Chapter 3
Melinda
“−−Do you think she had anything to do with it?”
“—I bet she was in on it.”
“—I wonder if he paid her off.”
“—Bet daddy’s money covered her part in it up.”
‘—I wonder if her boyfriend took the fall, but she was the one behind it all.”
And those were just some of the things I’d heard in the last half hour. I knew coming to this gala was a bad idea. I’d heard rumor after rumor. Accusation after accusation. And the assumptions? I mean, the gall of some of those people astounded me. I came to this thing because it raised money for cancer awareness, and I always cared about charity. I didn’t want what happened to my ex to define me, so I faced the world like every grown woman should do when life threw her a wrecking ball (just not naked, like Miley Cyrus).
But I was feeling a little smushed from the weight of it, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold it together. The flashes of the cameras were causing my heart to beat faster. I tried to look composed every time they pointed one at me, but there was always another photographer there to take a picture, and it rattled me. My composure wouldn’t last much longer.
They didn’t care that I wore a silver gown with Swarovski crystals down the entire bodice that was handmade by a local boutique because I love to support small business owners. They didn’t care that every ounce of makeup I used was vegan and cruelty−free. They didn’t care that my heels were made from recycled material, not that anyone could tell because they were a stunning bright purple with a towering stiletto heel.
No one cared about the good I tried to do.
They only cared about the bad that one person did. One person who was connected to me, but I had nothing to do with. They bombarded me with questions, begging for a statement, but I kept my mouth shut. If it was one thing my mother taught me before she died, it was don’t say anything if it wasn’t full of kindness.
Their attention was my fault. Not only was the media having a field day with my ex, but I didn’t come with a date. I decided to tackle this gala on my own, which was stupid of me, and I should have known better. In times of crisis, a buffer was needed. It was a damn shame I was so strong−willed and stubborn. I thought I could do this, but every second that went by, my resolve crumbled.
“How are you holding up?” a friend of my father’s stood by me next to a darkened corner where I ended up hiding. I wanted to enjoy myself. The gala was gorgeous with red silk drapes coming from the ceiling and masked waiters in tuxedo casting a mysterious aspect to the party. I downed my champagne and grabbed another off a tray when another handsome man in a penguin suit strolled by.
I downed that one too. “I’m as good as I can be.”
“I want you to know I don’t believe the rumors flying around about you. I know you’re a good girl. That boy’s faults aren’t yours.”
Tears prickled my eyes, and I was glad darkness encompassed me. I’d hate for someone to witness my weakness right now. “Thank you. I appreciate it. Did my father send you here to keep an eye on me?” Walter never came to these events. He never liked them, and while my dad was never around, he cared in his own way.
“You know your father well,” he chuckled, sipping on his filthy martini. “He called me. He is worried about you.”
“So worried that he couldn’t be here? Shocker,” I said with a little bit of resentment.
“I can’t speak for him or why he isn’t here, but Melinda,” Walter grabbed my arm and turned me, so I was facing him. His bushy white brows frowned as he stared at me. “I don’t think you should be here. You are surrounded by vultures.”
“I know,” my shoulders sagged. “I wanted to be better than them. I wanted to beat them. I wanted to prove they couldn’t get to me.”
“Being surrounded by one or two is one thing, but a hundred? No one stands a chance. I admire your bravery.”
More like stupidity.
“You know, Melinda got involved with him for some reason. It had to be his wealth. So how could she not have known about it? I think it is only a matter of time before the great Bailey empire falls because of her bad decisions.” A snotty woman said as she sipped her champagne walking by. She had no idea I was there.
It was good for me. I got to hear what all these bitches were saying about me since they couldn’t say it to my face. At the same time, I knew it was enough for the weight of the wrecking ball to finally break me. “I need to go,” I whispered, placing the champagne glass on the nearest table. “I can’t be here.” The panic I had tried so hard to push away rushed forward. My cheeks heated, and my eyes burned with tears. I was about to break down. The so−called strength I had, had decided to run out, and I felt like I had no way out.
Every entrance was packed full of rich people, press, and security guards. I was doomed.
“Come. Let’s get you out of here, okay?” Walter tossed his tuxedo blazer around my shoulders and kept his arm around me, guiding me to a part of the ballroom that was marked off. No one was allowed through there.
Except for Walter because he owned every building in the city. Well, sort of.
“We can get you out of here without being seen.”
“Thank you, Walter.”
