CHAPTER 4 : ASHES & WINE
1345 Words
Marianne replied with anger and without empathy.
Amy paused for a brief moment, her heart racing as she opened her mouth to speak, but somehow found herself unable to utter a single word.
She immediately walked out the door, and slammed it behind her, with a force that shocked Marianne, to realize she went far.
She stood there, feeling a wave of regret, wash over her. As guilt gnawed her, like a relentless ache.
***
Marianne was strikingly different from what her colleagues were used to seeing.
Her blonde hair was styled and shiny; her aura different, and her perfume filled the entire room.
"Looking good today, Marriane"
"Marianne! Love... your hair"
"Someone had a makeover"
"Girl, you look great"
Her colleagues showered her with compliments as she walked happily to her office.
"Thank you." She responded to each of them, smiling.
Marianne had taken the time to elevate her appearance, and the positive reactions from her coworkers only added to her joy.
Making her feel the same butterflies she felt, over the weekend with her boss...
“Good morn…” Before she could complete her greeting, Kelvin walked past her, and straight to his office.
She wasn’t bothered; he didn't respond, moreover he seemed to be in a hurry, and probably didn’t hear her greet.
Suddenly, he walked back into her office space.
“Mary, the reports from last week haven’t been updated; kindly fix that, please.”
He said with urgency in his voice, as if the world depended on it.
“Alright, sir... but it’s Marianne not Mary.
I also wanted to…”
Before she could complete her statement, Kelvin interrupted her harshly, cutting her off mid-sentence.
“I don’t pay you to talk; just get my report fixed,” he snapped with his tone leaving no room for further discussion.
His words stung her; she couldn't believe what just happened.
She questioned everything from the wink to the night they had spent together.
The little glimpse of joy she had flowing was instantly drained; she quietly lowered her head and buried herself in her work, but she could’t concentrate.
"What did I do wrong, he was so nice the other day, did I just lose my virginity to an asshole, was that envelope really a payment for the s*x?"
Her heart beating so hard, while her mind wandered every corner and wall it had.
Her emotions were very much shattered, she was beginning to understand Amy’s reactions...
She wanted to break down so badly, but she swallowed her pride in shame.
***
"Why did I let myself fall for him, I am so stupid to crush on someone like him"
Marianne sobbed while drowning in her own tears.
Her face all red and swollen, her makeup had melted into her skin, and her shiny hair had become greasy and tangled...
Extremely heartbroken, she kept stuffing her mouth with cheese, sniffing as she cried.
Amy walked in, to find her friend in agony.
She ignored her, still angry at her; she walked straight into the kitchen, got a bottle of wine out of the fridge, and poured some into two glass cups.
She returned to the sofa where Marianne sat feeling miserable, and handed her a glass cup.
“I strongly recommend alcohol, instead of cheese”
Marianne dropped the cheese and took the glass from her.
Amy sat down, held her shoulders and began to console her.
"What happened?” She asked very concerned.
"Amy, I am so sorry, could you please forgive me...” she said sniffing and sobbing.
“You were right; he doesn’t care about me, I just couldn’t see it, I was blinded by my huge crush for him.”
Amy's heart ached for Marianne, as she saw her best friend wailing in tears.
"It's fine, come here" Amy responded, opening her arms.
Marianne curled into Amy's arms and continued.
“I am really sorry for what I said; it was wrong of me to say something so hurtful to you."
“Don't worry about that, it's fine. Everything will be alright." Amy replied holding her.
"I don't want to see him ever again, I am quitting" Marianne said over her shaky voice.
"Is that what you want? But that's your dream job; what will you do when you quit?" Amy asked.
She didn't want her to make decisions based off emotions.
"I could use my savings to start up that cafe we always wanted, right?" Marianne said with a wobbly voice.
"We will work it out together, like we always do" Amy responded in a supporting Manner.
"Thank you so much Amy.... Oh gosh, I was so stupid," she continued sobbing, as Amy held her and kept consoling her.
***
New York's most powerful and wealthiest elites; were gathered at the Quinn's Mansion, for the birthday party of Mrs Quinn's.
"Happy birthday Auntie,"
"Nadia!" Alice Quinn screamed in delight.
"Your mother didn't tell me you were back" she continued.
"I wanted to surprise you, Auntie; I got you a gift you would love it," Nadia waved her right hand, and three men in black stepped in with a number of wrapped items.
"Oh! Nadia, you know what I like... hmm, my perfect daughter in law"
"Thank you Auntie, I hope you enjoy your day...also where is Kelvin." She asked.
"I will my darling, oh you know Kelvin always running late, he should be here soon" she informed her.
"Alright then" Nadia smiled.
"Make sure to have as much of anything as you want, I have to go meet my friends. It was really nice seeing you Nadia." Alice happily said.
Nadia Benedict, the charming heiress of the esteemed Benedict family, and also betrothed to the Kelvin, paraded herself with elegance across the halls of the Quinn mansion...
She stood at a wine fountain, enjoying a glass, until she heard a subtle voice.
“Nadia Benedict?”
She slowly turned to behold Kelvin in all his handsomeness, smiling at her.
"Oh, Kelvin, you haven't changed a bit," she sipped her wine, then continued,
"although I have reasons to believe you have gotten richer."
Kelvin approached her with a smirk, then responded.
"Prideful as always, Miss Benedict; not even a hug for your future husband, hmm?"
He said, raising his eyebrows, and smiling with his eyes.
Nadia scoffed, as she rolled her eyes, then moved closer to his face, leaned over by his ears and whispered, "I have a record of scandals, and hugging you shouldn't be one of them."
"Nice to see you again, Mr. Quinn...”
She walked out immediately, very confident and demure.
Kelvin finds himself still astonished by what he has just experienced.
"Nadia" He murmured her name to himself.
Alice Quinn, walked in, standing behind him...unnoticed, he shook slightly.
"Happy birthday mother" He gives her a kiss on her cheeks.
"You are late, you promised you wouldn't be " Alice said unimpressed.
"I am here now, aren't I?" He said with a cocky smile.
“I see you’ve met your long-lost love,” Alice switched the topic, as she remarked playfully.
“Who?” Kelvin smirked, a hint of confusion crossing his face.
“Nadia, of course,” she replied.
“Mother, I have never loved Nadia...you and father know better,” Kelvin said as he rushed his drink.
“You can at least try?" Alice responded.
“I have tried…Now, can we all be happy; at least our union will build a stronger influence."
At his last statement, he finished his drink and gives Alice a peck.
“I have to go, Mum. See you later,”
"Stay a little longer, son; you just arrived," Alice responded with a frown.
"I can't mother, but please enjoy your day without me." He said with a goofy smile.
"Fine" Alice rolled her eyes.
Kelvin walked out, hanging his coat ruggedly over his left shoulder...
A call from a private number appeared on her phone.
She picked up with a mean face.
“Don't worry, I'll make sure of that."
She whispered into the phone.
- Writer
