The Facade
1252 Words
TEN YEARS LATER
Rachelle’s POV
“Please, take your seats. The annual Hilton's empowerment scheme is about to kickoff” The announcement rang loud through the fixed PA systems on the walls.
I stood there, my eyes right across the entire room filled with dignitaries. The sound of low chatter accompanied the smell of new baked pastries and strong wine.
This was what my parents fell for–the smiles, the glam, the luxury. All was just a facade.
One I can rightly see through..
I walked away from the champagne table to the right end of the hall, where he was seated. Dressed in a red bodycon sequin dress, with slit way up my thighs and hair in a messy, but decorated bun, I knew I would be irresistible.
If the eyes I got from the men here, both married and single, was anything to go by, I knew that the heir to the Hilton empire would be an easy cake.
I walked to him, eyes hooked on his bright smile and shinning skyblue eyes, he was beautiful. But I knew that all this luxury he enjoyed grew from a soil stained with blood, millions of poor people's blood.
“Hi, I'm Serenity. You can call me Seren. Nice occasion you have here” I smiled, my inside already all over the place at the fact that he had excused himself from the colony of men he was engulfed in.
“Oh, pardon me, beautiful. I'm George, George Hilton. I'm sure I've not been given the pleasure of your acquaintance” He smiled, taking my hand and kissing my knuckles.
“Hilton? Like, Hilton Empire? Or you just happen to share the same surname as those of high caliber?” I poked at him.
His eyebrows raised in amusement and intrigue, while his tongue played with his canines, as he adjusted his cufflinks.
“Well, mademoiselle, I am actually the Heir of said empire” He looked directly into my eyes, while I raised my chin up in a daring manner. “I'll see you around, Seren”
I smiled, as he turned his body to move but his eyes still hooked on mine. “Well, see you soon, George”
Oh, how I loved the femininity power. It was all I needed to have the heir to a billion-dollar company hooked.
Soon the entire hall was quiet. Everyone had already taken their seats, and so did I.
Immediately the lights dimmed, but through the shadowed faces, I could still make out George's.
“Now, we call upon the woman that made this scheme possible, Mrs Hilda Hilton” A thunderous round of applause was rendered, and half a standing ovation.
There she was, dressed in a black pant suit, hair up in a sleek bun. But those eyes, they burned, they looked viscious, heartless–emotionless.
“Thank you all for attending this year's scheme. This scheme was set up to help the less privileged, the poor people who have no hope of living, who have no source to help them. We wish to be the hand that holds them up, and for this sole reason this scheme was set up”
I bit down on my teeth, my eyes already blurring out her authoritative image. The room felt like it was closing in, and the round of applause sounded like a broken signal.
It was all a lie. Everything she said was a lie.
Did everyone here know about it, about how two faced this scheme was?
“So now, let's pick our lucky winners. But firstly, we want to say thank you to everyone that applied for this scheme, and just know that just because you weren't picked doesn't mean that you don't matter, you matter, and Hilton is always ready to assist”
Another round of applause, another cheer, another commendation.
“Now, the owner of the two million dollars prized scheme is, The Clinton's!” Excitement–that’s what poured from her voice.
I fisted the hem of my dress, as the tears in my eyes threatened to drop the more. Breathing was already difficult, but that was something I could handle, but tears?
Not in front of this woman, not in front of the same person that took everything from me. I won't let her see me break.
I stood to my feet, my dress in my hand and stormed out of the hall, rushing to the bathroom.
The smell of air freshener and liquid soap hit my nose the moment I walked in, and I went straight to the sink.
The feel of cold liquid against my trembling hand made it feel like I could control something, but then it didn't stop the tears as it flowed more.
Ten years, I had built up everything for this moment–watching the program online while working different shifts, studying everything about the name Hilton, just for this moment.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror, and I saw my bloodshot eyes. “I'm going to bring you down Hilda, no matter what!”
I sniffed, and washed away the tear stains on my face, but the fiery look still burned in my brown orbs.
Slowly, I reapplied my makeup, covering my disheveled face and lipstick, and with one glance at the mirror, I adjusted my hair pin and walked out.
“So you say you saw a beauty, but I must truly confess, every lady hugged that adjective like it was their personal banner tonight” A British accent rang through the corner of the empty hallway.
“Hm, yes, truly. But she, there was something about her, quiet. Almost like she wasn't here for the attention” A voice I had heard only once but already mastered, replied.
“The way this lady is being described, I'm almost too tempted to be also a testament of such beauty”
Upon hearing this, I hastened my steps. Ten steps in and I was face-to-face with the same breathtaking skyblue eyes, and chestnut hair.
“Seren, right?” An awkward look to his friend as he stretched out his hand, and realization dawned on his friend.
“Oh..is–” A sharp cough came out his throat, making it impossible to finish his sentence.
Or question?
“Uhm, i was looking everywhere for you but I couldn't see you in the hall, you alright?” Looking everywhere for me? Oh this would be easier than I thought.
“Yes, everything's perfect. But, Greg, I'll see you later, I have an appointment” I smiled, casting a glance between his eyes and lips, thrice, but with my gaze lingering at his lips just a little more.
“It's George” He corrected, to which I simply nodded, and moved to the side, attempting to leave.
The hold on my waist made me pause in my track, and I bit the side of my mouth to stop my smile from growing.
“Here's my card. Call me, Seren. I'll look forward to meeting with you” Casting another flirtatious glance at him, I took his card…
“Goodnight, George and friend. I'll try to call” I assured and walked off.
A big smile plastered on my face as I twirled his golden business card in-between my fingers.
This was easier than I thought, but time to move on to phase 2. I'm coming for you Hilda, and you won't even know what hit you.
Thanks, George.
- Writer
