Tangled Fate

Chapter5

THE DINNER EVENT

AMARA’S POV

I put on my Louis Vutton white dress and studied my reflection in the mirror. I looked really nice and it accentuated my curves.

I put on my diamond necklace and a pair of matching earrings. I put on my Saint Laurent bracelet. I quickly used my mascara on my lashes and applied my lip liner and lip gloss.

I wanted an exquisite yet simple and natural look and that was what I got as I looked in the mirror.

I left let my wavy long black hair down and my look stunned me.

The second he called me out, I started to feel nervous. What if I was over dressed or under dressed? But the moment I saw how Ben was dressed in a complete suit I calmed down. He looked like he did this morning, just calmer and less irritated. Blue eyes and hair as black as night, he looked handsome.

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The event hall was filled with quite a number of people dressed elegantly and holding a glass even though most of them aren’t drinking from it.

I clutched Ben’s hand tighter as I nervously walked with him. I have never been to an event without my parents before. Seems like Ben notice and he held my waist instead.I looked up to him and saw the man that saved my life earlier today. I felt safe and with time I began to feel better.

I began to greet people that walks up to us for formality. Some were nice, others were rude and snobbish and the rest pretended that she wasn’t there and touched Ben every now and then. That set comprises mostly of younger women.

BEN POV

All through the drive to the event I resisted the urge to stare at her. She looked ethereal, I peeked at her every now and then.

When we got to the event hall, I noticed her tensed up and she hung on to me tightly. I think it’s to the fact that she hasn’t been to such a gathering. I broke hand contact and held her waist instead and that made her loosen up. I watched how some of the people that came up to me disrespected or ignore her. I knew some people will find it strange that I didn’t come with my secretary tonight. Some even assume we have an affair but I have never been the type to care.

Soon dinner time came and we all walked to the dining table. I pulled a chair for Amara and sat next to her and almost immediately, Isabella sat next to me. I sighed, knowing that Isa coming here meant trouble.

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AMARA POV

Ben pulled out a chair for me and sat next to me. A blonde sat next to him and I saw him sigh. I wonder who she might be to trouble Ben so much. My attention was caught by an elderly man hitting his glass with a fork.

“Your attention everyone”, he said and everyone turned to him.

“Thank you all for your presence at my wife’s and my wedding anniversary. It’s been fifty years with her and everyday I thank the stars that met my wife, Valerie”, he said as he held her hands and kissed it. Everyone cheered for them except Ben, he just looked bored.

“Everyone, enjoy your dinner”, Valerie said and everyone started eating. The only sounds were hushed whispers and the sound of cutlery.

“So, Ben! Where’s your girlfriend…sorry I mean your secretary?”, the blonde woman asked Ben loudly, causing people to turn their attention on us.

“That’s none of your business or mine”, Ben said as she sipped his wine slowly, a bored expression on his face.

“I guess he doesn’t need her any more," Valerie replied with a smile, trying to diffuse the tension but only making things worse. Her husband held her hand and signaled to her to stay out of it.

“I guess you’re right”, Ben said nonchalantly.

“Yes, I guess she is. That’s what you do, use people till you no longer need them and jump on to the next victim”, the blonde said putting a piece of chicken in her mouth.

I saw Ben clenched and unclenched his fist. I held his hand on his lap lightly and pressed. He calmed down and continued drinking his wine.

“Hey, what’s your name girl?”, the blonde asked my.

“I’m Amara”, I said with a soft voice.

“Hi Amara, I’m Isabella. Bella for short or you can call me Isa. Ben used to call me that but now he doesn’t even call me anymore”, Isa said bitterly.

“I don’t see how that’s any of my business”, I muttered to myself and seems like Ben heard it and he let out a chuckle and I smiled. Isabella must have notice this and she raised an eyebrow.

“What’s funny to you two. Huh? Laugh all you want but very soon that smile on your face will turn to ugly tears”, Isa said bitterly and everyone gasped.

“Isabella that’s enough. You’re ruining my event”, Fred, the old man from earlier and Isabella’s father said and then, Valerie, his wife, burst into tears.

“I think you should leave, Isa”, James her brother said to her.

Isa stood up and left the hall vengefully.

I stood up and rushed to the bathroom so people won’t see the tears that formed in my eyes. I fooled everyone except Ben. He swiftly got up and ran after me

“Amara! Amara!”, he called to me as he walked behind me. I kept on walking fast and refused to stop.

“Let’s talk about it!”, he said but I didn’t listen and kept on walking. The sound of my rapid footsteps echoed through the empty hallway as I desperately tried to escape from the overwhelming emotions that threatened to consume me. I could feel the weight of Ben's concern as he called after me, his voice filled with genuine worry for someone who looked bored earlier. I walked into the bathroom and locked the door before Ben could come close.

Everything my spiteful relatives said came rushing down on me. They said I won’t be able to do well without my mum and dad and so far they’ve been right. First, I thought I had found a job but they turn out to be kidnappers. And now, the first event I’ve been to without my parents turned out terrible.

“Amara! Open this door!”, Ben yelled from outside. I cried my eyes out until I felt to weak to cry anymore.