Chapter 18: Darkest Night

“Kids are very cute, innocent, and pure-hearted. They are gifts of God. Whenever I teach those little kids, I enjoy every moment with them,” I said while taking a bite of pancake. Jessica’s pancake was the most delicious thing I had ever eaten.

“Yeah, they are really cute.” She poured the juice into my glass. “When I was eighteen, I worked as a nanny next door, and believe me, those days were the most memorable days of my life.”

We were talking about children and my new job. I shared my experience of school with her and she was sharing her old experience with me. It has been a week since I joined the new job and started teaching. But I felt like I had known those children for ages.

“Alice, would you mind if I ask you something?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“What will you do if paparazzi follow you?”

“They won’t follow me because very few people know me by my face and—” Before I could finish myself, someone rang the doorbell.

“Let me check who’s coming,” Jessica said and stood up, walking towards the door. After a moment. “Good morning, Sir.” I heard her saying.

Sir? Is Henry here?

I glanced over my shoulder and saw Daniel, Henry's father. He was in a dark brown design suit, looking handsome. I stood up and approached him before hugging him.

“How are you?” I asked with a smile.

“Great.” He chuckled and examined me from head to toe. “You are not ready yet?”

I frowned in confusion. “Ready for what?”

“Didn’t Henry tell you our company is going to throw a grand party to celebrate his success? His brand is recognized as the brand of the year.”

Wow! But Henry didn’t tell me anything about this. How he was supposed to be. He hadn’t shown up for a week. He was avoiding me like the plague. I should have been more than happy, but it hurt me whenever I found his empty room. He couldn’t hide the fact of how much he hated me. It was written all over his face. Now, I had to lie to his father.

I looked at the old man and forced a smile. “I’m so happy for his success. He told me yesterday, but I didn’t know about this party. Give me a few minutes and I’ll be right back.”

“I’m waiting.” He smiled warmly and sat down on the couch.

Without wasting a second, I dashed to my room and opened my room, and brought out the best-looking gown. It was a golden floor-length gown with a deep neck. I put it on and checked myself into the mirror. It hugged my body perfectly, accentuating every curve. After that, I applied mascara and black eyeliner and painted my lips ruby red, which flawlessly matched my pale skin and made my long hair in smooth curls.

When I was ready, I eyed myself one last time. When everything looked perfect, I put on golden heels that matched my dress and walked downstairs.

Mr. Daniel Robinson was sitting on the couch and reading the newspaper but once he heard the click of my heels, his head twisted towards me. His eyes widened in surprise as he took in my new look. “You look just great, Alice,” he said with appreciation.

“Thank you.” I blushed, tucking my hair behind my ear.

*****

We entered the hall where many people were gathered, wearing their elegant suits and gowns. My eyes traveled across the hall to find him. My breath hitched when my gaze landed on Henry. He was in a navy blue suit with a gray tie, looking stunningly handsome. He held himself with confidence, his shoulders broad and powerful. He had always differed from the rest of the world.

His eyes were fixed on me. He didn’t even acknowledge Lisa’s presence next to him. She was in a short dress that barely reached her upper thighs and her lips were painted in chocolate. She was looking like a witch and I hated her. Ignoring her, I settled my eyes on him and our eyes locked. Slowly, his eyes trailed down my body, giving a tingling feeling in my stomach.

I tucked my hair behind my ear, blushing hard when he didn’t take his eyes off. He leaned against the counter and brought a glass to his lips and sipped his wine. Many people gathered around him as they were begging for his attention, but his eyes were fixed on me. I swallowed when he moved his eyes down to my cleavage. I badly wanted to turn around and broke his eyes, but my legs didn’t work.

Finally, he put his glass down on the counter and walked towards me. I bit into my lower lip, feeling strange in my tummy.

“Dad.” He hugged his father once he approached us.

“You made your father very proud, son,” Daniel said proudly and patted his son’s back.

Henry nodded and turned to me. “Baby.” He took steps forward and wrapped his arm around my waist and leaned in and kissed my lips. “You don’t know how much I missed you.”

“Really?” I faked a smile and kissed him back.

“You guys enjoy the party. I’ll be right back,” Daniel said and walked away, leaving the two of us together.

“Who invited you here?” He hissed in my ear and made me flinch.

“Your wife doesn’t need an invitation,” I snapped.

“But my wife needs my permission,” he said coldly while watching me in every detail. “And you look unattractive in this dress.”

“That’s why you couldn’t take your eyes off.”

His jaw clenched as he narrowed his eyes on me. “Do you want me to shut you up?” He eyed my lips briefly. I was wondering how he would shut me up.

Ignoring this thought I said, “I want you…” Before I could finish myself.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Today, we’re here to celebrate the success of our company. As we can see, the company has recognized the brand of the year and we appreciate that all of you considerably contributed to the development of the project that brought unbelievable success to our company. But we couldn’t have achieved this great success without the owner of this brand Mr. Henry Robinson. He is not only an amazing personality but also a remarkable leader.” A man in a dark suit announced through the microphone and lifted his glass of wine. “Cheers!” The entire crowd of guests cheered and applauded Henry.

“Excuse me,” Henry said and headed towards a group of people.

“I want to talk to you. Can I have a few minutes with you?” I asked quickly.

He paused and turned around to face me. His expression was cold and unreasonable. “Do you want my few minutes?” He asked, and I nodded. “Look at the crowd of people. Everyone here wants a few minutes with me.”

He grasped my forearm harshly and made me look at a middle-aged man who was boringly sipping his wine. “He is the CEO of a textile company and he has been trying to contact me for over a month.”

He jerked my chin towards a young man who was sitting at the bar counter and constantly tapping his hand impatiently. “He is the manager of a five-star hotel. And there is the CEO of the cosmetic company.” He showed a beautiful woman.

I tore myself away from his grip and stepped away from him. “What’s the point of showing me these people, Henry?”

“These are those people who want a few minutes with me.” He leaned forward, staring into my eyes. “You will have to wait like those people if you want a few minutes with me.”

“Henry—” Before I could continue, he cut me off sharply.

“Wait for your chance, Alice.”

“I’ll wait for my chance, Henry,” I said through my teeth and gained a smirk from him.

*****

I was sitting at the bar counter and sipping my drink as the bartender was making a good drink. I felt many pairs of eyes on me, but my eyes were on him. He told me to wait for him and I agreed. His father had left the party a few hours ago. He had offered me a ride, but I told him I would come with Henry. But my husband was too busy with his guests and didn’t acknowledge my presence.

I lay my head down as I stared at him. He was talking to his guest, and Lisa stood next to him. Her hand on his shoulder. She was always sticking with him like a magnet. I hate that woman! But I could not deny the fact that they looked perfect together. I was not Henry type after all. Lisa and Ava were perfect matches for him. This thought made me angry.

One and a half hours later…

“Ma’am.” Someone shook my shoulder. “Ma’am.” Who was disturbing me? I looked up to see the man and was shocked to see the bartender. Gosh! When I fell asleep and where is Henry? I rubbed my eyes and looked across the hall. All people were gone except for a few.

“What time is it now?” I asked and stood up.

“1:30 am,” he told me after glancing at the watch.

What!?

Again, I looked back. A few people were roaming around, but I couldn’t find Henry. “Do you know where Mr. Henry Robinson is?”

He set his glass on the counter. “He has gone upstairs with his girlfriend.”

I got furious at his statement. I slammed my fists against the counter, causing the shake of glasses. “He has no girlfriend and I’m his wife.”

He saw me with wide eyes, swallowing. “I-I am sorry,” he stuttered, “Actually…” Before he could finish, I headed towards the elevator.

I had to find him. How could he avoid me? I pressed the elevator button firmly. After a few moments, when the door opened, I walked out and stormed into the hallway. I passed many rooms, but I didn’t know where they were.

“Ah…Henry!” I heard a familiar female voice.

Lisa.

“Ah. Henry, you are hurting me…!” I stopped in front of the room. “Please be gentle.” She cried out. No, she was moaning in pleasure.

“Throw those clothes.” I heard Henry’s cold voice. “I’ll ask Nina to bring over a fresh pair of clothes for you.”

I clenched my hands into fists as hot anger was boiling inside me. How could he do this to me? I waited for him for five hours and he was fucking one of his models!

When he helped my parents, I thought he had a good side too. But I was wrong. Sleeping around with women was the most important thing for him. He couldn’t care less if I was dying or living. Tears gathered in my eyes, but I didn’t let them fall because he didn’t deserve my tears.

I spun around and left the hotel, walking across the road, all alone. It was completely dark outside, and walking in the dark was such stupidity. I quickly pulled out my phone and called Joseph, but it went to voicemail.

“Hey, beautiful.” I jumped back when a voice said from behind me. I ignored him and continued walking. My heart was throbbing and my breath was shaking with terror. “Where are you going?” He caught my wrist and pulled me into him.

“Stay away from me!” I shrieked and broke myself free from him and raced down the road. He followed me and I couldn’t run in high heels. He was running faster than me. Before I could escape from him, he grasped my forearm and pulled me into him. This time, his grip was tight.

“Let’s have fun, beautiful,” he sneered, leering at my body.

“Get off me, bastard!” I gritted out and kneed him right between his legs.

His grip loosened. “Bitch!” he hissed and cupped his balls.

I spun around and was about to run, but I stumbled when a sharp slap landed across my cheek. I whimpered and gasped as my heart throbbing against my ribcage. I lifted my gaze to see the person who had slapped me. It was another man and more frightening than the first one.

“What do you want,” I whispered shakily. “I don’t have money.”

He smirked and sat on his knee, eyeing my breasts. “We don’t want money, baby. We want your body.”

A bolt of panic hit my chest when I realized they were going to rape me and no one was coming to save me. Before I could do anything, one of the men grabbed me from behind and started tearing at my clothes.

“Let me go.” I cried out and threw my legs and arms desperately.

I kicked him between his legs, but he dodged. “Don’t move, you fuck!” He grabbed me by the hair and forced me to be still. I felt nauseous, my whole body shaking with blind terror. His hands traveled down my chest to my waist. “You’re so beautiful.”

He was about to move lower, but a gunshot blasted in the air and the next moment his body collapsed on the ground flat.

I saw a brown boot and followed the figure with a small gun in his hand and second his shoulder-length hair and deep blue eyes. Vivian. He pulled out his jacket and covered me with it. I quickly tightened the leather around my body with my shaky hands.

“Fucking Asshole!” he gritted out and flung his fist to another man. He gripped him by his hair and hurled him across the road. Vivian advanced on him and flung himself on top of his body before showering him with punches and kicks.

I covered my mouth with a hand when blood covered his fist. He snarled and threw the last fist and killed the second man. “Fuck!” he hissed, and ran his finger through his hair, looking furious.

“Get up,” he ordered me without sparing me a glance. “I said get the fuck up!” I jolted when he yelled at me and grasped my forearm and pulled me to my feet. “What the fuck are you doing here?” He growled into my face and made me shake in fear. I stumbled when dizziness overtook my eyes. “Alice!”

I closed my eyes and pressed my head against his warm chest. I felt protected in his arms. He immediately wrapped his powerful arms around my body and let me hug him. Before I could pull myself back, I was deep into the darkness.