are you playing at, Erik? You promised you wouldn’t pick me.” She managed to push out of gritted teeth. Mind spinning, she turned to run off the stage, needing to be alone.
“You have a contract.” Darius clasped her elbow, halting her from leaving. “You’re obligated to say yes.”
She snapped her eyes to Erik and fought the push of angry tears. “Was this your idea or his?”
Color rushed to his cheeks and he rocked back on his heels. “Let’s talk about it after the show.”
“You’re damn right, we’ll talk about it.” She moved back to her spot and stood still, every muscle in her body tense.
“And we’re back from commercial,” the director said as the curtains reopened.
“Belle, will you be my Fiancé?” Erik asked again, his gaze locked on her face.
She stared past his shoulder, anger, frustration, and hurt surging through her. Betrayal hit hard but she had a job to do, no matter how much it sucked. Once this was done, she’d reevaluate her decision to stay on as his agent. He accused her of thinking the worst of him and yet he had fooled her in the worst way imaginable. “Yes.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Erik added the charm to Belle’s bracelet, feeling the anger vibrating through her. She had a smile pasted on her lips, eyes lowered. Before she’d looked down, outright fury burned in their depths. He couldn’t blame her but he had to get through this. He’d explain as soon as they were alone.
“Ladies and gentleman, Erik and Belle are officially engaged.”
The audience clapped, along with a few whistles.
He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close, kissing her cheek. She remained rigid, her back stiff and unyielding. Erik clasped her hand and with a wave to the audience, he led Belle to the elevator.
She stepped inside ahead of him and he followed her in.
“Erik and Belle will be back in two weeks for our special one-on-one interview and a behind the scenes glimpse of their dream wedding. From me and the rest of the great crew at My Future Fiancé, good night,” Darius said.
“I have to kiss you now,” Erik said, more than cognizant of how pissed she was at that moment.
She snapped her head up, a liquid sheen to her stare. He dipped his head and allowed his lips to brush hers in a light caress, very much aware of the cameras watching them. The mechanism for the mock elevator doors sounded and the light from the stage was blocked out. The music played them out kissing.
“And cut,” came the director in his ear.
He lifted his head, dreading what he’d see.
Belle didn’t disappoint. She pulled off the mic from her back, tugging at the wires. Tim rushed over, his smile falling. He looked at Erik in question. He merely shrugged.
“Please get this off me now,” she said to Tim, not looking at Erik.
He dutifully removed the equipment. “Congratulations?” he phrased it in the form of a question to her retreating back.
Erik patted him on the shoulder, sympathetic. He was at a loss on how to handle this side of Belle. She was always so even tempered. “Thanks Tim. You’ve been great.”
Rushing after Belle, he caught up to her in the hallway. “Let’s talk in my dressing room. I wouldn’t put it past them to have your dressing room bugged.”
