Chapter two

Audrey's POV

"We seem to have a little thief among us, don't we?" Alana said, her eyes glinting. I tried to calm down my nerves but I couldn't. Not when I was being called a thief.

"I didn't take it" I hate how weak my voice sounds but I kept my chin up. Alana laughed, causing the ladies around to also join in the derisive laughter. I've never felt so embarrassed as I felt then.

Being the 'joke'.

"The necklace must have gone to your bag on its own accord then" another woman said and the laughter increased causing those nearby to take note of us. I panicked as I watched the growing crowd. I had never been the center of attention before and this was clearly not a situation I would prefer standing in. Not when my fiance Michael had brought and his family was close by.

I rubbed my sweaty palms on my gown. I was thinking of something, anything I can use to prove my innocence. Ah!

"Don't you have anything to say?" Alana asked. Her eyes were mocking and for the umpteenth time since I met her that evening I was sure she held something against me. That won't stop me from defending myself though,

"I didn't take anything, you can check the surveillance cameras" I said.

"Bring it," Alana ordered with a smile. A security guard presented a tablet with the security feed. The footage wasn't that of the hall, rather it showed the corridor in which the restrooms were located. Particularly a scene where it seemed like I had followed the other lady into the restroom.

"As you all know there is no footage of private restrooms, but it is quite obvious that you stole it" Alana concluded by cutting the feed.

"Just because I went in with her doesn't prove I stole it. I wasn't even aware it was in her bag." It is so unfair, for her to just jump into conclusion. "You're right, there were others in the restroom." Alana spoke once more.

"However, the necklace was found in your bag, everyone saw that" I hated to admit but there was valid ground behind their speculation. Which would soon turn into a fact if I didn't do anything.

"The Marcelo family doesn't tolerate thieves," Alana said. As if on cue, two guards advanced towards me. "No. Wait!" I moved back.

"Hold on!" Thank goodness!

I couldn't express my relief as Michael appeared. He had a stormy look on his face as he walked towards us. I smiled, reaching out to him when I felt his hand, loud and hard, hit me across my face.

I fell. I couldn't help it.

For a moment I felt dizzy until the sting on my right cheek could no longer be ignored. I looked up, my gaze locking with the man I loved still with the hard look on his face. That was when I realized he wasn't angry with me but angry at me.

"Michael" I choked, holding back my tears. "You have to listen to me"

"Listen to you?!" He roared. I flinched. "You lying filthy thief!"

With each scorn-filled word he spoke, I died a little inside.

"I'm being framed, goddamnit!" I screamed, unable to hold the stifling feeling in my chest. Anyone could doubt me but Michael..... No, not Michael! We love each other! His derisive laughter said otherwise. He crouched until our eyes were on the same level. "Framed? Audrey look around, is there anyone here who gives a fuck about someone of your status!" His words left me gaping,

"M-Micheal...you..." I didn't know what to say. Not only had he not believed me but he had also mocked me. "I-I... am your f-fiance" quiet sobs escaped my lips.

"A liar? A thief? I, Michael Marcelo, have no such fiancé”

His words killed what little hope l had inside me. I was dragged out by two guards and the last view of the hall was that of Alana's smug look.

It clicked in my mind that instant. It was her. Dammit! She had made Michael and his family resent me. Made me look like a thief.

The guards pushed me roughly and I collapsed onto the floor. I had come here today with hopes of meeting the family of the man I was engaged to. But everything had gone downhill before I even got a glimpse of them.

And Michael…

I knew he must have been upset thinking I had stolen it. The evidence was concrete but that didn't stop me from hoping he would actually believe me. Hoping his parting words wouldn't sting.

The floodgates opened and tears trickled down my face until my eyes became sore and my knees felt like a hundred lead had been placed on it.

I was pulling myself up when I heard a familiar voice. I shifted slightly behind a car to hide. Inadvertently I caught sight of two figures approaching where I hid. It was the waiter that had splashed wine on my dress earlier and_ Alana. They were whispering but I heard my name being mentioned.

I fished around for my phone knowing for certain that whatever they were discussing could change things.

Luckily I had kept it in my pocket, my clutch was still in the hall. With my phone pressed tightly against me, I listened.

"You did a good job, you're getting another tip after this. Make sure you leave the Marcelo mansion after tonight" Alana's clear voice resounded.

"Is that really necessary?" Even with the same face the waiter who had trembled earlier was a totally different person from this one I saw now.

"That woman cannot return and besides no one would investigate what happened tonight"

God! I had been set up the moment I stepped in. Michael just needed to find out...

"You can either leave yourself or I will have Michael fire you. Both ways work for me" Alana deadpanned. It became deadly quiet. I almost had the illusion they were gone. Almost

"You can come out now" When did she notice?Anyway since it was out now there's no use pretending. I still had an axe to grind with her.

I attempted my last show of confidence and walked out.

"You really are thick skinned, hiding here. Are you expecting Michael to show up or what?" That stung because deep down, I did. But I won't let her see that. "You were behind the theft weren't you" I clutched my phone tighter, hiding it in my gown. "I was," she replied.

"Don't lie- What?"

"I said I framed you, what are you going to do about that?" She admitted it, so easily. She probably had no idea she was being recorded. It was time to burst her bubble, "I'm going to make sure everyone else hears about this including Michael" I raised my phone letting her see the recording display.

A hint of panic flashed in her eyes but it was gone in an instant. "That depends on if you'll actually make it alive to tell them" It was my own turn to panic as the waiter approached me.

Shit! This was the mafia, even a teenager like me might be able to overpower me.

As he came closer I raised my right foot remembering some of my high school defense classes but it was no use against a mafia. In one fluid movement he twisted both of my arms holding them in a firm grip against my back. With clutter, my phone fell and Alana's six inch heels crushed it. But my resolve wasn't crushed.

"There is no point in doing that, I've sent it to Michael." I spoke between uneven breaths.

"Once he listens, he will see your true colors"

Her laughter rang out in the quiet area.

"Michael? You're counting on him to save you? I have to say, you are incredibly foolish."

"What do you mean?" My question was answered when the car door opened. I stilled in shock as I saw the newcomer.