Episode1
1974 Words
Chapter 1
Elena’s POV
The air was different that night, I felt it as soon as I stepped into the hall. There was something about it, something different that I couldn't quite place my hands on.
I could feel the weight of eyes on me as I stepped into the grand hall. Looks of admiration from most and looks of jealousy from a few.
But overtime, I had learned to ignore all those stares - it came with being successful - so I glided through the crowd like there was no one there.
“Elena, you look stunning.” Rebecca said as she walked up to me with two flutes of champagne. “So structured, this dress. Is it Vellario Couture?”
She ran her hand down the side of the dress while I smiled in satisfaction. Vellario Couture was my brand, the one I had spent the last year building. The reason I was here tonight
“One and only.” My pride was barely hidden.
She pressed a flute of champagne into my hand, grinning widely.
“Now, I know you're going to judge but being in this room is like being presented with an all you can eat buffet.”
I looked at her, confused. “ What are you talking about?”
“The place is swarming with eligible bachelors, Elena. I mean, you would know if you hadn't sworn off love. I'm literally seeing my soulmate every two minutes.” She said, laughing heartily.
Then, she pointed at a man at the far end in a maroon tuxedo.
“Like that one. Oh, I'll definitely let that one ruin my life.”
I threw my head back in laughter, “ Martin Bennett Jnr? Girl, do you even have any taste?” I teased her, even though my chest felt tight. I was unable to shake off the feeling that something was different tonight. “If you'll let him ruin your life, then what would you let Marcus Langston do to you?”
Rebecca looked at me, wide-eyed, over the rim of her glass she sipped her drink.
“You're right.” She said, then placed her arm around my shoulder, “So, most eligible is Marcus Langston then. Least? Jake Thompson.”
She made a face and shuddered. She leaned closer and dropped her voice to a whisper as if we were sharing secrets, “The man’s an ugly hippo.”
Then she pulled away and took another sip of her drink. “ I'm definitely getting laid tonight.”
Just then, I sighted Brenda Williams and her little minion, Sophie Abney making their way to where we stood, wearing smiles that looked like they had just rehearsed them in the restroom.
These girls co-owned Obsidian Luxe, Vellario Couture's pettiest competitors. They weren't the biggest, of course, they put more time into hating than actually working on timeless pieces but they were the pettiest because while others hated from the sidelines, they took it a step further and did things to ruin Vellario Couture.
Earlier that year, they made a popular blog post about how Vellario Couture was tailored for only a specific demographic, therefore raising racist claims and it had taken several media conferences to undo the damage.
“They're really not going to stop till they get your soul.” Rebecca turned to me and rolled her eyes, “I would leave but I'd love to hear what they have this time.”
“Elena, you look…ambitious.” Brenda's high pitched voice rang out. She gave me a once over, like my dress wasn't better than her entire collection.
“And you look desperate. Or should we blame the lighting for that?”
Okay, that came out fast. Chill, girl.
It was not my intention to be bitchy. Normally, I could have handled them with grace. But tonight, I felt different.
Off-balance.
Unsettled.
“A little bird whispered to me that your website had a little issue during the launch last night. That wasn't a good one, was it?”
I gave a smug chuckle, “A little bird, huh?You really do have a botoxed brain.”
Rumours had it that Brenda had undergone so much plastic surgery that only thirty percent of her was real.
Her jaw tensed slightly at my words.
It was laughable how much she hated it when anyone brought up the work she had done.
“I mean, why wouldn't it have an issue. The poor thing can't handle sabotage from two stupid fashion trolls. You can hardly blame it.” Rebecca chimed in with a raised brow.
“I could sue you for slander.”
“Why not? You might actually have a shot at winning there.” I said. My tone was surprisingly even despite the tension under my skin. “You should be more careful though, Brenda. An IP address too similar to your office’s popped up in our system a day before launch.”
The fake smile Brenda had been putting on vanished so fast. Sophie looked ready to melt away.
“I’ll love to see what effect that has on your case.” I continued.
Brenda stepped closer to me until her face was only a few inches away from mine.
“You cocky little b***h. You still think you're untouchable.” She said, her voice barely above a whisper. “But you could lose everything just as quickly as you got it.”
I took a slow and long sip of my drink just to spite her. Then I said,
“Yeah, you would know a lot about losing. You better work hard, Brenda. Some of your investors reached out looking for insight. Seems their loyalty is beginning to c***k under the pressure. But can you blame them though. Everyone eventually wants better.”
Brenda looked like she had just been slapped. She turned to leave, dragging her minion with her. And as they blended with the crowd, I released a breath I didn't even know I was holding.
Just then, Rebecca grabbed my arm and turned to me, her eyes wide open.
“Oh my God. I think the highlight of the night just walked in.”
As Rebecca spoke, my eyes scanned the crowd until they settled on a man standing at the far entrance, under the golden glow of the chandeliers.
His back was turned to us but even then, I could feel the raw magnetic power he exuded.
Despite myself, my heart beat faster.
Who was this man?
Even though I hadn't seen his face, I could tell he was insanely attractive. He had broad shoulders that filled out the tailored lines of his midnight black suit jacket.
His hair was dark, a matching colour with his suit jacket. He stood tall - easily over six feet - like he owned the place. His presence was commanding and it made my heart flutter. I had not felt this way in a long time. Like Rebecca said, I had completely sworn off men. But there was something about this man.
He was deep in conversation with the hosts. And as I watched him, I realised something.
He looked familiar, too familiar.
My chest tightened at the thought of who he might be.
As if in cue, he turned around and my heart stopped and the world blurred into silence.
____
While I struggled to regain myself, Rebecca ogled at him.
“Who is that? He's majestic.” She said, her voice low with a mix of hunger and awe.
The glass in my hand suddenly felt heavy. I passed it to Rebecca with trembling fingers.
How could he be here?
Yes, I had been informed that all the important people from across the states were coming. But I had not expected to see him.
The man who had once been my world but had shattered my heart without a second thought.
Damien Sinclair. My ex- husband.
His presence unearthed memories that I had worked hard to bury. The glittering lights of the chandeliers seemed to blur as my mind flooded with flashes of the past. Of that night in his office.
Rebecca turned to comment but her playful smirk faded into worry.
“Elena.” She said softly, touching my arm. “Are you okay? You look so pale.”
I rubbed my neck. Tonight was definitely not my night. First, the little showdown with Brenda and Sophie - I hadn't even gotten over that - and now my ex-husband was standing in the same room with me.
What was the universe cooking up next?
My gaze strayed to Damien. He was still having a conversation with the host, a slightly chubby woman who wasn't even making an effort to hide her attraction to him.
It was obvious in the way she touched his arm and clung to his every word.
But he was indifferent, barely even looking at her as she spoke.
Rebecca looked from him to me, “Do you know him?”
Know him?
He had once been my everything until he broke my heart that fateful night.
But I couldn't explain that to her.
Rebecca and I only became friends after I moved to New York and I had not told her or anyone about my past.
I had left everything behind in California.
“No,”
Rebecca's eyes narrowed, unconvinced. If she could see that I was lying, I didn't care. I just wanted to be far away from that room.
“I need to leave.” I said
“What's happening? You're not yourself tonight, Elena.” Rebecca said. Then she gripped my shoulders, “ We just got here. If you leave now, you won't get to talk to the investors which defeats our whole reason for being here in the first place.”
I took a deep breath as she spoke. “I need a moment.”
“Okay. Take as long as you need. I'll be over here.” She flashed a teasing smile in an attempt to lighten the mood. I appreciated it but it didn't do much.
However, I mustered a tight-lipped smile.
Heart pounding, I began walking towards the women's room.
I hated the way my heart lurched at the sight of Damien, how the memories I had successfully buried unravelled.
It had only been a year since our divorce but I had not expected to react this way to seeing him again.
As I moved through the crowd, I felt his gaze on me. My steps faltered and I turned. My eyes cut through the sea of faces in the room and found his intense gaze instantly.
A look of recognition flashed across his face and he seemed to stand taller.
My jaw tightened and I straightened my shoulders. I broke eye contact and then turned towards the women's room, knowing I would have to face him eventually.
I put the occupied sign up and pushed the heavy wooden door of the women's room open. I slipped inside and swung it shut, grateful for the sanctuary.
I walked to the sink and stared at my reflection in the mirror. I did look pale. I closed my eyes and tried to steady my breathing.
You're Elena Monroe. I said to myself. The Elena Monroe. He is just a man from your past.
My phone chimed. A text from Rebecca.
“You should see who I'm with right now. [Photo]”
It was a photo of Marcus. The photo was blurry, like it had been taken in a hurry so I knew she had snapped him without his consent.
Another text came in.
“Anyway, Mr. Majestic just left.”
A knock sounded on the door.
I didn't have the chance to answer before the door swung open and he walked in.
“Ellie.”
- Writer
