A Night with the Billionaire Stranger

“I can’t possibly continue with this! This is for the best!” Henry blurted out, shaking his head in disbelief. “But, I have said I am sorry,” Vanessa said. Her voice was barely more than a whisper, her eyes glistening with tears. “Yes, because you were caught !” His voice cracked with fury. “Am I supposed to pretend you didn’t spend the night with another man?” His gaze remained fixed on Vanessa. “Look, someone called me earlier that night and said she saw you entering a room in Swilson Hotel” Henry rubbed his forehead, still in disbelief of what had happened. “I doubted at first, but out of curiosity I went to Swilson’s. There you were.” His hands came up slowly, palms covering his whole face. “Who is this person?” Vanessa asked. Henry rose to his feet, giving away his 6’5 height and his elegant demeanor. His lips pulled downward into a tight frown, sharpening his features. He scoffed, “I don’t know, maybe, it is a good Samaritan looking out for me.” “Loyalty and decency are virtues that I cherish to see in my future wife. You just proved to me that you lack them, Vanessa. This is over!” As Henry turned to leave, Vanessa lunged forward, clutched the hem of his shirt, her fingers gripping so tightly the fabric almost tore. “Henry, you know I would not do this! You know I wouldn’t do this in my right senses,You-“ “But you did!” Henry thundered, shoving her to the side. Her body gave in to the elements as she sank deep into the plush depths of the high-density Chesterfield settee. “I was drugged. Henry, I wa—“ Her voice hoarse. She watched his retreating figure disappear, ran her delicate fingers through her hair and curled up, hugging on tightly to her knees. “Nothing can come between us, Nessa. What we share is greater and deeper than love itself and nothing will tear us apart. “ Those were his words. Was all of it a lie? She thought. Tears flowed down her pale cheeks as she watched the man she was about to spend forever with, to spend a lifetime, walk out of her life. The man she thought trusted her. … One week earlier, Vanessa found herself in a hotel room. Her gaze, hazy and searching, trying to make sense of where she was. A loud knock came from the door, she wrapped the bedsheets around her, dragged her feet to the door. As she opened the door, Henry stormed into the room, his eyes moving restlessly, darting from one corner of the room to another. “Where is he?” Henry asked. “Where is who?” Vanessa replied, her eyes drifting aimlessly. “Would you stop all this acting?” Henry snapped. “I was with you last night.” Her eyes faltered.”You sent me a text last night, and you asked me to come to this room." “Is this the best you could come up with? I was all alone last night, Vanessa.” He scoffed.“I can’t believe this!” “I don’t understand you, Henry, I was with you last night.” She said, confusion settling across her face. Henry reached for the door, his eyes glassy with tears. ”I loved you, Nessa. I did.” “Henry, wait, wait, wait!” Vanessa panicked, trying to reach him, but he was already beyond her grasp. Henry Gosling and Vanessa Bennett were engaged to be married in a week’s time Here he was, a week later, at Palmcrest villa to end things with Vanessa. …. “So, this is it? No, seriously this is it?” William Bennett’s voice echoed through the walls as he stood at the top of the stairs holding on to the gold crested wall handrail. William Bennett, Vanessa’s father, a renowned business person in construction. “After how much I have bragged to everyone about my daughter’s big wedding? This is how you decide to shame me?” William Bennett said, staring down at Vanessa as he now stood close to Vanessa. “Daddy, I don’t know what happened. I swear.” Her voice shaky. Her eyes were swollen, the whites streaked pink and her lashes clumped together from dried tears. “And is that supposed to make me feel better? No, am I supposed to feel better?” He now sat close to Vanessa, his gaze fixed on her. ”What are you going to tell your friends? Vanessa? What am I going to tell my friends and family?” He asked calmly. William Bennett loved his daughter, as she reminded him of his first love. Vanessa was a replica of her mother. From her softly contoured face, with smooth, fair skin. Large almond-shaped eyes framed by long lashes and gently arched brows, giving her gaze a quiet depth. Her nose was slender, harmonizing naturally with her delicate features. “I have always known you to be a loose girl.” A mocking voice cut in. Josephine Miller descended the stairs, her heels clicking sharply against the marble. William turned sharply toward her. “Yes, it’s the truth. But I never knew yow were going to take this reckless behavior of yours this far.” She added. Josephine Miller, Vanessa’s stepmother. She had married her dad one year after her mother had passed away. She used to be William’s secretary. “I mean this is just so low…so low. How could you do this to your father who has done nothing but love you? Bring our family name to the mu—“ “Stop!” William sharply cut her off. Josephine rolled her eyes, cupped her hands on her waist,the corner of her lips curled up showing a mischievous smile of satisfaction. “I-I was drugged, Vanessa stuttered. ”don’t know wh-” “All I hear are excuses upon excuses, Vanessa.” Josephine interrupted, throwing her hands vigorously in the air. ”When will you learn to take responsibility for your actions?” She added as she stormed away. “I am very disappointed in you Vanessa. I expected better from you.” William said quietly, shaking his head.This is… just so sad.” William rose and walked out, leaving Vanessa alone in the spacious sitting room. She stared at the floor-to-ceiling windows which flooded the room with light that caught the tears still streaking down her pale cheeks . What if I didn’t go out that night? What if I had stayed home? What if I didn’t have a lot to drink? God…why is this happening to me? Why? She thought. The heavy silence of the mansion was suddenly shattered by the sharp ping of her phone, jolting Vanessa back to reality. She reached for her phone. “Hello.” Fresh tears streaked down her cheeks [“How did it go? I am coming over right now!”] Adeline’s voice trembled with concern. All Adeline could hear on the other end were sobs and the squelch of Vanessa’s nose as she sniffled and wiped at it repeatedly with her fingers. Adeline wondered what could be going through Vanessa’s mind right now. Vanessa and Adeline Ferrell have been best friends since high school. Adeline had been out of town for a business trip and had hoped she could make it back in time for Vanessa’s wedding as she could not make it to her bachelorette party. Upon hearing what had happened at Vanessa’s bachelorette party, she booked the nearest flight back into the city. A shadow fell on Vanessa who still sat frozen in the same position. “It’s going to be okay. You have got this.” Adeline said as she crouched down to hug what was left of her best friend.