Chapter Four

I slept with my lover’s father.

There was no simpler way to put it and I don’t know, could we call that incest? I believe incest was sex between family members. Sleeping with people from the same family didn’t count as such and so I was relieved.

That didn’t bother me, though; what bothered me was the anger building inside of me for this man. Fire didn’t seem to like him because I couldn’t explain the anger. 

For the first time in a long time, I was dumbstruck. 

“How did you guys meet?” Micheal asked, bending to give me a kiss but I stepped away. He smiled at me, not at all offended. He was clueless of the tension that existed between us.

Capita Wales stared back at me even as his lips moved to answer the question. “We met just now, lost my way looking for the bathroom. I guess it isn’t such a bad thing if it meant I meet the person behind my Mikey’s smile.”

Micheal visibly blushed and I was irritated.

“Of course, I didn’t realize he was your father. He was not at all what I imagined,” I said with a confidence I shouldn’t have at all, my tone condescending and irritated.

I hated that I was seeing him here. I wanted him gone and it seemed like he felt the same, and also because a large part of me had enjoyed last night more than anything. 

When he had told me he would invite his father for my birthday, I had expected someone in his fifties or even early sixties. I expected a balding, red-faced, grumpy, and right-winged old man. 

This was not it at all. 

This man was drop-dead gorgeous in a dark grey suit, and his full head of hair fell over his face in an ordered and obedient way.

 I was charmed. But Fire wasn’t. 

“Father is Sixteen years older than me; he was a wild one back then,” Micheal said with a large, sloppy grin. “Still is.”

‘You have no idea.’ Fire said with irritation and judgement like it wasn’t her spontaneity that had led me to sleep with him in the changing of Sky club. 

Something in me stirred, and I wondered why that information would make Fire angry. 

Capita Wales didn’t take his eyes off me, and I didn’t falter either. He smirked a smile that judged and told me it knew I was a disloyal lover. 

“Well, that was a good thing in the long run,” I said in a voice that didn’t quite sound like my own and continued. “Ever married?” 

Why the fuck did I ask that? 

Capita’s eyes darkened and as quick as the expression came, it disappeared. “No. Just heirs and illegitimate children.” 

Liar! Fire screamed within me and I wondered what was up with her tonight. 

I gave him a sloppy, ingenuine smile, daring him to say anything to Capita. He won’t be just Fire’s enemy, he would be mine too. “Well, you still have time.” 

Lola opened the door and stormed in just as I took a sip of the champagne in my hands. The tall event planner in a white suit looked frantic and irritated.

“Miss Spears, your cue was five minutes ago! Why are you here Mr Wales?” Lola asked and I placed the glass on the table.

“This is not going as planned!” The event planner squealed and I bubbled with more of my endless supply of anger. 

“I hate giving tasks to power-hungry grapplers. It makes them think they matter!” I groaned, massaging the bridge of my nose. “Who says you can order any one of us in this room? Lola, you make me laugh.” 

Lola pursed her lips like a stunned fish. 

“Caitlyn ….” Micheal cues in, and I turn to him.

“Don’t object to my orders when silly employees are present. It gives them a false sense of security.” I snapped and he shut up.

“Go back in there and let the silly society people mingle with themselves. I don’t favour their company. I will go in when I am ready. It’s my party after all.” I finished and just like that, they left the room again, grumbling and stunned.

I felt cold eyes boring me and I turned to face the young father and son, wondering why Capita was watching me. 

‘I think he thinks you’re ill-mannered. Ignore him, he has worse morals.’ Fire said within me and I wondered how she knew that. 

“Well, gentlemen. Which of you would lead me in?” I asked them suddenly and Micheal stepped forward and took my hands in his, leading me out of the room.

Hot Papa Wales followed behind. 

“Have I told you how beautiful you looked?” Micheal whispered as he led me down the hall to the small stairs. We stood at the head of the staircase, and I turned to him.

“You haven’t. Bad morals.” I replied and he laughed.

“The angels lost an Angel. You look beautiful, Ren,” he whispered, and I nodded my head. 

Likening me to heaven and angels was ironic.

If it existed I wouldn’t be going there. 

“I am pretty sure you mean hell lost a goddess but I’ll take it,” I replied as we climbed down and the cameras flashed. Micheal smiled like the golden boy he was and I didn’t break a glare.

I picked the glass of wine and made my very short toast.

“For we will all be born, and grow and die. Happy birthday to me, let the masquerade begin.” 

                                    ****

Fire. 

I easily picked up the smell of fire, maybe because of my lifelong obsession with it, the starting and the ending and everything in between. 

I smelt it halfway through a discussion with one of my investors and I knew it was spreading. I waited for the announcement and like clockwork, Micheal and his father came to my side.

“Ren we need to get out of here,” Micheal muttered just as the electricity in my building went out. 

It was starting. 

‘Irony of life.’ Fire said within me. 

“Every guest should exit the building. There is a fire, exit the building! I repeat!!” The MC calledout in panick. 

Every head turned immediately, and the chaos began. 

I stood aside and watched them run out of my house, masks on their faces. I wanted them gone, didn’t I? 

“Caitlyn  we need to go!” Micheal shouted as the last of them left the hall and headed out of the house.

The fire was closer and heat was spreading. It was dark all around.

I turned to Capita Wales who had a troubled expression on his face.

Micheal pulled me along and I held my dress as the last of the guests hurried out, leaving only the three of us. 

The panic came now as I realized we could die in the fire if we were not fast enough. 

‘Poetic. I died the same way on this same day. Happy birthday.’ A voice said inside of me as we scrambled out of the house. My chest pounding fervently in my heart. 

It wasn’t my voice that repeated those same words but I know I said it seconds later. 

“Poetic. I died the same way, on this same day. Happy birthday, Caitlyn .” 

Their heads turned immediately to me when the words blurted out of my mouth.