Today was the day.
The day the social world and media will see the tape. The tape we claim as evidence.
I was all ready and glamoured up. It was past noon and I was ready to leave.
I wore on my favorite dark red dress. It was long and reached the floor. The left side of the dress was designed to have a higher cut that showed of my leg. It was tight around the waist and then flowed freely. I tied my hair back into a long braid and completed my outfit with white heels.
Facing the mirror, I gave myself a small smile.
This was it.
Before I knew it, I was ready to go. This was really happening. Quinton had texted me and kept me updated. The big projector was set.
The celebration was outdoors so the fireworks would be seen when it hit new years.
The projector was supposed to be a simple slide show about the past three years of Williams industries, but little did they know, it was more than that.
Without wasting another second, I prepared to leave. My heart was pounding in my chest, both from excitement and nervousness.
I walked steadily to the car, careful with my heels. Pressing the unlock button, I slipped into the drivers seat and prepared to leave.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The place looked beautiful. The sun had already set therefore it was dark and lanterns were tied up in trees, and tall tables where set around the grassed area with bottles of champagne and wine. A stage was set in front of all the tables with a microphone set up in the middle, with a massive projector displayed behind it.
Many people hadn’t arrived yet. There were just a few men and woman in fancy clothing placing themselves at tables and pouring themselves tall glasses of wine.
However a full squad of paparazzi had already positioned themselves in front of the stage, all adjusting their cameras. I looked to my right to see several people beginning to arrive, so with a smile, I pushed my braid behind my back and began to walk over.
Walking over to a vacant table, I stood by it and poured myself a glass of champagne. Sipping onto it, I savoured the rich flavour.
Feeling a light tap on my shoulder, I turned around with the glass to my lips and raised my eyes at Quinton.
“Isn’t it a little early to be getting tipsy Victoria?” Quinton smirked as he grabbed the glass out of my grip and took a sip, placing it back down on the table.
I rolled my eyes as he stood opposite from me, the table between us.
“I am not getting tipsy Quinton,” I mocked and Quinton simply smiled.
Since Quinton was here, then surely Alexander would be here as well?
With that thought, I glanced around, searching for Alexander. Picking up my glass I casually looked over my shoulder.
Not seeing him anywhere I looked back up at Quinton who was already looking at me with a grin.
“He’s not here yet,” Quinton stated with a knowing smile. I narrowed my eyes at him and ignored what he said.
“Oh look there’s Marcus,” I dismissed as I spotted him near Max. My gaze trailed to a dark haired women that was held against Max. I raised an eyebrow as I recognized it as Catelyn.
“-and so is Catelyn,” I said tilting my head. Looking back over at Quinton, I gave him a nod.
“You don’t know me, I don’t know you,” I said and Quinton gave me a wink.
Holding my head up high, I walked over to Marcus who was speaking with a women. She had wavy red hair and a tight black dress on.
With a smirk, I walked up behind Marcus and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Marcus turned around with a curious gaze. Seeing it was me, a smile broke loose on his face and immediately he snaked his arm around my waist.
“Victoria! I was wondering where you were,” Marcus grinned as he leaned forward and placed a kiss on my cheek.
“So was I, I was looking all over for you,” I lied with a large smile.
He looked genuinely happy as he glanced around at the many arriving guests. He now stood to face me, the red head long forgotten as she frowned and slowly slipped away.
I looked over Marcus’ shoulder and smiled at Max who was facing me. However Catelyns back was towards me.
“Maxwell,” I called out to him, “-you also must be excited!” I smiled and Max gave me a big smile as he spotted me.
“Victoria! You’re here!” he cheered as Catelyns figure froze. I watched as she slowly turned around, her cold gaze falling onto me.
Max walked over and grabbed my hand, placing a small kiss onto my knuckles.
“Welcome,” he smiled and I returned it. Looking back over to Catelyn, I wasn’t expecting a greeting so I took a step forward and pulled her into an embrace.
“Ah, Catelyn! Looks like Marcus finally got in touch with you!” I said with a fake laugh.
Catelyns arms stiffly hugged be back.
“Actually, I thought I’d be back in time for one last ceremony, ” Catelyn gritted with a chuckle as she squeezed me tightly, almost cutting off my breathing.
I didn’t hesitate to dig my nails into her back as I also let out a small laugh, pulling back, as Catelyn grimaced.
“Isn’t that lovely!” I grinned widely glancing up at Marcus and Max who seemed oblivious to the whole thing.
Marcus smiled at me as he wrapped his arm around my waist, once more. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, another man in a suit came up to him, and tapped Marcus on the shoulder.
“Ah Mr Williams, you’re welcome to start your speech,” the man stated as he motioned Marcus towards the stage. Marcus glanced at the man and gave him a short nod as he smiled at the three of us.
“I’ll be right back,” Marcus grinned as we watched him walk towards the stage.
“Common Catelyn,” Max said to her as he led her in front of the stage to watch Marcus.
“See you soon Victoria!” Max called out with a wide smile as the two disappeared between people, to the front.
“See you soon,” I replied more to myself, in a whisper as I stood where I was, watching Marcus go up on the stage.
Marcus tapped onto the mic, grabbing most of the crowds attention. Fixing up his tie he put on a wide smile.
“If I could have your attention,” Marcus said into the microphone, on the stage, as everyone stopped and looked up at Marcus with wide smiles.
The paparazzi at the front already began their frenzy, as numerous flashes occurred.
“First,” Marcus began, “-I’d like to say a big thank you to my business partners, Maxwell and Catelyn,” Marcus said with a wide smile.
The crowd cheered and clapped as a few cameras turned over to Max and Catelyn.
Both waved and put on a great show as the two stared lovingly at eachother and gave Marcus grateful looks.
“I’d also like to thank all the companies whom have donated, and worked with us through out these years. Now we are at our fourth year in making of Williams industries,” Marcus said into the microphone as more people cheered.
Marcus however then paused and sighed, looking out in the crowd.
“But I must admit,” Marcus said, “-It took a lot of hard work to get where we are. It wasn’t easy. The money and business didn’t simply fall into our hands,” Marcus said with a shake of his head.
I looked at him in shock. Where people really buying this? They actually believed this? I glanced around to see the crowd actually looking touched and I couldn’t help but clench my jaw.
“But enough of this. Lets make a toast,” Marcus now smiled as he was handed a glass of wine. Marcus held it up towards the crowd and everyone followed his movements. I put on a fake smile and also raised a glass.
“Here’s too Williams Industries fourth year in making!” Marcus cheered out loud. The crowd let out whistles and several people clapped and wore large smile. The cameras flashed continuously as several people tapped their glasses against one another.
Marcus simply watched in glory. He looked so happy in the moment. Like he owned the world.
Another women in a short dress climbed up the stage and walked over to Marcus, whispering in his ear. Marcus mumbled something back and with a nod, faced back towards the microphone.
“Now we’d like to present a slide show, showing all of our achievements these past few years,” Marcus smiled once more.
My palms began sweating as I anxiously watched the projector being turned on.
Marcus got off the stage and walked back over towards Max and Catelyn, all wearing on large grins.
“But wait!” the women who whispered to Marcus said, “-the countdown is about to begin!” she cheered and the crowd all hushed into silence.
I glanced over to where I was standing before and spotted Quinton on his phone. Walking over I went back to where I was standing as Quinton hung up and opened his mouth to speak. However, just then the count down began.
“Ten!” people called out.
“Wheres Alexander?” I wondered with a frown.
Quinton glanced around and shrugged.
“He said he was here.”
“The slide shows about to start,” I mumbled as the screen was blue, loading.
“Five!”
“Four!”
Feeling a shoulder graze against mine, I looked up to see Alexander facing forward, staring at the screen with a smirk.
“Three!” the crowd cheered.
“Three,” Alexander repeated in a whisper and I stared up at him with a relieved smile.
“Two!”
“Two,” Alexander whispered once more as he looked down at me with a small smile.
“One!”
“One.”
Just then, numerous fireworks went off. Right at the same time of the video that began playing.
The giggles from the video was blaring out of the speakers and was overpowering the noise of the fireworks.
Everybody stopped and stared.