Page 24 of Darkest Deception

“Who is it?” Darci tries to peek at my phone, but I shut my phone. My heart races inside of me as I slowly turn to Darci again. Trying to imagine what my stalker will do to him.

Will he cut his hands off for touching me?

Will he slit his throat for daring to disrespect me?

Would anyone even want to keep my pride and dignity preserved at all?

I haven’t done anything to deserve anyone’s mercy or kindness, and that thought alone has everything around me dimming as I force myself through this dinner.

“Ambrose is such a lovely woman. I think she is perfect for my boy, Darci,” Viviana says.

My mother lights up at the suggestion, but it makes me nauseous.

I don’t want this.

The feeling gets so intense that I need to leave.

“Excuse me,” I say politely and rise from the table.

I walk swiftly to the restrooms and barely keep myself from puking in the toilet. Darci’s wandering hands make me feel so disgusted.

I lean against the wall in the ladies’ restroom and close my eyes. I suck in long breaths and release them slowly until my heartbeat calms and my hands stop shaking. I quickly check my reflection in the mirror, then walk back out. Everyone is ready to go, thankfully. I grab my purse, my eyes flying back to where I saw my stalker in the back, but he isn’t there anymore.

No one has ever seen him before, nor have we caught him with any of our security cameras. Could he be a mere fragment of my imagination?

Could he be someone my mind created, pushing me to go insane? To tip over the last edge of sanity I have left?

The ride to the exclusive launch party of the new partnership between Anta Group and Fallum Corporation thrown by Darci Anta’s parents is just as suffocating. I keep my window open a fraction to let some cool air into the car. My mother’s presence, the thought of being in another event, the sight of people in the room, and the need to keep up a fake smile is all so exhausting.

My heart tightens with unease.

I take a shuddering breath in and let it out quietly. My hands shake, along with my chin, at the thought of putting up with Darci for the rest of the night.

My window gets shut just as flashes go off outside.

I jump when I feel a pinch on my thigh and look over to see Mum’s retreating hand and a firm expression on her face.

“Do not, under any circumstance, ruin this, Ambrose.”

I swallow thickly.

My door opens, and the flashes blind me. A hand reaches out, and I take it numbly, swinging my legs out, then placing one foot in front of the other as I exit the vehicle. I fix an unaffected, regal smile on my face as I wave and nod at the paparazzi, walking on the white carpet towards the steps leading up to Marigold Avenue . It’s an elegant venue, situated right on the famous Marigold Avenue, which houses only the most exclusive event structures. Invitations to events here are extended to politicians, mayors, influential Chief Executives, and even to the state secretary. Some even come from the royal bloodline.

The Anta family ranks just below the Cainn Group, with their influence and wealth exceeding everyone in this group. With their hand in technology, they are always in demand. Their share prices keep increasing, and that rapid growth is exactly what shareholders and investors look for. It’s been a quick, yet crazy, rise to the top for them.

What will happen if I reject Darci’s advances?

What will happen if I walk away and don’t attempt to make conversation with Darci?

Will it be the same as when I was in school?

Will I have to sacrifice myself once more for my family?

I have given up so much of myself for parents who had never cared.

Glamorous was my only avenue for escape, but even that has been snatched away from me.

Fuck Helia and Remo.

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