Fear

I stepped out of the car. I couldn’t help but admire the huge hotel in front of us. Dad’s right, this is one of the biggest and most expensive hotels in the country. The manager and event coordinator greeted us.

I turned to Denard who had just gotten out of the car. He glanced at his wristwatch then he took out the invitation inside his coat pocket and handed it to the manager.

“The gala is already starting, Mr. Bornefeld but don’t worry, I’m here to assist you. Follow me,” said the manager who greeted us.

We followed him and we stopped in front of a grand two doors.

“And the fifty first richest tycoon award this year goes to Theron Montevero!”

Everyone cheered. The applause echoed outside the room where we stood. My fists balled.

They’re honoring a heartless killer and wrecker of innocence. I pity them for not knowing who he really is.

“Lineah,” he said then reached my hands.

I took a deep breath before opening the large and grand door of the gala room.

The room went quiet and eyes were on us. I scanned the place, some were whispering, others were staring with knitted eyebrows.

My teeth gritted when our eyes met. I couldn’t help but scan him. He is wearing a black neat coat and a white polo underneath. My eyes travel down to his black pants and leather shoes. The last time I saw him in suit and tie was the night after they left me.

Today, we met again on a large and grand occasion not in the four corners of the mansion room where they had imprisoned me before.

His piercing dark eyes remained on me. I bet his expression didn’t change after he saw me. I can’t read what he thinks right now. His face has a blank expression but his aura screams power. My gaze shifted at the guy beside him, Thander Montevero. Unlike his brother, Thander’s eyes widened and his mouth gaped. He must be shocked by my presence, he should be. But that’s not enough… I want him to fear what’s coming.

I looked back at Theron who still had no expression on his face.

I want them to fear me… after this night, they will.

“I would like to recognize the presence of Salvatore’s and Bornefeld this room. And nowers continue to honor the fifty-first richest tycoon this year, Theron Montevero!” said the host of the gala.

The people applauded again. We went straight to the seat reserved for us. Until we sat down it did not take its gaze away from me. He gave a brief thank you. He was then attacked by reporters who were invited to the gala to report how rich the man was. Since he got into the abuse of an old man who lost a child and a wife.

“Lineah, calm down.”

My forehead furrowed at what Denard said. His hand touched mine. It was only then that I noticed that my palms were clenched again.

I sighed.

“I’m sorry, Denard,” I said.

“Don’t stare at them badly, people here might think you have a bad plan with the richest tycoon in the country. Maybe when you suspect something bad happened to them later.”

I sighed.

“I can’t help myself, Denard. I want them to pay for our mother’s death. Every time I see their faces, my head heats up and all the brutality they did to me comes back. I also can’t believe I can stay in the same room with those dying people. I want to do what we plan to do now, Denard. They have to pay--- “

“They will, Lineah. Don’t let your anger lead you to them. Your hatred can ruin our plan that we plan for two years.”

I close my eyes tightly. I don’t want to ruin our plan. Denard is right. I need to calm down somehow. This is the day we have been waiting for, I don’t want to spoil our one chance to take revenge on the Monteveros.

Denard squeezed my hands. “I want you to be patient, Lineah, will you?”

I heaved a sigh and nodded at him.

“Good.”

I tried to calm myself for the twenty minutes I was here. Denard did not leave my side, he remained alert and vigilant around. I admired him even more because of that. He was not nervous about what we were going to do, he was calm and lively talking to the businessmen who approached us.

“This is my only daughter, Lineah Salvatore,” he said to the woman in question.

“Oh! You found your daughter ?!”

“Yes. It’s been two years since I found her. Actually it’s Ephraim and Denard who found her,” he said.

“Oh really? She’s so pretty!”

“She looks like a model, very stunning.” Said the man next to her.

“But why didn’t you announce to the press that your heiress is found, Ignacio?

“Is it because there is no one to inherit?” the man said sarcastically.

“You’re not supposed to be here, Ignacio Salvatore. This gala is for businessmen only. You don’t have a business and I bet you don’t have money as well. I’ve told you for a long time that you won’t last long in this field because you are not a good businessman Ignacio. You were lucky then but the truth is you’re not really good. “

I glared at him.

Denard reached for my hands. He squeezed you a few times but I didn’t look at him.

Dad lost his business because Montevero cheated on him. That’s the reason why he lost it. Not because it’s not good. The Monteveros took advantage of his grief and misfortune, using it against him to get the business. They are mine and heartless like the man in front of us today.

“Your luck is over now so maybe you brought your son here. Are you looking for a rich man who can marry your son? I’m already married, Ignacio but I would pay half a million just to get her in my bed—“

“Lineah,” Denard said firmly as I tried to lift my palm. He pulled it back.

“Don’t make yourself a fool,” he said before facing the man.

“You still don’t change Arturo, until now you’re still a slave to lust, not just flesh and money. You still want what’s on top, uplifting in some cases your life isn’t like that now.”

Its forehead furrowed. “What are you saying Ignacio?”

“Have you forgotten your own case, Arturo?”

The man turned pale and seemed to be covering his mouth.

“He probably forgot about the number of his cases, Ignacio.” Titus Ephraim.

“And it will increase because you did more rude things to my fiancée.” Denard smirked.

Moved back and forth at three I think. They seem to know a lot about this man. Since I am just new to this industry, I don’t like them.

“W-what are you saying?”

“Isn’t your trial still going on in the corruption case in your own company? I’m sorry… I forgot it’s not your own company. Is the trial over for your involvement in the accidental death of your father -in -law over? Who owns the campaign? “

“How did you know that ?!” he stuttered.

Dad and Tito Ephraim smiled and shook their heads.

“Do you want everyone here to find out about that too?”

The man shook his head quickly. His whole face turned red and he almost stopped breathing.

“D-don’t!”

“That’s it, Ignacio.” Smiling, said of Titus Ephraim.

“Stay away from my son if you don’t want to add to your case Arturo,” Dad said.

“She’s going to get married in a Bornefeld. You don’t want the two families to fight, do you?” said Titus Ephraim.

“Y-yes! I won’t go near your son Ignacio. I-I won’t go near you. You’ll never see me as long as you don’t tell everyone—”

“Shoo! Leave!” said Denard.

The man ran away. Dad and Tito Ephraim laughed. Denard turned to me.

“You almost made a scene earlier, Lineah. If I hadn’t stopped you you probably would have gotten a lot of attention and we wouldn’t have kept an eye on the Monteveros.”

“I-I’m sorry Denard. It’s annoying because that Arturo you thought was who! He likes to slap—”

“Not all the time you can slap the person you hate. You need to fight with words to shut them up and avoid cheap fights. You are no longer Leigh, Lineah. You should be proper, especially since many see you. Also the Monteveros. “

“I-I’m sorry—”

“Enough of your apologies. Stick to our plan. I want to marry you as soon as possible. I want to start a family with you, but that won’t happen until we get the justice we deserve.”

Within thirty hours Dad introduced me to his friends. Others could hardly believe themselves. Some are kind and others are the opposite. I am very thankful that Arturo has no attitude towards the people Dad introduced. In those thirty minutes, Theron Montevero’s gaze did not disappear from my sight.

Denard chose to reserve a table away from them to avoid what might hinder our plan.

I averted my gaze and transferred it to the people with him at the table. Nothing changed in her Mother, she glared at me. That stare lasted for two minutes. Then he never looked back. I’m not sure if he recognized me. Based on how he looked earlier when he looked away from me, it didn’t seem to be. Next to it was Rievy, that woman was still alive. I thought the map had eaten it before. Its grip on Theron’s large arm could not be removed.

Let’s just see if he can catch up later. Thander’s attention was not on the person he was talking to because he was frowning and looking in my direction as if I was a question he couldn’t answer.

If I did not know the truth fraud and still they would use me then. I might even miss these two and be thrilled. But that is not the situation today. It was probably thinking of a way to get me out of their way. It’s funny to think if that’s what the two of them plan to do because that won’t happen. They will get lost in my path.

My forehead furrowed when I found Dad talking to Montevero at their table.

Letse! What is Dad doing ?! Is he really numb to their family’s stupidity or is he just blindfolded?!

Mr. stared at me. Montevero. I knew he recognized me by the way his eyes squinted.

The Monteveros are dangerous! I have to lame Dad on them!

I was about to go in their direction when someone grabbed my wrist stopping me.

“Lineah, let’s dance.”

“Dance? Can’t you see who Dad is talking to, Denard? Monteveros! I need to take Dad away—”

“Dad’s with Tito Ignacio. He knows what he’s doing so there’s nothing to worry about okay?”

“B-but…”

“Let’s just dance please?”

I smiled and nodded at him. It took me to the dance floor where many also danced to the accompaniment of romantic music. It pressed my waist closer to him. It touched my right hand. I tried to calm down as we danced even though I was worried for Dad.

“Did I already tell you how stunning you look tonight?”

“Hmm… Yes, a few times already.”

“And I will say it again. You’re so beautiful Lineah, not only tonight,” he said then smiled.

“Thank you. You look handsome as well.”

While dancing, I looked at the man who was staring at us. He held on tightly to his drinking wine.

Why can’t you take a look at me, Theron? Can’t you forgive me for being so far away from the woman you chased, cheated on and used before?

“If I could only taste your lips, then this night would be perfect ---”

I haven’t finished Denard yet. I kissed him. It reciprocated with a sweet kiss.

When he left I immediately sought Theron’s direction. He quickly drank the wine, I could not lose sight of the tension in his jaw as he stared at me in the dark.

I secretly smiled. This was supposed to be the best night of my life, the opposite of what would happen to Theron.