Chapter 210: Making My Heart Ache
Back in the glittering grand ballroom, the room was filled with the faint hum of soft music and the clinking of half-forgotten champagne glasses. Most of the guests had already gone home, leaving only scattered groups lingering in the corners.
"Where’s Nick?" Oliver asked as he approached Vicky, who was seated with Ella and Evelyn, sipping lazily from her glass.
Vicky arched a brow, her tone sharp with annoyance. "How would I know? You’re practically his shadow, Ollie. If you’re that loyal to the bone, maybe ask yourself."
Her snappy retort made Ella and Evelyn blink in surprise, while Oliver pressed his hands to his waist and shook his head, as he was used to it by now.
The ladies had finally taken the chance to drink, something they couldn’t indulge in earlier when the ballroom had been packed with watchful eyes.
"Uhm... Ollie," Ella spoke carefully, tilting her head. "I actually saw Nick leave with Georgia earlier. Neither of them brought their cars, so... maybe they booked a suite upstairs?"
Before Oliver could respond, Vicky leaned in with a smirk. "Why don’t you go fetch him then? Like a good dog running back to its master."
Oliver rolled his eyes with a groan, but before he could fire back, a steady voice cut in.
"Okay, Sis, that’s enough for tonight." Liam had arrived, his gaze firm on his sister.
"Stay out of this, Liam," Vicky snapped, tossing her hair defiantly. "Why don’t you stop babysitting me and focus on Ella and let me breathe for once?"
The tension between the siblings sparked like static in the air, drawing everyone’s attention. Then—
"Vicky!"
The commanding voice struck like a whip across the ballroom, silencing the small group. Heads turned instantly to see Benjamin striding toward them.
Startled, the ladies scrambled to their feet. Vicky shot up too quickly, the room spinning as she swayed. Just as her knees buckled, Oliver darted forward, steadying her before she could hit the floor.
"Dad!" Vicky shouted back with a grin, her voice echoing in the half-empty ballroom. She leaned lazily against Oliver, who still had his arms around her to keep her standing. "Why are you yelling at me? I can hear you just fine from here!" she chuckled, her laughter bubbling over in drunken mischief.
"Oh dear," Violet muttered beside Benjamin, her expression caught between amusement and worry. "She’s definitely drunk."
Benjamin’s jaw tightened, but his voice carried authority and concern. "Oliver, take her home. Make sure she’s safe."
"No!" Vicky wriggled stubbornly in Oliver’s hold, her hair swishing as she tried to break free. "Nick sent us here in a limo, and I am going home in a limo!"
Benjamin exhaled sharply, his eyes narrowing in warning. "No, you’re not. I know you, Vicky. You’ll order the poor driver to take you somewhere else just to drink more. You’ll end up scaring him half to death. Evelyn and Ella will ride the limo home. I’ll inform the driver."
Ella glanced at Liam before he spoke softly. "Uh, Dad... I’ll take Ella home instead."
Benjamin’s expression softened as he gave a small nod. "Alright. That leaves you by yourself then, Evelyn." He turned to the young woman with a warm smile that instantly softened the atmosphere.
Benjamin had known Evelyn ever since Nick started requesting that she be part of his crew after he became a captain, and he knew how she had helped Nick when he was going through those difficult years of his life.
Evelyn smirked, lifting her glass in a playful salute. "Oh, I don’t have any complaints about that, Mr. Knight. I would looove to go home in a limo." Her exaggerated drawl sent laughter rippling through the group.
Everyone chuckled—everyone except Vicky, who pouted at her father with a frown deep enough to rival a child being told no.
Benjamin lifted his hand in a firm but gentle gesture, dismissing them with authority. "That’s enough for tonight. Go on now, it’s late. You should all get some rest."
Vicky’s mood softened for a moment as she leaned in to hug both her parents. "Bye, Daddy. Goodnight, Mom..." she mumbled sweetly before swaying back.
Liam followed suit, giving Benjamin and Violet a quick hug before the group finally made their way toward the hotel’s main entrance.
Vicky, determined to prove she could handle herself, tried to walk ahead, but her heels wobbled dangerously and her steps zigzagged across the marble floor.
With a quick reflex, Oliver slipped an arm firmly around her waist, pulling her against his side.
"Why, you!" Vicky squealed, twisting to shake him off. Her hands fumbled at his arm in protest.
"Stop struggling, Vicky." Oliver’s voice was low but stern, his eyes narrowing with that familiar no-nonsense glare. "You can barely stand. If you don’t quit pushing me away, I swear I’ll throw you over my shoulder as I carry you all the way to the car. Don’t test me. You know I will."
Vicky rolled her eyes, lips curving into a stubborn pout. She hated that he was right. Her head was spinning so hard she could hardly tell which way was forward. If she kept fighting him, she knew Oliver would follow through on his threat and put her on his shoulder like a sack of rice. She couldn’t decide if that would be mortifying... or secretly comforting.
"My ride is here!" Evelyn chimed, twirling toward the waiting limo. She made a dramatic spin that even the driver was chuckling as he opened the door. "Bye, loves! See you all soooon!" she sang before disappearing inside.
Moments later, Liam’s car pulled up, followed closely by Oliver’s, brought around by the valets. Liam clapped Oliver lightly on the shoulder. "You sure you’ll survive bringing her home on your own? She looks like she’ll give you a headache."
Oliver’s lips quirked into a rare smirk. "Don’t worry. If she acts up, I’ll tie her to the seat. Problem solved."
Liam and Ella burst into laughter, shaking their heads as they climbed into the car. "Alright then. Drive safe," Liam called before the taillights disappeared into the night.
When the valet opened Oliver’s passenger door, Vicky was already slumping heavily against him, her eyes fluttering half-shut. Oliver eased her into the seat with gentleness, buckling her in before reclining the backrest. He brushed a stray strand of hair from her flushed face.
He lingered for a moment, his gaze softening as he watched her breathing steady. A quiet sigh escaped him. "Tsk," he murmured, almost to himself. "Why do you always have to drink too much when I’m around you? You’re making my heart ache, Vicky."
Still shaking his head, Oliver shut the door carefully and slipped into the driver’s seat, his lips tugging into the faintest of smiles.
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Thanks for the Golden Ticket Chauveen_R!