Revenge with the Infamous Billionaire

HELENA It was supposed to be a day worth celebrating, but everything took a horrific turn in the blink of an eye… becoming the nightmare that will be forever imprinted in me. Lights gleamed at the elegant dresses of high-profile people in the hall, as everyone, including me, found our seats with the event starting in a moment. Today marks the annual celebration of rising businessmen recognition. As a proud wife myself, my husband of a year brought me to the event where he’s one of the awardees. I pulled the arm locked around my husband’s when I found a seat for the two of us. As the emcee started the opening remarks, an arising murmurs of discussion behind us ensued at the same time, too. “Oh my… Isn’t that Matthew?” “You’re right! How does he still have the guts to appear in a public place after what he did to his best friend?” “He should’ve remained isolated like last month!” My husband and I, including my other seatmates, overheard those kinds of comments. Intrigued by the person they were pertaining to, synchronously Tristan and I turned our heads to the direction that those men and women talked about. It was just a glimpse of him that I managed to catch, though, as Tristan’s name echoed in the entire hall which followed with a loud applause. “It’s my turn…” Tristan murmured, nervous of the spotlight. While I remained on my seat watching him walk toward the podium with the proudest smile I ever have on my face. I clapped along with the others and looked at him as if he’s the only person I can see. I’m so proud of my man, needless to say. He has been dreaming of this award since he started his corporation and now… he finally has it in his hand. I wiped my eyes when I started to see things in blur. And there I saw how his face lit up as he looked at me with the award on his hand. “First of all, I’d like to thank my wife–” while some are still talking about the man named Matthew, I was deeply touched on my seat, to think that I am the first person he mentioned in his speech. However, his voice trailed off for a moment. It was as though his eyes made a trajectory direction that ended his gaze leaving mine. Confused, I looked for the direction he’s looking at–and my eyes briefly dilated at the utterly familiar woman who just walked in the hall. Katrina Keith, the woman who played a crucial role in building our strong relationship. She was the girl who Tristan cheated on me with… before we reached our marriage. But then again, that was in the past and I’m married and tied to him already. In fact, that incident built my relationship with him even stronger. So, there was no bitterness in my heart anymore. “It’s because of her that put me on this platform. With her immense support, the dream that I’ve been dying to make happen finally did.” As his speech went through the closing remarks, I stood on my feet with eyes sparkling in tears of joy. Then, I ran toward his direction to give him my warmest hug–until I felt the call of nature knocking on my abdomen. “Congratulations, Babe! Let’s celebrate later after this!” I whispered as I gave him a quick warm hug and a peck of kiss on his cheek upon rushing past through him, while he was on his way back to our seats. “But, I’ll be just in the comfort room for a moment.” My lips curved as I rushed toward the narrow passageway at the corner. As I took my way pivotally, my feet paused abruptly as the lungs in me held my breath. My eyes widened when I bumped into a woman I didn’t notice. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” I apologized quickly as I started to panic when her purse and the things inside were thrown away with our collision. “My purse!” she exclaimed. Although I was panicking, the first thing I did was to pick up the things for her. “I’m so sorry, Miss!” my face curled in guilt yet I was halted when she looked somehow familiar to me. But then I was taken aback shortly when I saw her widened eyes that called for fury. Oh my God! I made her mad… right?! I swallowed the lump in my throat as I received the scary gaze from her. And then it struck me–when my eyes caught the glinting accessories she’s wearing as well as the sparkles in her dress. “I-I… I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to… I was in a hurry and I didn’t notice anyone coming out. I’m so sorry, ma’am.” My feet got cold as I stood frozen. I pursed my eyes while clasping my hands together just to calm myself. Please, forgive me! Please… let it slide… I was silently praying in my mind and it seemed as though the deity had heard me when I heard a long sigh escaping from her mouth. “God… that’s very careless of you. Don’t make it happen again.” She said with her expression gradually changing, making me feel relieved. As I stood in relief, I watched her making her way out with the sound of her heels echoing. I let out a long heavy breath after then wiped the sweats that had started to bulge in my forehead. “God, I should’ve been careful. This is a freaking home of rich people, gosh!” I slapped my forehead as I made my way to the cubicle. I faced myself in the mirror as I finished doing my thing. Seeing my cheap satin red bodycon dress, I can’t help but think, “I still managed to mix in with the crowd, right?” I asked as if my reflection would respond. I had a brief realization at the moment before then I decided to return back to the hall. However, I didn’t know that returning back to where I came from would result in a very unexpected turn of events. Standing confused by the corner, I watched the men in police uniform rushing over my direction. Behind them, who has completely caught the attention of everyone in the hall, is an utterly familiar woman shedding tears. The woman I stumbled upon just some minutes ago… and Kristina on her side shushing her with comfort. “What’s happening…?” “Helena!” a voice from a man diverted my direction. It’s my husband running with the police who has finally reached the direction where I am. To my confusion, I’m seeing the same expression in his face as Kristina and the police have. “What’s going on?” worried, I asked as I cast a quick glance at the people behind him, including Kristina. “Explain what you just did!” my eyes expanded at the thundering voice I heard from him… from my husband. I was so confused and surprised that my eyes started to tear. Why… is he raising his voice at me…? What did I do wrong? “Mrs. Helena Louise Pattinson-Smith, you’re arrested for stealing diamond jewelry from Miss Kate Keith. Please, standby and let us cup your body for inspection.” Actually, the police officer didn’t have to tell me to standby as I am already frozen by this ridiculous accusation that was just thrown at me. I couldn’t defend myself. I feel so humiliated in front of these renowned people. And when I throw my gaze to Tristan, I can only read a certain expression that he has on his handsome face–shame and disgust. And honestly, there couldn’t be more hurtful than that thinking that even my husband isn’t siding with me. “Found it.” I couldn’t move when a police officer grabbed something out of my bun hair. But as the picture of the object got my sight, it was out of instinct and my defense that I have finally spoken. “H-How is that… in my hair? I didn’t steal that!” I shouted as my widened eyes followed the diamond ring on the hand of the officer. “I-I just stumbled on her when I was rushing toward the comfort room! I didn’t steal anything!” I need to prove my innocence to my husband and to everyone here. “You liar! You bumped on me on purpose, you b***h!” The woman named Kate, the one I crossed paths with earlier, screamed with her index finger throwing nonsense accusations at me. I was flabbergasted. I was out of words. “I knew it from the get-go with your cheap looks–you’re a thief in disguise!” Now, I’m completely stunned. My jaw dropped along with my heart when Tristan slowly shook his head at me. I know I don’t come from a rich family and had just started to improve my lifestyle because of my business with Tristan. He’s the founder, and I helped him build his business with my ideas. But… being thrown with such insulting words? That’s unacceptable! “You have the right to an attorney. If you can’t afford, you will be provided with one. Come with us.” My feet were not following the way where I wanted to go. Instead, these feet were letting me get grabbed so harshly by these huge scary police officers. Dragged, I felt the grasp of the world letting me go. I turned my head behind with my handcuffed and body dragged, having a miniscule of hope for my husband to run and defend me. But I saw an utterly different scenario, instead. Different yet familiar. How was it so timely for me to witness Tristan, my husband and the one I believed had overcome his cheating issues, hugging–so tightly–the third-party Kristina as if they were hungry for each other’s touch, while Kate smiled so widely at them as if it’s predetermined?