CHAPTER 48

'I have to ask you about something and I'm only going to ask you this once," he said, turning me around so I was facing him. The seriousness in his eyes made my heart skipped a beat or two from fear. 'Are you and Bradley involved?" he asked, getting straight to the point. His eyes were almost in complete darkness. Did he saw us at the cafe? Did a picture leaked with Bradley and I? 'No we're not. We're just friends." I regretted adding that last statement because his whole demeanour changed. He stepped away from me. 'Friends?" he asked the word like if it was an obscenity. 'Friends?" I nodded yes. 'I don't want you being friends with him. He already had his chance with you and he fucked it up!" he laced. 'I know that but I can't just turn around and be ungrateful to him. He paid...." We were interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone. He answered it. 'What's up? No, why? Right now? Where are you?" he spoke to the caller. He heaved a sigh and came closer to me again and planted a kiss on my forehead. 'I have to go. My little brother needs me but I'll be back soon. And we'll continue this conversation. The maids will provide you with something to eat." 'Actually, can you have someone take me home? Zenia should be off work already so I wouldn't be alone." 'Are you sure?" I nodded yes. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and we went to his garage. He instructed a security guard to take his Bentley and get me home. He took another car and left as well. Two days later. He was busy preparing the 'July Extravagant Gala'. It was a function he hosted to his employees but actors and actresses, music singers, other celebrities and people in the same category as him showed up as well. The rich and the powerful people. It was only one day away and I was lucky the last minute preparations created a diversion between us. He wasn't in the office for the entire day and I received only one text message from him. I went about my duties as usual: Filing, answering the phone and taking messages, answering to emails and organizing his schedule. Everyone would be having the day off for the gala so they could prepare themselves. The following Evening I had my sister brought me a burgundy dress at the boutique where she worked. I stepped out the shower, dried myself off and got myself ready for the Gala with the help of my sister, as always. 'I feel like I haven't seen mom in days," I said as she styled my hair. 'Well she's busy at work," she answered. 'Hmm." It took thirty minutes to complete the overall look. The dress hugged my body in all the right places and it fitted like a second skin. My sister's phone was blowing up on the bed. She went to it while I looked in the mirror and smiled to myself. 'Umm, Jassy," my sister got my attention. 'Have you seen this?" 'Seen what?" I asked, fear coming into the pit of the stomach again instantly. 'This." She handed me her phone. There was a picture of Jessica in a pair of underwear in Evan's bedroom. She was sitting on the bed, making a ‘kissy face' to the selfie camera. She had posted it on Instagram and captioned it #AboutLastNight #NightWithBae #TheNextMrs.Hollen #Forever What the Fu**!! He was lying to me and was still having sex with Jessica behind my back! 'When was this?" I asked. Sadness mixed with anger in my voice. 'She posted it this morning. See the time there?" My brain was taking a detour in my head. 'And she posted this one hour ago," Zenia added. Handing me the phone again, Jessica was dressed in an elegant white dress. #ToBae'sGala #ANightForUs 'BUT HE SAID HE WASN'T INVITING HER!!!" I screamed and stomped my feet. I tossed the phone back to my sister and went out the door. I had zero intentions of waiting on one of his drivers to come fetch me. I glanced down at my wrist watch. 7:03 pm. The gala was starting at 8:00pm. I boarded a 7:10 pm bus to the Gala. I arrived at a large auditorium building. Gold carpet, paparazzi and gossip columnist lined the entrance. My name was being called from the massive and thick crowd with flashes of light from the cameras blinding me until I got closer to the entrance and was ushered inside the building with the help of two security guards. I walked through the room. A big chandelier hung in the ceiling in all its delightful glory. Tables and chairs designed with white and gold cloths making me feel unworthy of even being in here. The place was swarming with people and I was certain I had seen Beyonce and her husband. My eyes scanned the crowd for him. I smiled politely as a waitress handed me a flute of champagne. I drank it hastily to calm my burning nerves and my anger. Then I spotted him. I spotted him in a far corner with Jessica clinging onto his shoulder. Oh hell no! He can't be doing this to me! 'Hi there beautiful," a voice startled me. I turned around and saw a smiling Bradley. His eyes roamed my body as he licked his lips. 'Hi Bradley," I answered coldly.