Denied!
1013 Words
RILEY HARRINGTON'S POV
After an hour of feeling out of place at the bar. I hear a buzz of excitement build near the entrance. Photographers immediately descend, their camera flashes lighting up the room as a flawless Wilden steps confidently onto the deck, dressed impeccably in one of his brand’s latest designs. A stylish white shirt enhanced with intricate gold designs and patterns engraved on it's shoulders and back.
But he's not alone. Walking beside him is Briana Sullivan. It's my first time seeing the woman in person. She wears a short gold strapless dress and has a platinum blonde French twist, big smoky eyes and full lips. She is gorgeous. In one hand she holds a glass of champagne, with the other, she links her arm through Wilden's. Why is she holding him like that? More importantly, why is he letting her? They look like a real couple.
Photographers clamor for his attention, shouting questions, their flashes going off all around. Guests gather, watching as Wilden and Briana make their way to the center of the party. She blows kisses to the cameras before resting her hand back on Wilden’s arm. I think she is in love with my fiancee just like most other women. At least she’s acting like it. But I don't have worry about her. He obviously doesn’t care about her. I will wait until after his speech then I'll approach to give him the gift.
At the center of the room Wilden raises a finger and the band leader gives him a nod and then there is a break in the music.
“Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the sixth annual lux cerebrations. Thank you for all of your efforts that have contributed to our ongoing success. I hope you all will have a good time as tonight is all about celebrating. So salut. Enjoy dinner, drinks, and dancing. And have fun." The crowd applauded loudly.
Journalists immediately swarm him with questions.
“Mr.Wulfric, can you tell us about your relationship with Ms.Sullivan?”
“Is there more to your partnership than just business?” “
"Are you and Ms. Sullivan a couple now?”
My heart throbs hard in my chest. Why are they asking him such strange questions. Of course they are not together, he would have said so if they were. He loves me! Me, not her! I scoff and wait for him to silence all this ridiculous rumors.
Briana smiles sweetly at him while Wilden calmly answers, “Briana is an incredible and talented woman of great value to my brand. But no, we are not dating.”
I smile, relieved.
But then he adds with quiet confidence, “But I would definitely be proud to date a beautiful special woman and of exceptional character like her.”
His words hit me like knives to the heart. Did he say he would love to date Briana Sullivan! The cheering of the guests around me and journalist firing more questions confirms that I didn't hear him wrong. How could he say that?
How can he speak like I do not exist? Like we are not already engaged! Doesn't my love mean anything to him? No, there has to be a rational explanation for this! There has to be. It's a public interview, and he may not mean what he just said, but why would he claim to have feelings for her? Maybe for publication.
I mean Briana has incredible beauty, fame and money of her own. She is successful in every sense of the world. She is everything that I am not.
But I made sacrifices to be Wilden's wife. I have selflessly loved and cared for him in every way I was allowed to. It's unfair that he would desire someone else.
The journalists quickly pivot their attention to Briana, shoving microphones and cameras on her face. One reporter asks, "Ms. Sullivan, what do you think about Mr. Wulfric's confession that he would be proud to date a woman like you?"
Her beautiful eyes seem to glow with unusual excitement. “Honestly, I’ve admired him for years. He’s brilliant, kind, and charismatic, everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner.” She pauses, glancing at Wilden with a soft expression. "Nothing would make me happier than to be more than just a colleague. I've had a crush on him for years, and hearing him say that... well, it feels like a dream."
The guests erupt into cheers of approval as another reporter addresses Wilden directly. “Mr. Wulfric, given this mutual admiration, might I be so bold as to request a gesture, a kiss perhaps, to truly show this promising connection to your guests and the world?”
I freeze. He wouldn’t do that. He is going to tell them that that he is engaged. He will mention my name even though we have been dating secretly.
A soft smile curves on Wilden's lips and he picks up Briana's hand up and wraps it in his, then it happens, before my very eyes, my greatest love without hesitation, gently lifts her chin and presses his lips to hers. Right there in public… The cameras sounds like the knives slicing my heart into shreds.
Gasps ripple through the guests as their kiss deepens, Briana’s hand resting on Wilden’s chest. The crowd erupts in cheers and whistles.
Horror and anger swirls through my chest like toxic fumes. How could he do this to me? I feel tears building in my eyes and unbearable pain cracking into my chest as I stand there frozen, my eyes still locked on them.
He just shoved his tounge into another woman's mouth right infront of my eyes.
Anger, resentment, and pure hatred well in me like waves, overwhelming every thought. My legs weakens, and the edges of my vision darkens clouded by tears. I barely register the concerned gasps and murmurs from the guests nearby before my knees give way. The last thing I see is a blur of faces as I collapse, fainting right in the middle of the crowd.
- Writer
