Chapter 5: Humiliation

Chapter 5: Humiliation

Aria’s POV

I stared at the bed. The scene reminds me of something. That red dress I wore the night I was bid like an animal, an item that could satisfy them.

Someone knocked on the door and it opened. A maid entered with her head lowered.

“Mrs. Montez, Master said you’ll need to wear it for the Gala. Here are the jewels he gave you.” She placed the box on the table before going out of the room. My gaze went to the box. I opened it slowly. I was surprised to find out that it's not just simple jewelry. Well, I can't deny that he could actually afford to buy this big diamond ring, luxurious earrings, and necklace.

I went in front of the mirror. Aria, I know this is not what you want, but you have to continue what you’ve started. Soon your effort will pay off.

I wore the dress that was prepared for me. This dress wasn't actually revealing and I feel comfortable with it. I also wore the jewelry he gave me. I gulped thinking how much it is worth.

Staring at my reflection, I notice how expensive I look right now. Of course, he wants me to act my part. He's Mr. Montez and he's wealthy, influential, and powerful. He doesn't want his wife to look ugly and poor in front of everyone.

I fixed myself, put a generous amount of makeup to look presentable. After I’m done, I went downstairs to find that he had already left for the Gala.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Montez, the master told me that his personal driver will drive you from there.” The maid from earlier said. I was confused. I thought we would go there together?

Maybe this could be the right timing for me to escape? I have a lot of thoughts in my mind. But what if I escape? Is he going to find me? Or worse, would he hire someone to kill me? But if I escaped, what about the money? How am I going to pay him for that? What about the contract?

“Mrs. Montez, please do not think of running away. Or else, if you do, the Master would kill all of us here.” My heart beat fast when I heard the maid beg me. He already knew I would plan to escape.

“I– I wasn't planning to do that,” I told her. I could feel how scared she is right now. How could he threaten these people! He's a monster. I guess I don't have any other choice but to attend that gala.

“If he doesn't see you at the gala, he would get mad at us, Mrs. Montez, so please be there.” The maid let out a scared expression. I let out a heavy sigh. It seems he already knew I was planning to escape from his mansion.

I walk inside the limousine with no other choice. I would never make anyone hurt because of me just because of my own desire.

I guess I just have to finish that one year of contract with him.

It took us 20 minutes before arriving at the said event. I look out of the window and everyone's arriving with their luxurious designs of dresses and those expensive jewelries.

I was so hesitant to get out of the car because I wasn't used to this kind of event.

“Mrs. Montez, we're already here.” The driver opened the car door. I let out a heavy sigh before getting out. My gaze familiarizes the surroundings. This gala was unbelievable.

I walk on the red carpet with ignorance written on my face. I felt a little bit nervous as I stopped at the front table.

“Invitation please,” the lady asked for my invitation. I opened my purse and gave it to her.

“Welcome to the Gala, Mrs. Montez?” She was hesitant when she read my name. I cleared my throat.

She smiled awkwardly and let me enter. My mouth was half open while looking around.

“What a great place,” I murmured in disbelief. My eyes caught these wealthy people chatting with each other like they don't have any problems at all.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized for bumping into someone while wandering around. I didn't notice that someone was already in front of me.

“Watch where you are going!” Her voice sounded irritated.

“I’m really sorry, I didn't mean it,” I apologized to her and hurriedly grabbed tissue on the table, wiping her wet dress before the wine spilled on it. I was busy with what I was doing and didn't even bother to look at her.

“Wait… get away from me… you look familiar.” I stopped and slowly gazed at who I bumped into. I was surprised but at the same time I was mad. No, I am furious. Even her—I could read how surprised she was to see me here.

“What the hell are you doing here?!” She exclaimed almost louder than the music.

“You! How could an uninvited person like you attend this gala! And wait… where did you find those cheap jewelry and dress?” She even mocked me without knowing the actual price of it. Well, I wouldn't be surprised because she actually doesn't know how to differentiate what is cheap and expensive.

“I should be the one asking how cheap someone like you is here,” I said firmly, almost wanting to choke her. She doesn't know how much I wanted to slap her right now.

“You!” She raised her hand wanting to slap me, but she realized she's at a gala. Her expression changed and showed a sly smile. I was curious about the way she acted.

What is she planning to do now?

“Everyone! May I have your attention please!” she smirks as everyone’s eyes focus on us.

Damn it, she's making a scene.

“Do you know who this woman is in front of me? She's Aria, the one who was sold and who ditched her wedding!” She emphasized every word.

People started to whisper to each other. Even though the event hasn't started, I know she's trying to humiliate me in front of these people.

“Look who's here, the one who sold herself. The one who ruined her wedding.” She glared at me.

“Gosh, why is she here?”

“How could she afford to buy that dress and wear that expensive jewelry?”

“I guess the news was actually right. She sold herself for money.”

“She's out of her mind. What is she still doing here?”

“Disgusting, she still has the guts to show up here.”

“Did she just invite herself here?”

Lianth laughed in my face, hearing how people ridicule me.

I was about to defend myself when I heard that familiar voice that I cursed so badly.

“Poor thing, who invited you here, my ex-fiancée?” Beside him was the traitor Lena wrapping his arm with hers. So they already publicized their relationship now?

“How awful, did you just actually use your body to buy those things?” Lena mockingly asked. Everyone laughed.

“You two actually deserve to be together—both cheap and cheaters,” I said firmly, which made them mad, especially Lena.

“Then, what do you call yourself? A whore? Slut? Selling your body for money?” Lianth interferes. Is she really trying me?

“You're still alive?” That voice—I closed my fist trying to control myself. She's also here. I will not ever consider her as my stepmother. She made my life miserable.

“Does she have an invitation letter?” One of the guests asked, not even sure or expecting that I was invited to this gala.

I turned around to leave because I can't take all their humiliation, but Dianne stopped me. She even pretended that she's a good stepmother to me.

“Who let you in?” she asked, but I didn't answer. I don't want to ruin that man’s name.

“It's none of your business.” My gaze went to Richard. This bastard even dared to show himself after what he did, claiming that he was the victim when in fact he's the one who cheated.

I look at Lena, this snake. I thought she was nice, but she's only been close to me to steal this stupid guy.

I treated them like family and respected them, but they betrayed me.

“Maybe you're here because you're following me. Don't tell me you can't move on? Aria, after what you did to me? I would never have thought of forgiving you.” Is he out of his mind?

All this time, he showed everyone that it was my fault why the wedding was cancelled. Dianne and Lianth even just let the rumors spread, while Lena didn't even bother to clear things out.

I didn't even do anything to them. Why do they have to ruin me like this?

“Even if you gave me the chance to change myself, I will never regret breaking up with you. You're a cheater! You're spreading fake rumors that I was the one who cheated even if the truth was you!” I pointed at him. His jaw clenched. I knew it was all his plan because he doesn't want to ruin his family's name.

“What nonsense! You were the one dating someone while you were still with Richard!” Lena interrupted. I laughed bitterly—how could she defend him?!

“Why are you denying it, Aria? I've seen your character. You always go out at night partying at the bar,” Dianne added. What are they talking about? All they said wasn't true.

“What? Gosh, she looks naive but she's actually not.”

“That's why I always believed Richard's family instead of believing her.”

“I can't imagine how Richard fell for someone like her.”

“She should get out of here.”

I don't know what to do. People often judge rather than find out the truth.

“They are lying! Richard cheated on me with my best friend. Dianne was the reason behind everything—why I was sold.” I was desperate to clear my name even though I know people would never believe me.

Dianne angrily stood in front of me. She gave me a hard slap—enough to wake me to the reality that no one here would listen to my truth.

“You're blaming me for something I didn't do?! It's your choice. Lianth knows how much she stopped you from selling yourself. And Lena, your best friend, knows how much effort she gave to convince you to continue the wedding for the sake of Richard’s reputation because you cheated on him. Do not blame us when your life was destroyed because of your doing.” I shook my head, unable to contain the feeling.

Are they trying to blame everything on me? Is that the reason why people judge me too much?

“You're lying! She's not telling the truth!” I couldn't just let them ruin me like that.

“Stop pretending, Aria. It was too late when I found out that you were cheating on me. I thought you would stop seeing that man before, but it turned out, you were still together for how many years. I begged you to leave him but you chose him over me. I gave you love, cherished every moment we had—but it wasn't enough. Never enough.” Damn him, how could he create that fake story!

“No one will ever like you! You're a cheater.” Lena suddenly poured wine on me. Everyone laughed while staring at how miserable I am right now.

“I think you deserve even better.” Lianth grabbed a plate of cake and threw it on me. I couldn't utter a single word.

I should be defending myself right now. Aria, what are you doing? Maybe I have no place here.

“Poor thing.”

“I should leave now if I were her.”

“What a waste of time.”

“That's absurd, she's enduring the humiliation just to stay here.”

Tears started to stream down my face. Dianne walked towards me and leaned until she reached my ears.

“Consider this as friendly advice. Leave now. Trash is where you belong.” She smirked and acted like she's getting something on the table, but she tripped me, which made me fall and stumble on the table.

“You! How could you ruin this gala?!” Lena shouted. She grabbed my hair and was about to slap me.

“Stop right there!” That familiar voice.