CHAPTER 4: LOVE AND REVENGE

Lila's POV

Five years Later

I had never loved my life as much as I did right now. I had tried to get past it and tried not to remember but it kept coming back, making me angry sometimes even when I didn't want to think of it.  It's been five years though, but even if it's a hundred years I will never forget.

They might not remember, I was no longer Lila Vault but Selene Black and had made a name for myself in the business world. It has been five years of success, determination and hard work, five years of telling myself that I was more than enough and I should forget everything that had happened.

But I just couldn't, I still remembered it, it was fresh and hot as if it had happened yesterday and I knew the best way to get revenge is to get wealth, power and connections and I already had it all for and to myself.

I knew revenge will not only be fresh and hot, but also sweet and cold. I knew where I was waiting for them and just how to teach those two idiots a lesson they will never forget in a hurry.

My private jet Eclipse One, made a smooth landing on the tarmac and the hum of the engines subsided.

The wheels hitting the ground signaled my arrival with a little jolt that went through the cabin.

I smiled and let my eyes run through the whole space as I adjusted my designer sunglasses.

In order to mentally prepare for the day and everything I had been looking forward to, I inhaled deeply and reposition the cuffs on my fitted blazer.

Five years, it's been five years since I was the gullible and stupid wife to a man who never loved and valued me and saw me as trash, making me waste five years of my life with him, trying to please him and love him with everything in me.

But that woman was gone, dead, buried and forgotten and today I  was a fresh, sophisticated and a merciless woman in the business world.

The door was unlatched by the flight attendant and the stairs descended with a button push.

The chilly evening air, warm and sweet, hit my skin as soon as I stepped outside and it was a sharp but pleasant sensation.

 I was happy about it. It served as a reminder of my existence, of the woman I had become.

Behind me, a young girl's tiny hand was in the grasp of my best employee and nanny Hanani.

With quick inquisitive strides, the child — my daughter, Claire descended the stairs, with her nanny behind her.

She possessed the same stormy gray eyes that once held nothing but innocence as well as the same raven-black hair that I once had and she was lively than most kids her age.

The wisdom in those eyes was beyond their years and I loved her more than anything .

My daughter, which I keep hidden from Seth and he will never find out

Holding the little girl's hand gently but firmly, Hanani adjusted her coat and she was handed an ice cream cone by another nanny.

 I nodded to the child as her eyes strayed to me in an attempt to get my approval.

“You have had enough sweets already darling.” I said and smiled when she pouted.

There was a waiting black limousine with tinted windows.

 Wearing a dapper suit, the driver opened the door with a straight and dignified stance and made a slight bow to me which I find quite unnecessary.

 The rich, leather smell of the interior filled me as I slid in with ease. I rested my head on the headrest, quite tired from the journey and shut my eyes momentarily.

Hanani trailed behind, little Claire curled up between us fiddling with her wristband.

With a gentle thud,  the door closed, enclosing us in the car's peaceful cocoon and I inhaled deeply.

My PA Naomi didn't even wait for the car to move before getting started, she was another hard working employee but a talkative.

“You have a meeting with the fashion designers for the Elite Couture Competition in an hour.”  she said looking at her tablet frantically and then at me when I said nothing. “Mr. Anderson and a few other important business associates including Mr Laurent and Madam DuBois will be in attendance. You have a meeting with them privately after the first one.”

“Alright.” I sighed and glanced down at my wrist watch.

 “They are anticipating the last information regarding the sponsorship agreements.” She continued, her eyes fixed on the tablet as she kept scrolling. “ Also confirmed is your 8PM dinner reservation with Mr. Jason, your husband at La Lumière.”

Jason, my husband married for two years now.

His name made my heart soften but my mind didn't lose its edge.  He had saved me that night when all hope was lost and given me a reason to live when the world abandoned me to drown in the sea of pain and hopelessness .

 Though, I have not forgotten  what those two did to me just because I have fallen in love again.

While she was speaking, my fingers lightly tapped the armrest.

“ Ensure that everything is prepared for the contest.” I said cutting her off. “And also,  send Madam DuBois a gift, maybe something classic and perfect, it's her birthday next week.”

“Already done.”Naomi remarked,

 grinning a little. “ I followed the same pattern of last year.”

I nodded as my gaze strayed to the city lights that were glinting through the tinted windows.

Since Seth and Chloe had last seen me or maybe thought that I was dead and even forgotten all about me,my empire had expanded.

Now a formidable force in the industry that have the power to make or break careers, Sweet Stitches Couture was worth taking seriously and had made a lot of headlines over the years.

I now had it all: wealth, influence and power all thanks to Jason.

My main desire though was revenge and it’s all in my hand now.

Except for the occasional giggle from Claire next to me, the drive to the mansion was quiet. It was a  sharp contrast to the darkness within me, her laughter was gentle and innocent.

My thoughts were still focused on my plans for the next few days  as I held her tiny hand and felt the warmth of something pure.

“Mommy.” She said pointing out of the window. “ Will Daddy take me to the park tomorrow?” She asked.

“Yes, sweetie.” I answered

“And will I go to Hayley’s birthday tomorrow? And will you take me to the cinemas and to the—”

I laughed. “ Yes, sweetheart, yes to everything. Your questions are too many.”

She laughed too and then got distracted by something else.

I took a slow breath as the car entered the Mansion’s gates. The estate mirrored everything I and Jason had constructed over the previous five years..

I had risen stronger than ever,  despite the past attempts to bury me.

As soon as I walked in , the rich aroma of food and the air was filled with celebration. I walked in hurriedly and hated the fact that I was late .

He was the first person I saw, his thin sensual and kissable lips curled into a smile as his beautiful eyes met mine. He took a sip from the glass of whiskey, his eyes fixed on me like I was a goddess and he my subject.

“Happy birthday.”

 I whispered as I entered his embrace.

Strong and warm, his arms encircled me. With a husky voice he teased .”You're late.”

 I grinned.” I didn't notice.”

With the sleek table setting and the candlelight creating golden lights, the dinner was a private affair.

It was his birthday and he wanted something small and private.

“Happy birthday Daddy!” Claire said and jumped into his arms.

“Thank you so much, darling.” He said, smiling and he looked so handsome and I wished I had met him first before that silly ex husband of mine.

 Despite our conversations and laughter there was an implicit understanding between us.

He was aware of my problems. He simply remained by my side while I battled them, he never made an attempt to drive them away.

The birthday celebration was the best, all the staff celebrated with us, we blew candles and he made a wish then we shared a passionate kiss.

After the celebration,we ended up in our bedroom which was a haven as the night grew darker. His kisses burned against my skin in a familiar yet thrilling way.

I also allowed myself to forget for a while. He whispered my name as if it were a sacred thing and I allowed myself to lose myself in the warmth of his embrace.

 But as night fell and he fell asleep next to me, my thoughts started to weigh again

I wasn't finished.  I quietly padded out of bed and onto the balcony, I stared down at the sleeping city and the lights stared back at me.

Among all this, was the devastation of the two people who had previously made my life hell;

Seth and Chloe. I kept thinking about the accident. My car's uncontrollable spin on that wet bridge.

The way the world tipped as I fell into nothingness,the fear, the anguish. The pain and betrayal were still hot and fresh and then Jason came.

The promise of a fresh start, the warmth that took the place of the cold and the powerful arms that hauled me out of the wreckage.

 I ran my fingers over my jaw's faint scar. Jason thought that today I had returned from a business meeting.

 But he was mistaken. I had returned for them. My cousin , who was my own blood, had smiled as she saw my life fall apart five years after my husband had divorced me.

 I had planned, waited and assembled my empire piece by piece pushing my influence into the very fabric of the business sector.

 They will see me tomorrow not as Lila Vault but as Selene Black.