CHAPTER FIVE

Desmond's POV

Four years now since Ava died. I'm glad she died, she deserved it, my career would have been destroyed. Tonight I will sign a contract worth billions with the Cohen Corporation.

My world will completely change.

I felt the corners of my mouth twitch, and suddenly a little sound slipped out of my mouth before I could stop myself. I covered my mouth trying to act like it wasn't there. 

When I arrived at the entrance, a man caught my attention. “No invitation, no entry” the security guard said, holding a velvet rope trying to stop him.

I smirked, handed in my invitation but the guards didn't need it. “ Who doesn't know you Mr Parker, the gala is held just for you.” The corners of my lips curled. 

Grace placed her arm around me and our shoes whispered across the floor.

The moment I stepped into the ballroom, my world shifted. Music drifted through the air, gold light brushed my arm, perfume lingered in the air unexplainably rich, heels whispered against the floors, and for a moment my breath hitched. 

“Could all this have been prepared for me?” I

“This is beautiful, only the Cohens can pull such luxury,” Grace said.

I had forgotten about the incident at the entrance but a man standing behind the table across the hall caught my attention. His suit was well-fitted, as if it were especially made for him. No companion leaning close, no glass in his hands. I would have stayed back but my legs betrayed me.

“Oh!"

"It’s you, the one who snuck in.”

He smirked 

“This event isn’t for someone of your caliber.” His brow raised. I continued, “Look around we have elites from top families, and most especially Mr Cohen is coming today just for me.”

His face brightened, like something funny was written on my face. 

“What are you laughing at?” I whispered.

His face brightened more, his lips curved, but his lips pressed against one another.

Whisperers echoed from all corners of the room. 

“Drag him out if he snuck inside, Mr. Cohen isn’t holding this gala for freeloaders." A woman in a red dress murmured” but he didn’t flinch. 

“I would have done that, but you see, this gala won't happen without me.” He said 

Laughter erupted 

“Are you saying you're Mr. Cohen? Oh please give me a break.” A man at the end of the room murmured. 

My eyes scanned him from head to toe, his leg was completely rooted to the ground like he owned the place.

The corners of my lips broadened as if he were entertaining and I continued “Mr. Cohen is the richest man in the city, so forgive me for being confused, why doesn't anyone seem to recognize you at your own gala?”

He clamped his lips and then released them. “ I get that a lot, not everyone knows me” 

“Ah ah ah"

"Big talks, let's see if you're still high and mighty when he shows up.”

His face grinned

Moments later, 

A voice echoed 

“The secretary to Mr Cohen, has arrived."

I smirked, “finally let's see if you're still big talk.”

Mr. Martins, the secretary to Mr. Cohen walked towards us, his eyes straight but something felt strange, he nodded his head at the sight of the man standing in front of me.

My eyes rolled in confusion. “Uhm… Mr Martins, I'm here, he's a no…”

The rest of my words died on my lips. Heat exploded in my cheeks, pain flared, sharp and raw on my face, and the crack echoed in my ears, silencing me. 

My eyes widened, my mouth opened and in my thoughts, what did I do wrong?

I caught every eye widen, every whisper as it echoed through the room.

“ I thought he was signing a contract with Mr. Cohen tonight”

I flinched my fist but stood still, lips slightly widened

“Forgive me sir” Mr. Martins said, facing the man with his head bowed to the ground. 

"sir?"

My jaw dropped, my mouth opened but not a sound came out. Then Grace's voice cut through "He paid Mr. Martins to act like this “

Another sting hit Grace 

A ripple of murmurs spread, heads turning between Mr. Martins. 

Mr. Martins shook his head, a sigh of relief, and then adjusted his tie.

“Allow me to introduce my…” 

he stopped mid-way at the slightest lift of the man's hand. It could have been missed but then he continued “ Mr Cohen's best friend Lucas” 

“Best friend?” I knew he was all big talk, a woman's voice roared. 

Then a voice cut through the hall

“This Gala was held solely for one purpose; to sign the Parker group contract with Cohen Corporation ” but unfortunately Mr. Cohen already closed the deal one hour ago and it’s to be given to RG Corporation.

What? I blinked my eyes, and my face turned red like it was burning. Heat beaded on my forehead, stinging my eyes as it rolled down. The air in the ballroom, once cool and expensive, now felt like a furnace. My lips parted, and I wanted to speak but the words refused to come. 

“Mr Martins, there… there must be a mistake.” I stuttered. 

Papers flew into the air, my contract gone. 

My heart raced, my mind went blank for a second, and my jaw dropped.

This was supposed to be the best night of my life. My legs felt weak, heat ran through my body and then something snapped.

“You, you did this.” My hands pointing at the man who snuck into the gala; Lucas

He grinned too brightly, almost pleased with the happenings. 

I took a step toward him but arms crossed my path before I could move again. 

The laughter that had warmed my pride faded. My cheeks burned, my hands clenched, the room seemed to shrink around me and for the first time in my life, I felt small. 

Then Mr Martins said those words that carry crisp and final. The music thinned, heels slowed and voices dropped into murmurs. 

I staggered towards the door, my vision blurring as if something essential had been pulled out of me. My heartbeat thundered in my ears and then it dawned on me that I wasn't in control anymore.