Tonight was going to be the best night of my life. While everyone was busy drinking and interacting, I was trying to control my breath because any moment from now, I'd be on that stage.
I deserved that award, countless night of sleepless night and drinking black coffee just to stay awake was finally over.
"Chill, girl. Your palms are literally sweating. The award is yours." Ariann my best friend said.
"Sweet lord! He looks like he was carved out of granite, Is it illegal for a man to look that good in a simple suit?"
I rolled my eyes at Ariann, I didn't need to look to know who she was talking about. It's always Xavier Vane, my rival and worst enemy.
I didn't even feel the least of whatever ladies felt around him, he didn't look attractive enough to me and yet any lady would want to get in his pant...even Ariann.
"My heart is beating so fast Ariann, I feel like I'm going to faint once I get on that stage." I said changing the topic.
She held my sweaty palms and hugged me. "You deserve it girlfriend." She said breaking the hug.
"There's something else you need to get.." she said and I frowned confused.
"What's that?"
"A man!"
I sighed in disappointment. "Ariann, can you be serious for once?"
"I am serious! Look around girlfriend, cute faces everywhere and you can get one free for yourself."
"Ariann, stop. I'm nervous enough already."
The presenter mounted the stage at that moment. "And, ladies and gentlemen. The moment we've all been waiting for, the winner for the Neo-Urban Blueprint is…"
Someone interrupted him, whispering in his ears, his expression changed and he adjusted himself.
"And the winner for the Neo–urban blueprint is...Xavier Vane"
"What?"
Even Arianna joined in the applause, it wasn't until I looked at her that she realized herself.
"Bethany!"
She called but I didn't answer, I just walked away! What level of hypocrisy! That award was mine!
I just kept walking, not knowing where I was going. Anywhere seemed right as long as it was far away from that loser who thinks he can buy his way with money.
"Running away from your own defeat, Bethany? That's beneath even you."
I'd know that voice even if I was deaf! But how was he here so fast.
"You stole that!" I yelled at him, I was boiling inside and could have easily torn him apart if he wasn't so tall and broad.
"We both know my blueprint was superior! Who did you pay Xavier? Let me guess, you bribed your way through! You disgust me Xavier!!" I spat out.
I expected him to mock my sleepless night, or at least try to deny it but he just stood there watching me like I was displaying an act.
"I didn't pay for the award, Bethany. I wouldn't stoop so low, and for what? An award?"
"Oh, please. Cut the act! That award might mean nothing to you but it means everything to me! That was my life and you know it!"
He stepped closer until there was no space between us. "I just saved your life, Bethany and this is your way of saying thank you."
"You're a psychopath! Get help Xavier." I hissed, ready to walk away.
He grabbed my waist, pulling me closer to him. As much as I hate being close to him, his choice of perfume was excellent.
"Your father lost the estate, the firm and even the family's mansion three nights ago."
My heart skipped, it wasn't possible. Even though my father is an addicted gambler, he'd never gamble with the firm nor the mansion.
"You're lying! He promised it was..."
"He lied!" He said cutting me off. "I paid the debt Beth, every cent."
I felt a wave of nausea, I wish I could throw up all over him. "Why would you do that? To make me work for you? In your dreams, Xavier. "
He leaned close to my ear, unexpectedly it made me shiver. "Do you think that's the only thing he sold?"
I almost stumbled but his firm grip on my waist held me tighter.
"He sold you, Bethany." He added.
"No!" I yelled. "That's not true, my father would never."
"Why don't you call him?"
I stared at his face, he didn't look like he was joking. But...my father couldn't possibly have sold me.