The Banquet
1278 Words
I was headed to my apartment building but had to change my mind en route.
Everyone knew where Isabella Richardson lived and I was sure the reporters would be camped outside my door waiting to pounce on me the moment they saw me
I felt like the prey and they were the predators.
So I turned back and headed to my penthouse located in the suburbs of the city.
Only Chris my bestfriend knew of this place.
I had gotten the place on a whim few months back and now I was thankful I did.
It served as the perfect hiding place from the reporters that were continuously pursuing me to no end.
Once I was inside my deluxe penthouse, I slumped on the couch exhausted.
The luxurious space along with the elegant decorations seemed cold, damp and glum, perfectly mirroring my emotions.
I curled myself in a fetal position as if to protect myself from the vulnerability I had been subjected to and turned on the TV.
Just like I expected, every news channel on TV was reporting about my supposed embezzlement, the one night stand and my humiliating experience today.
The news was reported so convincingly that I was sure that anyone watching would instantly label me as an thief and a promiscious woman without even bothering to figure out the backstory or if any of what was being reported was true.
The videos they had captured earlier when I had fallen down as I tried to escape the relentless reporters seemed to further highlight my misery.
I was being condemned in the eyes of the whole world and my pride and confidence was taken down another notch.
"What have I done to deserve this?" I thought as I palmed my face and let out my feelings of anger, frustration and hurt through tears.
A knock sounded on the door frightening me and I looked anxiously towards it.
I was so scared that the reporters had somehow figured out my location and were here to hound me again.
Completely scared out of my wits, I sat there contemplating whether or not to open the door.
When the persistent knocks got unbearable, I eventually got up to open the door.
Peeping through the peephole, I saw that it was Chris and I immediately opened the door.
"Hey, are you alright?" He asked, pulling me into his warm embrace the moment he saw me.
Fresh tears steamed down my face.
Finally, here was someone that wasn't judging me the moment he saw me but provided me with the comfort and solace I needed the most right now.
He pulled me in and locked the door behind him and we both settled in on the couch.
"I have been calling you all day but I received no answer. When I got to your apartment, the reporters were there so I figured you would come here. Are you alright?" He asked again, worry and concern etched on his face.
"Chris, wh..what do I do? Every...e..everyone is coming after me f...for..something I had no hand in. How do I clear my name?" I choked out, my voice trembled as I spoke.
He turned off the TV and pulled me into his arms again.
"Even if the whole world turns against you, I won't. I will always be here for you, you know that." He said as he patted my back.
"Chris, How do I fix this? my world has crumbled apart and my reputation is in tatters. Even my own father has refused to believe me and has stripped me of my position in the company. My inauguration has been called off too. You know how much I wanted that and how hard I worked for it but now, everything is ruined. All because of an accusation I know nothing about. I'm innocent but no one believes me. It's so unfair. Why would God decide to punish me this way?" I rambled on finally seeing an outlet for the pain and hurt I was feeling.
He patiently listened to me talking about everything I had holed up inside with no one to tell them to.
"I think Stephanie is behind all this. She has always despised me. I can't think of anyone else that would do this."
"Bella, we don't know for sure, let's not jump to conclusions. Anyways, I think I have an idea on how to fix this."
He informed me about a gala that would take place tonight. It was being hosted by a very influential company my father had been trying to collaborate with and my father and even a few board members would surely be in attendance.
"Do you think it'll work?" I asked tentatively.
"I don't know, but I hope it does. Its your best shot to seeing your father and hopefully clearing your name. If it still doesn't work out, I'll do everything in my power to gather evidence that proves your innocence and clear your name." He reassured.
His words provided me with comfort and warmth and my hope was reignited.
"Now let's find you something to wear, you look like a koala." He said teasingly and I chuckled in response and went into my room with him.
**************
I was dressed in a beautiful black gown that molded my body perfectly, making me look elegant and classy yet still modest.
Chris had never failed at picking out the right clothes for occasions.
He was sort of my personal stylist and I trusted his fashion sense a lot.
It was a masked party and I was grateful that I would be able to fit into the crowd unnoticed, thanks to that.
No one seemed to recognize me and I wove through the crowd of people, trying to locate my father.
Suddenly a hand grabbed me and before I could see who it was, my mask was yanked off my face and thrown to the ground.
"It really is you my dear sister." Chloe my step sister sneered, her disdain for me obvious from her expression.
I stared at her in shock and bewilderment, completely lost.
"Chloe, why are you doing this?" I muttered in a low tone, trying not to draw people's attention to myself.
"You really don't know?"She asked and chuckled loudly, a mocking gaze in her eyes.
"I thought you were smart but I guess you are just a fool. Did you really think I'll let you get a chance to redeem yourself and take over my spotlight again? Never! I have waited for this day for a long time, to see you crumble from your high horse. This is exactly where you deserve to be, beneath me and I won't let you change that." She spat out viciously while still maintaining a calm look on her face.
The people around had gathered around us by now and their cameras flashed as they took pictures and videos of us.
My disguise had been ripped off and people stood there watching me with judgemental and reproachful gazes.
They shook their heads in disgust and whispered derisive and sarcastic words in a not so quiet manner.
Never had I wished to disappear but in that moment, I desperately wanted to.
My father had joined the crowd and he had a look of utmost infuriation on his face.
He nodded his head in disappointment and turned to leave not caring what happened to me.
The air felt thick and suffocating with the intensity of the hostility and resentment surrounding me and In that moment, I wished I could melt into the ground and be gone forever, away from their looks of scorn and disgust.
- Writer
