You Are Mine To Desecrate

Chapter 14: Humiliation 2

Ava's POV

The ballroom greets me with champagne, laughter and glittering eyes. Waiters float past with trays of golden flutes. Music hums beneath the noise. A polished string quartet that feels too elegant for the cruelty woven into this night. I spot him—the CEO of Langston Enterprises. A man whose partnership could be my first real victory after a long while. For the last two days, I've tried making an appointment to meet me but his f*****g secretary made things difficult for me. Always leaving me hanging with promises that she will inform Mr Langston of my call and try to put my appointment in one of his schedules. I'm pretty sure she didn't relay my message to him.

My chest swells with determination. This was why I came to this boring event. I heard earlier today, thanks to Candice—that he was holding this gala and many elite VIPs were going to attend including him.

I smooth my dress. A polite smile already on my lips as I strode towards him. Every step feels heavy , I still try to force the lightness into my body. The kind that makes me reassure myself that I am confident and unshakable.

"Mr. Langston," I greeted, my smile grew across my face. More dazzling. I hope so. With practiced grace, I extend my hands . "Ava Morales. It's an honor."

His eyes lit up, polite, intrigued. For a moment, hope flickers in my chest. He takes my hands into his before bringing it to his lips. His eyes still on me and I try as much as possible to hide my discomfort when his lips touch the back of my palm and lingers there.

I exhaled, making sure he didn't notice my irritation. Patiently and slowly, I release my hands from his grip.

"I've heard only a little about you. The only female CEO of a company in City A. If only my daughter would follow in your footsteps, I would really be proud." For a moment, he sounded like an intelligent father but I know all this was just a facade to please me and get into my panties. I didn't need to observe him more to know his ulterior motives. I've dealt with men like him and it's always been a traumatizing experience. Yet, thanks to God, I always come out unscathed. I still don't know how. I just hope Mr. Langston won't be a problem in my life. I have many problems already and I didn't want to add another traumatizing experience in my life again.

"Nice to meet you too, sir," I said, still smiling.

"Oh, drop the formalities. You can call me Jim." He was already showing his motives without shame.

I cringed, "No, sir. I wouldn't dare." I laugh sweetly.

"Okay, Ava. You will come around." He winked at me. The folds under his eyes made his act of winking laughable.

I try keeping my expression neutral, "Mr. Langston, I called your company a few times to make an appointment with you and your secretary told me you've had a very tight schedule these last few days. So I didn't have any other choice but to approach you now. "

I watch him. He doesn't seem to be listening to what I was saying. His eyes swept over me from my lips down to every part of my body. Again, I smiled, not wanting to show him that I felt like puking. "I was thinking we could—"

A shadow slides between us. You've got to be shitting me. My heart plummets. Of course, he will be here,trying his possible best not to let me win.

"Ahh, Mr. Langston," Caleb's voice, warm and deceptive, cuts through. He claps the man on the shoulder like they are lifelong friends.

"Good to see you again. I was able to make an appointment with you yesterday against tomorrow. It concerns the future partnership of your company and mine."

Caleb turns to me, smiling like the devil. "Sister," his voice drips with mock affection. "What a surprise seeing you here. I thought you never liked these types of event. Or are you trying to make a business connection? Hope I didn't interrupt."

Mr. Langston glances between us, suddenly uncertain. Caleb leans in closer, his words casual but loud enough for others nearby to hear. "Of course, I can't imagine anyone taking an illegitimate heiress seriously. But sister, I do admire your persistence."

I didn't know onlookers were already circling me until I heard their rippled laughter. The sound is sharp, mocking, and it pierces deeper than I want to admit.

Heat floods my cheeks. My lungs seize, I try my best to calm my breathing. I had to. I wasn't in the right place to have a seizure. Forcing myself to stand tall, my nails digging crescents into my palm.

"I came here to discuss real business with Mr. Langston and I don't appreciate your interruptions, Caleb." I manage to keep my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me.

Caleb's smile widens, his eyes narrowing with malice. "Sister, don't get me wrong. What sort of brother would I be if I see my dear sister stressing herself more than she should. I know you are stubborn but my advice to you is to know your place because it will save you a lot of humiliation. The company isn't doing well in your hands, in fact it has never done well, and the good thing you can do for yourself and the company at large— is to quit— but here you are still acting all strong and tough. Soon, the company will fall and your partnership with other companies too" He turns to Mr. Langston looking serious now like he was trying to save Mr Langston from falling into a deep pit I tried to dig for him. "I will advise you too, Mr. Langston. You are a very good friend of my father and my co-partner in my company. I will never want you to invest your money, time and energy in something that wouldn't benefit you. Partnering with my sister is like," he paused as if he was thinking. That's clearly the first. "...it's like being in a parasitic relationship. You as the host will be fed upon and harmed while my sister leeches on you. She benefits and you don't. You even get harmed in the process. I'm not trying to be an asshole or something. If you still want to risk working with her, do that at your own risk."

Mr. Langston shifts uncomfortably, clearly swayed by Caleb's poison. He mutters something polite and excuses himself, slipping away. I didn't try to bring him back or persuade him because part of what Caleb says is the truth. Morales Tech has reached this point of damage. Anyone trying to partner with me is at the risk of a loss. But now with all Caleb's doing I know why the company's falling hard without me knowing what to do.

I think deeply now. All of Morales Tech's downfall started only three months ago. It started as something small, something to be overlooked. Soon investors were pulling out. My company became a shadow of it's former self and now—now I know why.

There was only one reason why all the secret pulls I've made on my own without informing the board failed. Every plan I make to help my company become better—now I know why it all turned out futile and I couldn't believe it.

I've trusted the wrong people blindly.

The victory in Caleb's smirk felt like a blade pierced straight to my chest. My throat tightens, the taste of iron on my tongue from biting back words. He was glowing, feeding off my humiliation like it's his favourite dessert.

Caleb leaned close, his breath brushing my ear. "Better luck next time, Ava. That's if there will be a next time."

With that he walks away, mingling with others, laughing softly like it's the smoothest music.

I stand frozen in the glittering hall, surrounded by eyes that feigned mocked pity. They all see me as a joke. My stomach twists, shame burning under my skin. I lift a glass from a passing tray. My hands shaking, and in one swallow, I down the champagne. The bubbles sting my throat, not enough to wash away the taste of defeat.

I walk a few steps and take another glass of champagne. My heart still pounds. My vision blurs and my body feels heavy. I need air before I would really have a seizure here. I force my chin higher, making sure not to stagger as I walk.