The heat at the party

The biggest problem is: I still care.

Bianca

My eyes welled up in tears as Stefano made his entrance into the grande.

His presence alone exhort power, everyone's eyes were paired at him including the married women who managed to steal glances at them as memories of us came rushing back.

I tried to suck it in but it was hard. I don’t know why this is happening I mean I’ve been very good at hiding my emotions but his presence alone weakened my hormones and it’s scary.

“Excuse me Beautiful, why are there tears forming in your pretty eyes?” A handsome stranger said out of the blue offering me his handkerchief... I nodded briefly in appreciation hurrying to the rest room.

Getting inside I locked the door, I didn’t know how long I stayed as I kept checking myself at the mirror… I don’t think I can do this; I won’t like to spoil someone else’s party.

Maybe I should just get out of here... I washed my face briefly and adjusting my make up back before walking out.

But getting there the announcement was being made by the other Handsome Billionaire who was with Stefano and happened to be the Winemaker, Finn Genrich.

I must say the recipes interest me a lot so I waited keenly to the end of the talk before tasting the wine and wow, it’s really soothing in the throat as music was played and I realized this woman with black hair kept twirling around Stefano as something arouse within me.

I didn’t understand the feeling not like I’m jealous but anger was visible beneath my eyes towards this woman not just any woman but Coco Winks, an American top model also a rival to Tirana.

I fumed in anger as my eyes almost popped out in anger at the next scene not knowing something worse would still occur as she started to kiss him.

Hurt was not the word, as if I was stung in the heart, that sight really hurt like hell I could not concentrate on where I was going before bumping at the waitress holding 4 glasses of red wine as everything spilled on my dress.

“Fuck!” I muttered silently

“I’m so sorry ma’am, please forgive me I’m sorry” She kept saying in an apologetic manner.

I nodded briefly because this already turned everyone’s attention towards us and one thing I hated was attention.

I lifted my eyes from my gown only for it to pair with a dangerous looking one.

I looked away immediately as the waitress hurried to get something to pack the shattered glasses on the floor and I knew it was my fault so I bent down to pick them up until a hand stopped me from moving. I froze.

Everything around me seems to stop as I felt the electric spark jolted in my body.

“I know you’re clumsy but I didn’t expect you to be dumb with it!” He fired at me pulling me forcefully away from the scene. That was harsh! And a blow to my personality. I frowned.

“You should have left me there if I was clumsy” I fired back, I can’t let him get to me then he left my hand abruptly when we were out of sight. Thank God for my balance I could have landed on my ass.

“Really? Do you think I did this because I care? I did that to save my asshole of a friend from unnecessary paparazzi the following morning not your ass” He snapped at me and walked away, that really hurts.

I mean was I expecting him to care?

No, but he didn’t necessarily have to spit it to my face. I don’t know why my eyes can’t just stop being watery.

“Babe” Tirana said from afar walking faster to my side as I tried to wipe away my tears but failed.

“Bianca are you okay?” She asked as I just hugged her and burst out in tears.

“What’s wrong with her?” another voice said …Claire as she hurried and joined in the hug.

After sometime I was happy they didn’t pester me on what happened maybe they all witnessed the scene too as they led me to the car with Ryder waiting for us.

He took us home and had some personal moment with Claire as usual before she hurriedly came back to me inside.

“Ryder told me what happened” She started trying to get a reaction from me but I was still silent.

“It will be fine go to bed early” Tirana added as they walked me to my room. Just before they could close the door I said.

“Tirana concerning the Alcan’s group contract please reject it for me” I said as their eyes almost popped out.

“What no way! Just go to bed we’ll talk more tomorrow” Tirana said and Claire agreed

“Exactly… you need sleep now” She added. I sighed defeated, I should know better that arguing with them would get me nowhere.

Hello dad-me

My baby, daddy is on the way to pick you from school- Dad

Okay daddy I’ll be waiting- me

Bab- as a loud shattering sound was heard at the background cutting my dad off

Daddy daddy daddddyyy- I kept screaming on phone as I suddenly opened my eyes screaming daddy with profuse sweat all over my face…

Oh God it was this same nightmare again.

I stood up, checked my watch only to realize it’s past 4 in the morning so I went to the bathroom, rinsed my face and came back sitting on my bed with puffy eyes.

Only God knew how long I’ve been crying.

I opened my side wardrobe and brought out my Key diamond necklace.

The necklace I kept for good eight years now.

It was a present to me for my 17th birthday from Stefano.

Yeah that’s the only memory left of him with me and I made sure to keep it safe.

This necklace actually helped me out of my nightmares then when I was young and it stopped and now again that it’s starting to resurface, it would serve me well as I wore it inside my pajamas and lay down back hoping to get some sleep.

Stefano

After the event inside, I popped into my BMW, I couldn’t help but think about everything that happened back there.

The truth is I went there because I didn’t want her to get hurt from those shattering glasses on the floor knowing the fact that she has always been the clumsy type but why did I even bother myself?

That’s the question I’m yet to answer in my head.

“Boss you seem afar” Ivan said bringing me out of reverie as I stared at him blankly, he knows when something is wrong with me.

“I really don’t know Ivan” I said as a matter of fact, I don’t know.

“Does it have anything to do with the woman in Red?” He asked asked as my body tensed again.

What the fuck is wrong with me? Then I nodded.

And he went mute. That’s why I like him. He knows when I don’t want to press a matter further and when to give me space to figure out the problem myself.

“Mr. Genrich was looking all over for you back there” Typical Ivan trying to change the topic to make me feel better.

“Oh that asshole will give me an ear full of lecture tomorrow for leaving his party.” I said with a smile as Ivan chuckled. Just then my phone buzzed.

Who else if not the bastard we’re talking about. I picked and placed it in my ear.

‘Where the fuck are you asshole?’ The loudness of his voice can really block a lot in my ears.

‘I think you find joy in blocking my eardrums Amico?’ I said not feeling affected with his glaring voice on phone.

‘Like I care! Now tell me where your ass is?’ He yelled again as I scrunched my nose

‘Trust me amico you care that’s why you’re worried about my ass now’ I said again to piss him off as Ivan just kept chuckling beside me.

‘Okay! Fine! Are you okay? Is there anything wrong? I heard people saying they saw you dragged a woman to the corner in a furious manner, care to explain?’ He said waiting patiently for my answer. I know Finn Genrich won’t stop until he get what he want.

‘We’ll talk better but not on phone okay?’ I assured him. After a long silence which I feel maybe he was thinking should he push on or let me go for now.

‘Fine, take care amico and thanks for tonight’ I smiled.

‘Goodnight’ I replied and cut the line. After sleeping in my suite for the night, I took my Jet back to Italy.

The following week. In my office.

“Good morning Sir.” Ms. Rennes greeted as I nodded briefly placing the morning document on my table.

"A report came from Paris saying that they need to expand the HAY hotel as the request to reside specifically there is beyond their control... More people less rooms available" she stated dropping the file that held the petitions.

"Is that not second largest built after the one at New York?" I Inquired to be sure again. Then she nodded frantically.

God knows how many tourists and travellers visit Paris alone. I mean a skyscraper hotel of 90 floors and 1200 rooms is no longer enough for tourists to reside in?

"I'll look into it" I said resignedly tapping my pen on the desk.

"Mr. Gilbert want to have a lunch with you concerning the construction at Florida" She stated as my eyes lit up.

"Arrange it right away..." I stated with a smile in which I'm sure she didn't miss...

I mean finally Mr. Gilbert agree to invest in my ongoing construction at Florida. I really needed his collaboration as he was one of the most renown billionaire at Florida.

“Mr. Molotov is already at the boardroom waiting Sir” She added and dropped the remaining files on her hands.

I nodded without looking up flipping through the documents.

“And the designers are here for the final screening.” She added as my eyes popped up at the revelation.

“Speaking of designers, you didn’t tell me the name of the last person on the l-” as my door burst opened. What the hell! I frowned when I realized it was my old man. I used my hand to dismiss Ms. Rennes.

“Figlio” He said settling himself on my leather sofa as I frowned at his habit of bursting into my office along with Cassandra too.

His dress was more of casual that I couldn’t help but wonder where he was going to or coming from?(son)

“Good morning Dad what are you doing here this early morning?” I said standing up, moving towards the leather seat.

“Must I have a reason to visit my figlio at work?” He said faking a frown. I nodded.

“Yes especially with this your attire! I mean are you going for your Golf practice?” I said and he smiled.

“Smart like Daddy as always, of course I was on my way and decided to stop by and see my handsome Figlio.” He said as I shrieked my tongue. Then he laughed. Who would believe that this my Stony heart of a dad could smile like this?

In the outside world, everyone sees him as a terror but in the family, we see the opposite. As a knock came in.

“Come in” I said to the person.

“Sorry to disturb you Sir, it’s time for the conference meeting.” Ms. Rennes said as I nodded briefly in her direction.

“I think I have to be on my way now, let me not disturb your meeting because as you know, I hate tardiness at work” he said standing up as I got closer to his side.

“Don’t forget to come home during the weekend” He said with a bright smile as I chuckled as if I’ve ever forgotten to do that before. Before enveloping me in a bear hug.

“Bye Dad” I murmured

“Bye figlio” he said as I shut the door behind him heading to my mahogany desk for the necessary files needed at the meeting before a knock came in and opened the door without waiting for my reply then I knew only one person could do that…Ivan

“Boss” he said in an unusual deep tone as I scrunched my face at him.

“What’s wrong?” I asked because that facial reaction held a lot.

“I –” my phone buzzed cutting him off… as I unlocked to check the message. It’s time Mr. Alcantara.

”Okay Ivan let’s go to the conference room, we’ll talk about this later” I said patting his shoulder.

He tried to say something but as if something held his tongue back.

---

“Looking at all the designs submitted...” Mr. Molotov started at the conference room and paused before sliding over the next page on the projector screen showing us different designs.

“Out of the twenty five designs, three were brought forward by the great experts in the fashion world.” He paused again sliding over to another design.

At first I wanted to look away but something glued my eyes back to the screen as I left it to devour the beauty in the dress.

“And out of this three again, this was exceptional, I mean this design held a lot” he said as everyone murmured wow among themselves.

“So to cut the long story short, who designed this??” I asked cutting him off as the whole hall went silent.

“Ms. Bennett” My secretary said as I faced her direction with a ‘who’s that’ look.