Wife's Bitter Revenge Against Neglectful CEO Husband-Chapter 92: Party Drama

"What was that all about?" Alec asked.

I shrugged. "You have secrets. So do I. That little scene is part of my secrets. How does it feel, Alec?"

"Not good."

"Agreed."

I sat down and finished my champagne in one gulp before requesting another.

By the time the presentation started, I was nicely numb to the conversations around me and Alec’s concern.

I watched as Alec received a crystal award for Businessman of the Year. I listened to his speech, in which he thanked his family and his employees for their roles in his success. He came across as a modest man who smiled easily and liked to put people at ease. However, his ease faltered whenever his gaze met mine.

I had rattled him.

It was only fair, considering what I had found out about his background had rattled me.

Still, that unease did make me feel some guilt. After all, this was a special night for Alec. He expected me to smile and celebrate with him. So, I took the time Alec was on stage to pull myself together. I shouldn’t have come if I hadn’t planned to play nice, and it wasn’t fair to paint Alec with the same brush as his father any more than to assume King was like Lettie.

So, I had one more drink and softened the tension in my lips and jaw. I stretched my neck from side to side and let the alcohol relax me.

By the time Alec made his way back to our table, I managed to congratulate him and kiss his cheek.

"I need to go to the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back."

"I’ll escort you."

"No, stay. The party is for you. I can find my way."

"If you’re sure."

I took my time finding the bathroom as I scanned the faces for King. I spotted Anya instead. She was sitting with a man twice her age. From the way she leaned into the man and was touching him, I pegged him as either a lover, a source of money, or both. For someone like Anya, money was synonymous with love. If that man paid her enough, she would simulate love as if it were nobody’s business.

Either way, poor Joshua. His wife was making it more than clear that she wasn’t the devoted spouse he deserved.

When I left the restroom, King was waiting for me.

"Does it have to be Crest? Couldn’t you date someone else? Anyone else? Even Stiff would be preferable to this guy."

"I didn’t go looking for someone, King. We ran into one another by accident. He seemed nice. Someone I’d like to know. Someone not like you."

"Huh, Alec and I are more alike than I’d like to admit."

"Yes, King, I did."

"Even after Ben told you he and I have history."

"I had already agreed to attend this event with Alec by the time I found out you two had history."

"Does that mean you won’t see him again?"

"I don’t know, King. I’m confused."

"Teela, he’s bad news. He always has been."

"Technically, so are you."

King nodded. "I can’t argue that. You deserve better than either Alec or me. Find someone else, Teela. I promise I’ll stay out of your relationship with anyone but Alec."

He meant it. I could tell he meant it.

"Thanks, but shouldn’t that be my decision?"

"Yeah, I guess you’re right. Just be careful, okay?"

"I’ll make sure she is safe. I promise. She’s important to me," Alec said as he placed a hand on the small of my back.

"So, you’re willing to go up against your father for her, because trust me, if there is anyone in the world strong enough to take on Eugene Crest, it’s that woman next to you. And, I’m willing to bet my life savings that she’ll take him on. It isn’t in her to walk away from injustice."

"If that is what it takes," Alec said. "I will."

King turned his attention back to me. "When you need help, call me. And you will need help. Count on it. I might not be able to nail the coffin shut on Lettie, but I’ve got no qualms backing you up against Eugne Crest. I owe you at least that much."

"Thanks, King. I hope it doesn’t come to that."

"I mean it, Teela."

Even clueless King saw this coming. Joy. Did I have do-gooder written across my forehead?"

King waved us off and left Alec and me standing there gawking at one another.

Alec said, "I’m guessing you’d like to leave now?"

"I’m good either way, Alec. This is your night. I’m here for you." I attempted to smile and almost succeeded.

"Is that why you sneaked off to meet up with King?"

My almost smile fell into a scowl. "Excuse me?"

"You say you’re going to the restroom, then I find you talking to your ex. What am I supposed to think?"

"You are supposed to think I had a full bladder and needed to pee. Afterward, I ran into King in the hall. He stopped because he is concerned about me.

"You’re not supposed to think I’m such a lowlife that I’d sneak around with King while on a date with you."

"You’ve been acting weird all night. What’s going on Teela?"

"I’m acting weird? You’re the one who didn’t bother to tell me you are the guest of honor. Nor did you tell me to expect that shit show outside. And from what I gather, you should probably have told me about your dad before I found out, like maybe when we were doing confession time at the park or one of the dozens of times we were texting. I would have settled for a quick heads up on the car ride here."

"Everyone knows my dad."

"No, Alec, everyone does not. I didn’t. I spent the last three years practically imprisoned in the Heavenly household. I was lucky to know who the president was, let alone who some sleazy mobster is."

"Sleazy mobster," bellowed an older man with a paunch and a cigar in a no smoking building. "No one has called me that in twenty years."

"Hello, Dad," Alec said. "Meet my girlfriend, Teela Heavenly."

He didn’t look happy, and I couldn’t blame him. This wasn’t the way anyone one wanted to introduce a date to a parent.

"Heavenly, huh? Isn’t calling me a sleazy mobster a little like the pot calling the kettle black?" Mr. Crest asked.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Crest, I spoke out in frustration. As awful as it sounded, it wasn’t personal. Now, if you will excuse me, I’ll leave before I embarrass myself further."

"Little girls like you should be more careful who you offend," Eugene said.

"Agreed. Excuse me."

Alec grabbed my arm. "Hold up. I’ll take you home. Dad, I’ll see you for breakfast tomorrow, okay?"

Eugene waved him off at the same time that I pulled away from Alec.

"I can find my own way home. Alec. It’s your party. You should stay."

"Teela, no. We need to talk."

"Not tonight, we don’t."

I walked off even as Alec trailed after me trying to talk to me. I wasn’t listening, though. All I could hear was the rush of blood to my head as my heart exploded into a million tiny pieces.

At the exit, a server was pouring champagne. I grabbed the bottle in passing and took a big swig. I carried the bottle with me by the neck as I went outside to wait for my security detail to pick me up.

I felt like I should be crying. Instead, the more hurt I felt, the more angry I became. And that anger was self-directed as much as it was outwardly directed. I needed to be more careful, to protect myself from stupidly trusting people without all the facts.

"Teela, please, can we discuss it?" Alec said. "I don’t want to lose you."

’You can’t lose what was never yours, Alec."

The SUV pulled up in front of me. Thank goodness, Jake was there. He opened the door for me and made sure Alec didn’t follow me.

I upended the bottle and chugged what was left, praying I would pass out before I arrived home. It was much preferable to answering questions tonight.

As we pulled away, I said, "Jake, tomorrow I want to rent a hideout."

"A hideout?"

"Yeah, an apartment where I can go when I don’t want to answer questions."

"Or you can stay at the church and just say no."

I shook my head. "No," and giggled. "It’s easier said than done. Plus, I don’t want to worry my friends."

"Don’t you think moving out will worry them?"

"I’m not moving out, silly. Think of the hideout as a vacation home where I visit but don’t stay."

"Alright, if you remember you want a hideout when you wake up, I’ll help you find one."

And then I was asleep. Jake was here. It was safe to sleep.