Goodbye, My Mate

Chapter 63

Leah's POV

"He's just a retired businessman. He hires some soldiers to work for us," I said, trying to look away. I didn't feel comfortable concealing the truth in front of my mate. Somehow, I didn't want to tell Finn my real identity.

I want him to love me because of who I am, not because of who my Father is. I thought to myself.

To my surprise, Finn held me up with his powerful hands and placed me on the tabletop, so I could see him at eye level.

He did it without any effort and I kind of liked it when guys did things like this to me.

Gazing into my eyes, Finn slowly spread my legs and pulled me toward him. I had to wrap my legs around his waist to get closer to him.

I didn't know if this was some sort of stripper's move, but I felt so damn turned on.

The connection between us was so strong that I couldn't think of anything else.

"Finn, what are you..." I couldn't finish my words because our eyes met. The air between us cracked with palpable energy. Our bodies were drawn toward each other by an irresistible force. I could feel his breath on my skin, warm and soft, as our lips finally met.

Our kiss was fiery and intense, a passionate dance of tongues and lips. Every nerve in my body came alive as we explored each other. Finn's hands were tracing over curves and angles on my body, pulling me even closer. For a brief moment, I thought he was about to press me into his chest, so we could be one.

That kiss seemed to go on forever, a whirlwind of sensation that left both of us breathless. At that moment, nothing else in the world mattered, as they were lost in the sheer power of desire and lust.

When the soldiers stepped into the living room again, I had to pull myself back in a panic, leaving both of us gasping for air. I looked into Finn's eyes once more. Despite the fear still persisting, I found a spark in his eyes that would ignite a flame that would burn for our lifetime.

I knew that this was just the beginning of something incredible. The magical connection between us would keep us bound together for eternity.

The backstage of the fashion show looked just like every backstage of any fashion show. It could only be described as chaotically organized, with a flurry of activity and energy buzzing in the air. An international team of A-list fashion models, makeup artists, hairstylists, and wardrobe assistants were all bustling around, shouting at one another in five different languages.

I love paying a visit to the backstage of the show. I did it for the first time when I was six, but I wasn't invited at that time. I managed to slip away from my Father's lap and sneak into the backstage room. Everyone in the room was overwhelmed by seeing a cute Lycn princess in a white satin dress with small ribbons in her hair. So one of the top supermodels at that time, I guess it was Kate Turlington, who had just given birth to her daughter, held my hand and walked with me onto the stage. She was wearing YSL and I was floating around her like a little angel. It is without question the most sensational moment in Haut Couture fashion show history, when everyone was brought up to their feet, cheering and applauding for a beautiful mother and a little girl. My Father almost had a heart attack when he found out that he had lost me, but he was crying like a melting candle when he saw me running all the way from the runway into his arms.

"Leah, you look fabulous! Look at you!" Bianca d'Amato, the chief designer of the top luxury brand La Clairière, greeted me with open gestures.

"I'm so glad to see you again, Bianca!" I held her hands in mine.

"It's been five years! I can't believe it! You haven't changed a bit! Ah, we've got so much to catch up with! And take a look at this!" She showed me the giant diamond engagement ring on her finger.

"Oh, mine! Bianca! Congratulations! This is such a beautiful ring!" I held her hand and exclaimed. "Who's the Lucky guy?"

"Lorant Császár II. My dearest third husband. He's a Marquis in the Habsburg family. You know what they say, three times is a charm. But I don't know. My divorce lawyer offered me a package deal, though. He told me that if I divorced three times, he would give me the fourth one for free. It's really an offer I can't resist. But I don't know, the Marquis has a castle. So I'm weighing on it." Bianca giggled and then she laid her eyes on Finn.

She took a gasp and exclaimed, "Oh what am I doing?! Blabbing about myself non-stop! Look at this gorgeous young man! Who is he? Is he a model or something? Because if he is, I call the dibs on him. I need gorgeous Alain-Delon-looking young men for my Winter and Spring collection. I mean, look at him! Mother nature, spare some mercy on me!"

Finn looked shy and lowered his head.

I smiled at Bianca and said, "This is Finn. He's my friend. I'm not sure if he's into modeling and stuff, but if he wants to give it a try, I will definitely call you first."

"Yeah, make sure you do that! Because I'll make him a superstar! Oh mine, my phone is buzzing again! Excuse me for one minute." Bianca said and pressed the answer button on her mobile.

"Shoot me, Joan," she said.

"Bianca! Oh, mine! I can't... I can't even..." The woman on the speaker totally freaked out.

"Breathe, Joan. Whatever shit happens, the worst scenario is you getting fired by me. Life still goes on."

"Elsa is on strike! She's got the opening walk! And I don't know what I'm going to do! No matter how hard I beg her, she just refuses to do the show!"

"What do you mean by she refuses?"

"It means not saying yes, Bianca!"

"OK, shut up and put yourself on an oxygen mask. Let me deal with it," Bianca said and hung up.

"Is everything OK?" I asked.

"Yeah. A hunger-stricken schizophrenic model's boyfriend is fucking with another hunger-stricken schizophrenic model. I can't fire them, because both of them are famous and the self-loathing boyfriend is filthy rich and paying for everything. In my line of work, it's called a Thursday. You know, when I signed up for this job, I didn't know it involves putting out fire everywhere..." Bianca suddenly stopped talking and looked at me, as a brilliant idea had just struck her.

"Leah, you've done modeling before, right?" She asked with sparks in her eyes.

"Me? Oh, no! I was only six at that time and Kate was..." I mumbled.

Bianca held my hands tightly and stared at me with the corner of her mouth twitching. I recognized that was her silently screaming face. She had injected too much Botox into her face, so she wasn't able to do a lot of expressions.

"Please, you've got to help me out here. I'll have someone sort you out in 20 minutes and you'll be doing the opening walk. You just go up there, take a walk, and come down."

"Bianca, I really think you should find a more professional replacement for..."

"Come on, go up there and enjoy the glamour, cheer, and compliment. It's one of the stages that my divorce therapist prescribed for me," Bianca said. "And you know what? Alpha Lucas Farrow is here today as well. Think about it. He will be sitting in the audience, feeling like a loser while you look charming and dazzling on the stage. Isn't that the best way to get back on your ex-husband?"