Chapter 6: The Award and Him

Maria's POV.

The car glided across the streets, and it was beginning to drizzle, and I hated it.

It was today; today, I had seen the man who broke my heart, who tossed me off like yesterday's trash.

The thoughts danced in my head as the car sped off to the National Business Hall, the most popular hall, which comprises a grand hotel; it was where the business gala would take place.

It was the night of awards to be handed to each business tycoon who had done so well over the years.

I wonder if he would still remember me.

I doubt.

He might think that I had run off with a lover or something because he never saw anything good in me.

Or maybe, he might think I was dead and struggling to find my feet.

I laughed at the thoughts.

Indeed.

The chattering of the triplets came into my head; I was grateful for it, though.

It helped push the stinging thoughts out of my head.

"You will take the kids upstairs," I said to the nannies. " I have rented a room ."

"Yes, ma'am”. They both said in unison.

I have been so attached to my triplets that I take them almost everywhere with me.

I just can't let them off my radar.

"Congratulations ma'am." One of the nannies said, a smile stretching across her lips.

I tilted my head.

"For making it to the top of the awards”.  She continued. "I watched it on TV, you were nominated for Best Renowned Entrepreneur."

"Oh." I said beaming." Thank you so much. I'm still in shock."

"You deserve it, ma'am, your hard work paid off."

I smiled in appreciation of their kind words and told myself I would increase their salaries next month.

The car pulled to a stop, and it seemed we were late for the event.

The parking lot was almost full, cameras flashed, and journalists were almost everywhere, trying to force answers out of everyone.

The driver rounded over the corner of the car and got it opened and another came with a small umbrella to keep the rain off my face.

The nannies and two bouncers made sure my triplets were safe and took them to the suite where they had stayed.

As expected, journalists crowded me and almost choked me with their questions but the bouncers managed to keep them away.

Soon after, the award ceremony began, the hall was also filled with so many important people.

Four years ago, I never imagined this would happen to me, that my life would change completely, that I would sit with very important people and be one of the best.

I sat in the middle pew, obviously by the stares I was getting and also the camera flashes coming my way.

I glanced around me, but he was nowhere in sight. I had gotten Information from a reliable source that he would be at the business gala and would also get an award, but it wasn't an important award; it was one of the lowest, and he was just a nominee.

"Have you seen him, Madam?" Patty asked me, she knew nothing about Ethan and the reason why I wanted to see him.

Well, for starters, I wanted revenge, I wanted my pound of flesh, for he and Susan to feel the heat of my anger and pain.

I wanted to see the shock on their faces when they saw me, but I doubted if they would still remember; a lot had changed, and I had changed a lot, too.

I hardly recognize the woman who stares back at me when I look in the mirror.

I also got angry a lot, and I couldn't care less; the triplets were my priority, and they were the reason for my existence.

And I would turn to an angry lion if anyone dares harm a hair on their head.

Clapping and cheers rose as a young lady went up the stage to take her award, smiling and striking a pose for the camera.

"It will be your turn soon Madam," Patty beamed. " I just can't wait ."

Deep down I was feeling a mixture of happiness and anxiety. I had waited so long to see him to give him an angry look, but now, as the award ceremony went on and on, I wasn't sure if I could do it.

To look up at the face of the man who hurt me.

"Now the moment we all have been waiting for is here. “The MC, Mr. George Town, said, his voice booming. " In order of nomination for the award, the Best Renowned Entrepreneur is Naomi Jackson...."

Cheers rose high up in the air, followed by clapping and cameras flashing.

"Maggie Stone, Thomas Witcher ...." He went on and on saying out the name of the nominees.

Then there was silence, which hung like a wet blanket; everyone could feel it, the anxiety, the nervousness.

"And the award goes to....."

There was a brief silence.

"Give it up for NAOMI JACKSON!!!! "

I couldn't believe my ears, I had gotten the award, it felt like a dream.

There was a standing ovation as I walked to the stage, tears of joy on my cheeks.

"We would like Ethan Moses Woods to do the honors by giving the award to Ms. Naomi Jackson."

In my excitement, I didn't hear the name, but I saw the loud cheers that followed, a standing ovation, and just as the cheers died down, the crowd parted for him, and I couldn't believe it.

It wasn't the way I was hoping to see him; he was the one who would hand the award over to me, and as if that wasn't enough.

I saw one of the triplets racing down the aisle, the nannies couldn't stop him.

"Daddy." He cried with excitement and held onto Ethan's leg.

The crowd laughed, finding it funny and cute.

Then Timmy turned to me and pointed and Ethan followed his fingers.

"Mommy, can he be my daddy