Beyond Love and Lies

Chapter 19- Ditched

    Andy and Charlene continued their blending and socializing with the people at their table. They were seated with the high executives and associates of the company. Sometime later, the lights had started to dim, the master of ceremony announced that the party would be beginning soon in the next five minutes, the people around began to gather on their seats.

    "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Annual gala party of the Damien Davidson group of Companies. I know you have been waiting for this event, and without further ado, Let me introduce to you our New Vice President to our CEO, Mr. Maximus Ricci! Let's welcome him for his opening speech." The host held.

    Music played as people stood up. They were clapping their hands as they welcome the new Vice president walking towards the stage. Maximus was new, and everyone anticipated the introduction of the Vice- Ceo of the company. The rumor had been going around about his identity and what he would do at the company.

    Andy followed the gaze of the man who was walking towards the stage. She could see how handsome he was from afar. He was marching like a Greek God that was being summoned from mountains and heaven's above. His dark hair and light stubbled jaw were stunning; his European feature was uncanny.

    "Isn't he a beauty?" Andy whispered to Charlene while clapping her hands. Charlene didn't answer.

    Andy brows knitted before looking at Charlene, and to her astonishment, Charlene was standing like a  statue next to her. Her eyes as wide as a saucer, and her mouth hung open.

    "Charlene?" Andy nudged her friend, "Are you okay? Please close your mouth. You're drooling," Andy said, giggling and trying not to laugh at her friend's petrified look. She couldn't blame her reaction, but it must not be the first time for Charlene to see a handsome man.

    Charlene poised herself as her thoughts brought her back after zoning out.

    "Maxi…," She mumbled.

    "Yes, his name is Maximus Ricci, and please sit down, woman," Andy whispered as she tugged Charlene's dress to tell her to sit down.

    Charlene looked around, and everyone was already sitting down except her. She sat down abruptly, and that didn't escape the eyes of Max, who was now eyeing the people in front of him from the stage.

    Maximus paused for a while. The lady still standing alone near the stage caught his attention. She sat down swiftly as she felt the tugged of a beautiful lady sitting next to her. His eyes burrowed then narrowed on the woman upon remembering who she was. He smugly smirked upon taking some thoughts and averted his eyes back to the people in front of him.

    Max started speaking. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," he began with his deep baritone voice, greeting all the employees of the D&D group of company.

    "It is a great honor to be here in front of you celebrating the annual gala for this year. I want to express my appreciation, especially to the Damien Davidson group of companies, especially to the board and directors, for entrusting me with this position. My name is Maximus Ricci, the company's new Vice-president. My cousin and CEO, Damien Davidson, is genuinely thankful for all your hard work and your unwavering commitment to this company's success. I promise that I will be a great support for the continuity of achievement of the D&D company. It will be such an honor to work with you," Max elaborately introduced himself to the crowd. It had been a while, but he was lucky that he would finally be a part of his cousin's growing business.

    Max continued by introducing himself with a little bit of his business background and how he would be working with his cousin Damien. He then apologized, saying Damien might or might not be able to join the party for some man-flu reason. Everyone laughed about it.

    "To mark the success and victory of Damien Davidson group of companies, I am now opening the event tonight. From the board and directors of D&D, as I would love to say, let's get this freaking party started. Thank you," Max finished his speech in a short amount of time. He somehow knew that he had to deal with some unfinished business.

    After the speech and a short introduction, a small program for the audience was prepared. They watched the guest performers performed on stage, as the people were enjoying what they were watching, but Andy's eyes never left Charlene.

    "Hey, Are you okay?" Andy asked as she saw Charlene started fidgeting and looking edgy.

    "Y..yes, I am," Charlene replied, thanking the venue was still dimmed as they looked at the show. She knew it would be finished soon, so she must think of a f*****g way on how to survive the night tonight. The man who stood in front of them was the very same man who took her innocence—the very same man whom she left at his house that fateful morning in France a year ago. Her ONS guy

    "I know you will tell me what is happening with you later, but please relax, okay?" Andy said worriedly to Charlene. It was her first time to see her smart-mouth friend folding and restless like that.

    "I will. Please enjoy the party," Charlene said, smiling facetiously at Andy.

    Several minutes passed, the show on the stage concluded, and the light on the hall was lit back again. It was then announced that they can now start eating and drinking and mingle with their co-workers. Charlene excused herself to the toilet.

    "Got to go to the powder room, Andy, excuse me," Charlene whispered,

    "Okay, just be right back after," Andy nodded. Charlene left.

    Andy started eating the foods and drinks that were served on their table, but after almost half an hour, Charlene hadn't come back yet; She knew something wasn't right. Andy took out her phone from the pouch and dialed Charlene's number. Standing up, she excused herself and walked towards the quiet area of the open terrace.

    After the third ring, Charlene answered the call.

    "Where are you? please don't tell me you ditch me!" Andy whispered-yell, questioning Charlene on the other line.

    "I'm sorry, Andy, I got to go. I suddenly didn't feel well. Please forgive me. I'll talk to you later." Charlene uttered in one breath. She was edgy.

    "Stop! Arrgh! Charlene! I hate you!" Andy blurted out in displeasure. "Please don't do this to me!" she hissed. Charlene left her. Now her fear just happened. Though she knew almost a tenth of the visitors inside, she still didn't feel comfortable being alone.

    "I'm sorry, Andy, I can't, I'm sorry…" Charlene pleaded on the other side. She had no choice but to leave the party and Andy. She was rambling and finding her way out towards the taxi stand.

    "Charleeeenee!"

    "Andy, I'm so so sorry, it's raining now. I need to go…" She felt guilty, somehow leaving Andy alone, but her mind was haywire upon the thoughts and memories that lingered around her entity. "I am really sorry, Andy... I will tell you everything tomorrow..." she said, grunting inaudibly.

    "O…Okay, please be safe, I got to call Mickey soon to pick me maybe, but you are going to explain this to me, woman! you're not forgiven yet!" Andy voiced out, threatening Charlene. Her eyes welled up in annoyance. Charlene just ditched her, just like that.

    "I will. Bye. Love you, take care, enjoy," Charlene said before hanging up the phone.

    Andy hung up the phone and started looking at the sky. She huffed upon spotting the lightning and hearing the faint thunderstorm up above. She then felt the drizzling drops of rainwater falling from the sky. "Oh, God, Great!" she mumbled as she knew this night was going to be a long night.

    Putting her phone back inside her clutch, "Miss, are you okay?" Andy heard a deep manly voice called behind her. She turned around to see who it was, making her gasped in surprise.