The Heiress No One Recognized

The misplaced Heiress

Rule one in a world ruled by the wealthy: never enter someone’s life without knowing who truly holds the power.

Rule two: if the truth is out of reach, do not make a mistake you cannot undo. In their world, appearances are currency, and poverty is often just a well-tailored disguise.

And Gabriell just broke rule two.

Miaelle stood at the edge of the glass-wall banquet Hall, a half filled glass of champagne in one hand, and a diamond rimmed purse in another. Her obsidian dress pooled around her in sleek waves, the slit cut from her lush mid thigh straight to the floor, exposing just enough of her smooth skin.

Tonight was special. It was the night—her very own.

She glanced down at her heels, white Cesare Paciottis that she had picked with careful consideration of his taste in the brand. She knew he would be delighted to see how much thought she’d put into her outfit for the day in order to be perfect for the big announcement, for him.

Unable to contain the excitement bubbling within, she let her thoughts wander to the future they’d been planning together for the past four years as she awaited her fiancé’s arrival.

Just a week ago, Gabriell Keller had finally proposed to her, despite not having made a frivolous gesture while doing so, he had promised to make up for it.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t do anything special at the moment, you know how busy I’ve been with work. But once I get that promotion, I’ll make sure the whole world knows. I’ll announce our engagement publicly at their banquet party. I only need to get it.” He had cooed intimately.

Like the loving girlfriend she was, she’d agreed. Unwilling to trouble him whilst in his pursuit for greatness.

And now, he had it.

Or at least… he was close enough.

The promotion at the Aarhil Group was the opportunity of a lifetime. Executive Director at twenty-nine, wealth, influence, reputation, security. And the ability to gloat.

Gabriell had chased it obsessively for years, doing everything he possibly could to attain it, sacrificing sleep, relationships, and nearly his sanity.

Everything had started falling into place three years ago until the final requirement needed had been a recommendation letter from someone powerful inside the company.

Coincidentally, four days after proposing to Miaelle, he received the email confirming his acceptance into the final selection stage. Just in time too, as the banquet had been right around the corner.

Miaelle had cried when he told her. Not because of the money. But because she loved him and he loved her. Or at least, she believed he did. After all, he didn't know who she really was so he would've only been with her because he loved. Not because of THAT.

A wide smile spreads across her plump strawberry-colored lips as she points her gaze toward the grand entrance again. Her eyes gleaming with exhilaration at how far she had come. To finally have something she’d desired since she had been a little girl, something many crave but die never finding it—True unconditional love.

Her heart flutters wildly inside her chest. Just then—

“Members of the elite” the announcer proclaimed smoothly into the microphone, “please welcome our very own Mr. Gabriell Keller.”

The room fell silent, people stirred, straightened and adjusted their attires to look more presentable. Others however, could care less about impressions and more about who this uprising star in the business industry was.

Whispers spread like wildfire, Gabriell Keller was becoming one of the most talked-about businessmen in the state.

Yay, he's finally here, Miaelle thought to herself, smoothing a hand over the silky fabric of her obsidian dress. I best get closer so he doesn't have to search for me.

She stepped forward carefully through the crowd, her striking grey eyes latching onto the entrance doors.

And then he walked in.

Gabriell looked devastating.

Donned in a five-hundred-dollar tailored navy blue suit that swathed itself around his towering frame, showcasing every muscle to the watchers and fueling some people’s fantasies. The crisp white shirt beneath accentuated the matching silver cufflinks at his sleeves, while the black designer Loubitons clicked confidently against the marble floor.

Every eye in the room followed him, noting every single detail of his very being.

But the sight that stole Miaelle’s breath away wasn’t him. No. It was the slender arm coiled possessively around his and its owner, Mia Beaumont.

Astonishing in a silver semi-translucent slim-fit dress that embraced every perilous curve of her body, Mia looked like she had stridded straight out of an old Hollywood fantasy. Diamonds glittered against her cleavage, dark hair fell in soft waves over one shoulder. Her matching Louboutins clicked in a rhythmic sync with Gabriell’s.

And on her lips sat a smile Miaelle had seen thousands of times before, it was the smile of a pretentious backstabbing best friend.

Miaelle stood immobilized, the sweet smile she had sported so proudly slowly starting to fade. The champagne glass slid, nearly dropping from her numb fingers. For one horrifying second, her brain denied the ability to process what she was seeing.

“Mia?” She whispers. “No”

No, that didn’t make sense. Mia knew tonight was important. Mia knew Gabriell was coming to announce their engagement. Mia had helped Miaelle pick her dress for tonight. Mia had hugged her two hours ago and squealed excitedly about becoming her maid of honor someday.

Mia had also told her that Gabriell was busy preparing for the banquet when she’d called her talking about how Gabriell had said he couldn’t arrive with her there.

So why…Why was she holding Gabriell’s arm like that?

The room buzzed with whispers. Miaelle noticed it now, the stares, the curious glances thrown her way, it was a pity. Some looked amused. Others looked uncomfortable. As if everyone knew something she didn’t.

Gabriell’s eyes swept across the room before finally landing on her. And he stopped walking. For a minuscule split second, something flickered across his face, guilt maybe. But it disappeared so quickly Miaelle almost imagined it.

Mia noticed her too. The smile on Mia’s face faltered ever so slightly. “Elle…” she mouthed weakly.

Miaelle couldn’t move. Her pulse roared violently in her ears. Gabriell slowly removed Mia’s hand from his arm, though not quickly enough to miss the cameras flashing around them. Too late. The damage was already done.