Exposed.

MARIA'S POV

I'd say Old Grandpa was the only one who was genuinely happy to see me.

The rest of the people at the party had just been there as a formality.

I can't blame them, I would be mad too if I had received an invitation out of the blue.

But maybe I shouldn't complain. This party was for me after all, was it not?

Maria Rodriguez. My name. The name that sent shivers down men's spine in my world.

I was young, rich, beautiful, and successful. Everything anybody could ever wish for. Being the CEO at 26 had created so many opportunities for me and now I was leading the most successful company in the world.

“Ah, Maria. Nice to meet you” An old man who I immediately recalled as Mr Lionel from old family dinners greeted me as he bowed slightly.

I immediately returned the gesture and straightened up to see him looking around.

“Ah, where's Allen?” The man's eyes scanned around the room, looking for him.

“Oh, he's not here” I quickly said.

Allen Thomas. My fiance. The love of my life and the person I wanted to get married to next month. Hopefully. I don't know where I'd be without him.

“He's not here? Didn't you inform him that you were returning to the States?”, the man asked, with a slight frown.

I laughed and shook my head to show that I had not informed him.

“No, I just hopped on the plane and flew here. I wasn't expecting this party to be honest” I laughed, my slender hands encasing the glass cup in my hand easily.

The man tilted his head with a sly grin on his face. “Just the best for you. It's worth it. You finally graced us with your presence after three years” he reminded.

I nodded solemnly and smiled again. “ I couldn't resist the sight of Paris which is why I stayed for a bit again”

“As expected. Don't you want to call Allen and ask him to come over? I'd like to see the both of you together after so long” the man said.

I shook my head politely but firmly. “He's at work now but maybe later. He said he's busy right now”

“Oh, well then, Maria. Have a nice dinner. Welcome back to the business world here physically”, he smiled and went back to join the party.

Old Grandpa who was talking to some businessmen looked over at me and beckoned me over, casually dismissing the men at his side like they were never there.

“Put a call to Allen, would you? He can't be absent on your first day back here” old Grandpa said immediately I was next to him

“Okay. I think I'll even go see him this night. Can I do that? Leave this party and you people to enjoy yourselves?” I asked politely knowing that he disliked when someone was intentionally chickening out of something.

“Sure. Come home quickly, will you? It seems there is a storm incoming” he said

I didn't waste any more time, I got into my car and drove off.

I was heading to one destination in mine. My fiance's home. He would be so happy for me. I wanted to talk to him about the country I had gone to and how I had managed the group. He had entrusted me with his company which was why I had not yet left Paris until now when I had finished saving his company from ruins.

About 30 minutes later, I was in front of his house and ringing the doorbell. No answer.

The lights upstairs were on though and I knew he wasn't a heavy sleeper. He was definitely awake.

My eyes darted to the gnome by the ground, remembering he used to keep a spare key there so I opened the door and walked in.

“Allen?!” I called out, above the rumbling thunder outside.

His house seemed to be in order as I looked around then my eyes fell on the shoes at the door. Heels? What was that doing here?

The sound of rushing footsteps down the stairs made me look up to see something that made my blood run cold.

My fiance was running down shirtless while trying to buckle his belt and right behind him, a lady in his shirt was walking down the stairs too.

Holy fuck.

“Maria?” His eyes widened and my mouth formed an iron 'o'. Wow.

“Who is this?” The woman behind him cooed, looking at me with confusion. A stupid slut who had never heard the name.

“My name…” I murmured as I removed the engagement ring on my finger. “Is Maria Rodriguez, bitch and bastard!” I threw the ring to the floor and walked out.

I was so stupid. How could I not have seen it before? Was I really that oblivious to how he had behaved? God, I was so stupid.

I stormed into my car and started driving blindly, the rain beginning to pour down in torrents as tears filled my eyes.

Crying, I struggled to keep a hold of the steering wheel, I would go home and tell old Grandpa what had happened.

The tears refused to stop and I felt like I was going to die from the way my heart hurt in my chest.

How could I have been so stupid?! The question kept repeating itself in my head.

I started seeing blurry, tears clouding my vision and my hands growing numb from how tight I held the steering wheel.

It all happened in a flash, I let go of the wheel in one moment and my vision blacked out.

Impact.

A loud sound

And the feeling of being flung across somewhere followed by the sound of splintering glass.

The rain continued to pour, mocking my situation.

No. No, this couldn't be happening.

I couldn't move, the darkness was beginning to take over and I wanted to succumb to it forever.

“Please…” I managed to choke out, my voice a whisper in my wrecked car then all went silent as I blacked out.