I wasn't a fan of social gatherings so my appearance at the Belmont product launch caused quite a frenzy.
The paparazzi hijacked me right from the entrance with their camera lights that resembled calm chaos.
The Belmont brand sold not just fashion but power as well.
And tonight was a reminder of how much of it they wielded.
The paparazzi kept coming at me, but my body guards weren't getting paid just to stand behind me looking all sharp.
"Vincent Russo_!"
"Mr Russo, over here."
I ignored them.
Once I stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted.
The lightning was dim.
Carefully curated decor.
My gaze glided across the room. There were few people in attendance.
But the few people could easily make up for a crowd when it came to their monetary value.
Influential figures.
Foreign investors.
The media.
And security- very much needed.
"Mr Russo."
A familiar voice called out and I turned.
Gigi Belmont approached me with her usual calm, collected demeanor.
"You came." Her smile widened.
"Should I have not?" I raised my left brow.
Her eyes studied me for a brief moment.
"I'm glad you could make it."
I didn't respond.
"Want to take a look at the dresses."
I nodded my head.
"I assume your daughter is here."
"She is." Her words came out rather too fast.
I couldn't help but tease.
"And there are no replacements this time?"
"Absolutely not." She replied. "Walk with me."
I made sure to tell my bodyguards to stand down before following after Gigi.
As we moved through the guests, a lot of them paused their conversations to stare at us...well me.
Power recognized power.
She tried to make samll talk.
"This alliance is not only beneficial but necessary."
"For who?"
"For both sides."
I didn't respond.
Whether I wanted in or out didn't matter.
We stopped near the center of the banquet hall.
"May!" Gigi called out.
A girl in grey suit dress turned.
And for the first time-
I saw her.
Mayelle North Belmont
The picture hadn't done her justice.
Her light red hair looked more fiery up close.
Her green eyes were encapsulating to a fault.
And she didn't just look composed, she was composed.
Her every move was precise, calculated as she closed the gap between us.
Her eyes met mine and for a moment every other person in the room vanished.
I could already tell that she was assessing me, judging me by my cover just like I did her.
There was no hint of hesitation around her.
This was a woman who belonged exactly where she stood.
"Mr Russo." She said the moment she stood right in front of me.
Her hand was stretched out for a handshake and I took it.
"The real Miss Belmont."
"I can't say I'm sorry for what happened the other night."
No lies.
No pretence.
"We already talked about this May."
"Let her be." I said. "I like her honesty, it's admirable."
"See, he's okay with it."
I smirked.
"Choose a better replacement next time."
Something flickered in her eye.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"I'll leave you two to talk."
And just like that we were alone.
"Let's not pretend this is normal." She started.
"I wasn't planning to."
"Good." She said.
She picked up a drink from a waiter who was passing by and tilted the glass towards it.
"For me?"
"Hmm. You look tired."
The hell.
How did she notice.
Even Daniel had not noticed earlier.
"You noticed." My tone softened.
"Take it." Her voice came out in a commanding tone.
For some weird reason he was compelled to answer her.
He took the glass from her and gulped down it's contents.
"Let's be honest."
"I prefer that."
"I don't want this marriage." She confessed.
Direct.
No filter.
"Yet you're here."
She rolled her eyes.
" I don't have the luxury of refusal."
"Neither did I." I wanted to say.
We stayed in the silence for a while.
"You agreed to it?" She asked.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Simple question.
Complicated answer.
"My mother wanted it."
Understanding cooled the lines of her face.
"Then I guess we're in the same shoes." Her words came out light.
And to say I was surprised was an understatement.
"I'm doing this for my family."
People like us rarely made decisions for ourselves.
A round of applause rang through the hall as the first presentation began.
Neither of us moved.
"The woman that night-."
"Scout, I sent her."
Honest as ever.
"Why did you send her?" I asked.
"I wanted her to make a bad first impression, hoping you'd call off the engagement."
"So that's why she kept bragging." I mused, more to myself.
She smiled.
"Why didn't you expose her act."
Because she was my saviour.
Because-
"I wanted to see how far the lie would go." I said instead.
Mayelle smiled.
Not calculated this time.
Real.
"You're dangerous."
"I've been called worse." I teased, but honestly I have been called worse.
"Mr Russo." She called out.
"Yes."
"If this marriage happens..."
"It will."
She sighed.
"We should set two ground rules."
I waited.
"No lies."
Interesting.
I nodded in approval.
"Agreed."
"We'll be each other's backers."
"Agreed." I said once more.
"Then I'll see you later Mr Russo, I'm up next." She left before I could respond.
Mayelle North Belmont
Quite the character.
"Wow."
I didn't need to turn to know who it was.
Adrian.
My brother from another Mrs.
Same irritating smile.
Like he hadn't just inserted himself into something important.
I said flatly.
"You're standing in my way."
"I'm sure I'm standing right where I want to be." He answered.
"Why are you here?" I asked.
"Funny question. I got invited. Free food. Expensive drinks. Plus I get to see my brother ."
The he went again.
Screwing me up with the word brother.
But I wasn't going to argue with Adrian. It was pointless.
"So, you like your fiancee." He said.
"It's business."
He nodded.
"Business that involves marriage, s** and having kids. Totally normal."
"It is."
"You really believe that?" He questioned.
I responded.
"Hmm."
He shrugged.
"Fair. Where's your fiancee."
I tilted my head towards the satge where Mayelle was making her own speech.
"She's sexy."
"Careful with your words." I warned, not sure why.
"See. You take everything too seriously."
It called balance." I tried to reason with him. "I have things to do."
"Of course you do." He said. "You always do."
I took a step-
"Vincé." He called out.
"What?" Frustration dripped off my voice.
He hesitated.
"You should stop investigating your mother's death."
"I can't."
I wondered why he broyht that up all of a sudden.
"There are people out there who will stop at nothing to make sure you don't get to the bottom of it."
Adrian was always like this.
He knew more than he let out.
"Is that a warning?" I asked.
"Maybe."
"You know I'll also stop at nothing to get to the bottom of this." I said. "It's me against them, may the best man win."
I continued walking.
"Just stay safe bro." He said as I walked off to the entrance.
My bodyguards who had been waiting followed me as I left.
In the car, my thoughts drifted from my mom, to Mayelle, to Scout, to Adrian.
All sorts of things raced through my mind.
A lot of which I was unsure of.
The one thing I was sure of was that the bottom of all this was going to be my final destination.