Chapter 68 - RECOGNIZE
There was something dangerous about the man…. Almost ominous. After looking at his piercing blue eyes I knew that moment he couldn't be trusted. There was something about him that warned me to be cautious, I could compare him to a traitorous predator, ready to rip his innocent prey to pieces behind its back. He was a stranger….But it felt as if I have known him my whole life. A part of me screams to be on guard. Behind those seemingly innocent faces lies a man with the deepest darkest secret which he kept locked into Pandora's box to hide the truth forever, no one has access except himself.
I recovered first, pulled a mask of paper blank expression, and held my chin upward. Father's words flashed in my thoughts, 'You're a Crawford now…. You have nothing to fear, always put in mind that fame, power, and money are all yours. You're no ordinary woman, they should fear you and not the otherwise.' My father was right, I thought as I gave Mr. Vince Greyson the sweetest smile I could muster. "Nice meeting you Sir," I replied, overwhelming satisfaction rushed through me at the sight of his face contorting with shock and disbelief.
For a moment, he lost his composure, his fingers held to the chair seated next to him for support.?Somehow after hearing me speak, his shock tripled as if my voice confirmed his greatest fears. My chin tilted defiantly. I lifted my fingers so I could hold my hands to him for formalities. In the process, I became aware of the champagne glass I'm absentmindedly holding. I took a step forward and tripped, my fault I wasn't cautious. Marcus was quick enough to hold me still but it was too late, he saved me from the fall but Mr. Vince Greysons expensive tuxedo did not.
"F*ck!" He screamed after snapping out of trance, He was furious, there was a murderous glint upon his blue eyes. To my surprise, I didn't feel a bit scared… not even fear. Instead, I could feel a surprising amount of satisfaction for staining his favorite tuxedo that must have cost him a fortune. My only concern is I got the wrong place to pour the champagne, I should have aimed it on his face. At this point, his loud cursing attracted too much unwanted attention. The incident would no doubt spread like wildfire tomorrow.
I opened my clutch bag, fumbled for my handkerchief, and hurriedly wiped the stain on the cloth, "Please do forgive me, Mr. Vince Greyson. This is entirely my fault I tripped on the floor." I mumbled apologetically as I hastily found a way to dry the wet garment. But instead of helping to erase the stain, the champagne spread further. His expression darkened. Without another word he hurriedly left the scene. I swear, I never felt so satisfied until I watched him walk out. He was seriously pissed off but it only soared my mood higher.
I just proved how talented I am.
The girl he was with, briskly followed Vince Greyson, but before she did, she monetarily stopped to throw me a deadly glare. I shrugged my shoulders while watching her follow the man.
"That was a nice act, Darling." It was Marcus. When I lifted my gaze to him his eyes were wide with admiration. It twinkled with playfulness and mirth. He looked supportive, he was perceptive enough to realize that the 'incident' was no accident.
"I don't like the man." All my attempt to summon a lie failed miserably. I decided to tell him the truth. A man as sensitive as Marcus gave me no chance to tell a lie that would appear believable to a man as intelligent as he.
"Me too." He replied without filters when we got back to our seats. He looked pleased. He did not bother to conceal the boyish green spreading on his cheeks.
His response was unexpected. He now got my full attention. It took me a moment to digest his words. "You don't like him?" I lowered my voice in case someone nearby was listening.
"No." He lifted the champagne glass into his mouth.
"Why?"
"Vince Greyson just arrived here in Cordova just recently... Heard he attended a business meeting. Just from first glance, I knew I didn't like him and I would never arrive at the point I would like him.?He was a cunning man. The birthday celebrant was his girlfriend. Some say he was married to his older brother's ex-girlfriend but no one could prove the truth. Even if he was not what I thought, but still I don't like the man."
I nod my head sympathetically. Marcus sensed the negative vibe I felt towards Vince. At least I wasn't alone, there's someone aside from me who dislikes the man.
Marcus sensed my discomfort. We made no further discussion about Vince Greyson. Instead, Marcus began to discuss interesting topics about business and people in the same business field as he.
It was around nine o'clock when we decided to leave the party. In the car, he continues to discuss his family, his hobbies, and passions and I listen intently like his old-time friend, casually speaking my opinions when needed.
Thirty minutes after, his car pulled into a stop in front of the Crawford Mansion. I yelp with relief when he finally opened the door and clambered out of the car. God knows my daughter never slipped out of my mind the whole evening. I nearly ran inside the house to my room without bidding him goodbye but it was good manners which won in the end.
"Thank you for your time, Beatrix," Marcus said, he did enjoy the party, it was visibly written all over his face which remained aglow with excitement.
"You don't need to thank me. You've been a good company." I replied which was true, it was just that I'm worried about my daughter that I couldn't enjoy the party. Aside from that Vince Greyson arrived to ruin my mood entirely.
I watched as he waved goodbye for one last time before climbing inside the car. He turned the engine on and made a U-turn before his car made a beeline straight on the gates and vanished into the darkness. He was gone but I was still standing there lost in my burgeoning thoughts.
Remembering my daughter, panic and fear rattled my senses and I ran to the door, it was left open. I hurriedly slipped inside and vaulted the lock before I tiptoed to the staircase. The maids had retired for the night. The main lights are already turned off. The pilot lights are the ones that were left open to illuminate the foyer.
I snatched my silver beaded shoes to minimize the noise, with shoes clutched on both hands, I walked barefoot across the cold, ceramic floor. Climbing up the staircase almost took me an eternity.
It was the eerie silence that welcomed me at the top of the stairs. I assume that father was asleep at this hour, he wasn't allowed to sleep late and he was following his doctor's orders. Grandmama was probably asleep too, above all it was she who should take good care of her health most.
As I tiptoed to my room I made a promise to myself that no more parties anymore. Even if someone would put a shotgun to my head, I will never go to another party again! Well, if Faith comes then I will allow myself to be dragged to a party where I could show my beautiful daughter to everyone.
I reached my room and quietly pulled it open. It was dimly lit, but the flicker of light from the lampshade was enough to illuminate the man lying on the bed with his arm protectively around Faith.
I wasn't prepared for the sight. I have to blink several times to digest the scene. I even tried to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.?I found myself lost for words. Tears were now clouding my vision, anytime soon it would fell my eyes.
There was a phone placed on the top of the night table, I'm sure it wasn't mine. But it wasn't the phone that captured my attention but the song playing.
When I think back on these times,
And the dreams we left behind,
I'll be glad cause I was blessed to get,
To have you in my life,
When I look back on these days,
I look and see your face,
You were right there for me.
In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky,
In my heart there'll always be a place for you,
For all my life,
Listening to my favorite song 'There You'll Be' play in the background gave me a different kind of feeling. Hearing it play was something but watching our gardener with his arms protectively around my daughter was another.
For the first time while watching the two together, a thought occurred to me, the startling realization hit me like lightning. I was rendered speechless for a moment.
Why does Faith Vien look so much like our 'handsome' gardener?
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