Episode 5
1028 Words
GLORIA'S POV
"For the last time girl, get out of my house" Maureen screamed as I sat down on the dining table in the billionaire mansion, sipping a large cup of coffee without batting an eye to her. "Are you daft?"
"No" I said calmly before continuing with my beverage. The old lady stared at me, half with shock and half with boiling rage as I continued to ignore her.
"Then what are you still doing here?" Maureen asked, her anger growing by the second but I could not care less. Nothing and no one would make me care for this family again.
"Waiting to receive what is due to me" I said truthfully The Barnes owed the Arnolds a multitude of debts and I was here to collect each one, starting with my sister's life.
Derek had been released from prison the previous morning as I predicted. The arrogant billionaire did not even spend up to twelve hours behind bars before someone came to rescue him as always
The damage had already been done though as the news was already being circulated all over Manhattan no matter how hard the Barnes family were trying to curb the spread.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Maureen continued to scream and at this rate, I was getting bored. I was waiting for someone to really do something but it seemed that everyone in the Barnes family were spineless.
"Just leave it be mother" Derek's voice came from a distance as he stepped into the dining room with his bare chest on full display and with my eyes drawn to the muscles of his body.
"Derek!" Maureen screamed in outrage "How can you act normal about this? The two of you are divorced, she has no business in this house anymore, what would people say?"
"Let them say whatever they want mum" he hurried to kiss his mother before taking a seat opposite me so his broad chest was in full view
I tried to kill the butterflies that stirred in my stomach as I was invaded with all the passionate memories that I and Derek once shared. Everytime that chest was against my breasts or when my hands explored it.
I even thought to the last kiss we shared six months ago when I had totally lost control and jumped on him, the way his lips felt, the way his hands went around my body and….
"But we are hosting a party tonight for and in this mansion" Maureen continued "All our Manhattan employees are going to be in attendance, our partners, Sylvia…."
I choked on my coffee at the mention of Sylvia and began to cough incessantly clutching my neck. Derek was at my side in an instant.
"Are you alright?" his voice carried a deep concern for me but I refused to fall for that "Gloria" he said as he placed his hands on me, trying to help me
"I'm fine" I said, stepping away from his grasp as soon as I could and walking right out of the door, leaving him and his mother to whatever they wanted to discuss
***
I could hear whispers as soon as I stepped into the party and all eyes instantly went to me. I just gave them a smile and even stood while my photograph was being taken
"Isn't she the ex wife of Derek Barnes?"
"What is she doing at the party?"
"Could she be living in this billionaire mansion with them?"
"Wasn't she involved in the accident that was recently opened as a murder case?"
"But I thought she was the one that pressed charges against Derek for attempted murder"
"Maybe the Barnes are trying to persuade her to drop the charges?"
"What? Do you think so? That would be totally wrong"
But it won't be the first time such a thing is happening"
"Yeah rich people do that all the time"
"So despicable"
"GLORIA!" Sylvia marched up to me with absolute fury in her eyes. Apparently she must have heard the whispers in the air and was not at all happy about it.
"Looking beautiful tonight Sylvia" I said fell on her blue dress that matched her eyes "Are you dressed to impress Derek? Too bad he has not noticed you yet"
"How dare you?" Sylvia spat right before she threw her hands to my face again but I was faster this time and caught her wrists before she began struggling to free it.
"I am not the Gloria you once knew" I spoke to her alone "Maybe this would remind you of that once and for all"
With that, I gave her a sound slap that landed on her right cheek and sent her stumbling to a waiter carrying Champaign and all of its contents spilled on her dress.
The cameras began rolling one more time and I gave a bow before walking off.
***
"Who is there?" I asked as I looked back, certain that I had heard footsteps but when I looked back, I found nothing and continued walking to my room.
The party was over and it had all worked according to my plan. I was slowly discrediting the Barnes family in front of the press and that was just one part of my revenge.
I was walking up to my room in a remote section billionaire mansion but I still could not shake the feeling that I was not alone. My panic was increasing in every second as I quickened my steps.
Right before I could open the doors to my room, a hand pulled me from behind and another hand went straight to my mouth before I could let out any screams
Before I knew what was going on, I was turned instantly and the hands holding my mouth shut released me but in less than a seconds, wet lips look its place
The kiss was sudden and hungry sending heat all over me and in that moment, the walls I had worked so hard to build came crumbling down
I was the old Gloria once again, naive, foolish and head over heels in love with Barnes the billionaire.
- Writer
