4. A mysterious man

I gasped when I saw him. He looked stunning in his new tuxedo. I had always thought he was the most handsome man I’d met, but tonight, he looked even better.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He demanded as he came to stand beside me. "I asked you to go in as soon as you arrived." 

"I was talking to-" I turned my face to look at Mr De Luca, but to my surprise, he was nowhere to be found. He had left. 

"Talking to who?" Calvin asked in impatience. "We're already late, let's go." 

It hurt to see that his eyes didn’t show admiration like I hoped. He seemed indifferent. I had spent hours getting ready for him, but it felt like I didn’t matter at all.

"How do I look?" I asked. 

He raised an eyebrow and gave me a dismissive glance. "Appropriate. Shall we go?"

I blushed, embarrassed, but I couldn’t let my tears ruin my makeup. I swallowed hard. "Yes."

Grabbing my arm roughly, he dragged me inside with him. Right then, Calvin’s phone buzzed. He read the message, frowning. 

"What’s wrong?" I asked.

He shook his head and put the phone in his pocket. "It’s from the hospital."

I froze. "The hospital? Why are they contacting you? Is it about Becky?"

"They’ve scheduled your blood donation appointment for this week," he said.

I let out a sigh. "Oh."

"You seem relieved," he said. "What were you expecting?"

"Nothing," I muttered.

"It’s not nothing," he said, laughing. "What’s on your mind?"

"Well," I sighed, "Jen said the new drug they’re giving Becky is working well."

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Do you think she’ll wake up?" I asked.

It had been three years since she went into a coma. If not for me, she’d be dead. I’ve donated blood regularly, even though I knew it was unlikely she’d wake up. I did so because Becky was my friend and also she was Calvin's ex-lover... It's hard for me to think about it without being sad.

"I hope she does," Calvin said. "I’m looking forward to that day. Aren’t you?"

I forced a smile. "Yes."

Deep down, I wasn’t sure if I wanted that to happen.

*******

The charity gala was already packed when we arrived. We barely made a splash. There were so many important people from business, academia, and government that I felt invisible. They were all rich and successful, and most of them cared about money more than anything else.

I wasn’t new to these kinds of events. I grew up in a wealthy family and had attended many of them. I knew how to socialize and make small talk, but I hated it.

"Stay close," Calvin said. "I need to introduce you to people. Let them see we’re a happy couple. It’ll make me look good as a CEO."

I smiled. He was so good at fooling people into believing what he wanted. I respected that, but lately, his company had been struggling. The board was questioning his leadership, and he needed to prove he was capable. The gala was his chance to impress everyone.

"As you say," I nodded, linking my arm with his.

We spent the evening moving from one group to another, chatting enough to make people think we were a happy couple. But I could tell they didn’t see the cracks in our relationship.

Before dinner, Calvin went off to talk to an old friend, giving me a break. I took the time wandering down the corridor with paintings for auction.

One piece caught my eye. It was by my favorite artist, Bernard. I stood there, mesmerized, staring at the painting.

Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Calvin with his friend, James—the investor looking at Calvin’s company.

"James, this is my wife, Cassandra," Calvin said.

"Nice to meet you," James said, kissing my hand.

"Call me Cassie," I said, smiling.

"Are we bothering you?" he asked.

I glanced at the painting and laughed. "No, I was just admiring this. It’s one of my favorites."

"Is it?" he said, studying it. "That must be Bernard’s."

"It is," I said, proud of his sharp eye.

James looked at Calvin. "This one’s up for auction. Want to bid?"

"Oh, no," I said. "That’s okay."

"You should take it," James insisted. "Art isn’t appreciated much these days. Plus, Calvin wanted to contribute to the charity."

I glanced at Calvin, who looked unsure. But he wouldn’t back down from his pride. "Yeah, you’re right," he said. "I’ll go tell them we’re interested."

Just as we were about to bid, we learned someone else was already interested. The bidding started at eighty thousand dollars, and it quickly shot up. I watched nervously as it hit half a million.

"Mr. Enzo De Luca has won the bid for half a million dollars!" the announcer said.

I stared in shock. Calvin was red with embarrassment, glaring at me.

I never expected him to place a bid; this completely caught me off guard.

I stepped back, worried Calvin would yell at me. But he kept his temper in check, and without a word, he walked out.

Oh no. I wanted to make my husband proud, not humiliate him. This was the last thing I needed.

Amid the cheering, I spotted the man who had bid. Enzo. His menacing eyes locked with mine, but I quickly looked away, feeling awkward. Calvin had left, and I needed to catch up with him.

I hurried out of the hall, but the image of the mysterious man stayed in my mind.