Alec P.O.V:
"You are going to love the party!"
Brianna Johnson, my ex-girlfriend, ex-business partner, looked at me; her ash blonde hair was styled down in waves of soft curls. Her hair was long. Long enough to cover her breast. She was everything I hated. Fake boobs. Flashy clothes. Fake personality. Her crimson cocktail dress screamed New York Fashion week. I wanted to tell her this was a horrible idea. I could not stand being near her anymore.
Do it for the children. I screamed in my head. I knew that if I entertained her enough, she would open her wallet for the New York children's hospital. I should be wanting to celebrate the amount we had already raised, but nothing ever felt enough to me. I wanted more. I wanted to save as many children as I could. Kids who didn't have the money to fix their broken hearts.
"Alec, you can still back out." She touched me in a gentle manner. I knew how she felt about me, but the feelings were not reciprocated. I hated the way she looked at me... pity me for my heart.
"You know I can't." I pushed the annoyance back. "I'm ready." I heard myself saying the words, but deep inside, I knew they were a lie. Everything in my life was a lie. It had been a lie since the day I was diagnosed with heart failure. I was just living down the minutes until the darkness took me.
"Fine, everyone and anyone who is important will be here tonight. I can't wait for you to see how amazing it looks inside. If I may say so, I did a fantastic job." She blurted out, and if there was one thing about Brianna that I loathe the most was her awful need for compliments and attention.
The car came to a stop saving me from having to answer her and I stepped out of the car before I told her to fuck off, and without another option I came around to open the door for her. As she stepped out of the limo, I couldn't help but look up at the company that I had created. The big silver words of 'Armstrong Communications' made me think of how the company was only an idea five years ago. It had grown so much since then, and I owed it all to my mother.
If only she could be here to see that my dreams had become a reality.
"Come on, Alec, everyone is waiting." Brianna took my arm, and we walked up the steps that led into the building, and soon, people were welcoming us. I wished Brianna hadn't made this party such a big fancy affair. But as she says, drunk people make bigger donations.
My employees and friends welcomed me. I plastered the fakes smile I could handle.
Everyone was looking at me. Brianna handed me a champagne flute, and I knew I had to say a few words. "Thank you all for coming and reaching deep into your hearts for a special foundation. I can only imagine as someone struggling with an awful disease how many parents feel. I want to help as many children as I can and leave behind a legacy worth being remembered. So please look deep into your hearts and donate as much as you can." With that, everyone cheered, and I down my drink.
Yeah, I drank down my pain. Emptiness.
"Alec, darling." My sister Aurora approached me and hugged me, "Mom would be so proud of you." She planted a kiss on my cheek, and her green eyes sparkled the same way my mother's did. She was the spit image of her with silky brown hair that reached her waist and an elegance that only kind woman radiated. At times, it made it hard to look at her. As she was pulling away, my eyes took in the last person I would want here. The one person I order Brianna not to invite.
"Alec." My name leaves his mouth, and I fought the anger that his voice stirred within me.
"Father." I hissed. I didn't attempt to hide the hate in my voice.
"I'm surprised this place has been able to stay running for this long." He laughed and took a sip of his drink. I wanted to punch him in the face, but I knew I couldn't make a scene right here. "Perhaps you did learn a lot from me after all."
I was the one laughing now. I stepped closer to him and whispered, "I will never be a thief like you."
That made him lose his stupid smirk, and that made me momentarily happy. He went to say something, but I interrupted him before he could,"Excuse me, I need to go say hello to people who are actually important." I kissed my sister one last time and walked away.
"You have no right -" my father went to say something, but I was already walking away. I fought everything within me, not to turn back around.
I needed a drink, a very strong one. I headed to the bar in hopes I could drink enough to make this night go by faster. Yet, before I reached the bar, my eyes caught the woman cleaning cups off the tables- she was stacking them and seemed to be enjoying herself - at least one of us was. She was moving her hips to the song that was playing right now as she walked back to the bar. I continued to watch her as she slowly placed the empty cups down and leaned on the bar counter. As I got closer, I realized this woman looked very fragile and weak.
Her shoulder-length light mousy brown hair and slim figure catched me by surprise. My heart felt like it would escape my body at any minute. Who was this woman? I walked towards her, wanting a closer glimpse of her body. I picked up my speed and reached it quickly. Once I stood just behind her, it hit me. She was crying.
"Miss, are you alright?" I asked her, and she quickly turned around, giving me a view of her beautiful face. I stared at her for a long time. Her ocean clear blue eyes catched me by surprise. I took in every inch of detail. The freckles on her nose. Her plum full lips. She was magnificent.
"Cora?" Her name left my mouth, and my heart stayed still for a minute, as I waited for her answer.
“Excuse me?” She looked at me confused. I guess I must have startled her.
I moved closer to her, wanting to take her in my arms, “What is Cora short for?” I got closer. Yet, she backed away.
“Coraline." She said, horrified.
I laugher nervously. Why is this beautiful woman making me feel like a school-age boy?
I moved closer, " I-" my words did not leave my mouth. The room suddenly became warm. I felt dizzy.
She steps back a bit more,“ Sir, are you alright?"
No, I was not fine. Did she not know about my heart problem? Everyone and anyone knew about it.
Before I know it, I'm grabbing on to her. My body eventhough is in the merge of passing out, allows me to feel the energy pushed through her touch.
"I'm fine." I barked.
"I really think you need to sit down. You look pale and weak." She exclaimed. She definitely didn't know about my heart. I secretly liked that. She was not tainted by the pity. I could pull it off as if I had drank too much.
"Too many drinks... not enough food." I weakly smiled.
"But -"
"I said I'm fine." I exclaimed more forcefully.
She nodded her head, and I couldn't help but stare at her plum, juicy, beautiful lips.
I began to open my mouth, but I immediately closed it as a hand touched my shoulder. Fuck Brianna, why couldn't she leave me alone? She was like a lost puppy begging for my attention and it was pissing me off.
"What the hell is going on?" You should be passing around drinks. We don't pay you to stand around." She sneered and I could see she was trying to claim me as her territory.
"Come on, you don't have to be so rude!" I told her.
She ignores me,"You look pale. It was a horrible idea for you to come tonight."
The mystery woman instantly reached for the empty tray. "Perhaps I can get some water? "
Brianna rolled her intence green eyes at her. "Just get back to work before I fire you."
I fought the urge to yank Brianna and shut her up, but before I could say anything the mysterious woman walked away leaving me wanting to speak to her more.
°°°
When the elevator door closed I was thankful. I needed fresh air and to get out of here. I drank too much against doctors orders. Why did it matter anyways I was going to die soon.
I needed to pull myself together and I was glad for the quietness as I arrived at the back door of the building. I needed space from Brianna and this way I would avoid seeing her as I left.
I relaxed when the cold air welcomed me and I walked to the darkest part of the back alley. I needed a cigarette if I was going to make it through the rest of the night. As I went to light it up, I saw her again... I blinked my eyes. Was it really her? I needed to find out. I threw my cigarette out and headed towards her.
"Do you need a ride?" Even before she could respond, I got way too close to her. Realizing that I moved back a step. "My driver will be here any minute and we can take you where ever you want." I stared at her hoping she would agree. I needed to learn more about her.
She glanced at me back, "Are you kidding me? You need to leave me alone." She began to walk away.
No. I needed to stop her.”Wait.” I called after her. "I'm sorry Brianna can be rude sometimes."
I was glad when she stopped walking and turned around. “I don't want problems with your girlfriend."
"You're freezing, where is your jacket?"
"I...I live close by. I'll be okay." Was she kidding? The small coat she was wearing looked dirty and broken. She should be wearing something expensive and warm.
"Here," I took my jacket off. I didn't care if I was cold.
"No... I couldn't possibly." She shook her head.
"Yes, you can take it," I demanded.
I held it up for her as she slide her arms into the very long sleeves. "Thank you." she whispered.
"Wait!" I called after her. "Can I have your number?"
Crossing the street, she yells, "I don't have a phone."
I stared as she walked away and smile. She was different then any woman I had met. I liked it.