Celebrity CEO Scandal

Cassidys POV Just yesterday, Richmond and I were at a charity event. We were the picture-perfect couple, with our sleek outfits, flawless skin and dazzling smiles. Today, we haven't spoken to each other and it's our fourth marriage anniversary. I'm examining my red fishtail evening dress in the mirror when the stylist of the boutique meets me. I'm going on a solo date this evening since my husband is too busy to celebrate with me. "Mrs Calloway, I've found the best fit for you," the stylist calls out to me. She's holding a peach-coloured Saint Vincent dress, which is rare and pretty expensive. "That one is beautiful!" I rasp. I collect the dress and quickly wear it in the changing room. I come back to meet her sitting on the couch. "What do you think?" I ask, standing on the platform and viewing myself in the mirror. My dark curly hair is packed up, matching the peach-hued tweed blazer stopping midthigh. "It's perfect!" She squeals. I quickly take out my phone and send a picture to Richmond to ask what he thinks about the dress. He's online but he doesn't answer me. It's already evening; he should be done with the bulk of work for today. So what's still keeping him busy? I put him on video call but he doesn't reply too. The stylist suddenly sits up and holds her phone to her face. "Mrs. Calloway? Have you seen the headlines?" I look at her in confusion. "No, I haven't." She passes her phone to me, and I read what's on the page. "EXCLUSIVE PARTY AT THE VIP LOUNGE OF CALLOWAY GROUP. WIFE TO THE HEIR SEEMS TO NOT HAVE BEEN INVITED." My heart sinks. The headlines are usually false or exaggerated, but this time, it's not a lie. Why would Richmond make such a mistake knowing how much the media has their eyes on him? There must be a misunderstanding somewhere. I returned the phone to the stylist and hurriedly called Claire. Claire is the only person in the Calloway group I can rely on. We've been best friends for close to ten years now. She picks up on the second ring. "Hey! Claire bear, what's going on? The headlines say there's a party at Calloway group I'm not invited to." "Oh, I haven't seen the headlines, but it must be one of their plots to cause a scandal. Maybe the executives are having a party. Nothing big." "Probably. Those journalists always put me at my wit's end. I'll talk to you later, dear. Bye!" "Bye!" Claire replies from the other end of the line. I look at the headlines in suspicion. I normally don't pay much regard to the gossip, but something about this one prompts me to check it out. Especially with the way Richmond has been acting cold and avoiding me for weeks. "Rochelle, I'll take this one," I tell the stylist. Without waiting to change the dress, I rush out to the car where my driver is waiting. In ten minutes, we arrive at Calloway Group. There's paparazzi everywhere around the red carpet leading to the entrance. Other guests arrive with their cars. They're major celebrities and big-shot business owners. What's happening? I call Richmond again but he's not responding to my 27 missed calls. My heart plummets into my stomach as I stare at the crowd of fans standing around and taking pictures. The news about my absence is all over social media and here I have to show face. They will all know I'm walking into a party I wasn't invited to. I wonder what horrible hashtags they will use on my pictures this time. Richmond will pay dearly for setting me up like this. I take in deep breaths, grab my gold clutch purse and exit the car. This isn't the first time I have to show up amidst a wave of scrutiny. I put on the perfect smile and walked down the red carpet, bold and confident, despite the sickening fear of finding out why I wasn't invited. Some people throw snarly glances my way while others try to get a picture of me. Finally, inside the building and out of sight, I release a breath I didn't realize I've been holding. Grabbing a wine from the bar, I head straight to the executive lounge. Richmond had better have a good explanation for all this. A bouncer blocks the entrance to the party. "Your name, miss?" I look up at him with a grimace, annoyance already filling up my mind. "My name?" I scoff. I have never had to answer to a bouncer in front of a party going on in my company. But I quell the boiling rage inside of me; only Richmond will taste my wrath this evening. "Cassidy Calloway," I say to the bouncer. He looks at the invite list and shakes his head. "Not on the list." "What do you mean not on the list? My husband owns this place!" "Ma'am please, I would like you to step back. You're stopping the other guests." My fist clenches as my blood boils with rage. "I just told you my husband owns the company, do you want to get fired?!" The bouncer is losing his patience now. "Richmond Calloway asked us to keep you out." I freeze as his words shock me to the core. Why would Richmond ask them to keep me out? What the hell is happening in there that is too private for his wife but okay for the other guests? I struggle with the bouncer and manage to push past him into the party. The bottle of wine smashes onto the wall leaving me holding the mouth of the bottle with the jagged edge. Part of the wine spills on my dress but I don't mind. Whatever is going on in there, I must find out. The elevator to the VIP lounge dings open, and I step in. The indistinct chatter of guests the and clinking of cups form a rhythm in the place. Most of the executives of Calloway group are here. Where is Richmond? I walk further into the room, taking quick and calculated steps. The few people who have seen me freeze as if seeing bacteria in a sterile film. Whispers travel among the crowd like wildfire. "What is she doing here?" "Who let her in?" I make my way to the front of the room, pushing past the crowd. That is when I see it -the huge white banner pasted at the top of the wall. On the banner, boldly inscribed in red are the words: will you marry me? This is an engagement party? Then why did they keep me out? My eyes lower from the banner. Just at the side, talking to guests, are Richmond and Claire, holding each other and grinning like Cheshire cats. Richmond holds onto Claire's waist as she smiles sheepishly, showing off an engagement ring.