Chapter 41: Gala Storm

Ricardo's POV

I turned the mic off and turned to Penelope.

"What are you doing here, Penelope?"

"I believe I've already answered your question and you're starting to make a scene," she answered with an evil smirk. We looked to the crowd and everyone's full attention was on us, "I told you, this is war," she added then took the award and mic from my hold.

She turned to the crowd, turned the mic on and started a speech. "Oh, wow. I'm honored to be here this evening and to be accepting this well deserved award. I started at PIT just some weeks ago but climbed the ladder very quickly and professionally. And I want to point out that being the fianceé of the CEO didn't earn me this award. I worked for it. Thank you and have a lovely evening," she stated.

The crowd clapped dryly and we exited the stage.

Immediately, I went to find the company's event director and organiser who had a frightening expression on her face when I located her behind one of the curtains.

"Janny, I need an explanation right now! Penelope Vant's name shouldn't have been in that envelope! And who the hell extended an invitation to her anyways?!" I asked with a shout.

"Sir, I take full responsibility and I'm sorry."

"And I'm at a stage of pique with hearing the word 'sorry'. I want answers, Janny, what happened?"

"Miss Vant threatened to have my job if I didn't do as she instructed. The Most Outstanding Employee was your assistant but Miss Vant had it changed to herself. I then gave the envelope to the emcee and he gave it to you for the announcement," she explained.

My blood boiled with rage. Penelope was set on making my life miserable and embarrassing.

~
After the award category, the floor was cleared from the tables and chairs and the upbeat music started and everyone started their grooving.

I went to find my date. Penelope was nowhere in sight and I was hoping she had left the building.

"Hi," I greeted Adani when I found her sipping on a flute of champagne.

"Hi," she responded.

"You saw what happened?" I questioned.

"I did."

"She's set on ruining my life. That award wasn't hers to take. She didn't deserve it. And I didn't want to make a scene in front of everybody. The last thing I need right now is being a spectacle," I released.

"It's just an award that wouldn't benefit her. Actually, if you ask me, it would torture her because everytime she looks at it, she would know she didn't deserve it and it wasn't meant for her," Adani spoke with greatness and made me feel lighter.

"You're right."

She responded with her luminous smile.

"You can continue to mingle at your event. I'll be fine up here," she said again.

"Nope." I extended my hand to her. She looked up with wide eyes, took my hand and stood, "You're coming with me. I'm not going to hide you up here like a secret."

"Are you sure that's wise, people would talk even worse than what happened at your birthday party. I'm your maid."

"You're my date." I linked my arm with hers once again and we left the VIP area and made our entrance onto the dance floor.

Eyes landed on us and Adani glanced around with intimidation.

"Hey, look at me," I said in a whisper and gently shifted her face to my direction, "Just look at me, okay?"

"Okay," she responded. My arms circled her small waist and I pulled her closer to me. Adani's waist matched the rhythm of the music and we started grooving, spinning and grinding without a care. It was until the song finished that we noticed everyone else had circled us and was applauding our dancing.

"I had no idea you were such an incredible dancer," I complimented.

"Thank you. I used dancing as a technique to escape the life I once had," she answered.

"You're amazing. One day I hope you'll use it to capture the life you'll be living."

"That's something to think about."

The music changed to a much slower beat this time. Adani and I swayed gently back and forth and everyone else followed suit.

"Thank you for accompanying me. You being here, on my arm, feels right. You know just what to say to make everything better."

"It's my pleasure."

We gazed into each other's eyes and a feeling of hypnosis engulfed me, leading me to believe it was only us in the grand hall and that nothing else mattered but us being like this.

*Clap Clap Clap*

The claps were getting closer and it snapped me out of my ponderings.

Penelope was looking right at us.
"Brova! Brova to you two!" she shouted.

Her interruption captured the crowd's attention and she was it as a moment to stalk towards Adani and I.

"This is what you were after this entire time. You made me believe I was imagining things!" she yelled at me.

"Penelope, control yourself and your tone of voice," I advised.

"Why, you're afraid your colleagues would find out you're messing around with YOUR HELP?!" she screamed.

The music lowered and everyone was staring at us, giving Penelope the attention she was seeking.

"The mighty Ricardo Parriston's date for tonight is his desperate maid!" she alerted, "The one he told me I shouldn't worry about. You're a fool for even thinking about coming here with someone like her. No matter how much you may spend on her outfit, how much of your sister's clothes she may borrow, she'll never be me!"

Adani left my side and stepped into Penelope's path.

"I don't want to be like you. You can call me all the mean names you can pull up from underneath the mat, you wouldn't break my confidence ever again," Adani spoke up for herself.

"Look at you, confidence isn't in the books for you, sweetie, you're Ricardo's rebound. A piece of exotic meat he was betting to have since he was in college."

"Penelope!" I snapped.

"What are you talking about?" Adani questioned her.

"You're not his type! Whatever he's showing you, it's just a phase. Its always been on his agenda to sleep with a black woman for the damn experience. Yeah Ricardo, I know about that bet you had with Derick and the rest of your friends. I just couldn't believe you're still set on it!"

Adani's bright expression faded.

"Penelope! That's enough! You've done enough and said enough! I want you the hell out of here before I have security drag you out!" I voiced.

Within moments, security was already there and they escorted her away without hesitation.

The mumbling and look of shame started and I led Adani back to my VIP area.

~

"Is it true?"

"Wait, please don't let her ruin this moment."

"Is it true that you just wanted to have sex with a black woman for the experience?" she questioned.

"Let me explain."

"Is it true, yes or no?"

"Somewhat."

"Get away from me!"

"Adani.. listen.. I..."

"No! I don't need to listen! She's right to put me on blast because of you, because she knows your phase as she stated. You just want to sleep with a damn black woman! I feel so stupid," Adani said and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Adani, calm down and listen..."

"It all makes sense now. Why would someone like you want to be with someone like me, huh?"

"We've been through this."

"I can't believe this. Everyone is probably back there laughing at me!"

"Are you going to let me explain or not?"

"Explain."

"What Penelope is talking about was a stupid list Derick and I and some other guys made when we were freshmen at college. Years ago. I didn't even follow through with it because I didn't want to be that person, Adani. I'm not that person."

"I don't know what to believe anymore."

"Adani, I would never do that to you. I would never use you. I would never hurt you."

I watched as she held her head as if she was having a migraine attack.

"That's what he said to me too before he did hurt me," she mumbled under tears.

"Adani?"

Then she took off like Cinderella at midnight.