Chapter song: "Dangerous Woman" by Ariana Grande

Something 'bout you makes me feel like a dangerous woman. Makes me wanna do things that I shouldn't.

After taking a shower, I roamed the walk-in closet, finding something to wear. It was all the same, looking through the hundreds of clothes in here. I wanted a different look. Something that didn't come from these clothes of Henry's choice.

A knock came at my door. Already knowing who it was, I decided to make him wait a few moments hoping to irritate him. I've never made him wait for me before.

After pointlessly sitting on the bed, staring at my nail beds for a few minutes, I went to open it. Henry was standing there, waiting patiently for me. Not one trace of annoyance on his face.

I opened the door wider for him. "What is it? You have another request for me?"

Before Henry could answer, I walked back into the closet to continue what I was doing.

Henry followed me and leaned one side into the closet door. "I forgot to give you this earlier."

I stopped and glowered at him when I saw in his hands was a brand, new iPhone. I had momentarily forgotten I threw my phone away. I didn't want to remember the reason why.

I walked over to where he stood and took the new phone from him, carefully making sure I didn't lay a finger on him. "Thank you."

"I had it backed up with all your data from your old one," Henry said.

"Thank you again, but you didn't have to," I said, carelessly throwing the phone onto the white ottoman in the center of the room. I wondered if he put some of kind tracking in it again.

"The ceremony starts at three. Would you like me to accompany you to the salon?"

"No, you don't have to. I don't want to go to the ceremony. I'll just go the reception later. Just pick me up at five then -- at the salon."

"I will be there," Henry smiled and closed the door behind him to give me some privacy.

Going to the ceremony and seeing them make their vows, promising themselves to each other, is too much to bare. I didn't think I could handle it, especially with Henry sitting next to me.

.....

"Good day, Mrs. Cavill. I haven't seen you in such a long time. How are you?" Cynthia greeted me as I walked through the doors.

"I'm doing good," I replied. "How are you, Cynthia?"

"I'm well. What brings you in today?" She asked as we were walking to the back.

"Oh, you know, the same old thing." I handed my jacket to another lady and sat on the leather chair at Cynthia's station. "I have a wedding to go to later tonight."

"How lovely and fun! May I ask whose wedding it is for?"

"A friend of Henry's. Her name's Evelyn."

"Evelyn Sinclair?"

"Yes, that's her. Do you know her?"

"Ms. Sinclair comes in here for many appointments. Her and her sister. Let's just say they aren't easy."

"I'm not surprised."

"What kind of look are we going for tonight, dear?" Cynthia asked as she played with bits of my hair.

I stared at myself in the mirror, no longer recognizing the girl who stared back. Now that I think about it, this is the first time where I really looked at myself in the mirror since I've lost Baby Kale. The circles under her eyes were darker. The color of her face was paler. The brightness in her eyes were now dull. She looked so tired and so lost. So broken.

.....

I turned on my phone to look at the text message from Henry. He was already in the lobby. Always so prompt Henry was.

"Thank you, Cynthia."

"Anytime, I'm so glad you like it, Mrs. Cavill. I think it suits you very well. I think Mr. Cavill will agree with me."

I handed her a hundred dollar bill for tip. "I love it. Thanks for everything, Cynthia."

I went back down to the lobby and immediately located Henry sitting on the couch by the corner, busily reading a Forbes magazine.

A sudden agitation came over me as I carefully walked down the spiral staircase, but I took a deep breath to calm the jitters. I couldn't let Henry know how I was feeling inside. It would only make me more vulnerable to him.

Henry noticed the sound of my heels as I approached and he slowly looked up at me from his magazine. His eyes slightly widened with both a confused and astonished expression as he stood up to greet me. His eyes gradually scanned me up and down. "Ally, you look -- amazing."

"Thank you," I said with confident grin.

"Your hair-"

I touched the ends of my new hair by my shoulders. "Do you like it?"

"I love it." He smiled at me.

"Shall we go?" I changed the subject. "It's getting late."

.....

Larry pulled into the driveway to a building downtown. There were many people walking in, even with the dozens of vehicles lined up.

Through the car's tinted windows, I caught sight of a group of photographers. The flashes of their cameras never ceased to stop as people arrived onto the golden carpet leading inside.

Henry didn't warn me it was going to be like this. It must be a very big wedding.

He reached over and took my hand in his. "Remember you're-"

"The one in control," I uttered, finishing Henry's statement. I smiled confidently as he studied me.

Larry stopped the car when it was our turn, and the doorman opened the door on Henry's side. He stepped out from the car and turned around to hold out his hand to me.

I carefully stepped onto the elegant carpet and gently held securely on Henry's hand as we walked towards the large crowd inside.

As we made it before the photographers, Henry leaned into my ear and whispered that I was beautiful. He leaned in so close, I could smell the refreshing cologne he was wearing. Henry placed an unexpected kiss on my cheek, catching me off guard in front of the camera. This was a normal thing for couples to do. I recovered quickly by widening my smile for the cameras.

Finally we arrived inside to the banquet room. Almost everyone had settled down into their seats. Henry and I were looking at the reservation table when we were stopped by an older gentleman.

"Good evening, Henry," the man in the black suit said. "This must be your wife."

"Alexandria, pleasure," I answered myself. I gave the stranger my hand and he took it with ease.

"John Sinclair," he introduced himself as.

Sinclair? Was he related to Evelyn somehow?

"I'm so glad you could join us tonight, Mrs. Cavill. I've heard so much about you," John said.

"Have you? Well, you shouldn't believe everything you hear, am I right, Mr. Sinclair?" I said, smiling.

Two ladies approached us and almost instantly, I noticed they were Annette and Victoria, making me realize John must be Annette's husband. Underneath their fake smiles, I knew, was the heart of snakes.

"How do you do, Henry?" Annette started.

"Very well, Annette. And yourself?" Henry replied.

"Never a day better. I'm so happy you decided to bring Ally with you. My condolences to your recent loss," Annette said, but there was absolutely zero remorse in her tone.

My left hand snaked around Henry's waist, pulling him to me. I studied him with loving eyes, showering them with pleasant smile. "If it wasn't for him, I don't know what I would do. He's supported me every step of the way. I'm so lucky to have him. "

I could literally feel tension rise from Victoria's stone hard gaze.

"We should find our seats now. Mr. Sinclair. It was a pleasure to meet you," I said.

"Same to you, Ally."

"Excuse us," Henry said.

Once we were out of their view, I removed my arm from around Henry as we located our table near the middle.

After sitting down for a couple minutes, the bride and groom walked hand in hand from the entrance through the room, waving to the roaring crowd.

The scene brought back memories of Henry and my wedding. Our theme colors: gold, grey, purple, and green. The centerpieces filled with purple tulips and white roses. The dark purple lighting. The glimmering black dance floor.

No, that wasn't real. I shouldn't be reminenscing about such things in the past. Especially if they meant nothing.

"Are you alright?" Henry asked. "You didn't eat anything?"

"I'm fine," I said. I haven't even touched my plate. "It's just a little crowded in here."

Henry stood and opened his hand. "Would you like to dance?"

"I'd love to," I said, trying not to hesitate when I placed my hand in his.

As we walked towards the dance floor, I noticed Evelyn and her husband dancing in the middle of the floor.

The DJ changed the song to "Never Stop" by Safetysuit. One of my favorite songs.

I placed my arms over Henry's shoulders as he wrapped his around my waist. I leaned into him to close the distance between us, resting my head into his shoulder.

"You look very beautiful tonight," Henry whispered into my ear.

"You already said that earlier," I reminded him.

"I just wanted you to hear it again."

"Why are you being like this?"

"I should be the one asking, don't you think?" he dared to ask back. "You're different."

I chuckled. I could see Victoria's eyes on us from the corner of my eyes. "I didn't know what I had before. Now I do and I want to make the most of it. I'm going to go to the women's restroom. I'll be right back."

"Do you want me to accompany you?"

"No, I'll be okay."

"Alright, don't be long."

I walked outside the room to the women's restroom. As I was finishing up and about to go out of the stall, I overheard my name, but the two women's voices were unfamiliar. I couldn't make out who they belong to.

"Did you see Henry's wife?" the first woman with a high-pitched voice said.

"You mean that gorgeous lady beside him in the burgundy dress? I didn't realize he had gotten married already," said the second woman.

"Yes, that's her. Her name is Alexandria. I heard it was only a small private wedding. Hardly anyone knows about it."

"She is so lucky lady married to a multi-millionaire."

"My cousin, Victoria, has been in love with him for years, but he doesn't give a damn about her. Well at least since Ally came into the picture. I've heard that her dad wants a share of the business in the Cavill Group."

"Really?"

"She was supposed to secure a marriage with Henry but look how that went. Now, their plans have gone awry with him being married already."

"It's all about money."

"Exactly," the woman with the high voice said. "Even her younger sister, Evelyn, married because of the business. The groom is the heir to an oil corporation in the Middle East. I forget the name of it. Let's see how their marriage plays out."

Their dying voices signaled to me that they were finally walking out of the restroom. That was too much information to take in. Everything in this society sickened me. It was all tied to money one way or another.

I found Henry at the bar talking to Evelyn and her husband.

"Ally," Evelyn said as she came up to hug me. "I'm so happy you're here."

"So am I. Congratulations to you both," I said.

"Thank you. Ally, meet my husband, Zack. Zack, this is Ally, Henry's wife."

The man in the white tuxedo nodded his head while I smiled.

"Here, Ally," Evelyn said she handed me a glass of champagne. "Please have a drink. For my wedding."

"Of course," I said.

"Ally, are you sure?" Henry chimed in. "I can drink that for you."

"Wow, what a sweet husband," Evelyn interrupted. "Henry, I'm sure your wife can manage."

"Honey, it's okay. It's only one glass," I said to Henry before turning to Evelyn. Henry's eyes widened as he heard me call him the "H" word. I surprised myself too as I've never called anyone that before. "I wish nothing but the best for you two and may a happy and healthy life await you."

Henry never blinked as he warily watched me down the glass in one shot.

"Another one," I said, giggling.

"I won't say no to that," Evelyn grinned devilishly.

....

After grabbing our coats from the coat check in, we headed towards our car.

"I don't want to go home yet," I said, a little flushed from the drinks I had earlier.

"What did you want to do?" Henry asked.

"The night is still young. Let's. Do. Something."

"What did you feel like doing?"

"Let's go for some drinks. Can we, please?"

"Can we do something else?" he asked and I shook my head. "Fine, which place would you like to go?"

"Surprise me. Like you always do."

Henry murmured something to Larry who understood with a nod.

A few minutes later we arrived at the destination. From the crystal chandeliers to the golden floors, I didn't expect anything less from him. We took the elevator to the 60th floor and came to a secluded floor. There was a bar in the middle of the floor that seated a few people and comfortable seats were lined around the windows that showcased the nightlife of Chicago.

Henry followed me as I took an empty spot at the bar.

"Good evening, Mrs. Cavill. How are you this evening?" the bartender greeted me as I sat down.

How did he know my name? It was probably Henry's doing. "I'm ... superb. Can I get your most expensive drink on the menu please?"

Henry gently placed his hand over my wrist. "Are you sure about this? You never drink, Ally. What's gotten into you lately?"

I pushed his hand away with my free hand. "Nothing, dear. I just want to enjoy myself for once. Is there anything wrong with that?"

"No, there's nothing wrong," Henry said. He paused for a few seconds, pondering something as he studied me with pressed lips. "Can we get two shots of Penfolds Ampoule?"

The bartender nodded and went into the back.

"Now you're talking," I said.

"If you're going to drink, at least do it the right way."

"What is the right way?" I inquired.

"A contest."

My ears perked at his words. A contest?

The bartender returned with our first two shots. Poured in the glass was a red liquid as dark and smooth as blood.

"Why?"

"To test our limits."

I watched Henry with curiosity.

What was he playing at? Wasn't he the one that didn't want me to drink in the first place.

He grabbed one of the shots and handed it to me. "We drink until one of us loses."

"What do you mean by lose?

"Give up."

I took the glass from him and lifted it to my lips. The liquor was definitely most unpleasant, yet satisfying as it traveled down my throat.

"Challenge accepted."

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- A