Chapter 6

VERA’S POV

It was the day of my welcome celebration and also my birthday.

I was swept into a whirlwind; maids surrounded me from every direction, holding dresses, shoes, accessories; all provided by my brothers and my father, like they have been preparing for this all their lives.

“Princess, which gown would you like to wear?”

Four maids held four different gowns of different colours in front of me. They all looked pretty and I didn't know which one to pick.

After much deliberation, I picked the sparkling blue ball gown.

I was dolled up with make-up, sparkling diamonds on my neck, ears and wrist. My hair was curled like a Disney princess hairdo.

I've never been this pampered and adorned like this in my life.

After everything was completed, I stood in front of the mirror and I could barely recognize myself.

I looked stunning, I didn't have anyone to tell me that. I looked like I had just stepped out of a royal portrait, a woman dressed in power.

I saw Anthony’s name on the guestlist, and the image of his soon to be shattered face played in my mind.

“This is the beginning of my reign, Anthony,” I whispered to myself, “And the beginning of your doom.”

**********

The ballroom was decorated with luxury, glowing lights, and it almost felt like a royal wedding was going to take place here.

But it was all for me. The precious jewel of the Hudson's family.

The party started and the room was filled with a lot of distinguished guests. Some I'm familiar with and some new faces.

Mr Hudson introduced me as his long lost daughter Jewel Hudson and I was presented with a lot of gifts from the guests.

My brothers introduced me to their different groups of friends.

The moment Anthony walked into the room, I felt it, like my body recognised the way it used to react to him. Except tonight, I wasn’t at his mercy; I owned the room.

The second he saw me, his eyes widened in shock and he froze. Color drained from his face as if he had just walked into his own funeral; because he had.

I only lifted my champagne flute, slowly, deliberately, and winked at Anthony from across the hall.

His entire face collapsed.

I wanted to laugh but I held it in.

“Who’s the sour-faced stranger staring like he swallowed a cactus?” Russell muttered, leaning close. “Do you know him?”

“I don't think so,” I said with a light shrug, turning my attention back to the family members showering me with affection I still wasn’t used to.

I watched Anthony make several failed attempts to reach me but other guests kept getting in the way and my brothers kept pulling me everywhere to introduce me to people.

I enjoyed watching Anthony’s desperate and frustrated faces as he kept missing me.

I moved gracefully across the room, letting my dress shimmer under the chandelier, letting wealth cling to my skin, the same wealth he used to mock me and treat me like I was nothing.

But the tables flipped overnight.

His eyes followed me the entire time, heavy, anxious, begging for a moment.

When he finally approached Roman Hudson, my big brother, he bowed politely, “Good evening, Mr Hudson.”

It was easy for him to meet Roman because he has been pushing for a deal with his company.

Roman beamed, full of excitement. “Anthony! I'm glad you could make it. Meet my sister, Our princess Jewel.”

He stepped aside, gesturing toward me.

I turned slightly, pretending to be surprised by the introduction.

Anthony extended a hand, “Welcome back, Miss Jewel Hudson.”

I placed my hand in his and bowed politely, “Likewise, Mr….”  I trailed, waiting for an introduction.

“Anthony Voss.” He responded.

“Oh, nice to meet you, Mr Voss.” The handshake was stiff as our gazes held each other's.

His eyes were begging. He knew he was going to be doomed if my brothers knew about us.

I just gave him a satisfactory smirk and walked away. But still close enough to hear what Roman said to him.

“We owe her a lot. She had a rough life in the past twenty three years,” Roman said, “But I'm going to punish whoever gave her pain, especially her husband and the man who raised her.

“Do…do you know who he is?” Anthony stuttered.

Roman shook his head, “For some reasons, she's not telling us who he is.” he said with disappointment in his tone. “But I want you to do something for me Anthony,”

“What is it?” Anthony asked in a trembling whisper.

Roman placed a hand on his shoulder, “Find out who her husband is. The bastard who hurt her. If you do, we can move forward with the deal.”

“How am I supposed to do that?” Anthony’s voice rose higher before it dropped back to a whisper, “I mean…there's no way I can find out who it is, if she's not willing to disclose his identity. There must be a reason for that, don't you think?”

“She might still be in love with him.” he concluded

I rolled my eyes and scoffed before wandering off to greet guests.

By the end of the event, the brothers were busy with guests, and that was when Anthony finally made his move.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me to the side, carefully and he looked around with a smile to avoid suspicions like he was just chatting with me.

His voice trembled. “Vera… please… don’t. Don’t tell them.”

I raised a brow. “Tell them what?”

“That I’m… I’m your husband.”

I sipped my champagne slowly. “Oh, that.”

“Please,” he whispered, desperation leaking into every syllable. “You don’t understand what they could do to me.”

“Oh, trust me,” I said. “I do.”

He grabbed my hand, “Vera, please, I'm begging you. I'll do anything, just don't let them find out. We could still work things out.”

I pulled my hands away, and rolled my hands, “First of all, it's not Vera, its Jewel. Jewel Hudson.” I said the last part with emphasis.

“Yeah, right. Jewel Hudson.”

I looked around and saw that there were paparazzi everywhere. A smirk curled up my lips and I crossed my arms slowly.

“You'd do anything?”

“Yes,” he breathed. “Anything.”

I smiled, devilishly, “Then here are my terms.”