Chapter Three

                         Chapter Three

Emily left Ryan’s penthouse, with merely one duffel bag. Without a planned destination. As she was about to enter the elevator, Ryan called her phone. She didn't answer the call. He called again, and she declined, he called yet another time but she still refused to answer. 

Then a text message popped up.

Emily, please. Don't go. We need to sit down and discuss. I want to see you tonight at the gala. It is very important. Everything depends on it.  The deed has already been done and It can't be undone. Her phone rang again at the entrance. This time it was from an anonymous number. Her heart raced. If you need an explanation, I will be at the Astoria Crown tonight at 8 pm — D.K.

Damian. Looking at his initials frightened her the more.  She recalled what occurred last night and that made her very uncomfortable. Emily put her phone in her bag and walked out of the penthouse. She wanted a place to think things through so she checked into a boutique hotel across town. After an hour, she just sat on the bed staring at the mute television. Every headline was the same” Carter Holdings Abrupt Investor Gala”

Damian Knight is ready to make a massive announcement. The rumors of a takeover become stronger..

Emily became anxious. If Damian crushes this company, what will become of Ryan? Because he has committed his entire life to this company. Why do I still care? Her phone rang again. It was Ryan.

But this time, she answered it. “Emily.”

The comfort she felt in his voice made her jaw clench. “What?” “Thank God.”Please go straight to why you called me. I don't have energy for this balderdash.” “Please come to the gala this night.” “I won't.” “Emily”

“I said no.” “You will not comprehend.”

“You are correct.” I can never comprehend how my husband of three years crawled into bed with my closest friend.” “That was not the intention.” Emily gave a bitter laugh. “Is this everything you have to say?”

“Please. Just hear me out. If you don’t show up tonight, people will begin to make assumptions. The board will be suspicious. And the press will start speculating.” There it is again, no pain, zero regrets, just trying to save face.

“So this call is about me showing up, right?” “It’s about keeping your head above water.” “Damian is attempting a hostile takeover against Carter Holdings this night. If the investors notice that my marriage is shaky, it gives Damian an upper hand.”

Emily’s hand held the phone firmly.

So that was all there was. Ryan just needed Emily to be beside him as his world collapsed. “You no longer have the right to demand anything from me.” and she dropped the phone. Her phone beeped again almost immediately. It was Damian this time and he said just five words. “I know all of it.” and immediately, Emily gasped.

What is that supposed to mean? She contemplated what he suggested. Could it be everything about Ryan? About last night? Or maybe about her. Her thumb moved all over the screen. Another text message dropped in her phone before she could reply. And it says “be there” authoritatively.

And in some way, that made her even more worried than if he had appealed to her.  Her intuitions told her to escape and file for divorce. But she had lots of questions that needed answers. What was Damian’s reason for approaching her? How much does he know? She couldn't withstand the desire to find explanations so she chose to go to the gala.

⸻

The Astoria Crown gleamed like a diamond against the Manhattan cityscape.

Emily got out of the car in a lush-green dress that she had purchased a while ago for a charity dinner Ryan had backed out of. The ballroom was filled with Manhattan's elite society. The whole place smelt like money and real power. Ryan sat quietly in a corner unsure whether Emily would show up. And he lifted up his eyes and saw her, the nervous tension felt left his face and he moved to her. “You made it.”

“You expected this, so don't act shocked.”

He looked at her longer than expected.

“You look stunning.” rally frowned immediately. “Don’t.” The word struck him like a punch. Ryan spoke in a low voice.

“We have to stick together tonight.”

There it was again. Always the image.

Just the performance. “I don't think you understand any of this?”

“You have lost the right to staff there and talk about appearances after everything you did.” “This is not the right place for this.” “No. That this was meant to be said in our anniversary suite where I planned everything perfectly.”

Some of the guests who were standing close to them turned around. “Bring down your voice.” Emily almost laughed. The temerity. The ballroom was filled with audible whispers before she could answer. Just as the whispers stopped, guests began to look in a particular direction. Damian Knight had arrived.

He entered with calm, effortless command.

Black tuxedo. Broad shoulders.

He wasn't looking for the attention. He just looked the part. Emily began to shake inwardly. Then their eyes met and they held their gaze. He moved toward their direction. Ryan froze completely. “Knight.”

Damian stopped in front of them. “Mr Carter.” Then he focused on Emily.

And something flickered in his eyes. Recognition. Passion. ownership. “Mrs Carter,” he said it in an attractive way which made Emily blush. Ryan noticed.

His eyes rolled back and forth between them. “Have both of you met earlier?”

There was a brief silence. Emily froze. Then Damian responded. “Of course, we have” Ryan gazed. “What?”

Damian’s focus was still on Emily.

“We ran into each other last night.”

Ryan was surprised to his bones while fear engrossed Emily. “Can you clarify what you meant by that?” Ryan spoke up.

“ I think your wife can explain better”

Ryan turned and faced Emily with his eyes filled with terror. “Emily” She didn't utter a word. Ryan found out what he needed just by Emily’s silence. For a little time, he felt pain; the same pain Emily felt when she found him with Vanessa. Before any of them could say anything, Olivia Sinclair walked toward them with so much elegance in her silver silk gown and she broke the silence. Her timing was perfect.

She slipped her hand across Damian’s cape and smiled. “Darling, the board is ready for you.” Darling? The word sounded harsh.

Damian was engaged just as everyone said. Why was Emily so surprised?

She took a step back. And unexpectedly the room slanted. Immediately Emily felt the urge to vomit. Everywhere felt blurry at that point and she could no longer see things clearly. She held on the edge of the table for support but her hands slipped. Damian’s strong arms caught her before she fell to the ground. 

Ryan was standing across them looking at Damian’s hand around her waist and it clicked. Damian's grip was possessive like he knew how she felt.

“What are you not telling me?” “ What is going on between the two of you?”

Neither of them said a word. Damian slowly looked at Ryan and said “Ask your wife where she slept last night.”