Chapter 6: The Banquet

Cassandra’s POV

I eyed myself critically in my floor-length mirror. After a long, drawn out deliberation, this was the dress I’d chosen. A calf-length, A-line dress of emerald green silk. It cut into a halter style at the top and plunged dramatically in the back.

I nodded approvingly at my reflection. The dress was, of course, one of my own designs. It was the perfect choice for the Talks and T***s banquet.

It hadn’t taken me long to decide. By the time Stella and I had finished our bagels and lox, the decision was made. I would attend.

Jordyn could be damned for all I cared. I wasn’t going to let him prevent me from attending this banquet. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up. Stella had agreed whole-heartedly, and we’d spent the past week ensuring that I chose the perfect dress.

If I was going to run into Jordyn, I might as well look hot as hell, right?

Ping.

It was a text from Stella.

“Good luck! Knock ‘em dead.” Heart emoji, dancing girl emoji, four-leaf clover emoji.

An hour later, my limo pulled up to the hotel. The banquet was in a ballroom, and my stomach flip-flopped from nerves as I walked through the ornate lobby. I really wished Stella was there for moral support. Things are just easier when you have your bestie beside you.

I didn’t have time to lament Stella’s absence, though. I was on a mission.

Rumor had it that the CEO from Finch Fox Holdings were going to be at the banquet. I’d had my eye on this company for a long time. They were VERY well-known and looking to expand their investments, according to the financial papers. 

I’d also heard that the company would soon be taken over by the CEO’s son, a man with an irresistible smile and an unparalleled head for business. But no one knew what he looked like. Some said he was a playboy. others said he never approached women. But whatever. When he took over as CEO, his first order of business would be to take on new, edgier clients who spoke to a younger generation.

That was me in a nutshell. Hot House Flower was ALL those things.

So, I scoured the crowd the moment I set foot into the ballroom. If he was here, as the papers claimed he would be, then I would find him. As I looked, I recognized a lot of very well-known entrepreneurs and CEOs. For a moment, I marveled at the fact that I’d been included in this carefully curated room of powerful people.

I smiled to myself and decided to indulge in the t***s table. The scent of mouth-watering delectable appetizers was almost too much to ignore.

As I walked to the table though, a small commotion broke out.

All eyes turned to the front door as a gust of whispers rippled through the room.

Sure enough, Jordyn emerged, looking as handsome as ever in a traditional tux. My heart almost sank to my knees though when I saw Ellie on his arm.

She, too, was ravishing, in a designer, floor length gown. Jordyn seldom took me to work events when we were married. I asked to go, all the time. But he neglected me, opting to leave me at home instead.  

So yeah, it stung to see him here with Ellie.

And it stung even more to see them looking so happy.

As the CEO of the company hosted the event, their arrival brought on a stir in the crowd. Jordyn and Ellie paused at the door, accepting the mass greeting from the ballroom.   

But as Jordyn smiled and nodded, his eyes fell on mine. He cocked his head to the side, a quizzical expression on his face. He clearly hadn’t expected to see me at his company’s event.

I turned away. My cheeks burned.

He and Ellie looked so good together. For all intents and purposes, they looked like a happy couple. Not like the back-stabbing, betrayers they both were.

I REALLY didn’t want to talk to either of them. I had other things to do. However, Jordyn made a beeline straight for me.

“Cassandra, you look…stunning,” Jordyn said. I was taken aback by the compliment.

“Thank you?” I said, uncertain of its sincerity.

“I didn’t know you’d be here. But as you can see, I’m afraid I already have a date.”

Wait. What?

He looked at me smugly, pulling in Ellie close to his side. For a moment, I was confused. But then realization dawned on me.

He thought I was here to be HIS date? That I was here to reconcile?

Was there no limit to his arrogance?

Any disappointment I’d felt at seeing Jordyn with Ellie was quickly replaced with anger. He actually thought that I’d just show up here, at THIS banquet, as some desperate attempt to win him back?

“Jordyn,” I smiled politely. “I was going to call you tomorrow morning, but since I have your attention right now, I was wondering, when do you plan to sign the divorce papers?”

He blinked, shocked by my response.

‘Yeah, that’s right,’ I said to myself. ‘I didn’t come here for YOU.’

But before he could respond, we were bombarded by a group of people. They all introduced themselves to Jordyn, and he politely shook their hands.

“And this must be the Mrs.,” one of the women said, reaching out her hand to Ellie.

Ellie smiled smugly. She enjoyed being mistaken for Jordyn’s wife.

However, to my surprise, Jordyn was quick to correct the woman.

“No, I’m afraid you’re mistaken. This is not my wife. She is,” he said, pointing at…

ME!