Love, Lies and Billionaires

Maren’s body tensed up the more she looked in his direction and even worse as Alexander had also caught sight of him. There was only a slight chance this night would go well at this point.

“Alright, stay here,” Alexander half murmured and disentangled from her arm.

She held him back quickly before he could leave. “Wait, what are you doing?” She asked, her heart now increasing its rate.

“This ceremony is being held in my honour. I get to decide who attends or not,” Alexander stated with the utmost seriousness.

“You can just let him be and he won’t cause any trouble?”

“Either way, he’s not invited,” he said and pulled away from her grip. She walked over to a corner and stood, waiting for the worst to happen.

“And how is everyone doing?” Alexander asked, putting on a cheerful face as he reached where the small crowd gathered.

“it is an honour to finally speak with you in person,” one of the young ladies amongst them said, her heavily painted red lips dancing as she spoke. She stuck out her hand for a handshake. Instead, he took it and kissed its behind while flashing her a smile.

Maren rolled her eyes where she stood. ‘He’s so dramatic, she thought.

The lady blushed and slowly withdrew her hand. The rest of individuals in the group said a word or two to him before he finally shifted his gaze to William, whose composure had been top-notch the whole time.

“I bet you’re having a good time,” Alexander said, maintaining his smile.

“As much as you are,” William replied, returning the energy. The rest of the group took the hint and slowly dispersed in different directions.

Alexander chuckled and took a step forward but far enough, keeping a reasonable distance to avoid suspicion. “You really know how to show up where you aren’t invited or wanted, don’t you?”

“You know, we haven’t really met after you made Maren suck your balls” he shot back. His grin was wide.

“Why didn’t you come find me? The way snuck your way to frighten a little boy”

“Oh, so I’m guessing you’re aware I want custody of that frightened little boy, Alexander”

From where Maren stood, they were out of earshot, but she could feel the tension between them.

As she watched them quietly exchange bloody words, a server passed by her, bearing a tray of wineglasses and she quickly relieved him of one. She drained the glass in one gulp and resumed watching her past and present.

She really didn’t know why she felt so uneasy, but somehow, she had become scared of William more than Alexander. She focused her gaze on William, whose dark green suit clashed with Alexander’s burgundy.

“The fact that you’re married to my whore of an ex doesn’t make you his father, Alexander,” William said. The calmness of his voice was not rhyming with his words.

Alexander shut his eyes for a second, sucking in the urge to disfigure this money’s face.

“You weren’t invited. What are you doing here?” he asked, not willing to exchange any words on that topic.

“Can’t I come greet an old friend?” He said and extended his hand for a handshake, but Alexander slapped it away. William chuckled dryly and looked to where Maren stood. “I see Maren decided to stay back to avoid any drama. Good for her”

“Baby, Mr. Blackwood is such a darling,” a voice said from behind, and a lady with jet black straight hair appeared. She stopped and eyed Alexander before grabbing onto William’s arm. “Mr. Blackwood senior, I mean,” she corrected.

“Who said I wasn’t invited?” William asked rhetorically, a victorious expression plastered on his face.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

“William, let’s go speak to “someone”” she said, emphasising on the someone.

“Oh my god, Irene,” Maren said, taking her place beside Alexander. As if controlled by some force, some individuals in attendance took out their phone and began taking pictures and murmuring at the same time.

Irene rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to do this, Maren. We can all just be mature human beings and not have this conversation,” Irene said, slight unease in her voice.

“I guess your definition of maturity is showing up with the man you stole from an acquaintance.” Maren spat, “You really do have no shame”

“There was never any love for you around here, Maren,” Irene hissed, a satisfied grin displayed on her face.

“You disgust me…”

“Gather round everyone!” They heard through the speakers, and they all turned towards the stage where Mr. Blackwood stood. Two guards stood behind him as he looked through the crowd.

Good thing he was quick enough to stop a chaotic scene from playing out.

Alexander walked towards the gathering crowd, but not after giving William a long stare. Maren turned back to Irene. “Just stay away from any other thing that has to do with me”

“Oh, you don’t have to tell me, bitch,” she replied, batting long, false lashes. “Run along now,” she added, waving her fingers.

“By the way, your dress is nice. Really expresses the depth your boobs can go,” Maren remarked as she walked away. She smiled when she heard Irene gasp in anger.

Maren walked over to where Alexander stood beside the large stage. But she didn’t speak to him as his entire attention was directed towards the stage. His father, precisely.

Cameras flashed as Mr. Blackwood cleared his throat. “My guess is only a few people here know why exactly I called for this gathering. Others just saw this as an opportunity to spend more money on outfits. And others are here for gossip.”

The crowd chuckled; guilty as charged.

“Anyway, without wasting much of our time, you all know I retired just a few months ago because of reasons known to the public.” He paused and searched the crowd. “But a rich man never rests for his thirst for power and wealth knows no bounds,” the crowd murmured in approval.

“That being said, allow me to bring to the stage, my son Alexander Blackwood!” sounds of clapping filled the hall.