BEST TROPHY WIFE

ELENA’S POV

I turned from him, my food lay cold and forgotten as I made to leave the room, when I stopped abruptly.

“Here’s what will happen. I’ll be the best trophy wife out there. I will not work more than I have to. I will not go to work tomorrow, and when I do resume office, I will not be filing paperwork for you. I’d rather sit with Hilda instead. I will look good for the camera, and you will not, till our contract is through, until I allow it, so much as move an inch near me. Am I clear?”

I didn’t want for him to respond but I left him. I sighed when I returned upstairs to my room. I didn’t realize that with Damien Vance, things could escalate from a zero to a hundred real quick. But it was possible and it happened.

And now that what went down had happened, I could relax. And almost immediately, all the nerves I had not realized I had, with all the adrenaline rushing through my veins, all came rushing in full force.

I collapsed on my bed. I couldn’t believe I had the strength to pull off what I just did earlier. Not long had I closed my eyes, I had fallen asleep.

When I awakened, it was past ten, although my room was still dim from the drawn curtains. I sat up from my bed, to find Alfred walking towards the window to open the curtains. When he sighted me, I smiled. But he didn’t smile back.

“Hey Alfred,” I greeted, but he didn’t return it, bowing only after he’d drawn open the curtains and leaving. I wondered what was wrong. I quickly freshened up and headed downstairs for breakfast. Since I didn’t see Damien, I was sure he had already left for work, I prepared myself a breakfast of oats, berries and yogurt.

Feels nice to have peace for once, without Damien ruining it for me.

Alfred passed by and I stopped him. “Is anything the matter, Alfred?” I asked him.

He was reluctant at first, but then he spoke. “I couldn’t help but overhear your arguments with Mr Vance last night.”

Well, we weren’t exactly very quiet about it. He took my silence for approval and continued. “You’re scary,” he said, and my jaw dropped. “I respect Mr Vance, and I agree he’s been too harsh on you, but what you did last night put fear in me, miss.”

I threw my head back in laughter. “Relax, Alfred. It was just a fight.”

He shook his head. “I’ve known Mr Vance almost all my life, and all of his. He’s been through so much and tries to be menacing to cover his fragile interior. So he’ll come off as cold and mean. But last night was too far. I am worried about him, you’ll only push him away the more you act this way,” he advised.

I thought about it. I didn’t believe he was fragile, just a fucking asshole. “Thank you for the advice, Alfred. I’ll keep that in mind,” I replied him in a non-committal manner. That got him to smile a bit.

“Mr. Vance has left for work, he said to tell you he’d be back late. He also said that if should you need anything, the card is still on the table to use,” Alfred said and I thanked him. Finally smiling, he bowed and left.

As much as I didn’t want to touch his money, I wanted to do something fun today. Maybe I’ll go shopping, then hit the club by evening. Have a great time and loosen up, away from the grumpy and stuck-up Damien Vance. Fucking stuck-up, walking around like he has a bone to pick with everyone, with a stick up his ass.

I guess I’d have to spend his money after all. I’d work for it anyway.

I finished my breakfast and headed to the living room to laze around a bit and enjoy my momentary freedom. After watching a few channels on the TV and I was starting to feel bored out of my mind, I went to get dressed in shopping-friendly outfits. Putting the card and my phone into my purse, I realized one vital part of my plan was missing. 

How I’d go there.

I called Alfred again. “Umm, I want to do a bit of shopping, so I will be going to the mall. Is there an available car to use to get there?” I inquired. He said yes, giving me the keys to a black Venza. 

I made my way to the basement, and soon I was driving to the mall to get more party-appropriate clothes. Several hours later, when it was evening and I had shopped to my heart’s content, I entered one of the boutiques to change into one of the outfits I had bought, a short, black sequined gown with tiny straps for hands. It matched my purse and looked good with my hair. I entered a beauty salon and paid to have my makeup done, something light but smoky. When they had finished, I drove to the bustling parts of New York, where the nightlife was already bustling. Parking at a safe distance, I made my way to one of the clubs. The music was loud, and I felt the adrenaline with every boom of the bass. I ordered a drink and glanced at the dance floor while I waited for it to be ready. The drinks came and I downed them in one go, some feeling the high of the shots. 

I danced, letting loose a bit when a dude walked up to me with a drink in hand, handing it over to me. “Hey gorgeous, I saw you alone and thought to get you a drink,’ He said sensuously. He was handsome, a bit cute and I smiled, taking it from him and drinking. He smiled and took my hand, spinning me as we began to dance.

That was when I felt it. The grogginess kicked in, and I felt light-headed. What’s going on? I can’t be drunk with two shots of tequila and some sips of this drink. I was slowly losing sense of my surroundings, everywhere looking warped into each other.

I have to get out of here.