My legs refused to move , frozen between pride and panic. My knee wobbled too weak to carry me.
The whole world didn't stop spinning but mine did.
Looking at the name on the gate brought back memories I've tried to bury and wished remained so.
"The Voss compound" stared at me boldly like a board of accusations . My throat felt dry ,my eyes watery.The chatter from the compound sounded like mockery to my ears .
Lena was still trying to say something but her words got caught up in between the chaos in my head.all I saw was the reflection of my past. The night it all began. The Billionaire who ruthlessly ruined me.
It was like the scene was playing on the huge black gate of the Voss compound.Tormenting me.
"I thought it was for the best" Lena's voice broke through
I snapped "whose best?"
" Dragging me back to the compound that brought about my downfall."
"That brought about the trauma I've had to live with for the past twenty five days,were you thinking it was the best.?"
"Lena I'm dumfounded, really"
"Clara please….."
"I thought you of all people would understand,I guess that was another lie I told myself.." I replied with my hands in the air.
My heart felt like it would fall out of my chest anytime soon .
"Clara. I understand, I do understand"
"Lena ,no you don't,you do not understand" I screamed, resting my face on her shoulder.
I stayed there for about two minutes and felt a hand on my hair.
It brushed my hair from the scalp down to the tip.
In that calm moment all I could think of was sleep-lay there until this was all over .
Her hand ran through my hair , soothing me .Just like my mother would when I came home with a bad result from school.
She held me tighter to herself . Embracing every part of me that I wanted to throw away .
"Clara " Lena called softly and slowly
" They asked if I could bring someone good with event planning , someone with class.I didn't tell them it was you.Clara I swear I didn't. But when they said your name, l…..l couldn't lie .I didn't want to ruin my brother's chance.
At that moment it hit me.I removed my face from her dress and adjusted my back a little, enough for me to give her a dirty slap.
But I didn't…
"Lena ,you sold me out?"
"I promise Clara. It's nothing like that".
"Honestly,Lena, I don't know what to say. That you brought me here under the guise of letting loose only for me to realise that you brought me here and sold me out.? I replied letting out a scoff.
"You know I can never sell you out, you're my best friend and moreover I saw this as an opportunity for you to also build yourself back up,This could be a deal that could change your life for good.I didn't mean to hurt you"
As much as I want to disagree with her ,I knew what she was saying was right.
Afterall that was the main reason I agreed to follow her in the first place.
Just one deal…
But this one deal is also coming from the Billionaires that ruined my life.The billionaire that put my whole life on stand still.
"Lena ,I don't know what you want me to say.
"Just say yes,and come with me to the party,meet Mr Voss and if you can't take the deal we go home. That's all I ask of you."
"Are you guys not coming in?The party is inside." We heard a deep voice form the gate ushering us in.
Of course why wouldn't he. We stood there for more than thirty minutes.
My makeup had been soiled.There was no way I would be going in there looking like a masquerade.
I reached out my handkerchief in my purse and did justice to the soiled makeup. I applied lipgloss and proceeded to the gate.
We showed the bouncer our invitation and he let us in.
The air inside the Voss compound smelled rich,cold and suffocating.
Every step I took felt like walking into the crime scene .Only this time being ushered in
Everything looked peaceful.Trimmed lawns, matching drapes and spotlight.
Just like that night..
The whole environment smelled of rich wine and rich people.
Black tuxedos,ties, polished pointy shoes.The men no doubt came ready
My dinner gown was nothing compared to the evening gowns and heels clicking the floor.
Everywhere was sparkling almost as if they had hired an event planner.
"Lena,if they were looking for an event planner,then tell me ,who the fuck! Organised this party " I asked, nudging her with my elbow.
She shrugged it off.
Something told me something was off about her shrugging but I just couldn't place my mind on it.
The ballroom glittered like a galaxy trapped under glass. Chandeliers spilled light over silk gowns and sharp suits, each shimmer competing for attention. Laughter tangled with music, the rhythm of wealth and confidence filling every corner. The air smelled of perfume, champagne, and something colder and dangerous—expectation.
What would my fate be today? would I bag the contract or would I go home still broken?.
The question that was still left unspoken in my mind was screaming at me.
Who planned this event?
I paused at the tension, my breath catching as the crowd moved like one shimmering tide. Every smile looked rehearsed, every glance a silent judgment. I clutched my clutch tighter, pretending not to see the eyes that flicked my way."And somewhere in that crowd waited the man that once ruined me "
To be continued.....