Chapter 47 Reputation, First.
ADRIAN'S POV
I tucked my hands in my pockets and tilted my head to the side, face getting darkened.
“I don't remember telling my employees they are allowed to have a makeup readjustment break during work hours.” My voice was calm but was laced with dark edges.
“It’s either the department you work in needs to be dissolved or you both need to be laid off that department”
“Please sir, it won't happen again. We promise...” They pleaded.
“I should sue you for defamation,” I continued.
Their lips trembled. “You intend spreading rumors about someone you know nothing about.”
I moved closer to them and they stood frozen on a spot, their faces filled with shock as they stared at me.
Their ID cards hung down their necks and I looked through.
“Jenna Gerald.” I muttered, looking at the first name. I moved to the second lady, wanting to look at her name tag but she quickly covered her name.
Our eyes met and her eyes were watery, tears streaming down her face. She shook her head sideways, her lips pressed pitifully.
“Please, no…..” she cried. “Forgive us, Mr. Kane. We will never have this conversation again.”
“If you have so much interest in my personal affairs, ask me directly,” I paused. “I'll sit you down and tell you what you want to hear.”
“Turn in your resignation letters at the end of the day or I'll have my assistant hand termination letters to you instead.” I turned and walked to the door.
One would think I care about Evelyn, little do they know I am only interested in protecting my reputation.
EVELYN'S POV
“You have a masked party to attend on Saturday,” Mira briefed me on my schedule for the rest of the week. “On Sunday afternoon, you are to visit a charity center and look after the kids.”
I was doing exactly what Adrian wants me to do, live as his wife and live by his rules.
“Who agreed to going to a charity center?” I asked.
I didn't hate kids but I'd rather spend that time sleeping inside my room.
“A close friend of Mr. Kane owns the charity so he agreed to the invitation,” she said.
I scoffed. Why call it my schedule when it's not something I decided.
Father had been transferred to the family hospital and was now stable. I left the hospital after apologizing to Eva about what I did that got her offended.
“I get it,” I dismissed Mira. “I'll make sure to prepare for the events.”
“Yes, ma'am,” Mira bowed. “Please come down for dinner.”
I felt too lazy to leave the room but I was hungry, I had eaten nothing except the breakfast I had.
Lunch with Nathaniel failed and I wouldn't want to skip dinner too.
Downstairs, Adrian was just walking in when I settled on the dining chair.
We didn't say a word to each other and he only walked past me without acting like he saw me.
Yes, that's what I am to Adrian Kane, invincible.
For two days, Adrian didn't say a word to me. I also didn't act like we lived in the same building. I spent my days doing yogas and gym exercises, surprisingly without Mira persuading me.
Saturday arrived like lightning and it was the day of the masked party. Adrian returned home earlier than usual.
“You know the masked party the elite women are hosting is today, right?” He turned to me for the first time in three days.
I was seated in the living room, legs crossed as I watched business news.
I uncrossed my legs and stood up, arms crossed as I took slow steps towards Adrian.
A wide fake smile spread on my lips. “What a way to say… It's been a while since we spoke, wifey,” I said sarcastically.
Adrian rolled his eyes. “I asked a question.”
“Of course,” I replied, backing off. I wouldn't win if I decided to fight him and there was no reason to fight in the first place. “I didn't forget.”
“Then get ready,” he said coldly. “We leave in thirty minutes.”
Adrian stormed up the stairs and my jaws clenched. I hated how I was being reduced to nothing by him in his mansion but there was nothing I could do.
The marriage was like being sold away to repay a debt. Filing for divorce would be nothing but a breach of agreement.
Mira was standing across the room, quiet and watching everything.
My eyes went to her for a brief moment before I climbed the stairs, heading to my room.
The one who calls the game and makes the rules said to be ready in thirty minutes, I wouldn't want to cause delay.
I was alone in my room for only a few minutes before Mira walked in, her steps slow and calculated.
“Let me help you with your hair,” she said calmly.
We had already picked the dress, a violet lace full length dress.
Mira made me sit in front of the dressing table and she arranged my hair.
She looked at me with a smile, handling my hair gently and I blinked in confusion.
“The boss has always been a cold man,” she said, talking about Adrian. “He's like that around everyone, don't take it to heart.”
I laughed for a short while. “Wait, are you concerned about me right now?”
Mira didn't respond, she only smiled and continued with my hair.
Soon, she had the hair arranged and dropping down to my chest and back length, neatly combed and creamed.
I thanked Mira and got dressed, looking at myself in the mirror one last time before I walked out of the room.
My dressing screamed luxury, the way I walked screamed elegance.
Adrian was waiting downstairs in a neatly designed tuxedo. He didn't say a word to me and we only walked to the lot, getting into the car with David's help.
“Just act like you've always done. Don't get intimidated by the people who are going to be in there,” Adrian said calmly. For the first time, he didn't sound like he was giving an order or a warning, he sounded like he was trying to boost my confidence.
I didn't respond to him but he knew I heard and understood what he said.
The car stopped in the luxurious parking lot of the event venue where numerous cars of different classes were parked.
“This way,” Guards escorted us to the hallway that led to the event hall.
“You will have to go in differently through different entrances,” the guard said.
None of us complained. Adrian followed one of the guards while I followed the other.
He led me through the stairs that led to the main entrance of the hall.
A lady dressed in a red ushers uniform was at the entrance, masks placed in front of her.
“Please pick a mask,” she said, a smile on her face, her voice sounding like a melody.
Masks of different colors and shapes were there. I picked a white butterfly mask, putting it on without hesitation.
“A short briefing of the masked party,” she said, looking at me, her face still plastered with a smile.
“There are only two white butterfly masks.” The lady paused. “Find your partner and have a nice time with them.”