Eliezer’s Ange by Eden Auclair

XVIII

cassiopeia is twenty-one

she is a first-year masters in university

Upon entering Badeaux’s glasshouse, hand in hand with the intimidating and smoldering brute—her intimidating and smoldering brute—her eyebrows immediately scrunched together and her anxiety attacked her like the waves crashing against the shore. Her hold on his hand tightened by a tenth fold and her heart thrummed violently in her chest. Eliezer knew, he knew, and a tender smile curled his lips as he looked over at her and gently squeezed her hand in response.

“Eliezer,” she whispered, tugging softly on his hand and halting both of their steps.

“Yes, ange?” He untwined their hands and brought his arm around her waist. The minuscule action brought a rose blush to her cheeks, creeping up from her neck. His gaze was fixated intently on her as her eyes flickered around the room. Soft murmurs were heard over the soft classical symphony. The room was decorated ever so elegantly—globe lights hung from the ceiling, candles were lit in sconces, and tables were dressed in white silk cloth and a single white calla lily with a white tea candle burning, all except one table. Everyone seemed lost in their own dimensions—socializing with each other, sipping out of the flutes or glasses—missing their arrival.

Not that they made a grand one, but how could you miss the Eliezer Badeaux?

But the room’s decor and the soft music were not what halted her footsteps. And he had a knowing smirk on his face when her gaze met his once again. He found himself humored by her worried irises.

“Eliezer, you didn’t tell me it was a black and white affair, and Starlie gave me this dress and I-” Eliezer’s chuckle was boyish as it was full-blown, showing off his perfect set of white pearls. Her eyebrows crinkled in confusion seeing as she was the only streak of color—blood red at that—in the seemingly black and white room.

“I’m wearing red with you.” Eliezer said, feeling amused by his girl. Her eyes snapped to his broad chest and widened when she realized, not only she, but he was wearing such a bold color too! Cassiopeia nearly fainted, feeling horrified and anxious to be having such a striking contrast to everyone else with none other than her boss—and the love of your life, a pretentious toned voice filled her—and a crimson blush coated her cheeks. Love of my life? What?

“What are you thinking, my dear?” The subtle smirk on his lips warmed her insides.

The white lie fell from her lips, hiding the truth about how she felt about the breathtaking man before her, how she wanted to run her hands up and down his shirtless chest. “We’re the only ones dressed-”

“Don’t dwell too hard on it.” He chuckled, whisking her away deeper into the ballroom with his arm around her waist.

“-in red,” Cassiopeia whispered with her wide eyes, eyeing the room in awe.

“Champagne?” He asked as a waitress approached them, holding a tray of flutes. Cassiopeia felt dazed, almost as if there was a burning streak inside of her as she watched the waitress eye Eliezer hungrily.

“Yes, please,” she murmured. She felt at ease as she took a sip after Eliezer toasted their flutes together and held one out to her.

§

Throughout the night as they walked around hand in hand greeting everyone, Cassiopeia found her mind wandering off constantly, the champagne doing little to calm her. Everyone greeted Eliezer and her warmly with bright smiles and bubbly laughter and no one seemed to mind their outfits. But at the same time, no one seemed to mind.

“Stay here.” Eliezer brought them to their table that Starlie, who had yet to show her face, had reserved for them.

“Okay.” She smiled, taking a seat at the table, the only one decorated in red. Her eyes followed his figure as he navigated his way in and out of the ballroom. She felt that all too becoming familiar burn course through her veins seeing the numerous beautiful women eyeing him hungrily as if they were somehow silently claiming him while the brooding man seemed entirely oblivious.

And Cassiopeia felt her blood boil when she watched a woman she knew from the glasshouse’s finance department put a hand on his bulging bicep that she loved so much. Her jaw clenched and her hold on her flute tightened dramatically—evident with how her knuckles turned pale white. But Eliezer, however, seemed to have no interest in the woman giving him a sultry smile and batting her lashes. From afar, Cassiopeia could see him glare at the woman and she stumbled back as her expression fell.

Cassiopeia felt herself let out a breath she didn’t even know she was holding as he disappeared from the ballroom and into another room. A small frown tugged at her lips and her brows crinkled; she felt a rush of emotions and she didn’t understand why she felt such a burning passion.

Was it, dare she say, jealousy?

I can’t be jealous, she thought weakly in her head.

But you are darling, a mocking voice retorted.

Absolutely not! She retorted back.

Cassiopeia was entirely consumed by her inner turmoil, she didn’t even realize Eliezer standing on the stage of the ballroom and clinking a fork to a flute.

“I’d like to have everyone’s attention, please.” Eliezer’s voice floated through the now calming room. Cassiopeia glanced around, seeing everyone taking their seats before turning her head back around and meeting his gaze. A blush coated her cheeks seeing him already staring at her and winked. A soft giggled left her as she looked down at her lap. He couldn’t even begin to fight off the smile playing at his lips as he glanced around the room before settling his gaze back on his angeand speaking.

“Thank you, everyone.” He started off as everyone fell quiet altogether and stared intently, except for Cassiopeia who was still a blushing mess in her seat. He felt his heart thrum violently in his chest and no one knew, perhaps no one would ever, except maybe Cassiopeia, of his inner battle with speaking in front of so many people. He always remembered his mother’s words, you’re not the only one, my dear, and her encouraging words to just speak. But he could never stop his sweating palms and parching throat. And now that he was standing before everyone, mentally preparing to give his speech that he had only rehearsed about one thousand times for the girl he loves, he felt the tremor in his bones and he was more than terrified of messing up and stuttering in front of her.

Chuckling nervously and inhaling sharply, he began again. “Thank you all for coming tonight and celebrating our company. We’ve had some grand accomplishments these past few months, signing off deals with Dubai, Italy, Spain, and also publishing some brilliant bestsellers. Our acquisition editor has quite the eyes if I must say so myself.” His eyes met her wintry gray irises and he not so subtly winked at her.

“This gala, we hold every year to take a night and appreciate all of our hard work in this building. It’s because of you all coming together that this glasshouse thrives. But tonight, tonight we celebrate something more, and something special.” His eyes glimmered as he spoke. His anxiety slowly left and felt more and more like the confident and cheeky brute he was known for as he kept his eyes locked with his girl. Her brows crinkled in confusion as she racked her mind for what else tonight’s gala could be for. She had planned and put together most of this night and she hadn’t seen anything out of sorts in Eliezer’s and her agenda. She felt utter confusion and stared into his eyes with wonder.

“Tonight,” he paused, “we celebrate the twenty-first birthday of a dear soul in our glasshouse.” He held up his flute as a toast. Everyone in the ballroom mirrored his action, raising their glasses and cheering loudly. Eliezer, however, held Cassiopeia’s gaze, waiting to see the realization hit her beautiful face. But it never happened as her scrunched and she looked around the room with her doe eyes shining in cluelessness. He felt his heart drop to his stomach and his smile fall. My ange, she really forgot her own birthday.

“Happy birthday, Cassiopeia.” His eyes stayed locked with hers and her eyes widened as the room erupted in a chorus of “surprise Cassiopeia!” Her mouth opened and closed a few times before she realized he was holding out a hand for her on the stage and the spotlights shining solely on her. The room fell quiet and everyone stared at her with smiles on their faces.

“What’s today’s date?” She stood slowly as her voice came out soft. She caught sight of Starlie and Niccolò behind Eliezer, rolling a carriage cake stand onto the stage. On it was twenty-one floating candles and an extravagant flower cake. She blushed, averting eyes and timidly meeting his again. Faint laughter was heard around the room as everyone found the girl absolutely adorable.

“May fifteenth, mon cœur,” Eliezer replied, chuckling to himself. She stood frozen in her spot, registering everything in her mind.

Everyone in the room knew it was her birthday and though they were there for the gala, they were all really there for her birthday. Cassiopeia knew there was something always off about tonight. Last year, Eliezer had made it clear he didn’t want to hold a gala this year. Until he changed that just a few months after last year’s gala when he abruptly told her to plan this night and send the invites out. But he knew all along and it was her birthday behind all this.

“Cassiopeia!” Starlie’s loud and dramatic voice took her out of her thoughts.“You better get on this stage in the next five seconds, or God so help me, I will throw you over my shoulder myself.” She huffed.

“Leave heralone.” Eliezer laughed heartily. “Come on then beautiful.” He held out his hand once again, nodding encouragingly and a smile graced her beautiful face. Slowly, she made her way to him.

§

“Thank you,” Cassiopeia beamed, thanking yet another guest who came to wish her a happy birthday with a hug. Noah Gage,a young entrepreneur who was adorable and just as socially awkward as Cassiopeia, smiled boyishly at her.

“Have a goodnight, Cassiopeia,” he said before walking away. Eliezer finally unclenched his jaw as he stood behind her. His presence radiated possessiveness and brooding jealousy though Gage didn’t seem affected at all. His charisma was just as innocent as his baby face, though Eliezer had to admit, Noah Gage could fool anyone—the young boy, at the ripe age of twenty-two, could slip into a cold and hard façade within seconds.

Eliezer was jealous nine ways to Sunday and he couldn’t do a damn thing about it. The words ‘you’re fired,’ burned the tip of his tongue and everything he thought he knew was making him question himself tonight. He swore the next man to come up to Cassiopeia would have a taste of his hell. And she was too damn lost in her smiles and happiness of the attention to notice her brooding man behind her.

That was a lie. Eliezer knew she could care less about the attention fixated on her; after she went on stage earlier tonight and they all sang ‘happy birthday,’ she hid her face in his chest. And after that, her mama, papa, and Slater called, bringing tears to her eyes while she heard them apologizing profusely, singing their own rendition of ‘happy birthday,’ and saying they would never forget their baby’s birthday and that it was Niccolò who asked them to wait until tonight to call. She merely laughed it off, muttering one hundred ‘i love yous’ to them. Eliezer watched as his girl nestled in his embrace as she cried with her irises shining with love when she spoke to them.

But now, for the past hour, as they walked around and men and women greeted them—greeted her—he felt himself burning with jealousy as other men received her beautiful smile. The night carried on and Cassiopeia was thankful to see the attention on her slowly drifting away for she had been beginning to feel suffocated and anxious. But nothing made her more anxious than seeing his torn expression etched on his face. Pulling him towards their table, she gently pushed on his chest, causing him to fall back on the chair. His eyes widened in pure shock and his lips parted as she stepped in between his legs. Placing two fingers under his chin and letting his head up so their eyes met, Cassiopeia frowned seeing the small smile he gave her that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Eliezer, what’s wrong?” She asked. Her soft voice enveloped him, making him let out a sight of bliss.

“Nothing,” he replied, casting his eyes downward and raking them over her lithe body. She didn’t miss the trail of his eyes, feeling her cheeks warm before his words replayed in her head and she huffed.

“Eliezer, tell me,” she said a bit more adamantly. Sighing, he stood up, towering over her and making her tilt her head up.

“Tell me,” she pouted.

“I’m sorry.” His deep baritone was like music to her ears. “I just feel guilty.”

“For?” She cocked a brow and he shrugged helplessly.

“You forgot your own birthday and it’s my fault.” Cassiopeia laughed wholeheartedly, resting a hand on his chest.

“That is not your fault, I’ve just been busy.”

“Busy because of me,” he whined.

She rolled her eyes. “Eliezer, I promise it is not your fault, it’s okay.” He stared at her with disbelief in his eyes and her next words left him breathless.

“It’s okay, Eliezer, really. You’ve done so much for me, so thank you for tonight.” She went on her tiptoes and whispered his ear before kissing his cheek. A wide, cheeky smile made its way on his face as he stared at her once she pulled away and he felt his entire aura lift. Then it fell again when one of his own employees—21-year-old Blaise King—came up behind Cassiopeia.

“For fuck’s sake,” he hissed when King called her name and she spun around.

“Hello,” she greeted with a sweet smile. Eliezer rolled his eyes behind her and felt that familiar burn course through his veins as he watched King’s eyes clouded over with lust. Okay, so here’s what’s not going to fucking happen, he said sarcastically in his mind. His arm went around her waist and he stepped right behind her just as King took her hand in his and brought it up to his lips. But seeing the arm snake around her waist, he froze midway and his eyes flickered to Eliezer and widened.

“Badeaux.” King uttered under his breath. Eliezer stared at him with a fire in his eyes, his nostrils flaring, and his jaw clenching.

“You’re fired,” Eliezer said calmly. Cassiopeia’s jaw dropped and King’s eyes widened even more.

“What?”

“I don’t know who you think you are, touching and talking to my girl like that,” Eliezer responded nonchalantly.

“Eliezer-”

“It’s Mr. Badeaux, now get the hell out of my sight. I want your office cleared by nine am tomorrow,” Eliezer said dismissively. Once Blaise was out of sight, Cassiopeia turned around in his arms, tilting her head up to meet his eyes.

“Yes?” He smiled cheekily seeing her look at him with an amused expression. Going on her tiptoes, she brought her hands around his neck and brought her lips to his ear.

“Is someone... jealous?” She asked in a sultry tone.

“Very.” He growled in her ear, putting a bone-crushing hold on her waist.

“And why is that?” She kept up her seductive façade. Cassiopeia wasn’t sure what gave her the confidence but she merely blamed it on the two flutes of champagne she had all night.

“Because I don’t like it when others touch what’s mine.” His voice was still a growl as he buried his face in the crook of her neck. Her head fell back as her lips softly parted and Eliezer gently caressed her ass through her dress. Her brows scrunched and her eyes closed and Eliezer smirked against her skin hearing a soft moan.

“Cassiopeia.” Eliezer groaned in pain, bringing his front to hers, letting her feel what she did to him. And just like that, Cassiopeia snapped back to reality and a smirk curled her cherry lips.

“Tragic,” she drawled in a teasing tone. “It’s a damn shame that I wasn’t aware that I was yours.” She softly bit his earlobe and in one slick move, she ground her front against his hardness, moaning in his ear and pulling away, leaving him to groan in desperation and longing while he stared at her swaying her full ass and walking off to join Starlie on the dance floor.

Cassiopeia Leilani will be the death of me, he thought to himself as his eyes met her glinting gray irises.

§

“Hey beautiful,” a stranger—who Cassiopeia remembered as Aleki Morello, another entrepreneur who was with Eliezer and just as cold as her brute—came up to her with a smile on his face.

“Hello.” She smiled timidly. Eliezer had left her for a moment, excusing himself to the washroom and to take a call, promising her rosé and a dance once he returned.

“You’ve caught my eye all night, you know that darling?” Aleki took a seat in the chair next to her, in Eliezer’s seat. Cassiopeia immediately felt uncertain, her heart thrumming violently and her anxiety suddenly crippling her all too fast. And meeting his eyes, she felt wracked of her nerves seeing his clear hunger and lust-filled irises.

“Dance with me, Cassiopeia.” His eyes dropped to her cleavage and dilated.

Where are you, Eliezer? A desperate voice cried in her head.

“I won’t ask again,” he said once more, standing up and holding his hand out for her.

“I’m okay,” she snapped, looking up at him with squinted eyes.

“Cassiopeia,” he bit out, grasping her wrist and tugging her up forcefully. She whimpered in pain at his harshness, but he didn’t seem to care or he ignored her as he pulled her to the dance floor. Her eyes scanned the ballroom for Eliezer, Starlie, or Niccolò, but they were all missing. Aleki took her hands, putting them around her neck before resting his hands low on her waist. She sniffled when he squeezed her waist and kept his grip tight. They swayed forcefully with her tense as ever and then she really started to cry when he lowered his face in her neck and bit her earlobe, whispering his dirty sexual desires.

“No, stop,” she pleaded but the harmonious symphony drowned out her voice.

“Stop!” She cried with tears rolling down her face as she tried to pull away. She cried harder, whimpering and murmuring ‘no’ as she lowered her eyes to the ground and his hands trailed lower and lower. She felt utterly terrified, the blood in her veins running cold unlike when she was in Eliezer’s arms, who filled her veins with silky nectar and ceased her anxiety. She could only hope for someone to find her friends or Eliezer.

Where is Eliezer? Her mind begged for some sort of salvage from the hell she was currently burning in. Her head lifted for a moment and through her tears, she caught a glimpse of a girl staring at her with horrified eyes, mouthing ‘I’m so sorry,’ and running out of the ballroom.

Aleki slowly started squeezing her ass in his hands and her hands were pressed flat against his chest, pushing him as she cried. And then, just like their souls were made for each other, Cassiopeia felt Eliezer’s tumultuous aura enter the room. Stilling completely in Aleki’s hold, her head snapped up, meeting Eliezer’s eyes which were already on her and darkened murderously. Her sobs came on harder as her cries left her with her mouth open and she began shaking her head, casting her eyes down and thrashing in Aleki’s hold as she felt entirely disgusted with herself. She didn’t want him to see her like this.

How do you face the one person you harbor such arduous feelings for after they’ve caught you in such an uncompromising position?

Eliezer lost it. He felt himself spiral, losing his composure as he felt his heart shatter in his chest and felt himself going ballistic. Starlie and Niccolò came rushing in through different entrances of the ballroom and Eliezer stormed over to Cassiopeia, his hands balled in fists with Starlie and Niccolò following behind with horrified eyes. How dare he? How dare he touch what’s mine? How dare he lay his fucking hands on my girl? Seeing Morello’s hands rest on her ass where his own had been merely an hour ago erupted murderous feelings in him. Cassiopeia was only his to touch, his to adore, his to love—just his.

His eyes flickered to her trembling figure and he felt empty-chested as his heart dropped to the pit of his stomach. My baby, what has he done to you? At that moment, he knew he’d do absolutely anything to take her pain away and make it his, just to see her beautiful smile again. He wanted to hold her to his chest, cradle her in his arms and kiss away her pain. Seeing her tear-streaked face and the pain in her wintry gray irises, he knew they were slowly beginning to share each other’s pain. But still, the pain he felt from seeing her like this was nothing compared to the pain she felt and he knew.

Eliezer saw red as he yanked Aleki from Cassiopeia by his collar and decked him in the jaw. She stumbled back into Starlie and Niccolò’s waiting arms as she cried. She wanted nothing more than to be in Eliezer’s hold while he ran his hand through her hair and whispered his sweet and tender words in her ear.

“What the fuck are you doing with Cassiopeia?” Eliezer’s voice roared over the orchestral symphony and the murmurs of the guests until the ballroom fell silent entirely.

“Answer me, Morello,” his voice trembled with anger as he held Aleki in a chokehold.

“Didn’t know she was yours.” He had the audacity to answer with a smirk. Eliezer hissed as he pushed Aleki to the ground and went down with him, throwing punches mercilessly at his face. The fight had everyone’s attention, guests gasping as they watched their CEO fight with abandon and Cassiopeia gasped and whimpered as she watched Aleki try to fight back. But the subtlest smile curled her lips in pride seeing her man dominating the fight.

“You bastard, you know very well she is mine.” Eliezer chuckled humorlessly, putting him in another chokehold. “How dare you touch what’s mine, Morello,” he spat his name maliciously, “and- and hurt her,” his voice broke and Cassiopeia’s heart cinched. Though her warmed from his declaration, she broke free from Starlie and Niccolò’s hold just as his hold on Aleki’s neck began to make him turn a deathly pale. She ran to him, wrapping her arms around his neck from behind him and whispering her name like a chant.

“Ange,” he breathed, his fist mid-air and his body relaxing in her hold.

“He’s not worth it, Eliezer, leave him.” She pleaded quietly, hoping her tone was enough for him to know how desperate she was to have him take her in his arms. And because their stars were slowly aligning, he knew. Eliezer knew.

“Morello, your time with my company is over and you will pay for hurting my girl.” He said through gritted teeth as he rose to his full, towering height and picked up Cassiopeia bridal style in his arms. His eyes cut to Starlie and Niccolò with a vicious glare. “Where were you two?” He didn’t spare them a moment to answer before he walked out.

“I’m so sorry, my beautiful girl.” He turned his head and nestled his cheek against hers. “Let’s get you away from here.”

“Cassiopeia, I am so sorry that I left you,” he whispered once they were locked in the powder room. He picked her up and set her on the white marble counter.

“Eliezer, it wasn’t-”

“Don’t, Cassiopeia, don’t do that. It was my fault. If only I hadn’t left you or invited that motherfucker Morello. He was always an arrogant asshole. I’m so sorry.” He murmured, taking a few complimentary wet cloths and came to stand in between her legs. Slowly and gently, he began wiping away the streaks of her ruined makeup. “Caro found me in the gardens and just one look at her face told me something was wrong and I came rushing in. I know you don’t need me,and you can take care of yourself, but you’re worth more than a business call and you shouldn’t have to worry about someone like Morello, especially on your night, and every night.” Once he was done, he stayed in between her legs, brushing back her hair and holding her gaze. A small smile tugged at her lips and she cupped his jaw.

“Eliezer, it still was not your fault, please don’t blame yourself,” she frowned. “Will it make you feel better if I told you I sincerely forgive you,” she asked teasingly.

She sighed dramatically when he stayed quiet. “Eliezer, really, I forgive you, I genuinely do.” I’m still a little shaken up by his roughness but you make it better, you’re home to me. Cassiopeia subtly shook her head at her thoughts.

“Better, princesse,” his eyes fluttered as his lips faintly curled. Seeing the glimpses of emotion pass through his expression, a certain warmth bloomed in her chest.

“I’ll ring the valet so we can leave, is that okay?” His forehead touched hers and she pouted.

“But you promised me rosé and a dance.” Her soft voice was almost inaudible in the grand luxurious bathroom. He only nodded wordlessly, watching in awe as she slid off the counter, landing on her heels with a small ‘hmph’ and took his hand in her, pulling them out of the washroom. But he was quick to tug her back, letting her back collide against his chest.

“We stay together, alongside each other for the rest of the night, yes?” She nodded distractedly as she led them through the ballroom for a little before his mind fully took note of what was happening and he snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her to his side. A small yelp left her and together, they walked to the dance floor, through the parting that the others gave them. Together they screamed power and she smiled shyly at the guests staring before fixing her attention on the brute holding her.

“You’re the life of the party, mon cœur,” he said quietly. They swayed gently to All Your Days by Shallou and Emmit Fenn. When their eyes collided with each other and they murmured the words together, Cassiopeia couldn’t help but think this song was made for them. Eliezer couldn’t be happier just having her in his arms and seeing her beautiful smile graced her lips. “And you’re mine.” He added in an even quieter voice, though it was dominating, daring her to challenge him. Lifting her head from resting on his chest and meeting his eyes, he couldn’t help but stare into her wintry grays with adoration for they twinkled under the fairy lights. And her next words had Eliezer ready to show her his entire world.

“I’m yours,” she whispered sweetly. Her eyes softly fluttered closed and she rested her head against his shoulder once again.

§

—midnight—

“Oh dear.” Eliezer chuckled with a light in his eyes. “I think you’ve had enough to drink tonight, don’t you?” They had spent the last hour and a half swaying in each other’s arms and drinking flutes of champagne—more like she started a flute while he finished it for her—and now they were walking back to their table.

“Maybe.” Cassiopeia giggled, stumbling a bit and causing his eyes to widen in worry and to wrap his arms tightly around her waist to steady her.

“Let’s get you home,” Eliezer chuckled once again, picking her up bridal style with the straps of her heels hanging off his fingers.