"Are you ready yet?" Karren shouted from down stairs.Puffing my hair and rubbing my lip stick on,i looked at my outfit in the mirror. I wore a gold and black fish tail dress that swept along the floor. A v-shaped cut out in the back making my silky smooth dark skin visible.

"Five more minutes Karry", I shouted back.

After finally agreeing to get help yesterday. Derek, both Karren's and I manager called, reminding me that we had a business party to attend. The entire ride home was filled with silence. Romane had not said a word giving me time to think about my decision, his big warm hand rubbing soothing circles along my palm. It was at approximately nine pm that I texted him agreeing to meet the therapist. He was there when Derek called and therefore knew  the appointment for today needed to be cancelled.

"Bittttttch, if you don't find yourself down these stairs,
right nowwwww!!!!"

"I'm coming" I yelled out rushing through the door, as I struggled to take my tongue ring out.
Walking down the stairs, I placed them in the black purse I had by my side, going to the front door where Karry was standing in her glamour gold and black mid thigh,half shoulder dress.

The drive from our house to the building of the business party took us about  two hours. We pulled into the venue and parked in the lot. Both of us stepped out of Karry's van, making our way onto the red carpet and waving at persons who we knew. The moment we got inside Karry started to mingle,disappearing into the crowd.
Sipping a glass of baily wine, I leaned slightly against the wall observing everyone.
The lady's wore  their finest dresses,expensive jewellery and very long heels. While some had natural beauty and physiques. Other's fake breasts were literally falling out their tight fitted dresses. Their faces stiffened from the botox they got injected. The fake butt implants protruding. The men were in their well ironed suits, some with glasses and some without, but all looked put together. I must say who ever decorated this placed did a damn good job and must have gotten an hefty sum of money.

"Maria hunny, is that you?" Victoria an old business associates greeted,bringing me in for a hug. Discreetly rolling my eyes,I wrapped my hands around her.

"It's been a while haven't it" I said putting on a fake smiling as the hug came to an end. I shake Jake, her husband's hand.

"Indeed you've always been the quiet one haven't you?" she rhetorically asked.  "Always by your self ."

"Yet here you are trying to disturb my peace"I thought,biting my lip as I tried to not say anything rude. I have never been too fond of Victoria. She simply could not keep her mouth shut and on top of that she knew perfectly how to change your words into something else. She always heard something different from what you originally said. I had tried at all cost to avoid this snake and her gollum looking creature of an husband, yet her she was standing before me. ugh!!

"Mhm you can say that" I responded.

She  started talking about our past business deals. Her open relationship, her kids ,Who was cheating on who, Who was secretly pregnant, Everythinggggg!!!!!
She just wouldn't stop talking and the way her man was looking at me was starting to creep me out.

"Hey Marr" a voice cutted in, seeing it was Derek, my manager, I excused myself, thanking him for saving me. Lightly laughing at my distress, he patted my hair.

"It's time for the auction to begin and Karry won't stop hitting and me telling, me to go find you" he pouted.

Putting my hand around his shoulder, I chuckled, allowing him to show me to where she was sitting.

Her face lit up,like kids at the thought of receiving their Christmas gifts from Santa. She then pinched me, twisting the flesh between her fingers.

"Owwwww,ouch,Karren", I whined what's that for?"

"You were suppose to follow me while I spoke to people" she grumbled out as if that was some type of rule.

Hissing my teeth, I smacked her hand, wanting her to feel a little of what I was feeling.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome,to yet another  year of  our annual business party".  The host said has everyone clapped.

Then it begun, there were necklaces, Cars, and even dates being auctioned.

"Going for four hundred thousand"

"Five hundred thousand" Karry shouted for the golden necklace on display. Grinning like an idiot, until a voice we knew very well shouted one million.
Ofcourse it was him, I was such a fool to not realize Romane would also be here.

"One point five million dollars" Karry screamed again determine to get it.

As they continued on with there betting. My eyes caught someone in the distance. Someone who could not possibly be here.
Someone who I had not seen in ages. It could not be him, There was no way.He could not be here. I thought, gripping the table with so much force it felt like it would break from my hold. Within a blink of an eye the figure disappear, down the hallway leading to bathroom. Drinking some water, I tried to calm my breathing convincing myself that it was someone else.

"Hey, are you okay Maria?"

"Yea Karry, I'm fine" I responded drinking the rest of the water in one gulp.My eyes frantically scanning the room.

✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
A/N
Hey lovelies❤️❤️❤️😊, thank you for reading yet another chapter.
Do you think Karren is going to win the bet or will Romane win?
Who is it that Maria saw that had her so shaken up ? Is it really who she thought it was? Stick around to find out.