Chapter 52

~Eliana~

I stepped into the hall, wearing a green tube dress, with silver stones embroidered all over it. The dress was so long that it would have been sweeping the tiled floor if not for the silver heels I was wearing to match it. I carried a silver purse, and the jewelleries which adorned my ears, neck and wrist were made from pure silver.

My mother had started selling all her expensive clothes and jewelleries, and when we tried to add ours, she vehemently refused. I had never known the love my parents had for us until now. I always saw them as evil manipulators who really didn’t care about what their children wanted. It turned out that they had just been trying to provide us with a better future, and although the way in which they had gone about it wasn’t commendable, I could finally now understand them.

Even when they had joined the world to call me crazy, they had done it just to save me from involving myself in things that were beyond human comprehension, and in order to prevent me from wanting to get too involved, and for the first time, I was grateful to them for all they had done. They had even hidden the truth of the company’s failure from us, and made sure we continued to live expensively, like we were used to.

It was Alistair's company’s 57th anniversary, and all over, there were important business moguls from around the world. I was all alone, and I was trying to keep my head held high, because deep down, my self-esteem was dwindling, and my mind kept telling me that I didn’t fit in here.

“Eliana,” I heard Garrett say.

I turned around, wearing a broad smile, finally glad since I had seen someone I knew. “Garrett, I’ve never been more excited to see you,” I said.

A smile appeared on his face. “I’m excited to see you as well, surprised, in fact. Why are you here?” Garrett asked.

The smile vanished from my face. “If anyone was going to make fun of my family’s predicament, trust me, Garrett, I didn’t think it would be you. My parents business have crumbled to the ground, yes, and only business moguls are here, so, apparently, I don’t fit in. That doesn’t mean Alistair shouldn’t invite me to celebrate his company’s 57th anniversary with him, okay?” I told him, getting annoyed.

He seemed apologetic. “I’m sorry about that, Eliana. I didn’t mean it that way. I just thought you and Alistair were having issues, and so, you weren’t going to show up. I never meant that you don’t fit in. Of course, you do fit in. Just take a look at your outfit. Trust me, no one in this room looks more beautiful than you do,” He said.

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “You’re serious about that?” I inquired.

“Yeah. Of course, it would have been Carrie, but since she isn’t here yet, you’re the fairest of them all for now,” He said.

I appreciated him with a smile. “Thank you very much. You mentioned something about thinking Alistair and I were having problems in our relationship. Why would you think that?” I asked.

“Um... He didn’t tell you anything?” Garrett asked.

“No, he didn’t,” I replied.

“You guys haven’t quarrelled or anything of the sort? He didn’t confront you about something really threatening to your relationship?” Garrett asked.

I shook my head, slowly. “No, Garrett. Why?” I asked, perplexed.

He shook his head, dismissing the subject. “Um... it’s nothing serious,” He replied.

I scoffed. “You can’t be serious right now. You were the one who just said this so-called issue may be threatening to my relationship. How come you’re saying it’s nothing serious all of a sudden? I’m not a fool, Garrett. Whatever it is that you’re hiding, spill it now,” I said, folding my arms underneath my breasts.

He heaved a sigh, and looked around. “It’s nothing, Eliana. I guess I was just the one thinking it was so big of an issue when it actually meant nothing,” He said.

“I don’t believe you, Garrett. What’s going on? Should I ask Alistair myself?” I asked, trying to persuade him into telling me what was wrong.

He placed his hands on my shoulders, then squeezed them lightly, while looking deep in my eyes. “Listen, Eliana, I can’t tell you anything. I’m sure that when the time is right, Alistair will let you know what’s wrong. For now, Eliana, just be careful,” He said.

I knew there was nothing I could possibly say again that was going to make Garrett change his mind about telling me what was going on, and I clearly knew that something was definitely wrong somewhere, but it was fine if he didn’t want to tell me what the matter was. I had faith in Alistair. Sooner or later, he was going to tell me what was threatening to our relationship, and I knew for a fact, that whatever that thing was, it was never going to succeed.

“Okay, then. I’ll be careful,” I assured Garrett.

He smiled at me, then removed the hands he had placed on my shoulders. “I have to run along now, Eliana. There are a few things I need to check on,” He told me, and the next minute, he was gone.

“Care for a drink?” A bartender, who was passing with a tray, asked.

I was about to take a glass of Champagne, when I reminded myself that I was pregnant, and even though it was just a few weeks old like Dr Anne had revealed, I couldn’t take alcohol for the sake of my baby. The baby obviously liked vanilla ice cream, and I may be endangering its life if I took something alcoholic.

“Thank you,” I said, taking a glass of virgin cocktail.

He smiled, then went about his business.

I hadn’t had the chance to tell Alistair that I was expecting his child yet, and when I took a sip from the glass, I knew I had to inform him about it soon, before the media got to know about my pregnancy and he found out from the news, instead of finding about his child from my own mouth.

I touched the silver necklace on my neck as well. I also hadn’t told him about how I had misplaced the necklace he had given me, and I had already made a resolve to give him both news on the same day. I was going to tell him about the necklace first, and while he was still mad at me, I would give him the news that I was carrying his child. It wasn’t really an emotional blackmail that I aimed to do, or maybe it was, but I just needed to do everything in my power to make Alistair forgive me, even if it meant using his baby as a leverage over him.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” I heard Alistair’s voice say.

A smile lit up my face as my eyes met his. He smiled back at me, looking more dashing than usual. He was putting on a black tuxedo, and Italian Designer shoes. He had jelled his hair, and I could bet on it that he had spent a huge amount of money for some facials to prepare for this event. It was worth it though, as it did make his face even more radiant than it usually was.

“As you may all know, I lost my parents last year. They’ve always headed Duke Group, and I was confused as to what I was going to do without them, since they had left the company in my hands. I’d like to say a very big thank you to my relatives for supporting me and leading me in the right way, special mention also goes to my personal assistant and best friend, Jennifer Stuart, for always being there for me, and of course, my ever diligent and hardworking staff who’d do anything to ensure that Duke Group retains its spot at the top,” Alistair said.

They were several rounds of applause, and mild screams from the guests, including me, who couldn’t help but admire how he spoke with great eloquence and audibility.

“Today marks this company’s 57th anniversary, and I’m exceptionally grateful to everyone who has come from all over the world to share in our joy and happiness. I also want to use this opportunity to introduce our new business to you,” He said, and on the projectors, showed images of his new business.

I was happy for him, but at the thought that it was once my family’s business, I bit my lip, feeling a little bit sad. He had promised to make sure my parents had a share in the company when he had made it achieve greatness once again, but it still hurt me a little bit that my family’s business now belonged to him, and everyday, I’d remember that I was no longer the daughter of a famous Car dealer.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: Duke Motors. It is going to be an automotive company, which deals in retailing cars. I promise to push this company from level zero to the top of the highest mountain, and you all will be there to see it,” He said, with a smile, which possessed confidence.

His manner of speech provoked shouts and claps from the guests, and I managed to clap my hands calmly, forcing a smile on my face, and trying to ignore the pain that tugged at my heart.

“There’s someone here who is very special to me, and she is present here today. I met her in the cemetery where I was mourning my parents, and she was there, mourning her dead friends. I’ve never loved anyone the way I love her, and today, I’d like to ask her to be my wife,” Alistair said.

I gasped in surprise. Honestly, when I was coming here, I had never imagined that Alistair was going to ask me to be his wife. Had Garrett been playing games with me? I had been wondering all this time what it was that could destroy the relationship I had with Alistair, and I never for once imagined that he had just been toying with my feelings in order to make me believe that something was wrong, when everything was perfectly fine in reality and Alistair even wanted to make me his wife.

“Miss Eliana Venator, will you marry me?” He asked, walking towards where I stood, with my mouth agape.

A tear slid down my cheek. “I...I don’t know what to say,” I stuttered, feeling really emotional.

“You can say yes, you will marry me,” He said, sliding the ring into my middle finger.

“Alistair...”

“What? You want to say no? Why? Is it because of your lover, Sam Evans?” He asked, in a very loud voice, which threw me off balance.

“What are you trying to say, Alistair?” I asked, hoping that it was another one of his silly games.

“Put up the pictures, will you?” Alistair yelled, looking over at Jennifer, who was fiddling with a remote control.

I looked up at the projector, and lo and behold, what I saw was explicit pictures of Sam and myself. I was wrapped in bedsheets, with my thighs sticking out, while Sam had his arms around my waist.

The guests gasped, and tears rolled down my eyes in torrents, blurring my vision. I had been such a big fool, I thought, as the pieces started falling into place. That day, I had thought I collapsed because I kept on getting dizzy, but it wasn’t so. Sam Evans, my long lost friend, the very person I thought would never betray me, had drugged me.

“It’s not what you think, Alistair,” I said, trying to explain, even as all I could actually do was cry.

“It is exactly what I think, Eliana. Those pictures were verified by a reliable source, and guess what? Your lover, Sam Evans, already confessed that you were sleeping with him behind my back. He also said you love him, but you can’t just leave me because you pity me. This is your cue, Eliana. You can now go and be with your first love,” Alistair said.

I shook my head, in denial. “You’ve got it all wrong, babe. It’s not...”

He scoffed, cutting in. “Don’t you dare call me babe. I’m done with this sham of a relationship, and I don’t want to see you anywhere close to me ever again. I regret the day I met you, Eliana. If I hadn’t been deceived by your sweet smile and good character, I wouldn’t have been so hurt and broken the way I am today...”

“Alistair, please. All this is false and...”

“All this is false? Seriously? All this is false? If I’m telling a lie, prove yourself to me right here and now by providing the necklace I had given to you,” He ordered.

I hiccupped, trying to find the perfect words to say.

A smirk played around his lips. “You have no idea where it is, right? Well, if you must know, Sam had it, and he was on his way to give it to you after you forgot it in his place, when I saw him, confronted him, and took it back from him. It must have dropped while you were screaming in ecstasy, not so?”

“Alistair!” I yelled, shocked that he could actually say such a thing in the presence of reporters, who were already taking note of all what was happening.

“Why? Are you ashamed of listening to the truth? I’m not surprised. The truth is bitter. Do you want to know something though? From this day, every time Duke Group marks its anniversary, I would remember that it was also the day I got rid of a liar, whore and cheat like you...”

“That’s enough, Alistair. This is no way to treat a lady,” Carrie said, coming into view, wearing a pink satin dress.

“Of course, you’d be on her side. You’re her friend, not so? Garrett, be careful, will you? Birds of a feather flock together after all,” Alistair said.

“Carrie’s right, Alistair. You’ve done more than enough,” Garrett said, coming to my defence.

“I’ll stop talking if that’s what you all want, provided that this bitch standing in front of me leaves here right this minute and never shows her ugly face to me again,” Alistair told me.

“Look at me, Alistair,” I said, touching his hand. “Is what you really want for me to be forever out of your sight?” I asked.

He looked deep into my eyes, making my heart skip. “I won’t fall for your adorable brown eyes anymore, darling,” He said, and without waiting for me to understand any of what was happening, he let go of my hand, causing me to stagger backwards.

“I’d do exactly what you want, then,” I said, and wiped my tears with the back of my hand.

Carrie patted my back, and I forced a smile at her. When I turned around, the stares from everyone made me shudder, and the lights from the paparazzi cameras nearly blinded me. Garrett gave my hand a reassuring squeeze, and with a deep sigh, I half-walked half-ran out of the hall, praying for the ground to open up and swallow me.

I had never been this embarrassed in my entire lifetime, and I felt so ashamed, with my heart breaking into a million different pieces. It was as though I was suffocating and I couldn’t even breathe well. I should never have come here; maybe I’d have saved myself from the shame Alistair had had in store for me.

He had humiliated me publicly all for something I didn’t even do. If he had truly loved me like he claimed, he would have been reasonable enough to ask me privately about those pictures, but like the arrogant and stupid fool he was, he had decided to teach me a lesson in front of the world.

Nothing would ever be the same again for me in this city. I had endured being called names once, but my heart had already grown too fragile, that I couldn’t take anything again, especially the feeling of being betrayed by the same person who had promised to forever love me.

I didn’t have the energy to be strong and face all this. Like he wanted, I was never going to show up in front of him again. For the sake of my sanity and my child, I was going to leave Los Angeles for a place where he was never going to see me again.

I loved Alistair more than I even loved myself, and I’d grant his wish to the very end. If all he wished for was for me to leave him, I needed to do exactly that. From the very beginning, I should have known that our love story was going to end tragically, and I should have never let myself fall in love with him.

It was my fault, and now, I’d have to bear the brunt of my mistakes.