CHAPTER FOUR
1817 Words
Sheila's POV
“The world is yours, Sheila; always remember that,” Cameron said for the umpteenth time as I fidgeted about my examinations that morning.
“You get to say that because it's easy for you!” I retorted, and he laughed softly.
“You insisted on taking the examinations so it's your fault not mine, everything comes easy for me because I'm good at everything, including winning your heart.” He bragged and winked at me.
I threw a few pens at him which he effortlessly dodged before dashing out the door. “I have to be at work. There’s an important investor's meeting. I'll have Edwards pick you by six this evening for the party.”
“Do I have to be there?”
“Don't be ridiculous, it's your first appearance with me, I'll send your outfit as well. Be sexy!”
I laughed as I watched him leave and focused on my final preparations for the examination.
It's been a month since I've arrived in Los Angeles and began staying with Cameron after I told him I would consider his proposal. Things had been very seamless for me. Cameron had kept all his promises about taking care of me and Xyla, and my life with him still seems surreal to me.
I didn’t imagine that I would be under the roof of the father of my child. I had no intentions of letting Cameron know about Xyla’s paternity.
He hired the top professors from the most prestigious universities in the world to privately teach me business, and being a fast learner, I’m done now and insisted on taking an examination.
Four hours later, I was done with my examinations. Today also doubled as Cameron’s company’s anniversary, and he insisted that I show up to make appearances as his lover.
“Mommy!” Xyla called out, her voice ecstatic.
I picked her up as she ran towards me, and I planted kisses all over her face. She's the reason I agreed to Cameron's proposal, as I wanted a better future for her. “I love you, darling!”
“I woove youuu too, Mommy,” she said with a giggle.
I chuckled and kissed her forehead. “I'll probably be home late; take good care of her and don't let her wait for me,” I said to Carla, Xyla's nanny who also moved in with us, on Cameron’s insistence.
By six in the evening, I was ready, and as I sat comfortably in the car that was to take me to the party, a thought registered in my mind.
Weeks ago, a few hundred dollars was still being thrown at me in the club after public and private dances. It’s hard to believe I’m riding in a very expensive car right now—a type of car I’d never seen up close.
“Miss, look here.”
“Can we get a name, please?”
“Did she just alight from the Rose Noire Droptail?“
“Who is she?”
Ignored the paparazzi as my bodyguard paved the way for me. I hunched up my shoulders as I walked on the red carpet. It felt good to be in the spotlight, and I was escorted inside.
“Good evening, ma’am. Master Cameron is running a bit late, but he said to tell you that he’ll join you soon.” Rupert, Cameron’s secretary, walked up to me, relaying Cameron’s message with a slight bow.
I eased into the party, recognizing prominent people from all over the world. I took a glass of champagne and began networking my way.
I didn’t take business classes for the love of it.
“Good heavens! Is that La mariée des cieux?” A feminine voice exclaimed.
I turned around to see a beautiful woman walk up to me. I smiled and nodded softly. “It indeed is.”
She gasped. “What beauty! I’ve only heard the legend of the dress and couldn’t get my hands on one!”
“It looks heavenly. Little wonder Sophie Lafleur is said to be the greatest fashion designer to have ever lived! Her works are marvelous, and the dress is worthy of its name. Bride of the heavens!” Another woman said.
Half the time it takes to boil tea later, I was surrounded by envious women who couldn’t get their hands on my dress and groveled for the source.
“You must be lucky to get a man who buys you limited dresses, especially one sown by Sophie!” One of the women exclaimed.
I chuckled softly, and I caught sight of Cameron at a distance; he looked heavenly breathtaking in his sleek tux, and when he winked at me, my cheeks burned.
“Yes, I do.” I bragged.
I excused myself minutes later to use the restroom, but before I could make it halfway there, I bumped into someone. “Oops! I’m very sorry—”
“Are you blind?”
I paused at the sound of an unmistakably familiar voice. And when I looked up, I blinked several times, my mouth slightly ajar.
“Athena?” I called out in disbelief.
She was startled to see me, but she guffawed almost immediately. “Sheila, what the hell are you doing here? You’re still alive?”
I scoffed in disbelief and rolled my eyes. I never thought I’d ever run into her again.
Then, another familiar voice sliced through the air. “Athena darling, what are you doing here?”
My heart skipped a nervous beat as Alan walked towards me, closing the distance between us with slow strides.
“Sheila.”
“Alan,” I spat, distastefully.
“Did you steal your way into the party?” Athena said with a smirk.
“Excuse me,” I said, ignoring her and making to leave, but Athena’s voice rang behind me.
“Don’t you dare walk away from me!”
“Luna Athena! Thank goodness you’re here. Doesn’t this la mariée des cieux look beautiful?” One of the women from earlier exclaimed as I made my way back to the party.
Athena sneered. “Bride of the heavens, this has to be fake; she can’t afford it,” she said, cornering me with her body, and I stalled.
“What?”
The women began to murmur.
“How sure are you?” Another said.
“Please. Sophie Lafleur is hired by the richest people in the States. Even I couldn’t get my hands on one of her dresses. How could a miser like her afford it?” Athena said disdainfully, and the women eyed me with suspicion.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I challenged her.
“Telling the truth. I haven’t seen you in three years, and it's obvious you can’t afford it, which means it’s fake. How did you get in here? Did you have s*x with a rich old man this time?” Athena retorted, and the women began to chuckle, their laughter ringing through the air, and I clenched my fist.
“Did you just call me a poor person?” Cameron’s voice cut through the reverie as he walked up to us, and the ladies froze.
Cameron halted in front of me and smiled. “Did I keep you waiting?” he asked, his voice warm.
“You’re late!” I said, my tone sharp.
“I’m sorry, darling,” he said, leaning in for a kiss, and he brushed his lips against mine softly. I pulled his jaw and smiled at him before withdrawing, and when my eyes locked with Athena's, she looked like she was about to pass out.
“What were you saying about my woman?”
Athena scoffed. “Who are you?” She asked Cameron, and when he just smirked, she turned to me. “I see you’ve found yourself a young, rich fellow.”
I snickered and just clicked my tongue. Then, I tugged at Cameron’s tux. “Let’s go. I feel suffocated already.”
He nodded, and we began to walk away.
“Does he know you're a slut who slept with another man at your mating ceremony?” Athena spat, her tone malicious.
I froze, and I could tell that Cameron sensed my tension because he pressed my hand softly. I tried to walk away, but he shook his head. I gave him a look, mind-linking him not to react, but he ignored it.
“What did you just say?” Cameron asked Athena.
She smirked. Seeing that she had gotten his attention, she continued. “She didn't tell you? No wonder you're with her. As expected, she's still a liar.”
“I didn't sleep with him,” I said in defense.
Alan, who had been having a discussion at the far end of the large room before now, strode towards us, holding a glass of wine, and announcing his presence with a guffaw.
“Do you know how heartbroken I was? You betrayed me!” He accused, then turned to face Cameron.
“She humiliated me, and I rejected her. You should decide if you'll stay with such a woman,” he said, patting Cameron’s shoulder.
“Is that true, Sheila?” Cameron asked me, and I shook my head. He clicked his tongue and then sneered at no one in particular.
“You're the best friend, aren't you?” He asked, suddenly gesturing at Athena.
“Excuse me?” She retorted.
“And you’re the mate. No, my bad. Ex-mate,” he said, gesturing at Alan.
“What?” Alan raised a brow.
“I've always wondered what kind of a friend sleeps with her best friend’s mate and what mate frames his woman to cover his own shame. I finally met you two today, and I'm so disappointed that you're a lot more worthless than I expected,” Cameron said, his voice calm, and both of them had a look of horror on their faces.
“Who the hell do you think—”
Alan was interrupted as someone called out Cameron's name. “Mr. Giovanni!”
Athena's and Alan's arrogant expression was instantly replaced with terror and fear, their eyes dilating in utter shock.
“G—Gi—Giovanni? The wealthiest man? The supreme alpha?” Alan stuttered.
Cameron smirked and turned to face me. Then, he leaned in and pressed his lips against mine again, as if claiming me in front of everyone.
“She's my woman, my Luna and fiancée. You better pray she isn't pissed by all these. Else, you'll beg for death. If you're displeased with this, take it to a higher authority. But there isn't one because it ends with me.”
Cameron didn't wait for a response before holding my hands and walking away, and I heard gasps follow us as the crowd cleared the way for us.
- Writer
