"Today in the big city of Crest, the chairman and founder of the Swiss enterprise turns 55 and his son Calvin Harrison– has just been announced the new CEO of the great company!"
The morning breathed into life, echoing the vibrant voice of the reporter from VMP studio where the lubricant camera lights shone around her like volcanoes.
Instantly, those who were opportuned to listen increased their volume on whatever device they watched or heard from, excitement glistening in their faces.
"Yes, everyone. It's indeed a big day in the Harrison household and the city of Crest at large. The prestigious ones in the city are already having the best of their time in Harrison's party right now." The second reporter interjected, the screen behind him faded and lit again with shining pictures of the most talked about in the city. The Harrison himself. Still looking young in that spectacular outfit.
"Of course, we all know that to be at this party, one must be among the second-class upper or the very first class of people in the city. Join me everyone, let's take a look at what's happening at the Harrisons' party right now!" The first speaker declared. All screens faded and almost at the same time, light returned to reveal the spectacular show of the day.
In the middle of the party hall, Calvin's firm hands held tight to Odessa's slender waist.
"I hope you're enjoying the party, my love?" Calvin asked softly, taking her back and forth to the rhythm of the music.
"I am, my love." Odessa's cheeks hurt from too much blush. She was here today, sharing the same air with these prestigious people all because of him.
Up until now, she still can't believe he engaged her in front of everyone. Right after his father announced him as the new CEO. She peeked at her fingers where the tiny diamond shone and blushed again.
"You're blushing too hard. Be careful not to trip." He teased and pulled her in, making their body collide.
"I'm not Calvin." Odessa snapped turning away to avoid too much eye contact but Calvin caught her before she could and made her stare back at him.
"You see that? You can't even keep your gaze anymore." He teased even more.
"Stop teasing." She cursed herself for not being able to control her jingling emotions for a second. Calvin slowly slides her back to the steps.
Silence reigned for a moment before she spoke again.
"For the first time in years, Calvin, I think I'm the happiest person on earth this moment. First, my engagement with you. Secondly, after all these years, I can't believe I'm finally getting along well with my sister, Maya. In never believed I'll be blessed with that, Calvin." She paused, sadness almost marring her beautiful face.
"One thing I'm now worried about is my mother. It seems we'll never get to see each other in good light. It's as if the miracle can never happen."
"Don't say that, my love. I believe everything will be fixed at its own pace. Sooner or later, your mother too will find a place in her heart to accept you."
"I pray so." She found hope in his words.
Since the day she came into the care of her adopted mother and sister, the family had never felt like warmth. Her father had been her sole refuge, the only place love lived. And now he was gone, leaving her at the mercy of the duo who treated her with nothing but contempt.
But this time around, things were taking a different turn. A blissful one.
She let her sadness fade into happiness and decided not to let the memory take away her joy at the moment.
At a corner, Maya watched. Eyes cruel. Pained. Bruised. Desperately seeking vengeance.
"Look at them Maya, it should have been you in her position. Even at the death of your father, she wouldn't stop taking everything away from you, even to the man you love." Lilac, Maya's best friend was the one speaking. She stood beside Maya, already pissed by just watching Odessa on the dance floor with Calvin.
"Hold on, don't tell me what you said is true. You made peace with her? I never knew you would cut your good-for-nothing some slack. When did your love for Odessa grow that much? You let her do whatever she wants now? So sweet." The second one Daphne was obviously annoyed.
Never had they expected Calvin will choose Odessa over their friend Maya, especially now that he's the CEO. That woman was never deserving of it.
Maya scoffed, a bitter arrogant snort and a smile appeared almost as it came. "We've been friends for years. But it seems you two still don't understand who I am." She said, earning a roll of the eye from the two.
"Tsk, Odessa can enjoy her moment now, but I assure you it will be for a short time. I have a plan set for my scumbag with whom I've made peace." Maya laughed a cruel laugh.
"Plans...?" The two grinned impressively, inching closer to Maya. "Tell us, what plans?" They knew their friend. Maya cannot decide peace with someone who has literally taken everything she had right from birth, even the man she loved.
"It's a surprise for both of you. But I'll give a hint. I invited Mum to the party. She would be here any minute....Oh wait...! Here she comes..."
With lips drawing into a smirk, their gazes went to the entrance of the party hall. A lady in her late forties was marching in in her best of elegance, with shoulders puffed so high you'd think she was a special awaited guest of the day.
Maya signaled they would wait until her mother greeted Mr Harrison and presented him with her gift and until Odessa noticed her presence.
They decided to wait but Lilac's patient was snapping. "So, what's that supposed to mean...?" She was saying then paused on seeing Odessa had noticed her mother. They could see the surprise in her eyes as she stood to greet the old lady.
"Alright ladies. Here begins the show of the day. Please, you're free to take videos as much as you want. Making it go viral will be the fun part of today's remarkable event. It can ruin Calvin's happiness at the moment. But as long as I can get back at that woman, I don't care. This time I'll make sure she crumbles piece by piece. I won't stop until she begs on her..."
Thwack!
A loud piercing sound followed by a gasp-filled shrill resonated through the dazzling walls of the party hall, silencing and drawing everyone's attention to the source of the sound.
Maya had barely finished her statement and her friends could barely understand her words when the sound was heard.
In the middle of the party hall, Odessa held her burning cheeks where the hard slap had just landed, in shock and an understatement.
"How dare you Odessa? You have the guts to steal from me you wretched witch!"
Mrs Garrett hollered at Odessa, tearing a gold necklace off her neck, not minding that her action could cause a scrape on her neck.
Odessa winced from the force of the pull, staggering backward as her neck felt on fire. "No, Mother. I..." She tried to defend herself, but her voice cut in her throat, her mouth left agape, her head shaking.
She had come only to greet her, surprised she had come to the party only to be struck by false accusations and a slap so fierce it rang bells in her ears.
"I didn't steal it, mother" she tried to speak again. "I... swear, I didn't. It was Maya who gave the necklace to me. Believe me, it was..."
"Mum, stop!" Maya's voice pierced through the crowd. One second she was with her friends planning her treachery and next, she was beside her mother, pretending to stop her from hitting Odessa more. "That's enough please, stop. What happened?"
Still furious, Mrs Garrett gave the necklace to Maya who now acted to recognize it. "Mum, that's the marriage anniversary gift from Dad two years ago. How come she has it with her?"
"That's the same question I asked her." She blazed.
"Maya.. that's the necklace you gave me last night, right?" Odessa spoke convincingly but Maya denied it.
"No, that's not true. This is not the necklace I gave you." She now turned to her mother looking pleadingly at her.
"Mum, I know I loved this necklace, but I haven't taken it ever since you told me not to. You know I can never dare to do that. Besides, you said it would be mine when I get married, so why would I steal it now when I know it will eventually be mine?" She defended herself, looking profoundly angry at Odessa.
"You shameless thing how could you?! You're painting me bad in front of my mother and everyone after what I did for you? I know I gifted you a pendant yesterday. However, this is not the one I gave you. You begged me for something to cover up your pathetic life. After giving you, you took the opportunity to steal from the other racks?!"
Tears began to fall as she still didn't understand the whole accusation. "Maya, don't act like this. Tell Mom the truth. Tell everyone the truth. You gave this particular necklace to me."
"No, Odessa. This is not the necklace I gave you. Stessy was there to see the one I gave you. She can bear witness to that. Right, Stessy?"
Odessa turned to notice her mother's personal assistant Stessy also at the party, obviously looking shocked at the whole scene.
"Yes, that's right. I was there when she gifted you the necklace. I saw it with my own two eyes and this... is not the one she gave you." Stessy agreed, looking disgustedly at Odessa.
Odessa became speechless, still holding onto her burning cheeks in dismay as her eyes swept through the accusing eyes and smearing murmurs that rose.
She had not done it. But no one believed her. The worst of it– She had not even begged Maya for any necklace. It was only something she gifted her out of her own free will.
And now, all stared disdainfully at her, some throwing silent curses.
"The hell... Is that not the new CEO's girlfriend?"
"Yes, that's right. Damn, what the heck is that? She stole? Does it mean our CEO doesn't buy for her that she had to steal?"
"Irk, that's disgusting."
Odessa cursed under her breath hearing the menacing accusations. Her eyes searched the room for Calvin but she couldn't find him anywhere. He had stepped out a while ago after they had their first dance and had not returned yet.
Odessa bit on her lip.
Inasmuch as today was a special day for Mr Harrison, so it was for Calvin Harrison the one and only heir of the Harrison family.
Now Odessa couldn't help but freeze at the unimaginable humiliation; the disgrace of the CEO's fiancée accused a thief in front of such a class of people– this judgemental set of people. The disgrace is not just for her, but for Calvin too.
Suddenly, more murmurs rose as the sound of flashing cameras erupted in the hall. Still confused about what was going on, she found Calvin staring at her, his look apparently filled with utmost disappointment.