Chapter 4: Dangerous Storm Approaching
1676 Words
Vanessa POV
“Vanessa? Vanessa? Are you okay?” Safaree’s voice cuts through my fog, shaking me gently back to reality.
“Yeah… yeah, I’m fine,” I reply, trying to pull myself together.
“What are you going to—”
“Look.” I show him the message on my phone.
“Just as he arrived.” Safaree shakes his head in disbelief, his eyes flicking from the message to me.
“Exactly, and this time he didn’t have a chance to delete it. It’s definitely him.” I reply.
He dances with Charlotte, completely unfazed by the chaos he’s caused in my life. Disgust churns in my stomach. I can’t believe how I thought we had something special. Seeing them here, all bubbly together, is like a slap in the face. I’m done smiling and playing games.
“Let’s go.” I rise from my chair, the anger propelling me forward.
“What are you doing?” Safaree grabs my arm, concern etched on his face.
“I’m standing up for myself and ending this nonsense.” My voice shakes with fury. I lock eyes with him, determination flaring inside me.
“Okay, but let’s not make a scene,” he says, his tone calm but firm, trying to bring me back from the edge. “I’ll go with you.”
“Really, Safaree?”
“We’ve passed the point of avoiding a scene. This has gotten out of hand.”
“Just calm down. Daniel is my friend. I’ll talk to him with you.” His calm demeanor helps steady my racing heart.
“Fine.”
When our eyes meet, Daniel’s shock is evident. He didn’t expect me to look this stunning after everything he’s done to tear me down. I add a touch of sass to my expression, just to remind him I’m unshaken.
Charlotte’s smile withers as she sees me coming.
“Vanessa? Safaree? I didn’t know you two knew each other,” Daniel says, his voice trying, and failing, to sound casual.
“Vanessa. It’s nice to see you again,” Charlotte chimes in, her tone dripping with jealousy. The smile she gives me is fake, as hollow as the rest of her.
“You look…” She pauses, sizing me up. Her eyes scan me, a mix of envy and disdain, as if I’ve somehow stolen something from her, even though I never wanted anything to do with her. “Good.”
Safaree extends his hand, his calmness a stark contrast to the tension unfolding between us. “Good evening, Daniel. Great to see you.”
The words feel like they don’t belong in this moment. His politeness against my seething frustration, my arms crossed and eyes burning a hole through Daniel’s face.
“Congrats, bro. The club is amazing! Let’s toast to that.” Daniel replies, raising his glass to clink with them, then turning to me with a smirk I want to slap off his face.
“Oh, you don’t have a glass, Vanessa. How unfortunate.” I scowl, but Safaree keeps a firm grip on my right arm, his strength a small comfort in this dangerous storm approaching.
“So, how did you two meet?” Daniel asks, trying to make it sound innocent, but there’s a calculating edge to his words.
“We met on the plane to Paris. Fascinatingly enough, that’s when I discovered I’d be styling her for Paris Fashion Week,” Safaree responds smoothly, easing the tension but not quite dulling the sharpness of my anger.
“Wow, how interesting,” Daniel says, taking a sip of his champagne. His eyes flicker with amusement, as if savoring my discomfort.
“I think we need to sit and discuss—” Safaree continues, but I snap before he can finish.
“So, Charlotte,” I cut in, my voice laced with tension, “did you and Daniel have a chance to chat the other day and clear the air?”
“Yes, we did,” she replies, her smile stinging me like a bee, raising my rage.
“In fact, the wedding is tomorrow. Everything is set. Isn’t that right, love?”
“Yes, it is,” Daniel replies, his boldness only making me angrier.
She kisses Daniel’s cheek, leaving a mark of bright red lipstick on him—a taunt that I can’t ignore.
“Wow, Dan. So the three weeks we were together, you couldn’t bother to tell me you were engaged? You’re a coward!” The words feel like daggers as I let it out, piercing through any ounce of kindness I have left. This man really had me fooled.
I’m done being the person who shrinks back. I’ve been humiliated enough.
“Watch your tone, b***h,” Charlotte snaps, her voice dripping with malice. “That’s all you ever were, okay? A casual s*x partner. Nothing more. I am the Queen, get over it.”
Her words hit me like a slap, but I refuse to be moved. I laugh—loudly, just to irritate her.
“You’re the Queen? Yet you came to me doubting, because Dan never told you about me?” The sass rolling off my tongue before I can stop it.
“And why is that, Dan?”
“Vee, all this anger doesn’t look good on you. I’ve spoken to you about these unnecessary outbursts. You’re going to start getting wrinkly if you don’t stop being a negative person.” Dan fires at me.
His attempt to dismiss me only fuels my fire.
“Is Vanessa saying the truth? Did you falsely put up an act and deceive her into being in a relationship with you, despite being engaged?” Safaree’s voice is calm but full of authority. His words are a shield, and I bask in the warmth of his support.
“Look, Safaree. This is none of your business, so stay out of it,” Daniel snaps, his rudeness exposing his true nature.
“It is my business because Vanessa is my friend. I worked with her shortly in Paris, and she’s a good person. I will not allow you to treat her this way.” Safaree’s words are a powerful declaration of loyalty.
“I guess you thought you could humiliate her, then throw her out on the streets. You’re shocked to see her, looking gorgeous, right?” I grin at Safaree, my heart swelling with gratitude.
“Well, you’re going to be seeing more of that because she will be working with me now.”
My eyes widen at his words.
“Oh my gosh, really?!” I can hardly contain the joy bubbling inside me. Safaree is giving me more than just a chance; he’s giving me a future.
“Yes, you can come model for my brand. I’m looking for new models.”
“It would be my pleasure,” I say, my voice catching in my throat as I hug him.
I pull away, my heart soaring. When I glance back, I catch the darkening of Daniel’s expression. The glimmer of satisfaction I saw in him earlier is now gone.
“Anyway, I came here to tell you that I know it’s you, and you won’t get away with it.” I lock eyes with him, my gaze unyielding.
“And what exactly is that?” He replies, a grimace twisting his features.
I laugh, a deep, mocking sound that catches both of them off guard. “I feel sorry for you, Charlotte, honestly.”
Her face twists with confusion, and I can’t help but revel in it. “Because while you’re here thinking you’re the queen, your man is finding sneaky ways to be with me by sending manipulative messages. That’s why he didn’t tell you about me—because he likes me, not you.”
Dan recoils, his confidence crumbling. Charlotte looks like she’s about to implode, her lips trembling with rage.
“What the hell are you talking about? What messages?” Daniel replies, his eyebrows narrowing, squinting at me.
“You are sick. You must think you’re clever. I don’t know how you did it, with the SUV and security disappearing, but bravo, Dan. BRAVO! Outstanding performance.” I respond, remaining strong.
“I still have no clue what you are scrambling about,” he replies, our eyes still in tense battle.
“Since she spoke with you last, someone has been sending her messages, threatening her to return to you or face the consequences,” Safaree continues to be my shield.
“Look, bro, I don’t know what sort of manipulative game you’re playing, but this needs to stop. She doesn’t want to be with you. Marry your fiancée in peace and leave her alone.” I nod my head at his words.
Charlotte breaks her silence with a strong hiss. “Babe, let’s leave. This girl isn’t worth our time. She’s clearly not mentally stable.” She says to Daniel ignorantly as if I were deaf, throwing me on a collision course of anger.
“Excuse me?! I’m standing right here, and I’m not mad. I’m completely sane. You picked the wrong person to mess with.” I stand my ground, my voice steady and unwavering.
She walks closer to me. “Listen to yourself! You fabricated all these lies and brainwashed Safaree to support you. You are obsessed with Dan! For all I know, you sent those messages to yourself, using it as an excuse to back up the fact that he doesn’t want to be with a cheap maid like you!”
Just when I thought her insults weren’t cruel enough, she steps out of line and spills her glass on my dress.
“Oops, I’m sorry; I’m clumsy at times. I’d call the maid to clean that up for you, but I suppose you’re fine.” She cackles as she speaks.
I stare down at my soaking dress and then up at her, my wrath boiling over as I slap her. I’ve had enough of this disrespect.
- Writer
