~~
It was a legendary person who said the words, “When there’s a way to escape and you still don’t take it, ask yourself why you want to stay.” That person was me, Myra Collins.
And I had said these words to Zivah a week back when she had claimed that she no longer had feelings for Sebastian but she didn’t know how to walk away.
The truth was she knew exactly how to walk away but she couldn’t because she had feelings for Sebastian, feelings that seemed to grow every passing day. And feelings that she didn’t want to face.
And now after a week, she was using the very same words on me.
“Come on Myra, you only said that.” Zivah argued.
I glared at her. “Exactly, don’t copy me. Make your own damn words and quotes.”
She simply rolled her eyes. “You know you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”
“Yeah I know but I want to.” I picked up a peach off shoulder dress and a mint green long gown. “Which one?”
“Why don’t you go with red or black?”
I frowned. “Because they are so common. Nope I want something that-”
“-that will make Alex’s eyes pop out?” Zivah completed, winking at me.
“No, that will make me different from those rich snobby people.” I corrected. “So which one?”
Zivah paused for a minute. “You remember that dress you bought a few years back but never wore it once.”
I raised my eyebrows. “There are many such dresses Ziv. I am not exactly a party girl.”
She rolled her eyes. “The rose pink one with lace design and off shoulder?”
“Oh yeah! I forgot that.” I gushed, finally remembering the dress. It was a beautiful dress that I had bought around a year back, when I was a little depressed and Zivah had suggested I shop to overcome the homesickness. Spending $100 didn’t really help overcome the homesickness but eating chips, drinking cheap beer and watching Friends on the couch wearing the $100 dress, did make me feel a little better.
I took out a box from the end of my closet, opening it and admiring the dress. It was perfect, it fit the waist really well and came just below the knees. I grinned at Zivah as I twirled the dress.
Zivah grinned back. “Let’s get ready now.”
Tonight was a fundraiser by our company for young age education and mental health awareness. Alex Bianchi believed that every child if given the resources and proper education, could make a change in this world. And this yearly fundraiser was his way of helping the poor children get the best education. Along with the education, this foundation also helped children facing mental stress, issues and suicidal tendencies.
The help for suicidal people was what motivated me to attend this fundraiser. It was a subject close to my heart.
A few IT departments were always invited but there would be a yearly rotation for a few so as to avoid too much crowd.
And as I stepped out of the cab, I was in awe of the huge Hilton hotel in front of me.
“Good evening Ma’am.” The guard at the entrance of the hall greeted politely. “Your pass?”
I removed the tiny golden pass we had got, names written on it in black cursive handwriting. “Right that way Ma’am.” He pointed to the right where I could see a bunch of familiar faces.
“Hey Ajay.” I greeted them as I neared them.
Ajay smiled back. “Hey Myra, you look beautiful.”
I blushed a little. “Thank you.” I smiled at my other colleges until my eyes stopped at Athena, who as usual was frowning at me.
More than six months of working together and I still hadn’t seen her smile once. She was wearing a black gown and her hair were tied up in a bun, even with no make-up she looked stunning.
I smiled forcefully at her, mentally rolling my eyes. I grabbed a glass of champagne and stayed next to Ajay, my eyes occasionally scanning the area for any sight of Alex.
In that rich crowd, I noticed a figure in black away into the corner of the hall room, a figure weirdly familiar and someone I last expected to see here.
Ray Parker.
Without thinking I found myself following his direction. I hid behind the curtain so that I could peek inside the room. And there was sight I never thought I’d see.
Ray and Athena talking to each other.
And as my mind screamed ‘What the fuck?’ my mouth luckily had the guts to not make a sound.
“Did you do it?” Ray whispered.
Athena simply nodded. And Ray smiled, his flirty smile and before I could blink they were kissing, intensely.
I couldn’t take my eyes off as I saw their lips join, Athena bringing Ray’s face so close to hers I was afraid she was going to eat it. And when I saw their tongues in action, I cringed, finally facing away.
I sighed not quite believing what I saw. Ray and Athena? Since when? How?
Luckily I walked back to Ajay without stumbling and falling over my thoughts.
“-and yes the code is almost cracked but we still don’t know who could do it. It used certain privileges that a hacker couldn’t crack.” One of the team members and it was then something clicked in my brain.
Why that code signature was so familiar, I had only seen it once and I had seen it in a complex code. One written by Ray.
I almost gasped as the realization.
Ray could be the hacker.
“You okay?” Ajay asked, looking at my dazed face.
I gulped down the remaining champagne and nodded. “Yes.” It was just a hunch, maybe I could be wrong. And to blame someone without enough proof for such a scandalous crime would be wrong. I have to gather sufficient evidence to support my theory. And if Athena was working with Ray how could I be sure no one else was? What if this was a huge conspiracy?
I couldn’t share this with anyone, I had to keep it to myself. As Athena joined us back, her expression was stoic as ever and her nude lipstick barely smudged. Looking at her face, my mind riled with the memory of Ray and her kissing.
I took a deep breath deciding to head over to the washroom and keep my distance from Athena for now. It wouldn’t be difficult, she was never a pleasant company.
Where is the washroom here? I mentally groaned as I walked in my heels which were less than comfortable. Finally, I found the huge washroom. I washed my hands and sat on the leather stool in there.
I regretted it because just then entered one of the most beautiful females I had seen and of course Alex Bianchi’s ex-girlfriend – Diana Reynolds. There she was, looking exotic in a long silver dress that slit so high one could see the perfect long lean beautifully tanned leg. Her silver 5 inch heels clicked as she walked to the water faucet to wash her hands.
Despite my dislike for her, I couldn’t help but admire her flawless skin and well curled hair. Could I blame Alex for being with her? She was stunning! A pang of jealousy stabbed my heart and I finally looked away, deciding it was time to go.
Just I got up, Diana turned towards me. “Aren’t you Maya?”
I stilled, slowly turning towards her. She hovered over my tiny height. Looking down at me with one raised eyebrow and red lips in a tight forced smile.
I swallowed hard. “Um no. Myra.”
She shrugged indifferently. “Yes yes same thing. Alex’s bitch.”
I felt my jaw drop. “Excuse me?”
She crossed her arms, making her big boobs almost jump out of the low neckline of the gown. “The one who follows him around.”
I scoffed with anger. “I do not follow him around.”
“Look little girl.” Just as I was about to protest. She pressed her long manicure nail on my lips, swiftly making me swallow my own words. “Alex Bianchi is a billionaire with a status. Who are you? Some random girl from the streets? He’ll fuck you once, maybe twice if you are lucky but in the end he’ll come to someone like me, someone who understands him and someone in his league. Got it?”
And as much as those words pierced my heart and broke it apart. I knew they were the truth. He lived in an entirely different world, a world of fundraisers. I lived in a world where eating in McDonald’s once a week was a blessing. But that also didn’t mean she had the right to belittle me.
And like my father had taught me, when you feel cornered, screw with them more.
So I smiled, a tight forced smile and shoved my middle finger up her symmetrical face. “Don’t you tell me what to do, mind your own business, you slut.” And with that I walked out, my head held high and my feet trying best not to stumble and fall flat on the face.
Without a look back I entered the hall where Alex was already on the stage, making a speech. I couldn’t help the small skip of the heartbeat as I saw him. He looked ravishing, dressed in a clean-cut navy blue suit and trimmed beard and well-gelled hair, he captivated every set of eyes.
“As you all know this fundraiser has been going on since 5 years now. And it is very close to my heart.” His firm voice rang over the halls, not a whisper could be heard. He knew how to control his crowd. “This year we look forward to raising more than ever. Why? Because I strongly believe that education is the right way for a developed country. One of the main things they educate on is mental health awareness and how to cope with it. The money we collect here, goes to schools and institutes that guarantee the best education and help for mental health to anyone who is unable to pay for themselves. Taking our lives isn’t the right solution and we will help you understand that. We help you save yourself. There is so much hope and happiness in their future and if we can do even a small change to bring a smile to their faces, then I believe we have done a good deed.” He pointed at the projector behind him.
“Here are some of the kids we had the honour of helping.” And then played a small video of children and their journeys as they achieved goals that most of us only imagine. It was heart-warming to say the least. “Thank you everybody for coming here today. Thank you for your donations. And thank you from all the families you have helped and plan on helping.”
A round of applause rang the hall and I clapped too, a small smile on my face as he nodded at the crowd and stepped back. Almost instantly he was surrounded by paparazzi and camera forced on his face, people gushing over him and women drooling over him.
I ruefully swallowed the hard pill of jealousy. This is his life, Diana was right. I was just an employee and would always remain that way.
I stuffed down a few shrimps and with a zero appetite, I bid a quick farewell to Ajay and the team. “My roommate is down with flu, I need to go.” I lied.
Just as I was about of hail a cab, someone grabbed my arm turning me around.
“Mr. Bianchi?” I questioned surprisingly.
“Where are you going?” He questioned instead.
I shrugged. “Um home?”
He nodded. “But why so soon?”
“Oh um.” I tried to think of an excuse I couldn’t use the roommate one because then he would come with me to check up on my roommate. Luckily I didn’t have to think because from the hall came the silver seductress, Diana.
“There you are Al.” she cooed, glaring at me.
Alex let go of her arm, turning and smiling at her. “What are you doing here?”
Diana smiled silkily. “I was looking for you. Let’s go back inside, have dinner and then go back to mine.” Her nail grazed against his arm seductively.
I couldn’t help the next words that came out of my mouth. “Oh no thanks, I already have plans. Plus you are not my type.”
Her flirtatious smile dropped and turned into a scowl pointed at me, if looks could throw daggers, I’d be stabbed a hundred times. Alex stifled a laugh next to me.
“I didn’t mean you, I meant him. Plus you aren’t my type either.” She scorned, gripping on Alex’s arm possessively.
As much as I hated her touching him, I fought the urge to break her slim fingers. “So your type isn’t funny, smart and gorgeous? No wonder you are into Alex.”
Diana scoffed. “Whatever.” Alex on the other hand looked impressed even, despite the insult to him. She pulled on Alex’s arm, he didn’t even budge. “You go back in, I’ll come.”
Diana didn’t move, staring at Alex, not quite believing the words. She definitely wasn’t used to not getting her way.
Alex sighed. “Diana, I’ll join you soon.” He assured her, smiling faintly.
Finally the silver witch let his arm go, giving me a stink eye, she sauntered back into the hotel.
“Why are you leaving so soon?” Alex repeated the question.
I sighed, wondering what to tell him. That I was jealous and didn’t want to see him around those beautiful women and especially not around Diana? “I don’t feel that good.” I partly lied.
“What’s wrong?”
I gave the one answer that shut up all men. “Menstrual cramps.”
He tilted his head, scrutinizing me. “That’s a lie. I know your date isn’t for at least another 12 days.”
I almost choked on my saliva. “Wh-What?”
He grinned and winked. “So why the lie, hacker girl?”
I groaned in frustration. “Fine, I don’t want to see you with that woman, Diana. Or any woman for that matter.”
I looked down at my heels in embarrassment. Alex lifted my chin with his forefinger. As I looked up, he was smiling happily.
I rolled my eyes, swatting away his hand. “What?”
“You are jealous.” He noted with utter glee.
“Wow 10 points to genius.” I muttered sarcastically.
“How about a date instead?”
“What?” I breathed out in shock.
Alex was still smiling. “A date with me.”
I blinked wondering if this was a joke. But Alex didn’t seem to be joking. He seemed to be impatiently waiting for my reply. So I answered the only right answer I knew to that question. “No.”
Alex looked taken aback. He frowned in confusion. “Why?”
“Because you are you and I am me.” I replied.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“That I don’t want a knight in shining armour. I want to be my own armour.”
Alex shook his head confused. “I don’t understand.”
I breathed out. “We live in different worlds.” I pointed at the Hilton hotel. “That’s your world.” Then I pointed at the cab line. “That is mine.”
Alex blinked, trying to register the meaning. “So you are saying two worlds can’t collide?”
“No I am saying that if they collide then that will result in a blast.”
He looked down at me. “You know what I think. That you are running away from your feelings.”
He was right I was running away but only so that I could save myself from getting hurt in the future. “Goodbye Alex.”
Alex took a step back, hurt clear in his eyes. I wanted to tell him to step closer and kiss me again but instead I took a step back as well. He didn’t reply, he took a long yearning glance at me and then turned away, walking back inside without a glance back.
I waited for five minutes, not even sure why. Maybe because a part of me expected him to come back running and engulf me in a tight hug. Maybe because I wanted this all to be a dream. Maybe because if I got another chance, I would say yes to the date.
But then again, Maybe’s don’t get you anywhere. So I took a deep breath, swallowed hard and mentally scolded myself to not cry. Hailing a cab, I looked outside the glass window as I passed couples walking hand in hand, normal couples. They didn’t have paparazzi behind them, they weren’t famous, they weren’t filthy rich. They were normal.
And sometimes being normal is the best kind of weird.
I’ll never know what made me do what I did next. But after 10 minutes I found myself walking into the café Alex had first taken me.
There behind the counter was the brown haired muscular guy I had only met once.
I smiled at him. “Hey Evan, will you go out on a date with me?”