Bianca
I walked toward the stage, the blinding red and blue lights shining over the podium and directly on me with each step, made my skin crawl.
The high-profile guests fixed their gazes on me, calculating, hungry, making my heart race.
Among them, Dad and his closest friends were seated in the VIP section at the top of the hall.
My legs shook as though the floor would swallow me, but I nudged myself slightly, reassuring myself that this was the best decision, especially since I had no other choice.
My heels clicked against the polished tiles, the sound echoing as the crowd broke into applause.
A small pang tugged at my heart, and a faint smile curled on my lips.
"Here comes the boss's fiancée," the anchor said. My legs moved gracefully to the podium, surrounded by guards.
Standing there, my eyes instinctively searched for Enzo and his mistress, whom I had spotted earlier. But with the large crowd standing, I couldn't see him, nor the reactions on his face.
"I want to thank each of you for coming tonight. I promise this will be the best party ever," I said, though the growing noise around me was overwhelming.
Even as I spoke, my eyes lingered on the crowd, not for any real reason, just to confirm he was still in the hall. But he was nowhere in sight.
The introduction continued, and when it was time for me to step back, I slowly walked down the stage and headed toward the seat reserved for me, next to where Dad sat.
Mum should be here by now, but she hadn't arrived. She had received an urgent call earlier and had promised to show up thirty minutes later.
I glanced at my wristwatch. It was already an hour past the time, and she still hadn't shown up.
My gaze drifted to Dad. He seemed undisturbed and comfortable with his friends.
I blinked and looked away.
"That was a wonderful introduction," the anchor announced. "Now, it's time to call on the boss himself," he added as a loud ovation erupted yet again, this time, more fierce than ever.
My heart skipped instantly. My gut twisted.
Slowly, I held my arms together, trying to maintain my smile while secretly praying he would just be a nice-looking guy.
What if I don't like him at first sight?
Dad's gaze suddenly drifted toward me, and a soft chuckle displayed on his cheeks.
I suddenly formed a smile and shifted my gaze away abruptly.
He finally got what he wanted, right?
Those memories stirred up again, leaving a bitter pang settling in my heart, slowly capturing the smile on my face.
I pushed the feeling aside and touched my cheeks to keep them from flushing.
The loud roar pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned toward the entrance, where a group of bodyguards marched forward. I couldn't see the boss yet, but then a man in a sleek gray suit stepped into view.
I squinted, trying to get a better look at his face. Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my hand.
I would have ignored the vibration of the phone if it hadn't been in my hand.
My gaze flashed to the screen momentarily, and I jolted. Mum!
A sudden nervous chill crept down my spine.
Slowly standing upright, I moved over to the narrow exit by the side of the table we sat at. Those feelings pulled my thoughts away from the exciting moment that was just about to unfold.
"Hello, Mom," I greeted over the phone.
The call buzzed from the caller's end and then hung up.
Perplexed, I retrieved the phone from my ear, about to dial the number almost immediately when his voice loomed from behind.
I held back my anger, biting my lips gently instead, before turning to meet his gaze. This time, he was alone.
For some reason, my heart jumped as I finally saw him. He finally knew who I truly was?
That feeling crept in again, bringing discomfort as I thought about Mom's safety. Despite the fact that she had gone out with her bodyguards, I still felt uneasy.
"What happened?" I asked urgently, my brows raised.
His face saddened, his eyes rolling over my body, causing a sharp stir of anger to boil afresh in my bones. I glared intensely into his eyes.
He lifted his gaze, his mouth slowly opening, but the words wouldn't come out.
"Please, if you don't mind, I have something important to do now," I replied, turning to dial back the number when his hand brushed over mine, causing me to turn almost immediately, and I yanked his hand off abruptly.
"How dare you lay those filthy hands of yours on me?" I retorted, my jaw clenched.
Surprisingly, he crouched low on his feet, his hands clasped together.
"Bianca, please, hear me out. I never meant to ask for a divorce. Please... I want you back," he pleaded.
A sudden laugh escaped my lips. As he lowered his head, I could see regret, shame, and desperation in his expression. That alone didn't soothe my heart. They only brought back those sweet memories with him.
"I'm sorry, Enzo. It's too late," I replied, my voice cold.
"I know you followed her over here," a voice called from behind, and without a look, I already knew who it was.
My fist clenched, and the rage in my heart intensified.
"You aren't ashamed, are you? You brought me here just to disgrace me in such a manner simply because she is Alex's fiancée?" she scoffed, her gaze narrowing toward me.
A smirk formed at the corner of my lips. The shock and pain in her gaze captured my heart.
Oh! So she knows?
Slowly, my arms rested on my perfectly fitted gown as I adjusted it and squared my shoulders, despite the thoughts of Mom lingering in my mind.
"That's what you get when you choose to steal another woman's husband," I snapped absentmindedly, clicking my tongue for even replying to her.
People like her never earned a word from me. But then, I figured, this bitch needed to be taught a lesson.
She flared up, moving closer. "Don't think you're untouchable now," she blurted, her heart racing.
"Ella, please stop," Enzo snapped from his crouched position.
Ignoring their words, I lifted my hand, and immediately, some security personnel hurried over to the spot.
"Bundle her away. I don't want to see her kind here again."
"Alright, ma'am," they responded as they turned toward Ella, dragging her along.
"I will get back to you!" she barked as her words fell on deaf ears.
"Bianca, please…" Enzo trailed off.
"What the hell is going on here?" a deep voice interrupted from behind almost immediately.
I turned toward the voice and froze.
A man in a sleek gray suit stood before me, alongside two familiar bodyguards I had seen earlier.
My eyes locked onto the man in the middle.
I recognized that suit, that build, from when the boss entered.
Could he be the said Alex Wood?
My stomach twisted into knots. A loud groan rumbled through my chest.
"You!" I gasped, pointing a slender finger at him…