PREMIUM SHOW
1430 Words
Champagne fizzed in crystal flutes. Camera flashes popped like fireworks. The hall was full but composed.
“Triple revenue!” a manager shouted. “Best Valentine’s launch in company history!”
The Valentine offer and sale went viral in the market. This has broken all the records set in sales and moved the company to a greater level even where it sat at top one in scents world wide.
Red and gold balloons floated from the ceiling of the grand ballroom. A massive banner stretched across the stage: VALE LUXURY: 300% SALES SURGE.
Worthy of celebration indeed.
Elena tugged at her stiff blazer with her usual smile, standing at the back with Angel. Her id card hung around her neck just like others, making her blend in the white and black outfits around the room but the humiliation from the previous day didn’t wash off. It was outstanding like a diamond.
“Keep your eyes peeled,” Angel whispered, sipping champagne like it was soda. “The king arrives at 5.”
Elena scanned the crowd immediately.
“Four,” Angel continued, her voice holding all the suspense possible.
“Three. Two,” Angel’s voice got thinner and eerier.
Tables, centerpieces, ice sculptures of lilies. The irony burned Elena's throat.
“Why lilies,” she muttered. “Why did they have to pick lilies? Just to mock me huh. Funny Indeed,” she scoffed.
“One!” Angel tugged on Elena's sleeve now.
The lights dimmed and a spotlight hit the stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the MC’s voice boomed classically through the speakers. “Please welcome the man behind it all. Our CEO. Mr. Adrian Vale.”
The crowd roared. Applause. Phones lifted. Live stream red dots blinked.
The double doors opened.
Adrian.
As usual. His presence made all the females drool and even the males adjusted in their seats. All eyes were on him. He walked in with nobility.
Today, he had a charcoal suit, no tie on.
Elena's eyes seeped in every detail.
His hair was slightly damp like he’d come straight from the gym. He moved like the room belonged to him and he was oblivious of the event.
And on his arm. A woman in a white silk gown held onto him.
Elena swallowed.
He came with a date!?
Her heart sank with deep heart break.
Just yesterday she fumbled. She thought she could work her way out with him but he had eyes on a lady already!
Elena watched closely, refusing to believe her eyes.
The woman laughed at something Adrian had said, her head tilted toward him. He reached up and brushed a strand of hair from her face. So affectionate.
Elena humped.
Her eyes did not leave them for even a second.
His thumb lingered on her cheek. Then he lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. Slow and possessive. Like she was his favorite thing in the world.
What?
Elena's chest tightened with bitter jealousy. Who does this woman think she is?
She wasn't prepared for this in the slightest.
This was a man she had looked forward to being around since forever. He had never visited this branch since she began working there. But then with recent productivity and progress, he turned it into his head office. Finally, because of her hard work.
And now this event was because of the idea she had brought. Finally he would see her and appreciate her. But then… he… he has a date! Would she even get dinner with him?
The MC of the event continued. “Oh. And his beautiful wife I must say.”
Wife!?
"Wait what?" She asked out loud.
The word sounded like a missile to Elena.
Some gasped. As surprised as Elena. Camera shutters went crazy.
Elena’s champagne flute slipped in her hand and hit the ground. But the attention of everyone was elsewhere to even notice.
Wife.
Goosebumps formed on her skin.
Adrian Vale… had. A WIFE.
Not a rumor. Not an ex. A wife. Smiling at him like he hung the moon. And he was smiling back at her.
Damn.
Elena had never seen him smile before. Not even in the magazines. And she also didn't see this woman. So how?
“When did he get married,” Angel whispered beside her, eyes wide, confirming this was reality and visible to everyone present. “Since when?”
Elena couldn’t breathe. All the humiliation was for a man who already had someone to kiss his hand.
Her heart cracked. Then shattered.
The MC continued, identifying departments and heads. “Before Mr. Vale speaks, let’s give credit where credit is due. The managing director... The sales team... And of course—”
A drumroll. The lights swung to the center of the stage. “The marketing department for their astonishing works.”
Ou… at least he finally decided to share credits with us. It wasn't so hard was it? Elena thought, beaming as she walked behind, pushing the thought of Adrian behind her so she could survive the night. Angel was happy walking behind her.
Everyone clapped as they made their way on stage. A department of six members. Jerome in front. He was dressed like he was going to be given the title of a senator or something. Confidence and steeze at one hundred percent.
Jerome stepped into the spotlight while everyone stood behind.
“The mastermind behind our Valentine bottle concept! The sketch! The scent story! Mr. Clinton Jerome!”
Confetti burst and Jerome raised both arms.
Huh?
What was happening right now.
The giant screen behind him flashed his name: CLINTON JEROME - CREATIVE DIRECTOR.
Elena gulped trying to understand.
Then his sketch appeared.
HER SKETCH!
One she had single handedly worked on.
The one she’d drawn at 3am, crying over her laptop that would trip off is she shook, refining the curve of the bottle for hours. And relating the concept to luxury and everyday life.
Applause exploded. Cameras flashed. Jerome bowed like he’d just won an Oscar.
ON ELENA'S WORK!
Anger brewed in her ribs. She was wrong. Both her and her colleagues were in the dark. Like… literally. Jerome stood in the spotlight alone. Taking HER GLORY.
Her concept was going international now. And his name in bold letters while she stood in the back holding an epi-pen for him.
Angel grabbed her arm. “Elena. Say something. He’s taking the awards, promotion, titles and recognition without even calling us. I chose the color at least…”
“I can’t,” Elena whispered. “Adrian’s right there. With his… his… with his wife.”
On stage, Adrian leaned toward his wife, murmuring something that made her laugh again. Her eyes crinkled with delight and she touched his lapel.
Jealousy had taste in Elena’s mouth. Arghhh she groaned inwardly, gritting her teeth.
The MC handed Jerome a golden award, “A promotion, effective immediately!”
Jerome kissed the trophy. “Thank you all. This idea came to me in a dream…”
Something snapped in Elena. Oh really. Bloody liar. This was the last straw.
“Elena you have to do something,” Angel whispered, tugging her sleeve slightly again.
But Elena only shook it off.
“Elena!” Angel hissed. “He’s stealing your life! This cunt. Are you just going to watch him?
Really girl?”
Jerome beamed. “I did my best sketching this. You know that feeling, trying to bring an idea in your head to life,” he chuckled.
“Or trying to defend what's not yours,” Angel muttered and shoved Elena hard.
Elena stumbled. Her heel hit the stage steps.
All heads turned to her. Cameras swiveled. The live stream light blinked red, directly on her face.
Jerome froze mid-speech and even Adrian’s head snapped up from his wife.
Elena stood there. Chest tight and being the center of attention. In an awkward way. Twice in a row now.
Oh crap. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment.
She was surely going to lose her job.
“I—” Her voice came out a squeak. She cleared her throat. Louder. “I have something to say.”
The hall fell silent. Every single one was watching her now with polite curiosity.
Adrian’s green eyes narrowed as recognition flashed. Then annoyance.
He stepped forward, his wife’s hand still in his.
“You again,” His voice cut through the ballroom, cold and familiar. “I can see you're a clout chaser. Get this woman off the stage,” He barked.
Elena’s mouth went dry.
- Writer
