This chapter contains themes that may upset some readers.
Melissa POV
I blinked twice as I stared at him in surprise.
''May I kiss you?'' Those very words rang through my mind like a damn siren.
I was mentally prepared for some stunts this evening but for this kind of trick, I was completely caught off guard. I could feel heat rise up through my gown and it definitely wasn't due to the layered satin and lace nor the diamonds that lined up intricately on the outstanding artistry.
It all felt like a movie, I felt like time was suddenly non-existent and my whole life hung on a balance tipping in the direction of peace or destruction depending on the answer I gave to the man that stood before me, his loving blue eyes never leaving mine.
Turning to look at the cameras flashing before us, discomfort dawned over me and I turned back to him trying my best to muster a smile with all the pressure I was under.
Him asking for a kiss was one thing to make me astonished but asking for a kiss in front of the world, how was I to respond to that?
That'd be a bold move, one I would wish to take and shut down all my oppressors' but I couldn't bring myself to say yes.
Just when I thought I was gonna hurt him with my answer, he took my hand slowly and bent down to my ear, his lips brushing on them softly he began to whisper,
'' You have an amazing soul, Melissa. Remember that always and stand tall'' he then kissed traced his lips over my neck to my shoulder there he laid a delicate kiss.
Staring into my eyes as his lips left my skin, the lingering warm feeling remained.
There was an eruption of camera flashes and the mischievous smile that replaced his admiring smile brought me back to reality. He still managed to toy with the gossips whilst tugging my heartstrings in the process.
Fuck butterflies, there was a whole damn zoo in my stomach.
We advanced towards the staircase, his hands firmly holding mine and I was sure my knees would have given way if he was to let go of me.
Walking into the hall, I could hear the soft orchestrated music, my eyes widened in amazement at the sight before me. It spelt nothing but luxury and power as some of the most prominent faces I had only seen in newspapers and magazines roamed the halls of Chase's event at Hotel Dynasty owned by the McBridges themselves.
I did my homework on the five star establishment and I was amazed at how much revenue the business was earning him.
Hotel Dynasty was the on the top 5 most luxurious wonders of Sandburry list and it welcomed celebrities and personalities from all over.
Chase McBridge wasn't just anyone, he had an entire empire in the palm of his hands and yet the Ramirez bloodline held a sharp knife on his throat.
Anthony Ramirez to be very specific.
In other words, Chase flaunters his wealth, puts them on fine display, to be on the highest pedestal in the world, a venomous snake vaunting its dark dahlia tinted striking skin, whilst hiding among the dense thicket, attacking its prey and compelling them to submit.
However, ruling from the sky the untouchable limit,was Anthony Ferdinand Ramirez, keeping to himself what he deems to be private such as his treasures whilst wrecking fear in the heart of the Ophidians that slither for prey.
Just like the eagle its watchful eye never missed a thing and once it had its target locked, its talons digs skin deep as it grabs its frail victim and mercilessly rips it to shreds. Whilst maintaining his untainted reputation, he discreetly lays bare his talons and gets the work done to remain on top.
My research on his F.RAMIREZ INVESTMENTS were enough to prove that looking on how many businesses he had plucked out of the hands of other tycoons appearing like their last hope, capitalizing on their damage and bankruptcy then turning it into the thriving business they never had the ambition to achieve.
They were alike.....the snake and the eagle.....merciless, tenacious, commanding, deceptive....but who was the real villain here. The predator turned prey or the predator in its unhidden majesty?
Anthony led me down to the black and gold decorated hall and I bit my lip in nervousness. ''Keep it together Melissa, stand tall'' I thought and lifted up my head, giving Anthony a smile as heads turned and awed at the sight of the two of us.
One step after another, I grazed the floor gracefully whilst Anthony's thumb softly brushed on my hand as they were entwined. No words were needed, I understood him perfectly.
Turning the edges of my lips into the brightest smile I could muster, we walked over to extend greetings to the Roseburns, the owners a four star hotel that try to climb up the luxury ladder each year yet fall short as though a step higher guarantees a deadly venomous bite.
''My word, look who it is darling, Mr. Ramirez in flesh with a lovely lady wrapped around his arm. Congratulations on your marriage. '' Mr. Roseburn, quite old and wrinkly beamed at us and I instantly smiled sincerely at his warm expression.
''This is my wife, Melissa. Melissa, this is Mr. Walter Roseburn and his beautiful wife Mrs. Garnet Roseburn.'' Anthony introduced us and I smiled as I shook their hands, his wife as beautiful as Anthony called her.
''It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Roseburn'' I said and wrapped my arm around Anthony's once more.
''Call me Garnet! Why, aren't they a perfect match, Wally dear? What wonderful babies they'd make'' Mrs. Roseburn, now Garnet to me cooed and I could feel the heat rise up once more. I tried to hide my flustered expression but nothing was working in my favor.
With my arm still wrapped around his, I felt him tense up a bit before retaining his posture and I couldn't help but wonder if he actually liked what he heard...I mean us, he and I having kids...what a sight to behold.
''And let me guess, you're going to suggest we name our daughter after a rare jewel such as yourself?" Anthony suddenly asked and I immediately glanced at him, then cleared my throat.
''Now come on sonny boy, you're going to steal my wife at this rate! You youngsters run along. Garnet and I will be here enjoying the show from far away. Hopefully we might get to taste those éclairs you can't stop talking about '' Mr. Roseburn shooed us whilst turning to his wife adoringly and picked something off the sleeve of the black dress she wore.
We waved them good bye and turned away to greet a few others, none as loving as the Roseburns though but I couldn't stop it admire how much they loved each other. I wanted their kind of love, love that pulls through the thick and thin.
I looked back at Anthony involuntarily and he turned to me with a smile as I gently placed my head against his arm, a rush of sentiment overpowering me.
Just when I thought things were going smoothly, an all too familiar voice set me on edge.
''Hello Melissa, Tony ol' boy, glad you could make it old friend. Looking rather dashing with those honors, aren't you Ramirez?" Chase taunted as he approached us.
His suit was an eye catching dark burgundy with a faint design of the dahlia all over it, his hair was gelled back and in his hand was a walking cane (which he obviously didn't need) with the a signet ring with the design of a dahlia encrusted.
He smiled mischievously as he set his eyes on me and took my hand, laying a kiss on it whilst eying Anthony, as though he was daring him to make a move. However I noticed his grip on my hand was getting tighter and red flags began to wave rapidly in my head
''Lovely setup, Mr. McBridge'' I quickly pulled my hand away from his, wiped the back of it with a handkerchief deliberately and told him, a forced smile on my lips.
''Annoying bastard'' I thought and continued to smile.
''Right of course, it is an event in my honor thus must be beyond spectacular. Then again, Melissa,'' Anthony glared at him as my name rolled off his lips,'' -I mean Mrs. Ramirez, I must commend you on that daring stunt you pulled in my office. Not everyone has the....audacity to threaten me. You'd make quite a formidable foe although I would have loved it if you paid heed to my words of advice.''
Anthony was about to step in when I tapped on his hand softly, signaling him to remain composed and let me handle Chase myself.
''While your words of scrutiny and manipulation weren't quite appreciated, I do regard the effort you made to try sway me. A huge fail, yes but quite the try. I hope my measly gratitude for your attempt is enough to relieve you of your misery.'' With a smirk, I turned to Anthony and whispered.
''Anthony?"
''Shall we?" He responded, to which I nodded to and left Chase on the spot.
A mortified look on his face. He got what he deserved and if not for the kids at the orphanage benefitting from the project I would have told him to stick it up his ass.
As we walked through the crowd and passed on hellos, I couldn't help but look for Nicholas in the crowd.
''Was he invited? How do I face him after ignoring him for so long?" I thought as I rubbed my fingers nervously. After the events that transpired at the park, I was bent on avoiding him like the plague but he kept on pushing to see me.
''I feel really guilty about how I played with the feelings of both men but I am having so much fun with Anthony right now and I just want the night to go this way, with my hands around his and smiles. At least till I'm pulled to face reality again'' I thought and took a sip of the glass of champagne Anthony offered me.
It was a weird experience, being where I was. How people had changed towards me just because my status in this world had changed. How easily they bent their stiff backs and managed to smile back at me, not in spite or mockery but to garner favor from the priceless name I now bear.
''Such foolish hypocrites.'' I thought as my hands clenched on the stem of the champagne glass.
''Bambi, are you alright?" I suddenly heard and snapped my attention to Anthony who looked at me with a concerned expression. I noticed he looked disturbed and I wondered what was up with him all of a sudden.
''Did you hear what I said?" He asked me and I shook my head embarrassingly.
''I'm stepping out for a bit to make a call, I was asking if you'd be okay waiting here for me. Unfortunately for me, it's going to be a long one.'' He asked and I nodded with a slight smile. He smiled back and made his way out after planting a brief kiss on my cheek.
I watched as he faded through the crowd and tapped on the glass gently.
I wished the night was over already so I could change into my comfortable duck decorated pajamas and watch Kamisama Kiss all night long. But unfortunately I was stuck here, in an event for a jerk like Chase and coddled by a bunch of fake geezers.
Just as I was about to go take a seat, I spotted something.
An ongoing scene that made my blood go cold and shivers run down my back.
Steps away from me, at the other buffet table, was Nicholas in his handsome glory but he wasn't alone. Beside him, bickering and obviously flirting was my cousin Susan. Their mannerisms, their way of relating, it definitely didn't seem like they just met.
When did that happen? What was happening between the man who claimed to like me and my cousin?
Not like I had a problem with it cause all I've been is been a bother to Nicholas and he deserved much better than that. But why didn't I know about this?
I quickly spun to the other direction before they could catch me staring at them in bewilderment. I recomposed myself and waved at others whilst looking out to see if Anthony was coming but he was nowhere to be found.
He did say it was going to be a long call but I was wishing he's end soon.
To make matters worse, as I stared at the distance my eyes made contact with Chase who had his eyes already set on me with a creepy, mischievous look on his face.
I quickly averted my eyes and decided it was best to go freshen up and hopefully Anthony would have returned by then.
As I turned heel to leave, I was stopped in my tracks by a man who looked like he was in his mid thirties and wrapped around his arm was a slender looking young lady. Her eyes were a mesmerizing dark green and her dyed rouge hair was held up in a bun.
Her slender figure was draped in a tight black dress that accentuated her curves and fitted her so perfectly.
''Good evening Mrs. Ramirez. My name is Germain Jeff Jones and I am in charge of the modeling agency, your company hired models from. It's a pleasure to meet you, you look even more gorgeous in person'' He cooed and attempted to lay a kiss on my hand but I was quick to place it behind me.
I was well aware of the humiliation he had caused Susan and I wasn't going to let him butter me up.
''I believe the pleasure is all yours. This must be Dreya Laurent'' I turned my attention to her.
''Yes! My masterpiece, the pride of my agency. Dreya Laurent'' With that she smiled and shook hands with me. I faked a smile and nodded, trying not to be petty. That which I knew I was going to fail.
''Masterpiece, yes but pride of your agency...isn't that a bit disrespectful to all other models under your agency?" I asked him and he looked taken aback for a second.
''It is nothing but the truth, Mrs. Ramirez. A truth that can be testified, I'm the best and they all know it. '' Dreya cut in and she was slowly becoming a wench in my sight. I raised an eyebrow in her direction and scoffed slightly.
''Favoritism, nepotism and raw talent are very different when it comes to labelling yourself as the best. Others worked their way to get where they are, tiring nights, strict diets, the tears, the pain and yet you have the audacity to belittle them. You are quite something, Miss Laurent'' I snapped back and she only snickered.
Her boss Germain looked so lost in the conversation as he looked like he was trying to let Dreya stop talking back at me.
''If its your cousin you're talking about Mrs. Ramirez, then I believe the use of raw talent has been misplaced. She's emotionless on that stage, she lacks the fire, she lacks the spirit. So I believe that instead of you to give me a lecture on how I should behave you should go coach your sister on how to do her job right and then you can disrespect my talent'' Dreya fired mockingly and my hands balled into fists.
Before I could retort, I heard a familiar voice in the distance.
''There you are!'' I suddenly heard Susan call and she walked up to us.
''I guess you've already met my boss,'' She said cheerily and exhaled deeply with a huge smile on her face.
''Quite a very interesting man. Nice meeting you both, Looking forward to work with you'' With that I smiled gently at Susan and walked away.
''Why is everything and everyone suddenly getting on my nerves and where the heck is Anthony?!Why on earth did he leave me to make a blasted phone call?! Can't he tell that I want him around? Can't he tell I'm not okay'' I thought and blended through the dancing crowd, making my way outside to find him and ask to go home.
However I could feel eyes on me as I moved through the crowd and a eerie shiver ran down my back. Someone was watching me, someone was tailing me. I was sure of it, I hadn't felt this way since elementary when Rachel used to stalk me and then harass me in the alleyway.
I had to get out of there. I needed Anthony.
''Quickly Melissa, move quickly'' my instincts flared but as I got closer to the end I crossed paths with a waitress and apologized as I made way past him.
But as I slid past her, I suddenly felt a nick on my arm and pain shot through me as I winced and grabbed my wrist in agony.
''What was that?'' I yelped and looked back to find the waitress but she was gone and my wrist was bleeding slightly.
''Shit!" I said under my breath and tried to make way to the washroom stealthily hoping no one would notice.
Once I opened the door, I muttered, '' thank goodness'' at how empty it was and moved to the sink. I turned the tap on and placed my hand under the running water. The blood just wouldn't stop for some reason.
''Fuck'' I mumbled as I winced in pain.
Just as I frustratingly tried to rub the blood off with my other hand, I felt a lingering presence behind me and froze momentarily.
As I looked up at the mirror to find out who that was, I gritted my teeth and hands clenched in anger. Her mere presence annoyed me to the bone but I wasn't going to give her the liberty of knowing she had that sort of effect on me.
''Hello Rachel" I whispered but loud enough for her to hear me as I looked at her intensely through the mirror.
I almost didn't recognize her in the simple red dress she wore with her hair tied in a bun. Her eyes were bloodshot red and she had a disgusted look on her face.
She approached me slowly and then took a red lipstick out of her purse. She began to apply it in the mirror and didn't spare me a look.
I waited for a response for I knew there was no way we had met by coincidence but when it seemed like I wasn't going to have it, I turned off the tap and then turned to leave. However Rachel had other plans.
She turned to face me as soon as I turned to leave and then proceeded to slap me across my face.
Touching my cheek softly, I slowly turned to face her with a look of bewilderment twisted with anger on my red stained face. She was going to pay for that and I was going to make sure of it right there and then.
''Who the fuck do you think you are to torment me, Melissa?!" She spewed out and I gave her a look that screamed ' have you lost your mind '
''Are you stupid, Rachel?! You must have gone insane." I laughed back in anger and placed my hands on my waist, figuring out how to mop the floor with that face of hers.
''Yes, I've finally gone insane. I'm livid really. I can't take it anymore! Why couldn't just stay out of my life forever?! Why didn't you just die in that stupid accident that took away your sorrowful excuse of a family away?!'' She smiled maniacally and asked me, vile seeping in every word she uttered.
With that, I had heard the final straw. I balled my fist and punched her right across her face.
She staggered back to the wall and then looked up at me, her nose bleeding from impact and she gritted her teeth.
''You know, youre still that same fucking attention seeking bitch you always were back then. And for that you're going to pay''
''Once a bitch, always a bitch, ey Rachel? Look at yourself a miserable, pathetic excuse of a human being'' I voiced and looked at her in shame and uttermost disgust.
'' I see you've spread some wings, just because you're married to someone as powerful as Anthony you think you're better than me,don't you?! You are nothing, you twat. You were nothing and you will always be nothing. I should've known kicking you out of school wouldn't be enough to set you straight. I should have killed you with my bare hands''
'' That's right, with all those years of torment you put me through, you should've ended it once and for all. I was even begging for it. Yet you didn't, did you? Big mistake, Rachel. Now, stand back and watch me stand tall and rise whilst you crumble at my feet. Isn't life a funny thing?" I laughed out and then leaned against the sink.
''So you do recognize me! So you should know what to expect, just like old times, right prick?!"
'' I don't have the time for your bullshit, not this time around. Get the fuck out of my way.'' I brushed her off and tried to make way out but she grabbed my hair all of a sudden and yanked me back.
I yelped in pain and tried to pry her hands off me but her grip was strong.
''You think I'd just let you run your mouth and get away with it?!"
''Why isn't anyone stepping into the washroom?" I thought as I bit my lip to stop myself from yelling in affliction.
'' Sorry to burst your bubble, Rachel. But I refuse to be your punch bag just for you to let out your insecurities. I was young, defenseless and naïve and you took advantage of that. You were jealous of me, the poor girl who lost everything and yet had the courage to show up everyday and still beat you at everything. And even after all these years, here we are and I. Am. Still. Better. Than. You''
With that I elbowed her stomach and ran her into the washroom sink. She groaned in pain and slid unto the floor. Turning to look at me, she suddenly began to laugh and I stared at her in pity.
''Sorry Melissa, but I win this time. It's too late for you'' She began to utter sadistically and I decided I had heard enough.
I stormed out of the bathroom, only to step out and feel my legs get weak all of a sudden. In there she was laughing, it was the creepiest I had seen anyone been and I wanted to be far away from her as possible.
''So it really was her'' I thought and tried to make way back to where Anthony told me to wait for him but my eyes suddenly felt blurry and the material must have magically gotten thicker because I was breaking into cold sweat.
I frantically tapped my leg on the floor whilst turning to see if Anthony would walk in but he was still nowhere to be found. I couldn't spot Nicholas or Susan either. The music in the room was suddenly louder than it was earlier on and each conversation in the room seemed to be amplified in my head.
I needed to get out of there and fast.
As I staggered away, trying my best to smile at those who smiled at me and politely turned down conversations, I made way to the reception and I felt critically out of breath. I tried calling Anthony but he was still on the phone call he had told me he was going to make.
He made me feel safe around him and that was what I needed at that very moment. My head was spinning, my lungs were desperately seeking air and my vision was getting blurry.
Was it something I ate? Something I drank? What was happening to me and what did Rachel mean by what she said?
Just when I thought, I was running insane I felt a tap on my shoulder and I spun to meet a waiter in front of me.
''You're Mrs. Ramirez, right ma'am?" He asked me and I nodded frantically. I was at a point of desperation and I was in no mood for a chitchat unless it concerned Anthony's location.
''Mr. Anthony Ramirez had to retire to one of our rooms to make an important business call and requested we bring you to him since he is not comfortable with you being down here all by yourself'' He told me and I tried my best to keep my composure.
''Well that was easier than I thought'' I whispered to myself and wiped off the sweat on my face with the handkerchief.
I was beginning to feel drowsy.I was frightened to cause a commotion and headline a far fetched story of me fainting knowing very well the tabloids would twist it against Anthony.
I was weakening, the noise was deafening and I wanted to be far away from Chase as possible who was probably somewhere on the floor. I wasn't ready for his antics.
''Where is he?" I managed to ask him, almost out of breath.
''Deluxe room 4, but worry not. I would personally lead you there myself'' He assured me.
The bright lights in the reception increased the throbbing headache and I had no choice.
''Lead the way''
Hello everyone, thank you for your support and patience. 4357 words