Chapter 30 Suffocating
MELISSA'S POV
Gosh, I wanted to walk up to that red carpet and pose for at least one good photo, something the blogs would pick up and post, something to remind people that I still had the looks and the presence. But of course I couldn’t, not when I was stuck in this horrible, uncomfortable, suffocating dress James forced on me.
I looked down at the dress again, and honestly, it almost made me want to throw up just by looking at it. It clung too tightly to my skin, the fabric itched, and the style didn’t even match the weather today. It was like wearing punishment.
“If you’re thinking about taking photos or talking with those ladies standing over there, then forget it,” James said from beside me, his voice already irritated. “I told you why we’re here, and we’re not diverting, not even for a minute.”
Even the sound of his voice was annoying me right now.
“Even if I wanted to do any of those things you just mentioned, I can’t,” I said, hugging myself as a breeze brushed past my bare shoulders. “I’m wearing this horrible thing you got for me. Please, let’s go inside. It’s starting to get really cold out here.”
I didn’t wait for whatever comeback he had planned. I just started walking forward, heading straight toward the entrance. If I stayed out here one more second, I might actually freeze. What kind of husband buys a dress like this for an event in cold weather? No sweater, no jacket, nothing. Sometimes I wondered if he thought at all.
We finally walked into the building, the headquarters of Quinn’s Enterprise — the almighty billionaire family James had been obsessing over for weeks. He talked about them nonstop, like he was preparing for some life-or-death meeting.
The moment we stepped inside, the warmth hit my skin, and I let out a small, quiet breath of relief. The headquarters was just as large as I imagined. Huge floors, tall pillars, everything shining like it was freshly polished. The place was bright with massive chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings. Staff members were moving quickly in every direction, carrying trays of champagne flutes, arranging things, doing whatever needed to be done.
The sight of the champagne glasses instantly caught my attention. I actually paused for a second. I couldn’t remember the last time I drank proper wine — good wine. I was already picturing how refreshing it would taste.
I took a step toward the table with the glasses, already reaching out for one, when James suddenly pulled back on my arm. Hard.
I turned to glare at him, but he leaned in before I could say anything.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he whispered sharply.
“Where else?” I pulled my arm slightly. “I’m going to get a glass of champagne.”
“We both know that’s not going to happen,” he said.
I raised a brow at him, completely stunned that he was seriously trying to restrict me like I was a child. Did I look like a twelve-year-old to him?
“Why?” I asked.
He looked at me like I’d just asked the dumbest question in the world. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just ask me that. Have you forgotten the way you behave each time you have too many glasses of champagne?”
I rolled my eyes because I already knew where this conversation was going. He loved bringing this up.
“Well, let me remind you,” he continued, lowering his voice but sounding even more annoyed. “You act like a psychopath. Like you’re crazy in the head. And the worst part? You can’t be controlled when you’re drunk. So, no alcohol for you. I’m not going to have you walking around and embarrassing me.”
“Embarrass you?” I scoffed. “You didn’t remember that when you forced me into this messed-up gown and dragged me all the way here. Since you dragged me here, I’m not letting you stop me from drinking what I want.”
Before he could respond, someone called out from beside us.
“Mr. Reed, I’m surprised you were able to make it to this event.”
James and I turned, and of course, it was one of James’s old investor friends. One of those men who acted like everyone else was inferior to them.
“Actually, I barely had the time,” James said quickly, shifting his posture and putting on his fake businessman smile. “My beautiful wife here had to pull me out of work.”
If that man wasn’t standing there, James would have hated the facial expression I was fighting so hard to hold back. I had to physically stop my eyes from rolling.
“I understand,” the man chuckled. “Being a busy millionaire businessman isn’t easy.”
That was my cue to leave before my face betrayed me.
I turned around and walked out of their little conversation without saying a word. If I stayed there any longer, I might accidentally say something I shouldn’t or worse, make a face that newspapers could screenshot.
I headed straight toward the champagne table again. Just as I reached out for a glass, something caught my attention from the corner of my eye.
Someone was standing a little distance away. A woman. And something about the way she stood, the posture, the hairstyle… it felt familiar. I squinted, trying to see her face, but she had her back to me. Still, she looked a lot like Anna.
I shook the thought off immediately. What would a lowlife like her be doing in a place like this? Impossible.
I lifted the glass halfway to my lips and then the woman turned around.
The glass froze in mid-air.
My mouth slowly fell open. Shock hit me like a wave.
I was right.
It was Anna.
And not just attending. She was actually talking to the staff, pointing at things, directing them like she had authority. My eyes widened even more.
Was that how she managed to slip her way in here? Was she… the head waiter or something? Running around doing servant work while real guests walked around in designer clothes?
Wow.
You know, I was really angry with James for dragging me here tonight. I hated the dress, hated the cold, hated the whole idea.
But seeing her here — Anna of all people working at an event like this?
It completely made my night.