5. Who is She?!

Anne woke up to sunlight on her face. The ceiling was unfamiliar…tis wasn't her apartment. She thought darkly.

She sat up quickly. Her head pounded. She looked down at herself. Still wearing the black dress from last night. Even her shoes were on.

The bedroom was huge. Where was she?

Anne stood up slowly. Her legs shook but they worked. She remembered pieces of last night. The club! The man who drugged her and stranger who saved her…and the car!

Her face burned hot. She remembered climbing into his lap. Trying to unbuckle his belt.

“I could die of embarrassment right now” she muttered to herself.

She walked out into a massive living room. The penthouse was empty. On the kitchen counter was a note in sharp handwriting.

(You deserve better.)

Her purse was there too. Her phone was inside with a cracked screen and seventeen missed calls from Donald.

The phone rang in her hand showing Donald’s name in the caller ID.

Anne answered.

"Anne! Oh thank God. Where have you been? I've been calling for days!"

"What do you want, Donald?"

"I need to see you. Please. I know I messed up the engagement dinner…I'm sorry. Hannah was having a panic attack—"

"You thought Hannah was more important like always."

"That's not fair…"

"Goodbye, Donald."

"Wait! Your father called off the engagement. He can't do that. We need to talk…"

Anne hung up. She turned off her phone and left.

*****

TWO MONTHS LATER

Anne stood in front of the mirror in her hotel suite. She looked different now because she had cut her hair shorter. 

She had her makeup done cleanly. And the dress she chose was an elegant navy blue one.

Her father had pushed her for the past six weeks. "You need to stop hiding. You're a Wellington. The heir to an eight billion dollar empire. It's time people knew that!"

So she stepped back into Wellington Properties, and attended board meetings. She got back to her family and made connections.

Today she was the guest speaker at the Manhattan Business Summit. Only top executives were invited. CEOs and founders who moved billions with a phone call.

Anne grabbed her notes and left.

The ballroom had five hundred seats which were all filled. Anne stood backstage waiting.

"Our next speaker needs no introduction," the host said. "Heir to the Wellington Properties empire, youngest board member in the company's history, and one of Yorbes' 30 Under 30. Please welcome Anne Wellington!"

The applause was loud. Anne walked onto the stage like a queen and began her speech about sustainable development in urban real estate. She spoke clearly and confidently. Twenty minutes later she finished to a standing ovation.

“Wow she is really a Wellington”

“Where has she been hiding?”

"She's so pretty and smart”

She left the main area to the reception which was in the adjoining hall. Anne was surrounded by executives wanting to exchange cards and set up meetings. She handled it smoothly until she saw him.

Donald was standing near the bar staring at her like he'd seen a ghost. Hannah was next to him in pink.

Donald started walking toward her. Anne turned away and continued her conversation.

"Anne!"

Anne didn't respond.

"Anne, I know you can hear me."

The room started noticing. Anne excused herself and walked toward the exit. Donald followed and grabbed her arm.

Anne stopped. She looked at his hand then his face. "Let go."

"Where have you been? You disappeared for two months. No calls. No messages."

"That's none of your business."

"None of my business? We were engaged!"

"Were. Past tense."

People were watching. They started bringing out their phones.

Donald's face turned red. "How did you even get invited here? Did you sneak in to see me? Because you could get into trouble because this event is for actual business leaders who've built something. You've never worked a day in your life! Come with me before security notices.”

Anne almost laughed. "Is that what you think?"

"I know you, Anne. You don't have to be this prideful! We can settle our misunderstandings now.”

"You don't know me at all."

Hannah appeared and put her hand on Donald's arm. "Donald, please. You're making a scene." She looked at Anne. "Anne, I'm so sorry. He's just upset because you left without saying goodbye. We were all so worried."

"Don't," Anne said.

"I just want you to know I never meant to come between you two. If I had known…"

"Stop talking."

Hannah's eyes went wide. "Anne…"

"I said stop!"

Donald stepped forward. "You don't get to talk to her like that."

"Donald." The voice came from behind them. The voice was familiar.

Anne's heart stopped.

Donald turned around and his face went pale.

The man from the hotel and club two months ago. The same man whose belt she'd tried to unbuckle in the back of his car.

"Uncle Hades," Donald whispered. 

Uncle? Anne's heart stopped.

Hades looked at Donald with cold eyes. "You're causing a scene. Leave my fiancée alone.”