Bound by lies Trapped by Desire novel Chapter 92

Desir 92

Elena’s Port

He grinned wide, stepping forward with a bounce in hen step like he hadn’t just materialized out of nowhere,

“In the fash

I blisked. My jaw hadn’t quite dropped, but it was dan close “What the hell are you doing here?

My mind went back to the embarrassment and drama hack at the gala, I wasn’t sure it should have apologized for the ruckus caused or just act ignorant Because technically it wasn’t my fault. It was Sergei and Nikolai’s, right?

Malakai tilted his head and offered a wink, casually removing his sunglasses. His eyes green, Hacked with amber–locked onto mine with an easy kind of familianty that should’ve cometed me, Instead, it made me feel… ell balance, Like the ground under my ft wasn’t quite stable,

“Nice to see you too,” he added, his smick softening around the edges.

For a second, I was too surprised to answer. Then he frowned, his gaze scanning my face with subtle concern as he tucked his sunglasses into the collar

of his sweater.

“You okay? You look a little pale there.”

Teshaled, dragging a hand down my face. The excitement or maybe anxiety–at seeing him wore off just as fast as it had appeared. My limbs felt heavier now. Everything felt like it had just caught up with me.

“I’m alright,” I lied, brushing my hair back beneath my cap. “Was just gonna get something to eat.”

That was true enough. Suddenly, the nausea from earlier had shifted into a dull, nagging hunger. Made sense since I hadn’t eaten since last night.

Malakai’s prin retumed, slow and bright. His teeth were almost too white, but his smile didn’t feel fake. “Perfect,” he said, motioning casually to a sleek silver Aston Martin parked by the curb like it belonged in a commercial shoot. “Then join me. Lunch, snack, tea, whatever you’re calling it.”

I blinked again, raising an eyebrow

I wasn’t sure what bothered me more–that he showed up so suddenly, that he clearly still had an interest in me, or that a couple of students passing by were already whispering while glancing our way. I hated this feeling. Like my life had become a circus act on public display

“I’m sorry,” I said, tone so but firm. “Im not really in the place to do this right now.”

His smile faltered just slightly.

I glanced around, uneasy. “Look, Malakai, what’s this ro

this really about?”

I wasn’t trying to be rude, but drama followed me like a shadow lately. And I didn’t need another rumor about me floating around. Not when Nikolai’s name was still attached to mine. Not when I had no idea what the hell I even was to him anymor

Malakai looked around, clearly noticing the attention we were already getting. “Are you sure you want to do this here?” he asked, keeping his voice low

I let out a dry laugh. “Well, I mean, kind of hard not to draw attention when you show up dressed like that.”

He raised his brows in mock offens

“And you’re talking to someone who’s currently married to the city’s most talked–about billionaire,” added

His lips quirked into something between amusement and mischief “Currently, huh?”

I sighed and shook my head, forcing a tired smile. “What do you want, Malakai?”

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Chapter 92

The sighed, rubbing a hand over his face like he had expected to be litterrogated in directly “You’re a tough one aren’t your added, “I’m not here for me. It’s not… personal”

Hrowned.

He met my gare seriously for the first time. “My sister wants to meet with y

“you.”

1 stared at him. My brains scrambled for a second, a

and then it clicked

“Seraphina?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I don’t know what she wants with you exactly. I just offered in drop try since I was already close. So if you’re interested… you’er gonna have to agree to a lunch dammeet up.”

He smiled sheepishly. “Almost said date. Didn’t mean that.”

I let out a huff of a laugh despite myself, but my stomach was twisting again. Seraphina Legacy. The woman who’d looked at me at the gala like twas some kind of puzzle. Or worse–like someone with great potential. What could the possibly want with me? Even if she did act like she liked me, I wasn’t stupid enough to believe famous people like her didn’t wear masks. She probably thought I was full of myself after the chaos. Was she asking for me to interrogate about what happened at the gala and make me apologize? That’s the only thing that made any sense,

I glanced down at my outfit–jeans, oversized hoodie, sneakers. Hair pulled back under a cap. Not exactly meet–the–sociales chic. “Can I at least go change before-

Malakal cut me off gently, waving a hand. “You look fine. Trust me. My sister’s not getting dressed up either. We don’t want to attract attention.”

Traised an eyebrow and gave him a once–over.

“This is your idea of not attracting attention?”

He laughed, sheepish. “I just came from a shoot, alright? Didn’t have time to change. But it’s not some fancy restaurant. Just a low–key cafe.”

I hesitated, glancing down at the sidewalk. I was tired. Emotionally fried. But avoiding every comer of life because of drama wasn’t living it was hiding.

And besides…I was graduating soon. My reputation? My marriage? Everything felt like it was hanging by a thread anyway.

And Seraphina…

Whatever she wanted from me…she was still someone I looked up to and respected. After what happened, I definitely owed this to her.

I sighed and nodded. “Wright, Okay.”

Malakal’s smile brightened again as he held out his arm like a gentleman in some historical romance. I blinked at it, confused.

Then he chuckled and pulled it back. “Sorry. Force of habit. Come on.”

He rubbed the back of his neck and gestured toward the passenger side of the car.

I climbed in, settling into the buttery leather seats. The door closed with a satisfying click. I pulled on my seatbelt as Malakai slid in beside me, pressing the ignition. The engine hummed to life, smooth and rich

As we pulled out onto the road, I found my gaze driting to the car’s dashboard, admining the design–the gentle slope of the center console, the sleek control panel, the brushed aluminum trim around the air vents. The carbon fiber inserts. The growl of the V12 engine purring under the hood.

God. It was stunning.

My heart kicked up a notch. I’d always had thing for car interiors: Their build, the intricacy of their mechanics, the artistry of their desin. This one? Ic practically sang

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Chapter 92

Malakal must’ve noticed my attention. “First time hair Aston Martin?”

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