The Billionaire's Plaything

Chapter Eleven: Cruel

ELENA

I was halfway through helping Anna with the perfect outfit when Carlo’s message came in. He sounded urgent and although I hated the very tone he used, I didn’t want to ruin anything and so, I used about twenty minutes to give one of my designers the alterations I wanted her to do to one of my best creations. A blue gown that was the shade of the sea in the southern parts of the world.

I had been inspired by how freely it flowed on one of my trips there with Carlo. I felt a sharp pain in my heart at the reminder of those times that had been so perfect.

“I have to meet Carlo now, he’s downstairs and I wouldn’t want to keep him waiting.” I said as I placed a chaste kiss on her right cheek. She smiled wistful as she shot me a nasty wink before letting me go.

Anna had a very wrong idea of the kind of relationship between me and Carlo. I couldn’t exactly blame her, seeing us together before we were married certainly birthed those thoughts.

I saw Lucio the moment I arrived at the reception. He was Carlo’s driver and perhaps security. I could never really tell which one he really handled and I acknowledged his greetings with a curt nod as I let him lead him to Carlo’s Maybach. He should be in a delightful mood.

The ride was short and Carlo’s tall frame was easy to spot in front of Tusk. My biggest competition.

Unlike Nirvana, my fashion brand, Tusk has been here for quite a while, yet, I had become a threat to them with my styles and reputation. However, the older generation would often times favor their brand over mine, especially when they felt the brand name was what was needed to make a statement.

On more than one occasion, mother had worn them on big enough occasions until Daniel told her off since it only made people say things.

“Lucio said he had to wait a while,” Carlo said as he offered his arm to me and, despite my reluctance, I placed my arm in the curved crook of his arm.

“Perhaps you had been slow in calling to let me know he was there already. You wouldn’t expect that I would be waiting for him, huh? Dear husband.” I drawled the last part of my words and I could see his jaw tighten as he quickened his steps, making it quite difficult for my shorter legs to keep up with the pace.

I pinched him in the arm, causing him to slow down and look over at me with raised brows.

“The media can be quite sensitive. You aren’t walking like someone with a wife in hand.”

My words had just the effect I guessed they would, even though my heart hurt. I also didn’t miss the small elation I felt from such victory over his cold heart. At least, the media was a card I could always pull at him. For now…

We arrive at the top floor of Tusk and there’s a woman waiting for us by the entrance. She had a very broad smile and eyes for only Carlo.

“I was surprised when you made that call given that your affiliation with Nirvana now.” She said while glancing at me subtly.

My free fists clenched slightly but I let it go. I had no idea why we were here, but it definitely couldn’t involve getting an outfit.

“Well, emergency calls for such scenarios. I would like you to do your magic. We have a charity ball in ten hours. It would also be our first public appearance, so I want my wife to look like the darling she is.” Carlo said, his words failing to spark any reaction in me, since I knew this was all a bluff.

Also, we were getting a dress for our first public appearance from Tusk? He wanted me, the founder and face of Nirvana, to make my first public appearance in a dress by Tusk when news of my collection had been leaked without my permission.

Carlo was cruel, but I couldn’t imagine that he could be this cruel and my hurting heart didn’t make me hear what they were saying until I saw her running her arms along his chest with her head thrown back in a giggle.

“Elena?” She called out, finally looking at me for the first time since we got here.

“I asked if you were feeling in the mood for any color, since I know dear Carlo would take every single heart away in any color I give him.”

“Dear Carlo? You seem quite familiar with my husband.” I blurt out without thinking and my sour tone made the energy in the room change.

“You do not seem to know your husband well, Elena. I have been his favorite designer for years. Also, we have a collaboration with his company where we are his top brand consideration…..” Carlo interrupted before she couldn’t continue.

“The contract ended about eight months ago and we had only renewed it about a week ago. I thought I mentioned it.” He said and drew me in closer to him and I was thankful, since it would at least help my small frame hide my paling face.

He had only renewed such a contract last week? What would that information do to my brand?

“I must have missed it. I thought you just wanted to try something new, of course, which was I agreed to come here.” I paused, using the time to collect my thoughts and think of what to say, since my thoughts were all over the place.

“Since there’s such a contract, of which I’m certain that I’m not included, I think that while Stella here works on your outfit, I could work with the same color and create mine. This would also lessen the stress on her since I happen to avoid mediocrity.” I said, and the sour look that Stella shot at me was enough to let me know I had done some damage.

“Elena.” Carlo called out, his voice low and dangerous. But I couldn’t take such a hit. If I was losing my marriage, I could take that, it wasn’t within my power to change a man that was hell bent on ruining me.

But Nirvana? I have been building that s**t since I was sixteen and had to use Daniel to open the company back then. When father had died, I had put every damn ducking emotion into it and made it grow from a fifty to a hundred for it to stand beside Tusk.

“Since you are certain any color would go with my husband, of which I am certain, I say we go with red. Blood red 010.” I informed her and, without saying anything else or looking at Carlo, I marched out.

I’ll be damned if I didn’t turn all heads at this charity ball.