Breaking Barbie

Chapter 2 His Madness

Just two minutes ago, when Nina was pinned against the wall by Fred on the other side of the banquet hall, Chris, in his twenties, leaned on his friend's shoulder and asked about the woman who had just left for the restroom, "What's so special about her compared to Bruna? No curves at all. I saw your sweet sailing photos with Bruna on her i********: just two weeks ago. Are you already bored?"

"It's too hot, and there's too much to hold onto," Sebastian replied, swirling his drink absently.

"So, how did you get rid of her? What was she like when she left? Don't tell me she's bitter about rich guys now?"

"I gave her the yacht you saw in the photos. As for her mood?" Sebastian took a sip of his dry martini. "I don't care. If you want to try, go ahead. She's nice but too loud in bed, boring."

Chris was totally silent.

Looking at Sebastian's perfectly sculpted profile, Chris bit back a sarcastic retort. Sebastian was so perfect that it was only normal for him to be picky about his hookup buddy.

"So what does this one have that's worth bringing her to such a fancy party, making your parents cringe?" Chris asked.

Sebastian straightened up, grinning, and gestured towards his parents chatting in the distance. "You just answered your own question. I'm here to make them uncomfortable. This party is so dull. I need to entertain myself."

"Great idea! All the guests here have a powerful family background. And you, the only heir of the Foster family, brought a nobody Dereldan model. Your parents have such great manners, not even a glance in your direction. If I brought her, my parents would probably bar me from the door."

Sebastian shrugged. "What a disappointment. I thought tonight I'd get to pick a fight with the security guard over a pretty girl. It's just so boring. This party is duller than sleeping with Bruna."

"Dude." Chris patted his shoulder. "More boring than s*x? Maybe you need to see a shrink. That mindset is dangerous, like depression."

Sebastian shot Chris a look. "Do you think it's interesting? Then why have you been chatting with me all night instead of your date?"

"Shut up! ... The kid's not his! ... Affair ... Divorce!"

"Oh my God!"

Chris didn't even see who was causing the commotion and quickly started recording on his phone.

"Wow. It's Fred Rosenthal's wife." Realizing the situation, he marveled, "The most excellent man of the Rosenthal family's younger generation, the biggest contributor to this year's senator election, and the owner of TrendCast Media Group. That guy has ruined many with his media power. I never thought he'd end up as part of a scandal himself."

"Calm down, dear."

Fred held his wife protectively on Chris' phone screen, explaining to the crowd, "Nina and I had a small argument. She's just emotional during early pregnancy. What she said was just out of spite."

"Not spite! I'm speaking the truth!"

"Mrs. Rosenthal, would you like a drink to calm down?"

"No, I'm perfectly calm. I'm stating facts," Nina repeated repeatedly.

"She might be a bit tired. Fred, why don't you take her to the garden for some fresh air?"

"Yes, Mrs. Rosenthal, breathing fresh air will help. We understand."

"I'm not tired! I'm stating facts! Don't touch me!"

On Chris' screen, Nina, overwhelmed by everyone's concern, was on the verge of breaking down.

"Wow. This is gold!" Chris said excitedly, "I've seen people desperately denying infidelity under pressure, but I've never seen someone fight to convince everyone she's unfaithful."

"Interesting." Sebastian sipped his drink.

"I envy Fred. He's just five or six years older than us but already commands such respect. I bet people wouldn't react like this if this happened to us. They'd definitely be pulling her aside to hear her side... Damn!"

Seeking his friend's approval, Chris turned to find Sebastian walking towards the drama's center.

"Oh my God!"

Chris dropped his phone and rushed after him. As Sebastian's friend for a decade, he knew that things would get ugly if he didn't intervene.

But Chris couldn't catch up to Sebastian, who had stridden over, watching helplessly as the latter reached the center of the crowd, standing beside the Rosenthals, arms outstretched. "Hey! She's right. She cheated, and I'm the other man!"

"Oh my God!"

Chris gasped, rushing into the crowd and grabbing Sebastian's arm, sincerely apologizing to Fred. "Sorry, my friend's drunk. He's just joking. Please forgive us."

"It's not a joke."

Sebastian shook off Chris' grip, smiling brightly, stepping forward to meet Fred's gaze. "Well, I just love your wife too much. Have you already agreed to a divorce? That's great! Because the baby is mine."