Chapter 6: Invitation

Vivienne

I could clearly remember the surprise on his face. The expression in his eyes when he looked at me and recognised me... The way he wanted to hold onto me...

'Why was he there? I'm not meant to meet him at all! I didn't want to meet him at all...!'

"Are you alright, ma'am?"

I snapped back to reality and returned my mouth to a normal state. I had a habit of chewing the insides of my mouth when I was anxious or lost in thought.

"Hmm?" I looked at the driver, confused.

"We've arrived. I've been telling you but you didn't respond. I thought you fainted or something..."

"Oh, sorry about that." I cleared my throat awkwardly and opened the door in embarrassment, climbing out the car immediately.

Just some moments ago I had been filled with composure and confidence. But the two incidents that occured simultaneously had made me feel a bit deflated all of a sudden.

I squinted my eyes looking up at the hotel I had arrived at. The bright hot sun from behind the building making it difficult to keep my attention on the building. The driver brought my carry-on to me and zoomed off while I made my way forward.

The grand hotel I had booked with the help of my Jacob was on the other side of the city, far away from the Blackwell Group. I checked in at the reception and I was escorted to my penthouse at the top of the hotel.

After closing the door behind me, I kicked my heels off my feet and sat in the living room. It had been a long flight all the way from Italy and I ought to rest for a while. But my mind couldn't allow it. I had a purpose in mind.

I opened my phone and checked the information I had already seen before. It was details about Marco and Belinda's engagement. My face crumpled in anger as I recalled the appearance of those two in my head.

Marco, who had cheated on me and dumped me like trash. And Belinda, who had contributed to my years of devotion to Marco going to waste. I wondered why they were still yet to be engaged after five years but I didn't care much about it.

It was a good opportunity for me to start my revenge. And I had plans in place.

Three days later, I walked into a mall and picked up a trolley, walking down the aisles of displayed products. I was wearing an oversized cream sweatshirt with big, baggy jeans, my hair tied into a single ponytail.

I picked up some things and kept walking through different aisles before I met someone and stopped in surprise. I turned around, trying to leave in haste.

"Hey you! Wait there!"

I stopped.

"Vivienne? That's you right?" The person speaking walked up beside me and stood in my front, a look of surprise on her face.

She was wearing a bum short with a red blouse, covered with a black leather jacket. I wondered if she wasn't affected by the heat.

"Belinda. What is it?"

Right. It was Belinda Cavalli that I had stumbled into. A big, condescending smile formed on her face as she stared down at me, even though we were the same height.

"Long time no see! Why the long face when you're just seeing me after five years?"

"Should I be pleased to see you?" I asked, trying to prevent my voice from cracking in anger.

"Haha!" She chucked as she swept her fingers through her long red hair. "You're acting as though we're enemies."

"Since when have we been friends?" I fired back. "If you don't have anything better to say I'm going to leave." I turned around and was about pushing my trolley toward the exit.

"Hah!" She sighed loudly. "So easily agitated, can't you just wait?” She grumbled.

I stopped again and turned to face her with displeasure written on my face.

"I just wanted to invite you for something. I and Marco are getting engaged this weekend." She said, flashing the annoying smile again as she extended an invitation card to me. "If you can come, it would be fun to have you around."

Her steps were light as she walked off with a smirk on her face. It was as though she was daring me to attend the engagement.

I watched her go and looked at the invitation.

A smile gradually formed on my lips. It all went according to plan.

My going to the mall wasn't just random. I knew Belinda was going to be there and I went to meet her there. I had made a bet on her character and she didn't disappoint. I left the mall with the invitation card in my purse and went back to my penthouse.

All this was because I actually wanted to attend the engagement. And it was in two days time.

The weekend came very fast. I drove a black sedan to the venue and climbed out of the car with gentle and careful steps.

I approached the entrance and the security stood in my way. I shoved the invitation card in his face and walked past him as he hurriedly pushed the door open, the clicking of my heels echoing to announce my presence.

The small crowd in attendance all turned their heads in my direction, silence descending in the hall. I showcased a small smile and looked around the hall.

My gaze wandered until I locked eyes with Marco who was standing in the front of the hall. He had been talking to some friends but he turned his head toward the entrance when he noticed the door being opened.

His sunken dark eyes gazed at me for a moment before they widened in surprise. I paused and took a good look at him.

He hadn't changed much in the past five years. He was wearing a black suit like most of the men in the hall and his black hair was neatly combed.

I recalled the day he threw me away like trash and my blood boiled.

He said something to his friend without looking in his direction and started walking towards me with an unflinching gaze, as though he didn't want to let me out of his sight.

Why was he approaching?

I looked around in irritation and saw Belinda also staring at me. She was seated and dressed in a red gown, her cleavage on full display. Her mouth was parted open in shock while she stared at me. Like she didn't expect me to attend.

Her head turned to Marco to see him walking towards me. She stood up immediately and wanted to chase after him.

Marco arrived first.

"Vivienne...?" He called out. I turned to face him.

"You look beautiful."

My face crumpled with disgust.