Page 2 of Game of Revenge

After all, in the eyes of California’s elite class, I was the happiest young woman in the world. I had it all. According to them, I was beautiful, young, and wealthy, with a father who adored me and the perfect fiancé to top it all off. The world saw Richard as a very clever businessman and a good father to his only daughter—he played the part quite well.

“There you are, honey, more beautiful than ever,” said George, kissing my hand. “Happy birthday again.”

“Thank you,” I replied with a smile.

George was a tall, slim, but slightly muscular man with beautiful blue eyes that inspired peace. His light-blond hair was combed toward the right side of his face.

He grabbed two glasses of champagne from one of the waiters and handed me one.

“Thank you.”

“Cheers, my dear,” said George, toasting with his glass.

The evening was going as slowly as I had feared. I went from group to group with Richard and George by my side. I kept smiling and behaved as the pleasant, seductive, and attractive host Richard wanted me to be.

The celebration was taking place in one of the large halls of the house, which had been transformed into a dance floor surrounded by golden high-top tables for cocktail hour. The event planning crew had installed two bars at each end of the room. Near the entrance were musicians playing soft, instrumental music so the attendees could still hear each other talk.

There must have been at least a hundred people and more than a dozen waiters making sure there was no shortage of drinks and appetizers. I generally found this house, with its white walls and marble floors, to be quite stale. Even the paintings on the walls were devoid of color and life.

Richard had confused sophistication with boredom, as Iris loved to explain—a lesson I feared my stepfather would never learn. But this was no longer my home. Frankly, it never really was.

“Yesterday, Richard and I finally convinced Mr. Ramos to let us buy his property,” said George.

“That’s very good!” I replied, pretending to be interested in the conversation.

After a while, I got a little distracted. For the past thirty minutes, I had observed a broad-shouldered man with dark hair and tan skin staring at me as he made his way through the crowd. He was dressed in a tuxedo, like most men were this evening, but he had chosen a thin black tie instead of a bowtie. He kept a hand in his pocket as he talked to guests, but he was clearly following my every move with his gaze.

I couldn’t see his features very well, but I was sure I had never seen him before. I wouldn’t have forgotten a man who looked like he fit—but also didn’t. I turned to give him my back and wrapped my arm around George’s, still feeling his gaze down my spine. George turned his head and kissed me on the forehead, likely feeling my discomfort.

“Are you okay?” asked George.

“Yes, just a little tired. You know I didn’t want such a big birthday party. I would have preferred a dinner for two or to go to the movies.”

“We must celebrate. Your father would have been very sad if you had not agreed to have this gala. Look around at everyone who came to see you! Only you could complain about a celebration like this.”

“I don’t really know these people, and frankly, their company doesn’t do much for me.”

As George was getting ready to retort, a group of guests joined us. As I smiled and accepted their compliments, Iris made her way to me.

Iris was tall and fit, a naturally elegant woman with warm, golden-blonde hair, defined cheekbones, and gorgeous blue eyes. Her stylish emerald dress, with a high cut on the front leg, brought out the shine in her eyes.

She had been my best friend since middle school, one of the few people I truly trusted in this world.

“I came to save you! Olivier was taking all my time, but I’m here!” said Iris. She knew that, behind what I hoped was a sensational smile, I hid a lot. She saved me from the inquisitive crowd and took me by the hand to go to the bar.

“Tell Olivier that I was here first!” I joked.

Olivier and Iris had known each other for only a few months, through a family connection. I was very happy for her, but I couldn’t help but think the relationship was going way too fast. Iris was a tender soul, and I didn’t feel like Olivier appreciated that. He seemed to be in a rush to infiltrate himself into every aspect of her life, and I wasn’t sure of his intentions.

I had shared my doubts with Iris, and since then, I felt that he was avoiding me. Iris promised that she hadn’t said anything to Olivier, but his behavior seemed to indicate the contrary.

“You have to admit, this is a nice party,” teased Iris as we managed to grab an empty table by the bar, a bit far from the rest of the crowd.

“I mean, I didn’t expect anything less. He should have hired you, but no, he had to get the same designers his competition used. Instead, the man hired two party planners and made them compete against each other until the very last second.”

“Wow, that’s intense.”

“It always is,” I acquiesced.