Sophia’s POV
The Baxter Shareholder Gala was a yearly event that always made the headlines. It was an invite-only party that the Baxter Corporation held to celebrate their shareholders as well as notable developments in the group.
To call this gala the most anticipated event of the year would be a gross underestimation.
How could Reid Prescott just spring this on me without any warning?
I stopped moving and fixed him with an angry glare.
“You didn’t tell me Jerry would be here.” I said keeping my voice pitched lower than I wanted to least a microphone pick up my words.
Mr Prescott gave me a tight fake smile that was obviously for the camera then he tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear disguising his taunting words.
“I saw no need to. He doesn’t matter to you now, does he?”
Unbelievable. How could Reid Prescott see no need to inform me that I would be seeing the man who had broken my heart and screwed me over?
I wanted to yell at him but I could see the unspoken challenge in his eyes. There was only one reason I could think of that was making Reid Prescott push me like this.
This was a test to see where I stood. If I was ready to take revenge on Jerry Baxter or if I still harboured feelings for my ex-husband.
I locked gazes with Mr Prescott.
“Jerry Baxter doesn’t matter to me.”
Mr Prescott didn’t seem to believe me but he offered me his arm. I took it and we continued walking.
The press was already worked up to a frenzy at this point.
“Sir, what is your relationship with the ex-wife of Jerry Baxter?”
Right. No one knew what the owner of Prescott Enterprise looked like due to his anonymity so to the press, he was just my date to an event hosted by my ex.
“Miss Sophia, is this an upgrade or downgrade of spouses?” Another reporter called out but I ignored all the questions they threw at us and finally, we were inside.
The building’s interior was far more exquisite than the exterior with warm lighting, golden chandeliers overhead and uniformed attendants on standby for each guest.
As an attendant escorted us to the banquet hall, he spoke introducing himself but I couldn’t hear him over the thudding of my heart. I could feel my anxiety building with every step I took towards my past.
I still hated the Baxters and Jerry Baxter more than any of the others but that didn’t remove the tension I felt at the thought of facing them again.
It was silly. They were the ones who had wronged me. If anything they should have been the ones feeling anxious about seeing me but here I was.
By the time we reached the hall, I was almost ready to bolt. The hall was massive with dozens of tables on either side of it.
The tables were draped with pale peach satin linen and a table setting for three to four people with most of the seats occupied leaving space in the center of the room for a wide dancing floor that was currently unoccupied.
Mr Prescott led us confidently to a table for two that seemed to be located in the V. I. P. section of the hall. How strange. Now that I thought of it, the party was only for shareholders, how did the CEO of a rival company get invited?
Before I could mention it in passing to Mr Prescott, I noticed the Baxters entered the hall.
Anastasia, my ex mother in law, was decked out as usual with Jerry and Kate at her side walking hand in hand, looking like the perfect couple. Together they were a picture perfect image of a perfect family.
I fought the sudden wave of pain and annoyance I felt. All these weeks of staying with Mr Prescott, I felt like I had mostly gotten over what they had done to me but seeing them again, seeing them happy, smiling and celebrating like they hadn’t screwed me over made me so angry that I saw red.
Kate cradled her baby bump with a proud smile as Jerry smiled down at her giving her a look that I would have once been elated to receive.
I looked away from them focusing on the drink in front of me as my hand drifted subconsciously to my stomach. I had been avoiding thinking about this but what if this child wasn’t for my one night stand as I hoped but for Jerry Baxter? Did that mean that we would forever be tied together?
As the Baxters moved to the high table passing by my table, the murmurs in the hall increased slightly and I could feel the stares on me intensify especially when Mr Prescott placed his hand over mine on the table in full view of anyone who cared to look.
Thankfully, the program kicked off almost immediately the Baxters were seated.
“Welcome to the Baxter Shareholders Gala. Today is a day to celebrate our shareholders that keep the group going.”
Mr Prescott’s hand was still on mine, an inscrutable expression on his face as he listened to the anchor of the event.
How long would I be able to hide my pregnancy from Mr Prescott and what would he do once he found out?
The next shocking words from the anchor brought me out of my head.
“We call on our newest member of the Baxter board of directors with a whooping twenty three per cent shareholding, Reid Prescott, to open the event.”
My jaw dropped and I could hear my surprise echoing through the hall in the shocked gasps from the other guests either from the fact that the identity of the mysterious Reid Prescott was going to be revealed or from the number of shares he held in Baxter Corporation.
Reid Prescott stood and an uncertain applause began as he made his way to the podium. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jerry freeze as he caught sight of Mr Prescott.
He looked stunned. What was going on? What was Jerry’s relationship with Mr Prescott?
“Thank you. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a reputable company,” Reid Prescott said with easy confidence although I was certain I detected a hint of sarcasm in there somewhere. “My lovely wife and I are glad to be a part of this fine celebration.”
He gestured towards me as he spoke and at his words, Jerry’s shocked gaze met mine.
Well, this wasn’t awkward at all.