Chapter 11 — The Grand Come back

****Megan's POV****

It was time and the show had just begun.

I stood in front of the mirror in the dressing room admiring the black glittering dress that hugged my body.

“Wow, you look absolutely stunning,” Kai said, walking in.

I spun around to see him staring at the dress dreamingly.

“Thank you.” I smiled widely. “How’s everything going out there?”

He made a sign with his fingers.

“Going great, you'll be called in soon. Are you ready?”

“Almost…” the make-up artist interrupted. “Sorry, I just need to touch up your make-up a bit.”

Kai nodded, winking at me. “Make sure she looks her best self as always.”

I smirked, shaking my head.

*******

An hour later, Kai and I stood by each other's side as the curtains opened, revealing us to the waiting crowd and elite as we stood at the high end of the stairs.

Arms crossed.

“Are you ready?” Kai whispered and I turned to him, smiling.

“Let's do this.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome the mysterious Raven of Raven Vogue, Megan Cassano,” the host's voice resounded in the large hall.

Kai assisted me as we cascaded down the stairs to the stage, adjusting my dress every step of the way.

The paparazzi had gone wild, flashes of camera on our faces.

I could already imagine the blog headlines.

“MYSTERIOUS RAVEN VOGUE CEOS IDENTITY REVEALED”

“LUCA CASSANOS MISSING DAUGHTER MAKES A COMEBACK”

“EX-WIFE OF JOE MAKES A COMEBACK”

As if reading my nervousness, Kai squeezed my hands, taking the mic.

“Thank you everyone for honoring our invitation. As you all know, Raven Vogue has long announced its launching, and we appreciate your continuous efforts. Thank you for showing up tonight.”

The crowd erupted into a cheer, I could see familiar faces that were acquainted with my family.

“We’d love to hear from our amazing Megan Cassano. I'm sure the guests here have a lot of questions.”

“She won’t…” Kai made to say, but I cut him off.

“It's okay, I can handle it.” Turning to the crowd, I said. “Sure, let's hear your questions.”

“Alright,” the host beamed with a smile, walking to the elites.

“Are you really the missing daughter of Luca Cassano? Sorry, you look quite different now.” As expected, a guest asked.

I smiled, already knowing that was coming.

“I am Megan Cassano, Luca Cassano’s adopted daughter.”

That sent the crowd into a frenzy.

“Where have you been all this while?”

“It's been years, why did you suddenly go into hiding?”

“Were your parents aware of your whereabouts?”

“What happened to your marriage to Joe?”

“Are you aware he got engaged to your stepsister, Miranda?”

I smirked. “One question at a time please. Meanwhile, I had already cut ties with Joe before going into ‘hiding’. I realized we weren't compatible and he and my step sister were more ‘compatible’.

Taking a quick glance at the crowd, I beamed with a bright smile. “That's my past, and I'd be glad if no one brought it up anymore. I've moved on and don't care if any ‘family members’ bothered to look for me or not. We're here for the grand opening of Raven Vogue, a new and fresh start for me. I'd appreciate questions related to my brand and, of course, your continuous support.”

I turned to Kai, who nodded with approval.

************************

***Joe's POV***

It had been a long day, quite late at night, Carl and I had been lounging by our suite's pool side.

“Come on, want a lap dance?” One of the girls said after countless rejections.

I looked her dead in the eye, then smirked.

“Pookie, go on, do your thing with Carl, I'm just fine.”

“Joe, don't tell me you don't think I'm hot.”

“I didn't say so, Jess.”

Carl waved her off. “Come on, snap out of it, the boss says he doesn't need to, meaning he doesn't.”

She rolled her eyes walking away.

“Ladies.” Carl smirked and I shook my head.

“You invited them.”

“Well, you know, once they hear you're around, they always want to come around.”

“And that's why I always ask you to keep my coming here anonymous. Now that I think about it, I think you just love setting me up.”

Carl chuckled.

“Well, you caught me, I just hate seeing you like this man.”

“I love me this way, so cut it out.”

“You sure?”

I sipped my drink looking out into the vast city lights ahead. My mind drifted to that one human. Megan.

“What's on your mind?” Carl asked, noticing the change in my mood.

I shook my head. His phone suddenly vibrated and he looked at me strangely.

“Don't get mad about what I'm about to say but… Miranda is coming.”

I glared at him.

“I know you didn't really tell her where I am, Carl, you know she's the last person I need right now.”

“Man, chill, just have her for fun, it's not like she's bad.”

“Call her right now and ask her not to come.” I glared at him, he paused for a minute then smirked.

“She's already here.”

“Carl….!” I glared.

“Honey!” Miranda called out from afar, and I glared even harder at the grinning Carl.

She sprinted towards us in a yellow matching bikini.

“What a coincidence, you're right here.”

“Yea… coincidence indeed.”

“Uhm, Miranda,” Carl sprang up. “You should sit beside him. I have a sudden business I have to take care of.”

“It doesn't look like he's happy to see me though.” She pouted cutely.

“That's not true, you know Joe, he's usually cold but that doesn't mean he doesn't care.”

I rolled my eyes.

“What are you doing here, Megan?”

“Megan?” Miranda paused. “Don't tell me…”

“That was a slip of tongue, I… just excuse me.” With that I walked away a bit embarrassed. What the hell was that, Megan again?

This was getting out of control.

When I got back, Miranda was pacing angrily.

“So this was the reason you suddenly started acting icy?” Miranda glared, and Carl had his eyes the other way.

“What are we talking about?”

“I don't know, you tell me, what's with the talk about Megan?”

"Megan, that was a slip of tongue, really.”

“Wow, here we go again, are you aware she's back in town?”

I paused for a second, struggling to process her words.

“What did you just say?”

She shook her head angrily, pushing her phone scream right into my face.

“This!”

And right on the screen were glaring headlines.

“MEGAN CASSANO SHOWS UP AFTER YEARS OF GOING MISSING”

“MEGAN CASSANO SAYS JOE'S HER PAST AND WOULD WANT NO INVOLVEMENT WITH HIM”

Right at that moment, she appeared.

Her face had completely transformed, her skin, her body, everything had completely changed, like she had undergone a complete personality and look transformation.

“That's my past, and I'd be glad if no one brings it up anymore. I've moved on and don't care if any ‘family members’ bother looking for me or not. We're here for the grand opening of Raven Vogue, a new and fresh start for me….”

Her voice boomed from the phone and I clutched it tight.

“No, Megan, I did look everywhere for you, I searched everywhere!”

Miranda snatched the phone from me, completely disgusted.

“I can't believe you, Joe, what are you saying?!”

“Just what you heard, Miranda,” and with that I stormed out heading to absolutely nowhere.