63 The Grandeur Hotel

Guest in their numbers trooped into the dinner hall in their most elegant attires. The luxurious hall adornments and fashion display could be compared to a presidential dinner event.

The hall was perfectly illuminated by a world-class bohemian crystal chandelier, with one thousand light bulbs. The chandelier stood out for its iconic beauty and it was centrally located. Its luxurious look and magnificence made the hall an enchanting place to be in.

The vast dinner hall was packed with over forty well-decorated round tables. And each table was surrounded by twelve armless chairs. A dance floor stood out distinctively and a piece of soft background music made the environment serene.

Guests moved around the hall socializing, chatting, and laughing warmly. Some took their seats as they waited for the hosts of the event to arrive.

A few minutes later, Ella and Leon stepped into the hall looking radiant in their elegant outfits.

Ella was embellished in a glittery one-shoulder, high split, long black A-line dress. Her wavy red hair was let down stylishly and her ear lobe sparkled with dangle diamond earrings. Her captivating silvery high heels complimented her silver clutch.

Leon was also decked in a three-piece black tuxedo suit, which blended with Ella’s black dress.

The guest stood up, clapping and cheering as the beautiful couple stepped into the hall. After an appreciation speech by Ella, the dinner party kicked up smoothly.

“Don’t tell me you hired a spy to monitor my choice of dress.” Ella teased, as Denise and Tom took their seat beside her. “You both look so gorgeous.”

.....

Denise and Tom were also apparelled in luxurious black attires, making them look like celebrity couples.

“Thank you,” Denise smiled. “For our color choice, maybe I did, send a spy” Denise chuckled and winked at Ella. “By the way, you look ravishing.” Her eyes sparkled as she scrutinized Ella’s dress. “What a daring look! I’m surprised Leon hasn’t secretly spirited you out of the city just like he did during the Cherry Gala event.”

Ella let out a hearty laugh before responding to Denise. “You remember! That night was special and different.”

“What makes you think this night isn’t?” Leon smirked, as he joined the conversation. “You have no idea of the thousand restraints I am putting up now. You are the host of the event and it wouldn’t be nice for you to leave when the show hasn’t gotten halfway.”

“Come on, Leon! This is ladies’ talk! No meddling!” Ella pouted gaily. “Tom, engage your friend.” Ella looked at Tom pleadingly.

“Do you want me to suffer the consequences later?” Tom raised both hands in resignation.

“Ella, Tom is right, you know.” Denise winked at Tom. “This is a couple’s night out and it would be unfair of me to engage you when your husband can’t take his eyes off you for a second.” She grinned at Leon.

“Thank you, Denise, for being very observant!” Leon smiled.

historical

“Denise, even you too?” Ella’s eyes widened. “I thought you had my back?”

“Well, in my defense, the good book says; ‘what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Denise raised an arm, beaming hilariously.

“What a cliche!” Ella rolled her eyes at Denise and turned her attention to Leon. “It seems you have a hidden agenda up that sleeves of yours.”

“Well, you will find out in due time.” Leon leaned over and kissed her lips.

A security detail walked up to Leon and whispered something into his ears. This made Leon’s cheerful mood dampen.

“Babe! What’s the problem?” Ella stared anxiously at him. She was curious to know what the security guard had said to Leon.

“We have a desperate gate crasher,” Leon spoke sarcastically. He was irked at Chloe’s desperation to hurt Ella. He was also amazed that she wasn’t heeding all the warning signs flashing before her eyes.

“Let me take a wild guess, Chloe!” Ella spat out with disgust.

“That tramp, again?” Denise’s face contoured in dismay.

“She needs to be taught a bitter lesson,” Tom interjected.

“Leon, let’s grant her access.” Ella grinned slyly. “If she wants to make a bigger fool of herself, I will gladly help her.”

“I don’t want her to ruin your mood,” Leon spoke tenderly to Ella. “She has done enough at the interview.”

“Don’t worry, love. Trust me! I can handle myself. Did you see me waver during the interview?” Ella’s beaming and mischievous eyes bored into Leon’s.

Leon smiled and stroked her cheek fondly. “I trust you, my love. You complete me.”

“Aww!” Denise beamed at the lovely couple. “Love is so sweet!”

“I totally agree, just like ours.” Tom stroked Denise’s side making her twitch with excitement.

“Let her in!” Leon instructed his security guard with a dismissive wave of his hand.

Chloe was finally let into the hall after acting hysterical outside amidst the camera light flashing. It had been from one humiliation to another as she tried in vain, to force her way through. She couldn’t accept the fact that a privileged girl like herself could be treated lesser than a commoner. She watched in horror as low-level, cheaply dressed guests were granted access to the event. However, she wasn’t given a simple courtesy or acknowledgment. It was as though the name, Robinson, had suddenly lost its charm and prestige.

Chloe took in a deep breath to calm her nerves before stepping into the hall. Unfortunately for her, she was not let in with her bodyguards.

One of her bodyguards quickly dialed her father’s number and informed him of her reckless decision. He feared for her safety and her father’s wrath.

Chloe stepped into the hall, looking immaculate in her all-white dazzling attires, causing heads to turn and eyes to gawk.

“Isn’t that the ostentatiously dressed lady that was fooling herself earlier outside the hall?...”

“That is Chloe Robinson. She is the despicable lady that tried to disgrace Mrs. Ella Treshvire, today?...”

“Was she invited?...”

“How can someone be so shameless?...”

“She has some nerves of steel, showing her face in an event like this...”

“Wonders, they say shall never end...”

“This is going to be fun, I can’t wait for a catfight...”

The hall was filled with muffled conversation as Chloe walked boldly to Ariella’s table. She took a seat opposite the four glaring individuals like she owned the show.

“Well, well, well...What do we have here?” She took a half-filled champagne glass from the table and sipped it. Although her heart was drumming loudly, she tried to put up a fierce look. “Surprised to see me, husband snatcher?...”

“You’re so full of shit, you...”

“Denise!” Ella gave Denise a disapproving stare. She chuckled bitterly and placed her hand on Leon’s clenched fist. “I heard you were drooling over the place to be let in. And by the way, which of your many husbands did I snatch? Was it the hideous old scoundrel you publicly made out with? Or maybe my ex-boyfriend, Richard; who is currently waiting for you to join him?”

Chloe’s face turned white as a sheet. “What!” She whispered as her heart thumped louder. “How did she find out about my affair with Richard?” She mentally quizzed herself. She clenched her fist and was about to say something. However, the words got stuck in her throat as she was immobilized by Leon’s ferocious glares.

Ella tittered to the admiration of Denise. “Do you see this lovable, gorgeous man right here?” Ella trailed a finger from Leon’s face to his chest making lustful eye contact with him. “In your miserable and worthless existence, you will never find such a desirable...” She leaned closer to Leon and locked his lips in a momentary passionate kiss.

Burning tears trickled down Chloe’s cheek. It was as though she had been hypnotized by Ella. All she could do was gawk in horror as Ella seemed to have the upper hand. She knew that if she raised a finger, all the scowling faces glaring at her would devour her in an instant.

Ella broke from the kiss and licked her lips seductively like she was enjoying her favorite vanilla strawberry ice cream. She looked at Chloe devilishly. “Aww... The poor baby is crying. Save your crocodile tears, I haven’t even started with you. When I am done dealing with you, you will beg for tears.” Ella signaled her bodyguard. “Take this...” She glared at Chloe repulsively. “This offensive tart out of my presence.”

“Yes ma’am!” They picked up the emotionally drained Chloe and threw her out of the hall amidst mockery laughter and gossip.

“Ella, I am so proud of you.” Denise was the first to speak up. She had been dying to say something in Ella’s defense.

Ella had amazed Denise beyond words for the past three hours. The way she handled herself during the interview, revealed that the old, peaceful and naive Ella was gone. This new Ella was daring, provocative, and sophisticated.

“Nicely done, Mrs. Treshvire.” Tom grinned as he observed that Leon had passed on some of his dark genes to the calm and loving Ella.

Leon pulled her close and locked her in another short passionate kiss. “I want us to leave here.” He gently stroked her thighs as his warm breath brushed over her ears, making her face turn red.

“Patience, my love. We will be leaving soon.” Ella’s eyes sparkled with burning desire.

....

Outside the Grandeur hotel, Albert Robinson waited in the car for Chloe to step out. He wore a haunted expression as he thought of ways to ground her severely. He didn’t believe his ears when Chloe’s bodyguard called to inform him of another idiotic stunt being pulled by her. Why was Chloe bent on destroying his good reputation? For the past four weeks or less, Chloe had succeeded in tarnishing his good name. It had been from one cover-up to another. The most painful thing is that she had no plans on slowing down her madness.

“Does my princess have plans of giving me a cardiac arrest?” Albert pondered out loud.

At that very moment, Albert’s eyes caught a horrific scene.

“What the hell!” He boomed out loud, as he jumped out of the car and rushed to the entrance of the Grandeur hotel.