When Love is Gone

Chapter 3

Sarah and I stepped out of the car in complete silence. I allowed her to place her hand on my arm without protest. I couldn't risk her causing a scene, especially at such a grand event like this.

We were already an hour late, so most of the guests had already arrived by the time we got there. I exchanged polite smiles with my colleagues as they greeted me, while Sarah responded in kind.

Aside from the numerous employees of Atkins Construction Company, there were also many other visitors present, including some of our stockholders and investors.

"Hey, Ram! Hi, Sarah!" Brennan approached us with a broad grin on his face.

"Hi, Brennan! You're looking sharp. Trying to impress the ladies tonight?" Sarah teased him. Everyone believed Sarah to be the sweet, innocent girlfriend, but little did they know about her hidden claws. I was wary of her potentially causing harm to Grachelle.

"Thanks, Sarah, but I know I can't compete with Ram's charm tonight, even with my new expensive tuxedo," Brennan joked.

Sarah burst into laughter at Brennan's comment.

"Of course! Ram is the most handsome man here tonight. Sorry, not sorry, Brennan," she quipped, and they both laughed, leaving me in silence.

"What's the matter, Ram? You've been unusually quiet since this morning," Brennan observed, prompting Sarah to shoot me a sharp look.

"He's not feeling well since last night, Brennan. Don't mind him." She easily lied before looking at me again. And with a fake voice said, "Darling, aren't we going to greet your bosses?" My eyes looked at her with warning. "Don't worry, darling. I will be very, very polite." She gave me a fake smile, and before I could stop her, she was already walking towards Mr. and Mrs. Atkins who were busy talking with some guests.

My eyes searched for Grachelle, and I found her talking to an old friend she introduced to me once. The tall man was again beside her, smiling at the conversation. I walked faster when I saw Sarah walking towards them. I caught her before she could catch Grachelle's attention.

"What the hell are you going to do, Sarah? Stop this or I'll drag you out of this hall!" I hissed at her. She forcefully pulled her arm from my hold.

"Really, Ram? You would create a scene like that? Why are you so scared, darling? I was just going to greet her!" She sneered at me. Before I could stop her, she was already calling out. "Hey, Grachelle! Welcome back!"

Grachelle, her friend, and the man all turned towards us just like the others who were disturbed by Sarah's loud voice. I was ready to stop Sarah but then when my eyes went to look at Grachelle, they stayed there. My breathing hitched when I saw how gorgeous she was tonight. She didn't even have to wear what Sarah was wearing to get all the men's attention. The elegant corporate attire she was wearing was enough to make men treat her like the goddess she was.

"You look great, Grachelle! It's been what? Three? Four years before you finally got the courage to come back here!" Sarah's voice was so sweet everybody could say that she was faking it.

It was a mere utterance from Grachelle, but it nearly silenced Sarah. However, Sarah refused to back down and lifted her head with pride.

"But of course, I would count the years I am living happily with Ram. Isn't that right, honey?" Sarah took my hand and I was forced to get near them.

"Hi, Grachelle."

It was a miracle that my voice didn't falter as I greeted her. She just looked at me acknowledging my greeting.

"Hi, Mr. Moore."

I felt like I was punched in the stomach when she greeted me back.

She called me Mr. Moore. It was so formal, so cold, and so distant.

"So, it was Mr. Moore now, huh, Grachelle?"

Our attention turned to Sarah. Grachelle and I know where she's driving at.

"I will be managing the company starting tomorrow, Miss Miller and I won't be calling my employees on a first-name basis." Grachelle smiled, showing everyone that she wasn't affected by Sarah's sarcasm.

I, on the other hand, felt colder because what she said kept on ringing in my ears.

My employees. Damn. Now I'm just an employee to her.

"And you, Miss Miller, should stop calling me by my first name, which is only reserved for my friends. We both know that we won't be treating each other as friends anyway. Never in this lifetime."

Grachelle's friend snickered behind her making Sarah feel more embarrassed.

"You b----!"

"Watch your lover's mouth, Mr. Moore. It might be kissing the floor any moment now. You wouldn't want to end up having a bloody mouth until the end of the party, right Miss Miller?" Grachelle was smiling, but her eyes shone with a serious threat, making Sarah stand like a statue.

"And next time, Mr. Moore, don't bring uninvited guests during our company's parties, especially when they dress like they can be bought in a cheap bar. Let's go, Marge, Theo."

Grachelle's words were like a slap in the face to Sarah. Her cheeks turned bright red, showing her embarrassment.

Marge, Grachelle's friend, approached us with a look of disdain, whispering, "Choosing trash over treasure, Mr. Moore, is a grave mistake. You should've chosen wisely."

She waved her hand dismissively, further infuriating Sarah.

Sarah turned to me, accusing, "What did that woman say to you, Ram? Did she insult me like your ex did?"

I retorted, "You started this, Sarah! You can't expect them to just take your insults. Grachelle was right, you shouldn't have come to this party."

Sarah's anger was palpable, drawing the attention of other guests who whispered among themselves.

Suddenly, Mr. Atkins's voice cut through the tension, "What is going on here?"

I turned to face him, immediately apologizing for the disturbance. "I apologize, Sir. Sarah and I disagreed. We will leave now."

Sarah remained silent, knowing the power Mr. Atkins has as the owner of the company.

Mr. Atkins commanded, "You just arrived, and now you're leaving? Stay until after I make an important announcement to all my employees, Moore."

He then turned to Sarah, his voice full of authority, "And you, Sarah Miller."

His voice cut through the air like a knife, sending shivers down my spine. Sara's grip on my arm tightened, her eyes wide with fear.

"Don't you dare go near my daughter again or I will be doing what I should've done to you years ago for ruining my daughter's reputation. You should be kissing the ground she walks on. If it wasn't for her, you'd be a rotten piece of corpse today."

My brows furrowed in confusion as I glanced at Sarah. What had she done to upset Mr. Atkins?

Sarah avoided my gaze, her hands trembling.

"Shut her mouth and stay where you are until the announcement is done. After that, you can both go to hell for all I care."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving us standing there in shock.

"What was that all about, Sarah? What did you do that ruined Grachelle's name?"

"N--nothing! I don't even know what he was talking about!"

"Sarah!" I hissed, frustrated.

"Please, let's just leave, Ram. I don't want to stay here anymore," she pleaded, her eyes welling up with tears.

I wanted to comfort her, but I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled over us.

"Shut up! If you didn't force me to come here, this shouldn't be happening right now. Now enjoy this humiliation, Sarah. We both deserve this," I snapped, my own anger rising.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Edrian Atkins, the president of Atkins Construction Company."

The host's voice interrupted our tense exchange, and I turned my attention to the stage, trying to push aside the unease that had taken hold of me.

"And she arrived with a truly priceless offering in her possession."

I was certain that the gift Mr. Atkins was referring to was the man standing next to Grachelle, his face glowing with joy.

"We have been yearning for her return ever since she left, and after four long years, she has finally come back to us. Welcome home, my dear. Thank you for bringing happiness back into our lives," her parents exclaimed.

The room erupted in cheers. Everyone, like me, could see the genuine happiness in Grachelle's parents now that she was back. The thought of the pain they endured during those years without their beloved daughter by their side, all because of me, sent a shiver down my spine.

"Furthermore, my friends, I am pleased to announce my retirement. But do not mourn my departure from the company," he continued.

"Instead, rejoice in the fact that someone more deserving than I will be taking over the reins of the company we have worked so hard for, starting tomorrow. That person is none other than my daughter, Grachelle, with the assistance of our longtime business partner's son, Theodore Shay Lee. Let us give this fine gentleman a round of applause to welcome him, please."

The sound of thunderous applause filled the room as Theodore, the man beside Grachelle, waved to acknowledge everyone.

"Thirty-five years ago, I was what some might call a man with no future. I was poor, uneducated, and hopeless. But then I met my wife, and everything changed. My outlook, my plans, my aspirations, and my dreams all transformed. She was the daughter of a wealthy man, yet she chose to love me, just the ordinary me," the old man shared, eliciting laughter from the audience.

"I was filled with self-doubt, but her father, a respected governor, saw potential in me and gave me the opportunity to prove myself. He gave me a chance that no one else, apart from his daughter, who was deeply in love with me, did. It was a challenge to prove myself, especially when people began to gossip about us. They questioned why a beautiful, intelligent, and wealthy young woman would marry a poor man with an uncertain future."

The old man's words cut through the air like shards of glass, sparking a sense of drama.

"Through her unwavering support of her, the Atkins Construction Company was born. It is a testament to our hard work, determination, and sacrifice. While there were challenges along the way, the successes far outweighed them. This company has shown that even someone as poor and uncertain as I once was can rise above and prove their true value. We have constructed homes not just for the wealthy, but also for those in need. Schools, universities, malls, churches, and buildings that shape the future of many have been built by us. These accomplishments were made possible because a young, beautiful, intelligent, and wealthy woman loved and believed in a poor and troubled boy like me, who had no clear path ahead. Not only that, she blessed me with one of God's greatest gifts - a daughter who is both beautiful and kind-hearted." Mr. Atkins gazed affectionately at Grachelle, who returned his gaze with admiration.

"Four years ago, I thought history might repeat itself."

I turned to the elderly man, sensing that he was about to mention Grachelle and me.

"But perhaps God decided, 'There can only be one Edrian Atkins in this world,' and so history did not repeat itself. And I believe it's for the best because if it had, my daughter wouldn't be the future president and CEO of my company, right?" The crowd chuckled, but those aware of my past with Grachelle shot me disdainful looks, making me feel increasingly insignificant.

"Ram, let's leave," Sarah murmured to me. I glanced at her and saw that she shared my sentiments.

We felt minuscule like rabbits facing lions waiting to pounce and devour us at any moment.

"The announcement isn't over yet, Sarah," I mustered the strength to reply to her.

"But Ram, you shouldn't have to endure this humiliation."

"This is my rightful place, Sarah. You are well aware of it. It's been four long years overdue." I struggled to force a smile at her.

"And now, esteemed guests, I introduce to you the new CEO of Atkins's Construction Company, Miss Grachelle Nathalie Romano Atkins!"

The crowd rose to their feet, cheering and applauding as Grachelle and Theodore Lee ascended the stage.

"I can't take this any longer! We need to leave!"

Before I knew it, I was being dragged out of the venue by Sarah, feeling like a lifeless puppet.