Game of Love - 6. Chapter 6: What has changed after 5 years?

Times may change… days may go by, even years. And some people change and others remain with memories of their past, especially the painful ones. It has been said, ‘what doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger.’ But how true is this when some people get shaken forever by memories of their painful past?

The knives of betrayal and drama cut deep and hurt… but they also trim away the nonsense and reveal your true friends. But the saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies but people that are always close to you. But sometimes, the mistakes we commit in the past are always haunting us.

***

5 years later

*

Sergio quickly covered his face like the rays of the sun from the window brightened his whole face. He groaned and covered himself with a blanket, complaining like a little child.

“Hey wake up, babe!” A sweet voice spoke. “It’s already 8.am and you’ll be late for work.”

“Work?” He groaned as he pulled the blanket even higher. “I don’t want to go there. I still want to sleep. Just a few minutes.”

“Hey, lazybones!” The voice chuckled as it got closer. “Come on, you’ve got a really important meeting, remember?”

“But I wanna sleep.”

“You’re acting like a little child.”

And just like that, the blanket was pulled off of him and that morning, he stared upon a rare beauty staring back at him with a perfect smile that made his heart race. Shit! He couldn’t help but smile. He quickly gripped his hand, pulling him closer, and then locked his arms tightly around his waist, and fuck, he felt like a horny idiot.

“Good morning!” He said in a sexy tone. “How was your night, my love?”

Sergio couldn’t still believe this was happening. He felt lucky and alive, having his love in his arms and staring at him. It was almost unbelievable, like a dream.

“Good morning?” He gasped as he pulled him closer. “This still feels like a dream, my Eric, my love!”

Eric blushed, taking a deep breath. “Are you going to wake up or what? Hey!” He gasped when he felt Sergio licking his lips. “If you wanted to do that, you’d have woken up early.” He lost the smile on his face. “But my husband loves sleep more than he does me.”

“What?” Sergio chuckled nervously. His hands found themselves in that soft hair that he loved so much. “You know that’s not true. My husband is my priority.”

“And why’s that hard to believe?”

“You don’t believe me?” Sergio raised an eyebrow. “I can cancel today’s meeting and make love to you the entire day. That’s how much I love you and can’t stay away from you for long.”

“No way!” Eric grinned. “We just did that last night. You’re not satisfied?”

“Am I ever tired of making love to you?” Sergio sighed happily as he raised his head to kiss Eric but the boy blocked him. “And I love you so much. I have woken up but I am still dreaming of you.”

“You love telling lies in the morning,” Eric said as he pushed Sergio back on the bed. “Get up quickly while I prepare your bath.”

“Hey!” Sergio held his hand. “Come on, just a bit longer. I promise it will just be a kiss.”

Eric threw a pillow at Sergio and he laughed. Sergio gripped the pillow harder, laughing through it. But when he removed it, Eric was nowhere to be seen.

“Eric!” He chuckled, getting up from the bed. “Come on, babe.”

He was only wearing a tight brief which wasn’t even able to hide his hard-on. He was happy, very happy.

“Eric! Come on!” He hollered. “Don’t do this to your husband. You know how much I want you right now. Where are you, baby? You in the shower? I am coming right over there.”

He smiled and then rushed into the bathroom. He found Eric seated on the edge of the hot tub with his fingers moving through the water. God, he looked sexy. Sergio rubbed his hands together as he neared his husband.

“I am coming, babe!”

“Sergio, it’s very late,” Eric said as he raised his head, staring at Sergio.

Sergio stopped in his tracks and stood still, his smile starting to fade. “Babe, what are you…”

“You’ve found me alright. But at the same time, you’ve lost me forever.” He said, still wearing a smile. “You betrayed me, used me, and then dumped me. You destroyed the perfect life that we would have had together right now.”

“Eric, listen…” He started getting closer but the boy disappeared right in front of him. “Eric!” He shouted, looking all around. “Eric, I am so sorry!” He yelled. “Please, come back. Come back!”

*

“Eric!” Sergio gasped as he furiously rose from the bed like the hounds of hell were after him.

Sergio was so sweaty that his entire body was like he’d just been from taking a dip into the pool. He was breathing harshly and his heart was racing so much.

“God!” He muttered, gripping his hair furiously.

Shit! Five years, five painful years since Eric had left. Sergio hadn’t heard anything from him, seen him, or even communicated with his friends. All his social media platforms had been deleted and he had tried searching for him all over social media but it was like the boy had disappeared from the planet of the earth suddenly. All he prayed for each day was to see him again, apologize and hopefully make things right. God!

Sergio got up from the bed and stood in front of a huge dressing mirror, checking himself out. Hmmm, a lot had changed in the last five years. His body was now even more muscular than he was… his hair had grown a little and he had it in a gorgeous textured falling quiff and it was now black with golden brown highlights.

Sergio was no longer an immature boy he was back in the university. He was now a mature man, admired and very popular both in the business and fashion world. He was a very big business tycoon after taking over all the companies that his father had left.

“God!” He sighed. “It’s been five years, Eric. And every day, I keep having the same dream about you. What did you do to me? I don’t understand how after five years, you’re still affecting. I am supposed to be moving on but I feel tortured by your sudden disappearance. I just hope wherever you are, you’re very happy.”

He took a sigh when he heard his alarm begin to ring. It was time to prepare for work. He had a very important meeting that day.

***

Sergio was coming downstairs looking sexy as hell in a black designer’s one-piece black suit with a white shirt inside. He was looking smart with black and white striped shoes on his feet. He was holding his phone and tablet as he came down those stairs.

“Hey!” Sergio heard a sweet voice as soon as he reached the living room.

He looked in front of him and saw a very beautiful, curvy lady rushing to him with a smile on her face. She was dressed in a beautiful black dress that showed off her gorgeous curves with slippers on her feet. Her hair was made into beautiful braids that revealed her beautiful gray eyes like Sergio’s. She was a really beautiful lady.

“Hey, Adriana! How are you this morning?”

Adriana pecked his cheek and held his hand. “Better now that I have seen you, baby.”

“Hey, I am not a baby. I am a grown-up.”

Adriana laughed, shaking her head. “I know. It just feels good to call you that.”

Adriana was Sergio’s sister and the baby of the family. She was 21 and a graduate of the school of fashion and design. Adriana was a rare gem to their companies. Her ideas and designs had contributed to a whole lot of contracts.

“Anyway, are you not coming to work?” He asked.

“Nah!” She shook her head. “I was thinking of going out later. I’ll just finish some work from home and then I’ll email them to you.”

“You wanna go out?” Sergio asked. “Why don’t you join us this afternoon? We can have fun and…”

“And if by us, you mean you and you know who?” She chuckled bitterly. “Then I am sorry to say that I am not interested. You know how I always lose it whenever I am around him. I just don’t get why you guys are even still together. He’s so annoying.”

“Come on,” Sergio sighed, taking his sister’s hands. “You know I love you so much, Adriana. But this is my fiancé we’re talking about. We’ll be getting married soon and he’s not so bad.”

“Are you kidding me?” Adriana laughed. “I don’t even know…”

“Adriana, I know you don’t like Trev and that’s why I am inviting you so that you guys can give each other a chance.” He sighed. “He’ll soon be coming here as the son in law of this house. You know the wedding is in three weeks' time, right?”

“That’s where you have it wrong!” Adriana said. “No matter what that man comes into this house as I will never like him. He’s just so full of himself and…”

“Okay, Adriana!” Sergio raised his hands like he was surrendering. “If you’re not interested then I won’t force you. But you’re gonna have to accept and respect him at some point.” He kissed her forehead softly. “For peace to reign. I will see you later.”

Without saying another word to her, he left the house.

Adrian groaned, wondering why she hated Trevor so much.

“Why can’t everyone else see what I see in that idiot?”

She was mad again.

***

“Hey, I am on my way. Can you please tell them to wait just a bit?” Sergio asked.

‘You said that five minutes ago, sir!’ His assistant said on the other side. ‘They’re getting impatient. Maybe we should just reschedule the meeting if you’re busy.’

“No, I am almost there. Just try to come up with an excuse, serve them some snacks, give them catalogs, anything but don’t let them go, okay.”

“But sir…”

“I know you’ll do it. Bye!”

He cut the call and smiled brightly. He couldn’t believe he was late again. That was all his dreams’ fault. If he had woken up early then he’d have been at the office already.

“Eric, this is your faulty!” He sighed.

Sergio was about to make a turn when all of a sudden, he hit the brakes and stopped immediately. His eyes widened as he looked at the side mirror while his heart started racing. Sergio felt hot and he took a glance behind.

Shit! How was that possible?

“Eric!” He gasped.

Sergio could have sworn that was Eric he was looking at. He was just a distance away from him and though he couldn’t see his face… that body, the beautiful hair just like he remembered it and just the way his clothes fit him. That was Eric. He was standing at the edge of the road, trying to stop a cab.

“Shit, Eric!”

Sergio had no idea when he got out of his car. He didn’t care that he had parked right in the middle of the road and his doors were unlocked. The cars behind were honking angrily but he didn’t even pay attention. All his eyes were glued on was the boy that took his heart and his mind away. He was nervous as hell.

“Eric!”

Sergio rushed to him as quickly as he could and reaching him, he gripped his arm with a happy chuckle.

“Oh my God, Eric!”

But to his disappointment, as soon as the person turned, he lost the smile on his face. It wasn’t Eric. He didn’t even look like him. The guy had terrible teeth and he wasn’t even beautiful. Even the hair he had mistaken to be Eric wasn’t even in good shape. And that body, gosh, what was happening to him? He couldn’t understand himself.

“Hi, sir!” The man smiled, almost blushing.

Sergio quickly withdrew his arm, taking a step back. “I am so sorry. I… I thought you were someone else. I am really sorry.”

“It’s okay, sir!” The man said, still smiling. “By the way, sir, you’re very handsome. Are you single? I am single.”

Sergio shook his head abruptly. “No! I am so sorry for this. I have to go.”

He started rushing out of there like the hounds of hell were after him. Shit! Another disappointment and this one wasn’t even close. He couldn’t even understand why he always mistook other people for Eric whenever he was going to work. He was going crazy.

“Hey, sir, what the fuck do you think you’re doing?” One of the people that he had blocked with his car shouted. “We have better things to do. Can you move your car? Are you going insane?”

“Sorry!” He apologized.

“Well, your sorry won’t…”

“Then what the fuck do you want from me?” He snapped. “I have already apologized and if you are not interested then get the fuck off my case.”

He got in his car angrily and drove off like a maniac. He was going crazy.

***

“Dude, you’re not serious, are you?” Steve gasped, shaking his head. “You can’t be fucking serious? I think you’re going insane.”

Steve was surprised by the story that Sergio had been telling him.

Steve had grown into a handsome guy in the past five years. He was not only one of Sergio’s business partners in one of his companies but he was a great advisor and brother to him. Their bond had grown into something even stronger.

He was dressed in a sexy brown designer’s suit with a black shirt inside and brown shoes. He had his hair cut short, which made him look handsome and irresistible. He was a bit muscular but also not as handsome as Sergio.

“Can you blame me?” Sergio said, running his fingers through his hair. “I just haven’t been the same since that day and you know it.”

“How long has it been?” Steve asked. “Five years? You’ve been in love with this boy for five good years and you haven’t even set your eyes on him for so long.”

“Well, actually, it’s been four years, 11 months, 24 days, 11 hours and…” He glanced at his watch. “…45 seconds now.”

“See! You’re going crazy.” Steve was worried about his friend. “And one of these days, you’ll find yourself in a mental asylum. Why can’t you just accept that he’s gone? It was just a game and…”

“A game I shouldn’t have played in the first place, man.” Sergio sighed. “Each day I dream about him, my love keeps going stronger. Each time I think about him, I feel like…”

“You’re going crazy.” Steve chimed in, rolling his eyes.

“I have tried all I can to trace him. I even went to Canada to look for him but nothing.”

“That’s a sign, dude!” Steve said softly. “You need to forget about your past and move on. Don’t let this ruin your relationship with Trevor. He’s been nothing but a great boyfriend to you. He deserves love and care.”

“That’s why I am marrying him,” Sergio said with a weak smile. “I don’t wanna hurt him as I did before. I don’t want any other soul to suffer.”

Steve chuckled, folding his arms while staring at Sergio without blinking. “Suppose you manage to find the whereabouts of Eric, what are you going to do?”

Sergio felt a surge of fear run through his system and he remained quiet, staring at his friend like he’d just said a taboo. That was something that he’d never thought about in the last five years. He wanted to give his friend an answer but that was just it, he didn’t have an answer.

“You don’t even know what you’re gonna do.” Steve laughed. “Come on, man. You just have to forget about him. It’s been so long. Eric is not that much for you to put your life on hold. You need to move on and forget about him. You’re starting a new life with Trev in a few weeks and if you want this new relationship to work, you need to forget completely about Eric!”

Sergio sighed. “You’re probably right. It’s time I forgot about him.”

Although he’d said that, he knew it was gonna be difficult to move on and forget about a love that he’d found with his prey. God! It was just so hard.

***

“Wow! This is gorgeous.” Giada gasped as she went through the catalog that she was holding. “I love all the ideas in here and I don’t know which one to choose.”

Giada was super excited and happy with her life and the way it was going. She was seated in one of the fancy restaurants, acting like a boss. Fuck! Five years and she had lived the best of her life in five years without any disturbances or having anything to worry about. Her business was booming and she was known as the fashion queen together with her son.

She was dressed in a sexy, designer’s red dress which reached her knees, pure white designer’s heels, and beautiful expensive jewelry on her body. Her makeup was on point and her hair was made in beautiful curls. God!

“But you know that at the end of the day, it will have to be our children to choose what they want, right?” Kim said with a smile.

Kim was a woman of beauty, a model in her days, and a beautiful high-class businesswoman very well known in the business world as an iron lady. She had taken over all her husband’s companies after his death and had unexpectedly risen to the top. Though her son was now the owner of them all, she still had her power over the companies.

Kimberly was a tall beauty in her late 40s, beautiful long blonde hair that she had in a one-sided braid, a beautiful green dress that screamed class with silver high heels on her feet. Her face was graced by makeup and her lips by blood-red lipstick that just made her look younger than she was. Many didn’t believe she had a 26-year-old son because she looked 26 herself. Funny, right?

“You’re right about that, Kim!” Giada said as she closed the catalog, smiling at her. “Our children are gonna choose what they want. But one thing I can assure you is that this will be considered the wedding of the century. I will invite ministers, governors, kings, and even the president himself if I have to.”

Kim laughed. “Anything to make my Sergio happy. This wedding will be the talk of the town. I just can’t wait for them to arrive so that I can tell them.”

“Tell us what?” A happy voice spoke.

Kim and Giada looked in the direction of the voice and met a really beautiful face with the smile of an angel. He was dressed perfectly in a pure white shirt that was halfway buttoned and tucked in a blue skinny pair of jeans that showed off his body and white designer’s snickers. His long golden brown hair with gray highlights which reached half his back was tied in a sexy high fashion ponytail.

And he was holding his fiancé, Sergio who equally had a smile on his face. The two men looked so cute that most people in the restaurant couldn’t help but stare and wish they had one of them.

“Tell you that your wedding plans will start as soon as possible,” Giada said with a chuckle. “We spoke to the classiest wedding outfit designer today and she has already sent some catalogs. You need to check them out.”

“Really?” Trev gasped, literally jumping. “Can’t believe the moment is here already. It still feels like a dream.”

He went to Giada and gave her a tight hug before he kissed Kimberly and sat beside her. Even Sergio took a seat and just remained quiet, smiling brightly at the three people there. He was still absent-minded, thinking about what Steve had told him earlier that day.

“Isn’t that right, son?” Kim said, bringing back to reality.

“Huh?” He gasped. “What did you say?”

“I was asking about the outfits for the wedding, love.” She said with a smile, showing him the catalog. “Which one do you think will be great?”

Without even looking at the catalogs once, he just smiled.

“Whatever you think is okay, mom.” He said, shaking his head. “And besides, whatever Trev chooses will just be okay with me. He’s good when it comes to choosing such things, right babe?”

Trev nodded, holding his fiancé’s hands sweetly. “I know, baby. I will choose something that will be lovely.”

“Oh…” Giada breathed in deeply. “…aren’t these two so cute? I think they’re like the best couple ever. I can’t wait to hold my grandkids in my arms.”

Trev chuckled, burying his head on his fiancé’s arm. “Mom, that’s a little too early to discuss. We haven’t even talked about that yet!”

“Well, there’s nothing to be shy about.” Kim laughed, winking at her son. “You don’t expect us to shun this subject, do you? We’re not getting any younger.”

They all laughed except for Sergio who was just smiling.

“Well, one thing I can tell you right now is that we’re gonna give you really beautiful grandkids when we feel like our family needs to expand.”

“I hope that’s soon,” Kim said as she took a sip of her juice, making everyone laugh. “Anyway, I will be starting to write the guest list so if there are some people that you wanna add that I have no idea about, you better tell. I don’t wanna forget anyone, especially not the most important guests. I need it to be special because this day is gonna be special for my lovely son.”

They continued discussing, planning, and having the best day of their lives while enjoying some snacks. By the way, the restaurant that they were at was owned by Kim and her family.

***

Brice was seated on the couch, his eyes fixed on the laptop. He seemed to be engrossed in whatever he was doing because he kept on scrolling and scrolling. Brice was tired after spending the entire day at the office working on something really important.

He was wearing bright blue designer’s shorts with a black vest with nothing on his feet. His hair was messy and his eyes were a bit red. As he was busy on his laptop, he heard his phone ring and he was quick to pick it up.

“Hello!”

‘Hello, sir!’

“Yes!” He quickly rose from the couch. “How did it go? Did you find out anything?”

‘Sir, we’ve tried everything but it seems…’

“What’s this?” Brice snapped. “The same story you’ve been giving me for the past three fucking years. What do you want me to do, huh? Do you think I am a money dispensing machine? What do I pay you for?”

‘Sir, please, calm down!’ The man said on the other end. ‘We’ve looked everywhere but there’s no news. We’ve tried our best but…’

“Well, your best ain’t enough, do you hear me?” He screamed. “I am sick and tired of your excuses. There’s no way a young boy would just disappear into thin air like that. And you call yourself the best.”

‘We’re sorry, sir!’ The man said in an apologetic tone. ‘That’s why we called to tell you that we can no longer continue with the investigation. We’ve tried our best and…’

“Yeah, just go the fuck away!” Brice was just flooded with anger. “That’s what you’re good at anyway.”

‘Sorry, sir!’

Brice cut the call and he felt like he’d just been possessed by some ancient demon. He was so fucking mad that he started breathing like a monster in a cave. He groaned angrily, turned, and threw the phone to the floor and it broke into pieces. At that same time, he got to see his wife standing near him, staring at him with her eyes wide open.

Giada was beyond shocked. She’d never seen her husband act like that before. She even thought she was in the wrong room.

“Giada!” Brice gasped as he rubbed his forehead. He was a bit scared and nervous. “Hi, my love! How long have you been standing there?”

Giada started walking towards her husband, staring at him with a blank face. “Not long ago. What’s going on, baby? Are you alright?”

Brice chuckled nervously, kissing his wife’s cheeks. “S-sure!” He stuttered. “It’s just one of my workers who couldn’t do what I had asked them to do. The thing was really important and now it requires me to do it myself. I hate it when my work isn’t down as instructed.”

“Come on, my love!” Giada smiled as he rubbed on her husband’s arm. “You don’t have to worry about anything. I don’t like seeing you stressed over things. Why don’t you tell the name of the idiot and I’ll have him fired right now!”

“What?” Brice chuckled nervously, throwing an arm. “Don’t worry, babe. It’s nothing that I can’t handle. I’ll do it myself.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely!” Brice smiled brightly. “And by the way, where’s our son? I thought you two went out together.”

“Oh yeah!” Giada laughed. “We did! But he’s spending the night at his fiancé’s place. They’ve got some things to talk about and…” She chuckled seductively, her fingers circling Brice’s chest. “…this will give us some time alone. It’s been a while since we spent some quality time together.”

Brice bit his lip, staring at his wife. “Aren’t you tired, my love? You just came back from…”

“Shh…” She covered his mouth with her hand. “You know I am never too tired for you, baby. I lose control each time I stare at you. You’re still the hot hunk you were back in the day and each second that passes, I just wanna spend more time with you.”

Brice took his wife’s hand and kissed it. “In that case, let me go and prepare the Jacuzzi so that our fun begins there.”

Giada could already feel herself losing it. “Hmmm, I will get the wine to make the moment even more…” She paused and moaned. “…romantic.”

Brice smiled. “I’ll see you upstairs.”

Then he rushed upstairs, singing like a teenager in love. Fuck! Five fucking years and Giada still had her husband all to herself without any disturbances. It was too good to be true.

“You’re all I ever need. Baby, you’re amazing. You’re my…”

But Giada didn’t even finish her song as her eyes landed on Brice’s laptop and something caught her eye there. She quickly took the laptop and the moment she set her eyes there, her heart skipped a beat. It was a picture of Eric on the search engine and there were so many results which were dead ends anyway.

Giada felt some form of anger take her by storm and she literally lost it. She went to her husband’s browser history and found that everything there was about Eric and a bit about Laurel. Fuck! She furiously deleted the history and shut down the laptop.

‘So this is the reason why you’re always on your laptop, Brice!’ She thought as she clenched her fists. ‘This is the reason why you’ve failed to concentrate on your work for the last three years.

Well, it’s fine! But one thing I can promise you is that I will never allow that boy to come back or for you to find him. He’s been untraceable for the last five years and I honestly hope he’s dead together with that bitch.’ She grinned evilly. ‘We’re now living in peace and it shall continue like that. I know exactly what to do.’

She took a deep breath and then smiled. She wasn’t gonna allow anyone to ruin that wonderful moment for her. She was gonna pretend she didn’t see anything. But she was gonna have to address that issue once and for all. It was a promise.

***

Sergio opened his eyes to find a surprise waiting for him, Trevor staring at him with a smile on his face. He was leaning on his hand, staring at him like he wanted to devour him and that smile on his face was beautiful.

“Morning, baby!” Trevor moaned as he leaned forward and placed a kiss on his fiancé’s lips. “How did you sleep?”

“Morning!” Sergio moaned as he stretched his arms. “My night was perfect. And yours?”

“Do you have to ask?” Trevor blushed, biting his lips. “Last night was so amazing that I can still feel you inside me. I had the best night ever.”

“Hmmm…” Sergio smiled, rubbing his eyes. “I am glad you did.”

“I always do.” He kissed Sergio’s lips once more before he got off the bed.

He was only putting on a sexy black boxer brief that showed off his body to his fiancé. He wanted to kill him with seduction. He grabbed Sergio’s robe and wore it, running his fingers through his hair. Then he started heading towards the door, taking a glance at his smiling fiancé.

“Where are you going?”

“I need to make some coffee,” Trev said. “Would you like some?”

“Sure!”

Trev nodded and then went downstairs to the kitchen where he found a maid busy making breakfast. He ordered her to make some special coffee and snacks for him and Sergio. The maid nodded and got to work right away.

At that same time, Adrianna came into the kitchen dressed in tight joggers with her hair tied and staring at her phone with a smile. She was just from her early morning jog and she was looking really beautiful.

“Hey, can you make me a cup of tea?” She asked the maid. “No, make that two with some vanilla cookies, okay?”

“Yes!” The maid nodded. “Right away, ma’am!”

To say Trev was shocked would be an understatement. He couldn’t believe Adrianna had just done that. “Excuse me, Adrianna!” He said as he got closer. “She’s making coffee for me and Sergio. Do you mind waiting, please? It won’t take long.”

Adrianna looked at Trev in disgust from head to toe before looking at the maid. “Can you please hurry it up? I need my morning tea. Just the way I like it.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Trev started getting mad.

“Adrianna, you know that I had told her first. Besides, Sergio is waiting for his coffee.” He looked at the maid. “Can you make the coffee fast and also some snacks? I am really hungry.”

“Excuse me!” Adrianna lost her cool. “I just told her to make two cups of tea and one of them is for my brother. I don’t care how hungry you are but this is my house and whatever orders I decide to give to my maid is none of your business. If you want to give orders, you can do that at your house.”

Trev was furious. “Adrianna, did you just talk to me like that? How dare you? Do you know that I am older than you and also your brother’s fiancé?”

“So?” She shrugged. “What do you want me to do? Bow down each time I see you? Kiss your feet or what?”

“Adrianna!” Trev sighed, trying to keep his anger inside. “I just don’t understand why you are always finding ways of trying to hurt me or humiliate me. I have tried all possible ways to make you like me.”

Adrianna laughed when she heard that. “Are you for real? Well, news flash…” She gestured. “…you don’t fool me at all. You might be able to fool everyone in this house but not me. I can see through your lying, cheating…”

“Hey, that’s enough!” Trev snapped. “Just because you’re my fiancé’s sister doesn’t give you the right to insult me. Don’t take my meekness for weakness, okay. And besides, I don’t understand why you seem to have a problem with me.”

“That’s because you’re not good for my brother,” Adrianna said simply with her arms folded. “I know that my brother deserves better than you. You’ve dated for how long, less than ten years?” She chuckled bitterly. “That doesn’t make you right. And if I had my ways, I wouldn’t even let you come anywhere near my brother and…”

“Adrianna!” Came an angry voice right behind her.

Adrianna quickly turned and found her mother rushing towards her and boy was she angry. She came and stood in front of her, staring angrily into her eyes.

“What’s wrong with you? Why do you like stepping on people’s toes?”

“But mom…”

“Shut up!” Kim warned, pointing angrily at her. “If not for the fact that you are my daughter, I’d have taught you a really good lesson. Trev is gonna become the son in law of this house in three weeks and you need to respect him as such. Besides that, he is also four years older and you shouldn’t be talking to him like that.”

“Mom, I…”

“Shh…” She gestured as she moved closer to Trev, putting up a smile on her face. She held his hands and kissed them. “I am truly sorry for that, my love!” She caressed his cheek, making him smile. “Please, forgive Adrianna for this.”

“You don’t have to worry, mother! I understand her.” He said with a glance at the girl who seemed mad. “She’s doing this because she loves her brother a lot and the fact that someone else is gonna be sharing in that love is taking a toll on her. We’re cool. Right, Adrianna?”

Adrianna rolled her eyes and hissed before she stormed out of the kitchen, surprising her mother. She wanted to call her back, but Trev held her hand and just smiled.

“You don’t have to worry about anything, mother,” Trev reassured. “I am not mad at her. Very soon, she’ll accept me and we’ll be best of friends.”

Kimberly had never seen a person as good as Trev. “You know…” She sighed happily. “…my son is a very lucky man to have you in his life. But I am the luckiest mother in law because my son in law is simply the best. I trust you to keep this family happy and knit together.”

She kissed his cheek and then left. As soon as she left, an evil grin appeared on his face.

‘I don’t need your blessings to get married to your son because he’s mine already and even if you hadn’t approved, I would have still gotten married to him.’ He thought as he folded his arms, leaning on the counter. ‘As for that brat, Adrianna, I just have to tolerate her for a while. Let me come into this house first and then I’ll have her on a tight leash. She’ll learn not to mess with me. Idiot!’

He chuckled manically and turned to find the maid staring at him.

“And what the fuck are you looking at?” He snapped. “Can you hurry it up?”

The maid nodded and started doing her work. Trevor couldn’t wait to get married to Sergio and claim his position him.

***

Giada waved happily as soon as she saw the man who was seated at the far end of the beautiful fancy restaurant waiting for her. He was handsome, a man in his early 50s but could still pass for a 30 something-year-old. He was just of average height, a cute round face with light brown eyes and short blonde hair.

He was dressed in a blue designer’s suit with a white shirt inside. He was wearing a smile and as soon as he saw Giada, he rushed to her and hugged her tightly before the two of them pecked and smiled like best of friends.

“Wow!” Giada chuckled as she took a seat. “You’ve got no idea how happy I am that you honored my invitation to come here. I am so happy.”

“Well, it’s not every day you get to be invited by a really pretty and sexy woman like you, Mrs. Sandoval,” David said, still wearing a smile. “By the way, you look really good.”

“You don’t have to be so formal, Mr. Smith!” She said with a chuckle. “Call me Giada!”

“Call me David too. Mr. Smith is making me look way older than I am.”

The two of them laughed, not minding who saw them.

“Anyway, Giada, I was quite surprised when I received your call. I hope I am not in too much trouble.”

“Not all.” Giada shook her head. “Not really, governor!” Giada teased.

David used to be a governor a few years back when he was quite young before he decided to go abroad with his family. A lot of people still called him ‘governor’ because they still hoped for him to come back into office.

“I will go straight to the point.” She sighed. “David, I have heard a lot about both your companies, Liberty shoes and D&E. Both of them are not only among the best companies in the fashion industry in our country but they’re the leading companies in the entire continent. I must say that I am both impressed and in awe.”

David laughed, shaking his head. “Thanks a lot, Giada but I don’t think I deserve the praises you’re giving me. Your fashion house is one of the best in our country. It is known by everyone and it keeps on getting stronger. You’re known as the fashion queen of this country.”

“This country!” Giada said, getting closer to the man. “But your companies are the best in the entire continent. It’s like they just suddenly started leading about three years ago and now they’re the best. That’s something that I have been trying to do for years.”

David just laughed. “Well, Giada, thanks. But let’s just say that when you find the right charm, you can do anything. I have my lucky charm with me and with that lucky charm, I have nothing to worry about. You see, years ago when I lost my family, I thought my world was gonna crumble and I lost all hope of living. But a very special light suddenly came into my life and showed me that there’s still life even when you think you’re done for.

It showed me that there’s still a lot to live for. And if I can’t live for myself, I gotta live for others that care for me. Since then, I have never been able to look behind. That’s the genesis of my success. But it also comes with lots of responsibilities.”

Giada nodded. “You’re right about that. And I am sorry for the loss of your family, David, really!”

“It’s all in the past.” He smiled sheepishly. “My family wouldn’t be happy seeing me sad so I moved on. And I am happy helping others.”

“That’s nice.”

Giada was so fucking nervous but she needed to let the cat out of the bag.

“Anyway, I will not beat around the bush. I will go straight to the point.”

“Go ahead!”

Giada gave a sexy smile. “I want in, David!”

David frowned, wondering what Giada was talking about. “In?” He gasped. “What do you mean?”

“I want a partnership with both Liberty shoes and D&E.” She said, still wearing a smile. “I had come to this conclusion after careful thought and I want in. What do you say?”

David laughed, shaking his head. “Mrs. Sandoval, I don’t think you need to partner with my companies. Both of us are doing great on our own.”

“I know that, Mr. Smith!” Giada nodded. “But imagine what we could achieve if our companies decided to partner. We would be unstoppable. We would be the best not only in the entire continent but the entire world. I don’t know about you David but I…” She said with a wink. “…I know that this is exactly what I want.”

David nodded, still wearing the smile. “Well, Mrs. Sandoval, I have no problem with partnering with you. And I do think it’s a great idea but there’s just one problem.”

Giada frowned, looking at the man like he’d just grown another head. Man, David could smell the hunger for power, influence, and money coming off the woman. He knew her very well.

“Problem?” Giada gasped.

“It’s not much,” David said. “It’s just that I can’t make a decision right now because I don’t own the company alone. It will require me and my co-owner to have a meeting with you.”

“Really?” Giada laughed, raising her eyebrow. “And since when did the great David Smith have a co-owner to his companies? I thought you loved working alone.”

“A lot has changed in the last few years, Giada, dear.” David laughed. “But that’s the truth. However, I am sure that he won’t have any problem with it. He’s the sweetest person I know.”

Giada felt air run through her body and she was able to breathe again.

“Well then…” She paused and took a glass of red wine from the table. “...since he won’t have any problem, let’s toast to the beginning of a new relationship. To our companies!”

David raised his glass and toasted it with her. “To our companies!”

The two of them took a sip of their glasses. They were just so goddamn happy but Giada’s excitement was over the roof. She was gonna be a goddess because that was gonna be the best deal she was gonna get.

“And by the way, Mrs. Sandoval, I recently heard of the engagement of your son to the business tycoon, Mr. Sergio Alvarado.”

“Yeah!” Giada nodded, a smile suddenly appearing on her face. “They’ve been engaged for quite some time and the wedding is also in three weeks.”

“That’s wonderful, Mrs. Sandoval. But how come we didn’t hear of a grand engagement party.”

“It was just a small private function.” She said. “It was only family and a few friends.”

“Hmmmmm… hope I get invited to the wedding though.”

“Definitely!” Giada nodded. “I will invite you to the wedding and besides, who doesn’t invite their business partner to such a wonderful event?”

Both of them laughed. Giada was pretty sure that nothing was gonna prevent her from getting that partnership. It was all hers.

“Well, why don’t you and your family come to a very important event this weekend?” David said as he took out a card from his pocket and handed it over to her. “That way, we’ll get a chance to talk more about this partnership and I’ll get a chance to meet your family and also your son in law to be if that’s not too much trouble!”

“What?” Giada gasped, chuckling nervously. “No!” Her eyes were on the card. “VIP?”

“Yes!” David sat back on the chair with his arms folded. “You’re gonna be the most important people for me there, Mrs. Sandoval. You’ll be in the VIP section with me. My business partner is also arriving on that same day and we’ll talk business.”

Giada got so excited that she could feel something rising deep inside her. She was really happy and she spent several minutes, staring at the card while smiling like an idiot. Of course, she was gonna go. She couldn’t miss such an opportunity.

“Let’s eat, Giada before the food gets cold.” David gestured.

Giada nodded, carefully placed the card in her purse, and started having her food.

***

Sergio was seated at the edge of the pool with his legs in the water. It was already night… the sky was clear and the stars looked so beautiful to him. It was a bit chilly but it brought a lot of joy to him and he loved it like that. He was only wearing a black vest with white shorts. He had had a long day at work and he was very tired. But he just wanted to be there and enjoy the day.

“I wonder why life is like this.” He muttered.

His eyes were fixed on his large phone, staring at it like he wanted to just be one with it. There was a beautiful picture of Eric there, the only picture that he had left of him and the picture that he hid from everyone else.

Eric had been looking really beautiful in that picture. His smile was captivating and he looked like an angel. His beautiful hair was made in a ponytail like Sergio remembered he loved and he was holding his phone, smiling at the camera.

Sergio took his hands and rubbed on that picture, a smile popping up his face. His heart was racing so much and his breaths were a bit harsh. God! What he would give to just see that face again. He had a lot that he wanted to say to Eric. He knew that he was the reason why Eric had left in the first place.

“For almost five years now, Eric!” Sergio moaned. “I have been living with this guilt in my heart. I feel like God himself has been punishing me and each day that passes, I feel a part of me dying. Please, come back my darling. I want you back.”

Sergio took his phone and kissed it, tears welling in his eyes. But suddenly, he heard footsteps and he quickly switched off his phone and slid it into his pocket. Then he cleaned himself up and acted cool.

“What’s going on?” Sergio heard his sister’s voice before she sat beside him with her legs in the water. “Are you okay?”

Sergio glanced at his sister long enough to give her a fake smile. “Yeah, why do you ask?”

“You can’t fool me, you know.” Adrianna sighed, resting her hand on his shoulder. “I had been standing behind you for quite some time and I saw you. I have noticed that whenever you’re alone, you are always staring at your phone, and sometimes, you smile on your own. What’s going on? You can talk to me.”

Sergio smiled sheepishly. “You wouldn’t understand, Adrianna. Maybe one day, I might tell you about it.”

Adrianna gave a gloomy sigh, running her fingers through her hair. She was silent for some seconds. “Is it about…” She paused. “Is it about Trevor and the upcoming wedding? Sergio, if you’re not interested in marrying Trevor then why are you…”

“It’s not about that.” Sergio shook his head. “This is something else. You know that Trevor and I have been in a relationship for a long time, since our late high school days.”

“I know!” Adrianna nodded. “But that doesn’t mean you need to marry him. Are you sure you’re going to be happy with Trevor? I don’t know what I see whenever you’re with him. But it’s not happiness and…”

“Come on,” Adrianna Sergio chuckled, taking his sister’s hands. He was smiling. “I love Trevor and I want to spend the rest of my life with him. And this is the reason why I want you to give him a chance for my sake, please!”

Adrianna lost the smile on her and just stared at her brother. “You might be smiling, brother. But you’re unable to hide that there’s a storm going on within you. Not at least from your sister.”

Sergio’s smile started fading.

“Sergio, ever since Dad died, you and I have been close and I know you,” Adrianna added. “I understand you even more than mom does. I can bet and say that this is a fake smile. You’ve not been the same for years now. You used to be a party boy, very lively and very exciting. But ever since your graduation, it’s like all that disappeared.”

Sergio felt his heart jump and he gulped. “No, Adrianna, I am very happy.”

“If you’re really happy, Sergio then why do I feel that there’s a clash between your mind and your heart?” She asked in a raised voice.

“Between my mind and heart…” He chuckled bitterly with tears welling in his eyes. “…Adrianna what are you talking about? Please…” He squeezed her hand lovingly. “This is gonna be important for me, Adrianna. And I need your support and love.”

Adrianna felt emotional and sorry for her brother. She loved him too much and didn’t want him to be sad although she felt he was gonna be making a really big mistake.

“You know I am always with you, my love!” She said with tears in her eyes. “I support all your decisions. Sergio, I just need you to be happy and for that, I’ll grant your wish. I won’t cause any more trouble for Trevor and you. I’ll give him a chance for the sake of your happiness.”

Sergio smiled and gripped his sister into a tight hug. As he hugged her, tears rolled down his cheeks but he quickly rubbed them. But it wasn’t long before Adrianna pulled from the hug.

“I promise to give him a chance. But listen to me, Sergio…” She said softly. “…Close your eyes and think. What will make you happy? Will this marriage make you happy? I know that you wanna go ahead but close your eyes and think about your happiness.”

With those words, Adrianna kissed him on the cheek and she left him alone there.

‘Close your eyes and think!’

Sergio had no idea why he got scared with Adrianna’s words. It had been so difficult for him the past five years and he’d agreed to that marriage with so much difficulty. After all, he was also unfair to Trevor and need to make up for his mistakes.

Sergio slowly closed his eyes and just concentrated his mind. The moment he did, images of Trevor started forming in his head. He saw Trevor smiling, the two of them kissing and enjoying their lives. He thought about Adrianna and his mother and how happy the three of them have been living. And then he saw himself with Trevor again.

Just when he thought he was sure, just like a flash, Eric came to his mind and he started seeing him. Images of the two of them meeting, their first kiss, the way they were happy, Eric being so cute and sweet… he remembered the words Eric used to use on him and as he did, his heart began racing and tears started forming in his eyes. He was engulfed in a certain warmth that he couldn’t even explain himself.

‘I love you!’ Sergio heard Eric’s words and when Eric kissed him, he felt it.

Sergio gasped in shock and opened his eyes quickly. He was hyperventilating… he felt like he’s just been from a race. That kiss had felt more real than he remembered anything when he dreamt about Eric. He touched his lips slowly and could have sworn they were still wet from Eric’s kiss.

What did this mean? He was absolutely scared.

***

Trevor was in the pool, enjoying himself with a glass of champagne in there. He had a brilliant smile on his face and nothing, absolutely nothing was gonna pull that smile off his face. He was daydreaming about Sergio again and he just wanted him with him right there. But the guy was at his house and it was already late.

“Hey!” Trevor heard a really happy voice call him.

He quickly looked towards the direction of the voice and found his mother standing there with her arms folded and a pretty brilliant smile on her face. He chuckled happily, swam to the edge, got out, and covered himself with a towel before the both of them sat on the chair with his mother.

“You seem happy!” Giada asked.

“Why wouldn’t I, mother? Everything in my life is falling exactly where it should be.” He sighed, biting his lips. “My companies are going fine, I am going to get married to the man I have always loved and my life is great. What else can I ask for?”

“Nothing, dear!” Giada caressed his cheek. “You deserve all that and more and I am willing to go an extra mile just to see you happy. Just a few weeks and you’ll be the son in law of a very powerful and influential family.”

“Yes! And this time, nothing is gonna stand in my way. Sergio is mine and mine alone!”

***

5 years ago

*

“What are you saying?” Trev cried as he stared at Sergio’s face. “You know how much I love you and I am willing to do anything for you. I am not mad at you or anything.”

Sergio groaned in confusion, gripping his hair. “Trev, I am not saying this is your fault but I am at fault. You can blame me. I’ll take it and… it’s all just messing with my head.”

“You said you loved me!”

“I do!” Sergio didn’t know what he was even saying. “But I am just saying that let’s just go our separate ways. Let’s find ourselves. We can still be friends.”

“Friends?” Trev snapped as a billion tears flowed down his cheeks. “Friends, you say? I don’t wanna be your friend, Sergio. I wanna be with you and you know that very well.”

Trevor had come to see Sergio at his apartment a day after the whole incident had happened. He was in so much pain because he couldn’t accept what Sergio was telling him.

“Trevor, please, I love you.” Sergio sighed. “But I can’t be with you at such a time. I am sorry. My life right now is a mess and I don’t know when it will be fixed.”

Trevor sobbed, shaking his head. “I can’t live without you, Sergio. You’re my life!”

“Please, try to understand, Trev!” Sergio said as he held his hands tightly. “This is also difficult for me. I feel terrible for what I have done. I have been unfair to both you and to Eric. I don’t deserve your love, Trev. I don’t think I deserve anyone’s love for ruining both your lives. I am truly sorry but it’s over.”

With those words, he let go of Trevor’s hands and started leaving the apartment.

“Sergio!” Trevor wailed, falling to his knees. “Sergio, please, don’t leave me. I love you so much. Sergio!”

But Sergio left without even looking behind.

“Sergio!”

***

Sergio was rushing inside the hospital, breathing like he was in labor. He was scared and his heart was racing. When he saw Giada seated on a chair near the emergency room with her face between her palms, he ran as fast as he could and knelt in front of her.

“Aunt!” He gasped. “What happened?”

Giada raised her wet face and stared at him for a long time without saying anything to him.

“Aunt!” He yelled.

“What can I say?” Giada muttered as more tears ran down her cheeks. “My son loves you so much that he can’t even do anything without you.” She sobbed. “He can’t bear to lose you, Sergio. My son would rather die than live a life without you. Last night…” She sobbed uncontrollably. “…he tried to take his own by slitting his wrist. He had lost lots of blood and… I don’t even know what he will do next.”

Sergio felt a surge of guilt slip through him. “But…”

“Please,” Giada put her hands together. “Trev is the only child that I have. I am begging you, please…” She tried to kneel but Sergio stopped her.

“Aunt, no!” Sergio held her hands. “Please, what are you doing? Don’t kneel in front of me.”

“What am I to do?” She cried. “My son is my life and if I lose him, I will surely die. It’s not fair that you’re the one that had cheated on him and he’s the one who’s suffering the consequences. My poor son,” She cried. “…even after finding out about what you had done, his love for you never got any less. He understood you and forgave you. Why?”

Sergio had never felt so guilty. He was crying too. “Aunt…”

“This is not right, Sergio.” She pointed. “You’re in the wrong here and my son shouldn’t get to suffer at all. He shouldn’t be suffering because he loves you. It isn’t right.”

Sergio slowly rubbed his tears, staring into her eyes. “You’re right, aunt! It isn’t right and I promise you that I’ll make things right. Trevor is a very good boy and he doesn’t deserve this. I will take responsibility for everything. I will make things right.”

“Really?” Giada gasped in shock.

“Yes!” He nodded.

Sergio felt terrible and hurt by the decision that he had taken. Something in his heart was telling him he’d made a big mistake. But what could he do? He was in a relationship with Trevor and he loved him.

“Excuse me!” Sergio said as he got up. “I… I need to do something.”

He left. As soon as he left, an evil grin appeared on Giada’s face and she rubbed her face clean.

‘”Checkmate!” She laughed maniacally.

Their plan had been a success and now they had Sergio in the palm of their hands. There was no way in this world he was gonna escape from them.

Just a simple plan for Trevor to cut himself but not deeply had worked wonders. And now, they were right back on the right track. It was really good being such an evil genius. It had been dangerous but it was worth it. They couldn’t lose an asset like Sergio.

***

Present-day

*

“Sergio is mine as he’ll always be.” Trevor sighed happily. “No force on this earth is strong enough to separate us now, mommy. No one!”

Giada nodded. “Well, you have your mother’s blood running through your veins. And I have also great news.” Giada said as she sat closer to him. “I just met with David Smith of Liberty shoes and D&E Liberty powers. And guess, what?” She shrieked like a kid. “We’re gonna get a partnership with them.”

“What?” Trev gasped, his face becoming blank. “No way, mom! David Smith, the god of the fashion industry? Please, tell me you’re joking?”

Giada laughed, showing him a card that he’d given her. “Nope! That’s the evidence. We’ve been invited to one of his events this weekend as VIPs!”

Trev’s eyes widened and his heart began racing miles and miles away. He couldn’t believe what he was holding.

“Mom, this feels like a dream.” He gasped. He was beyond shocked. “You mean we’re the VIPs of his event? We’ll be wining and dining with the fashion god? OMFG, please…”

“Calm down, baby!” Giada laughed, holding his hands. “It’s all real. And after this weekend, our lives will change. We’ll no longer be queens and kings but gods and goddesses. We’ll be very powerful and very influential. We’ll be able to step on anyone we want, kill anyone we want and do whatever we want.”

“OMG!” Trev felt like he was having a heart attack. “This is so amazing, mom! I never thought you were serious when you told me about it a few months ago.”

“Well, I am not called the queen for nothing. We the Sandovals have beauty and brains.” She laughed. “Why don’t you call Sergio and tell him about it. We’re all going there.”

“Right away!”

Trev rushed away from there, singing and jumping.

“Well, everything is falling right where it should be.” Giada laughed, taking a deep breath. “Cheers!”

***

The huge golden gate at the back of the stage suddenly opened and the whole stage was graced with low lying fog effects. Then everyone started screaming in the audience like they were going crazy. It was the most beautiful thing they’d ever seen in their lives. Then the whole platform extended into what looked like a huge runway that was decorated beautifully and it sparkled like crazy. On either side was the audience that screamed a whole lot.

The whole place looked magical and heavenly. It was really big and probably really expensive. It was decorated by the most expensive golden and silver decors all over the beautiful stage and the entire place. Whatever it was, it was gonna be big.

And here was the VIP section, a distance from the end of the runway and it was the most beautiful thing ever. The VIPs were seated on beautiful golden chairs with a big table and refreshments there. It was just Giada, her family, Sergio’s family, Mr. Smith, and some businessmen that came to support the event.

And here was Giada, dressed like a queen in a beautiful long silver dress with a slit that reached her thigh and she had beautiful golden high heels on her feet. Her hair was made into bombshell curls which made her look really beautiful. Kim too was killing it in a red long class dress with red heels on her feet and her hair made in slicked-back high fashion. Adrianna was looking beautiful in a black short classy and sexy dress, black high heels, and her hair curled to the fullest.

All the men were dressed in beautiful expensive designer’s suits of different colors with Sergio wearing a blood wine one and Brice a black one. Mr. Smith was wearing a pure white suit and he looked handsome and excited.

Suddenly as the gate opened wider, beautifully dressed teen girls and boys walked to the stage, and almost immediately, Nicki Minaj’s ‘Good form’ started playing and the crowd just went crazier.

‘Yo hold up, hold up, hold up, okay, hold up

You see me a bad bitch coming, tell your ass to hold up.

I’m in that new meeting Nunu when I roll up’

At that same moment, the teenagers started dancing and the whole place lit up. Everything started brightening and people’s moods started rising. The teens were so good that Sergio himself couldn’t help but crap. Everything was just starting but everyone was enjoying it already.

‘Run me that money!’

That was when they started dancing as their lives depended on it. Where Adrianna sat, she felt her heart jump into her chest and she started moving her body, screaming.

“Yeah, baby! Show us how it’s done!”

Sergio laughed. He knew his sister was crazy and wasn’t gonna hesitate to scream every chance she got. But he was enjoying it anyway. Thank God she wasn’t seated closer to Kim otherwise, she would have told her to keep quiet.

‘I slick, slick drop the top like snip slips

So he tryna smash like when the whip flips!’

That was the climax of the dance. The dancers were all on their knees, dancing like nothing Sergio had ever seen. They were dropping backward but slowly and they kept on dancing. Sergio had no idea how they did but it must have taken a whole lot of practice. Then they flipped and lay on the floor with their legs up and shook their bodies. The crowd went crazy and a whole lot of cameras simply came out of nowhere. It was beautiful and Sergio couldn’t remember being as happy and warm as he felt at that time.

‘I be like ooh he love me, ooh he love me, good form. Come on!”

That was the end of the dance, everyone got up and started clapping hard as the dancers bowed. The gate closed again and it became quiet everywhere, too quiet that everyone thought that was the end. But suddenly, there was a billowing smoke effect and the gate opened again. At that same time, Rita Ora’s ‘Let you love me,’ started playing.

Then a really beautiful young-looking model emerged from there and started walking down the runway. She was looking really beautiful in a gorgeous yellow dress that reached her knees but it was the shoes that took everyone’s attention.

They looked like beautiful glass high heels and sparkled like diamonds. They were made in such a unique way that everyone could have sworn they’d never seen anything like it. Cameras were rolling, trying to take different angles of the model while the crowd went nuts with excitement.

From the designer of those heels, everyone now knew why David’s company was the best in the continent. But before they thought they’d seen it all, another model emerged, a guy this time and god, he was dressed in the most beautiful designer’s jean suit but again, it was the shoes that got everyone’s attention.

He was wearing these pretty blue smart shoes that looked like they were made by the gods of Mount Olympus themselves. It was really beautiful to see.

Where Giada sat, she felt her heart jump in her chest and excitement took her by surprise. She leaned towards her handsome son and whispered, “We’re soon gonna be part of that.”

“I know.” Trevor giggled like an idiot. “I can almost imagine how rich we’ll be, mom!”

The two winked and continued watching the wonderful show.

Giada could feel the excitement in her head… she felt it in her eyes, her heart, and her entire body. She was just swimming in it as she stared at those models killing it on the runway. She knew she was part of it already. She could already feel it.

The show continued with several models showing off the designs of the clothes and shoes. But with each model that came out there, it was like the designs just got better. There were different beautiful, classy snickers unlike anything anyone had ever seen before and heels so high that everyone was wondering how they were able to walk in them. But they did their best and everyone was sure they were professional models although they looked young.

Finally, the grand finale reached and all the models came for a final walk but once they were done, they didn’t go back in but rather stood at the stage where they lined up, each with a pose. Cameras were flickering and the noise just got louder. Sergio knew that whoever had made those shoes must have been someone talented.

Then a beautifully dressed young man with blonde hair came on the stage and bowed. He was holding a microphone and everyone knew that he was probably the designer. He waved at the crowd and they just went crazier.

“Wow!” The man said happily in the microphone. “I have no words for what I have seen here today. But before I go into details, let me take a chance to thank all of you beautiful people for being here.”

Everyone cheered happily, clapping.

“But my greatest gratitude goes to our all-time loved governor, Mr. David Smith.”

David raised his hand, smiling and waving his hands. He was super excited.

“Thank you so much, Mr. Smith, for giving us such a wonderful opportunity to be a part of your success.” The man continued. “What we’ve seen here today is unlike anything I have ever seen, personally. Your company never disappoints and no wonder it has managed to stay on top. Thank you so much.”

The crowd cheered again.

“Without wasting any time, I would love to thank the most, the man behind these beautiful designs, someone who deserves all the credit and one of the rarest people left on this earth and also one of the benefactors of this event.” The man laughed.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” He hollered. “Let us all welcome with a big round of applause, Mr. Hernandez!”

Everyone started clapping loudly and happily including members of the VIP.

The gate opened and a handsome, really beautiful young man emerged with a smile on his face. At the same time, red confetti started falling on the stage. He was as beautiful as seeing the last beam of light from the sunset illuminate the surface of an endless ocean. He was like a painted masterpiece that could drive the artist insane with the realization they could never achieve anything nearly as perfect. He was beautiful beyond comprehension.

Sergio was clapping happily and excitedly with the brightest smile on his face. But suddenly, the smile that was on his face slowly started fading. His claps became weak until he eventually stopped. He went frozen and couldn’t even move. He couldn’t even blink.

At that particular time, Sergio became aware of his beat. It was like everything went quiet. He couldn’t hear anything although it was loud. He felt a cold wind go through him and he gulped as fear and surprise took him by storm. His face was blank as he stared at the stage nonstop, at the man that walked gracefully on the stage.

He was dressed in a beautiful pure white, classy see-through shirt with a tight white vest inside that was designed in such a way that everyone was amazed. The vest was tucked in a beautiful white designer’s trouser that was see-through from the knee down and he had beautiful white designer’s shoes that looked amazing.

He had a smile on his face that captivated a lot of souls and he killed the runway with his beauty. His hair, oh his hair looked so beautiful. It was unicorn Frappuccino hair. And it was made in a high top bun with long hair. It looked so amazing on him and he was like the most beautiful man ever.

Sergio was still frozen. He couldn’t move and he was scared. Trev felt his heart pound in fear and a cold wind went down his spine. He gulped and then looked at his fiancé, seeing him looking lost and scared. Trev had never felt so scared in his entire life before. His heart hammered into his chest and he felt dizzy for a few seconds. His eyes were on his fiancé and then the man on the stage.

Giada on the other hand had lost the smile on her face. She felt like she was seated on hot coals. Fear flooded through her being. Terror thundered down on her and she felt frightened down to the soles of her shoes. Her belly clumped, she sweated with fear and her body shook with fear. Her heart jumped as terror stabbed it. Tears formed in her eyes and she began panicking. It couldn’t be. Brice on the other hand just stood still in his seat, feeling like he was dreaming but he felt some warmth. Everyone else had no idea what was happening. They just kept on clapping and smiling.

The man walked to the front and stood there, smiling brightly while moving his face to look at the happy crowd. He was indeed beautiful and the red confetti falling on him made him look like an angel.

“Eric!” Sergio gasped in shock.

To be continued…