Chapter 2

The night was filled with activities outside the grand San Fetillo Hilton Hotel. I sat myself on the passenger seat of a sleek Maybach, as I watched the scenes unfold through tinted windows. Luxury cars gleam under the bright lights, and the air vibrates with the sound of reporters eagerly adjusting their cameras to juicy news. I can see their breath turn white in the chilly evening air. The scent of car fumes and suspense aura seems to seep through the car's sealed interior.

Clicks and Flashes of light filled the nights, as photographers captured every moment of arrival with a snap of welcome. There's an electric excitement in the air, My stomach chums from the luxury and high classics. The glamour of it all was suffocating, and I fought the urge to shrink in my seat out of low esteem.

The car's door opens, and Thane Reed steps out confidently in a suave white suit. His smile is refined but light as he turns to help his companion, supermodel Lulu, out of the car. She glides out in a shimmering, off-shoulder gown that probably costs more than what I make a year. They pose elegantly for the camera shots, absorbing the attention like royalty.

I watch them with a mix of Envy and resignation. My lips tightened, and I could feel my eyes flickering with irritation. "What the hell," I thought to myself, "I'm just an assistant. Why does Thane have to drag me to these things like some sort of puppet? He must be a sicko."

I laid grip on my briefcase tightly, obviously aware of how out of place I was among all this shine and sparkles. The tension that lay between the thoughts in my head and the silence on the outside was most hurtful.

"Ma'am?" the driver prompts gently, to remind me I couldn't hide in the car forever.

Reluctantly, I step out, keeping my head low. Trying to reduce any attention to myself as much as possible, hoping to avoid the focus of flashes too. Thane and Lulu have already made their way to the entrance, leaving me to follow behind.

The cold air blows my face as I hurry after them, and the weight of the briefcase feels heavier with each step I take. The sound of camera shutters snapping and reporters calling out for a statement reverb around me, but I tried to stay detached, as my focus was on catching up with Thane.

Suddenly, a wave of whispers current through the crowd. I heard a familiar name that made my body tense unconsciously, my breath got caught in my throat. Marino Myers.

A black Aston Martin rolls up smoothly, and I find myself unable to look away. The doors went wide, and there he was. Marino steps out, looking sharp in a customized black suit. His hair, perfectly styled with gel, shone under the hotel lights. His aura commands attention, just as it always has. The memory of his presence hits me with an impulse, that I didn't anticipate. I stared at him, my eyes widening despite my best efforts to show indifference.

Moments later, Rosy Cook steps out from the other side of the Aston in a scarlet gown that clings to her figure fitted. She curves her lips into a satisfied smile as she locks her arm with Marino's, flaunting their bond together. I could hear people in the crowd commenting on them, "What a couple! Wow, They're so perfect together—such a perfect pair!"

My stomach turns, and a bitter taste arises in my throat. "A traitorous man and his mistress," I think bitterly. "A match made in hell, more fitting." These words echo in my mind as I glared at the duo.

I feel the burns of my gaze on Marino, he doesn't pay heed at first though, caught up in the crowd and Rosy's arm snaked around him. Rosy’s perfume drifts through the hair as my nostrils take in, feverous and excessive”.

As Marino moves towards the entrance, he shifts his gaze to me. For about a second, I see his breath hitch, and recognition flickers in his eyes. But he composes himself quickly, turns away, and continues to accompany Rosy. While I was left standing, my heartbeat sped up, feeling like I came across a ghost.

On reaching the lounge after I got abandoned to fend for myself by Thane. The room was filled with decorations of shimmering gold and silver drapes, as dishes occupied the top of tables, and guests dressed to the nines. Which only made me wanna shrink the more, as I  felt totally out of place. Starving, my stomach grumbled unceremoniously, while I could tell Thane and Lulu were enjoying the party without a care in the world somewhere at the moment.

"And There they are, living the  life on highs," I thought to myself bitterly, "while  I am here—starving, alone, and working for a sadist who thinks assistants don't feed to live."

I felt a vibrating sensation in my pockets, must be my phone, I pulled it only to see Thane's name on the screen. His sharp and indifferent voice played out, as I answered the call. "Get your food in the hall," he orders, "remember though, note my words. Don't get too comfy there. Eat, then return to waiting."

I rolled my eyes, in stifling frustration. "How's it possible for me to get comfortable in a place like this?" I muttered under my breath after cutting the call.

Grilled meat's aroma brizzled over and fine wine scented up the air as I stepped into the hall. I gave a quick scan around the crowd and avoided eye contact while heading straight for the buffet. My discomfort was nullified by my hunger for a moment as I got a hold of my food and juice fluid.

Just when I was about to find a spot to sit, a familiar voice dragged my focus away. "Get food over to my side!" It was Marino's voice—sharp, domineering. It was all too familiar. I froze, and the grip on my plate tightened as my heart skipped a beat.

"Of all places, why here, why now?" My mind races, torn between slipping away unnoticed or confronting the man who turned my world upside down.

For a moment, thoughts of retreat echoed in my head. Would have been easier to vanish into the crowd mob, 

To avoid a three-year well-brewed confrontation. But something in me snapped. I felt tired of running, tired of hiding. With a deep breath, I turned and walked towards Marino's voice.

 Standing near the buffet, his back to me. Rosy was nowhere visible to me, probably went about currying with the other guests. As I approached, I cleared my throat loudly.

"Still barking orders, I see," I said, my voice unwavering despite the tremors in my hands.