HIS LEVERAGE

PARTY POOPER

SYLVIA'S POV

I had applied for a scholarship program about a month ago and I just received an email that my application had been approved and a date would be scheduled for an exam. I was beside myself with joy. I picked up my phone and instantly dialed my mother's number. She picked at the fifth ring.

“Hello Mum!” I greeted happily, I was super excited.

“Sylvia dear, how are you?” My mother responded chuckling, she could sense the excitement in my voice.

“Good morning Mum! I have excellent news!” I was almost exploding with joy.

“Oh how lovely Sylvia! What's it about?” My mother sounded eager.

I took a deep breath and finally told her. My scholarship application got approved! I'll be writing an exam soon!” I literally screamed out.

“Oh my God Sylvia.” My mother gasped. “This is…this is excellent.”

“I know right? I just got the email this morning.”

“This is just great, it calls for celebration.”

I could tell my mother was smiling, the money she would have used to support my two younger siblings who were still in high school.

“I'll be going to a dinner party tonight, I guess that's where I'll have my celebration.”

“Be careful Sylvia, will Marvel be taking you?” My mother asked.

Of course she knew about my boyfriend, plus Marvel had been very helpful and she was aware of the apartment he got me.

“Yes Mum, you know I don't usually go to parties, it was his idea.”

“Alright then.” She sighed and paused little. “Your father would be so proud.”

My father had died of a terminal illness when my youngest sister was five, my mother has been taking care of us since. I could still hear the sadness in her voice anytime she spoke about him.

“Yes he would, please cheer up Mum.” I begged her.

“Oh I'm sorry.” She sniffed.

“It's fine, what about Fiona and Chelsea.” I asked after my younger sisters.

“They are all good, they went off to get groceries.”

“Oh, say hi to them for me.”

“Will do, I love you Sylvia.”

“I love you too Mum.” I responded and ended the call.

I scrolled through my contacts thinking of calling Elodie and Marvel but I reasoned it would be better if I told them physically. I would tell Marvel at the party tonight then tell Elodie at school on Monday.

I laid down on my bed at looked at the time on my phone, it was 8:52 AM. I sighed deeply, I had really stayed long in bed, not new though, that was Saturday for me.

My phone chimed twice, it was a message from Marvel.

‘A dispatch rider will deliver a dress to you for tonight's party. I want you looking reasonable.’

I smiled inwardly, I was just thinking of what to wear. Marvel only attended high class parties and I didn't want to look pitiful. My phone chimed again, he had sent the link of the rider's location so I could track my package.

I clicked on the link and stared at the location icon for a long time watching it move slowly then I exited the page and dropped my phone. I hopped up from bed and put on my flip-flops then headed to the kitchen to make breakfast.

The rest of the day moved sluggishly, I had nothing to do, just eat, sleep and play games on my phone. I didn't want to read today. Then I heard a knock on my door, I got up from bed and went to get it. It was the dispatch rider.

“Good evening miss.” The rider greeted me. He sounded like a young adult of about nineteen or twenty, his nose and mouth were covered behind a black nosemask.

“Good evening,” I responded slowly, not quite convinced of the time, how was it evening already?

“Are you Miss Sylvia MacAllister?” He asked.

“Yes.” I nodded.

“This package is for you.” He handed me a luxury package bag branded ‘Channel’. I almost gasped at the brand name but held myself.

“Thank you.” I smiled at him collecting the bag

“No problem.” He bowed slightly and turned to leave.

As soon as I closed the door my phone rang, the caller ID read ‘Bestie.’ It was Elodie.

“Hey girl!” Her cheerful voice rang through.

“Hey Elodie!” I smiled. “Howie you?”

“I'm cool and you?” She replied.

“Guess what?” I slyly changed my tone.

“What?” She was definitely interested.

“Marvel got me a ‘Channel’ dress and we're both going for a dinner party this evening!” I shouted excitedly.

“Wow! Girl you're so…lucky!” Elodie shouted filled with awe and happiness for me.

“I know right?” I chuckled lightly.

While on the call Marvel sent another message.

‘Trust you've got the dress, I'll be there by seven to pick you up.’

Elodie and I chatted for a while talking about random stuff then we ended the call. I finally got to open the bag. It wasn't just a dress, it was accompanied with a sandal heel and a clutch.

****

At 6:00 PM after I had freshened up I started getting ready. I straightened my hair and put on light make-up and used light peach lipstick and gloss for my lips.

The dress was elaborate, split at the left to my upper thigh. It was emerald green, my favorite colour, and it went perfectly with my red hair. The back of the dress was open and it was tighter at the hip revealing my shape. The rest of it flowed down to my heels.

The heel and clutch were silver and I put on my best collection of silver stud earrings, a necklace with an emerald pendant and a small bracelet.

I was good to go. Soon I heard the horn from Marvel's car. It was 6:56 PM. I grabbed the perfume bottle from my vanity table and sprayed lightly then I hurried out locking the door behind me.

He brought his Lamborghini Urus. He stepped out and ushered me into the front passenger’s seat.

“You look stunning.” He smiled then kissed the back of my palm

“You look awesome.” I smiled back. He was dressed in a well tailored white shirt and black pants.

We chatted along the way but I didn't get the chance to tell him about the scholarship because he always had something to say so I decided I'll tell him later.

Soon we pulled in through the gates of an enormous mansion. He parked in the garage and we got out.

“Whose family…” I started to ask but Marvel replied immediately.

“The Carringtons.”

“Zane?” I asked

Marvel laughed. “Of course.”

I frowned slightly. Zane Carrington was Marvel's best friend since forever and I just didn't like him. I always thought of him as plain, too civil and proud. He was in my department but I avoided him as much as possible.

We met him by the bar. He was tall. Dark hair pushed back from his face. A jaw that could cut glass and eyes that were doing something complicated that I couldn't read from this distance.

He looked expensive in a way that old money always did, understated, and deliberate, nothing to prove to anyone.

“Zane.” Marvel said, smiling wildly.

“You made it.” His voice was low and even. He pushed off from the bar and gave Marvel one of those brief masculine embraces. Then he looked at me. “Sylvia.”

He extended a hand. I shook it. His grip was firm and brief and he let go exactly when he was supposed to.

“Zane.” I said, faking a smile.

The hall was filled with young ladies and gentlemen whose appearance spoke luxury, even in my outfit I still felt inferior.

Soon the music changed to wild music and the guests began dancing wildly. So it wasn't a dinner party? Marvel cheered loudly, swaying along.

An elegant young woman in a glittery white dress walked past where we stood. Marvel's eyes followed her codedly and lingered a little too long then he gave a small jumbled excuse and disappeared into the crowd.

I didn't think much of it, Marvel was an extrovert and he knew lots of people, plus this was his world. I sipped my cocktail and moved slowly to the balcony.

“Lost?” A voice asked me.

I wasn't startled and I knew who had that voice. I turned slowly.

“No.”

It was Zane. His black shirt was now rolled up at the sleeves. He was handsome no doubt, a beauty sculptors would do anything for.

“You don't seem to fit.” He said flatly, he didn't come further. “I don't think you are comfortable in this kind of party.”

“He said it was a dinner party.”

“He lied.” Zane responded, hands in his pockets, his face gave nothing away and his voice was even.

That hit. Marvel knew if he hadn't lied I wouldn't have followed him.

“You don't seem to be blending either.” I smirked while sipping my cocktail.

“Did it for the boys.” He replied bluntly. “I would prefer a quiet library and a more resourceful brunch meeting.”

I wanted to say ‘me too’ but I stopped myself, I shouldn't let him know we have something in common. Instead I let my eyes wander away to the cluster of dancing bodies, I tried in vain to spot Marvel.

“Marvel wanted me to come.” I sounded rather sad, and that wasn't how I had intended it to come out.

“You should speak up one day.” He said and turned away then paused. “While you're here though, enjoy the evening.” Then he walked off.

I scoffed and faced the balcony again. I had finished my drink, so I needed a refill. Just then I caught Marvel staggering to me, he looked like he had one too many drinks.

“How's it!” He asked loudly.

I winced. “Great.”

“Sorry for leaving ya, the boys you know, Sidney, Joel…”

“I know, have fun.” I gave him a fake smile. Then someone yelled his name and off he went again.

The rest of the part wasn't appealing to me, I just watched alone. The next time I saw Marvel he dragged me off to say farewell to Zane.

I was obviously displeased and I think Zane noticed it too because when he looked at me his expression shifted somewhat but I couldn't discern what.